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.