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Taking an opportunity to leave an imprint on a senior provincial government minister, faculty and students from the Selkirk Geospatial Research Centre (SGRC) provided an impressive sketch of the research taking place at the Castlegar Campus.

As part of a tour of the region, BC’s Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Andrew Wilkinson stopped by Selkirk College earlier this month for an introduction to the applied research being conducted by the SGRC and its community partners.

Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Andrew Wilkinson stopped by the Selkirk College Castlegar Campus earlier this month to get a peek at the great work being done by the Selkirk Geospatial Research Centre (SGRC). Afterwards he posed for a group picture with Selkirk College staff and students that included (L-R): Selkirk College Dean of Applied Research & Innovation Rhys Andrews, student Barry MacLane, Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute researcher Lauren Rethoret, student Suzanne Fordyce, SGRC researcher Dana Diotte, Wilkinson, Regional Innovation Chair Terri MacDonald, SGRC Coordinator Ian Parfitt, student and Harrier Ariel Surveys owner Peter LeCouffe, Instructor Frank Zhang and SGRC researcher Justin Robinson.

“It’s a great chance for us to interact with people at a high level of decision-making and show them our best side,” said SGRC Coordinator Ian Parfitt. “We also took time to see if there are opportunities for the provincial government to help us do even more great things.”

Valuable Research Conducted in Our Region

The SGRC is a leading-edge research centre specializing in geospatial technologies to aid in solving critical issues pertaining to environmental and socio-economic problems. The application of geomatics to a variety of subjects creates information-rich products for making better decision-making. 

Peter LeCouffe—a Selkirk College student and owner of Harrier Arial Surveys—introduced his work with UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles more commonly known as drones).

Partnering with a wide range of regional and provincial partners, the SGRC has completed projects that include Avalanche Risk Management & Decision Support, Recreation Mapping, Urban Bear Movement Patterns, Employment Lands, and a Wetland Vegetation Inventory. Current research projects include the Digital Basin, the Columbia Basin Biodiversity Atlas, Fisheries Sensitive Watershed Assessment, and the Kootenay Spatial Data Partnership.

While on campus, Wilkinson listened to presentations by co-op students Suzanne Fordyce and Barry MacLean who were involved in projects this past summer. SGRC researchers Dana Diotte and Justin Robinson provided information on web application projects they are spearheading. Lauren Rethoret from the Selkirk College-based Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute (RDI) also presented on a Digital Basin project that is part of a SGRC partnership.  Selkirk Instructor and SGRC researcher Frank Zhang explained his remote sensing research. The presentations were capped by Peter LeCouffe—a Selkirk College student and owner of Harrier Arial Surveys—who introduced his work with UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles more commonly known as drones).

“It’s great to come here as a representative of the provincial government just to see how vital things are on the research & development front  and with applied research here at Selkirk College,” said Wilkinson.

Taking a Message Back to Victoria

SGRC representatives took the opportunity to explain some of the limitations faced in conducting research, primarily the need for increased broadband technology and more funding for post-secondary applied research from Victoria.

BC’s Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Andrew Wilkinson listens to presentations during his visit to Selkirk College's Castlegar Campus.

“I’ll take back the sense that things are happening at Selkirk College and we’ve got a bit of catching up to do in terms of the backdrop services like data and broadband to keep up with you,” Wilkinson said at the conclusion of his visit.

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