racerocks.com Sponsors and Donors 2012 | Race Rocks Ecological Reserve-

ARCHIVED MATERIAL:

DONORS:
The Hesse Family: Mr. and Mrs. Hesse of Metchosin have been long-term enthusiasts for ornithology. They decided to help us with our Race Rocks Program in 2003 and 2005 with a generous donation to the program. They have both passed away now but have left a generous legacy to the College Race Rocks Program.

Dr. Anita Brinkmann-Voss : has provided long-term scientific support and yearly financial assistance to the racerocks.com program

	Lester B. Pearson College– is one of ten United World Colleges located around the world. Two hundred students from over 80 countries study the International Baccalaureate curriculum during their two years at Pearson College. Garry Fletcher, a former faculty member who taught Environmental Systems and Biology at Pearson College, volunteers as the the educational director of racerocks.com, and webmaster for the website. Garry still works with students and staff to guide the educational content of the site. In addition, Laura Verhegge, also a faculty member teaching Biology and Marine Science provides additional guidance to the program. Pearson College operates the former Race Rocks light station facilities as a education centre under an agreement with BC Parks. Chris Blondeau, the Director of Operations for Pearson College provides the Operational Management of Race Rocks. A job-sharing arrangement in order to provide an employee of Pearson College as the on-site Ecoguardian is supported by Lester B.Pearson College which is the lead proponent and partner directing the racerocks.com project.
	In 2011 Race Rocks was the recipient of a TD Friends of the Environment Grant
	TELUS has been a major supporter of the racerocks.com since its inception. This link provides the history of our long term relationship and dependence on TELUS.
	Apple Learning Interchange The QuickTime live audio and temporary portable video streams are being hosted by the Apple Learning interchange over the Akamai Internet distribution network.
	In the design of the Race Rocks Taxonomy central index file, I have been able to rely on the freely available JavaScript DHTML code supplied by Andy Wooley of Milonic. The availability of such free assistance on the web has been essential to the building of that taxonomy.

Join us in our $UPPORT RACE ROCK$ ENDOWMENT DRIVE

A Bold Initiative: racerocks.com utilizes modern technology to maximum advantage to create a dynamic educational web experience utilizing the extraordinary marine eco-system at Race Rocks, Canada’s most southerly point on the Pacific Coast.

Real time streaming video has webcast continuously since 2000. Digital images of marine life from above the sea at Race Rocks and below the ocean from remotely controlled cameras, and transmission of real time weather data is made available.

The knowledge of the First Nations and their connection to Race Rocks is explored and explained as the Salish people share generations of experience in living in harmony with the abundance that once dominated this region.

Creative educators have developed internet-based curriculum resources to stimulate students and teachers to engage fully in the racerocks.com educational program. Researchers have also shared their studies and discoveries as we gain a new and deeper understanding of the ecosystem.

The Place

For centuries, deep ocean currents and the great rivers of the Georgia Basin have converged in the Strait of Juan de Fuca between southern Vancouver Island and Washington State. Race Rocks reveals itself as nine rocky outcrops thrust from the ocean floor in the middle of the Strait.

For generations the people of the Salish Nation prospered in this region at the entrance to the Salish Sea. The extraordinary richness of this diverse ecosystem represented by Race Rocks is valued today as it was then. Race Rocks has been an ecological reserve since 1980 and is becoming Canada’s first internationally recognized Marine Protected Area under the Ocean’s Act.

The small, rocky outcrops are home to California and Steller’s sea lions, and a birthing place for elephant seals and harbour seals. It is a migratory stopover for many species of birds, and a nesting habitat for four marine species. The life on these rocky island outcrops are only a small portion of the ecosystem. Underwater, the biodiversity in the productive waters is unsurpassed on our coast. New leading-edge bathymetry reveals Race Rocks as a giant underwater mountain. The historical significance of the buildings and equipment of the Race Rocks Lighthouse and the teachings of Salish elders merge with more recent science to explain the overall picture of the environment at Race Rocks.

The Technology

Currently, 360 degree PTZ(pan tilt,zoom) remote controlled camera 1 operates using POE from the top of the tower. Camera 5 also uses POE ( Power over internet) from the high rock on the NW corner of the island. Another remote camera webcasts from underwater off the North side of Great Race Rocks. The internet signal from these cameras is transmitted by a microwave radio transmitter from the top of the Race Rocks light tower to go on the internet at nearby Pearson College.

Contact Director of Operations of Lester Pearson College and Race Rocks

Join us in our $UPPORT RACE ROCK$ ENDOWMENT DRIVE