Engaging Q+A with Dave Southam

The Summit Series Presented by Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is a new and exciting 5-week series that we have added to our 2015 event schedule. The program is launching this Saturday, May 23rd and will take place at the Summit Lodge from 1pm-3pm.

Meet our first facilitator Dave Southam, District Manager of the Sea to Sky Natural Resource District. Dave shares with us his experience in adventure tourism, recreational opportunities and exploring the remote coastal inlets that BC has to offer.

What are your favourite recreation gems in the Sea to Sky Natural Resource District?

DS: It’s difficult for me to pick just a few.  What I really love about living in such a great place like the Sea to Sky corridor is that the recreation opportunities are so plentiful.  I enjoy early morning hikes with my wife up the Sea to Summit Trail to the summit lodge; camping in the back country with my daughters and watching them swim in an alpine lake or lay awake listening to wolves howl in the distance; spending time with good friends mountain biking, skiing, relaxing around a campfire or drifting down a local river in search of big fish on a beautiful clear, crisp fall day.

What does your typical Monday morning consist of? 

DS: One of the best things about working in the Sea to Sky Natural Resource District is that my Mondays (or any day for that matter) are never the same.  Under our ministry’s one land manager concept, my responsibility as a statutory decision maker is very diverse.  My day can include a wide variety of issues such as protection of public safety on crown land; building integrated stewardship plans with local First Nations; reviewing operational plans with forest companies and adventure tourism tenure holders; establishing old growth management areas; working with professional engineers and geoscientists to review debris flow and rock fall hazards; ensuring species at risk protection through establishment of wildlife habitat areas or ungulate winter ranges; managing over 1,200 km of forest service roads and 250 bridges which provide access to first nations communities, rural residences and high value recreation sites.

Your most memorable experience at work? 

DS: That is a tough one given all the exciting things I have been fortunate enough to experience over the years.  If I had to sum it up it would probably be being outside and connecting with other qualified professions, first nations, stakeholders and international forestry delegations.  Travelling by helicopter, water taxi or float planes to remote coastal inlets, and coming face to face with a bears certainly bring back vivid memories.  All of these experiences were more enjoyable and memorable as a direct result of the great team of highly dedicated and professional people I get to work with every day.

New and exciting projects? 

DS: Summit series of course!  The results of the research that our wildlife biologists are beginning to report out on is very exciting and will help inform decision makers well into the future.  We are continuing our research this summer on Mount Caley debris flows and possible impacts to public safety.  Other key projects that we’re working on include an update of the Sea to Sky scenic area and a new fire management plan for the entire Sea to Sky corridor that reflects the wildland / urban interface.  Working with the new Water Sustainability Act which replaces the 100 year old Water Act will be new to everyone once it comes into effect.

For More Information:

Visit our Events page to read about the different topics over the 5-week series.

Dates include: May 23rd, May 30th, June 6th, June 13th and June 20th

*All events are free and take place in an open house format from 1-3pm with a gondola pass and reservations are not required. 

For more information on our tickets, and passes please visit our website by clicking here.