Our Values

Integrity

Respect

Kindness

Fairness

Collaboration

Knowledge sharing

Honesty

Open communication

Determination

Resilience

Accountability

Curiosity

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.

LAB MEMBERS

Principal Investigator

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

Program Coordinator, Ecological Restoration, Trent University
Associate Editor, Botany, Canadian Science Publishing

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, uAlberta 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)

Current Lab Members

Fallon Tanentzap

Postdoctoral Fellow, January 2025-present

Research Project

RECLAIM – Restoring Ecosystems with Custom-Designed Anthroposols for Impacted Mine sites

Education

BSc in Biology, Laurentian University
PhD in Boreal Ecology, Laurentian University

Jennifer Fedak

MSc Student, May 2024-present

Research Project

Urban Meadow Restoration with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Education

BSc Ecological Restoration, Trent University (2024)
Ecological Restoration Technician, Fleming College (2022)

Awards

Patterson Abbey Gardens Graduate Research Fellowship (2024-2025)
Queen Elizabeth II - Graduate Scholarship in Science & Technology (2024-2025)
BMO Future Green Leader Scholarship (2024-2025)
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.

Daniel Vandeloo

MSc Student, May 2024-present

Research Project

Improving Anthroposol Microclimates Using Alnus alnobetula (Green alder) in Mine Reclamation

Education

BSc Ecological Restoration, Trent University (2024)
Ecological Restoration Technician, Fleming College (2022)
Construction Craftworker Journeyman, Ontario College of Trades (2019)

Awards

CLRA Dr Jack Winch Memorial Scholarship (2024-2025)
Patterson Abbey Gardens Graduate Research Fellowship (2024-2025)
NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship (2024-2025)
Champlain College Master’s Award (2024)
BMO Future Green Leaders Undergraduate Student Research Award (2024)
J. P. Bickell Foundation Mining Scholarship (2023)
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (2023, 2024)
City of Kawartha Lakes Scholarship (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 1-year-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. My 6-month-old kitten, Greta, prefers studying the movement of house flies and backyard squirrels.

Lucy Martin-Johnson

MSc Student , January 2025-present

Research Project

Using plant traits to increase invasion resistance in an urban greenspace restoration

Education

BSc Ecological Restoration, Trent University (2021)
Ecological Restoration Technician, Fleming College (2018)

Nicole Guthrie

BSc Thesis Student, May 2024-present

Research Project

Plant and insect dynamics of a recently restored tallgrass prairie, Sarnia Ontario

Education

BSc Environmental and Resource Science, Trent University (expected 2025)

Awards

Mathew Russell Ferguson Memorial Award in Environmental & Resource Science (2023-2024)

Interests

I have always taken an interest in the natural world. I enjoy camping, hiking, and nature photography, especially of birds and insects. Some of my favourite outdoors spots are Lake Huron's beaches and Pinery Provincial Park. When I'm not outdoors, I enjoy doing various arts and crafts as well as spending time with my pets, family, and friends.