Available Projects
We are now accepting applications for Summer & Fall 2022 Terms!
Below is a list of available projects for Peterborough and the surrounding area. If you are a student researcher and see a project that you are interested in or would like to learn more about, please complete a STUDENT APPLICATION FORM.
U-Links Centre for Community Based Research
Also listed below, are projects offered by the U-Links Centre for Community Based Research, which partners students with projects in Haliburton County.
Please Note: Student travel between Peterborough and Haliburton County is provided.
Learn more about U-Links Projects here
#4973 FVSOntario Coding for Web-Based Interface
FVSOntario is a distance independent, non-spatial, individual tree model that does not require data on tree spacing or individual tree locations within the forest stand. Its geographical scope covers the range of the Great Lake St. Lawrence (GLSL) and Boreal Forest species. It has great potential to be adopted as a forest management and planning tool by the MNRF and the forest industry for the management of Crown land forests in Ontario.
The student will perform a code transfer to make FVSOntario compatible with USFS-FVS web-based interface. The code transfer will open new venues for FVSOntario adaptability and functionality, which include but not limited to collaboration with the USFS-FVS, enhance pace of adaptation in MNRF and Ontario forest industry for Crown forest management, improve model functionality by calibrating it with most up-to-date growth & yield data from Ontario forests, a decision making tool for non-crown forest and plantation management, and research collaborations with academia and other research organizations. Given the fact, that Ontario is lacking any functional forest growth model, the FVSOntario is very much needed for better projections and evaluations of forest management options and add to our confidence in sustainable forest management in Crown forests.
Research Theme(s): Environmental
#4992 GiveLo Community Synergy
GiveLo helps to facilitate the support of Peterborough grass-roots establishments and non-profit organizations by making giving locally fast, easy and convenient. GiveLo is 100% local! It was conceived and created in Peterborough by people that live in this community. GiveLo is a convenient way to give, donate, or receive a gift certificate while supporting a local Peterborough business or charitable organization. It’s easy: anyone who has an email address can discover and connect with their community. The purpose of the research project is to provide a program evaluation surrounding the following research questions:
What is the importance and value to get involved with your community and what would encourage it?
How can giveLo.ca bring more value to our local charities?
How can GiveLo help with fundraising?
What would be a wish list of a charitable organization/ what are advantages and disadvantages of GiveLo.ca?
What is out there doing something similar?
Students will have the opportunity to discover the value of networking, their strengths, and what Peterborough is about.
Research Theme(s): Social, Economic
#4993 Exploring Ways of Encouraging the Local Business Community to Utilize Undergraduate Students
**Available for Summer or Fall 2022**
The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization, fully funded by our Members, to strengthening the greater Peterborough business community. The purpose of this project is to discover ways for businesses to utilize undergrad students with the ultimate goal of future graduate students remaining in Peterborough area for work instead of seeking employment elsewhere.
We believe there are 3 questions to fully answer this research goal:
1. What should businesses do to engage with students so that they can be hired by these businesses?
2. What should post-secondary institutions do to engage with students so that students can find employment in the local business community?
3. What should students do to engage with the business community so that students can find employment in the local business community?
These questions may be answered through a survey/interview.
Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural, Economic
#4995 Modernization of Membership Organizations
**Available for Summer or Fall 2022**
The Greater Peterborough of Commerce is a non-profit organization, fully funded by our Members, to strengthening the greater Peterborough business community. The purpose of this project is document the best practices of Membership organizations to meet the needs of their Members for 2020 and beyond. A secondary purpose is why these practices/methods/programs work. Potential questions to be answered include:
1. What do Member organizations do to best serve their Members?
2. How have member organizations evolved their practices to meet member needs?
3. What are the primary challenges, risks, and opportunities associated with enhancing member service delivery? Which Chambers of Commerce across Canada/Ontario are excelling in meeting member needs? What has lead to their success?
This project will include a literature review, surveys, interviews, and a final report outlining best practices, and containing 2-3 in-depth case studies/profiles on Chambers of Commerce that are excelling in service delivery to their member organizations.
Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural
#5000 Development of an Evaluation Framework for CarePartners Program Delivery
CarePartners is embarking on a modernization program of work that is focused on developing new integrated care delivery models. As part of our project planning we are planning to evaluate the effectiveness of care delivery, including looking at process and outcome measures (including patient related outcomes and experience measures). The evaluation framework will enable CarePartners to develop a standardized approach, with a high degree of fidelity for the evaluation of major projects and programs of work. 
