Parker Garrod]]> Tom Whillans]]> Salamanders have unique traits that make them favourable indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem health. Characteristics being their durability, small size, sensitivity to anthropogenic stressors such as acid rain, and other industrial and household pollutants (Welsh & Droege, 2001) Salamanders existence in North America in high densities and biomass alongside there sensitivity to environmental change makes them excellent indicators for environmental changes (Welsh & Droege, 2001). The sensitivity of the salamanders derives from their semipermeable slim skin that absorbs any contaminated or natural water, as well as harmful toxins in their environment hence why salamanders are less dense in populations near cities (Mattson, 2019). Monitoring is utilized for salamanders due to the fact that they are sensitive to environmental change and act as bioindicators to detect the change in ecosystems over time (Saber et al. 2017).]]> Sevda Lag
Ian Warburton
Devin Claypole
Carlie O'Brien]]> Joseph Gentile
Hannah Williams
Stephanie Barrie
Julia Herault]]> Natasha Prytulka]]> David Beresford, Biology]]> Waste Diversion]]> ​
The options that the team explored in Chapter 1 include 1) weighing the items donated, 2) using an average weight and applying it to all donations and 3) associating a weight with a specific volume and quantifying the donations through volume. Chapter 2 makes recommendations for how most donations could be measured by the cubic yard using appropriately sized bins. Chapters 2 and 3 both make recommendations for grant programs related to waste diversion and waste reduction that SIRCH could consider applying to. Also in Chapter 3, student explored examples of existing municipal-thrift partnerships, and what practices could be applied to the SIRCH warehouse. The final chapter is a review of thrifting and thrift stores in Canada.]]>
Jaspreet Kaur, Kirandeep Kaur, Pooja Lally, Hetal Solanki, Spencer Yeo, Charlotte Banks, Josh Handley, Harpreet Kaur, Sandeep Kaur, Ramandeep Kaur, Shawn Emmett, Erin Mellor, Mary Katherine Glen, Amandeep Jawandha, Rupinder Kaur, Merin Sara John, Kirandeep Dhaliwal, Sumandeep Kaur, & Kamanpreet Kaur
]]> Environmental Planning
Ecological Design
Sustainable Development]]>
The final site design is presented in Part 4 and followed by Part 5 which summarizes the material and immaterial costs of the design. This section also discusses the benefits associated with the design. The final section, Part 6, provides environmental, social, and economic frameworks and discussions that justify the designs implementation. The final plan includes details for the inclusion of a pavilion, playgrounds, planters, a submarine display, a bird garden, signage, and pervious asphalt (which offers improved drainage over regular paving).]]> Examining the Natural and Cultural Significance of the Eastern Moose (Alces alces americana) in Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park
]]> Environmental Science/Studies]]> ​
The range of eastern moose includes eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. In Ontario, they can be found in northern and central Ontario. Their habitat requirements include areas for foraging, travelling, and for shelter and calving. For their diet they need year-round access to both evergreen and deciduous trees, as well as to aquatic ecosystems such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands in the warmer months. Moose populations in the area have been in decline since the 1990s. The primary factors in moose mortality are climate change, parasites, vehicle collisions, habitat loss, and hunting. Management opportunities include remote sensing, evaluating the need for rut season closures and/or buffers around critical habitat features, opportunities for co-management with local Indigenous communities, and exploring adaptive measure to reduce the climate vulnerability of the eastern moose.]]> Environmental Studies]]>
The study showed that 41% of market vendors self-report already avoiding single-use plastics. The most commonly reported single use plastic item at the markets was plastic bags. Customer surveys showed general support for reducing plastic at the markets and that most respondents would be willing to pay slightly more for more sustainable packaging ($0.05-$1.00). Recommendations for HCFMA include posting infographic for customers, creating vendor policies around plastic use, and potentially implementing a reusable dishes program and washing station, and/or conducting a waste audit.]]> Angel Taylor & Gus Janca]]> Evaluating the Impacts of U-Links Centre
for Community-Based Research on a Rural
Canadian County]]> Volume 26, Issue 1, Winter 2020]]> ]]>
In 2019, The TCCBE applied for a Trillium SEED grant under the Green People category in collaboration with U-Links to launch a pilot project that would address the increasing needs of the local lake associations for regular benthic biomonitoring. The pilot project also facilitated vital
field experience for students enrolled in community-based research courses under the Community Based Education (CBE) program.

The evaluation was completed by systematically reviewing the project records to determine progress towards milestones; first-person observation of program implementation; conducting a series of interviews and online surveys with stakeholder groups that focused on whether any changes should be made to the existing project design in place and whether the evidence
supports an application for funding support; and reviewing the literature in place that supports the project design.

The specific questions that were asked of each group (see Appendix 1) attempted to gauge the progress towards objectives for the pilot submitted in the application for the Trillium SEED Grant.
A total of thirteen stakeholders, including lake association members, students, U-Links staff and faculty from Trent University and Fleming College were surveyed or interviewed. The interviewees represented a range of involvement with the project.

The report concluded that TCCBE and U-Links have made significant and positive progress on every milestone they set out to achieve, much of it earlier than originally anticipated, and that there is confidence amongst stakeholders in the effectiveness of the model. Moreover, the implementation of this project led to some important quality assurance decisions as well as some new partnerships that will ensure the model will continue to align with best practices while scaling up to meet the research needs of community organizations in multiple geographic areas.
]]> Environmental Education
Higher Education
Environmental Science]]> Amanda Duncombe-Lee]]> ]]> ◊ Background
◊ Ecology
◊ Significant Identified Species
◊ Species at Risk
◊ Identified Eco-sites 
◊ Bio-indicators
◊ Surveying & Monitoring Tools
◊ Resources

This report will aid in fulfilling the following goals as stated by the HHLT:
◊ Understand the range of possibilities for surveying and monitoring natural areas and the extent of such experiences in Ontario
◊ Identify the information available and needed to design surveys and monitoring programs using permanent sample plots for Ontario natural areas
◊ Explore options for a long-term partnership between Trent]]> Perceptions of “Failure to Launch” Youth]]> The impacts of failure to launch and lifecycle milestone disruptions are particularly relevant in a rural setting, and the current research project will look specifically at how these phenomena can be addressed in Haliburton County. The impacts found during the research consist of mental health issues, family strain, financial distress, long lasting effects on the economy, and diminishing rural youth population. All these impacts need to be addressed to mitigate the impact failure to launch is having on rural communities. The report will end with recommendations on how to mitigate failure to launch specifically in Haliburton County.]]>
• What tree damage and loss is occurring along the shoreline in the park, and what are the possible causes?
• What species of trees currently exist on the shoreline in the park?
• How can the existing trees be protected from further damage and loss?
• What is the recommended species and management plan for future sustainable tree maintenance in the park?

To answer these questions, a field study was developed to assess the current state of the shoreline trees and included assessments of tree damage, tree species, tree density, tree health and the quality of the soil. This project will examine the extent of the damage that has been inflicted on the trees along the shoreline at Head Lake Park and provide recommendations based on the field observations, laboratory and literary analysis.]]>
The objective of this report is to provide information to support the Municipality of Dysart et al’s desire to ban the sale of plastic-bottled water in its municipal buildings and public spaces along with the provision of suitable alternatives and appropriate communication, education and engagement to ensure the public is aware of and adopts the use of these alternatives.]]>