UNews - mining

Rasmussen a leader in aquatic research

trevor.kenney — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:59:37 +0000

Whether we like it or not, Canada's waters are under increasing pressure to support greater economic activity. Be it the energy sector, agriculture, mining or urbanization, our aquatic ecosystems face an uncertain future.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge biological sciences professor Dr. Joe Rasmussen is a key component in helping people understand the adverse effects that economic activity can have on our waters. One of the country's most recognized water researchers, his peers recognized him when a Canadian professional organization of limnologists (aquatic ecosystem researchers who study lakes and rivers) awarded Rasmussen its highest honour.

Rasmussen, a Canada Research Chair in Aquatic Ecosystems, received the Frank H. Rigler Memorial Award at the joint annual meetings of the Society of Canadian Limnologists and the Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research.

The award recognizes and honours major achievements in the field of limnology by Canadians or those working in Canada. Emphasis in selection is given to established aquatic scientists whose work is recognized for its influence and importance.

Dr. Joe Rasmussen, conducting fieldwork with a group of his students earlier this year.

Rasmussen teaches ecology, aquatic ecosystems and aquatic biology. He has served on a wide range of advisory panels across Canada dealing with water management issues ranging from in-stream flow to water quality criteria, and has done groundbreaking research in a number of key areas relating to the management of water and aquatic resources.

Canada's waters are a valuable resource and as pressure is exerted upon them economically, the role of the aquatic researcher becomes more essential.

"There is also the issue of 'regulated rivers,' which include both reservoirs and their downstream tailwaters. They are and will be an increasing part of the limnological landscape," says Rasmussen.

"Most recently, the research that my laboratory has been in engaged in crosses over from limnology to fisheries research, a process I am encouraging more researchers in both of these disciplines to do. For example, we are examining the scientific criteria used to assess fish habitats under the Fisheries Act, which has become a prominent component of environmental regulation in Canada following the Supreme Court decision on the Oldman River dam during the 1990s."

He says being recognized by his peers is humbling.

"The Rigler award means a great deal to me both personally and professionally. Personally, it is gratifying because so many colleagues and former students from all over Canada belong to the society, and to be honoured by friends with whom I have worked with throughout my career brings back many wonderful memories," says Rasmussen. "It is also very gratifying to receive an award that has been given to many excellent scientists over the years, and to have my name associated with that of professor Rigler, who had such a profound impact on limnology and aquatic science in general."

The award also reaps benefits for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and could result in an influx of funding and research opportunities.

"I have already been contacted by a number of people who would like to come to Lethbridge and work in my laboratory," Rasmussen says. "The prestige associated with this award, and others like it, can also make it somewhat easier to obtain grants and other types of funding for research, and this helps keep the wheels turning."

For a look at Rasmussen's involvement with the Oilsands Advisory Panel, follow this link.

Advocate for aboriginal development

trevor.kenney — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:19:19 +0000

Most people move away for university and don't necessarily move back. Sara Mainville isn't most people.

Not only did she return to her home community, but she did so in order to assist with some of the daily struggles common to First Nations populations.

Mainville, who earned her BA in public administration and management arts from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 1991, is from Couchiching First Nation in northwest Ontario. She now works as a lawyer and a legal consultant focusing on cases of indigenous law, environmental protection and community development.

Lawyer Sara Mainville works to strengthen the Couchiching First Nation.

"I've always been looking at everyday ways to try to strengthen our community," Mainville explains. "I grew up knowing about treaty rights and I was always told that we were very rich people. But the actual reality was that we were all living in poverty. We're still faced with a lot of those social factors that have become typical of a First Nation setting."

Much of her current work involves direct contact with the both the federal and Ontario governments to promote the Anishinaabe (Ojibway) community's rights, in regards to mining and general land use. Mainville says there are many challenges within the greater effort but, because of the younger generation's increased knowledge of the issues, there is definite hope for change.

"I see a lot of the younger people coming up with a real awareness of their environment," she says. "I think they have a better understanding of what stewardship is, what sustainability is."

Mainville knew she wanted to assist her community by attempting to eliminate barriers, so she decided to pursue an education. This wasn't common in the Couchiching First Nation when she was younger but she says there are a lot more people attending post-secondary school now.

"The education gap between my First Nation and the neighbouring municipality has really narrowed. I tried to create a path for other people to that," she says.

Mainville, who went on to earn a law degree at Queen's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Kingston, Ont., and then a master of law at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Toronto before returning to northwest Ontario permanently, still credits her time at the U of L with helping to focus her career on social responsibility.

"I've kept in touch with some of the other alumni from Lethbridge and I think we all share the same values. It set the standard for me individually. We all went back to our communities and focused on community development, especially in the corporate field."

For more information on the Faculty of Management, follow this link.

Rasmussen recognized for aquatic research

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:25:30 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge biological sciences professor Dr. Joe Rasmussen is a key component in helping people understand the adverse effects that economic activity can have on our waters. One of the country's most recognized water researchers, his peers recently recognized him when a Canadian professional organization of limnologists (aquatic ecosystem researchers who study lakes and rivers) awarded Rasmussen its highest honour.

