Masters Theses
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Come hell or high water : a comparative analysis of the 2013 High River flood response
Southern Alberta and the Town of High River were impacted by the most devastating floods in Alberta history in 2013 (MNP, 2015, p. 1). This research was designed to analyze how well prepared the Government of Alberta and ... -
The role of microfinance institutions in advancing smallholder resilience and food security under a climate changed present and future
This thesis investigates the organizational design and program outputs of 162 microfinance institutions (MFIs) within 20 nations at-risk of food insecurity. The study involved a cross-examination of microfinance institutions ... -
Stories of Arctic wonder : exploring transformative environmental education
This paper explores the experience of ten Canadian youth participants from the 2009 Arctic expedition with Students on Ice, an environmental education organization with a mandate of transformation. Through semi-structured ... -
Evaluation of tilling and herbicide treatment for control of wild chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm.) in metro Vancouver regional parks
Wild chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris) is an invasive plant and a member of the Carrot family (Apiaceae). This species concerns natural resource managers because it reduces hay forage quality and adversely alters terrestrial ... -
Case study analysis on the impacts of surface water allocations for hydraulic fracturing on surface water availability of the upper Athabasca River
The Duvernay Formation of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin underlies portions of the Upper Athabasca Watershed. To access unconventional shale resources in the Duvernay Formation, horizontal drilling and hydraulic ... -
Having a laugh? the role of humour in adolescents’ climate change communication
This mixed methods study was guided by the research question: How does the use of humour in secondary students’ communications about climate change relate to their feelings and actions towards climate change? It used an ... -
Distribution and bioaccessibility of metals in peri-urban parks – metro Vancouver
Soil samples collected from 15 peri-urban parks in Metro Vancouver were analyzed for total metals, pH, carbon and bioaccessibility to determine the relationship between point source emission and deposition of metals in ... -
Sea surface temperatures as indicators of yearling California sea lion stranding numbers along the California coast
Marine mammal rescue centers around North America respond to calls from the public about animals that have stranded due to illness or injury. Each year financial planning must occur at these centers with little information ... -
Metal Concentrations and Bioaccessibility in Metro Vancouver Urban Parks Soils
Urbanization increases metal emissions through varying anthropogenic activities (fossil fuel combustion). With urban parks being sinks for emissions, this study attempts to determine metal concentrations and bioaccessibility ... -
An investigation into the influence of slope on trail erosion and the effects of trails on plant communities within Garry Oak and associated ecosystems in Mount Douglas Park, Vancouver Island
Urban parks provide refuge for species at risk, and maintain and preserve biodiversity in densely populated settings. Soil erosion on trails, which can have negative impacts on the surrounding plant communities, is a growing ... -
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve’s Pacific Traverse Trail: Exploring Parks Canada’s Environmental Impact Assessment Process
This research investigated Parks Canada Agency’s (PCA) environmental impact assessment (EIA) process using Pacific Rim National Park Reserve's (PRNPR) Pacific Traverse Trail (PTT) as a case study. Research assessed ... -
A comparison of microplastics in farmed and wild shellfish near Vancouver Island and potential implications for contaminant transfer to humans
This research compared numbers of microplastics in three species of farmed and wild shellfish collected near Vancouver Island, BC. Species included were blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), Manila clam (Venerupis philippinarum), ... -
Native and exotic tree leaves contributions to formation of different soil organic matter pools
Deforestation around the world contributes to climate change and soil quality loss. The Atlantic Forest in Brazil has been deforested by 93%. Leaf litter from 16 native trees to the Atlantic Forest and Eucalyptus was ... -
ʈiič-mɑɫ-ɴi : sharing drowning prevention with Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations
The Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations traditional territory borders the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. This case study describes how the knowledge, traditional practices, and cultural wisdom of ... -
Climate change from the inside out : cultivating a perspective of belonging
Environmental issues, such as climate change, may be exacerbated by humans’ habitual reactions to stress and discomfort. This thesis describes how a practice of mindfulness, an illumination of held assumptions and beliefs, ... -
Learning to teach in unfamiliar lands : a wandering educator's autoethnography on the influence of place
Using reflexive narrative autoethnography, I explored the influence of living and teaching in unfamiliar places on ecologically-minded teachers. I collected data through personal reflections and interviews with four teachers ... -
Giving students voices : a design for a youth leadership program at a British Columbia high school
The research project described in this thesis entailed the development of a conceptual design for a youth leadership program intended for implementation in an urban British Columbia public secondary school (grades 8-12). ... -
Nature through the lens the phenomenological experience of photography with nature
This thesis explores the question, “What is the phenomenological experience of photography with nature?” Upon observing patrons at a regional park who appeared to be experiencing nature through their cameras, I became ... -
Do microplastic residuals in municipal compost bioaccumulate in plant tissue?
Conventional and biodegradable polymers present in residential and commercial organic waste have a propensity to fragment during the composting process. This research explores whether microplastic residuals present in ... -
“There’s a lot of deep:” exploring worldviews, emotions, and denial around political action for climate change
This study explores the cognitive and emotional complications – worldviews, denial, and emotional responses – that prevent concerned citizens from engaging collectively for structural solutions to climate change. Using ...
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