Open House at James McLean Oliver Ecological Centre

Trent president Bonnie Patterson, donor Marjorie Oliver, and Dr. Tom Hutchinson are shown at a recent open house at the 270-acre property gift to Trent from Miss Oliver. On the occasion of her 89th birthday last October, Miss Oliver gave Trent her family's estate on the shores of Pigeon Lake near Bobcaygeon. The property is named in honour of her father - shown in the framed photo - James McLean Oliver. Dr. Hutchinson, who is Director of the Centre, explained to the open house gathering that the location will be a residential field station for teaching and for long-term ecological research. Small groups of undergraduate and graduate students will stay at the Centre to focus on aspects of ecology, environment, climate change, and natural history. The first course has already been held there, with 12 students from seven Ontario universities studying aspects of biology.

He noted that research at the Centre will be developed carefully so that some areas are set aside for long-term research, with studies of change and response over periods of five, 10, 25 and 50 years.

The Centre will be equipped to measure climate and its change, hydrology, air pollution and air quality, as well as the biological responses to the fluctuations in air and water quality over time. Studies have begun in the mature forest of the timing and triggers for the start of plant growth and flowering of the spring vegetation. It's expected that sophisticated computer facilities will be provided at the Centre for data handling and for modeling ecosystem function and contaminant movement.

Dr. Hutchinson explained that the intent is for the Centre to become a national focus for long-term ecological and environmental research, providing opportunities for collaboration with other universities and colleges, the Ministries of Environment and Natural Resources, Agriculture and Food, and with the Kawartha Cottages Association, the Ontario Heritage Centre, Trent-Severn Waterway, Curve Lake and the local community.