Technical Visits
About technical visits
Please register early! Technical visits will be cancelled if they do not reach the minimum number of paid participants by 14 March 2022.
Important date: 14 MARCH
Minimum and maximum numbers of participants are noted. If the visit for which you have registered does not meet the minimum number by 14 March, IAIA HQ will notify you and provide refund information or offer to transfer you to another visit. After 14 March, registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until 13 April or the visits reach the maximum number. Registrations will be processed in the order that payment is received.
Prices for technical visits are shown in US dollars. Participants must be pre-registered and pre-paid to participate. If you must cancel, the fee will be refunded, less an administration fee of 25% of the technical visit cost and contingent upon written notice of cancellation received by 13 April. After that time, no refunds will be issued.
Guests of registered delegates are welcome to register for technical visits at the same rate.
Tours depart from the conference venue unless otherwise noted. Plan to check in for the visit a minimum of 15 minutes prior to the noted departure time.
Liability statement: IAIA, the organizing committee, and the venue will not be responsible for medical expenses, accidents, losses or other unexpected damage to property belonging to conference participants, either during or as a result of the conference and during all tours and events. Participants are strongly advised to arrange their own insurance for health and accident, lost luggage and trip cancellation.
Participants will be required to sign a liability release waiver upon check-in for the visits.
A | Malahat First Nation Skywalk/Cultural Tour & T'Sou-ke Nation Solar Initiative Tour CANCELLED
This technical tour starts with a scenic ferry ride to Vancouver island. Once on the island, participants drive through the west coast wilderness, arriving at T'Sou-ke First Nation for a tour of their 75-kilowatt solar project. T'Sou-ke began its journey in 2008 to become a sustainable solar community, installing large photovoltaic systems and solar hot water systems, and they developed a comprehensive energy conservation program.
Participants then bus over the picturesque mountain highway to the Malahat SkyWalk for an accessible 600m TreeWalk through an arbutus forest and up a gentle spiral ramp to a sightseeing lookout offering 360˚ views of Finlayson Arm, Saanich Peninsula and more, while hearing from Malahat Nation on the impacts/benefits of tourism, fishing, and other uses of Saanich Inlet, and how Malahat Nation is managing these activities in the territory.
Monday 2 May
Depart 05:00 | Return 21:30
Level of physical activity Moderate - walking.
Minimum-Maximum 10-25
Price $245
Price includes transportation, lunch, and fees.
B | BRITANNIA MINE TOUR
Britannia Mine stopped operations in 1974 and is one of the largest metal pollution sources in North America. It is being remediated by the Province of BC. Meet a technical expert from the province who can discuss acid rock drainage, the effects on Britannia Beach and Howe Sound, and the remediation efforts underway. Learn about the award-winning Britannia Water Treatment Plant, which has been operational since 2006.
Participants will tour the historic mine with an underground rail tour showing a variety of mining activities and practices: exhibits on sustainable mining and remediation practices including how metals and natural systems interact, a live action display in the old mill where participants experience what it was like to work as a miner in 1914, and the opportunity to try gold panning.
Monday 2 May
Depart 08:15 | Return 16:30
Level of physical activity Low; however, only parts of the Museum are wheelchair accessible. To participate in the underground rail tour, delegates must be able to climb 48 steps with a landing every 16 steps.
Minimum-Maximum 10-25
Price $210
Price includes transportation, bag lunch, and admission fees.
Special notes Comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen; raincoat if weather is inclement.
C | ASHLU CREEK
The Ashlu Creek Hydro Project, owned by Innergex Renewable Energy, temporarily diverts water from a steep mountain stream to generate clean electricity for use by British Columbians. The project began operations in 2010 after an extensive environmental and social impact assessment, and according to Canadian laws and regulations. Tour participants will get a guided tour of the facilities, learn about renewable "run of river" hydroelectricity, and view the beautiful Ashlu Creek valley.
Monday 2 May
Depart 09:00 | Return 15:30
Level of physical activity Low. Walking tour of the facility, which is located alongside a river in a remote forested area of the Pacific Northwest.
Minimum-Maximum 12-18
Price $185
Price includes transportation, bag lunch, and admission fees.
Special notes Sturdy closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. Bringing a full water bottle is recommended. Limited washroom facilities (there is a washroom at the Ashlu Creek site).
D | SEA TO SKY CORRIDOR (HOWE SOUND/SQUAMISH/WHISTLER) CANCELLED
Join us for a drive up Howe Sound through Squamish to the internationally-renowned resort town of Whistler. Participants will learn about regional Indigenous culture at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, hear about environment and sustainability at the Resort Municipality of Whistler, learn about Howe Sound as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and finish off with a trip up the Sea to Sky Gondola for panoramic views of mountains and the ocean. Participants will have some free time to explore Whistler village.
Tuesday 3 May
Depart 08:00 | Return 18:30
Level of physical activity Low
Minimum-Maximum 10-50
Price $235
Price includes transportation, lunch, and fees.
Special notes Wearing sturdy, closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended, as is bringing a full water bottle.
E | PUTTING SUSTAINABILITY INTO OPERATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (UBC) CANCELLED
This behind-the-scenes tour will provide a real-world illustration of how UBC has earned recognition as a global leader in sustainability and wellness. Enjoy a guided walking tour of UBC's amazing campus, surrounded by forest and ocean, to explore features of the university's operations and infrastructure that demonstrate innovative sustainability solutions at a municipal scale. The tour finishes with a visit to UBC's Nitobe Gardens and an overview of seismic upgrades underway at the Museum of Anthropology, leaving free time for participants to explore the museum's collections.
