Each April, the UBCO Chapter of The Wildlife Society sets out for the annual bighorn sheep survey, which aims to gauge the rate of growth of the Okanagan’s sheep population. The UBCO branch of the international society was started four years ago by two biology students who wanted to cultivate more hands-on fieldwork experiences for their peers.
Today, the group regularly provides students with opportunities to volunteer and connect with other wildlife enthusiasts and working biologists. Assistant Professor of Biology Adam Ford’s Wildlife Restoration Ecology (WiRE) lab works closely with the group, studying and addressing the impact of human activity on the interactions of large predators — wolves, bears and cougars — and their prey — deer, elk and sheep.
The WiRE Lab represents UBC’s efforts to work with external partners and alumni to increase experiential learning – or learning by doing – across academic programs (Strategy 13: Practical Learning).
Visit UBC Okanagan’s In the Field website to learn how Ford and his students are playing a key role in the conservation and restoration of Canadian animal populations.