This joint project (funded by Earthwatch Institute), brings together the Institute, Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC) and Maryville College. The research will add important baseline data collection with regards to the wetland habitats of the diverse landscape around Churchill. The multidisciplinary approach to consider water quality and ecology of these wetlands is of vital importance to understanding the capabilities of various species to adapt to changes in the arctic treeline environment. We hope that the students on the team will gain a better understanding of the importance of water quality and ecology and their seasonal fluctuations in these wetland environments. As well, students will learn standard water sampling techniques in the field and lab and standard ecological assessments of habitat. The variety of wildlife and plants encountered in Churchill will provide a learning opportunity for everyone! A captive audience at the CNSC will allow students to discuss their work with many.
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Student Ben Finkel - I’m Ben Finkel from Philadelphia. I’ve always been into animals and environmental issues. I play violin and piano, and I love to run for my school’s track and cross country teams. I’ve never traveled up this far north and am looking forward to getting acquainted with our surroundings here in Churchill. Fun Fact: Because of his rugged good looks, he has the ability to grow a full beard in one day. Theme Song: "Macho Man"
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Student
Kelsey Shirk - My name is Kelsey
Shirk and I’m from Chesapeake, Virginia. I’m 16 years
old and will be a junior at Grassfield High School. I love to play
field hockey and softball, among many other sports. I’ve been
playing the violin for about six years, which is also something I
enjoy doing. I really love animals and am looking forward to learning
about the wildlife here in Churchill.
Fun Fact: Hallucinates about her Frog Prince coming to take her away one day. Theme Song: "Frog Loggers" |
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Student Alex Poon - I’m Alex, I’m 17, and I’m from Los Angles. I go to North Hollywood High School. I love football and cross country running. I enjoy English and science. I love going to the beach and hanging out with friends. Fun Fact: He secretly has butterflies and song-birds flying around his head because he is MR. BEAUTIFUL. Theme Song: "Glamoroussssss"
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Student Rewa Choudhary - My name is Rewa Choudhary and I’m from Jacksonville, Florida. I attend Stanton College Preparatory School at which I am entering the 12th grade. My favourite activities include biking, reading, and playing ping pong. I am very excited to be at Churchill, the centre of such fascinating and momentous research. Fun Fact: Spends weeks alone in the freezing tundra hunting down the elusive tadpole with her bare hands and teeth. Theme Song: "Just Around the Riverbend (A Tadpole Waits for Me...)" |
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Student Allia Abu-Ramaileh - My name is Allia and I’m from Bountiful (aka B'TOWN), Utah. This fall I’ll start college at Utah State University, majoring in Environmental Engineering and Political Science. I love learning other languages, discussing Middle East and global affairs, and spending time with family and friends. Fun Fact: The last time she tried to pronounce 'gummy" correctly, she was hospitalized for three months with a case of serious head trauma. Theme Song: "Don't look at me like yo Mama don't feed you. Dang! Shove it!"
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Student Spencer Ewall - My name is Spencer Ewall. I am 16 years old and currently live in Huntington, New York with my sister, and my parents. I am on my school’s Crew team. I enjoy sailing and skiing. Fun Fact: Secretly a Yiddish grandmother, aka Babusha, posing as a 16 year-old boy in puffy pants. Theme Song: "Don't You Wish Your Babushka Was Hot Like Me?!" |
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Field Assistant Mentor Katrina Jansen- I am 19 years old and going into my 2nd year at Trent University. I am majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology. I enjoy spending my free time reading and playing rugby. In addition to being a field assistant in this year’s Earthwatch program, I am also the CNSC’s summer Research Technician and have been working in Churchill since June. Fun Fact: Her nearly seventh toe (and come to think of it, sixth) provides a nearly telepathic link to LeeAnn. Theme Song: "SMACK DAT"
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Field Assistant Mentor Carla Richmond, age 34, has recently completed he B.A. Honors degree in Geography at the university of Winnipeg and will be continuing her studies after a brief break in the fall. She has two related, yet seperate areas of interest. Her first passion is landform development (espacially in relation to glacial process) and how that influences human settlement and use within those areas. Her second area of interest focuses on how minor climatic shifts affect the geochemistry of northen regions, and how that, in tuen, impacts the local residents. Fun Fact: Carla (is secretly a Polar bear) and will stand outside in a t-shirt while the rest of us develop frostbite. Theme Song: "Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na CARLAAAAAA!" |
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Co-Principal Investigator Dr. LeeAnn Fishback - I'm in an environmental geochemist focusing on freshwater lake and pond water quality in the arctic and subarctic regions. I've worked in the Canadian North for about 15 years and in Churchill for the last four years as the Scientific Coordinator at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. Fun Fact: Early Bird. Theme Song: "Everybody Was KUNGFU Fighting"
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Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Ben Cash - I am a wetland ecologist focusing on organisms that use wetland habitats. I have studied wetland communities from the Mississppi Delta, the Souhteastern Atlantic Coastal Plain, the Southern Appalachians and the Hudson Bay region. I am particularly interested in temporary aquatic habitats and the organisms that are associated with them. Fun Fact: Carcass Hunter. Theme Song: "The Frogs Go Marching One by One, Hoorah Hoorah" |
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Project Report
Photo Gallery - See cool pictures and video clips of the team in action!