Programs - Summer Student Research Program

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During the summers since 1997, the Foundation has sponsored a Summer Student Research Program, which provides employment and leadership opportunities for young people. In each summer, the Foundation trained and employed local high school students to conduct scientific research in the Park. All students did field research under the direction of experienced leaders. During the summer, the students deepened their knowledge of the logistics of wilderness living - outfitting, canoe travel, camp set-up, etc. - and were integrally involved in achieving the research goals set out at the beginning of the year. The Foundation started the Summer Student Research Program to promote the Park among youth in the Quetico Region, so as to instill in them a strong affection for the Park and the values it embodies.

The Foundation’s Summer Student Research Program celebrated its 13th year in 2009 with an outstanding season in spite of cold wet weather and the largest, most voracious population of biting insects yet experienced in the north – solid research, an exceptional team, solid results, and adventure!

Two 4th year veterans of the Program co-led the team comprised of 6 students including one from Minnesota. The students continued the cooperative research project they began last year, involving the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Superior National Forest, the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, examining forest succession in relationship to alternative management practices implemented following a blowdown event of approximately 2000km2 of forest along the Ontario-Minnesota border in the Boundary Waters area and Quetico Provincial Park. The students undertook vegetation sampling and identification in preselected treatment areas and comparative plots. The students worked under the research direction of the Quetico Park Biologist and in cooperation with their American team counterparts. The Summer Student Research Team also conducted some benthic monitoring and sampling and participated in some sturgeon netting.

The team helped to commemorate the Park centennial- participating in the activities associated with the Foundation’s AGM and Trustee visit to Atikokan and the Park, paddling the beginning and finishing segments of ‘Canoe the Heart’ and representing the Foundation in dragon boat races at Fort William.

A special thanks is extended to all of our Summer Student Program supporters, including the Catherine Maxwell Meighen Foundation, the Helen McCrae Peacock Foundation at Toronto Community Foundation, the RBC Foundation, the Dalglish Family Foundation, the J.P Bickell Foundation, Service Canada, as well as all those in Atikokan who made our Program possible this summer, including Souris River Canoes, the Atikokan High School Outers Program, Canoe Canada Outfitters, Atikokan Aero Service, the Atikokan Intergenerational Centre for Arts and Alternatives, the John B. Ridley Research Library, Quetico Park Biologist, Ontario Parks, Superior National Forest, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and all of the Quetico Park staff and Rangers who connected with and supported out team over the summer.

The data collected by our summer students over the years has proven to be a valuable resource to scientists, academics, and resource managers who are involved in studying the ecology and history of wilderness areas.

The following reflections from one of our students capture the essence of our Program:

“Our last couple of nights we slept out under the stars, talking about UFO's, planes, shooting stars and everything else contained in our vast universe. The next morning was full of "lasts." Our last time packing up, our last time eating English muffins and oatmeal, our last lake, the last time to call or hear called "hut," our last portage and finally our last wait for a Canoe Canada pick-up. Our summer was over. It was time to go back to our lives. It was hard to say goodbye to the people who I'd spent 35 days with and lived as a tight-knit family unit. I hope this helps to give you a little glimpse into the paradise I called my home this summer.”