A land donation to Georgian College made a number of years ago by Stan and Winnie Hodge in memory of their son Kerry (a Georgian student), has led to the establishment of the Hodge Research Area.

The Hodge Research Area, located in the eastern arm of the Minesing Wetlands, about 20 minutes from the Barrie Campus, is an example of a mixed deciduous-coniferous forest. It floods each spring and autumn, which makes it great for canoe trips.

Georgian student Ryan Mueller (pictured) has initiated an independent technical report on the area as part of his studies in the Environmental Studies program. His objective is to provide localized groundwater-vegetation information to further understanding of this part of the Minesing Wetlands. As part of his report, Ryan installed shallow PVC water monitoring wells in deciduous and coniferous stands in a transition zone adjacent to a stream.

Working with faculty in the Environmental Studies program and researchers at the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, Ryan will record the static water levels of the wells and analyze this with reference to the local vegetation community.

Ryan’s report will be completed in spring 2012 and will serve as the foundation for further studies by Georgian students and long-term monitoring of the ecological components in the Hodge Research Area.