10/10/2025
Hi folks, Madelaine here! I am this year’s Graduate Student Ambassador in the ESRC, and I wanted to share some of the highlights from a recent trip that our Master of Sustainability and PhD in Sustainability Science students took to visit some of the ecological stewardship initiatives underway by 🌳
➡️ First, we visited Chippewa Battlefield of 1812, where 120 acres of former agricultural fields are in the process of being restored to native grassland. These grassland spaces are the natural habitats for the at-risk Eastern Meadowlark and Bobolink, species of songbirds. We learned that the site has undergone restoration efforts through prescribed burns and reseeding of native grasses and wildflowers.
➡️ Next up, we travelled down the Parkway to Gonder’s Flats, another former agricultural site that is in the process of being restored to a wetland habitat for turtles, fish, and native plant species like the swamp rose mallow. We saw nature-based solutions in action with the use of dead ash tree trunks as natural barriers along the coast, helping to protect young fish populations and retain native vegetation along the shore.
➡️ Finally, we ended our trip with a walk around Dufferin Islands and discussed the challenges (and opportunities) of public parks as sites of ecological stewardship.
This first field trip of the Fall term is just one example of the experiential education activities planned for ESRC students to explore sustainability science! Looking forward to many more in the months ahead! 🌱
Special thanks to Corey and Victoria from Niagara Parks for guiding our tour! Shoutout to Brock University's Amanda Bishop, for taking these wonderful pictures 📸, and much appreciation to Brock University Co-op Programs Liz Kirk, and ESRC's Dr. Lina Taing, Dr. Julia Baird, and Dr. Marilyne Carrey for all of their roles in making this trip such a success! ✨
