Students and Faculty Collaborate on Dominion Beach BioBlitz

CBU students and faculty from a range of courses, including the Bachelor of Arts and Science in Environment (BASE) Field Course, Marine Ecology, Entomology, Ornithology, Ecology and Chemistry, are teaming up for the Dominion Beach BioBlitz, a project that blends science, history and community to explore the future of one of Cape Breton’s most popular beaches.

Throughout the fall, students are documenting birds, insects, plants and marine life at Dominion Beach. They’re also digging deeper, working with the Beaton Institute to uncover the site’s history and with Chemistry faculty to analyze sediment for signs of coal contamination.

“Hurricane Fiona showed just how vulnerable our coastlines are,” says Kellie White, co-director of the BASE program at CBU. “The BioBlitz gives students the chance to apply what they’re learning while contributing knowledge that matters to our community.”

The BioBlitz highlights the hands-on, interdisciplinary experiences that set CBU’s programs apart. For students in the BASE program, these field projects are at the heart of their degree, offering opportunities to connect science, social science and community while preparing for graduate studies and careers in government, NGOs, consulting, education and environmental advocacy.

“Collecting marine invertebrates and plants at Dominion Beach for two of my classes has been such an eye-opening experience,” said Bhreagh Dean, a BASE student. “We’ve already recorded 130 different plant species, 30 species of molluscs, and 319 species in total. It’s incredible to see how much life is packed into this one beach and to know our work is helping to document and protect it.”

Community members can also get involved by recording their own sightings at Dominion Beach and sharing them on the project’s iNaturalist page. Together, these contributions will help build a stronger record of biodiversity on Cape Breton’s coast. With Piping Plovers returning to nest on the beach this year, the project underscores the importance of local conservation while giving students the chance to do meaningful, career-shaping research.

Interested in tackling environmental challenges hands-on while earning a flexible, interdisciplinary degree? Learn more and apply to the Bachelor of Arts and Science in Environment program at CBU.

Follow along with the Dominion BioBlitz on CBU SST Instagram and the CBU Biology Facebook page.