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CBVA & MGAC Guide Symposium
March 15/16, 2025
The Commercial Bear Viewing Association an the Marine Guides Association of Canada invite you to our inaugural Guide Symposium! This is a not-to-be-missed event designed to bring together guides, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts for an unforgettable weekend of learning, inspiration, and connection.
Why Attend?
- Hear from renowned naturalists, biologists, and experts in wildlife conservation, bear ecology, and marine safety.
- Gain insights into cutting-edge research and innovative practices in bear viewing and ecotourism.
- Network with fellow guides and professionals passionate about wilderness stewardship.
- Participate in interactive workshops and panel discussions tailored to enhance your guiding expertise.
We’re thrilled to bring together an incredible lineup of renowned naturalists, biologists, and industry experts for this year’s CBVA/MGAC Guide Symposium. These speakers are at the forefront of wildlife conservation, bear ecology, marine safety, and ecotourism, offering invaluable insights to enhance your guiding expertise.
Speaker List
Who’s Speaking? We’ve lined up an amazing group of presenters, including:
✅Richard Sparrow, Grizzly Bear Foundation – What makes a good land acknowledgement?
✅ Mollie Cameron, Wild Wise Society – Living with Cougars: Understanding signs, behaviours and mitigating conflicts on Vancouver Island
✅ Briony Penn – Stay tuned, but it will be something spectacular!
✅ Emily Johnson & Kenda Lucklow, Vancouver Aquarium– Marine Mammal Entanglement
✅ Colby Brokvist, Author – Crafting Connection: The Guide’s Role in Inspiring Meaningful Action
✅ Grant MacHutchon, Wildlife Biologist – The Secret Life of Bears
✅ Andy MacKinnon, Forest Ecologist – What to Watch When You’re Not Watching Bears and Whales
✅ Tori Ball, CPAWS-BC – Wildlife Conservation 30×30
✅ Helen Davis, Registered Professional Biologist – Last Den Standing: Protecting Bear Dens in Coastal BC
✅ Jeff Reynolds, Photographer and Guide Extraordinaire – Beyond the Wake: Marine Guides and BC’s Largest Coastal Cleanup
✅ Erin Gless, Pacific Whale Watching Association – Updates on BC’s primary cetacean species, details current whale watching regulations and guidelines,
✅ Jill Doucette, Synergy Enterprises – Regenerative Tourism
✅ Given Davies, Visitor Safety Coordinator for Parks Canada and MGAC board member – Cold Water Immersion
✅ Dr. John Harper, Marine Ecologist – Spill Response Training for Marine Guides
Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and be part of an incredible community!
Event details:
Location: The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas St, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Z7
Dates: March 15/16, 2025
Time: 9:30am – 5pm
Social: Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Swans Pub. 1601 Store St. Victoria, BC V8W 1N6
Tickets: Early Bird Rate: $50 for two days and can be bought through EVENTBRITE until Feb 28. After Feb 28 the cost will increase to $75 for the two days.
Mark your calendar and join us in celebrating the art and science of guiding while advancing responsible and sustainable practices.
Questions? Contact us at admin@bearviewing.ca
We can’t wait to see you there!
Agenda: Saturday March 15
0915 – 0930: Settle in and find your seat
0930 – 0945: Introductions CBVA and MGAC
0945 – 1000: Land acknowledgement and territorial welcome
1000 – 1045: Richard Sparrow: Importantance/giving a meaningful land acknowledgement
1045 – 1115: Mollie Cameron – Living with cougars: understanding signs, behaviours and mitigating conflicts
1115 – 1130: break
1130 – 1200: Dr. Briony Penn – Nudibranchs to Newts: 30 years of guiding on the coast with binos and a paintbrush
1200 – 1245: Kendra Lucklow – Identifying at-risk marine mammals and how to contribute to their well being actively
1245 – 1345: lunch
1345 – 1415: Colby Brokvist – Crafting Connection: Guide’s role in inspiring meaningful action
1415 – 1500: Grant MacHutchon (M.Sc.) – The Secret Life of Bears
1500 – 1545: Dr. Andy MacKinnon – What to Watch When You’re Not Watching Bears and Whales
1545 – 1600: break
1600 – 1630: Tori Ball – Opportunities and challenges to protect wildlife, ecosystems and recreation values
Agenda: Sunday March 16
0915 – 0925: Settle in and find your seat
0925 – 0930: Gaelen Krause – Welcome
0930 – 1000: Helen Davis (M.Sc.) – Last Den Standing: Protecting Bear Dens in Coastal BC
1000 – 1030: Jeff Reynolds – Beyond the Wake: Marine Guides and BC’s Largest Coastal Cleanup
1030 – 1045: break
1045 – 1115: Erin Gless – BC Cetacean status and regulations
1115 – 1145: Jill Doucette – Regenerative Tourism
1145 – 1245: lunch
1245 – 1315: Given Davies – How cold is cold water, really?
1315 – 1445: Dr. John Harper – Oil Spill Response Presentation and Practical Workshop
1445 – 1500: break
1500 – 1630: Dr. John Harper – Oil Spill Response Presentation and Practical Workshop continued
Social Saturday night!
After a day of insightful presentations and engaging discussions, unwind with fellow GUDI Symposium attendees at our social evening at Swans Pub 📍 506 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC V8W 1N6.
Join us at 18:00 for a relaxed atmosphere where you can connect with colleagues, share your symposium highlights, and build lasting professional relationships. Enjoy a selection of craft beers, delicious pub fare, and the lively ambiance of one of Victoria’s most iconic pubs. It’s the perfect opportunity to transition from learning to networking in a casual and enjoyable setting.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Donate to the Commercial Bear Viewing Association
If you’d like to do more, consider donating money to the Commercial Bear Viewing Association. You can earmark your donation specifically for research or conservation and you can be assured that we will make your donation make a difference for bears in British Columbia.