Research questions to be answered include:
What are the best practices across Ontario for evaluating home care program delivery?
How can staff and patients be included in the evaluation process?
What are staff and patients’ opinions on program delivery right now and how could their concerns be incorporated into program evaluation?
Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural
#5006 Insight into Plan A Peterborough’s Community Uptake
Plan A Peterborough is one of the many Plan A locations across the country. We are more than a staffing agency. Our staffing strategy is built for long-term growth and sustainability. Our team of health care professionals is made up of compassionate and experienced Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses and Personal Support Workers. Powered by our shift-filling software, StaffStat®, our staff are able to build their own schedule and work the shifts they want to work. Shifts are first come first serve, and mostly in Long Term Care facilities.
The purpose of this project will be to provide a student with the opportunity to conduct local research about a business in their community. The research will focus on Plan A Peterborough’s uptake in the community. As a business who has only been in Peterborough for one year, the company has not seen the level of uptake that was hoped for. There has been a lack of interest of potential long-term care contracts and lack of applicants for all positions (RN, RPN, PSW) including nursing students. If research can identify why some of these issues are happening and help the company make appropriate adjustments, long term care homes would have access to more staff, elders would have the nursing care they deserve, and health care workers in the community would have the ability to supplement their income.
Research Theme(s): Social
#5023 The presence and activities of Samuel du Champlain in Kawartha Lakes
The purpose of this project is to undertake research which will inform the development of Cultural tourism experiences in the city of Kawartha Lakes. The study is required to establish the presence of Samuel du Champlain as he explored the region during his visit in 1615. The project will research the history of Champlain’s interactions and activities while here and undertake to identify development trends that have shaped the growth of the area. The research will inform the development of a Signature Experience as part of the Kawartha Lakes Tourism’s Knapsack program and inclusion in the province’s destination marketing program Route Champlain. The research is intended to provide a framework to design an authentic tourism experience for residents and visitors to Kawartha Lakes.
Research Theme(s): Cultural, Economic
#5027 The Impact of Work Culture on Employee Engagement
**Available for Summer or Fall 2022**
The purpose of the research is to learn about the work culture experiences from local employers to increase understanding of the positive and negative contributors of retention. Many employers may be making assumptions about what a positive work culture means and/or the costs associated with improving work culture. It is possible that precarity of work can be reduced with relatively little financial or time commitments. By researching this topic through consultations and/or surveys with employers and employees to explore what work culture means at the local level, it will help to inform policies and practices that have a positive impact on retention and attraction of workers.
Workforce Development Board (WDB) is a not-for-profit organization located in Peterborough and serving Northumberland, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton. WDB is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to provide labour market information, coordinate employment and training services, and engage employer communities.
Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural
#5055 Regional Analysis of Strategic & Community Action Plans
**Available for Summer or Fall 2022**
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development lead's Peterborough’s economic growth by attracting the talent, innovation and investments that create desirable jobs and an irresistible place to live and visit.
The region has a number of strategic plans and active community plans that in some way or another may speak to, or have a role for, economic development. Current examples include: City and County Official Plans, Branding exercises, Community Safety and Well-being Plan, Homelessness plan, Sustainable Peterborough Strategic Plan, NCC plans, workforce development plans. With this project, you will review current strategic/active-community plans for actions and deliverables, and determine their alignment with the PKED 2020-2024 Future Ready Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan.
Research Theme(s): Economic, Social
#5059 - Clean Slate Enterprises_Staffing Operation Feasibilty Update
Clean Slate is a federally incorporated not-for-profit. Its mandate includes incubating and running social enterprises that provide training and employment opportunities for persons facing barriers to employment. Our purposes all include contributing to the creation of vibrant and inclusive communities by reinvesting any profits earned into communities being served and into not-for-profit community programs which are responsive to prevailing social, economic and environmental issues.
A report was issued in December 2016 on this model for the Social Planning Council. The report was commissioned to explore the “prospects of establishing a social enterprise that helps people get back to work with temporary and transitional jobs, acting as a bridge to full-time employment. This non-profit temporary employment provider would serve the Peterborough City and County.
