Getting Out of the Dark about Global Biodiversity
Research by TSE Prof Andrew Tanentzap and Dr Fallon Tanentzap help illuminate global biodiversity loss and why some species may be missing from local ecosystems. Plant species are disappearing from ecosystems around the world, including in our own backyard, forming the basis of a concept known as “dark diversity.” A new study published in Nature draws on global species data collected by researchers around the world to show how human disturbances such as land development, resource extraction, climate change, pollution, and invasive species all take a hidden toll on biodiversity. The research is about uncovering how much is missing and how we can conserve the species that have silently slipped away. Read the full story.
Dr Shaun Watmough was quoted in the Peterborough Examiner on April 4, 2025
"There was a lot of ice so it's not necessarily indicative of overall declining tree health ... [t]he reason they got the damage is because we got a lot of ice buildup on the trees."
"The more worrying issue is that these climate events are getting more extreme."
Trent School of the Environment congratulates Stephen Hill
On March 28th, Trent University Board of Governors' chair Doug Kirk ’70 recognized Trent School of Environment director Dr Stephen Hill as a recipient of the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal, awarded in honour of outstanding community contributions.
Trent School of the Environment congratulates Dr Mary-Claire Buell for her Early Career Researcher Award
The Trent Teaching Commons and the Office of Research and Innovation are pleased to invite you to the Celebration of Faculty Excellence in Teaching and Research on Wednesday, April 30th from 12:00 – 2:00 pm, in the Student Centre at the Symons Campus. The event will also be live streamed for those unable to attend in person. The celebration will include an awards ceremony followed by a reception with light refreshments. More information and registration is at www.trentu.ca/teaching/awards-showcases/celebration-faculty-excellence-teaching-and-research
A Century of Survival: Native Species Evolve to Outsmart Invasive Predators
A collaborative study led by Trent University Canada Research Chair Dr Andrew Tanentzap is shedding new light on how native species adapt over time to human-caused ecological changes through research into the predation effects of the invasive spiny water flea on the native water flea Daphnia pulicaria, a keystone freshwater crustacean species in Ontario’s lakes, offering valuable insights for nature conservation.
Dr Stephanie Rutherford wins prestigious Canada Prizes award
pressreader.com/canada/the-peterborough-examiner/20241213
Why Communication is Critical in Tackling the Climate Crisis in Our Communities
Trent Durham’s Climate Communication Option empowers students to use storytelling and activism skills to address the climate crisis, says Dr Neil Ever Osborne
Dr Neil Osborne was interviewed CBC Radio’s “What On Earth” and it is well worth a listen!
Here is the petition to sign as mentioned in the show: Protect Antarctica to Secure the Largest Act of Ocean Protection in History
Congratulations to Dr Cheryl McKenna Neumann on receiving the 2024 Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence in the Sciences
Dr Huy Dang and team of experts receive $1.5M grant to support research that could aid in developing environmental regulations and new applications in bio-tech, agriculture and forestry
Exposing environmental injustice through maps and stories
Futurum Published: June 4, 2024
Dr Stephanie Rutherford, at Trent University, and Dr Michael Classens, at the University of Toronto, have teamed up with two local organisations in the Canadian city of Nogojiwanong/ Peterborough to document the relationship between social vulnerability and environmental risk in the area, with the aim of driving policy change.
The Insect Influx
Biology/ TSE professor, Dr David Beresford contributes his insect expertise on a range of natural phenomenon occurring this year.
Cicadas Global News, Cottage Life, New Scientist
Beresford comments on a rare natural phenomenon hitting North America this spring/summer. For the first time since the 1800s, two broods of cicadas simultaneously emerged, resulting in billions of bugs buzzing loudly across parts of Canada and the United States.
Mosquitoes CBC News, My Kemptville Now, CTV News
Beresford explains how changes in temperature and climates have created the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes this year.
Hornets CBC News
Beresford helps combat the myth that murder hornets have invaded Canada.
New Monitoring Approach Will Help Restore the Health of Freshwater
trentu.ca/news/story/39545
New research approach to measure the diversity of compounds dissolved in water gives better stronger insight into strategies to maintain healthy freshwaters youtube.com/watch?v=QxUIk_-tPoU
TSE Professor and Canada Research Chair in Climate Change and Northern Ecosystems, Dr Andrew Tanentzap, and co-author Dr Jérémy Fonvielle (University of Cambridge) highlight a more comprehensive approach to study freshwater health in their new article published in the prestigious journal Science. Their new approach focuses on tracking the fate of individual compounds dissolved in freshwater.
