Application, efficacy and scale up of a novel extraction method for valorization of by-products of Ascophyllum nodosum extract processing

The industry partner is a producer of a successful seaweed based plant product used globally to improve plant growth. However, a large amount of waste byproduct, termed seaweed insoluble residue, is created as a byproduct of the production process. This residue has been found to contain a large amount of the original seaweed biomass. By […]

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Water Monitoring: Instrumentation and Software Research Project

The proposed research project is to a) research and determine what are the best water monitoring components and scientific instruments that can be used in remote settings b) research the existing software which allows for simple interface with water monitoring data and the data user/contributor c) research and establish overarching system to pair water monitoring […]

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Development of Standardized Laboratory and Semi-Field Methods for Assessing the Risk of Pesticide Exposure to Megachile rotundata F. – Year Two

Non-Apis bees are now recognized as significant pollinators. For most crops visited by bees, pesticides are used for pest management, and there is concern about the potential negative effects of pesticides on wild and managed bees. Most toxicity studies involving bees have focused on honey bees (Apis mellifera), partially because honey bee data are required […]

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Quantitative assessment of risks involved in mechanized skiing in Canada

Helicopter and snowcat skiing in the backcountry involves different hazards such as avalanches, tree wells or helicopter incidents, which can result in serious injuries or even death. While the risk associated with avalanche involvements is well understood, no systematic analyses have been conducted on the other risks. In this project, we will gather all the […]

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Atmospheric Acid Emissions, Climate Change, and Coastal Salmon Stream Ecosystems in British Columbia – Year Two

Atmospheric acid emissions are increasing in north coastal British Columbia from increased metallurgical smelting, marine fossil fuel transport, and development of liquefied natural gas. Acid deposition can cause episodic acidification of streams when acidic compounds are flushed into streams after snowmelt and precipitation events over hours to weeks. Many salmon-bearing coastal streams are likely sensitive […]

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Implementing Community Climate Action Plans in Canada: The Relationship between Implementation Structure and Outcomes

This study builds upon our previous work, to identify and confirm key structural features for the implementation of community climate action plans in Canadian communities, through examining their relationship with plan outcomes (outcomes related to the plan goals, e.g., actual greenhouse gas reductions), and partner outcomes (outcomes the partners experience, such as improved reputation). Key […]

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Program Design and Evaluation of Conservation Messaging at Ducks Unlimited Canada Events and Centres

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is an established non-governmental organization (NGO) which promotes conservation. In recent years, support for the organization has dwindled. For the organization to continue its work and maintain necessary support, DUC must improve their understanding of how they gain and retain both volunteer and financial supporters. The objectives of the internship are […]

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Assessing the impacts of permafrost thaw driven changes to water resources in Canada’s sub-Arctic using remote sensing and hydrological modelling

Unprecedented climate warming and human disturbance in the border region of the Northwest Territories and northeastern British Columbia (NEBC) has led to widespread permafrost thaw and land cover change that has disrupted the hydrological cycle and the industrial activities that depend upon it. To address this concern, Wilfrid Laurier University in collaboration with Nexen Energy […]

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100 Islands: Elucidating connections between land and ocean ecosystems

Informed decisions on resource management and development require an understanding of how projects will impact the resource, other resources, and the ecosystem. Because the ocean and land are intricately connected along coastal areas, development projects in either will invariably affect the other. However, Ecological Risk Assessments do not consider the two in tandem because the […]

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Developing a UAV-based camera for precision agriculture

A&L Canada Labs Inc. is developing a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) or drone with a multi-spectral camera for various precision agriculture applications. The multi-spectral camera has 6 bands: one in the red band, one in the blue band, one in the green band, and three in the NIR regions. The scope of this project is […]

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Fostering Best Practice in Canadian Wastewater Systems

The research project aims to determine in what ways can investment in wastewater treatment better maximize environmental and economic benefits to enable sustainable community development. The research will include identifying, and analyzing areas of economic and environmental opportunity, including improved project management, energy capture and reuse, asset management, and repurposing of waste materials (biosolids and […]

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