	Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
	Canada's premier coastal and marine facility for teaching and research

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HOME > Public Education > Book a Trip > Step 7: Building your itinerary

Step 7: Itinerary building

How do I get my itinerary?

Before your scheduled arrival, our Program Co-ordinator will send you a detailed itinerary. This itinerary is constructed based on the information you sent us in your booking request and information sheets. We cannot plan your itinerary until you get this information to us! It is also based around tides and access to boats and labs.

What if I want to make changes to my itinerary?

Our itineraries are always flexible. They have to be, as our weather often decides changes for us. If there is anything you would like to see changed on the itinerary contact the Public Education Program Co-ordinator, , (phone 250-728-3301 ext. 226) to discuss these changes. Perhaps you want to work your students more or less, or be outside more or wish to create a different emphasis for the trip. We are interested in building the best itinerary for your needs and welcome your participation in this process.

Could I have an example of an itinerary?

Click here for a sample intinerary, or download a sample itinerary (.pdf).

Activities and Labs

Click here for detailed Progam Description

The following activities form the backbone of most field trips. They are put together in combinations dependent upon group interests, tides, weather conditions, school curricula, etc.

Observations in open coast intertidal areas (sandy, rocky, cobbles): natural history, intertidal zonation, adaptations, interactions between species.
Semi-protected coast intertidal studies (quantitative and qualitative studies)
Plankton collection and microscopic examination
Natural history of docks and pilings
Collection and analysis of oceanography data (temperature and salinity)
Open ocean dredging to examine subtidal sea life
Open ocean surveys of seabirds and marine mammals
Laboratory instruction on marine invertebrates, and "hands-on" knowledge
Laboratory studies of seaweed ecology, diversity and human use
Laboratory studies of behaviour, physiology, taxonomy, etc. of specific groups of marine organisms in display tanks and sea water tables
Slide shows and educational workshops (marine mammals, species at risk, biodiversity and conservation, kelp forest ecology)
Tour of Bamfield and Grappler Inlets
Lab studies of marine mammal and seabird adaptations.
Temperate rainforest ecology and ethnobotany walks

...And so much more!

The following activities are occasionally integrated into field trips according to the season and group interest, this is not a complete list so please let us know your specific group requests:

Beach walks
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) surveys
Lab to examine primary productivity of kelp or phytoplankton
Hikes along the West Coast Trail or to Cape Beale headlands
Tour of Coast Guard facility
Tour of abalone aquaculture facility
Interpretive visit to Huu ay aht carving shed
Paddling of Huu ay aht dug-out peace canoe "Klee klee haa"
Open ocean bird watching
Visit to sea lion haul outs
Workshop on keeping a biological field journal
Natural history and ecology of mudflats
Reproduction lab involving the spawning of echinoderms
Laboratory studies of fish diversity
Whale watching-grey whales
Library research projects
Individual studies and presentations
Algae pressing
Fish printing
Biodiversity surveys in the forest and intertidal
Rainforest canopy platform visit
Tour of local fishing community and boardwalk
"Structured" group leisure such as a "talent show"

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Sample Field Trip Itinerary

Day 1
1600 Arrive Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, settle into accommodations.
1700 Tour of the Marine Sciences Centre facilties and safety orientation
1800 Dinner
1900 Field trip: Oceanography and biodiversity in Grappler Inlet, plankton collections.
2030 Slide Show: Marine Mammals of Barkley Sound.

Day 2 (Low tide of 0.5m @ 0900)
0730 Breakfast
0830 Field Trip: Introduction to intertidal ecology including zonation patterns at Aguilar Point.
1030 Lab: Marine invertebrate diversity in Barkley Sound.
1230 Lunch
1330 Field Trip: Open ocean sampling (dredge) and seabird/marine mammal surveys on board the research vessel M.V. Alta
1530 Fieldtrip: Temperate rainforest ecology, biodiversity study
1800 Dinner
1900 Lab: Microscopic examination of the plankton
2030 Video: "Life at the Edge of the Sea" A BBC documentary filmed here at BMSC.
2130 Fieldtrip: Bioluminescence in the inlets of Bamfield

Day 3 (Low tide of 0.4m @ 0940)
0730 Breakfast, pack-up
0830 Field Trip: Sandy and rocky shores of Brady's beach, tidepool studies.
1130 Fiedltrip: Life on docks and pilings.
1230 Lunch
1330 depart Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.

Contact Us

Public Education Coordinator:

Phone: (250) 728-3301 ext. 226

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Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
100 Pachena Rd, Bamfield, BC
Canada, V0R 1B0
Phone: (250) 728-3301
Fax: (250) 728-3452

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