Multiple Benthic Assessments Available in Haliburton County
Aquatic ecosystems contain a variety of organisms that can provide valuable insight into the long-term health of our lakes and watersheds. Through the Woodlands and Waterways EcoWatch (WWEW) program, U-Links partners with Lake Associations across Haliburton County to collect benthic macroinvertebrate data using standardized biomonitoring protocols. These small organisms living within lake sediments act as biological indicators, helping researchers understand changes in water quality, habitat conditions, and ecosystem health over time. Student researchers will support field sampling, data analysis, and reporting to provide Lake Associations with meaningful information that contributes to local monitoring efforts and evidence-based lake stewardship.
#5081 Serenity Wetland Assessment
​Many of the wetlands in Haliburton County remain unclassified, with their provincial significance unknown. The Serenity Wetland Alliance (SWA), is a volunteer group dedicated to the protection of the Serenity Wetland in Highlands East, ON. The purpose of this project is to gather relevant data and complete an inventory of species present through research and fieldwork, to initiate an Environmental Impact Assessment. The results of this project will promote the awareness of wetlands and their importance, and support other groups and organizations who are considering seeking protections for wetlands in their communities. This project is designed to be conducted in the spring and summer semesters, from May-August.
#6115 - Apple Preparation, Processing, Preservation Practices of the Past
​Before refrigeration and modern food systems, communities relied on creative methods to store, preserve, and enjoy local harvests year-round. This project will explore historical apple preparation and preservation practices in Ontario, including traditional methods for drying, storing, fermenting, baking, and preserving apples. Using archival research, historical cookbooks, agricultural records, and community resources, students will uncover forgotten food practices and examine how they can be reintroduced into modern lifestyles to support local food security and sustainability. This project will contribute to a broader effort to celebrate Haliburton County’s apple heritage, reduce food waste, and strengthen connections between local food, history, and community resilience.
#6129 - Ecologically Aware Gardening Project
How can our gardens become part of the solution for supporting biodiversity and healthier ecosystems? This project explores the ecological benefits of replacing traditional lawn and garden practices with native plant communities designed to support local environments. Students will investigate how ecologically aware gardens influence factors such as pollinator interactions, soil health, water retention, and biodiversity compared to conventional landscapes. Through a combination of literature review and potential field-based research, this project will help identify practical strategies for creating resilient, sustainable gardens that benefit homeowners, wildlife, and the broader Haliburton County landscape.
#6253 - Biomonitoring of Fred and Pearl Barry Wetland Reserve
Wetlands provide essential ecosystem services, including improving water quality, supporting biodiversity, and storing carbon. This project will investigate the ecological health of the Fred and Pearl Barry Wetland Reserve through the study of benthic macroinvertebrates - small aquatic organisms widely used as indicators of environmental conditions. Students will collect and analyze benthic samples following Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN) protocols to assess species diversity and establish baseline data. Results will support long-term monitoring efforts and provide insight into the health and function of this important wetland ecosystem.
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#6350 - Community and Stakeholder Engagement for the Haliburton Highlands Arts Council Foundation
​How can community voices shape the future of arts and culture in Haliburton County? This project will support the development of a new performing arts centre by exploring community needs, priorities, and perspectives through meaningful public engagement. Students will use research methods such as surveys, interviews, and/or focus groups to identify opportunities, challenges, and strategies for building an inclusive and sustainable arts space. Students will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the early planning stages of a major community initiative designed to expand access to performing arts, education, and creative collaboration. The findings from this project will directly support decision-making and help ensure the future arts centre is shaped by the people it aims to serve.
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#6393 - Apple Tree Agroforestry in Harcourt Park
Hidden within Harcourt Park is an old homestead orchard that may hold connections to a unique piece of Haliburton County’s agricultural history. This project will investigate the Leeson Farm apple trees, exploring their historical significance, ecological value, and potential role in future orchard restoration efforts. Students will combine historical research with hands-on fieldwork to document existing apple trees, assess surrounding forest and meadow conditions, and identify opportunities to restore the area as a productive agroforestry landscape. Findings will contribute to local biodiversity conservation, preserve connections to early settler history, and support efforts to protect and celebrate Haliburton’s unique apple heritage.
#6395 - Investigating Guaranteed Livable Basic Income in Haliburton County
Rural communities face unique challenges when addressing poverty, affordability, and access to support systems. This project will explore local perspectives on a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income (GLBI) and examine how income security approaches connect with existing community services and poverty reduction efforts in Haliburton County. Students will conduct community-based research through methods such as literature reviews, interviews, and focus groups to better understand the experiences of local organizations, frontline workers, and community members. Findings will help identify opportunities for collaboration, strengthen evidence-based advocacy, and contribute to broader conversations around dignity, equity, and long-term solutions to income insecurity.
