Earth and Environmental Science

This past weekend, a group of 11 second and third year Acadia students had the opportunity to experience Beaubassin and learn about field research opportunities in biology and environmental science.

The workshop theme was “An Introduction to Environmental Change”. Beaubassin was an ideal location as it offers tidal and coastal environments that define the Maritime region. These habitats are important in the context of climate change, as sea level rise predictions could have impacts on human activity in the area. Beaubassin is also rich in cultural history as a place of importance to First Nations, Acadians and British settlers. Students were able to learn about the history of Beaubassin from Dr. Aaron Taylor, an archaeologist who has studied how environmental change impacted Maritime First Nations and Acadian populations. Geoff Harding, of Ducks Unlimited, also presented on the history of Beaubassin and the conservation activities Ducks Unlimited leads in the area.  

In the field, Dr. Ian Spooner and Dr. Aaron Taylor took students to Fort Beausejour to discuss human interactions with environment in a historical and modern context. Full details on the Irving Environmental Science Centre webpage.