Francene Francis interviews local biologist and naturalist, Basil Conlin. Basil has spent countless hours on Trent land researching plants, mammals and bugs (moths especially). His discovery that there are about 800 moth species just on Trent lands, led him to wonder, if the Trent environment can provide for 800 species of moths, imagine what else it can provide for! After all, a moth isn’t just a bug, an Aspen isn’t just a tree, and a Bobolink isn’t just a bird. They’re stories. They’re life histories of different ecosystems and environments that had to come together just right for life to thrive. But with the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan unfolding, will this thriving be able to continue?

Francene Francis kicks off her series of articles on ecological diversity on campus with a profile of three beautiful and enchanting bird species: the bald eagle, the barn swallow, and the wood thrush. Read more about these species and what they bring to the ever-evolving biological diversity at Trent.

The City declared a climate crisis in 2019, check out Rob Gibson's coverage of the 2021 city budget from an environmental perspective.