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feedr and animalnexus.ca: A paired R package and user-friendly Web application for transforming and visualizing animal movement data from static stations
No full textRadio frequency identification (RFID) provides a simple and inexpensive approach for examining the movements of tagged animals, which can provide information on species behavior and ecology, such as habitat/resource use and social interactions. In addition, tracking animal movements is appealing to naturalists, citizen scientists, and the general public and thus represents a tool for public engagement in science and science education. Although a useful tool, the large amount of data collected using RFID may quickly become overwhelming. Here, we present an R package (feedr) we have developed for loading, transforming, and visualizing time-stamped, georeferenced data, such as RFID data collected from static logger stations. Using our package, data can be transformed from raw RFID data to visits, presence (regular detections by a logger over time), movements between loggers, displacements, and activity patterns. In addition, we provide several conversion functions to allow users to format data for use in functions from other complementary R packages. Data can also be visualized through static or interactive maps or as animations over time. To increase accessibility, data can be transformed and visualized either through R directly, or through the companion site: http://animalnexus.ca, an online, user-friendly, R-based Shiny Web application. This system can be used by professional and citizen scientists alike to view and study animal movements. We have designed this package to be flexible and to be able to handle data collected from other stationary sources (e.g., hair traps, static very high frequency (VHF) telemetry loggers, observations of marked individuals in colonies or
staging sites), and we hope this framework will become a meeting point for science, education, and community awareness of the movements of animals. We aim to inspire citizen engagement while simultaneously enabling robust scientific analysis.feedrmovementopen-sourceradio frequency identificationShinyuser-friendlyvisualizationWeb applicatio
Biophysical diversity on landslides in the Peace River region of British Columbia
No full textThe aim of this dissertation is to investigate and quantify biophysical diversity on landslides in the boreal forest of the Peace River Region of northern British Columbia (BC), sampling three landslides that occurred in the last 50 years. Landslides are increasing in the
boreal forest, likely driven by climate changes such as increased precipitation and permafrost thaw, and as a derivative of large wildfires. An understanding of ecosystem recovery on landslides is important for conservation and management purposes. Several studies have been done in southern parts of the world to elucidate processes of landslide recovery. However, few studies have addressed landslide recovery in northern climates, and little is known about the biophysical diversity of landslides in this region. This research investigates whether landslides are more biophysically diverse than the surrounding relatively undisturbed terrain, and whether microsite variables or geomorphic diversity are predictors of plant community diversity. Using a series of field sampling campaigns and GIS (geographic information system) mapping exercises, I show that landslides are more biophysically diverse than the surrounding terrain in some respects, while the surrounding undisturbed terrain is more diverse in other aspects. The age and size of landslides also appear to influence diversity. Microsite diversity does not necessarily predict plant diversity. The research highlights the role of invasive plant species in slope stabilisation and plant community makeup. I also show that landslide ponds are disproportionately concentrated on rotational landslides, and that most ponds on landslides occur in the body and toe. I note post-slide modifications such as drainage of landslide ponds and lowering of landslide ridges, but many geomorphic features are expected to endure for decades to millennia. Overall, the research shows that vegetation recovery is complex and may take decades to fully manifest. This study contributes knowledge about plant community and site diversity on landslides by providing quantitative data and comparing those traits with those found on surrounding terrain. These findings can be used as guidance when identifying conservation and management practices for ecological restoration of disturbed slopes
Electric vehicle adoption in growing Canadian cities: Assessing barriers to electric vehicle adoption in the City of Kamloops
No full textGreenhouse gas emissions from transportation are a significant contributor to climate change. An effective method of reducing these transportation emissions is to electrify transportation. Local governments are creating electric vehicle policies to increase electric vehicle adoption in their communities. The City of Kamloops released their EV Strategy to encourage local electric vehicle uptake in 2020 but encountered barriers to local electric vehicle adoption such as a lack of charging infrastructure, a hesitancy to new technology, and the high prices of EVs. There is no significant research on EV adoption and barriers within a smaller city, regional hub, or Canadian context. To address this, I conducted a content analysis, literature review, and key informant interviews with six stakeholder groups in Kamloops to assess the perceived barriers to EV adoption. My research compares the perceived barriers within the context of Kamloops and provides policy solutions to the City of Kamloops to overcome these barriers and reduce transportation emissions. The City should continue to prioritize EV adoption through public education campaigns, encourage the building of charging stations, and focus on densification for an overall reduction of emissions and to provide convenient places for EV drivers to charge their vehicles
Indigenous clients and supervision in British Columbia child protection social work
