The Trent Symons Campus Lands are a precious asset, rich in natural and cultural heritage, and vital to the resilience of Trent and our communities. Our vision is to create an inspiring, sustainable, and complete community to learn, live, innovate, and be active. In our care for and use of the land, Trent is demonstrating leadership in environmental education and stewardship, respect for Indigenous Knowledge, and thoughtful integration of the natural and built environment. | |
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Located in the north-west corner of Water Street and Woodland Drive, the Total Loss Farm Nature Area is a hidden gem within the University Green Network. Surrounding the future long-term care home and University-Integrated Seniors Village, Total Loss Farm Nature Area earned the moniker because the wetland complex made farming the site challenging, often coming up as a total loss.
Environment-Led Planning
Over the past few years this Nature Area has been the focus of four-season environmental studies to better understand the habitats, cultural and natural features. Putting environment first in the planning process, Trent has worked closely with the Michi Saagiig Land Resource Consultation Officers and Elders to ensure this important natural area is healthy and protected.
“Trent University has taken a leading approach to land planning, putting the environment and Michi Saagiig voices at the forefront in a way we just don’t see happening elsewhere,” said Gary Pritchard, CEO of 4Directions Consulting representing Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations. “From the start of the Trent Lands & Nature Areas Plan process, all the way through planning and preparation for the Seniors Village, Trent has made decisions to protect and enhance natural features, while building infrastructure to support the entire community.”
Through this work, the Nature Area was expanded by more than 55 acres/ 22 hectares (a 50% increase) to protect a bat habitat and culturally significant features of the area. Trent University also pursued the provincially significant designation for the wetland in the area, helping to protect this important natural feature. The wetland complex was named Kiiktaanaa Mash’ing Wetland Complex, or Spring Peepers Marsh, by the Elders & Traditional Knowledge Keepers Council and conferred in a ceremony earlier this year.
Trail Network Enhancement
Trent University is investing in the 3km of trails in the Total Loss Farm Nature Area, increasing connections, accessibility and safety for hikers. Currently, new trails are being added to create three hiking loops throughout the nature area. These trails loop through wooded areas and meadowland, offering visitors connection to the habitats and vistas of the space. In January, portions of the existing trails will be closed to protect the wetland and to reduce foot traffic through the area where the long term care home and student housing will be built.
University-Integrated Seniors Village
The Total Loss Farm Nature Area will surround the long term care home and Seniors Village. The location for these important housing projects were confirmed through in-depth environmental study. These parcels have no significant natural or cultural features, nor any sensitive habitats. Building on Trent’s global reputation as an age-friendly university and the research expertise in the Trent Centre for Aging & Society, the Seniors Village will provide unmatched learning opportunities for students, advance research into aging, while answering the call for more housing in Peterborough.
Late this fall, the City of Peterborough granted stage 1 site plan approval for the Long Term Care Home and Seniors Village sites based on an Environmental Impact Brief, confirming the plans are on low- and no-constraints sites. This winter, Trent University will begin site work to prepare these sites for these important projects, to bring much needed housing to our community as soon as possible.
Learn more about the Seniors Village: trentlands.ca
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At the 2023 Royal Society of Canada's G7 Research Summit on Healthy Aging, a delegation of researchers representing the University and the Trent Centre for Aging and Society (TCAS) discussed the innovative healthy aging research taking place at Trent, underscoring the University's dedication to advancing this field of study and contributing to the well-being of Canadians.
"Trent is proud to be at the forefront of advancing knowledge and solutions in healthy aging in Canada,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, vice president of Research and Innovation. “Participating in, and supporting, events like the G7 Summit further demonstrates Trent's dedication to research excellence and innovation that turns our understanding of aging on its ear. Researchers at Trent are framing aging research as multi-faceted, community-based and collaborative."
