Madelin Gennaro examines Diya Shah’s research on students’ experiences with online learning during the pandemic. Shah’s research shows that the year has been challenging for students, and that online learning has taken a toll. Students have especially struggled financially, socially and with mental health broadly. While it is unclear whether shutdowns will continue in the Fall 2021 semester, Shah’s research suggests that a hybrid model of in-person and online classes would be the best option for improving student experiences across the board.

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 interviews Edward (Ed) Smith, of the Society for Ecological Restoration, a student group at Trent. They discuss his views on the recently approved Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan, its environmental implications and what is says about Trent's future. Ed shares some of his environmental passions and the great work SER-TU has been up to in the past few years.