No full textThis study examines the current data on the over representation of Indigenous children who are in care of the B.C. Ministry of Children and Families along side the role of social work supervision, social work assessment tools, policies, and practices as they may contribute to this over-representation. The presence of systemic bias is identified in existing and past social work practices including the current statistical decision-making tools used by the supervisor and social worker to assess the presence of abuse and neglect, along with the likelihood of future harm. The analysis and interpretation of findings are an explorative, thematic approach while drawing from Indigenous knowledge and experience. The main research question guiding this paper asked how the experience of Indigenous clients may differ from that of non-Indigenous clients in the child welfare system as it relates to supervision. This paper found key differences and discriminatory biases relating to supervision and, in particular, within the application of risk assessment tools that may be contributors to the over-representation of Indigenous children in care
Teachers’ experiences of collaboration in alternate education : a phenomenological inquiry
No full textThis research aimed to capture teachers’ perceptions of collaboration in alternate education with the goal of making recommendations for the future. Many studies have varying definitions and structures for collaboration, revealing the importance of context. This study used phenomenology to conduct interviews with four participants at an alternate education school that has a weekly collaboration structure within the timetable. These interviews gathered rich data of teachers’ experiences of collaboration using in vivo coding for data analyses. The findings resulted in a conceptualization of collaboration through togetherness, relevance to context, professional learning, and collaborative communities. Additionally, participants’ experiences of collaboration were influenced by planning for collaboration, attitudes towards collaboration, and engaging in collaboration. Finally, participants made suggestions to increase the effectiveness of collaboration, including restructuring collaboration, increasing teachers’ voice and choice, as well as enhancing accountability among teachers and administrators. This research suggests a need for more research on collaboration to be conducted in alternate education settings.teacher collaborationalternate educationprofessional learningphenomenologycollaboratio
What physiological factors influence state anger?
No full textIn this paper, we sought to understand what physiological factors influence state anger in the hopes of improving awareness of potential triggers. Previous research has predicted that an increase in heart rate, hunger, and headache pain intensity all lead to an increase in state anger. In our correlational study, we tested the strength of these relationships by examining naturalistic daily changes in their variables longitudinally over a period of 11 days. We measured heart rate by reading our pulse for one minute three times a day, and we measured our hunger, headache pain and anger levels by using a Likert scale three times a day. For each variable measured, we added the total of their three daily values together to get an average value for each day. Data pooled across participants in our correlational study showed significant positive correlations of anger with hunger and headache pain, and a significant negative correlation with heart rate. These results provide some insight into what individuals might avoid, such as becoming hungry or not treating a painful headache, to decrease the likelihood of becoming angry.Supervising Instructor & Course Number: Michael Pollock, Psyc 215 (“Biological Psychology”
The Kootenay Advanced Manufacturing Sector Assessment: Identifying top skills in demand, challenges and opportunities
No full textAdvanced ManufacturingThe Kootenays' Advanced Manufacturing Secto
Otipemisiwak – Between Two Worlds
No full text2023Sherry Leigh Williams was a self-taught, award-winning artist before returning to further education in 2001 and graduating with a three-year diploma from Victoria College of Art. She entered University of Victoria in 2004, intending to complete her program and become an arts professor. An unfortunate accident left her with a debilitating condition, and a brain injury. She persevered and finally graduated in 2019 with Distinction from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Fine Art.
Williams is highly creative, multi-facetted artist, she loves to connect with the “’muse” and approaches her work that way. She often paints in what she calls “The Métis Floral tradition” emulating the beadwork of her ancestors. She approaches the style, in a contemporary way with paint, instead of beads. In the spirit of reconciliation this is some of her most important work.
Creating art is intrinsic to who I am, and who Creator made me to be. Whether I am painting, making jewelry, or writing, when I work, I feel such joy and connection. I love the journey of discovery, the dance with the muse, the not always knowing the outcome, but proceeding anyway.
I have done many things in my life, to feed my children, to pay bills, but always came back to creativity, for joy, for connection to Spirit, and to raise awareness about Indigenous people.
As a child, art supplies, were not in abundance. My heart would race at the sight of a new package of crayons, or a piece of white paper. If none could be found, I would sneak the white page from my father’s hardcover books, so I could draw. If I couldn’t find a pencil, I used his rifle shells. I was obsessed with drawing. In my school years, every margin in my notebooks was filled with drawing.
I was self-taught artist, before returning to further education to pursue my dream of being a professor as an adult learner in 2001. I spent three years at Victoria College of Art, four years at University of Victoria where I graduated with Distinction eleven years after I started my program, due to a brain injury.
Art making helped me discover who I am, and in the process, helped me heal. Art is medicine, and healing in and of itself. When I work, I feel whole, and connected to spirit and to my ancestors. I can process difficult things, much easier when working. My goal is always, to connect to my Creator, my culture, my ancestors and to offer what I have to others
