The University of Victoria Environmental Law Centre is training Canada’s next generation of public interest environmental lawyers. At the same time, our law students and staff provide legal services for First Nations and community groups on a wide variety of cases, including the Northern Gateway pipeline hearings, the public trust doctrine and the challenge to Ottawa’s muzzling of scientists. We also develop environmental law reform proposals and publish public legal education materials. In fact, none of this work would be possible without the support of our core funder, the Tula Foundation. And we collaborate with the associated Hakai Beach Institute in various other ways, including the presentation of our annual Hakai Field Course on Environmental Law and Sustainability. We are deeply grateful that Tula and Hakai give us the opportunity to do this important work.
– Chris Tollefson and Calvin Sandborn, UVic Environmental Law Centre, April 2013
I thank the Hakai Institute for the gracious hospitality shown to Artists for an Oil-Free Coast and for opening its doors to other groups concerned about the threats posed by pipelines and tankers.
– Robert Bateman, August 2012
The Hakai Network has already fostered a deep sense of partnership, trust and shared endeavour amongst researchers and coastal communities. It stands out as a place where science, traditional knowledge and community meet and flourish, clearly demonstrating the benefits that can be gained from engaged research.
– Andrew Petter, President and Vice-Chancellor, Simon Fraser University
Scientific and traditional knowledge is fundamental to informing our strategies for stewardship, sustainability and conservation. Collaboration, support and shared respect for Hakai is the foundation of our relationship, our unique partnership with Hakai Institute is based on these principles.
– Marilyn Slett, Chief Councillor, Heiltsuk Tribal Council
Hakai is a spectacularly beautiful part of our world. It offers unique opportunities for research, for learning and teaching about humans and ecosystems, for inspiring innovation and creativity and for renewing the spirit of all who go there. It epitomizes biocultural richness, within a deep historical context. It was a privilege just to experience this place, and I hope to return again and again. Thank you, Eric and Christina, for all you are doing to support so many different endeavours to better understand our world and to lighten our impacts on it.
– Nancy J. Turner CM, OBC, PhD, FRSC, FLS
Distinguished Professor and Hakai Professor in Ethnoecology
School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria
Visiting Hakai was an educator’s dream–my students and I learned so much from the Hakai staff and visiting scientists while exploring the incredibly beautiful outdoor classroom that is Calvert Island!
– Sara Germain, Science Teacher, Bella Coola BC
On behalf of BC Parks I would like to thank the Hakai Institute for the amazing support that you have provided to our program along the Central Coast. You are an amazing group of stewards and you have really created a welcomed environment for all to come meet, recreate and educate.
– Steven Hodgson, Mid Coast Area Supervisor, BC Parks
Hakai is one of the most daring and bold adventures to materialize from the mists north of Cape Caution in living memory. It’s emergence as an innovator in sustainable living, a catalyst for community-minded resource management, a supporter of human and environmental health, and a major leader in place-based conservation science cannot be understated. Hakai has become in itself a vibrant coastal community, and a good neighbour to others nearby. Perhaps best of all it is a safe harbour and a warm cup of coffee after a long journey in the rain coast. Thank you!
