The PODS Enterprise
The Lagoon Society is embarking on a bold journey into the future. Building on our many successes, we believe it is time to expand our stewardship beyond the relatively calm freshwaters of the Sunshine Coast and to reach out into our spectacular and dynamic marine environment.
An iconic learning and gathering space that we call the Pender Ocean Discovery Station, or PODS. PODS includes a spectacular aquarium and state-of-the-art marine research centre as well as conference and meeting facilities, and indoor and outdoor interactive classrooms for students of all ages.
Honouring history and respecting culture
We honour and embrace the region’s fishing, boat building and First Nations past but seek to embrace the new technological era in the same way as our forebears by embarking on a voyage of discovery exploring, surveying and protecting our priceless marine environment.
Forging Partnerships
The Lagoon Society is already actively engaged in citizen science projects with research partners at Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, and the Pacific Salmon Foundation, which are proving extremely valuable. PODS will provide vital facilities for conducting further, more elaborate marine research programs and will be within easy reach for students from numerous universities and colleges. For example, we may be able to spark additional research about herring recruitment, invasive species, and the distribution of kelp beds in the area.
Welcoming Collaborations and Support
PODS will take the support of the community and many partners to reach fruition. We welcome and are seeking volunteers, in kind donations of services, and philanthropic founders. Please see the Help Us Grow page for more information or contact us any time at or 604.883.9201.