K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre

10/05/2026

The Beaubassin Research Station hosted an enthusiastic group of second year students during the last weekend of September 2026. There is a strong record of collaborative environmental and historical research at the Beaubassin Research Station, which was established in 2009 through the partnership of Irving Oil, Acadia University, and Ducks Unlimited Canada. This year, the students took part in five field research skills and conservation workshop sessions to support their academic and career goals in environmental protection. The Research Station was the perfect backdrop to learn about the precious coastal habitats that form the Isthmus of Chignecto, and represent our Maritime provinces.

07/15/2026

https://kcirvingcentre.acadiau.ca/news-events/k-c-irving-environmental-science-centre-accepted-as-conservation-partners-with-the-center-for-plant-conservation/

We are pleased to announce we are new members of the Center for Plant Conservation

CategoriesNews K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre accepted as Conservation Partners with the Center for Plant Conservation July 15, 2026 Share The K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens are pleased to announce we are the newest conservation partners in th...

07/07/2026

It was a pleasure to welcome this group to campus last week!

05/27/2026

Last week we hosted 10 teams of high school students from across the province for two days of learning and fun at the Nova Scotia Provincial Envirothon.

Congratulations to Northeast Kings Education Centre Team A for claiming the title of Provincial Envirothon Champions!

Thank you to our volunteers and sponsors for the support, over 30 volunteers contributed to the success of the event!

Nova Scotia Envirothon

https://kcirvingcentre.acadiau.ca/news-events/nova-scotia-envirothon-2026/

05/14/2026

Congratulations to all Acadia students convocating over the next two days! Today we're featuring Arthur L. Irving Scholar Karen Brookman, who is graduating and starting a job in her field as a geologist in training.

https://kcirvingcentre.acadiau.ca/news-events/forging-a-path-next-steps-for-irving-scholar-graduate-karen-brookman/

04/10/2026

Today is the last day of classes. Winter term 2026 included Dr. David Kristie lecturing for his 40th year in Plant Growth and Development!

https://kcirvingcentre.acadiau.ca/news-events/milestone-40-years-of-lectures/

Acadia University
Acadia University Alumni

03/27/2026

It’s official… Dr. Kirk Hillier & team just received CFIA approval for a HWA Biocontrol Facility, housed in the K.C. Irving Centre phytotron wing.

This facility is the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada and is an important step toward protection of Hemlock Trees, and broadly an opportunity for Acadia University to lead on invasive forest pest management in the region.

Congratulations on this milestone Hillier Lab at Acadia

For more information: https://kcirvingcentre.acadiau.ca/?p=3809&preview=true&_thumbnail_id=3810

03/23/2026

🌱 If you're 50+ and interested in learning about gardening with native plants, we're offering a short course in April open to ALL: Acadia Lifelong Learning members. Gardening for People and the Planet with Melanie Priesnitz and colleagues from the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre.

🌼 Discover the wild flora of the Wapna’ki Forest and learn about the plant conservation efforts taking place at the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. Find inspiration on how to introduce native plants to your home garden and help support biodiversity.

🌳 Course will be held both outdoors at the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens and inside the classroom. Garden pathways are accessible and pace will be leisurely.

ALL members register today.
https://explore.acadiau.ca/product?catalog=ALL-Gardening-Course

02/11/2026

Our Research Associate Alison Purcell visited the global leader in seed banking, Kew Millennium Seed Bank.

On this we're highlighting the learning Alison is doing in support of our Acadia Seed Bank!

CategoriesNews Irving Centre Staff Visits Global Leader in Seed Banking, Kew Millennium Seed Bank February 11, 2026 Share Alison Purcell during her visit to Kew Gardens, Millennium Seed Bank A recent visit to the Millennium Seed Bank in Wakehurst, United Kingdom, offered the K.C. Irving Environmen...

01/22/2026

Exciting research happening here!

🍄♻️ From food waste to future-forward protein, right here in the Annapolis Valley.

When local entrepreneurship and higher education come together, powerful (and sustainable) things happen.

Meet Mycaro, an innovative venture by local entrepreneur Katie McNeill, now taking root at Acadia through a collaboration with Dr. Allison Walker, Professor of Biology.

Together, they’re developing a clean, sustainable protein powder—using food waste as the starting point.

Yes, you read that right: high-protein mushrooms grown from food waste 🤯

Thanks to this local collaboration, Mycaro aims to begin commercial production in the Annapolis Valley by summer 2026.

👉 Read the full story: https://www2.acadiau.ca/about-acadia/newsroom/news-reader-page/mycaro-from-spore-to-store.html