Loon Foundation Announces Leadership Transition to Advance Vision for Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) (Copy)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCTOBER 2, 2025 [Madeira Park, B.C.] – As the Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) enters a new and pivotal chapter, the Loon Foundation today announced a leadership transition to build on the inspiring vision of its founder, Dr. Michael Jackson, who is retiring after 25 years of service.

Dr. Jackson, a marine ecologist and lifelong advocate for ocean conservation, helped create the Loon Foundation (originally the Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society) and is the visionary behind the PODS marine and climate research facility. He leaves the Loon Foundation and PODS project in the capable hands of its dedicated staff, Board of Directors, and partners, including the shíshálh Nation and Capilano University.

“Dr. Jackson’s passion and imagination brought PODS from an ambitious concept to a legitimate project that is about to break ground,” said Brendan Glauser, member of the Loon Foundation Board of Directors. “His vision is the foundation for everything that comes next, and the Loon Foundation community is grateful for his many contributions.”

To carry that vision forward, the Loon Foundation is pleased to announce Lana Brandt as Interim Executive Director. With nearly 20 years of non-profit experience, including work with the David Suzuki Foundation and as Executive Director of the Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation, Brandt brings proven expertise and a strong locally-rooted commitment to guiding PODS through its next phase of development.

“I’m honoured to step into this role at such a pivotal time,” said Brandt. “The vision for PODS is an extraordinary contribution to the local community and broader conservation movement. I’m committed to ensuring that vision becomes a reality, showing that solutions to our greatest challenges can emerge when modern science, traditional knowledge, art, culture and community come together.”

As PODS enters this next phase, priorities include advancing construction, fundraising, expanding community programming, and strengthening relationships and partnerships to bring PODS to life.

“The Loon Foundation is embarking on an exciting and ambitious fundraising campaign for PODS this year, and we’re deeply grateful for the community’s support,” said Will Corse, member of the Loon Foundation Board of Directors.“ With new leadership in place, and with Dr. Jackson’s vision as our compass, we’re excited to realize the full potential of PODS for generations to come.”

The Loon Foundation is a registered non-profit charity dedicated to protecting biodiversity, connecting people with the natural world, and fostering responsible stewardship for future generations.

Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) will be a vibrant, net-zero facility that inspires, engages, and empowers all its visitors, students and academic researchers with the wonders of the coastal waters of our region. PODS aims to demonstrate by example that scientifically-driven decision-making is essential to finding viable solutions to the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

Media Contact: Loon Foundation

778.833.2954

media@loonfoundation.org

Ocean discovery hub targets net-zero in Pender Harbour

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The Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) project in British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast received a $13.4-million boost from the federal government. The facility, expected to be completed in Spring 2027, will create a vibrant hub for aquatic research, community engagement, and cultural programming, while adhering to the highest standards in green building technology.

The net-zero structure will feature interactive exhibits, laboratories, galleries, and performance spaces, with environmental stewardship courses and public programming.

The PODS has been a years-long collaboration between the Loon Foundation and shíshálh Nation to incorporate shíshálh traditional knowledge, western science, and local culture.

Dr. Michael Jackson, executive director of the Loon Foundation, said the project is expected to bolster the Sunshine Coast economy and bring together science, art, and Indigenous knowledge “to spark solutions for our planet’s most pressing environmental and social challenges.”

For more than 20 years, the Loon Foundation has worked to preserve and enhance the biodiversity of the Sunshine Coast and foster environmental stewardship. The shíshálh Nation has been traditionally stewarding the swiya.

“PODS exemplifies Reconciliation in action, demonstrating how collaboration can pave the way for a brighter future for generations to come,” said lhe hiwus (Chief) Lenora Joe, shíshálh Nation.

Major funding announced for Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (Copy)

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Last week, the development of Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) took a significant step forward after shíshálh Nation signed a 15-year relationship agreement with the Loon Foundation, kicking off a landmark collaboration in the development and operation of PODS.

On Saturday, the federal government inked the deal with the announcement of a $13.4 million investment towards the project.

Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, was in Pender Harbour Nov. 16, to make the announcement in front of an enthusiastic crowd, who braved the rain to attend the event. Weiler acknowledged the announcement was “many years in the making” and added, investing in infrastructure projects such as this is vital to building Canada’s economy and healthy communities.

“Today is a really exciting day because it's an example of how the federal government's going to be focused on building an even brighter future here on the Sunshine Coast,” said Weiler.

PODS, located within kalpilin (Pender Harbour), will be a net-zero facility built in collaboration with the Loon Foundation and shíshálh Nation to incorporate Indigenous traditional knowledge, western science and local culture. The state-of-the-art PODS building will be designed and operated to promote environmental stewardship and celebrate the region's rich biodiversity. The facility will also provide opportunities for potential employment, training and mentoring for shíshálh members in its development and operation and will support economic advancement for the community and specifically shíshálh Nation. 

The agreement also covers the future operation and transfer of the Iris & Billy Griffith Interpretive Centre in a collaborative operation between shíshálh Nation and Loon Foundation. The PODS facility will give visitors a first-hand look into the region’s remarkable biological and cultural diversity, while being net-zero, a balance between the carbon emitted into the atmosphere and the carbon removed from it.

Dr. Michael Jackson, executive director of the Loon Foundation, described Saturday’s announcement as “momentous.”

“Because not only have we suddenly got the money we need to move ahead… but also this relationship agreement, which has taken two-and-a-half years altogether. It's been a long process, but this whole thing has been a long process. I've been on it, I think, for 11 years,” Jackson told the crowd.

Jackson thanked a long list of supporters, including some who have since passed away over the years it’s taken the project to get to this point.

“I just think it's the vision and the dedication, with this kind of unwavering support we've had all along from so many passionate people, who just believe in this,” he said. “We get them every day, they come into our store and they just say, this is so wonderful what they're doing,” said Jackson. “But the thing about PODS is you could do this in any coastal town or village virtually anywhere in the world, and all you have to do is start caring about the place and about nature, but also hoping for better things for the future. But hope is no good unless you act on it. And so that's what we do. As you can see, we've been quite successful at it.”

lhe hiwus yalxwemult (Chief Lenora Joe), who was also in attendance at the announcement, said shíshálh Nation is “very happy” with the partnership.

“We're very excited to move forward. This is such an excellent opportunity for the people on the Sunshine Coast, particularly our children,” said lhe hiwus. “You know, this is going to be able to go beyond what we currently have in place for them and I think it's going to be just amazing. I was trying to explain this to our latest community member who was asking me what PODS was and I was like, ‘I don't know how to explain it. All I can say, it's got a lot to do with science and the ocean. There you go. So that's what they're going to be doing.’ But in all fairness, it’s going to be a magnificent project and we are very excited to partner with PODS on this. So again, we're very happy and can't wait to get started.”

Pender Harbour research station gets funding boost from the Federal Government

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Plans for a new research station in Pender Harbour are one step closer to completion as the Federal Government announced a large boost of funding for the project. 

MP Patrick Weiler made the announcement alongside the Loon Foundation and shíshálh Nation Chief Lenora Joe over the weekend. 

Over $13 million in funding will go towards building a Net-Zero building to house the Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS). It’ll be home to exhibits, laboratories, galleries and public programming to inspire visitors with the natural world. 

The Loon Foundation has been working with the shíshálh Nation to ensure the station blends both traditional ways of knowing and Western science. 

“PODS exemplifies Reconciliation in action, demonstrating how collaboration can pave the way for a brighter future for generations to come,” says lhe hiwus Lenora Joe. 

The Loon Foundation has been working for over 20 years to preserve biodiversity on the Sunshine Coast and this will be part of that story, says Dr. Michael Jackson executive director of the Loon Foundation. 

“PODS will offer a vibrant community hub where science, art, and Indigenous knowledge intersect to spark solutions for our planet’s most pressing challenges and open new horizons for generations to come.” 

The funding is part of the Green Inclusive Community Buildings program that launched in 2021.