Left, Lakeland College student, Hannah Musterer, who presented at the 1st ever LC Environmental Management Conference

in Vermilion on February 26.

Right, M.SC, B.SC. HONS. Mara Erikson who was a plenary speaker sharing about the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance

at the 1st ever LC Environmental Management Conference in Vermilion.

Lakeland College (LC) held their 1st Annual Environmental Management Conference at the Vermilion Regional Centre on February 26. Students had the opportunity to showcase their research and work during their practicum experiences, as well as mingle and learn from industry specialists about environmental management and stewardship. “We believe that our students possess unique skills. Our students are encouraged to study theory with practice, to apply theory to their field labs and practicum projects, to develop provincial expertise and to develop the leadership and managerial skills needed to overcome the many challenges within the environmental sector. It is our great pleasure and delight to extend a warm welcome to the distinguished guests and students who have gathered here today,” said Dr. Mal Dissanayake, LC Dean of Environmental Sciences. Plenary speakers included Matthew Pyper (Information is not Enough: Reaching Audiences with Sticky Science Communication), Dr. Craig Farnden (reclamation After Oil Sands Mining: Challenging Myth-Conceptions), Michael Burak (The Nature Conservancy of Canada: Science, Securement and Stewardship in Saskatchewan), and Mara Erikson (Watershed Management – From Planning to Practice). Nineteen student speeches throughout the day included topics reclamation initiatives, soil water management, vegetation management, environmental monitoring, wildlife and grazing management, and peatland assessments: New Alberta Criteria. LC student presenter, Hannah Musterer, from Dapp, Alberta shared aspects of her experience through wildlife images and camera strapping while she worked with Husky Energy in Lloydminster. “Attending Lakeland College, you could tell the teachers really cared about you and it was very hands on. With Husky, I enjoyed more hands on learning and was able to make industry connections that landed me a permanent job.” “Thank you to government and industry representatives and partners for coming to see how LC is moving science forward, which is pretty amazing,” said emcee Nicole Nadorozny.

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