Richard Long has been servicing microscopes and delicate scientific instruments for more than 40 years. If you need your microscope cleaned or serviced he is your contact in British Columbia. After many years use or storage most instruments need a professional cleaning and lubrication. Perhaps your microscope needs a repair? Richard may be able to help – or he can give advice if it is not worth repairing.

I met Richard Long early in my renaissance experience with microscopes about five years ago. He helped me obtain my first new instrument. I learned a lot from him as he helped me set it up and I have kept in touch with him ever since. He went into semi-retirement a couple of years ago and I presumed that others would take his place. I was wrong. There are very few qualified microscope technicians in western Canada and they are difficult to identify. I recently had my instrument serviced and was impressed with the service I received.

Richard is a very good teacher – he knows all the ‘ins and outs’ of using a compound microscope or stereoscope. I am hoping that we can organize a course in the future so he can instruct us all in the techniques of properly operating a microscope. I would also like to get tips on using darkfield or phase contrast equipment as many new scope come equipped for these functions.

Contact Labserv

His company is called Labserv, it is located in the lower mainland of BC (he will give you the address when you contact him) and he now works out of his home. You can reach Richard Long by telephone (604) 218-3429 or by email at labserv@telus.net.

Kamloops-Based Naturalist

Rick Howie is a professional biologist with fifty years experience. His career has taken him across Canada while working in National Parks. For the last forty years he’s been based in central British Columbia.

Rick Howie worked for Parks Canada as well as BC Provincial Parks and the BC Wildlife Branch for a total of 33 years. After retirement he launched his own consulting company which he has operated for 15 years. His work consists of wildlife inventory for conservation organizations as well as wildlife impact assessments from urban and suburban developments. He also conducts riparian area reports to ensure that stream-side developments are in compliance with provincial legislation.

His interest in microscopy is a new initiative. It aids him in identifying smaller wildlife and plants as part of an ongoing biodiversity inventory he has initiated for the Kamloops area. He hopes to develop some capacity for identifying freshwater organisms that require a microscope to reveal their secrets. He currently owns a Meiji binocular stereo scope as well as a Meiji compound scope, both with camera attachments. The transition from years studying wildlife with a telescope to observing with a microscope has been an exciting new experience.

Curiously the focus that unites us is sand. From his many provincial and international travels he has generously brought me sand samples to study. His microscope interests are global and he is always interested to experience the specialties of others. Most significantly he is interested in involving more naturalists in the use of a microscope to study and appreciate the natural environment.