Fraser River Discovery Centre

Posted 
on Sep 03, 2013
 
The Discovery Centre is a way to explore the Fraser River through the stories and diversity of the entire Fraser River. Through rotating exhibits and hands-on programmes, the Fraser River Discovery Centre presents the river's contribution to the life, history, and future of British Columbia and its people.
 
 
The vision of the Fraser River discovery centre is “Connecting communities in the discovery and celebration of the living, working Fraser River.”
 
Our speaker on September 2 was Catherine Ouellet-Martine, the executive director of the Fraser River Discovery Centre. The centre is located on the New Westminster Quay wear the casino boat was formerly docked.
 
Catherine joined the Fraser River Discovery Centre as Executive Director in September 2008. After completing archaeology and anthropology field studies in Europe, Catherine earned degrees in History and Public History from Simon Fraser University. Catherine has extensive experience in museum education and administration with past experience including work in historic sites, museums and archaeological sites along the shores of the Fraser River. She was formerly associated with the Delta Museum in Ladner.
 
A resource centre offers programs to more than 3000 students each year.
 
The Fraser River is amazing. It is 1375 km (850 miles) long! Stretched out, it would span the distance between Vancouver, BC to Regina, Saskatchewan. The Fraser Basin makes up 25% of the province of BC!  Over 60% of the people in BC live in the Fraser Basin! The Fraser is one of the largest salmon spawning rivers in the world. The Fraser is one of only three rivers in BC in which the white sturgeon spawn, the largest freshwater fish in North America! The Fraser River Estuary is one of Canada's premier Important Bird Areas!
 
Fraser River Discovery Centre Timeline 
  • 1986 Development of the idea of the Fraser River Discovery Centre
  • 1989 Fraser River Discovery Centre Society incorporated
  • 2001 5,000 square foot Preview Centre opens along Westminster Quay
  • 2001 Establishment of Fraser River Discovery Centre Foundation
  • 2004 $3 million secured for construction through Founding Patrons and BC/Canada            Infrastructure Grant
  • 2007 Construction begins to expand Preview Centre
  • 2009 17,000 square foot Discovery Centre re-opened with exhibits on the first floor
  • 2013 Second floor opened with three new exhibits 
For more information visit: http://www.fraserriverdiscovery.org/