Field Expedition Accomodations

The Harrison Lewis Coastal Discovery Centre

The Harrison Lewis Coastal Discovery Centre is an educational non-profit research facility used by Dalhousie University for their Seaside Summer Program. Located in Port Joli along Nova Scotia’s South Shore, it overlooks a breathtaking view of the ocean and offers easy access to a wide variety of habitats including sandy beaches and rocky shores, forested trails, open meadows, ponds, bogs, and coastal barrens. Here, students will be able to spot an abundance of plants and wildlife including marine mammals, birds, amphibians, invertebrates, and more! In addition, there are several nearby protected areas to explore, including Kejimkujik National Park Seaside, Thomas Raddall Provincial Park, Port Joli Migratory Bird Santuary, and Tidney Wilderness Area. 

A main building will be available to our students for group activities, dining, and relaxation. It includes a large furnished gathering space with flexible seating, a projector screen, air conditioning, and WiFi. There is also a fully operational kitchen and dining area where we can make and enjoy our communal meals. Additionally, accessible washrooms, showers, and a washer/dryer are included. The lower level of this building acts as an onsite laboratory, which we will use for our “Tiny Weird Critters” workshop. It features scopes, dissecting equipment, lenses, refrigerator, glassware and more. 

Students will spend their nights sleeping in bunkhouses. There are five rustic bunkhouses that can host up to 24 people. They include mostly bunk beds and some sleeping cots. They are situated adjacent to the Centre as well as along the shore.