The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney was one of many organizations that have received a grant from the Victoria Foundation for their work here on the Saanich Peninsula. The centre’s work was instrumental in it receiving the grant, but also important were people from throughout Greater Victoria who took the time to share their views of life and livability in the region through the annual Vital Signs survey.
The award-winning aquarium and learning hub is a welcoming space where visitors can get up close and personal with the Salish Sea bioregion. Skilled learning professionals and volunteers engage with visitors and share knowledge through various programs. Unique community partnerships also allow for a stronger, more diverse visitor experience – last year’s To Fish as Formerly exhibition, for example, shared the resurgence of a highly relevant, conservation-based reef net fishing practice for the local Indigenous community.
People are keen to get together and do something positive, Pauline Finn, the Centre’s Executive Director, reflected in this year’s Vital Signs report. “We’re excited to have them join us for a safe learning opportunity: zooming out on a nice walk along the Sidney waterfront, then zooming in through close encounters with our team and critters in the Centre.”
The Centre’s programming, and the grant they received to help make it happen, speak to the Victoria Foundation’s goals around learning – a key issue area highlighted in Victoria’s Vital Signs report, and in the Vital Signs survey which helps inform it. It’s just one of a dozen areas of focus this year, and your input is needed.
Have your say about life on the West Shore and around the region
The Victoria Foundation’s 18th annual Vital Signs Survey is underway now and open until June 2. Your chance to weigh in on what’s working and where we need to do better, survey results will be incorporated with local statistics to create a snapshot of the region today, in 12 key issue areas, such as the environment, transportation, housing, wellness and the arts.
The results are published in Victoria’s Vital Signs, which helps guide the Foundation, donors and local leaders as to where resources are needed.
To participate:
- You can choose to fill out a short or long version of the survey – find a link to the survey on the Victoria Foundation website at victoriafoundation.ca, or click here to take the survey now.
- Fill out the survey before June 2 and you could win one of three $100 gift cards to Country Grocer!
With Coast Capital the 2023 presenting sponsor here in Victoria, the broader Vital Signs initiative is conducted by community foundations across Canada. Coordinated nationally by Community Foundations of Canada, Vital Signs measures the vitality of our communities and identifies significant trends in a range of areas critical to quality of life.