When: October 5, 2026 from 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Expedition Eelgrass
Join Miranda MacGillivray and Spencer Shields as they tell us about their recent circumnavigation of Vancouver Island (plus more!) by kayak as part of an eelgrass research project at UBC. During their 100-day journey, their goal was to map eelgrass meadows and collect data on genetics, site characteristics and physiology at select sites. Their expedition was awarded a major grant from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Miranda MacGillivray is a master’s student in the Department of Biology at UBC where she is currently studying the importance of sediment microbes for eelgrass restoration. She has spent several years as an outdoor educator and kayak guide in BC and New Zealand. She is a passionate scuba diver, skier, baker, and doer of crafty things.
Spencer Shields is also a master’s student at UBC, studying remote sensing for environmental monitoring. Spencer has worked as a kayak guide and outdoor educator and has led trips in New Zealand, Belize, Panama, and numerous locations around Vancouver Island. Spencer enjoys hanging out in used bookstores and slightly divey pubs and is an admirer of small fluffy dogs.
See you all on the 5th!
