Charleswood marine biologist making waves

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This article was published 11/08/2020 (1856 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A former Winnipegger will be traversing a 53 km trail to promote ocean conservation.

Bryden Bone, a marine conservation biologist who hails from Charleswood, will be hiking the Cape Chignecto Coastal Trail in Nova Scotia, aiming to raise money for the Back to the Sea Society. Usually, the 53km trail takes three to four days to cross. Bone will be doing it in 12 hours.

The Bay of Fundy Trail Run for Youth Ocean Literacy will take place in September, depending on the COVID-19 pandemic. Bone has been a lifelong advocate for oceans and the important role they play in all of our lives.

Bone said taking care of our oceans is important to Winnipeg.

“It may seem odd for people in Winnipeg, like why would they care about our oceans? Even though we are as far from the ocean as we can possibly get, we are still connected to it. Most of our food, materials, a lot of that is done through international shipping … All of our rivers and streams, they all lead to the ocean,” Bone said. “Even if you don’t live by the ocean, it’s health still affects you, one way or another.”

Bone likes the Back to the Sea Society because they try to connect people to the creatures living in the ocean. It’s a registered charity that allows children to interact and learn about the fauna in our oceans, sparking their imagination and building a desire to protect the ocean. One program they have is allowing children to watch a seastar crawl around, which surprises children, according to Bone.

While Bone loves to talk about the ocean, he’s more worried about surviving the trail. He’s traversed it before, during a long hiking trip with a few friends. Bone is hoping that by carrying less supplies and jogging along the flatter parts of the route, he’ll be able to achieve his goal. Currently, he’s in Winnipeg visiting his parents, but plans to start the run in mid-September.
Bone hopes that by raising money, Back to the Sea Society can get more people to care about ocean conservation.

“Much like a lot of natural environments, the ocean is facing a number of threats: Climate change, pollution, overfishing … It will take a collective effort to change all of that,” Bone said. “We’re going to need every ally we can get. Maybe by exposing someone to a living, breathing creature living right in our backyard, that’ll make conservation a part of their life.”

Bone originally lived in Charleswood, where his parents still live. He graduated from Oak Park High School, getting a bachelor of science degree from the University of Manitoba. He said he was “summoned by the sea out east,” feeling like his true calling was marine conservation. He obtained a master’s degree in marine management at Dalhousie University and continues to live in Halifax, N.S.

To donate, visit www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/the-bay-of-fundy-trail-run-for-youth-ocean-literac