Celebrating Outstanding TSE Faculty Research
The Art of Evidence Based Storytelling
As a National Geographic Society explorer and visual storyteller, Dr Neil Osborne has had his photography featured in National Geographic and the Smithsonian Magazine.
Can Wollastonite Revolutionize Agriculture?
While wollastonite, composed of calcium and magnesium silicates, has already been used as an agricultural amendment to enrich soil nutrients and promote plant growth, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Geoscience Dr Ian Power is leading a study to uncover its untapped potential to combat climate change and revolutionize agriculture.
What Can Polar Bears Tell Us About Climate Change?
Dr Paul Szpak, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Archaeology, Director of the Trent Environmental Archaeology Lab and Water Quality Centre, and TSE Adjunct Professor, is co-leading an international collaboration study with researchers from 11 institutions exploring how shifts in the environment in the last 20,000 years have impacted Arctic polar bear populations.
Congratulations to Office of Research & Innovation Internal Research Grant Recipients
Winter 2024 - Trent University is pleased to announce that interdisciplinary research teams have been awarded funding from the Knowledge Mobilization Research Grant program. This program aims to promote and facilitate the dissemination of research findings within and beyond the academic community
Congratulations to the following TSE grant recipients:
- Dr. Brendan Hickie, “A Framework for Developing Harmonized Environmental Quality Guidelines for Persistent Bioaccumulative Chemicals that Protect Marine Mammals and Their Habitat”
- Dr. Mary-Claire Buell and Dr. Barbara Wall, “Environmental Knowledge Systems Collaboration Workshop”
- Dr. Sanela Martic, “Pacific Rim Meeting 2024 (PRiME 2024) Conference on Electrochemical and Solid State Science”
2024 Strategic Initiatives Research Grant Recipients
The 2024 Strategic Initiatives Research Grant competition theme is “Sustainable Agriculture,” as Trent has a strategic commitment to increasing its research capabilities and capacity in sustainable agriculture, including contributing resources towards the development and use of its experimental farm.
- Dr. Quazi Rahman & Dr. Kira Borden have been awarded funding from the Trent University Strategic Initiatives Research Grant for the project, “Machine Learning Methods for Guiding Plant-mediated Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Diversified Agroecosystems.” This Research Grant provides support to the development of research that addresses strategic themes, focusing on specific areas of identified need, Tri-Agency priorities, or institutional areas of focus.
Dr Karen Thompson establishing Trent Research Farm as an official active research centre, highlighting collaborations between researchers, students, project partners. Trent News, February 20, 2024
Trent-led Research Offers Understanding into Role of Microbes and Carbon Cycling in Climate Change Efforts. Trent News, February 7, 2024. Findings from Trent researchers published in Nature Communications could help develop effective strategies in preserving soil carbon
Trent’s multidisciplinary experts unite in NSERC funded project to accelerate and simplify monitoring of carbon sequestration, Trent News, January 16, 2024. The project is co-led by Trent agroecologist Dr Kira Borden to develop new on-farm monitoring techniques and technologies that monitor the success of carbon sequestration efforts made by farmers more quickly and easily
'Caulking the windows': What's with all the ladybugs in homes across Ontario neighbourhoods?, Toronto Star, October 27, 2023. The Star spoke with Kaitlyn Fleming, assistant professor at Trent University’s School of the Environment in Peterborough, Ont. and webmaster for the Entomological Society of Ontario
Collaborative research project with Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology lays the groundwork for future collaboration, Trent News, November 16, 2023. The impact of climate change has no borders – this is why a new Trent research initiative led by Dr Huy Dang, Trent School of the Environment and Department of Chemistry, is crossing disciplinary and geographic boundaries to find answers to this global challenge
Trent Researchers Partner with V6 Agronomy to Advance Next-Generation Fertilizers, Trent News, September 12, 2023. A new research project at Trent pairs the expertise of Dr Huy Dang’s environmental chemistry lab with Dr Karen Thompson’s soil microbiology and agricultural soil health lab, along with industry partner V6 Agronomy, a Canadian fertilizer company specializing in innovative fertilizer solutions
TSE Faculty Researchers Awarded Funding through 2023 Federal Grants (SSHRC, NSERC, and CFI), Trent News, September 11, 2023
