Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
March 20, 2000
U of G, Grand River partnership to enhance teaching, research
The University of Guelph and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will sign an agreement Friday, March 24 expected to cement joint teaching, research and outreach activities and lead to new collaborative environmental projects in the local watershed.
A seminar and agreement signing will be held at 10:30 a.m. in Room 103 of the University Centre, with the signing ceremony taking place around noon. Media are invited to attend. A 1996 agreement with Credit Valley Conservation will also be renewed.
The agreements will help streamline joint projects involving both conservation authorities and the University. The GRCA incorporates Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.
Through the agreements, faculty and students will continue to enjoy access to both conservation areas in research and teaching projects, and be able to influence watershed planning and management, said Prof. Stew Hilts, director of U of G's Centre for Land and Water Stewardship. "The conservation authorities get help with their research needs and the University of Guelph gets help with teaching and research opportunities," said Hilts, a faculty member in the Department of Land Resource Science.
Such partnerships with these conservation authorities will likely help in establishing joint projects, such as a proposed research centre in water quality, Hilts said. Water quality is the central resource issue in both watersheds, which see intensive farming and development within the regions drained by the Grand and Credit Rivers.
Contact: Prof. Stew Hilts Department of Land Resource Science (519) 824-4120, Ext. 2702
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 3338
