Behind the Lab: Spotlight on Alison Clarke, Research Assistant
It is always merry with the Christmas Tree Lab! I am very excited to be a part of this incredible team and bring forward my own insights of climate change and what that could mean for the Christmas Tree industry.
I am currently pursuing a Master of Climate Change at the University of Waterloo. Through my studies, I have learned more about the physical science of climate change, its causes and anticipated impacts, as well as exploring mitigation and adaptation strategies that can be implemented at various levels. Within these overarching topics, I find myself most inspired by climate change impacts on ecosystems and societies, and how to implement appropriate adaptation strategies to minimize harm, as well as exploring public communication approaches to connect with people on climate change matters. I believe that climate change is one of the most important challenges we are facing today and it needs to be considered in every aspect of lives - including considerations for how it could impact tree growing operations.
Previously, I completed my Bachelor of Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo with a focus on environment, resources and sustainability. In my past professional endeavors, I worked in areas which focused on nature interpretation, environmental policy, and communication. From these experiences, I had the opportunity to work with a wide range of environmental topics, such as biodiversity, pollinator health, methods to reduce waste and pollution, and strategies to improve environmental protection. Working with all of these topics, and more, have further driven my curiosity and passion for environmental wellbeing and sustainability. There is great value in engaging with people about environmental matters that are of concern to them and working together on actions that can be taken to contribute to a better environment for all.
Transitioning into this role as a Christmas Tree Research Assistant, I have enjoyed learning more about the industry of growing Christmas Trees. A lot more goes on behind the scenes than one would think, and I am grateful for the community for being so welcoming and able to share their knowledge with us. I hope that in return through our collaboration we are able to provide valuable insights on climate change impacts and associated implications for Christmas Tree growing to help ensure a resilient and evergreen future for the industry.