OUR RESEARCH TEAM IS GROWING!

Prospective graduate students with academic training and/or experience in restoration ecology, land reclamation, remediation, plant ecology, or soil science are encouraged to apply.

Undergraduate students enrolled at Trent University who would like to gain experience conducting field and lab work should contact me about thesis, community-based research project, or summer employment opportunities.

Please send a short CV and cover letter to autumnwatkinson@trentu.ca.

  • Integrity

  • Respect

  • Kindness

  • Fairness

Our Values

  • Collaboration

  • Knowledge sharing

  • Honesty

  • Open communication

  • Determination

  • Resilience

  • Accountability

  • Curiosity

Current Lab Members

LAB MEMBERS

Dr Autumn Watkinson

Assistant Professor, Trent School of the Environment

Education

  • PhD Land Reclamation & Remediation, University of Alberta (2020)

  • MSc Biology, Laurentian University (2014)

  • BSc Biology, University of Ottawa (2012)

Other Current Positions

Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Society for Ecological Restoration

  • Member, Canadian Land Reclamation Association

  • Member, Canadian Society of Soil Science

Research Interests

My research focuses on land reclamation and restoration ecology. Specific research interests within these fields include:

  • Plant species selection

  • Novel approaches to facilitate revegetation

  • Soil reconstruction (Anthroposol development)

  • Habitat restoration for species-at-risk

  • Prairie ecosystems

  • Boreal ecosystems

Awards

  • NSERC CGS-D Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship (2018-2020)

  • President’s Doctoral Prize of Distinction, University of Alberta (2018-2019)

  • Donald A Shaw Memorial Graduate Scholarship, University of Alberta (2018)

  • Saskatchewan Fish and Wildlife Development Fund Research Award (2017-2018)

  • 3-Minute Thesis Competition: National Finalist, Canada-West Runner Up, UofA Winner (2017)

  • Len Leskiw Graduate Award in Land Reclamation, University of Alberta (2016)

  • Syngenta Graduate Scholarship in Sustainable Agriculture (2016)

  • Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral Level (2016)

Daniel Vandeloo

BSc Thesis Student, NSERC-USRA Summer Research Assistant

Education

  • BSc Ecological Restoration, Trent University (2024)

  • Ecological Restoration Technician, Fleming College (2022)

  • Construction Craftworker Journeyman, Ontario College of Trades (2019)

Research Project

I am investigating vegetation recruitment facilitated by green alder shrubs planted on Anthroposols as a method for improving reclamation of Boreal mine sites in Northern Ontario.

Awards

  • NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (2023)

  • Ecological Restoration Achievement Prize (2023)

  • Ralph McEwen Scholarship (2023)

  • Robert Paehlke Scholarship (2023)

  • Trent National Renewable Scholarship (2022-2023)

Interests

My hobbies have always revolved around wilderness pursuits. Backpacking, camping and hiking through all Canadian seasons has given me comfort and enjoyment in outdoor settings. Paired with my passion for learning, I frequently seek to engage with others regarding their own experiences, opinions, and inquiries related to nature. I fully recognize the effectiveness of staff teamwork, and ultimately place team values and morals in the highest regard.

I have a 3 month old puppy, who certainly believes I am her biological father. She is a St. Bernedoodle (25% Bernese, 25% St. Bernard, 50% Poodle) named Brandy. Her interests include napping when she should be assisting with field work, excitedly greeting me when I get back from the lab, and identifying tree species by chewing on sticks.

Tiana Bilodeau

BSc Thesis Student

Education

  • BSc Biology, Trent University (expected 2024)

Research Project

Tall grass prairie restoration at Abbey Gardens, Haliburton

Interests

I have always been passionate about animals and the environment, which has led me to continue and further my education in this field. I enjoy spending time outdoors and going on camping adventures with family and friends. I also like playing hockey and going to the gym. Over the past summer, I worked as a Field Technician, where I was involved in conducting surveys of species at risk in the Niagara region, where I collected and entered data. I have participated in an Ecological Land Classification. Furthermore, I was involved in habitat restoration, which entailed the removal and treatment of Buckthorn trees, and planted native tree species. Additionally, I participated in a bat survey and the process of bat mist netting.

Annie McIlroy

Community-Based Research Capstone Student

Education

  • BA Environmental and Resource Studies (expected 2024)

Research Project

Shoreline rehabilitation at Windy Pine Conference Centre, Lake Kushog, Haliburton County

Interests

I have always been passionate about outdoor education and the environment which has led me to continue and further my education by majoring in environmental and resource studies. I like playing hockey, field hockey, and soccer and I enjoy going camping with my friends. Over the past summer, I worked at Gould Lake Outdoor Centre, which provides environmental and experiential education programs for elementary and secondary students in the Limestone District School Board. I taught various outdoor curriculum-based credit programs for students delivered through canoe, hiking and kayak trips. I have been a Trent Outdoors Executive Member since 2021, a Peer-Lecture Note Taker for Trent since 2022.

Jennifer Fedak

Placement Student

Education

  • BSc Ecological Restoration, Trent University (expected 2024)

  • Ecological Restoration Technician, Fleming College (2022)

Research Project

Urban Meadow Restoration with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Awards

  • NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (2023)

  • Beulah & Harry Christian, Margaret & Ernie Seager OPAF Bursary (2023)

  • Ecological Restoration Achievement Prize (2023)

  • Trent National Renewable Scholarship (2022-2023)

  • Len Stanley - King of Kew Scholarship (2022)

Interests

My research focus is on restoration in prairie ecosystems, the passion of which stems from my curiosity towards the use of functional traits to resist and be resilient against disturbance. I have always found joy in thinking about how the world balances itself naturally. As a very young child I recognized human disturbance as something evidently pervasive in the world. However, I found solace in areas that have been (for the most part) left alone from human disturbances. I know now that certain kinds of disturbance can also help to restore ecosystems to a trajectory that will benefit everyone; human and non-human. I hope with my passion for plants and my drive to help, the world become less disconnected and I will be able to bring back some of the lost beauty I witnessed when I was a child.