In this scenario the temporary employment model is seen as an alternative employment solution that would gradually yield to better job prospects for local job-seekers, as well as supplement incomes for those in receipt of ODSP or OW, while improving upon the temporary employment industry standards and the working conditions for those using for-profit temporary employment services.” The report concludes that there is room for a non-profit temp staffing provider in the area and there are numerous ways a new and improved model can address some of the concerning issues in the temp employment services and laid out a series of recommendations.
Research Theme(s): Social, Economic
#5063 - Lived Experience and Social, Health and Economic Impacts of Inaccessible Housing vs Accessible Housing
**Available for Summer or Fall 2022**
This will increase our ability to advocate with governments and builders to ensure that accessible housing is built, and indeed that the Human Rights Code is complied with and all new housing is mandated to be universal design. This project may involve steps like studying the arguments used by each level of government to avoid taking responsibility for accessible housing, and the resulting roads lock, A study of the arguments builders use to avoid building accessible apartments, why so many people will not admit to having a disability, even though they actually have one or more forms of disability, etc. This project will result in a final report in liaise with Dr. Ilan Wiesel, who will write a comparative report about the results in Canada and Australia.
Research Theme(s): Social, Economic
#5065 - FASD and Best Practices for Supportive Housing
**Available for Fall 2022**
Many of our children live on the streets and in and out of shelters. Many of the service agencies struggle to support them. Because they are on the streets they are very vulnerable (our son's have been raped, accused of crimes they did not commit, beat up).They engage in illegal activities often for their very survival. Suicide is a very real issue. We seek options for housing for our children - where they are safe, have support and are reduced risk of being evicted. We are asking: are there housing models in other communities, provinces or countries that have been put in place to support individuals with this disability.
Research Theme(s): Social
#5071 - Insight into Peterborough's Disabled Community
**Available for Fall 2022**
People who identifiy themselves with having a disabily experience low perception of social support and far more likely to be socially isolated. The degree to which the individuals are connected to their communities has a significant impact of their health and wellbeing. This is also true in the case of the pedriatic population, and the distressing feeling of social isolation has a strong influence on the children's mental health. We hope to bridge the gap between those who are isolated and the community by identifying Peterborough's comprehensive disabled population and the different approaches that can be initiated to interact with them. This will help us to continue to grow our programs and better our services.
There are two elements to this project. 1) Identifying the comprehensive disabled population of Peterborough 2) Identifying the different approaches that are welcomed by the disabled community to interact with them.
Research Theme(s): Social
#5073 - Engaging At Risk Youth in Alternative Settings
**Available for Fall 2022**
The purpose of the project is to explore best practices related to engaging youth in alternative settings. The focus in particular is on engagement related to non academic programing as we know that students facing socio-economic barriers and mental health challenges often have low attendance rates in terms of participating in the academic programming offered through Alternative Programming in the Board. The intersectionality of mental health and academic achievement is profound and we are hoping to benefit from an initial research project that is able to provide for us an environmental scan and a review of best practices in this area of education. In particular we are looking to build capacity in our attendance management approach with the goal of implementing engagement approaches that differ from our current approach which has largely been unsuccessful. We hope to use this research to revisit our approach to non academic programming for the purposes of building greater opportunity for Alternative students
Research Theme(s): Social
#5074 - Market Analysis for Developmental Teenage Programming at Five Counties Children's Centre
There is a gap in life skills/ developmental programming for teenagers with developmental and physical disabilities. FCCC has heard from family members that there is very little options for teenagers to develop some necessary life skills that other nerotypical kids take for granted. The areas that have been identified are: interpersonal realtionship, sexuality, vocational preparation and many others. The project would entail reaching out to our families and kids about what services they would like to see developed to help them continue to develop in their teenage years.
Research Theme(s): Social
#5082 Friends of the Muskoka Watershed’s (FMW) Citizen Science Program
**Available for Summer or Fall 2022**
FMW AshMuskoka project has been extremely successful in a) receiving residential wood ash donations from people of Muskoka and beyond, and b) in improving the health (i.e., vitality and growth) of trees who receive ash applications at their base.
