A New Westminster woman has made a lasting impact on the Vancouver Aquarium.
Nikki Clouthier has been volunteering with the Vancouver Aquarium for 50 years, giving more than 13,000 hours of time to the facility through the years.
“It’s an incredible place – I have learned so much,” she said in a press release. “You can never learn it all, of course, but if you continue to volunteer here, you gain so much knowledge of our natural world. At the same time, you’re joining the mission to protect our oceans and all the beautiful animals that live there for generations to come.”
Clouthier started volunteering at the aquarium in September 1967, when her first role was leading tours for Grade 8 students. After that she moved on to the Wet Lab, a hands-on aquatic classroom that she describes as a “fabulous place to learn about all kinds of things.”
Through the years, Clouthier has volunteered in a variety of ways including feeding and helping to raise orphaned harbour seal pups, delivering interpretive programming, training marine mammals, improving the aquarium’s information booth and training and mentoring new volunteers. As staff, she coordinated the aquarium’s French language education programs.
Clouthier currently volunteers at the Our World is Research and AquaNews feature exhibits, where she explains the role of the aquarium’s research projects and what visitors can do to ensure a better future for our oceans. Because she’s fluently bilingual, she can provide this information in both of Canada’s official languages.
In honour of Clouthier’s 50 years of service to the facility, the Vancouver Aquarium recently held a special ceremony and unveiled a plaque in her honour. The plaque is located beside the Our World is Research information station the aquarium’s Canaccord Gallery.
“It’s been an honour and privilege learning from Nikki over the years,” Karen Howe, director of visitor experience, said in a press release. “Her contribution to Vancouver Aquarium, the volunteer program and to visitor experience has been invaluable.”
To volunteer at the Vancouver Aquarium, individuals must pledge to work a minimum of 50 hours every few months and undergo an intensive 12-hour training program over a three-week period before they begin. For more information on the Vancouver Aquarium’s volunteer programs, visit www.vanaqua.org/volunteer.
