2023 Environmental Science Honours Class: Ecological Internship in Canada

From July 23 to 29, 2024, select students from Tongji University's Environmental Science Honours Class, accompanied by Professors Wu Yinan and Wu Lingling, travelled to Queen's University’s Canada-China Environmental and Sustainable Development Joint Field Station. There, they conducted field studies of the St. Lawrence River as part of a seven-day practical course titled "Environmental Ecological Survey and Internship."

Professor Dr. Brian Cumming, Chair of the Biology Department at Queen's University, PhD student Allen Tian, Dr. Chen Bojian, an alumnus of the Environmental Science Department at Tongji University, and Dr. Ren Wenwei, Director of the Shanghai Region for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), delivered keynote presentations during the program.

The field course began with outdoor Geo-Caching orienteering training, teaching students how to use GPS for navigation and location tasks. Participants also learned canoe handling techniques for aquatic research and water rescue skills. They observed and identified the morphological characteristics of local fish and aquatic plants, personally collected eDNA samples, and used portable multiparameter water quality monitors on-site. The program included field visits to White Lakes Fish Conservation Base and Saunders Hydro Dam.

This journey to Canada offered students and faculty the opportunity to experience the pristine beauty of the natural environment while gaining a deep appreciation for the significance of international collaboration in the field of environmental science. Along the way, they absorbed new knowledge, experienced the harmony between humans and nature, and reflected on their responsibilities and commitment as environmental scientists.