Summer student gets in deep with Ontario wetland research

Sara Abate is no stranger to hard work and meeting challenges head-on. That’s why, when the third-year University of Waterloo honours science student was given the chance to take her studies outdoors on a research project with DUC, she jumped in with both feet.

From May to August this summer, Abate collected water, air samples and while collecting data at 16 different wetland sites from Cambridge to Petrolia. She was hand-picked for the role by her lab professor to assist DUC’s research institute on a project funded through the federal government’s Climate Action and Awareness Fund.

Often dressed in hip waders, Abate collected both filtered and unfiltered samples, took water level, PH, dissolved oxygen and temperature readings and entered data. The readings were then sent to two different laboratories. It was her first time conducting field work, which came with an added bonus of being directly connected to her earth sciences discipline.

“This summer I learned what field work is all about,” says Abate. “I was trained by and worked with incredible people dedicated to conservation work and that was my favourite part.  I really enjoyed the work and felt I contributed to something positive.”