VIURRSpace (Royal Roads University and Vancouver Island University)
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The effect of trampled soil on the biomass allocation of Ambrosia trifida
No full textAmbrosia trifida is an invasive species that is believed to have first arrived in Korea with the American troop deployment during the Korean War and has since taken root in the ecosystem. Ambrosia trifida is most commonly found in military or developmental areas where there is a high level of human activity. Since trampled soil is a result of human activity, this study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the growth process of Ambrosia trifida in trampled soil by examining biomass allocation. Biomass allocation indicates how the plant optimizes resources by distributing nutrients to different parts of the plant. By measuring the number of leaves, stem length, stem thickness, and root growth of Ambrosia trifida, this study found that plants in the control group allocated more resources to their leaves. On the contrary, plants in trampled soil allocated more resources to their roots. There were no significant differences between the control group and the treatment group in stem length, stem thickness, and the number of leaves.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/25736/2-AmbrosiaTrifida.pdf?sequence=3The authors would like to thank the DMZ
Ecology Research Institute for supporting the
research process
Japanese maple
No full textPressed specimen of Acer pallmatumhttps://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27238/Early.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Tiny houses, big ideas: Best practices of an emerging house typology in British Columbia
No full textAs many cities around the world struggle with the housing affordability crisis, while at the same time striving for achievement against stringent sustainability goals, the tiny house movement has pushed for the integration of a new housing typology. Under the current housing market and planning regime, homes are being built bigger than ever before while the average household size continues to fall across Canada. In pursuit of freedom, tiny house enthusiasts are struggling to find their place in BC’s housing stock. The main guiding research question behind this work is how could planning optimize tiny houses as a housing typology by integrating them into BC communities in a harmonious way that aligns with the values and principles behind the tiny house movement? Research methods include a literature review to investigate the emerging tiny house movement that is making its way across North America and Australia. Additionally, case studies from BC are used to uncover what planning contexts and regulatory frameworks are being used to support tiny house integration. The case studies are evaluated using criteria formed under the Brundtland report’s triple bottom line definition of sustainability. Key findings and best practices inform recommendations for planning authorities on how to proceed with implementation processes. The main indicator of success for these recommendations will be the replication of strategies and tactics utilized in BC in alignment with case studies analyzed in the literature review. Findings suggest that BC is on track in enabling successful tiny house integration into the housing stock with other tiny house friendly communities around the world.Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Community Planning in the Department of Community Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, Vancouver Island University
Embedding truth and reconciliation in the practices of the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta
No full textGiven the little research on the role of health regulators in implementing Indigenous reconciliation, this thesis partnered with the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA) to answer the question: How might the senior leaders of ACTA embody and demonstrate truth and reconciliation in their processes, governance, and policy decisions? ACTA will become the College of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (CCTA) upon the Alberta Government’s proclamation of the legislation. Employing appreciative inquiry and action research principles, this research involved an open-ended survey of ACTA senior leaders, a benchmark analysis of health regulatory colleges’ implementation of reconciliation, a presentation of findings, and a group method with ACTA senior leaders to develop recommendations for CCTA. This research contributes to the literature on reconciliation in health regulatory colleges and provides stakeholders’ perspectives as health regulators advance systemic changes to achieve coleading with Indigenous peoples and work to eradicate racism and improve health outcomes
Empowering women through microfinance in post-conflict Bosnia & Herzegovina
No full textWomen become vulnerable victims of conflict and disaster, that have major implications on gender relations. Consequently, they are not just seen as victims of conflict, but also as agents of change. This can have positive impacts on their lives and their communities in post-conflict rebuilding. Using a community-based participatory approach (CBRP), this research examines the lived of experiences of Microfinance Institution (MFI) loan recipients in post-conflict Bosnia & Herzegovina (BiH) where microfinancing had emerged as a tool that addressed poverty and socio-economic development and the empowerment of women.
Using a mixed-methods approach, the study revealed that women who invested in small scale entrepreneurship promoted women’s empowerment, alleviated household debt, and provided access to healthcare and education for themselves and their children.
