Our lab has a single mission: to restore freshwater ecosystems to full health and vitality for the benefit of future generations.

Our immediate emphasis is on headwater ecosystems – small streams and wetlands, drains and other small waterways – that are incredible places of discovery science but are also the most threatened by human actions, impacted by climate change, and are subject to conflicting legal protections. We conduct research that is integrative of molecules and ecosystem processes across the land-water interface to whole food webs including species of high conservation value (i.e., species at risk). We co-produce knowledge with our partners and co-develop sustainable solutions for fresh water systems in Turtle Island and beyond.

“Ehara tāku toa i te toa takitahi, ēngari he toa takitini” - My strength does not come from me alone but from the collective (Māori whakatauki/proverb)

We value collaborative partnerships, strategic alignment of the science with society, and holistic approaches to restoration.

Our lab is comprised of members from diverse lived experiences, perspectives and expertise that together are critical to achieving our mission. We are therefore committed to open exchanges of ideas, expression of creative expression, and respectful debate to ensure that the science-based solutions has the best possible outcome for the communities and society we serve.

“Take your work seriously, but never yourself” – Margaret Fonteyn 

We value being whole, thus we like to have fun, sometimes together, sometimes not. We build one another up without putting others down. We may sometimes fail ourselves or the team, and when we fall short, we practice kindness in our response. We embrace multiple ways of knowing, and value the power of stories and storytelling in our research and communications. We invest in the social infrastructure needed to restore natural infrastructure. We commit to just, equitable, inclusive and diverse ways of engaging in research to ensures excellence, beneficial outcomes and work towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island and beyond.