The FMW’s Citizen Science Program has three main goals: 1) to enrich the understanding of the benefits of wood ash additions for soil quality and tree vitality and growth on private landowner’s properties, 2) to expand community engagement and the “ownership” residents have over the health of their trees and natural environment, and 3) to collect geographically widespread data to address benefits of wood ash tree additions
Additionally, preliminary research indicated that ash application increases tree growth, meaning that trees are absorbing more carbon. By expanding the program and applying ash to more trees, the project has a climate change mitigation component which students may also wish to address.
Research Theme(s): Social, Environment
#5084 Measuring the Impact of Cigarette Butt Recycling Receptacles on the Presence of Smoking-Related Litter
**Available for Summer or Fall 2022**
Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world - it is estimated that 8,000 tonnes of cigarette butt waste is littered every year in Canada. These butts have a notoriously negative impact on the environment. Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate and contribute to microplastic pollution when exposed to the elements. Moreover, every butt contains at least 130 toxic chemicals that leach into soil and waterways when littered, endangering local ecosystem health.
A Greener Future, in partnership with Unsmoke Canada, are proposing this project to evaluate the effectiveness of cigarette butt recycling receptacles at preventing butts from polluting streets, greenspaces, and waterways in Canadian urban spaces. In the long-term, this project aims to improve responsible consumption, production, and disposal of tobacco products. We are seeking students through the U-Links Program to implement and monitor cigarette butt recycling receptacles in the city of Peterborough, Ontario. A Greener Future will have other volunteer researchers to participate in various other cities across Ontario, including Port Hope, Barrie, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Collingwood, and Oshawa, depending on municipal participation.
Research Theme(s): Social, Environment
#5085: Sustainable Garden Practices
**Available for Summer or Fall 2022**
Scales Nature Park focuses on the conservation of reptiles, amphibians, and fish through education, research, and conservation activities. Scales Nature Park provides outstanding programming about Canadian reptiles, amphibians, fish, and their habitats. Our goal is to facilitate the conservation of these creatures through increasing awareness, changing attitudes, and engaging people to take action. Programs are conducted both on-site and off-site.
The purpose of this project it to gain a better understanding of the attitudes towards the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake in Ontario. This information will be used to create a tailored education guide for campers, cottagers, and other community members which will outline why Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes are so important, and why they are valuable members of the ecosystem. The education guide will also outline the threats facing this snake, how and why it is important for community members to protect them. There is a lot of fear associated with snakes, this project will aim to understand where this fear comes from and use education and compassion to shift the public perception towards these animals.
Research Theme(s): Social, Environment
#5086: Sustainable Garden Practices
**Available for Summer or Fall 2022**
Tecasy Ranch is a private property that provides an inspirational setting for individuals and groups to connect with nature, and they have a community garden where the grow and distribute food to support those most vulnerable to food security. The primary focus of this project is to create a sustainable, eco-friendly garden that will have limited impact on the planet but a huge impact on individuals. They would also like to take a portion of the land and establish a community garden in Buckhorn. They believe that everyone can benefit from gardening as being outside, creating connections with the earth, understanding where food comes from, and doing something impactful together can make a HUGE difference in the lives of those that complete the work and those that benefit from it.
Sustainable Garden Project: To help Tecasy Ranch achieve their successful garden, the student would review literature and practices from other gardens and consider how the practices would work in the context of Tecasy Ranch. The beginning of the project would include a field visit to the garden at the start of the project to see their current practices. At the conclusion of the research, the student would provide recommendations or a manual of sustainable garden practices. These practices can include, but are not limited to, no-till garden, over-winter crops, greenhouse, garden layout, and/or crop rotation.
Research Theme(s): Environment
#5090: Sustainable Garden Practices: Soil Management
**Available for Summer or Fall 2022** 
Tecasy Ranch is a private property that provides an inspirational setting for individuals and groups to connect with nature, and they have a community garden where the grow and distribute food to support those most vulnerable to food security. The primary focus of this project is to create a sustainable, eco-friendly garden that will have limited impact on the planet but a huge impact on individuals. They would also like to take a portion of the land and establish a community garden in Buckhorn. They believe that everyone can benefit from gardening as being outside, creating connections with the earth, understanding where food comes from, and doing something impactful together can make a HUGE difference in the lives of those that complete the work and those that benefit from it.
