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Our Mission
Our Mission
The purpose of the Climate Adaptation Research Lab (CARL) Society is to advance climate adaptation and ecosystem resilience through research, collaboration, and education in British Columbia, Canada.
Who We Are
Who We Are
The Climate Adaptation Research Lab (CARL) is a community-based ecological research and restoration organization. We bring together scientists, educators, students, and volunteers to develop practical, place-based responses to climate change.
Our work focuses on applied research - combining field-based restoration with long-term ecological monitoring to better understand how ecosystems respond to changing conditions. We prioritize collaboration, working with local organizations, academic institutions, and community members to ensure our work is both scientifically rigorous and locally relevant.
CARL is led by ecologist Dr. Ruth Waldick and governed by an independent Board of Directors. Originally established under the ubmbrella of Transition Salt Spring, we are now an independent Society, expanding our partnerships and impact across the Southern Gulf Islands and beyond.
Data-Driven Watershed Science and Community Engagement
Data Collection and Monitoring
To support evidence-based restoration and fire risk mitigation, CARL has established a network of long-term monitoring sites across the Hwmet’utsum (Maxwell Creek) Watershed. These sites generate continuous hydrological and ecological datasets, including measurements of soil moisture, streamflow dynamics, and forest structure and composition. This monitoring framework enables the detection of temporal environmental change, identification of areas with high restoration potential, and evaluation of treatment effectiveness. The resulting data informs adaptive management strategies aimed at reducing wildfire risk, improving water quality, and enhancing overall watershed function.
Community Outreach and Knowledge Sharing
Recognizing that effective climate adaptation requires broad participation, CARL facilitates knowledge exchange through workshops, webinars, and collaborative, community-based projects. By mobilizing local and scientific knowledge, CARL supports the development of a regional community of practice focused on ecological resilience. These efforts promote the uptake of best practices in land stewardship, strengthen local capacity for climate adaptation, and foster shared responsibility for maintaining ecosystem integrity.
Advancing Climate Adaptation through Education and Restoration
Education Initiatives
CARL integrates applied learning into its restoration work by engaging students in field-based ecological research and stewardship. Participants from the Gulf Islands Secondary School (GISS) and the University of Victoria Restoration Program contribute to ongoing projects within the Hwmet’utsum (Maxwell Creek) Watershed. Through these experiences, students develop practical skills in ecosystem monitoring, restoration techniques, and climate adaptation, while gaining a systems-level understanding of forest health, hydrological processes, and the ecological impacts of climate change.
Ecological Restoration:
In response to the legacy effects of historical land use, CARL implements evidence-based restoration strategies aimed at re-establishing native plant communities, recovering wetland function, and reducing wildfire risk. Interventions within the Hwmet’utsum (Maxwell Creek) Watershed include the installation of natural water retention features, erosion control measures, habitat enhancement, and fire-resistant native species planting. These approaches are designed to restore ecological integrity by improving soil moisture retention, moderating peak water flows, and supporting biodiversity. Collectively, this work enhances the watershed’s capacity to buffer against climate-driven stressors, including prolonged drought and increased wildfire risk.
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