Amanda’s Experience with SIMRS

Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society (SIMRS) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to research, monitoring, and education since 1991. SIMRS is based on the West coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia and conducts work within and between Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds. SIMRS achieves their goals through several different initiatives, including Bigg’s Killer Whale Monitoring, Build-A-Whale, the Sea Star Stewardship Program, the Ocean Literacy Program, the BC Marine Mammal Response Network, and Pelagic Marine Species Surveys.

In her placement with Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society, Amanda assisted in both field research and office work, contributing to many of SIMRS initiatives. Amanda supported the establishment of long-term marine life monitoring in Clayoquot Sound, promoted citizen science activities, and encouraged public stewardship of the local marine wildlife and ecosystems. She participated in SIMRS’ monthly pelagic marine species surveys and developed several communication pieces to educate the public about the conservation initiatives in the region.

During her placement she had the opportunity to practice environmental writing through actively engaging the public through social media and when she was asked to write a blog on history of her placement host organization, SIMRS. Since then, she has been asked to write two more blogs, which were printed in the October and November editions of the Tofino Time magazine! Amanda also initiated a fundraising campaign to to raise funds for SIMRS by running a marathon, successfully meeting her goal.