A better future for Rivers
The Rivers Institute at BCIT will be a leader in the protection and restoration of waterways in British Columbia and beyond by initiating public awareness activities, conducting applied research, developing best practices in river management, and mentoring the next generation of environmental stewards. The Rivers Institute is led by Mark Angelo, C.M., O.B.C. - the inaugural Rudy North Chair in River Ecology.
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vision for the future
The Rivers Institute will be an important advocate for the sound stewardship of waterways both in Canada and abroad.
In an effort to achieve this, the River Institute will work closely with river related education programs such as BCIT's Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation program and the new Ecological Restoration degree. The Institute will undertake state-of-the-art river related research while also working to develop river leaders of tomorrow.
The Rivers Institute will partner with existing programs and activities and build on the work of an inspiring and highly-respected faculty member, Mark Angelo. The Rivers Institute will unite public, private, and non-profit stakeholders in a shared effort to protect the world’s waterways.
Agent for change
The Rivers Institute will be housed at BCIT, which is a leader in the delivery of applied learning opportunities in areas such as sustainable development and environmental stewardship, ecological restoration, and natural resource management.
As Head of the School’s Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation Program, Mark Angelo has initiated a series of efforts advocating for responsible development practices and a better ecological future for British Columbia. For 35 years, he has led public awareness activities, shared applied research, taught new generations of environmental stewards, and collaborated with non-profit agencies and government bodies.
Institutions including the Province of BC, the Government of Canada, and the United Nations have applauded Mark’s efforts, and agencies such as the Nature Trust of BC, the Pacific Fisheries Research Conservation Council, and the Alouette River Management Society value his guidance and commend his work.
Mark has brought attention to the critical importance of healthy waterways, founded both BC and World Rivers Day with more than 30 countries participating, and inspired hundreds of BCIT students and stakeholders. By sharing his passion with others and setting an example for how concerned citizens can proactively address environmental issues, Mark has truly been an agent of positive change. We are tremendously proud to have him as a member of the BCIT community.
Rudy North Chair in River Ecology
As the Rudy North Chair in River Ecology, Mark Angelo will define the role and mandate of the Rivers Institute and develop a strategy to help ensure that critical fish and wildlife habitats, in British Columbia and beyond, are protected and restored. This will include initiating an applied ecological restoration research program, developing curriculum for advanced environmental remediation, strengthening linkages with external agencies, leading the development of an online presence for the sharing and disseminating of knowledge, and ensuring the sustainability of the initiative by mentoring a future leader.
He will lead public awareness activities to share the Institute’s message with the external community and distribute research via an assortment of professional channels. Mark will also continue to publish material through a number of popular publications as well as major newspapers.
As Head of the School’s Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation Program, Mark Angelo has initiated a series of efforts advocating for responsible development practices and a better ecological future for British Columbia. For 35 years, he has led public awareness activities, shared applied research, taught new generations of environmental stewards, and collaborated with non-profit agencies and government bodies. Institutions including the Province of BC, the Government of Canada, and the United Nations have applauded Mark’s efforts, and agencies such as the Nature Trust of BC, the Pacific Fisheries Research Conservation Council, and the Alouette River Management Society value his guidance and commend his work.
Rivers Institute in Action
The Rivers Institute will provide an important place for non-profit agencies, other post-secondary institutions, government bodies and international partners to “plug-in” to BCIT, resulting in a united community with the shared mission of protecting endangered river ecosystems around the world. This will expand the reach of public awareness activities and provide more leverage to affect positive change.
The Rivers Institute will play a key role in the organization, management and promotion of World Rivers Day, an event celebrated annually on the last Sunday of September by millions of people the world over. Rivers Day is an event started by Mark Angelo nearly 30 years ago in BC to raise awareness of the issues facing our rivers and the opportunities to restore and conserve local waterways. It has since become a national and now global event recognized by the Canadian government and the United Nations.
And while the Rivers Institute will be involved in a number of river management initiatives in BC (such as the Heart of the Fraser as well as a innovative river restoration initiatives on local streams such as Guichon Creek, Still Creek and the Capilano River), we'll also be undertaking international projects in countries such as New Zealand, China and Botswana. in short, the Rivers Institute will be a unique entity, have an international reach and be involved in an array of river related projects. It will also help to develop and support our river leaders of tomorrow."
The Rivers Institute will be an umbrella entity for the variety of environmental initiatives taking place in the School of Construction and the Environment and throughout BCIT, providing a medium for the sharing of research and ideas and for interdisciplinary studies. Among the programs that will benefit from such an entity is the Centre for Architectural Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Fish, Wildlife and Recreation, Ecological Restoration and many others. The Chair in River Ecology will work with faculty to integrate environmental issues into curricula and connect areas where there is natural synergy.
Donors and Support
A Leading Gift : A leading gift of $1 million from Rudy North, president and founder of North Growth Management Ltd., has established the Rivers Institute at BCIT and funded Canada’s first Chair in River Ecology. The Institute will support research and travel, facilitate public awareness activities and provide financial support for students with a particular interest in river conservation for a period of three years. Additional investments will be sought to extend the reach of the Rivers Institute and support future activities.
Sponsors:
HSBC Canada supported the Rivers Institute's World Rivers Day campaign. Learn more about this event and HSBC's contribution. To learn more about World Rivers Day, visit the website.
Blue Planet Links Foundation is supporting the Rivers Institute efforts to restore Guichon Creek in Burnaby, BC. To learn more about this project, please view the video on our Rivers Institute YouTube page.
Artists support the Rivers Institute:
Inspired by the nature, Serge Mazerand is a musician from BC with an international following. Rivers and water are a key element in the inspiration for his music and in an effort to contribute to the protection and conservation of rivers, Serge has generously donated proceeds from the sale of his Enchanted River CD to the Rivers Institute. To learn more about Serge and his music, please visit his website at www.sergemazerand.com