Access All Areas at the Royal BC Museum
Have you ever dreamed of having a backstage pass to the Royal BC Museum? Well, this is your big chance!
‘Unexplored Highlights of the Royal BC Museum’ is an adult learning workshop series that provides you with the chance to meet experts backstage at this prestigious museum.
This unique opportunity allows you to dive deep into the museum’s world-class collections of art, photography, First Nations, marine and terrestrial life – all with the kind of access that’s usually reserved for researchers and scientists.
Specimens and Sponges
Highlights include ‘High and Low: Collecting throughout the Province’ on Saturday, February 17. Among the fascinating objects you’ll see at this workshop is a specimen once believed to have gone extinct during the Jurassic geologic period.
Dr Henry Choong, Curator of Invertebrate Zoology, will also discuss the glass sponge reefs that live in the very deep waters of the Hecate Strait in northern BC. Fragile and vulnerable, they are a vital habitat for a wide range of marine animals.
The survival of the sponge reefs is significant at the moment because Parks Canada has nominated the Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs as one of eight potential UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Understanding Orcas
On Saturday, February 24 the workshop is all about going ‘Behind the Scenes’ to take a peek at the size, age and value of the museum’s collection.
You can check out one of the museum’s largest specimens, the skeleton of Southern Resident Orca J32 (also known as Rhapsody). Dr Gavin Hanke, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology, will talk about this new addition to the collection, a specimen that highlights societal changes in attitudes towards orcas in the last 60 years, as well as changes to the environment and over-fishing.
If you’re looking for a stylish hotel in Victoria, the Best Western PLUS Carlton Plaza is a great option. Take a walk down Government Street from this AAA Three Diamond heritage hotel and in seven minutes you’ll find yourself amid the Inner Harbour and the Legislature Buildings.