Soil Management Project: We have very acidic soil that limits our ability to grow good quality produce. We need assistance, help and guidance on how to create healthier soil that will support our mission. To complete this project, students would take soil samples and analyze them, consider different ways to improve the soil so it can support the desired vegetables, and perform research to learn best practices on soil management. They would take their findings and provide a consolidated list of recommendations and best practices for Tecasy Ranch staff regarding their garden. Recommendations could also include crop recommendations and methods to reduce soil erosion.
Research Theme(s): Environment
5091: Sustainable Garden Practices: Insect
**Available for Summer or Fall 2022**
Tecasy Ranch is a private property that provides an inspirational setting for individuals and groups to connect with nature, and they have a community garden where the grow and distribute food to support those most vulnerable to food security. The primary focus of this project is to create a sustainable, eco-friendly garden that will have limited impact on the planet but a huge impact on individuals. They would also like to take a portion of the land and establish a community garden in Buckhorn. They believe that everyone can benefit from gardening as being outside, creating connections with the earth, understanding where food comes from, and doing something impactful together can make a HUGE difference in the lives of those that complete the work and those that benefit from it.
Insects Project: Tecasy Ranch would like to learn how to control pests and support pollinators to help their garden thrive. Students would analyze the pests and pollinators expected to be in the geographic location and perform research (through secondary sources) around insect management and supports. They would take their findings and provide a consolidated list of recommendations and best practices for Tecasy Ranch staff regarding reducing problematic pests, attracting insects with positive impacts, and how to limit wildlife damage.
Research Theme(s): Environment
5092 Sustainable Garden: Socioeconomic Impact
**Available for Fall 2022**
Tecasy Ranch is a private property that provides an inspirational setting for individuals and groups to connect with nature, and they have a community garden where the grow and distribute food to support those most vulnerable to food security. The primary focus of this project is to create a sustainable, eco-friendly garden that will have limited impact on the planet but a huge impact on individuals. They would also like to take a portion of the land and establish a community garden in Buckhorn. They believe that everyone can benefit from gardening as being outside, creating connections with the earth, understanding where food comes from, and doing something impactful together can make a HUGE difference in the lives of those that complete the work and those that benefit from it.
Socioeconomic Impact Project: Tecasy Ranch is interested in measuring the impact of their sustainable garden on the individuals that participate in this project. Students in this project would consider different impact measurement models and propose a way to measure the socioeconomic impact of the garden in the current years and provide a framework and model for Tecasy Ranch to continue this project in future years. Students would perform a literature review to help create the impact measurement model and create a survey and/or interview questions, then perform either a survey or interview to gather baseline data regarding the impact of the garden.
Research Theme(s): Environment
5093 Exploring the Effectiveness of Neural Network Therapy®
**Available for Fall 2022**
Canadian Family Health Counselling are Counsellors, educators and pioneers in the field of emotional health care. We believe education to be the primary foundation for creating lasting changes in behaviour using a method coined Neural Network Therapy ®.
The purpose of our project is to determine the connection between the neurobiology impacted by Neural Network Therapy® and sustained improvements in mental health and well-being. The science of practical exercises compared to traditional talk therapy increases the longevity of emotional health. We hypothesize that this doing approach is getting on the right side of science. We’d love to work with an undergraduate biomedical science student who will conduct their research accordingly.
Research Theme(s): Emotional
5102 Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere: State of the Bay Lesson in a Backpack
**Available for Fall 2022**
For almost 20 years, GBB has contributed to eastern Georgian Bay’s education community through science-based youth programs. The Lessons-in-a-Backpack was designed for use by educators in a school setting and meets the Ontario curriculum, over 25 lessons for grades 1-9 are publicly available. The Lesson-in-a-Backpack (LIAB) program objectives include: (1) connect youth with environmental science and promote ecological literacy; (2) ensure youth understand people’s impact on the environment and motivate them to act at home, at school, and beyond; and (3) provide interactive, hands-on environmental science opportunities inside and outside the classroom. Lesson plans are designed to engage youth in making personal connections with nature and in thinking critically about human impact.
The purpose of this project is the development of a new LIAB to accompany the 2023 launch of the State of the Bay Ecosystem Health Report. State of the Bay provides a snapshot of the environmental health for eastern and northern Georgian Bay. The Biosphere team is reviewing research from the Great Lakes, Lake Huron, and Georgian Bay to create a summary of environmental conditions. The goal of this lesson is adapt the report into a resources for teachers and classes so that area youth can have a thorough understanding of the research and findings, plus what that means with respect to social, cultural, environmental implications for the region. Youth would do this through hands-on activities, research projects, guest speakers, etc.