Canada's waters are a valuable resource and as pressure is exerted upon them economically, the role of the aquatic researcher becomes more essential.

"There is also the issue of 'regulated rivers,' which include both reservoirs and their downstream tailwaters. They are and will be an increasing part of the limnological landscape," says Rasmussen.
"Most recently, the research that my laboratory has been in engaged in crosses over from limnology to fisheries research, a process I am encouraging more researchers in both of these disciplines to do. For example, we are examining the scientific criteria used to assess fish habitats under the Fisheries Act, which has become a prominent component of environmental regulation in Canada following the Supreme Court decision on the Oldman River dam during the 1990s."

He says being recognized by his peers is humbling.

The award also reaps benefits for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and could result in an influx of funding and research opportunities.

Rasmussen honoured by colleagues

trevor.kenney — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:09:14 +0000

Canada's waters are under increasing pressure to support greater economic activity. As the energy sector, agriculture, mining or urbanization of our landscape increases; aquatic researchers and their findings will be at a premium as we try to balance the want for economic growth against the health of our delicate aquatic ecosystem.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge professor and researcher, Dr. Joe Rasmussen, is an expert in this field and his peers have recognized him for his valuable contributions to the study of aquatic ecosystems.

A Canadian professional organization of limnologists (aquatic ecosystem researchers who study lakes and rivers) has awarded Rasmussen (biological sciences) its highest honour.

Rasmussen, a Canada Research Chair in Aquatic Ecosystems, received the Frank H. Rigler memorial award at the joint annual meetings of the Society of Canadian Limnologists and the Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research, which took place in Winnipeg, Man. in early January.

Whether we like it or not, Rasmussen says Canada's waters face an uncertain future.

"There is also the issue of regulated rivers, which include both reservoirs and their downstream tailwaters. They are and will be an increasing part of the limnological landscape, although they presently merit little more than a mention in any of the mainstream textbooks," Rasmussen says.

"The Rigler award means a great deal to me both personally and professionally. Personally it is gratifying because so many colleagues and former students from all over Canada belong to the society. I have already been contacted by a number of people who would like to come to Lethbridge and work in my laboratory. The prestige associated with this award, and others like it, can also make it somewhat easier to obtain grants and other types of funding for research, and this helps keep the wheels turning."

Miltenberger on campus to address water strategies

trevor.kenney — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:04:41 +0000

The Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger (BASc '75,) MLA Thebacha, Deputy Premier and Minister of Environment and Natural Resources for the Northwest Territories (NWT), is acutely aware of the increasing pressure for development activity in the NWT related to oil and gas, oil sands, mining, hydro and other industrial developments. These activities place great demands on water resources, land and wildlife – a concern for both Miltenberger and his constituents.

On Tuesday afternoon, Miltenberger will be at the U of L discussing the water resource management strategies his government is working on with both Aboriginal governments and the federal government.

Miltenberger, along with the Hon. Jackson Lafferty, MLA Monfwi, Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment will discuss the water strategy and other key environmental initiatives, and the importance of collaborative partnerships between all levels of government to ensure wise and sustainable use of the NWT's natural resources. The talk goes at 1:40 p.m. in classroom W870.

To ensure sound management of water resources in the NWT, the government of the Northwest Territories, in partnership with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, is developing the Northern Voices, Northern Waters, an NWT Water Resources Management Strategy. Three key areas of focus are: transboundary water management; the protection of community public water supply sources; and aquatic ecosystem integrity. The strategy will combine traditional Aboriginal knowledge of the environment with scientific knowledge to ensure future development is sustainable and compatible with protecting aquatic ecosystems.

As water is essential to all Canadians, Miltenberger challenges citizens to better understand water-related issues and lead by example.

"Encourage your community to continue improving knowledge and understanding of water and the environment through education and research," Miltenberger says. "Push your elected representatives to make the case with the federal government on the need for a national water strategy to ensure the protection, preservation and good management of our aquatic ecosystems from coast to coast."

Alumnus Miltenberger pushes water agenda

trevor.kenney — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:16:59 +0000

The Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger (BASc '75,) MLA Thebacha, Deputy Premier and Minister of Environment and Natural Resources for the Northwest Territories (NWT), is acutely aware of the increasing pressure for development activity in the NWT related to oil and gas, oil sands, mining, hydro and other industrial developments. These activities place great demands on water resources, land and wildlife – a concern for both Miltenberger and his constituents.

To ensure sound management of water resources in the NWT, the government of the Northwest Territories, in partnership with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, is developing the Northern Voices, Northern Waters, an NWT Water Resources Management Strategy. Three key areas of focus are: transboundary water management; the protection of community public water supply sources; and aquatic ecosystem integrity. The strategy will combine traditional Aboriginal knowledge of the environment with scientific knowledge to ensure future development is sustainable and compatible with protecting aquatic ecosystems.

As water is essential to all Canadians, Miltenberger challenges citizens to better understand water-related issues and lead by example.

"Encourage your community to continue improving knowledge and understanding of water and the environment through education and research," Miltenberger says. "Push your elected representatives to make the case with the federal government on the need for a national water strategy to ensure the protection, preservation and good management of our aquatic ecosystems from coast to coast."

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