At the summit, over 100 experts including scholars, researchers, and policymakers, gathered to explore new approaches to preventive care. Trent University delegates included Dr. Elizabeth Russell, Dr. Liana Brown, Dr. Nadine Changfoot, Dr. Stephanie Tobin, and Dr. Raheleh Saryazdi. These scholars represented the University and TCAS, Trent’s hub for interdisciplinary aging studies, leadership and advocacy in the field of healthy aging. At the summit, TCAS members demonstrated how their work fosters meaningful dialogue and challenges entrenched ideas about aging, old age and older people.
"Our involvement in the G7 Summit allowed us to share our research which is aligned with TCAS’ mission to make a meaningful impact on the future of aging focused healthcare in Canada," said Dr. Elizabeth Russell, director of TCAS. “I’m delighted to be among this group of Trent delegates and to help propel leadership in these critical areas of research and knowledge sharing.”
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Trent University announced the University’s sixth college will be named Gidigaa Migizi College, in celebration and memory of the late Gidigaa Migizi (Doug Williams) ’69, professor, elder, and community leader renowned for his dedication to Trent students, and to protecting Anishnaabeg treaty rights.
Housed in world-class architecture and known for their memorable sense of community and time-honoured traditions, colleges are at the core of the Trent student experience. Modelled on the collegiate model found at universities throughout the world, Trent University is home to five colleges: Champlain, Lady Eaton, Peter Gzowski, Otonabee, and Catharine Parr Traill. These scholarly communities comprise student residences, dining halls, and academic and administrative spaces.
“Trent’s colleges have been at the centre of the student experience for 60 years, steeped in history and tradition. This naming is a testament to Trent’s ongoing commitment to recognizing and celebrating Indigenous culture and heritage,” said Marilyn Burns, vice president of Communications & Enrolment at Trent. “Gidigaa Migizi, a respected elder and a pillar in the Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg and Trent communities, has left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire and educate our students for generations to come. Gidigaa Migizi College will stand as a beacon of knowledge, diversity, and respect, embodying the spirit of inclusivity and learning that is at the heart of Trent University."
The decision to select an Anishnaabe name for the new college was a recommendation of the University’s Champlain Report to honour the treaty and traditional territory on which Trent University sits. Meaning spotted eagle in English, the name Gidigaa Migizi College was recommended by the University’s Elders & Traditional Knowledge Keepers Council and approved by Trent’s Board of Governors.
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Cleantech Commons at Trent University recently announced a new “knowledge partnership” with ProLytics Research Synergies as part of its ongoing efforts to foster opportunities for creative collaboration and create a connected and supportive community of clean technology entrepreneurs and innovators at Trent.
“We know that many of tomorrow’s clean, green, and sustainable innovations begin right here on campus,” says Cleantech Commons executive director Martin Yuill. “By partnering with experts like ProLytics, we provide the next generation of cleantech entrepreneurs with the mentorship, knowledge, and professional support services they require to bring their innovations to the market.”
Cleantech Commons’ partnership with ProLytics is specifically designed to support start-up and spinout ventures in developing, testing, and scaling their novel products while addressing the affordability and expertise challenges experienced by many cleantech companies.
Through this new value-adding partnership, current Cleantech Innovation Portal members, as well as future Cleantech Commons tenants, will enjoy access to a range of scientific, advisory, and analytical services, including chemical analysis, experimental design, data consultation, food technology, biochemistry and molecular biology, and bioinformatics.
Not only is ProLytics locally owned and operated, but the organization also has strong ties to the Trent community, employing several Trent graduates and post-doctoral research fellows.
“We understand that many early- and growth-stage companies often lack the capital required to build and operate their own research facilities or procure expensive equipment and talent that they will use only occasionally,” says Jill Emery, co-founder of ProLytics. “Through this partnership, we will provide Cleantech Commons clients with a personalized roadmap to achieve company-specific goals, including experimental design, analytics and data consultation plans, budgeting, milestones, and timelines to accelerate their time and path to market dramatically.”
Learn more about Cleantech Commons and current opportunities for clean and green entrepreneurs.
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