VIU Department of Resource Management and Protection RMOT

10/08/2026

Today the RMOT 305 students were hard at work in the Quw’utsun/Xwulqw’selu (Cowichan) Estuary helping with plant propagation and seed harvesting in the Hulitun Spulhxun/Tumuhw (Nurturing Fields) Plant Nursery. The activity, led by the amazing Alyssa and Nature Trust of BC staff, introduced students to the art of native grass transplanting. A huge effort by the team resulted in an impressive transplant of rows and rows of tufted hairgrass, that once fully established in the nursery, will be used to replant the main estuary and help restore it it to its natural state. Students also collected hundreds of thousands of seeds from mountain sneezeweed plants and goldenrod to help with future native plant regrowth. These activities are just a part of a much larger project to revitalize the area to produce indigenous foods, medicines and plant based technology. For more information go to: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3fe2a2c09cd84baeb9c60cb6cd9feee8

09/30/2026

The "Welcome/Welcome Back" BBQ
Thanks to 2nd year students for setting up, 1st year students for packing up and 3rd year students for the team Mingler activity
Thanks everyone! (photo of team activity)

09/28/2026

Excellent recruitment video filmed mostly in Nanaimo! Recognizing familiar faces! 😀
Here is a link to the job posting https://bcpublicservice.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/125691?fbclid=IwdGRjcAUf4rFwZG9mAWZkaWQWUO4HP5f2vG-_wZvcvbVRn0i1sPaHeWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5Zyf1tGRMlHInO-aYfVN4i1DvKlnWPR1qGcZ8IxF-zKup-I0kh2yJMIzVOKA_aem_LO729c2M-FejSYtz3Lj2LA

09/24/2026

Another fine day out in the field for RMOT 305 Advanced Field Skills students. This time we were at the Englishman River estuary and Wilson Nature Park learning about wildlife photography, bird point surveys and mindfulness. Wildlife highlights of the day included sea lions feeding on salmon, eagles, shorebirds and harlequin ducks.

09/17/2026

A truly stunning day in the field for RMOT 305 Advanced Field Skills students learning about the critically endangered Vancouver Island Marmot. Huge shout-out to Shayn, Heather and the crew from the Marmot Recovery Foundation for taking the time to show us, first-hand, how these amazing animals are being brought back from the brink of extinction. Thanks also to 3rd year student Thomas Ghent for his great photos!

09/10/2026

3rd year students from the Bachelor of Natural Resource Protection program had a great day in the field helping to restore salmon habitat at Bings Creek in Duncan. Expertly supervised by the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society staff, students transported rocks and gravel to the stream rehabilitation area and augmented weirs and gravel beds to promote wild salmon spawning success. It was hard work, but also great to see an instant transformation and enhancement of spawning habitat. for more information visit https://www.somenosmarsh.com/

09/01/2026

It is with great sadness that the RMAP faculty announces the recent passing of the RMOT program founder Chuck Chestnut in late July 2026.
Chuck developed the RMOT program in 1986 in the hopes of creating a program where successful students would find employment in resource enforcement occupations. Chuck will be remembered for his dedication and efforts in the development of RMOT. His involvement and vision scaffolded the program into what it remains today. Chuck was always reflective, in awe that 38 years later the program continued strongly.
Chuck was active on the Advisory Board as well as participating in activities as long as he was able. He loved to be involved in the beach seine activities in Tofino and as an observer could be heard yelling directions to ‘keep the lead line down” and of course would be at the end of a rope assisting.
Chuck was remembered as being an instructor that challenged students in many ways. He had a great sense of humour and ultimately cared about each student he had in class always asking current faculty for updates on past students.
Our sincere condolences to Chuck’s family as he will hold a special place in the history of RMOT and will be missed.

08/28/2026

Bursary open for applications:

Every year, PSF’s Stewardship Community Bursary program awards bursaries worth $2,500 to support multiple students in B.C. and the Yukon with a passion for salmon conservation and restoration. By alleviating financial barriers, we aim to foster the next generation of salmon stewards dedicated to a...

09/25/2024

Welcome Back BBQ - 2024
Enjoyable to see all cohort years getting to know one another. Great to also see a few 4th students on practicum travel to join in on the fun!

09/14/2024

Congratulations to a few grads for completion of your training! Best of luck!! 👏

Congratulations to our six newest Conservation Officers, who will soon start serving their communities after their successful completion of training.

Recruits graduated from the Western Conservation Law Enforcement Academy last week, a joint recruit training initiative between natural resource agencies from BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Yukon.

The new BC recruits will now embark on a 12-month field training program with a veteran Conservation Officer as they refine their knowledge and skills gained during WCLEA. These positions are filling existing vacancies.

The new Conservation Officers are:
• Katherine Brewer, Mackenzie
• Spencer Kunzli, Salmon Arm
• Joshua Neary, Kamloops
• Isaiah Peters, Mission
• Joshua Peters, Prince George
• Calvin Rochon, Squamish

Congratulations to all!