Parks Canada-VR Review

Parks Canada-VR Review

While browsing numerous parks on the “Parks Canada” website, I came across three particular parks. These parks included; Gulf Islands National Park Reserve,(British Columbia,)Kouchibouguac National Park,(New Brunswick,) and Jasper National Park,(Alberta.) These parks all caught my attention while using Google Cardboard (virtual reality headset.) These parks all have certain characteristics which set them apart from the other parks, listed on the website. I would like to recommend checking them out on a virtual reality headset, because it's almost like you are physically there. However, be sure to check out the three listed above before checking out any other parks. I personally believe these parks have the best environments to be around. If you ever wanted to go somewhere without actually being there, this is your opportunity. The following is information containing characteristics, in regards to the three parks:

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve	Kouchibouguac National Park	Jasper National Park
Longitude and Latitude: 48.66566, -123.40775	Longitude and Latitude: 46.77286, -65.00533	Longitude and Latitude: 52.87338, -117.95429
-Salish Sea -kayak,hike, and cycle -eagles and seabirds in the sky -seals,otters, orcas, and pods of porpoises in the water -”Gulf Islands are laced with trails leading to mountaintop viewpoints, lighthouses, and reminders of First Nations and pioneer pasts, while their shores and lagoons are a haven for thriving birdlife.”	-wood forests leading to warm ocean beaches -sand dunes -celestial landscape at night -seals, cod, sea lions, coyotes, red fox, moose, and black bear	-over 11,000 square kilometres -largest national park in the Canadian Rockies -69 species of mammals -elk, grizzly bears, black bears, moose, deer, sheep, coyotes, wolves, and mountain goats. -rare to see woodland caribou
Why not be around such an amazing community, while exploring different trails. There is so much to do here whether you like being out on the water, cycling, or even just hiking. Before going, you can also see what it’s all about on a VR set.	Why not spend the night admiring such a breathtaking landscape, while being apart of an amazing environment. Before going, you can also see what it’s all about on a VR set.	Come visit this huge national park in order to see all the different kinds of animals, and what this land has to offer. Before going, you can also see what it’s all about on a VR set.

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve:



Jasper National Park:




Kouchibouguac National Park:

Chemical Valley

Chemical Valley

Throughout this video, many issues were raised around the fields of the chemical valley, located in Sarnia, Ontario. More specifically pollution from the petrochemical industry. Some forms of pollution included, “gasoline, plastic, pesticides, fertilizers, cosmetics, and more chemicals.” This pollution was formed mainly off of refining and producing petroleum and natural gases. Due to the 60 petrochemical plants running 24/7 in the chemical valley, it is no wonder Sarnia has earned the reputation for the worst air in Canada. Due to the pollution, a few health concerns have been raised for the first nations people of Aamjiwnaang. Kids are currently suffering from hydrogen sulphide exposure. To put this into perspective, the British used hydrogen sulphide in World War I.

In order to combat this issue, I would reduce the amount of petrochemical plants. Along with reducing the gross number, I would also place a restriction on how long these plants are able to run. For example, instead of running 24/7, I would put a curfew, which would include only running the plants throughout the day.

Caribou Presentation:Geography

Caribou Presentation:

This morning, a very accomplished guest speaker by the name of Carolyn Callaghan, was welcomed into the grade nine geography class. Carolyn specialized in wolf ecology, while completing her Ph.D. She is currently a senior conservation biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Although Carolyn studied wolf ecology, she was brought in to explain the endangerment of caribou. This was strictly because her current research has more of a focus on caribou.

Throughout Carolyn’s presentation, you could really sense her passion for the caribou species. While Carolyn was briefing us on her presentation, I was able to understand the situation on caribou. To expand, she mentioned the slow reproduction rate. Caribou are unable to deliver twins under any circumstance, and caribou take longer to have babies. Because of this, caribou are already at a disadvantage in comparison to their prey. Climate change has also taken a toll on caribou, because their habitat is being destroyed. Caribou calves are also very vulnerable to other prey. Because of all these reasons, the caribou population is struggling, and considered “endangered.”

It is very disappointing that nobody has taken effective action thus far. In order to fix this, Carolyn has challenged us to write a letter to the minister of Environment Canada (Catherine McKenna,) in order to share our concern for the caribou species. This could be a great segway for adults to consider the voices of adolescents.

In order to aid with this issue, I would like to ask a few questions on behalf of our society. Firstly, I am still wondering why sacrificing one species(wolves) for another (caribou) is going to benefit the food chain in the long run? I would also like to know what the average Canadian can do to help solve this issue? (besides writing a letter.) Finally, how can we help change the worlds outlook on climate change?

Overall, I thought Carolyn’s presentation gave me a new outlook on the severity of caribou endangerment. Before this, I had very little knowledge on this ongoing matter. With all the research being done, I am hopeful the caribou population will find a way to survive. While awaiting a solution, I hope our generation can play a role in maintaining the caribou species!

Thank you very much,

-Sahil Arora

(sahil@cedarridgehighschool.ca)