Dr Andrew Tanentzap awarded prestigious academic honour for groundbreaking research contributions, Trent News, September 7, 2023
Trent Research Farm Embarks on a New Chapter, Trent News, September 1, 2023
Trent Farm Leads Way for Momentous Climate-Smart Agriculture, Trent News, August 24, 2023
New research featured in Nature shows microplastics also proliferating in lakes, streams, rivers, as well as oceans, Trent News, July 12, 2023. Trent School of Environment professor Dr Julian Aherne and Environmental & Life Sciences PhD student, Brittany Welsh '16 are among 79 researchers belonging to the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON) who have co-authored a new report on plastic debris in global aquatic systems, featured in Nature and the Globe and Mail
Harnessing the Power of Wollastonite for Carbon Sequestration, Trent News, July 10, 2023. Led by Trent School of the Environment professor and Canada Research Chair Dr Ian Power, this study aims to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) by applying wollastonite rock, composed of calcium and magnesium silicates, to agricultural fields. Wollastonite powder has already been used as an agricultural amendment to enrich soil nutrients and promote plant growth
Dr Cheryl McKenna Neuman receives Distinguished Career Award, international funding in recognition of leading research in aeolian science for three decades, Trent News, March 14, 2023
Forests Ontario boss 'humbled' by lifetime achievement award: Life comes 'full circle' for former local resident Rob Keen, Barrie Today, January 25, 2023
Advancing Sustainable Agriculture at the Trent Experimental Farm, Trent News, December 22, 2022
Dr. Andrew Tanentzap among seven Canada Research Chairs at Trent with environmental, ecological expertise; Dr Ian Power awarded a second term as CRC in Environmental Geoscience, Trent News, November 17, 2022
Matter of Course: Applied Biomonitoring Course Creating Foundational Community Relationships in Environmental Science, Trent News, November 10, 2022
Trent School of Environment associate director collaborating with students, local partners to monitor water quality in region’s streams, river systems, Trent News, August 25, 2022
Trent’s Dr Stephen Hill reflects on the impact of civic-minded education and research, Trent News, July 12, 2022
How wolves came to shape Canada CBC The Sunday Magazine (at 21:02). Dr Stephanie Rutherford Villain, Vermin, Icon, Kin: Wolves and the Making of Canada
Trent School of Environment professor investigates the social history of wolves in Canada, Trent News, June 29, 2022
Honouring Outstanding Contributions of Staff, Faculty and Retirees: Trent University Hosts Annual Heart of Trent, Trent News, May 12, 2022
Trent Dean of Science co-led research on ecological response to mercury pollution published in Nature, Trent News, December 15, 2021
Trent University and ClearWater Farm Partner to Enrich Hands-on Learning and Research Opportunities for Students, Trent News, December 6, 2021
Talking COP26, Canada, emission targets and politics, Stephen Hill, Associate Director of Trent University’s School of Environment, speaks with Global News Morning Peterborough about the ongoing climate conference, emission goals and where Canada stands
Trent School of the Environment Professor Jim Buttle recognized by Canadian Geophysical Union for contributions to geoscience, Trent News, October 28, 2021
Reimagining aging in Peterborough starts on campus, Peterborough Examiner, October 7, 2021
Testing the Waters (and almost Everything in Between): New Director to Take Trent's Water Quality Centre to Next Level, Trent News, August 23, 2021
Professor Steven Franklin leaves a legacy of leadership and commitment to hands-on teaching and environmental research, Trent News, June 30, 2021
Social science and science research at Trent receives over $1.3 million in federal funding, including projects by Dr Huy Dang and Dr Mark Skinner from the TSE, Trent News, June 16, 2021
Early career scientist Dr. Huy Dang is becoming a world leader in research on rare earth metals, Trent News, May 14, 2021
Why small-scale farming is Inspiring a new crop of sustainable farmers, Global News Peterborough, April 27, 2021 (Dr Karen Thompson)
Dr. Douglas Evans recognized for his role as director of the International Institute for Environmental Studies, Trent News, February 17, 2021
Excellent Educator: Dr. Stephen Hill, PTBO Today, February 11, 2021
Interest in Health Geography Leads to Career as Part of Rural Aging Research Team, Trent News, January 29, 2021 (Trent Alumnus Amber Colibaba and Prof Mark Skinner)
Decarbonizing The Global Cable Network Project Wins Grant, Submarine Telecoms Forum, January 27, 2021 (Dr Anne Pasek, Canada Research Chair in Media, Culture and the Environment)
International collaboration earns Dr Huy Dang Golden Globe in Science and Technology for early career scientists, Trent News, December 15, 2020
