Michele Patterson works within Vancouver Island University’s Institute for Coastal Research, as Program Lead, Aquatic Foods Initiative.  The new VIU Aquatic Foods Initiative (AFI) launched in July 2011 and is working toward the creation of innovative research, collaboration, and communication strategies to increase the economic, cultural and social values of BC’s aquatic food resources.

Michele has been involved in resource management, community economic development and conservation in British Columbia for over 20 years.  She has expertise in: rural and aboriginal community issues, sustainability, external and government relations, and tools and approaches for marine protected areas and area-based management.

She has a Master of Arts Degree from Royal Roads University’s Environment and Management (MEM) Program (Victoria, BC) where the focus of her thesis was improving governance for science and research to better inform marine policy development and planning.

After nine years with WWF-Canada, concluding as Acting Regional VP, Michele moved to Vancouver Island in January 2010 for a new career at Vancouver Island University (VIU).  She was VIU’s first Manager of Environment and Sustainability and launched a new sustainability program for VIU across their four Vancouver Island campuses.  After 1.5 years in this position she recently moved to a new appointment in the VIU Institute for Coastal Research as Program Lead, developing VIU’s new Aquatic Foods Program.

Michele is a founding Director of the Pacific Marine Analysis and Research Association (www.pacmara.org) and also a Director of the Science and Management of Protected Areas Association (www.sampaa.org).  She has a 15 year old son and enjoys exploring Vancouver Island’s beaches and parks from her new base in Nanaimo.