A research project at UPEI is investigating the willingness of private landowners on Prince Edward Island to protect species at risk on their private land. The two-year study is led by Dr. Carolyn Peach Brown, associate professor and director of environmental studies at UPEI, and is supported by the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund.

Species at risk include plants, animals, or other organisms that are considered to be endangered, threatened, or of special concern because of sensitivity to human activities or natural events. According to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), Prince Edward Island is home to five species considered to be endangered, including the little brown bat and the piping plover. An additional 17 species are listed as threatened or of special concern.

"Since most of the land on PEI is privately owned,” said Dr. Peach Brown. “It is important to understand the level of awareness of species at risk among landowners and their willingness to participate in voluntary stewardship to protect species at risk on their land.”

The initial phase of this project began in August 2015, when a student interviewed rural private landowners in Queens and Kings County. Those interviews revealed that while many landowners don’t have much knowledge about species at risk, they are interested in learning more about how to protect them on their land.

That small study is currently being followed by a large mail-out survey to more than 500 farms across the Island. Landowners are being asked to anonymously complete a short survey about the term “species at risk” or the federal Species at Risk Act. It asks if the landowner can identify a species at risk they may have seen on their land, and if they have ever managed their land in such a way as to protect a species at risk.

To better understand a landowner’s attitude to species at risk, some questions are asked about whether or not they think that species at risk should be protected and who should take responsibility for doing so. It then asks about the role of government and the role of the private land owner in protecting species at risk.

This research will provide information that could guide the development of policy and educational programs to help rural landowners learn how to manage their land to protect the habitat of species at risk. Such educational programs could be developed by either by government or an NGO.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to helping students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

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The Faculty of Education at UPEI, Learning for Sustainable Futures (LSF) and Natural Curiosity invites elementary teachers, school administrators, and systems leaders to a two-day professional institute to explore inquiry-based learning and transformative pedagogies. “Making Authentic Inquiry Work!” runs Monday, August 15 and Tuesday, August 16 from 9:00 am—4:00 pm.

Educators are faced with the challenge of preparing students for a changing 21st century world. This professional development event will bring together K-6 educators and leaders to create learning experiences that promote responsible active citizenship.

“Making Authentic Inquiry Work!” will help educators identify and address their individual questions and challenges in applying inquiry and related strategies in their professional practice. Participants will experience professional inquiry methods that can be applied with students, gain confidence in planning authentic inquiry-learning experiences, and apply appropriate assessment methodology.

Space is limited! Register by July 15 at lsf-lst.ca/institutes. The cost is $320 plus HST for a two-day workshop. Your registration fee covers breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and two publications. For information about the program, contact Sam Gawron at Samantha@lsf-lst.ca or call 1-877-250-8202.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to help students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree-granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

On Tuesday, June 14, the University will raise the pride flag at the UPEI flag plaza in front of Kelley Memorial Building and then lower all flags to half-mast to honour and remember the victims of the Orlando mass shooting. This observance coincides with the vigil that Pride P.E.I. is hosting Tuesday evening at Trinity United Church in Charlottetown at 8 pm.

Have you started–or completed—a manuscript and you’re not sure what your next steps should be? Cynthia Good is a former president, publisher, and editorial director of Penguin Books Canada, and currently the Director of Student and Industry Initiatives for the Creative Book Publishing Program at Humber College in Toronto. She will give a workshop in Charlottetown, “How to Get Published: an Insider’s Guide.” The workshop is on Saturday, July 16, 10:00 am—12:00 pm, in the Irish Benevolent Society Hall at 582 North River Road.

Good will describe the present publishing landscape and review your options for both conventional and self-publishing. She will offer practical tips on how to get the attention of an editor or a literary agent and how to take charge of your career as a writer. Come prepared with questions and be ready to share your experiences.

The cost of the workshop is $25, or $20 for students, seniors, and members of the PEI Writers’ Guild. Pre-registration is not required. All are welcome.

The workshop is co-sponsored by the UPEI Faculty of Arts, the Humber College School of Creative and Performing Arts, and the PEI Writers’ Guild. For further information, contact the Department of English, tjohnston@upei.ca.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

The University of Prince Edward Island and the UPEI Faculty Association are pleased to announce their joint commitment to return to the negotiating table. 

On Tuesday, June 14, the University and the Faculty Association had an informal discussion that successfully brought both sides together where they committed to resuming their discussions and agreeing that all legal action and conciliation be withdrawn.

“The Faculty Association is very pleased to be returning to the negotiating table, and are committed to successfully reaching a fair and equitable agreement,” said Nola Etkin, President of the UPEI Faculty Association. “This will allow students and Faculty Association Members to focus on what really matters—their research, teaching, and student learning.”

“On behalf of UPEI, I appreciate this positive step in moving forward with the negotiation process and that both sides have fully put students at the forefront of decisions,” said UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. “I remain confident that both parties can reach an agreement that is fair for the faculty, staff, and the University.”

The University of Prince Edward Island, the UPEI Faculty Association units 1 and 2, CUPE 1870 and 501, and IBEW 1928 have also agreed to resume the collective bargaining process in relation to pension as soon as possible at a joint table.

