Black huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) is an important wild food plant for people and wildlife in the East Kootenays of British Columbia.  Over the past 50 years changes in forestry practices, and the intensity of timber harvesting have changed the forest and the habitat where black huckleberries grow.  This research project will employ scientific and ethnographic […]

  The purpose of this study is to investigate the short-term responses of understory vegetation to riparian thinning treatments and to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments in accelerating the development of old growth habitat. The outcome of this study has important implications for restoration ecologists and forest managers at Clayoquot Forest Management Ltd. This […]

  Nova Scotia woodland owners will be surveyed to explore their attitudes towards forest product biomass as a renewable energy resource. The four A’s of energy security: accessibility, acceptability, affordability and availability (Asia Pacific Energy Research Council, 2007), provide the framework for the survey questions. In contrast, selected community members from the same counties as […]

  In 2010, British Columbia passed the 2010 Clean Energy Act setting forth the expectation that BC Hydro meet at least 66% of new electricity demand with energy efficiency and conservation (demand-side management or DSM) by 2020. Given the significant increase in DSM initiatives expected of BC Hydro and the proportionate level of risk associated […]

  In collaboration with the Nigaluk, the intern will engage in the first phase of a 2-year project that will use Inuvialuit observations to monitor environmental change in the Mackenzie Delta Region of the Northwest Territories. Activities completed during the internship will help lay the groundwork for HTC and University of Victoria research initiatives to […]

I am a member of the Squamish Nation and my research focuses on restoring an important traditional plant food into the Squamish estuary. The title of my research is "Ecological and Cultural Restoration of an iconic Plant Food (Fritillaria camschatcensis) in the Squamish River Estuary, British Columbia." I will be working with Dr. Nancy Turner […]

The economically cost-effective methods of intensive open net-pen farming externalize the costs of waste treatment and clean water supply by drawing these critical ecosystem services from the nearshore marine environment. Salmon farms serve as point sources for organic nutrients (uneaten feed and salmon waste), parasites, and heavy metals. Salmon farms may have impacts on proximal […]

Successful use of biological control agents for thrips control has been documented in greenhouse vegetables, such as sweet peppers, but thus far has provided inconsistent results for ornamentals. The proposed research will investigate how to improve the performance of the biological control agent – O. insidiosus biocontrol, against western flower thrips through the use of […]

  This research is designed to assess various factors related to the dispersal and recovery of the Peregrine Falcon in Manitoba. As the Peregrine Falcon continues to be designated “Endangered” in Manitoba and “Threatened” nationally, data regarding survivorship, mortality factors, habitat use, and movements are required to guide future management activities related to the provincial […]

Municipal sustainability in Canada has been gaining importance in recent years. In order to ensure real progress is made, sustainability assessment must be conducted. Indicators are the recommended measures for sustainability assessment. This research project will create a core set of indicators for use in a sustainable cities index. A set of sustainable best practices […]

The objectives of the research are to identify and quantify barriers to energy efficiency in Ontario Hospitals, and to identify methods to confront these barriers, focusing largely on the efficacy of revolving funds. Research findings will contribute to improving financing mechanisms for energy efficiency measures to greater mobilize their implementation in Ontario Hospitals.

The Atlantic salmon is unable to regulate its body temperature, and is therefore at risk from the negative effects of climate change. During summer heatwaves when river water exceeds 23°, Atlantic salmon become thermally stressed and move into small cold water patches in order to survive. These patches are known as ‘thermal refugia’ and are […]