Keywords: microfinance, empowerment, gender equality, poverty, socioeconomic development, widows, survivors, women, genocide, human security, post-conflict, rebuildin
Lived experiences and emergent practices : eight conversations with Metro Vancouver urban environmental educators
No full textUrban environmental education (UEE) as a sub-genre of environmental education is still a relatively novel field of study, but an especially relevant one in Canada given its population’s concentration in urban centres. Rather than perpetuating the trope of urban centres as environmentally deficient, UEE presents an opportunity to empower urban residents toward learning and acting sustainably in vibrant and interconnected urban social-ecological systems and landscapes. Participant interviews were conducted with eight Metro Vancouver UEE practitioners and analyzed using a hermeneutic phenomenology approach to elucidate their experiences and propose how they may inform emergent practice. As major Canadian cities increasingly infuse their strategic plans and land-use decisions with environmental targets, further study of UEE in Metro Vancouver would enhance the planning and programming capacity of policy-makers, not-for-profits, educators, all levels of government, and all other interested stakeholders
Pedagogy of place : an exploration of teachers' lived experience with place-based education in School District 57 (Prince George, BC Canada)
No full textMy research explored the lived experience of elementary school teachers in Prince George, Mackenzie, and Valemount BC (School District 57), to better understand and support them in their journey to include place-based education in their practice. Through an interview matrix process, teachers were asked to share their successes and challenges in practicing place-based education (PBE), as well as if they see PBE supporting other educational initiatives and how they envision PBE in the future. Thematic analysis of the findings showed that participants valued PBE because it benefits their students’ social-emotional wellbeing and inspires learning. As well, they expressed an understanding that place-based education contributes to educational initiatives such as First Peoples Principles of Learning, BC’s New Curriculum, and supports actions that benefit community and planet. Examples of challenges included lack of clarity on the district level, judgement from self and others that PBE is not a legitimate practice, and safety concerns. This work resulted in a set of recommendations for School District 57
How permitted non-farm uses impact agriculture in the agricultural land reserve : an assessment in six Greater Vancouver municipalities
No full textAn Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) was established in British Columbia, Canada, by provincial legislation in 1973 with the objective of protecting agricultural lands and encouraging its use for agriculture. The regulation restricts the use of reserves lands to agriculture and related purposes, but approval for permitted non-farm uses can be granted by the reserve’s oversight body, the Agricultural Land Commission. This study assessed whether permitted non-farm use activities serve to enhance or detract from agricultural use of the land subject to the decision. A methodology to track and assess agricultural land use post non-farm use approval was developed and applied. This included a review of documentation related to approved non-farm use decisions in six contiguous municipalities in the greater Vancouver region of British Columbia, Canada, from 1997 to 2016. followed by contemporary land use assessment and data analysis. As such the study comprised three stages.
Overall, approved non-farm use applications do not lead to more or less agricultural use of ALR lands. Most parcels not farmed prior to approval of non-farm use, remained not farmed and those used for farming continued to be farmed. As such, the analysis indicates that on balance there was neither an outright positive or negative outcome. Study results provide a snapshot of a period of time and are not intended to suggest a causal relationship. This study contributes to a greater understanding of the impacts of approved non-farm use decisions on land designated for agriculture
Framework of practice for adolescent Montessori: place-based education in an urban public Montessori Grade 7/8 classroom
No full textThe purpose of this project was to develop a framework of practice document for an adolescent Montessori program in an urban environment. This project examined the connection between Montessori’s writings on adolescent education and place-based learning. A traditional model of Montessori’s Erdkinder may not be feasible for many urban, public Montessori schools; place-based learning and the work of the prepared adolescent teacher to connect pedagogy and curriculum creates a modern Erdkinder to meet the needs of the adolescent. This project highlights the need for spreading awareness of adolescent Montessori programming requirements within SPS. Because there currently is limited understanding of Montessori’s vision for adolescent learning within SPS, many elements of place-based learning are often viewed strictly as components of an outdoor education program. The evidence presented in my project supports my belief that place-based learning is much more than the ‘hard skills’ associated with outdoor education and provides compelling reasons to insist on the implementation of the tools created in my project. Montessori believed that schools should be specifically designed to meet the developmental needs of the child; my project allows a teacher to reflect on their practice to ensure they are facilitating an adolescent Montessori program that is genuine.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/26080/Busby.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=