Seaweeds of the West Coast (Weekend Field-Course)

Topics to be covered:

• Introduction to seaweeds - what are they, and what is their role in coastal ecology?
• Biodiversity and ecology of west coast seaweeds
• Essentials of collecting and identifying seaweeds in the field
• Seaweed foraging and the relationship between seaweeds and people
• Pressing and preserving seaweeds

Friday

• Introductory presentation: An overview of west coast seaweeds, different seaweed groups, role of seaweeds in coastal marine ecosystems.

Saturday

• Field trip to explore seaweeds on Tofino’s rocky coast and practice naturalist skills, including fundamentals of seaweed identification.
• Collection of seaweeds at field site - bring journals and cameras to record habitat info.
• Seaweed identification and pressing workshop. 421 Main Street, Tofino
• Practice using dichotomous keys, field guides and online databases to identify unknown specimens.
• Create your own scientific and artistic seaweed presses.
• Seaweeds and people: from traditional uses to modern foraging, and everything in between

Sunday

• Putting it all together: field trip to identify seaweeds and their communities in nature, including opportunities to share what you’ve learned with the group. Group lunch and course wrap-up.