Two Vancouver Island University students got to help with food security and wellness in a remote community.
In a blog, the university says Matt Van Dinther and Savonah MacLeod worked with the Heiltsuk Climate Action Team to make aquaponics and aeroponic tower gardens as a solution for food security and sovereignty.
This included building a water cooling and heating system for fish and plants, researching how to improve greenhouse gas knowledge, and investigating the First Nation’s needs.
The work was part of a study by the university, with Van Dinther and MacLeod working alongside students of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic and Horticulture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Engineering programs respectively.
Van Dinther says gaining knowledge and experience while contributing to this project was rewarding.
“Food security is paramount moving into the 21st century, and something especially remote communities will have to deal with sooner rather than later,” said Van Dinther.
“I believe that COVID proved how sensitive the supply chain can be and these communities must start taking steps to thrive moving forward.”
For MacLeod, she says her group’s research focused on the production schedule needed to supply a home of fresh produce options.
“We seeded, grew and made predictions about harvest times to create and present a 12-month schedule to Heiltsuk Nation community members,” said MacLeod.
She adds they presented the info to the Nation and other students at the university.
They say for their work, the Horticulture program won the Keynote and Indigenous Book Awards at the university’s CREATE conference.
