This Earth Day, we’re spotlighting the students behind some forward-thinking environmental work at Trent—projects that challenge convention, support biodiversity, reduce waste, and bring sustainability to life across sectors.  

Whether tracking endangered salamanders on Pelee Island, promoting textile reuse through local partnerships, or turning a campus farm into a hands-on classroom, these students are taking action and pushing ideas into the real world. 

Salamander Survival on Peele Island

For thousands of years, three salamander species have coexisted on Peele Island – including one that is endangered and one that relies on the other two for reproduction. However, ongoing habitat loss and increasing climate threats are putting that long-standing balance at risk.

By tracking how each species uses the habitat, Bioenvironmental Monitoring and Assessment (BEMA) master’s student Alexander Robertson is uncovering new insights into how these species share space and what it will take for their long-term survival. Understanding these patterns could offer critical clues for conservation on the Island and serve as a model for similar systems in nature, such as how wolf-coyote mixes interact, and compete, with their parent species. 

Tackling Textile Waste with GreenUp Peterborough  

As effects of the fast fashion industry worsen, reducing textile waste in Canada is more crucial than ever. Alixandrah Lonsdale, a Media and Business Administration joint major student at Trent, took on this challenge presenting eco-friendly business practices – and raising public awareness about sustainable living along the way. 

During her placement at GreenUp Peterborough, Alixandrah developed a comprehensive directory of sustainable brands offering textile goods that minimize waste, and where they can be purchased locally. By facilitating this project, Alixandrah not only enhanced her research and analytical skills and deepened her passion for environmental communications, but also drove meaningful change. 

Read more about Alixandrah’s tips for sustainable shopping. 

Sowing the Seeds of Agricultural Impact at the Trent Research Farm

A summer internship at the Trent Research Farm means Logan and Ashley have truly embraced ‘getting their hands dirty’. The undergraduate students in the Trent School of the Environment applied knowledge from the classroom to real world scenarios through the  placement, exploring sustainable farming practices including soil sampling, pest management, and nutrient cycling. 

Watch Logan and Ashley in action and explore how this internship helped them develop the skills and confidence needed to make contributions in the field of sustainable farming. 

Crafting Climate-Conscious Communications for a Sustainable Durham Region

A field placement with the Regional Municipality of Durham has opened the door to a full-time role as a climate communications and research assistant for Jade Gauthier, a Trent Durham Communications student. She’s applying her classroom skills in the community, finding innovative and engaging ways to shine light on the municipality’s sustainability strategy. 

Learn how experiential learning is kick-starting student careers, and why employers value the fresh perspectives on sustainability that Trent students bring to the workplace.