On World Water Day, Trent University is highlighting researchers, students and alumni who are stewarding our knowledge of wetlands, lakes, waterways and watercraft. Recent stories showcase how Trent is making an impact from global recognition of the Trent-Severn Waterway to novel research on microplastics, invasive species, and algal blooms. With faculty and students earning top honours for their contributions to freshwater science, Trent continues to lead the way in education and action in the field.

Microplastics are Settling in Ontario's Lakes

Trent Ph.D. student Brittany Welsh is at the forefront of microplastics research, uncovering the hidden impact of microplastics in Ontario’s freshwater lakes. Once thought to be mere conduits to the ocean, microplastics in lakes are settling in, sometimes for more than a decade, raising concerns about their lasting effects on aquatic life and human health.

Understanding How Native Water Species Evolve to Outsmart Invasive Predators

While invasive species are thought to outcompete native species, a new study led by Trent University’s Dr. Andrew Tanentzap reveals how a small water flear in Ontario’s lakes has evolved over generations to survive the pressures from the invasive spiny water flea. This research offers insights into the long-term impact of ecological change and species resilience as invasive species enter local ecosystems.

Canada Research Chair and Trent Student Awarded for Work in Freshwater Research

One of Canada’s foremost freshwater scientists, Canada Research Chair and Trent biology professor Dr. Maggie Xenopoulos made history as the first Canadian to receive the American Geophysical Union’s prestigious William Kaula Award, in recognition of her leadership in advancing diversity and inclusion in science publishing. One of Professor Xenopoulos’s research students, Carolina Koebel, also received the Outstanding Student Presentation Award from the AGU for her research on rising algal blooms in Lake Erie with insights to help water treatment plants predict and mitigate toxicity events.

Stewarding A Campus Endowed with Water Resources

Trent University’s 1,400-acre Symons campus is situated on the banks of the Trent Severn Waterway, one of Canada’s largest designated National Historic Sites. Covering 60 percent of the Symons Campus, the University Green Network (UGN) is an interconnected ecosystem of diverse landscapes and green spaces, including two provincially significant wetland complexes. Through invasive species management, ecological surveys, and habitat protection, Trent is working to ensure these biodiverse ecosystems continue to thrive for future generations to study and enjoy.

Alum Builds International Interest in History and Culture of Canoes

For over 30 years, Jeremy Ward’s passion for history, craftsmanship, and storytelling has shaped his journey from Trent University student to curator of the Canadian Canoe Museum, which is now open in its new location along the Trent-Severn Waterway. Jeremy has helped earn the museum garner global recognition, being named as a key feature of the Trent-Severn Waterway in The New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2025 and one of TIME’s greatest places to visit.