Projects in Progress

2019/20 CBR Projects in Progress

#4786 
Economic Impact of Financial Institution Closures to Rural Communities 

Within the last few years, several townships in the County of Peterborough have been faced with closer of the sole financial institutions in rural communities.  The impact of financial institutions withdrawing from rural townships is currently unknown. This project will study the social, business, and economic challenges faced by residents of rural communities when they are left without a banking institution, as well as possible responses to these challenges. The impact of financial institutions withdrawing from rural townships is currently unknown.

Research Theme(s): Economics; Social

#4850 
The Impact on Artists and the Community of Public Energy Performing Arts Programming.

Public Energy’s mission is to be Peterborough’s cultural catalyst, electrifying the community with powerful dance, theatre and performance. The purpose of this project is twofold (1) to examine the impact on artists, both in and outside of the community, of being presented and supported by Public Energy Performing Arts; (2)to assess the impact of Public Energy Performing Arts Outreach Activities on the community. The results will be compiled to identify common themes and recommendations for future outreach programming.

Research Theme(s): Culture; Social

#4870
50% LocalFood 2030 Economic Impact & Jobs Report

Intended as the Goal setting Report for raising awareness,support and funding for the community to come together to build the economic and physical infrastructure to support a dynamic local Food Supply Chain to the level of 50% of  food purchased at consumer prices for home consumption by 2030. This is all in line with the SPP aspiration goal of feeding ourselves in the city and County of Peterborough by 2036. 

Research Theme(s):  Culture, Environment; Social; Economics

#4875
The Ganaraska River as a source of motive and electric power, past, present, and future.

This TCRC project will provide a context for, and explore the possibility of, development of the Ganaraska River as an environmentally-responsible source of hydroelectric and motive power using innovative small scale technologies. The mandate of the Town of Port Hope Centre of Excellence (CoE) is to engage in research and education; reduce the environmental footprint; reduce waste to the landfill; eliminate incineration and burning; engage all levels of government in the dialogue; and engage local recycling businesses and develop new ones. 

Research Theme(s):  Environment; Social; Economics

 #4888
Viable Alternatives to Spraying Roundup along Guider Rails and in Forest Trails in Northumberland County

Northumberland County Council recently agreed to cease spraying guide rails and forest trails in Northumberland County and return to the practice of mowing as was done prior to 2017 with the provision that this practice be evaluated this fall. Blue Dot Northumberland requested this change to comply with the healthy environment resolution council had passed. The purpose of this project is to provide Northumberland County Council and staff with viable alternatives to vegetation control without using Roundup. Such alternatives will allow the County to comply with their vegetation control obligations under provincial regulations without the harmful effects of Roundup on the environment. 

Research Theme(s): Environment

#4889
Durham Region Food Security Strategy; An Addendum to The Regional Municipality of Durham Climate Change Resilience Strategy

The purpose of the project is two-fold; first package information from the Trent High Level study and the Food Security task force into a document suitable for public consultation dissemination and; the second stage of the project is aggregating qualitative data received from the public consultation (received via email). The final document will help to inform the Regional Municipality of Durham, city and regional counselors, mayors, civil society organizations, NGO’s and the broader community of projects/programs to develop/ work towards to mitigating increased food insecurity in Durham Region during weather related emergencies and during recovery; improved resilience to food insecurity occurrences during and after a climate change emergency and; to improve community and household food security as the climate continues to change.

Research Theme(s): Environment; Social 

#4890
The 3 R’s in Educating for Waste/A Report Card

The purpose of the project is to demonstrate the absolute necessity for educational institutions to become part of the solution. Implementing changes to the processes in waste management at the school level will instill a culture of environmental stewardship in the students, create a social commitment to sustainable practices such as recycling, reducing, reusing, and composting and help to foster a culture of sustainability.

Research Theme(s): Environment; Social

#4898
Port Hope Fountain Sustainability Restoration: Preserving Our Past for Future Generations

 An old historic fountain lays in the center of Port Hope. There has been a tremendous amount of interest to restore the fountain but there was not enough meaningful action in the community to proceed with restoration. This project is an attempt to generate public interest for a viable restoration project through the lens of environmental sustainability.  Student researchers will conduct a community survey identifying public attitudes and awareness of alternative/sustainable technologies.  In addition, research will be needed to gain a better understanding of the historical importance of the fountain.  The project proponent envisions a restored fountain retrofitted with sustainable technologies.

The project is an initiative of the Town of Port Hope Centre of Excellence (CoE) which serves to engage in research and education; reduce the environmental footprint; reduce waste to the landfill; eliminate incineration and burning; engage all levels of government in the dialogue; and engage local recycling businesses and develop new ones. 

Research Theme(s):  Environment; Social; Economic, Cultural

#4916
Through Their Little Eyes: A Children’s Book of First Experiences

The New Canadians Centre strives to empower immigrants and refugees to become full and equal members of Canadian society and to provide community leadership to ensure cultural integration in a welcoming community. This project aims highlight the experiences of children (ages 5 – 12) who have come to Canada as immigrants or refugees. Specifically, the project aims to document their first experiences and encounters with Canadian culture and life from their perspectives with the goal of producing a Children’s Book to weave these stories together.

Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural, Educational

 #4917
Precarious Employment Research Initiative  (PERI) – Knowledge Mobilization

The first phase of PERI, gathering the data, the production of 8 information briefs and a conference in Nov 2018 has been completed. Information related to the first phase of this initiative can be found at https://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/peri/. The next phase of this initiative will involve mobilizing the data with employers, employees and unions. Though the plan has not been fully established for phase 2, it is anticipated that it will involve the development of marketing material including short videos for social media as well as other opportunities.

Research Theme(s): Social, Economic 

#4922

 Peterborough County Tree Survivorship and Landowner Outreach project

 Peterborough County Stewardship is a non profit environmental stewardship organization dedicated to the promotion of sustainable use and stewardship of our soil, water, wetlands, woodlands, wildlife and other natural resources in Peterborough County.

The purpose is to gain a better understanding of the survivorship of the trees purchased in the past through a seedling sales program (2008–12) and determine how successful the program has been so that we can best support rural landowners in future program delivery and to expand our volunteer base. A survey to landowners has been sent and we are currently receiving those surveys for further analysis through this research project. 

Research Theme(s): Social, Economic 

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Search our collection of local research reports, research posters, books, periodicals and reference materials through the Digital Collections at Trent University.

Our library is for you!

Located at the TCRC office, our library is the place to access 400+ local research reports on a broad range of topics identified by community groups since 1995. We also have a selection of books, periodicals and reference materials on community-based research, community service-learning, community development and experiential education.

Other local collections
Researchers may wish to access other local library collections. Some suggestions include: Trent Valley Archives, Trent University Archives, Peterborough Museum and Archives and the Peterborough Public Library.

Calling all past TCRC researchers!

Often, work done for an individual organization can contribute to other projects or make up a portion of a larger body of work. It is in these connections and the availability of the information that the greater good of the community may be served. If you have completed a CBR project, please make sure that the TCRC Library has a copy of your report and/or final products! It will help future researchers and community members!

To view completed CBR project resources in Haliburton County, visit the Haliburton County Collection or drop by the U-Links Centre for Community-Based Research office.