Geography and Planning Colloquia Presentations - March 13, 2015

The Department of Geography and Planning invites you attend the first of three colloquia days this March. The first date is March 13, 2015. Presentations start at 2:30 pm in Room 146 Kirk Hall.

RIDSDALE, REANNE
M.A. Candidate, Supervisor: Dr. Bram Noble
Assessing the Integration of Sustainability in Remediation Frameworks Using Sustainability Assessment Discourse

BAIJIUS, WARRICK
M.A. Candidate, Supervisor: Dr. Robert Patrick
Knowledge Integration in Watershed Planning

MERCER, JASON
M.Sc. Candidate, Supervisor: Dr. Cherie Westbrook
Towards Understanding the Persistence of Alpine Wetlands Under Environmental Change: Hydrogeomorphic Supports Regulating Water Table Dynamics

GRANT, KELLIE
M.A. Candidate, Supervisor: Dr. Robert Patrick
Source Water Protection Plan Implementation:
Barriers and Opportunities for First Nations

 ABSTRACTS:
RIDSDALE, REANNE, M.A. Candidate, Supervisor: Dr. Bram Noble
Assessing the Integration of Sustainability in Remediation Frameworks Using Sustainability Assessment Discourse
The remediation industry has grown exponentially in recent decades. International organizations of practitioners and remediation experts have developed several frameworks for integrating sustainability into remediation projects; however, there is no accepted definition or universal framework for sustainable remediation. Literature on sustainable remediation is only recently beginning to emerge, and limited attention on how sustainability is best-integrated and operationalized in sustainable remediation frameworks and practices – or whether sustainability plays any meaningful role in sustainable remediation. This research examines the role of ‘sustainability’ in remediation frameworks. More specifically, it is an analysis of how sustainability is defined, integrated and operationalized in sustainable remediation frameworks. Methods are based on a review of a sample of five leading remediation frameworks against a set of normative principles and criteria for sustainability integration adapted from sustainability assessments. The sustainability assessment discourse provides baseline ideology and an evaluation criterion. Recommendations are made for improving the integration of sustainability in sustainable remediation frameworks, and how to better operationalize sustainability in remediation practice.

WARRICK BAIJIUS, M.A. Candidate, Supervisor: Dr. Robert Patrick
Knowledge Integration in Watershed Planning
Watershed planning and management relies on a diverse range of stakeholders. Collaborative planning can provide an opportunity for those stakeholders to equitably share their knowledge and learn from other participants, but such an outcome cannot be assumed. This research explores the potential for improved knowledge integration in watershed planning through community-based research of a watershed planning initiative in Saskatchewan, Canada. Using semi-structured interviews and document review, this research aims to identify different knowledge types involved in watershed planning, explain how that knowledge is integrated through the planning process, and derive lessons for future watershed planning initiatives. Four major knowledge types-bureaucratic, scientific, local, and administrative-were present in the planning initiative, each interacting to influence the process in in subtle yet distinct ways.. These results confirm the call to focus on equitable knowledge integration in the watershed planning literature, and inform collaborative planning practice by reiterating the need to use context-appropriate planning activities.

MERCER, JASON, M.Sc. Candidate, Supervisor: Dr. Cherie Westbrook
Towards Understanding the Persistence of Alpine Wetlands Under Environmental Change: Hydrogeomorphic Supports Regulating Water Table Dynamics
Alpine wetlands represent the convergence of two important systems: wetlands and the mountainous alpine zone. However, this intersection has garnered little scientific attention. Wetlands, in general, are known to provide important functions and services, such as hydrological supports, water quality regulation, wildlife habitat, and carbon management. Mountainous alpine systems, on the other hand, are particularly important collectors and conveyors of hydrologic flows to down gradient communities and ecosystems. Despite limited understanding of alpine wetlands, it has been assumed they will be very sensitive to shifts in climate, which will manifest in the hydrologic conditions supporting them, both internally and externally. However, these hydrologic conditions are not well known or understood, limiting our ability to predict how alpine wetlands, and mountain systems more generally, might respond to climate change. To better understand the context in which alpine wetlands exist, this research examines the water table dynamics, hydrologic fluxes, and topographic controls (surface and subsurface) of wetlands in an unglaciated, U-shaped basin in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Initial results suggest that alpine wetlands are integrating a more diverse set of source waters than expected, mediated by basin-scale processes. Thus, we might anticipate a more diverse set of resilience responses from alpine wetlands than previously expected, as moderated by their hydrogeomorphic conditions.

GRANT, KELLIE, M.A. Candidate, Supervisor: Dr. Robert Patrick
Source Water Protection Plan Implementation: Barriers and Opportunities for First Nations
Lack of access to safe drinking water in First Nation communities is an ongoing problem in Canada. There are several factors contributing to this inequity, including a lack of land management practices that protect raw water sources. Source water protection (SWP) is an important step to protect drinking water. Recent pilot projects indicate success in SWP plan development through community-based planning projects. While there is evidence of recent and successful SWP planning projects with First Nations in Canada the implementation of these plans is the next challenge. The goal of this research was to identify existing programs to support First Nation SWP plan implementation in Canada and to explore any barriers to these programs. Case study research was undertaken in a community-based SWP planning exercise at Muskowekwan First Nation in Treaty 4, Saskatchewan. Information supporting this research was attained through semi-structured interviews with key informants and through document review. Results indicate that increased, dedicated funding is needed to support SWP planning and plan implementation in First Nation communities. Further, educational opportunities and increased awareness into the importance of prioritizing SWP along with better communication amongst stakeholders is required to support the implementation of First Nation SWP plans. Existing barriers to SWP plan implementation include inadequate funding, lack of educational opportunities regarding SWP and insufficient communication amongst stakeholders within watersheds and across political jurisdictions. For SWP to fully advance for First Nations in Canada it will be important to prioritize SWP and increase access to programs with funding and educational opportunities as well as developing stronger cooperation and coordination amongst all watershed stakeholders and political jurisdictions.