Meet Karina

Here for a Summer…

If you point to a strange squiggly creature from under the local dock in Rupert, Karina Dracott can likely tell you what it is. She might also be there, because teaching kids about our local ecosystem is one of many things she does here… and she’s busy. Karina is a research biologist working in marine conservation on the North Coast, and serves as Vice President of the North Coast Ecology Centre Society, volunteer crew member with the local Marine Search and Rescue, photographer and avid skier. Like many, she drove to the ‘very small’ community from Portland, Oregon, ‘for the summer’ for work and has stayed now for 8 years.

“From the moment I landed here I met a young group of professionals who also had moved to Prince Rupert and they were super active and canoeing and camping and doing all the fun outdoor things, group paddles…I fell in love with Rupert  that first summer and then the opportunity to extend my contract came along and I took it.”

A Home Base for Travels

What’s keeping her here? A love of adventure paired with the endless opportunities afforded by the area, and the flexibility of contract-based work that also allows her to travel occasionally and keep Rupert as a home base.

“I’ve lived in seven different countries, and my typical MO is to spend a few months to one year in a place, but when I landed here, there were just so many adventures to be had.”

Karina has explored widely through the region and repeats many of her adventures – from Haida Gwaii to Alaska, the Nass Valley hot springs to the Kispiox Valley. “In 5 hours, you can drive up to Alaska and see the Salmon glacier, one of the largest vehicle accessible glaciers in Canada,” she emphasized. “I still love it here, eight years later.” The ease of gathering a group to a nearby locale like the Wheelhouse Brewery, with no commute, is also a selling point.

On the weekends, skiing at Shames Mountain or in Smithers are regular activities that keep Karina busy in the winter. As a photographer, she recently captured snaps at the Shames Mountain ‘Slush Cup’, where locals dress in costumes – think inflatable dino flying on skis through the air –  and attempt to ski over a pool of snow melt. Many fail, which makes for some great photos. That event is one of many creative ways that Rupertites come up with as an excuse to get together, and another reason she stays.

Thrilling Work

Her work can sometimes verge on true, heart-pounding adventure. Some aspects of data collection include tagging local whale populations to study their behaviour, using a pole to gently place a suction-cup tag on the animal as it surfaces. This work is carried out with a knowledgeable team and strict safety protocols and care. Alongside this, her work focuses on education and research, including studying the impacts of vessel traffic on harbour porpoises and contributing to the development of management measures to help reduce risks to whales.  

Visitors that Come Back for More

If there are whales in the harbour, Karina’s phone will be pinging. Because in a small place, people can quickly become known for a specific areas of expertise. You can also become known for making things happen, and she has that reputation. Karina was one of small group of dedicated volunteers who coordinated a week-long North Coast whale festival for the community, bringing in a full size killer whale skeleton, coordinating a number of educational events and musical acts, and even hosting a chowder night with local sushi chef Dai Fukasaku. The festival was located in Rupert for a reason.

“We have a group of Northern Resident Killer Whales that come in the harbour every Spring, within the same month, known as the A42’s,” she explained. “They’re very timely whales.”

Networking Opportunities at your Fingertips

Community connections translates into career prospects as well. Through volunteering and local involvement, she’s built a network and skill set that has given her unique opportunities. “Most of my professional career has launched from being up here, because there are opportunities that exist up here that aren’t as accessible down south. There are specialized people for all of those micro/minutiae roles, but up here, I have had hands-on experiences that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to get.”

What offering does she have for newcomers?

Get Involved

For more information on the North Coast Ecology Centre Society, head to: Ecology | North Coast Ecology Centre Society | Prince Rupert, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram

For more information on Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM SAR), head to their Facebook page.