#6410 - Building Sustainable Community-Led Aging Initiatives in Haliburton County
​As rural communities adapt to changing demographics, new approaches are needed to support connection, independence, and quality of life for older adults. This project will explore how grassroots initiatives like Aging Together As Community (ATAC) can strengthen local networks and create sustainable models that support residents as they age. Students will investigate successful aging-in-place initiatives, examine opportunities for partnerships, and engage with community members to better understand barriers and opportunities for participation. Findings will help identify strategies to expand programming, encourage volunteer leadership, and support long-term solutions for aging well in rural communities.
#6413 - Food Production Growing Dome Feasibility Study
​As rural communities adapt to changing demographics, new approaches are needed to support connection, independence, and quality of life for older adults. This project will explore how grassroots initiatives like Aging Together As Community (ATAC) can strengthen local networks and create sustainable models that support residents as they age. Students will investigate successful aging-in-place initiatives, examine opportunities for partnerships, and engage with community members to better understand barriers and opportunities for participation. Findings will help identify strategies to expand programming, encourage volunteer leadership, and support long-term solutions for aging well in rural communities.
#6415 - 'The Missing Element' - Stories of the Mountain Street Red Cross Outpost
​As rural communities adapt to changing demographics, new approaches are needed to support connection, independence, and quality of life for older adults. This project will explore how grassroots initiatives like Aging Together As Community (ATAC) can strengthen local networks and create sustainable models that support residents as they age. Students will investigate successful aging-in-place initiatives, examine opportunities for partnerships, and engage with community members to better understand barriers and opportunities for participation. Findings will help identify strategies to expand programming, encourage volunteer leadership, and support long-term solutions for aging well in rural communities.
#6416 - Green Burial in Haliburton County: Assessing Local Opportunities and Challenges
​As rural communities adapt to changing demographics, new approaches are needed to support connection, independence, and quality of life for older adults. This project will explore how grassroots initiatives like Aging Together As Community (ATAC) can strengthen local networks and create sustainable models that support residents as they age. Students will investigate successful aging-in-place initiatives, examine opportunities for partnerships, and engage with community members to better understand barriers and opportunities for participation. Findings will help identify strategies to expand programming, encourage volunteer leadership, and support long-term solutions for aging well in rural communities.
#6465 - Study of Youth Water Stewardship Outcomes Following the Haliburton/Muskoka/Kawartha Childrens Water Festival
​As rural communities adapt to changing demographics, new approaches are needed to support connection, independence, and quality of life for older adults. This project will explore how grassroots initiatives like Aging Together As Community (ATAC) can strengthen local networks and create sustainable models that support residents as they age. Students will investigate successful aging-in-place initiatives, examine opportunities for partnerships, and engage with community members to better understand barriers and opportunities for participation. Findings will help identify strategies to expand programming, encourage volunteer leadership, and support long-term solutions for aging well in rural communities.
#6465 - Study of Youth Water Stewardship Outcomes Following the Haliburton/Muskoka/Kawartha Childrens Water Festival
​As rural communities adapt to changing demographics, new approaches are needed to support connection, independence, and quality of life for older adults. This project will explore how grassroots initiatives like Aging Together As Community (ATAC) can strengthen local networks and create sustainable models that support residents as they age. Students will investigate successful aging-in-place initiatives, examine opportunities for partnerships, and engage with community members to better understand barriers and opportunities for participation. Findings will help identify strategies to expand programming, encourage volunteer leadership, and support long-term solutions for aging well in rural communities.
#6465 - Study of Youth Water Stewardship Outcomes Following the Haliburton/Muskoka/Kawartha Childrens Water Festival
​As rural communities adapt to changing demographics, new approaches are needed to support connection, independence, and quality of life for older adults. This project will explore how grassroots initiatives like Aging Together As Community (ATAC) can strengthen local networks and create sustainable models that support residents as they age. Students will investigate successful aging-in-place initiatives, examine opportunities for partnerships, and engage with community members to better understand barriers and opportunities for participation. Findings will help identify strategies to expand programming, encourage volunteer leadership, and support long-term solutions for aging well in rural communities.