Research Theme(s): Cultural, Environmental, Social
5103 Grassroots Community Development at Meadowvale Mississauga
**Available for Fall 2022**
Missisasuga as a City counts with exceptional infrastructure, including recreation and sports. What we are mississing is making that each individual feels it belongs to a community. On the side of the individual and families, to feel supported, cared for, heard and having true personal relationshionships. Now being part of the community, also means to actively participate and be a responsible citizen, providing support to others and collaborating to make things improve. The link between government, municipal government, services, businesses, families and individuals is not strong. Seniors live alone in their homes and although there are many services, they are not motivated to go out. Parents are overwhelmed having to work, take care of their children, keep up their homes, in addition to all their own particular situations; agingparents, single parents, job loss, divorce, sickness.
Children and youth are raised by social media, and services, since parents understandibly don't have the time and most families are to care for themselves, the aunt does not live next door, the grandma is in another country, neighbours don’t even talk to each other. Mississauga is one of the cities in Canada with the most growth, mostly through immigration, which in itself represents an important integration challenge, having different cultural backgrounds requires from each of us an extra effort to relate to each other, the best place to start is with our neighbours. Even before COVID, we were experiencing high levels of isolation, we are missing the face to face interaction and collaboration. My non for profit is not to provide another service, thinking that we know what people need, its core purpose is to listen and observe, bring people together according to what they need and what we observe they need.
Research Theme(s): Cultural, Social
5104 Development of a Sustainable Annual Fundraising Plan
**Available for Fall 2022**
Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre (KSAC) is a feminist, not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to supporting those affected by sexual violence and harm. In Peterborough, we offer crisis support, advocacy and accompaniment, individual counselling, group counselling, workshops, and prevention education. In our three surrounding communities of City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Northumberland, we work with local agencies to provide responsive healing supports and prevention education events.
The project will develop a sustainable fundraising plan which will give KSAC a source of reliable donations to strengthen our services which ultimately benefits the cultural and social health of our community.
Some guiding research questions:
1. What is the scope of existing KSAC fundraising initiatives?
2. What are the untapped resources for fundraising partnerships in the community?
3. What are other successful SAC's doing for fundraising in cities of a similar size?
4. What do best practices look like for similar not-for-profit fundraising?
5. What could an annual fundraising plan for KSAC look like and what are the key elements that need to be incorporated?
6. How can a fundraising partnership with KSAC benefit local businesses?
7. How can KSAC attract local businesses to partner with us in fundraising initiatives?
Research Theme(s): Economic, Social
5105 NPLC Strategic Plan, Environmental Scan and SWOT (2023-26)
**Available for Summer & Fall 2022**
The 360 Clinic has an interdisciplinary team with expertise in providing primary care to people with health risks including poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, experiences of violence and trauma, serious mental health issues and social isolation. We focus on improving health equity and access to the social determinants of health – things like food, income and safe housing. 360 Clinic staff are linked with many community partners and provide outreach in order to connect with individuals who may be reluctant to have health care or are unable to access health care. The clinic has same day “when needed” scheduling for patients. Laundry and shower programs assist with practical needs of low-income people and homeless individuals and also provide a low-threshold way for people to connect with the clinic.
The purpose of the project is to undertake an environmental scan and SWOT analysis as the basis for developing the next NPLC strategic plan. Given that the clinic serves a vital but marginalized segment of the community, the resultant plan, based on the project outcomes, will benefit and address the social determinants of health for clients.
Research Theme(s): Economic, Social
5109 - Exploring Client Engagement with Community Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (CVITP) 
**Available for Fall 2022**
The Trent Accounting Society (TAS) in collaboration with The Happy Wanderers, is a non-profit organization that provides students with the opportunity to improve and master their accounting skills, and provide knowledge about Accounting designations, and the Trent Business School’s Accounting Specialization program. TAS offers free income tax preparation assistance for students and community partners who work with clients to complete and file their annual tax returns. This project will conduct a grey literature review, and examine best practices for user engagement and experience, barriers to access, and related impacts of the pandemic to stakeholders. Various demographics in society rely on volunteer tax preparation services and tax clinics during annual tax seasons. This project will help to expose potential barriers-to-access of CVITP services, and better understand how we may reach community partners and groups to utilize the CVITP program.
