Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

The Wildlife Research Station (WRS) has been providing access and logistical support for University and government researchers from Ontario and across North America since 1944.  Situated on Lake Sasajewun in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, at the south end of an expansive wilderness zone, the WRS has access to an excellent representation of the diversity found in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest region.  Research at the station has produced world-class scientific studies, including the transmission, ecology, and morphology of the moose brain worm; the longest, continuous small mammal live trapping population study in North America (over 50 years); a 30+ year mark-recapture study of painted and snapping turtles; numerous studies on the behavioural, systematic, medical, and ecological aspects of black fly and mosquito communities; as well as the discovery and description of 25 new species previously unknown to science.  Recent research efforts of wildlife researchers are crossing over into interdisciplinary fields, with a focus on seasonal energetics and physiological ecology (Tattersall, Richardson, Schulte-Hostedde).  The current proposal is for the purchase of a truck to be used at the WRS in Algonquin Park. The truck would be used by the Manager and Assistant Manager in their duties of maintaining the Station so that NSERC-funded ecologists, physiologists, ecophysiologists, and evolutionary biologists can undertake all or part of their research at the Wildlife Research Station (which is a 3-5 hour drive from most Universities that make use of it).  The Station is undergoing a revitalization at present with a number of new scientists (new faculty appointments) taking advantage of the unique research opportunities that the Wildlife Research Station provides. Major new summer users include Schulte-Hostedde (Laurentian University), Richardson (Brock) and Tattersall (Brock). Other major users include Hunter (Brock), Nol (Trent), Brooks (Guelph), Dukas (McMaster), and Ramsay (WLU).  In addition, Tattersall and others make use of the Station during the winter.  The vehicle is absolutely required to ensure a safe and productive working environment for researchers and their students during all seasons of the year.