Ben takes an interdisciplinary approach to research how to reduce the impact of forestry activities on Nova Scotia's freshwater environments and fisheries.
"In the age of global biodiversity loss and climate change, collective outcomes of local scale applied research will help inform policies that reduce or reverse environmental degradation."
@benrcollison
Water is a common thread throughout my previous OpenThink articles, from fining big polluters to preserving riparian areas. One topic that has not been discussed yet is the source of drinking water for one third of Canada’s population, and 80% of residents living outside of urban areas. Water that comes from underground. Groundwater is under-appreciated […]
In parts 1 and 2 of this series, we discussed the importance of forests in the hinterlands of Nova Scotia and elsewhere. This month, let us take to the streets to look at trees in the cityscape. Forests make cities better The first documented cases of humans maintaining street trees goes back over a thousand […]
Across the parts of Turtle Island now known as Canada, the seasons are beginning to change. Brisk morning air, vegetable harvests, pumpkin spice lattes, and – of course – shimmering leaves of bright red, yellow, and orange. From the cityscape to the backroads, the stunning colours of autumn symbolize a season of transition. Letting go […]
Riparian areas are truly special places Last time you went for an outdoor adventure – did you experience a riparian area? You probably did. Lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, ponds, canals, and reservoirs are all surrounded by a riparian zone, a transition between land and water. The term “riparian” is derived from the Latin word riparious, […]
How much disturbance can the environment tolerate before it risks collapsing? Cumulative effects is the topic this month, and part 3 in a series about critical minerals. Part 1 looked at mining pressures in the North and part 2 discussed the potential cessation of free-entry mining exploration in Canada through recent court rulings regarding Indigenous […]
In part 1 of this series, we talked about what makes a mineral ‘critical.’ We also discussed how current societal, economic, and political atmospheres have applied pressure on sensitive regions to open for business – mining, that is. This month, let’s unpack mineral claims and prospecting with a focus on consultation (or a lack thereof) […]
Some of Canada’s biggest employers have a poor track record of abiding by environmental laws. When laws are broken corporate leaders don’t go to prison; instead, the company is fined. But the fines are rarely severe enough to scare them into changing their ways, let alone enough to make companies repair environmental damage or build […]
Picture wilderness: towering mountains, windblown peatlands, vast forests, rushing rivers, and frozen lakes. Only 3% of Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems are truly ‘wild’ like they were 500 years ago. Portions of northern Canada are included in that number, with expansive intact environments containing habitat for iconic species like barren-ground caribou, polar bears, and Arctic wolves. Nearly […]