Research Theme(s): Economics, Social
U-Links Centre for Community Based Research Projects:
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Biomonitoring Projects
(Multiple Projects Available - Visit U-Links website for full list)
NOTE: These projects are available for the 2021 fall semester and involve a field component.
Benthic macro-invertebrates (or “benthics” or “benthos”) are aquatic, spineless organisms that live on the bottom of water bodies. Since the late 1980’s they have been used as biological indicators for common aquatic pollutants as they spend part or the entirety of their lives in the water. The use of benthics as an indicator of water quality is now used throughout the world and has been widely used in Ontario since the early 2000’s.
In 2019 U-Links, Trent University, and Sir Sanford Fleming College participated in a pilot project involving six lakes within Haliburton County in order to determine if a program like this was possible. All six projects were successful and it was determined in early 2020 that the program would continue and expand to more lakes throughout the Haliburton region.
These community-based research projects are ideal for an undergraduate student as a full-term project and may include some field work early in the Fall (COVID-19 health and safety policies from Trent University and U-Links will be in effect). Students can request to work with a partner or will be paired with another registered student. It is preferred that each student group has at least one OBBN certified member, but other arrangements may be made to accommodate each group's specific needs
#5057 Windy Pine Shoreline Rehabilitation Action Plan
NOTE: This project involves a field component.
Windy Pine Conference Centre is a property under the care of Canadian Studies at Trent University on Kushog Lake in the Algonquin Highlands. It acts as a recreational and academic site for Trent University and as a link between the University and Haliburton County.
Concerns of erosion have arisen due to the naturally thin sandy soils along the roughly 300m rocky shoreline on the property. A baseline inventory was conducted in 2014 through Love Your Lake, and an initial CBE project (#4837) in 2019. This project is slated to expand on this inventory and give recommendations on how to best address problem areas on the site.
#5066 Weevil Farming Feasibility Study for Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) Control
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
One of the Drag and Spruce Lakes Property Owner's Association (DSLPOA) constituted aims is, "to protect the environment of the lakes (water, land, air, and natural heritage". One way they are able to do so is to lead efforts in identifying, controlling, and monitoring the spread of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM), and provide education and training to volunteers to assist with identifying, controlling, and monitoring.
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the feasibility of developing a Milfoil Weevil Farming operation as a form of biological control for the spread of EWM in Drag and Spruce Lakes, and to identify the legislative requirements throughout the lifecycle of this proposed trial, the future farming operation, and the future use of weevils. Findings are to be organized into a business plan that could extend to all Haliburton County Lakes that are combating invasive EWM.
#5030 Watershed Mapping Profile and Protocol for the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust has as its mandate “to conserve plants, wildlife and clean water of Haliburton County to ensure a legacy of forests, fields and wetlands, and the species they nurture.” To achieve this goal the HHLT is acquiring lands of ecological and cultural significance for conservation purposes. Informed and science-based decision-making is necessary to acquire and manage these landscapes in perpetuity as is the main responsibility of HHLT. Analytical landscape evaluation processes and tools are seen to be key to HHLT decision-making for new acquisitions, land management, monitoring and stewardship endeavours.
This project entitled Watershed Mapping Profile and Protocol has as one its purposes to develop a spatial context of the HHLT properties and Haliburton Highlands surrounding areas in terms of their watershed composition. Watershed mapping in simple terms uses elevation and flow data to define catchment areas of water systems. Geographic information science is applied to generate the watershed maps. The protocol piece of the project has as its purpose the development of a workflow for using the watershed mapping products for such endeavours as habitat and land conservation.
#5029 Delineating the Velocity of Climate Change in the Haliburton Highlands for the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust has as its mandate “to conserve plants, wildlife and clean water of Haliburton County to ensure a legacy of forests, fields and wetlands, and the species they nurture.” To achieve this goal the HHLT is acquiring lands of 
ecological and cultural significance for conservation purposes. Informed and science-based decision-making is necessary to acquire and manage these landscapes in perpetuity as is the main responsibility of HHLT. Analytical landscape evaluation processes and tools are seen to be key to HHLT decision-making for new acquisitions, land management, monitoring and stewardship endeavours.