University of Prince Edward Island Director of Athletics and Recreation Chris Huggan announced today that British Columbia native John LaBoyne will be the new head coach for the varsity UPEI Women’s Rugby team. The position became available earlier this year when Coach Shannon Atkins advised UPEI that she is moving, ironically, to British Columbia to pursue a new career opportunity.

Huggan said, “I am excited to welcome John to our UPEI Panther coaching staff. John has an extensive background in coaching women's rugby and in developing successful athletes, teams, and programs. His passion, positive outlook, and high level of preparation will be a great addition to our program as well as to the PEI rugby community.”

Long-time coach LaBoyne has worked extensively in women’s rugby with U17, U19, senior club, and university sides. LaBoyne has extensive technical game skills and experiences, and is noted for bringing out the best in individuals and teams by fostering theory into practice and practice to successful game play through effective communications.

In recent years LaBoyne has been a consultant with the UBC Okanagan women’s 7s and 15s teams. He also coached the United RFC senior women to a British Columbia First Division Championship in 2015, was head coach at Cornell University with the Cornell Women’s RFC, and was head coach of the Thompson Okanagan U17 girls team at the BC Summer Games.

The NCCP Level 2 coach has extensive coaching training, including studying with dynamic and progressive national and international elite coaches. LaBoyne is also a certified Level 1 referee and an IRB (World Rugby) Level 1 Sevens coach. Other rugby involvements include serving as a BC Rugby Union Youth Development Officer and as a tour organizer for many overseas incoming and outgoing rugby teams.
LaBoyne comments, “I am very pleased to be selected head coach of the UPEI woman’s varsity rugby team and joining the Panther family.”

Prospective student-athletes can contact LaBoyne at wrugby@upei.ca

About UPEI Athletics and Recreation

• Nine varsity sports and six club team programs
• Proud member of the AUS and CIS
• Athletic facilities include: Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place
• Home of Panther Sports Medicine
• Other facilities available to students and the community at large include: fitness centre, squash and racquetball courts, competition and leisure pool with hot tub, and two ice arenas

University of Prince Edward Island Women’s Soccer Coach Graeme McDonald is pleased to announce that Sydney River, Nova Scotia native Andrea Mahoney has committed to the Panthers for 2016–17.

Mahoney played high school soccer for the Riverview Reds, the 2015 provincial champions. She has been part of the Nova Scotia provincial program from 2014–16 and currently plays with Cape Breton FC.

Mahoney says, “I’m excited to attend UPEI to further my education and play soccer in the AUS. I look forward to the university atmosphere, community involvement, and small class sizes. It will be the best place for me to grow academically and athletically. I look forward to playing a tactical and high-pace game in the coming years. I can't wait to wear the green and white as a proud Panther.”

Riverview High School head coach Maureen Ferguson adds, “Andrea is a player that has proven herself to be very determined and focused. She has always been committed to the sport of soccer and the success of her team. Her positive attitude and strong work ethic both on- and off-the-field have earned her the respect of many players and coaches in the soccer community.”

“Andrea is a dynamic, central midfielder who is confident on the ball and reads the game very well,” comments Coach McDonald. “She is a talented player and I’m delighted she is coming to our program.”
Mahoney will be entering the Faculty of Arts at UPEI.

About UPEI Athletics and Recreation

• Nine varsity sports and six club team programs
• Proud member of the AUS and CIS
• Athletic facilities include: Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place
• Home of Panther Sports Medicine
• Other facilities available to students and the community at large include: fitness centre, squash and racquetball courts, competition and leisure pool with hot tub, and two ice arenas

Two distinguished faculty members from UPEI’s Department of History were honoured with national awards at the recent Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities conference in Calgary. Dr. Lisa Chilton, an associate professor at UPEI, and a leading authority on migration within the British Empire, with a particular focus on women emigrants, received the Canadian Committee on Migration, Ethnicity, and Transnationalism Article Prize from the Canadian Historical Association (CHA). Dr. Edward MacDonald, noted Island historian, associate professor, and chair of history at UPEI, was honoured with the 2016 G. E. Clerk Award from the Canadian Catholic Historical Association (CCHA).

Dr. Chilton’s award recognized her article, “Sex Scandals and Papist Plots: The Mid-Nineteenth-Century World of an Irish Nurse in Quebec,” published in the Journal of Women’s History 27(3), September 2015. The award citation from the Canadian Historical Association reads:

“Taking the perspective that gossip and public scandal open a window into ‘social politics’ of mid-nineteenth century Quebec, Chilton deftly traces the religious, class, national, and gendered tensions of empire through the life and career of nurse Jane Hamilton, an Irish immigrant to Canada in 1849 whose brief career at the Quebec Marine and Emigrant Hospital was marred by ‘petty rivalries’. Chilton reveals the multiple influences of transnational forces within a specific workplace, providing a nuanced account of the connection between international contexts and individual lives. The grounding of this analysis in rich archival sources gives the article vivid and compelling detail that make it ideal for teaching the history of migration, ethnicity, and transnationalism.”

