Research in Conservation Scholarship

Trout Unlimited Canada Oldman River Chapter: Research in Conservation Scholarship

Trout Unlimited Canada’s Oldman River Chapter actively works to conserve, protect and restore freshwater ecosystems in southwestern Alberta. Education is an integral part of our mandate, and to this end, we believe any research that contributes to the understanding of freshwater ecosystems is valuable and deserving of our support.

To provide incentives for research in the area, we offer up to four annual scholarships of up to $1500 to researchers at the University of Lethbridge or Lethbridge College who demonstrate a commitment to furthering our knowledge of freshwater ecosystems.

Eligibility criteria, the application, and selection process, and details of the scholarship(s) are further detailed below:

Eligibility Criteria

1. Applicant must be a student in good standing registered in the Ecosystem Management Degree (Lethbridge College) or a graduate program (University of Lethbridge).

2. Applicant’s research must contribute meaningfully to Trout Unlimited Oldman River Chapter’s mission.

3. The successful applicant must present to the general public and Chapter members at a Chapter meeting.

Submit application by December 10, 2021.

Application Process:

Applicants will provide by email the following documents:

1. Resume

2. Research Proposal (maximum three pages) detailing:

3. Introduction to the project

4. Implications for southern Alberta’s freshwater ecosystems

5. Timeframe and research methodology

6. Letter from faculty member showing support for applicant’s research.

Selection Process Recipients will be chosen and notified by Chapter Executive by January 21, 2022.

Scholarship Recipients

1. Will present their research at a Chapter meeting in March 2022, depending on Covid restrictions. (funds to be distributed by cheque after presentation); if Covid restrictions preclude in-person presentations, they will be made to the membership via Zoom.

2. Will provide a digital copy of the final research paper.

Please submit your application to us via email.

Past Recipients

2020 The scholarship competition was suspended because of the Covid pandemic.

2019 Monica Bartha (Lethbridge College): Evaluating the Use and Impact of Two Different Types of Stream Crossings Panditha Gunawardana (University of Lethbridge): Defining the Hotspots and Controls on Harmful Algal Bloom Growth and Toxicity in Southern Alberta Rivers

2018 Teagan Holt (Lethbridge College): Profiling Aquatic Invasive Species Inspections Micky Ahn (University of Lethbridge): Parasites and Host Biodiversity

2017 Jeremy Benson (University of Lethbridge): Westslope Cutthroat Trout Winter Habitat Distribution at a Watershed Scale in Small Mountain Streams of Southern Alberta