Services

Known as an entertaining and informative speaker, Val is prepared to speak on a variety of subjects including urban ecology and biodiversity, natural history, and ecological restoration.

Keynote Addresses

• Endangered Species Restoration: South Coast Conservation Program, Workshop 3. Chilliwack, BC. March 15, 2007.
• Urban Biodiversity Conservation: Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for the Greater Vancouver Region. July 13, 2006. Vancouver, BC.
• Connectivity: Schaefer, V. 2004. The Urban Quilt: Comforting City Greenspace. University of Michigan. Natural Resources and Environment Clarence Roy/JJR Lecture.  November 15, 2004.

Meeting Presentations

• Environmental Issues in the Lower Mainland
• Environmental Issues in Greater Victoria
• Protecting the Environment: What One Person Can Do
• Sustainable Urban Lifestyle Options
• Urban Ravines - A Hidden Community Asset
• Growth Management and Urban Ecology
• Urban Biodiversity
• School Ground Naturalization
• Green Links
• Ecological Restoration
• Nature's Services
• The Urban Quilt - Patch Size and Connectivity
• Indicator Species
• Invasive Species
• Ecological Memory
• The Urban Ecozone

Nature Interpretation

As a terrestrial ecologist, ornithologist, restorationist and natural historian, Val specializes in interpretation of ecological relationships and identification of vertebrates and plants in southwestern British Columbia.

Project Management

Val has worked with colleagues, students and youth to conduct biophysical inventories (parks, urban ravines, special places), environmental education (school programs, naturalist training) and ecological restoration (Green Links connectivity, schoolground naturalization, backyard habitat, park enhancement, riparian planting, bioengineering). Clients include the BC Ministry of the Environment, BC Ministry of Advanced Education, BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Environment Canada, numerous nongovernmental organizations, the University of Victoria, BC Hydro, BC Transmission Corporation, Terasen Gas, municipalities and Metro Vancouver.

Publication Development

Val has written extensively on natural history (see the over 100 journal publications and book chapters listed in his Curriculum Vitae) and has edited the works of many other authors. Books he has co-authored include: Urban Biodiversity: Exploring Natural Habitat and its Value in Cities and City of Surprises: Discovering Nature in the City. Books and reports he has contributed to and/or edited include: Songbirds in the City, The Natural History of Stanley Park, A Bird Watching Guide to the Lower Mainland (1st edition), Nature in Vancouver (1st edition), Biodiversity in British Columbia and the Ecosystem Status and Trends Report for Canada.