River Institute receives $1.75 million for expansion, specialized equipment

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River Institute chief executive Dr Jeff Ridal said he was delighted with plans for a recently announced $1.75 million expansion, which is the biggest investment the Cornwall research organization has seen in its 30 year old.

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First announced at the River Institute’s 30th anniversary gala last week, Ridal said the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is providing a total of $4.6 million to the Environment and Climate Change Observatory of Ontario (ECCO- Ontario).

ECCO-Ontario is a new research partnership with Queen’s University, the River Institute and the Akwesasne Mohawk Council Environmental Program (MCA), among others. Of this total investment, $1.75 million will support the construction of a new environmental DNA biology (eDNA) laboratory at the River Institute’s main campus, which is located on the St. Lawrence College (SLC) in Cornwall.

The funding will also support the purchase of specialized research equipment for partnership members. This may include underwater drones that collect wetland samples in hard-to-reach areas.

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After unsuccessfully applying for CFI funding in the past, Ridal said he believes the new ECCO-Ontario partnership establishes a reasonable and broad scope for environmental health care in Eastern Ontario. Often neglected geographically, the partnership will work to address challenges in regional waterways and wetlands facing unprecedented degradation and species loss.

“The River Institute has been collaborating with Queen’s University for some time … and one of our scientists (Matthew Windle) gave a conference (there),” Ridal said.

“We collected a lot of samples to look at small fish from nearshore areas called The Nearshore Fish Identification Survey (FINS)… and it was actually feedback from the elders in the community (Akwesasne) to say “hey, what’s going on with the little fish?”…

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“Dr. Stephen LaHaye came to (Windle) then to say we have the perfect program to test this new technique called eDNA, and this is the lab we’re going to build at the River Institute.”

Ridal called the cutting-edge new research techniques involved in eDNA “looking at biodiversity through a powerful new lens.”

The lab addition is expected to be approximately 139 square meters (1,500 square feet) with specialty areas to prevent contamination and process samples. Preliminary design work has already begun with local architects and engineers, Ridal said. An updated cost estimate will need to happen, he added, because inflation has driven up building-related prices, especially since the funding proposal was submitted two years ago.

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“We are excited to be part of this historic investment to expand environmental innovation and research in Eastern Ontario,” Ridal said in a press release issued last week. “This funding will provide critical support for collaborative efforts to protect biodiversity and vital freshwater ecosystems.”

“We look forward to the expanded opportunities for students to participate in cutting-edge scientific research that this new support through CFI will bring to the Cornwall campus,” SLC studies and interdisciplinary pathways and Cornwall campus dean Jennifer Haley said in same press release. . “The River Institute has long been a close partner of SLC, providing students in our Environmental Technician program with access to valuable training and experience in environmental science.”

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Ridal encourages the public to watch the River Institute’s 30th anniversary video on Youtube, as well as learn more about the organization on its website at www.riverinstitute.ca.

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