PECI MANUFACTURING STUDENTS TAKE FIRST DEEP DIVE INTO ENGINEERING AQUATIC RESEARCH EQUIPMENT FOR QUINTE CONSERVATION
Quinte Conservation’s Aquatic Sciences department is ready to deploy three high-quality Windermere
Traps into the Bay of Quinte thanks to local students from Prince Edward Collegiate Institute in Picton,
ON. This collaborative effort through the school’s manufacturing technology program offered a new
kind of challenge for students Sawyer, Donald, Dustin, and Riley who successfully reverse-engineered
and built the devices that allow for the collection of data on this region’s fish communities.
This one-of-a-kind project provided students with hands-on experience and the chance to apply their
technical skills beyond the standard curriculum. “This was an excellent example of how classroom
learning can extend beyond the school walls,” said Aaron Gray, instructor of the program. “Students
were able to apply problem-solving, collaboration, and technical skills to a real-world design challenge—
one that has a direct impact on environmental conservation efforts in our region.”
Through this project, students can witness their hard work being utilized in the professional research
and conservation programs that support aquatic ecosystems in the Bay of Quinte.
Mary Gunning, Aquatic Science Manager at Quinte Conservation says, “We are grateful to the students
and staff at PECI for stepping up and supporting our work. We supplied them with an example of what
we were looking for, and they successfully recreated it. Their efforts will help us continue important
aquatic research, despite equipment shortages, and highlights the power of community partnerships in
advancing environmental science.”
Quinte Conservation uses the Windermere traps as part of their fish community monitoring surveys to
assess ecosystem health of the Bay of Quinte and its habitats by evaluating fish populations, and to
guide management and habitat restoration efforts. The Windermere traps are a passive and nondestructive
monitoring tool, well-suited for capturing bottom dwelling fish species like Brown Bullhead
(Ameriurus nebulosus), and other nearshore fish such as sunfish species (family Centrarchidae) or Yellow
Perch (Perca flavescens). They are deployed in shallow water for 24 hours and checked each day for 4
days. The weights, length and health of the fish are recorded and then they are released.
“This is the first time we’ve had an opportunity to work with a local school on a project of this level, and
we welcome any future opportunities that allow students to share in our passion of environmental
protection,” Gunning says.
This successful collaboration highlights the positive impact of combining education and environmental
stewardship and would not have been possible without support from local organizations and donors
who help equip students with the materials and opportunities needed to thrive.
Quinte Conservation looks forward to future partnerships with schools and community organizations to
further support local conservation efforts.
To collaborate with Quinte Conservation on a project, contact info@quinteconservation.ca.
About Quinte Conservation
Quinte Conservation is a community-based environmental protection agency that serves 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers, and Prince Edward County. Our programs and services support watershed residents and municipalities to create a sustainable ecosystem where people and nature live in harmony. More information about Quinte Conservation is available at www.quinteconservation.ca.
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For immediate inquiries, contact:
Kirsten Geisler
Communications Specialist
613-968-3434 ext. 123
kgeisler@quinteconservation.ca