This project has as one its purposes to critically review one method available for estimating the velocity of climate change in the Haliburton Highlands region. A second purpose is to recommend how this method can be applied by the HHLT for achieving its mandate of landscape conservation.
#5028 Assessment of Remote Sensing and Imagery Data and Tools for Use by the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
Habitat loss and degradation are the greatest threats to biodiversity in Canada today. To mitigate this process in the Haliburton Highlands, the HHLT is acquiring lands of ecological and cultural significance for conservation purposes. It works to select only those properties which clearly have long-term benefit to the public and can be maintained by the land trust in perpetuity.
The HHLT is currently working towards the development and implementation of strategies and approaches that would ensure it can meet its management, monitoring and land stewardship responsibilities.
The purpose of this project is to determine the potential for use of remote sensing and GIS imagery to help the HHLT better achieve its land conservation and ecological management mandate. Remote sensing and GIS imagery are seen to provide a broader view of the Haliburton Highlands in the context of the its landscape classification, biodiversity, biological connectivity, and ecological changes over time.
Research Theme(s): Environmental
#5020 Health Benefits of Natural Plasters
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
Beyond Plasters, a natural plasters business based in Haliburton, Ontario, is looking for research on the health benefits of natural plasters. The student(s) will conduct a literature reviews on the health benefits of natural plasters vs synthetic plasters, and, if possible, conduct a lab analysis (VOCs) of the Beyond Plasters mix vs synthetic plasters under faculty supervision.
It is hoped the research will bring to light the long-forgotten benefits of natural plasters and present them in the new context of healthy building practices in the 21st century.
#4985 QEII Species Summary - Five Lined Skink
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
Queen Elizabeth II Wildland Provincial Park is a non-operating park located between Minden and Gravenhurst and is managed by Ontario Parks. They are looking for a student or pair of undergraduate students to research (via literature review and communication with researchers) and write a QEII specific summary of Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus): focusing on their local biology, ecology, population status, cultural significance, and recommended management strategies. This species summary will be used to inform and educate Park Staff about the species. The summary will provide current information for informing park management, and the regions diverse community of stakeholders. It may also identify gaps in the local life science/cultural knowledge of the species and thus initiate further research.
#4480 "The Missing Element": Stories of the Mountain Street Red Cross Outpost
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
Canoe FM (local radio station) and Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (environmental conservation organization) are non-profit organizations working out of a historic building on Mountain Street in Haliburton that was once a Red Cross outpost. A small 1983 book by Martha Perkins,“A Hospital of our Own” was written about its history.
The purpose of this project, hosted by Canoe FM, is to discover more about the building and the health professionals who worked there in order to develop a better understanding of the hospital’s connection to history and its contributions to the local community. Existing data will be augmented through oral history interviews with local community members and a visual media display intended for the office. This project is ideal for a small group of senior undergraduate students with a combination of graphic design and interviewing skills.
#5064 Virtual Adaptation of Abbey Gardens on-site Sprouts to Snacks Program
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
Abbey Gardens is a non-for-profit organization with a mission to create opportunities to learn about living more sustainably, including learning about local food, gardening, energy, sustainable construction techniques, heritage agricultural animals, land restoration, and cooking techniques. The "Sprouts to Snacks" program ran successfully on site for two years with a local elementary school, engaging children in growing, harvesting, and preparing local food.
The effects of COVID-19 and increased bussing fees has prevented the program from occurring on-site. The purpose of this project is to create a hands-on, mostly virtual version of the "Sprouts to Snacks" program, and offer a hybrid on-line/on-site program, where it is accessed and used by educators in a school setting, and concludes with a field trip to Abbey Gardens.
#5068 Nine Spotted Lady Beetle: Inventory and Monitoring Protocols
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) envisions a future where the Haliburton Highlands is characterized by natural spaces and connections that support healthy and representative ecosystems and landscapes. The nine-spotted lady beetle used to be one of the more common lady beetle species in Canada occurring through most of southern Canada and the continental United States to the Mexican border. This endangered species is now very rare and below detection thresholds in many parts of its range and has not been observed in Ontario since 1987. The recommended short term recovery goal must be to determine if and where this species still occurs in the province.
The purpose of this project is to better understand how the HHLT can contribute to the recovery and restoration of this species through understanding inventory and monitoring protocols and preferred habitat requirements that would contribute to the recovery and restoration of the nine-spotted lady beetle.
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