Head of the Robson Valley near Valemount, British Columbia.
With ongoing and future climate change, the potential for increased mountain hazards (landslides, mudflows, rockfalls) and reduced mountain snowpacks are a genuinue concern for mountain communities in British Columbia. On June 1-2, MOSH Lab crew and collaborators gathered in stunning Valemount BC to kickoff the PICS-funded project on community adaptation to changing mountain geohazards and snowpacks in the Robson Valley. With Owen Torgerson (Mayor of Valemount) and Dannielle Alan (Regional Director of Fraser-Fort George District H), along with representatives from the Community Forests of Valemount and Dunster and the B.C. Ministry of Forests, the UNBC team had a productive day of meetings, school visits, and a community dinner to discuss the project.
The team, posing for a truck-bumper photo.
MOSH Lab PhD students Sami Sofizada and Sara Darychuk introduced their research on geohazard risks and vulnerabilities and mountain snowpacks, while MSc student James Whitehead (supervised by Dr. Tristan Pearce) outlined ongoing research in the valley on wildfire risk. Several research priorities, such as the Swift Creek landslide risk and the potential for soil erosion and mudflows from the recent Teare Creek wildfire near McBride were highlighted. The community of Valemount turned out to share their interest and knowledge of the region, and provided the team with some important first insights into what the project can provide.
Community dinner in Centennial Park, Valemount.
Valemount TV was at the community dinner held in Centennial Park, and spoke with Dr. Shea about the project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI3iR2smKYw