Research funding secured for
recently-donated area property
Trent will receive $474,000 from a federal science agency for long-term
terrestrial and aquatic research in the Kawarthas using the
recently-donated James McLean Oliver Ecological Centre on Pigeon Lake as a
research site.
The project leader will be Trent's environmental scientist Tom
Hutchinson, who is considered one of Canada's foremost ecologists. He has a
distinguished international reputation for his research on the effects of
pollution on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Work will begin this summer at the Ecological Centre, explains Dr.
Hutchinson, and will involve up to 15 professors along with researchers
from the ministries of Natural Resources and Environment. The James McLean
Oliver Ecological Centre, a 270-acre waterfront property donated by
Marjorie Oliver, includes 2,000 feet of Pigeon Lake shoreline, pastures, a
wood lot and a marsh. The property was given to Trent last fall.
"This is really fantastic news," said Dr. Hutchinson. "Miss
Oliver's contribution to Trent has already allowed us to secure this
federal funding for very unique and valuable research."
"Much of the aquatic research will involve studies on the lakes of
the Kawarthas and especially ice conditions and fish kills," explains Dr.
Hutchinson. "There will be investigation into the effects of air pollution,
climate change and warming - such as early springs - and the increases in
ultraviolet radiation. We're going to have heating coils in the soil and
irrigation lines to help us simulate early spring, along with a root
observation underground chamber to look at spring flora root development.
There will be two towers accessing the canopy of the forest itself. There's
going to be further work on bird populations, small mammals and amphibians
in terms of climate change. There will also be a substantial modelling
component with computer facilities at the site connected to Trent."
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) evaluated Trent's
proposal against the three CFI criteria: quality of research and
suitability of the infrastructure; contribution to strengthening the
capacity for innovation; and potential benefits of the research to Canada.
Dr. David W. Strangway, President and CEO of the CFI, announced the
investment yesterday of $8-million in infrastructure funding for research
and development at 15 Canadian universities and research institutions.
Last fall, Trent received its largest single grant for equipment -
valued at up to $810,000 - in the first round of CFI funding competition to
help establish a Water Quality Centre at the university.
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