Earth Day 2024: Environmental Change, Protection & Discovery
Highlighting Trent’s environmental leadership
For over 60 years Trent University has fostered an institutional community committed to environmental research, education and to the development of innovative solutions.
As the rise in climate and ecological challenges continue to affect our planet, Trent is leading the way in developing solutions and adaptive measures to maintain the environmental integrity required for a more resilient future.
Trent’s continued commitment to environmental protection is interwoven into many facets of campus life – from our world-renowned faculty developing new approaches, to our hands-on learning for students in our School of the Environment (TSE).
To commemorate Earth Day 2024, we are highlighting and reflecting on influential environmental initiatives that Trent’s community of faculty, staff and students have contributed to – strengthening our university's commitment to crafting a brighter, healthier and greener future.
Innovation Though Research
Research is at the forefront of Trent's reputation as an environmental leader. Here are a few examples of recent environmental research at Trent:
- Dr. Andrew Tanentzap, Canada Research Chair in Climate Change & Northern Ecosystems is co-leading research to track the origins of organic matter in water to improve overall freshwater health, more accurately pinpointing sources of phosphorus and nitrogen pollution.
- Biology student Miracle Denga is making a splash internationally, recognized by the American Geophysical Union for her work studying the effects of oxygen depletion in lake productivity in Dr. Maggie Xenopoulos's Aquatic Ecology Lab.
- A group of researchers across the globe including Trent's own Dr. Julian Aherne and Environmental & Life Sciences Ph.D. student, Brittany Welsh, are researching the effects of micro plastics within freshwater systems on an international level. The study, spanning 23 countries, six continents and nearly 80 researchers is providing data on the accumulation, paths and overall comparable data of microplastics within freshwaters – vital insights to inform future environmental efforts.
- Trent is investing in sustainable research, long-term. Dr. Karen Thompson, associate environmental professor and the inaugural director of Trent's Research Farm, has plans to establish governance and advisory boards in selecting on-farm research projects, to further sustainable food production in Ontario with a community-centered approach.
Inspiring Results though Experiential Learning
Trent’s commitment to providing all students with guaranteed career experience is evident in myriad ways throughout our environmental programs. In fact, the TSE proudly offers the highest number of experiential learning opportunities of any department at Trent. Here are a few recent examples:
- Trent students, researchers and experts are using cutting-edge Geographic Information System (GIS) tools in a variety of environment focused settings, including tracking wildlife movement, archaeology site evaluation, and digital recreating. The conversations, like those had on Trent’s GIS Research Day, and continued adaptation of the technology, supports projects in developing innovative solutions to climate related research.
- A team of students and researchers led by Dr. Graham Raby, assistant professor of Biology worked closely with community partner of the First Nations Land Consultation Officers and the Elders & Traditional Knowledge Keepers Council to conduct a community-driven research project tracking fish within the Stony Lake area. The project utilized fish tagging technology to gather data about when and where fish spawn, their habitat needs, and how habitats are changing from climate and human impacts. The outcome of this study not only informs policies on conservations efforts, but also contributes to Trent’s efforts in providing experiential learning opportunities to students.
Change Though Collaboration and Community
Through working with many community and corporate partners, Trent continues to make positive changes to tackle climate issues:
- Mohammed Abdulai, a Trent master student of sustainability, within the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship program, worked alongside Peterborough and other municipalities to identify common organizational issues surrounding management of climate policies and goals. The research provided a critical macro perspective in addressing common struggles organizations face to help reach existing sustainable goals within the set timelines.
- Over the past year as Canada has marked Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Trent has been proud to collaborate on research that supports these goals, with 68 per cent of published research initiatives aligning directly with the (SDG) goals. As research moves, Trent continues to evaluate how researchers can stay aligned with the United Nation SDGs practices.
These stories are just a small sample of the larger effort by Trent University to participate and invest in climate action, which extends across sustainable infrastructure and operations, academia and education, research, finance, and more.