Jade Harvey
Special to the Review
Being stoked on Science can mean a great many things to different people in this town. It might be the physics of the internal combustion engine in your sled or truck or the friction of the air and precise angle needed to maximise your golf drive that inspires? Or how about the state of the snow pack for your backcountry ski adventure or the required calories you need to consume to finish your cross-country ski without passing out that motivates you towards knowledge? Perhaps you religiously follow the waxing and waning of the moon that influences how much the fish bite, or do you obsessively check the weather radar for the next big Winter storm? Defining your work schedule for the week (or lack thereof most likely). Whatever your passion is, the thing that gets you out of bed in the morning (or what you do to make money here) there is no doubt in this part of the world that science will play a role in it in someway.
Revelstoke is a melting pot of wilderness and industry. A place where nature meets production and science has been utilized to ease, shape and elevate the ability to live in this remote spot. We have created energy through building and changing the hydrological cycle, it is tended, managed and funded by its forests, and is a pulsing artery of logistics, connecting this expansive country with resources via the invaluable railway. It is place where people from all over the world come to bathe in its natural glory, and the magnificent culture that has developed in this unique location is a result of its diverse influences. From my perspective I spend most of my time engaged by the expertly built mountain bike trails, which combine the science of angles, take off and velocity with the art of working with the natural environment; a testament to the deep knowledge people have of their local area. Then there’s the climbers who lovingly clean, and delicately bolt routes on some of the oldest rock on Earth that enable mere mortals to fly high above the valley floor. Take the hikers, softball players, hockey lovers, sledders, skiers, boarders, swimmers, dirt bikers, hunters - they all have a place here. And they are stoked. On Science no less.
I have met so many talented carpenters, engineers, athletes and baristas (and the list goes on) who all in their own way work with science and work to make this place a more beautiful and special place to live. It is spectacular. So this monthly column will be an ode to the various ways in which I’ve encountered science in this magical city and region, whether its with scientists proper, or people who use specialist skills to connect with science in some way. It is a chance to engage with the numerous scientific projects operating nearby that are monitoring, assessing, and researching this environment so that we may conserve and protect it going forward. It is a chance to learn something new, or to deepen knowledge (myself included) on the environment that surrounds us everyday.
A key local contributor to connecting people and science through conservation is The North Columbia Environmental Society (NCES). A non-profit association, they provide representation for the environmental issues that concern the residents of Revelstoke, working within the community to find positive solutions. Whether its a walk around the Greenbelt to look at, understand and find ways to utilize invasive species (just past) or how to grow and forage for mushrooms in our backyard, (Saturday September 22nd: Grow Your Own - 9-11am $20 NCES Members, $30 non-members or 12-3pm is the Foraging Workshop - $15 members, $20 non-members), there are truly spectacular scientific, educational programmes being held locally to inspire people of all ages to engage with their local environment. You can join the society, volunteer and get more information on their workshops and projects from their website www.northcolumbia.org.
With a thriving community of caring, stoked on Science individuals we can ensure that this pocket of paradise remains so for years to come, helping to balance development with conservation, industry with preservation and regeneration. In the coming months I will introduce you to the plethora of world class research being conducted in your area - I hope, further deepening the feeling of Stoke to live in this one-of-a-kind place.