Tuesday 3 May
Depart 08:30 | Return 17:00
Level of physical activity Low
Minimum-Maximum 10-25
Price $190
Price includes transportation, morning coffee, lunch, and fees.
Special notes Comfortable shoes and layered clothing are recommended.
F | BURRARD INLET CULTURAL TOUR
Learn about and experience Coast Salish Indigenous culture with an interpretive paddle in replica ocean-going canoes, similar to those used historically by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Participants will gently paddle in the protected waters of the Burrard Inlet and beautiful Indian Arm while guides sing songs, tell legends and point out ancient village sites. A hot lunch featuring traditional Coast Salish food (salmon; alternate items available) will be provided at the conclusion of the paddle.
Tuesday 3 May
Depart 09:00 | Return 14:00
Level of physical activity Moderate. Paddling in a large 16-person canoe, not strenuously.
Minimum-Maximum 15-30
Price $195
Price includes transportation, lunch, and fees.
Special notes The paddle trip is outdoor with no shelter. Comfortable clothing for using a paddle is beneficial. A windproof jacket and sweater may be needed. A hat and gloves may be needed if the weather is cool. Bringing a full water bottle is recommended.
G | MANAGING IMPACTS TO MARINE MAMMALS
A shuttle will take participants from downtown Vancouver to Steveston, BC, to board a marine charter vessel. On this three- to five-hour boat tour, participants will observe the extent of industrialization along the mouth of the Fraser River, the shores of the lower mainland, and Delta Port/Roberts Bank area. The excursion will be guided by a UBC marine mammal expert, a Host Nation Indigenous expert in the cultural connections to Southern Resident Killer Whales, and the tour charter operator's experienced guides. Impacts of industrialization and marine traffic on marine wildlife will be observed and discussed.
Tuesday 3 May
Depart 12:00 | Return 17:00
Level of physical activity Low
Minimum-Maximum 15-35
Price $275
Price includes transportation, bag lunch, and fees.
Special notes Dress warmly in layers, including a windbreaker or jacket, to protect yourself from the weather and cooler temperatures on the water. Closed toed shoes/boots, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen are recommended.
H | URBAN AGRICULTURE - FOOD JUSTICE
Ride by bus to Vancouver's Olympic Village to visit Sole Food Street Farms, one of North America's largest urban farm projects. This 2-hour tour will focus on the operations of SFSF, a sustainable, urban farm that provides employment, agricultural training, and inclusion to those with limited resources who are managing addiction and chronic mental health problems.
Sunday 8 May
Depart 10:00 | Return 13:00
Level of physical activity Low
Minimum-Maximum 10-19
Price $135
Price includes transportation and fees.
Special notes Walking shoes and dressing appropriately for weather is recommended.
I | TOFINO OVERNIGHT TRIP CANCELLED
Join us for an overnight trip to Tofino! With beautiful beaches, stunning sunsets, and towering trees, Tofino is a West Coast wonderland. Enjoy a scenic soar to Tofino with an aerial view of the ecosystem in a chartered float plane from the Vancouver Harbor. Take a morning walk along Tonquin trail and boardwalk through the rainforest to Tonquin beach while reading and discussing the plaques along the boardwalk detailing local history, flora, and fauna. We will cruise through Clayoquot Sound on wildlife and whale watching boating adventures with a local host highlighting culture in Tofino and visit a local Indigenous art gallery. Unwind in the evening with tacos at Chesterman beach during a soft sunset. Hosts will tailor the trip to explore participants' interests and facilitate discussion.
Sunday 8 May - Monday 9 May
Depart 07:00 8 May | Return 17:00 9 May
Level of physical activity Moderate
Minimum-Maximum 11-17
Price $1,290
Price includes transportation, lunch 8-9 May, dinner 8 May, breakfast 9 May, fees, and hotel (one person per room).
Special notes Bring closed-toe walking shoes (waterproof/resistant suggested), raincoat, swimsuit, towel, and overnight bag (one small bag/backpack suggested). Weather delays in boat tours or flights may affect the return time.
IAIA19 TECHNICAL VISIT WAIVER AND RELEASE
All technical visit participants will be required to sign a liability release waiver upon check-in for the visits. The text of the release waiver can be found below. Note that IAIA, the organizing committee, and the venue will not be responsible for medical expenses, accidents, losses, or other unexpected damage to property belonging to conference participants, either during or as a result of the conference and during all tours and events. Participants are strongly advised to arrange their own insurance for health and accident, lost luggage, and trip cancellation.
I hereby WAIVE AND RELEASE the International Association for Impact Assessment from liability pertaining to my participation in IAIA22 Technical Visits.
I understand and agree that I am releasing not only IAIA, but also IAIA's officers, agents, and employees. I understand and agree that by signing this Waiver/Release, I am assuming full responsibility for any and all risk of death or personal injury or property damage suffered by me while participating in the IAIA20 Technical Visit.
I understand and agree that this Waiver/Release will have the effect of releasing, discharging, waiving and forever relinquishing any and all actions or causes of action that I may have or have had, whether past, present or future, whether known or unknown, and whether anticipated or unanticipated by me, arising out of my participation in the IAIA22 Technical Visit, except for the acts or omissions of IAIA, its officers, agents, or employees which are found to be negligent by a court of competent jurisdiction.
I understand and agree that this Waiver/Release applies to personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death which I may suffer, even if caused by the acts or omissions of others. I understand and agree that this Waiver/Release will be binding on me, my spouse, my heirs, my personal representatives, my assignees, my children and any guardian for said children.
I confirm that I do not have any physical limitations, medical ailments, or physical or mental disabilities that would limit or prevent me from participating in the IAIA22 Technical Visit.