April 9, 2010
STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM IMPROVEMENTS TO RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE

KAMLOOPS – Thompson Rivers University is receiving $99,475 for environmental research infrastructure from the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund to retrofit an existing lab and greenhouse facility.

These infrastructure improvements will support students researching the structures and functions of both freshwater wetland and temperate grassland ecosystems.

“Environmental conservation and management, both local and global, are valued by the University, which itself is surrounded by beautiful natural areas,” says Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake. “I know this funding will go a long way in ensuring that wetlands throughout B.C. will be enjoyed by future generations.”

“B.C.’s wetlands and grasslands are sensitive environments,” says Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger.  “The upgrades to TRU’s environmental research facility will help us better understand the impacts of climate change and general human activity on these areas to provide important information about conservation.”

“Today is significant because these funds are being received not because TRU has the potential to conduct world-class research, but because over the last five years, Dr. Fraser and his interdisciplinary team of colleagues, and students have shown that TRU is conducting world-class research,” said Dr. Nancy Van Wagoner, TRU Associate Vice President Research and Graduate Studies. “This research is informing the development of meaningful action plans to resolve the complex environmental issues we face as a province and globally.”

The BCKDF grant supports the Community and Ecosystem Ecology Research infrastructure for Dr. Lauchlan Fraser, as part of the renewal of his CRC Tier 2 position. His research involves precise testing and screening of plant character traits, and controlled plant community and ecosystem studies.

This facility will help identify which ecosystems are under threat, what conservation projects are feasible and what are realistic goals for restoration and conservation. It will research ecosystem management in relation to climate change, reducing the impact of non-native invasive plants in grassland and wetlands, and improving the efficiency of wetlands in treating wastewater caused by agricultural runoff.

The B.C. Knowledge Development Fund helps public post-secondary institutions, teaching hospitals, and affiliated non-profit agencies to invest in research infrastructure that will provide long-term economic and social benefits to British Columbia. Between 2001 and the end of 2009, the fund provided almost $358 million for research infrastructure in this province.

To learn more about MLA Lake, visit his website at www.terrylakemla.bc.ca and follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/terrylakemla. To learn more about MLA Krueger, visit his website at www.kevinkruegermla.bc.ca

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