[BCMA] Blogging Along the Information Highway

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

August 16, 2010									File: 20100816

For Immediate Release

RE: Blogging Along the Information Highway

Cowichan- Keeping up with a website used to be the challenge for staffers at
the BC Forest Discovery Centre. But now as social media accelerates the
information highway it takes the youthful touch of a student workforce to
pull along the local institution.  Earlier this year the Centre launched its
facebook page and now summer students have created a new blog that will give
a broader access to the attributes of the site, interesting artifacts and
stories about the history of the forest industry around the region.

“We were very fortunate to have summer students partially funded by Heritage
Canada this year and they are so adept with all the social media tools that
we took the opportunity to capitalize on their expertise,” says Curator,
Aimee Greenaway.  “The new blog is a good opportunity for us to better
connect with the community,” says Aimee. “We will be able to give everyone
behind the scenes access to what’s going on here and see how other people in
the community are participating in museum activities as volunteers, members
and visitors.”

The blog entries include new exhibit areas, special events, as well as
spotlights on artifacts and must-see areas of the museum.  “The spotlight
section allows us to share the history of our most popular artifacts, such
as Samson the steam locomotive,” says Greenaway.  “History buffs will also
enjoy future spotlights on some of the more unique artifacts in our
collection that are not currently on exhibit.”  Blog entries on the museum’s
forest and Somenos Marsh walking trails will keep nature enthusiasts updated
on wildlife sightings and opportunities for unique nature photos.

The blog contributors include Greenaway and three of the museum’s summer
students, Marcie Callewaert, Melissa Allen, and Carolyn Taylor.  “The summer
students have been key in getting this project up and running,” says
Greenaway.  “They have designed it, written entries and provided many
amazing photos.”  The summer students are partially funded by Heritage
Canada, through the Canadian Museum’s Association.  To check out the BC
Forest Discovery Centre’s new blog, please visit
http://bcforestdiscoverycentre.blogspot.com/

The BC Forest Discovery Centre is a non-profit society and registered
charity dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the past,
present and future of the coastal forest industry in BC.  The museum’s
100-acre grounds include an operational railway and 12 heritage buildings.


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Contacts:

Aimee Greenaway
Curator
(250) 715-1113 extension 25