COMMUNITY
Community-based activities, programs and research are a key component of the Living Lab Project. Through a number of partners within the CRD, we prioritize local community-based projects to inform and guide all aspects of our work.
IN THE CLASS
We collaborate with local teachers, traditional knowledge holders and researchers to facilitate educational events for youth in the CRD public school system.
ON THE SEA
We are grateful to be situated on the Salish Sea, which is integral to the cultural heritage and environmental health of our region. Here are some of projects that have taken place on the ocean.
ON THE LAND
On the land, we are engaged in a number of activities involving traditional foods, agriculture, education and more!
Latest from the Blog





Big Canoe Program
ClassroomLiving Lab provides enrichment to the Big Canoe Program, a place-based learning program at Shoreline middle school. The program allows middle school youth (grades 6-8) to learn about the importance of the Gorge waterway on traditional Lekwungen…

Coles Bay Project – W̱SÁNEĆ Territory
CommunityProject overview:
The W̱SÁNEĆ community are now unable to harvest shellfish in much of their home territory. They have, for many years, voiced their concern about the continued degradation of the marine habitat, the effects on their food…


Talen Tests The Waters From Bowker Creek
ClassroomDuring River's Day (Sept. 22, 2019) Talen, with help from some Oak Bay High students and Biology Teacher, Mr. Derek Shrubsol, collected some water from Bowker Creek. At UVic, the water was filtered and then the filter paper placed on media that…

Darlene spends the day at tl’ches
On the SeaDarlene took this photo yesterday (Oct. 1, 2019). We think it is a spotted ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei). They are more closely related to sharks than fish. The Wiki page reports that they move closer to shore in the spring and fall, but can…

SAYL in the University of Victoria’s Biology Lab with Dr John Taylor and Matt Miller
ClassroomThe University of Victoria - Biology Lab with Matt Miller and John Taylor.
After we collected sand and water samples from Cadboro Bay, we brought them to the University of Victoria's biology lab to be analyzed. We had a special guest drop…

Digital Scholarship Commons and Science Venture
ClassroomWe were able to spend the last part of our Science Camp with UVIC's Digital Scholarship Commons and Science Venture.
Dr Matt Huculak and his team introduced the youth to coding and circuit boarding.
Digital Scholarship Commons with Dr.…

Local History with Nick Claxton and John Lutz
ClassroomLocal History with Dr John Lutz and Dr Nick Claxton.
John showed the youth historical maps. He talked about the importance of maps and our right to fight for our traditional food systems. Nick taught us about the importance of bringing back…