Ecology Lab at University of Waterloo

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Did you see us last week in Laurel Creek? Students in the ENVS 200 Field Ecology course were busy learning how to conduct stream ecosystem assessments! They assessed the water quality with a YSI meter, looked at stream morphology, measured velocity, and collected benthic macroinvertebrates. In the lab, they then conducted water analysis and identified the benthic macroinvertebrates.

Check out what's been blooming in our Arts and Environment gardens! Located between the Environment, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, and Hagey Hall Buildings, the gardens are home to a variety of plants. There is a map included as the last photo. Take a stroll through and see if you can recognize any of these plants (from left to right): Hairy Beardtongue, Wild Columbine, Golden Alexander, Canada Anemone, Prairie Smoke, and Foxglove Beardtongue

Lately, it has been all things trees at our ENVS 200 labs! The other week, students learned about restoration efforts at the North Campus Environmental Reserve. They planted their own trees and monitored the growth and survival of previous plantings. This week students learned about tree ID using Trees in Canada books 🌳🌿

Our ERS 340 class spent the other week learning about OBBN (Ontario Benthic Biomonitoring Network) protocol. Students went to North Campus to collect samples from Laurel Creek, Columbia Lake, and the wetland. Then the benthic invertebrate samples were taken back into the lab for students to identify!

Can anyone identify the benthic invertebrate in the last slide? Comment your answer!

Looking for part time work during the spring semester? The Ecology Lab has posted a natural gardens coordinator work study position. To qualify for this position you must be eligible for OSAP and be enrolled in a minimum 60% course load.

This position will include maintenance of natural gardens on the UW campus including removal of weedy and invasive species. In addition, the student will oversee weeding and planting in the constructed wetland beside EV3 and may work on the EV3 green roof. This person will recruit, train and supervise volunteers to help with activities.

For more information, please check out the work study position on the UW SAFA website.

Here at the Ecology Lab, we hope you had a great start to the Spring 2022 term and are enjoying the nice weather! We are excited to introduce our team and familiar faces you will see around the lab and on campus this term 🌿🌻

Whether you are looking for course support or equipment loans, we are here for you! Don't be shy to drop by the lab or send us an email at [email protected]. We are looking forward to a great semester!

Position: Natural Area Project Manager
With: City of Kitchener
When: Permanent
Contact: [email protected]
Apply: https://www.kitchener.ca/en/jobs-and-volunteering/job-opportunities.aspx?p=job%2Foupjjfwf

The City of Kitchener is looking for a candidate to take on a variety of natural area management leadership roles as a Natural Area project manager. Please read the posting for the full list of roles/responsibilities.

We’ve come to the end of our Signs of Spring 2022! Thank you to everyone who participated. Our most observed species was the Northern Cardinal! Congratulations to our prize draw winners, please see our Instagram story! Feel free to visit www.inaturalist.org/projects/signs-of-spring-2022 to view the whole collection of observations! 🌷

Position: Research Assistant
With: Hydrometeorology Research Group When: May - August, 2022
Contact: [email protected]

This is a field-based position located in Fort McMurray, AB primarily investigating the impact of Oil Sands development on Wetlands within the region.

Duties of this position will consist of leading hydrological, meteorological, and ecological measurements and data collection initiatives in natural wetlands in the Athabasca Oil Sands. This involves monitoring of hydrometeorological stations and data management, groundwater surveying and geochemical sampling, and assisting graduate students with several different research projects.

Due to the nature of this position, preference will be given to applicants who have a strong interest in pursuing future undergraduate research projects, grad studies.

Applicants will be required to be fully vaccinated and possess an unrestricted G-class driver's license. Compensation will be between $18-$20 per hour for a 37.5 hour work week along with all travel and housing being covered during the duration of the position.

Join our Signs of Spring 2022 iNaturalist project to practice your ID skills and explore iNaturalist! This project will run for 2 weeks, April 4th - April 18th and you will have the chance to win some Ecology Lab swag! 🦋🌷

The project is titled “Signs of Spring 2022" at on iNaturalist. Make sure to include the date, location, and image in your observation. Visit the link in our bio to join the project! Only members of the UW community are eligible for the prize.

A big congratulations to one of our previous Lab Assistants on his accomplishment of "Honourable Mention, Co-Op Student of the Year". In the lab, we appreciated Riley's support and passion🌱. We wish him the best on his future endeavours, and will be behind him wherever he goes !