#6588 - Investigating the Relationship Between Soil Nutrient Availability, Calcium Stress and Wood Strength in Sugar Maple Forests ​As rural communities adapt to changing demographics, new approaches are needed to support connection, independence, and quality of life for older adults. This project will explore how grassroots initiatives like Aging Together As Community (ATAC) can strengthen local networks and create sustainable models that support residents as they age. Students will investigate successful aging-in-place initiatives, examine opportunities for partnerships, and engage with community members to better understand barriers and opportunities for participation. Findings will help identify strategies to expand programming, encourage volunteer leadership, and support long-term solutions for aging well in rural communities.
#6589 - Evaluating the Water Footprint of the Haliburton/Muskoka/Kawartha Childrens Water Festival
​As rural communities adapt to changing demographics, new approaches are needed to support connection, independence, and quality of life for older adults. This project will explore how grassroots initiatives like Aging Together As Community (ATAC) can strengthen local networks and create sustainable models that support residents as they age. Students will investigate successful aging-in-place initiatives, examine opportunities for partnerships, and engage with community members to better understand barriers and opportunities for participation. Findings will help identify strategies to expand programming, encourage volunteer leadership, and support long-term solutions for aging well in rural communities.
#6591 - Assessment of Social Barriers to Get the Lead Out Campaigns 
​As rural communities adapt to changing demographics, new approaches are needed to support connection, independence, and quality of life for older adults. This project will explore how grassroots initiatives like Aging Together As Community (ATAC) can strengthen local networks and create sustainable models that support residents as they age. Students will investigate successful aging-in-place initiatives, examine opportunities for partnerships, and engage with community members to better understand barriers and opportunities for participation. Findings will help identify strategies to expand programming, encourage volunteer leadership, and support long-term solutions for aging well in rural communities.
#6594 - Evaluation of Cervid Management Approaches - Case Study Analysis
Managing deer, moose, and other cervid populations requires balancing ecosystem health, wildlife conservation, and community perspectives. This project will explore cervid management strategies used across North America through a review of scientific literature, management plans, and case studies to understand different approaches, challenges, and outcomes. Student researchers will investigate topics such as forest regeneration, vegetation impacts, habitat conditions, and human-wildlife interactions while identifying lessons that may apply to local management decisions. Findings will support future planning by highlighting potential strategies, knowledge gaps, and considerations for evidence-based cervid management.
#6604 - Establishing and Sampling Permanent Sample Plots at Fred and Pearl barry Wetland Reserve
Healthy forests are constantly changing, and long-term monitoring is essential to understanding how ecosystems respond to natural disturbances and climate change. This project will establish and sample Permanent Sample Plots (PSPs) at the Fred and Pearl Barry Wetland Reserve to assess forest structure, species composition, regeneration, and ecological succession. Student researchers will collect field data on tree communities, forest conditions, and understory growth using the Woodlands and Waterways EcoWatch Terrestrial Monitoring Protocol. Results will help the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust better understand changes occurring within protected landscapes and support informed stewardship and conservation decisions for the future.
#6593 - Building Intergenerational Capacity on Haliburton Not-For-Profit Boards
​As rural communities adapt to changing demographics, new approaches are needed to support connection, independence, and quality of life for older adults. This project will explore how grassroots initiatives like Aging Together As Community (ATAC) can strengthen local networks and create sustainable models that support residents as they age. Students will investigate successful aging-in-place initiatives, examine opportunities for partnerships, and engage with community members to better understand barriers and opportunities for participation. Findings will help identify strategies to expand programming, encourage volunteer leadership, and support long-term solutions for aging well in rural communities.
#6595 - Incentives for Homeowners Food Gardening and Orchards
Local food production can play an important role in improving food security, reducing household costs, and supporting community resilience. This project will explore existing and potential incentives that encourage homeowners to grow vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and edible landscapes on their properties. Student researchers will investigate examples such as grants, rebates, tax incentives, and other programs that support residential food production while identifying opportunities that could be applied locally. Findings will help inform strategies to increase home gardening, expand fruit tree planting in Haliburton County, and encourage the sharing of excess harvests with community organizations.

​#6625 - Wetland Conservation and Land Use Planning in the Haliburton Village Settlement Area (FGL)
Wetlands provide important ecological services including water filtration, flood mitigation, groundwater recharge, carbon storage, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience. As communities experience growth and development pressures, understanding the relationship between wetlands and surrounding land use is increasingly important for informed environmental planning. This project will examine the relationship between wetland conservation and land use planning within the Haliburton Village Settlement Area. The student researcher(s) will review existing wetland mapping, municipal planning documents, environmental policies, and conservation approaches used in comparable communities. Where appropriate, field visits may be completed to ground-truth existing information, document wetland conditions, and better understand the surrounding landscape context.