Dr. Chilton’s is the author of “Agents of Empire: British Female Migration to Canada and Australia, 1860s—1930,” published by University of Toronto Press in 2007.

The G. E. Clerk Award from the Canadian Catholic Historical Association is given biennially to recognize “the broad commitment and contributions of the nominee to the field of Canadian Catholic history (scholarly/educational/archival) and to the administration and mission of the CCHA/SCHEC.” UPEI’s Dr. Ed MacDonald certainly fits that bill. He has published and presented on the history of Catholicism and Catholic education on Prince Edward Island, and was cited for his scholarship, but particularly for his service to the CCHA executive. Since 2006, he successively has filled the positions of secretary, vice-president, president, and president-general on the CCHA board. In 2015 he began a term as associate editor of the CCHA’s academic journal, Historical Studies.

“The Faculty of Arts proudly congratulates Dr. Lisa Chilton and Dr. Ed MacDonald on their recent awards at the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences in Calgary,” said Nebojsa Kujundzic, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at UPEI. “These awards are a testimony to the highest level of scholarly achievement at the University of Prince Edward Island.”

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

Sixteen distinguished individuals, including UPEI’s very own chancellor, Dr. Don McDougall, received honorary degrees when Western University hosted its Convocation this spring.

Chancellor McDougall received a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LL.D.) at the June 14, 2016 ceremony.  (Western University has 16 convocation ceremonies.)

UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz said, “On behalf of the entire University community, I congratulate Chancellor McDougall on this honour from Western University. The Chancellor is a wonderful champion for big and bold ideas, and we are very thankful for his continued insight and leadership at UPEI.”

McDougall is a well-known UPEI alumnus, donor, and honorary degree recipient (1978) who spent his formative years in Bloomfield, PEI before attending both St. Dunstan's High School and University. In addition to his long history with UPEI and its founding institutions, Chancellor McDougall is an alumnus of The Ivey Business School and has served as Chair of the Board at King’s College and Chair of the Board of Governors at Western University.

Currently Chair and CEO of Rambri Management Inc. and eJust Systems Inc., Chancellor McDougall has enjoyed a long and illustrious business career. As President of Labatt Brewing Company in the 1970s, he is credited with providing the leadership that landed the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto and the Grand Prix du Canada in Montreal, and elevating Labatt to the status of number-one brewer in Canada. He is an inductee of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame for his tireless efforts in bringing a major league baseball franchise to Toronto.

Other honorary degree recipients included: Dr. Harold Merskey, Yue-man Yeung, Jon Love, Janice Gross Stein, Kevin Lynch, Mary Thompson, Stephanie A. Atkinson, Stephen Burley, R. Kerry Rowe, Louise Bessette, Nazanin Afshin-Jam MacKay, Carol Stephenson, David Howman, Cindy Blackstock, and Gerald Fridman.

Congratulations, Chancellor McDougall!

The Climate Research Lab at UPEI has begun its summer field season by flying its fleet of drones over Prince Edward Island. The drones are taking high-resolution images of the land to study how climate change is impacting PEI’s coasts.

The Climate Lab has three drones presently, with plans to purchase a fourth. A fixed wing drone that the Lab calls MAGGIE (Model Airplane Gathering Geographical Information on the Environment) has a one-and-a-half meter wide wingspan and carries sophisticated instruments such as LiDAR: a safe laser that sees through vegetation to measure the bare earth. The two others are quad-copter drones that can provide stable images during PEI’s high wind events.

“We’ll be surveying the coasts from the air across Prince Edward Island in order to study the effects of coastal erosion on our shores,” said Dr. Adam Fenech, director of the Climate Research Lab. “Our Climate Lab’s graduate students will be flying their model airplanes and helicopters all summer long. They will be capturing valuable information that will be used to make decisions on how to best adapt to climate change.”

Support for the work of the Climate Research Lab comes from several groups. The province of Prince Edward Island supports several graduate students working in the lab. It also provides funding and expertise for the aerial surveys with MAGGIE.

“Our inventory of coastal erosion is an excellent example of how the provincial government and the university are coming together to address climate change,” said Robert Mitchell, PEI Minister of Communities, Land and Environment. “Expertise in climate change science at the university is assisting the province in assessing areas of high vulnerability and the best ways to respond to these risks.”

In addition to the aerial survey work, the UPEI Climate Lab is being assisted by the province to conduct:

• Erosion assessments of more than 100 sensitive coastal sites across the province;
• Assessment of blade erosion on wind turbines exposed to the PEI elements at North Cape;
• A comparison of various shoreline armouring techniques to guard against coastal erosion on properties; and
• An erosion study of the iconic sand dunes in Prince Edward Island National Park.

Funding for the drone aerial surveys also comes from the Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response (MEOPAR) network which supports new technology for monitoring and visualizing the impacts of sea-level rise, erosion, and storm surges in costal environments. It supports five graduate students at UPEI.

The Climate Research Lab could be gathering data at a site near you! For more information, contact the lab at climate@upei.ca or 902-620-5221.