Welcome to our photo blog series featuring the work of talented media intern Daniel Huszar, who spent six weeks capturing the work of TRCA’s environmental monitoring and applied research teams.
With his camera in hand, Daniel documented our teams in action, creating stunning photos and videos that showcase the hands-on work that goes into conservation. Thank you to Daniel for his visual storytelling talents in bringing our mission to life!
Week One
On a humid day with a hazy cloud cover, I embarked on my first assignment with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) field staff: surveying wetlands for mosquito larvae that may carry West Nile Virus.
Our journey took us to Greenwood Conservation Area in Ajax, where we navigated barely-there paths and trekked through marshes to sample the water.
Next, we visited a semi-naturalized reservoir near Stouffville, before making a final stop in the Humber River valley near the lab.
Despite the mosquitos’ and red ants’ best efforts to drive us away, field staff team member Braden persevered through these challenges to complete the work.
Learn more about TRCA’s West Nile Virus Surveillance and Monitoring Program.
Later that week, I found myself on Dixie Road in Brampton, far from the serene wetlands and ponds of days earlier. My job was to document the Urban Forestry field team doing an inventory of Peel Region-owned trees lining the six-lane arterial road.
Despite the harsh urban environment, I was struck by the trees’ resilience and their impact on beautifying the area.
Observing the team’s careful monitoring and cataloguing left me hopeful that these trees will continue to thrive and enhance the urban environment.
Learn more about TRCA’s urban forestry and applied research.
Week Two
Hurricane Beryl brought unsettled weather to southern Ontario during this week. As intense summer storms drenched the region, I observed how TRCA monitors major wet weather events.
I shadowed my teammate Alana as we checked TRCA’s water quality samplers, which automatically collect up to 20 water samples from streams after major storms.
Alana and the team also perform real-time water quality readings and collect E. coli samples on-site.
This data helps TRCA monitor stormwater’s effects so we can reduce contamination of our waterways.
Learn more about TRCA surface water quality monitoring.
The day after the most intense storm, I joined TRCA’s electrofishing survey team for a nighttime expedition on Lake Ontario.
Departing Outer Harbour Marina near Tommy Thompson Park, we travelled east towards the Ajax/Pickering border. As the city lights faded and the Pickering Nuclear plant emerged from the mist, we began fishing near the mouth of Duffins Creek.
Staff used one boat to fish, and the other boat to record the characteristics of each fish caught.
On our return to shore, a blood moon came into view dead ahead, and I realized our two boats were the only ones out on the water. No pleasure craft or other commercial activity – just us bobbing down the coast in the inky darkness, chasing the moon towards the growing city lights.
Learn more about TRCA’s night boat electrofishing surveys.
Week Three
Water continued to be the theme of my third week, as I joined the Aquatic Monitoring team in the field.
On Monday and Thursday, I shadowed the stream electrofishing crew. One team member uses a battery-equipped backpack electrofisher, while two others net the fish that are temporarily stunned (and unharmed).
Despite the muddy, rocky streambed and the summer heat, our crew remained upbeat thanks to the cooling effect of the stream.
Learn more about TRCA’s fisheries surveys in streams.
This week also gave me the opportunity to shadow the benthic team, sampling the stream floor for aquatic insects in some more secluded, rural areas of TRCA’s jurisdiction.
I participated in sampling the stream bed by kicking up sediment and collecting it for analysis. This experience highlighted the importance of precise techniques to ensure scientific accuracy.
The sample revealed various insects and creatures who make their home in the rocks and instream materials.
These creatures provide insights into stream health and taught me that there is an abundance of life beneath the surface of our waters.
Learn more about TRCA’s benthos surveys in streams.
Week Four
Week four began with bright sun, soaring temperatures, and the sound of cicadas – the perfect weather to head back to the lake with the waterfront team.
This week, the team focused on Asian Carp surveillance. Protecting the region’s lakefront and waterways from this invasive species is a top priority.
The team uses a combination of nets and electrofishing to identify and examine sites for these fish.
One day, we visited sites on the Toronto Islands, where we were lucky to observe some of the area’s wildlife, including a juvenile bald eagle, believed to be one of the first to ever nest on the island.
Learn more about TRCA’s role in monitoring and management of invasive species.
On another beautiful morning, the team and I retraced our path from our earlier night of electrofishing. As part of an ongoing nearshore water quality monitoring program, we surveyed 20 sites to collect water quality samples.
Using water collection canisters and a sophisticated metering probe, we gathered data on the water’s quality and attributes from depths of up to 30 meters.
With the surrounding views of water and the gentle rocking of the waves, it was easy to forget we were on a lake and not the open ocean.
Learn more about the Western Durham Nearshore Monitoring Program.
Week Five
After the August long weekend, I joined the terrestrial team for a few days of vegetation monitoring.
This week’s field work involved a lot of trekking, bushwacking, and wetland wading as our talented team observed and recorded plant life.
We visited the meadows, forests, and wetlands of the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Located at the edge of TRCA’s jurisdiction, this high ground acts as an important ecological zone for the region. It supports many important species and acts as the initial filter for several key regional waterways.
Understanding and supporting the plant and animal life here is important to TRCA, especially as urbanization encroaches on the area.
Some of the plots we surveyed were framed by the sights and sounds of nearby construction, but many were hidden away in wooded forests, dense vegetation, and shallow marshes.
As staff pointed out uncommon species and visible trends in the ecosystem, they emphasized the region’s rich biodiversity – often hidden in plain sight.
Learn more about our Terrestrial Inventories and Monitoring Program.
Week Six
This week, I had the privilege to take part in TRCA’s Girls Can Too program at Albion HIlls Conservation Park.
This unique program is designed to give girls in grades seven to twelve the chance to develop their trades skills through a mentored build program.
The girls divided into groups to assemble a small log cabin bunkie and set of wooden bleachers.
They were assisted by the team at Sawmill Structures, manufacturers of the bunkie kit, the team from ERA Architects Inc., and several dedicated TRCA educators.
As the cabin and bleachers took shape, it was inspiring to watch the girls develop friendships and find confidence in construction.
Learn more about the Girls Can Too program.
Later that week, I joined the waterfront team again to document field staff checking nets they had set in Frenchman’s Bay for the Asian Carp surveillance program.
The day took an unexpected turn when one of the nets revealed more than 20 painted turtles inside!
In the shallow waters of this bay, I witnessed a variety of wildlife living there.
I was content knowing that this ongoing surveillance program is in place to protect the native plants and animals that call Frenchman’s Bay home.
Learn more about TRCA’s role in monitoring and management of invasive species.
Scientific data collection and research informs decisions affecting the natural areas and watercourses within our region. Learn more!