Olds College of Agriculture & Technology students stepped beyond the classroom and onto the ice this winter, working alongside the Alberta Lake Management Society (ALMS) to collect valuable water monitoring data. While the visit this year coincided with World Wetlands Day, the opportunity itself was driven by a deeper goal: connecting students with industry-relevant skills and professionals.
David Johnson, an instructor in water and applied sciences, invited ALMS to campus as part of an ongoing effort to expose students to applied environmental science.
“ALMS is an excellent example of an environmental non-governmental organization that uses the exact field skills I want my students to develop. It gives students exposure to current industry practices and potential career paths,” explained Johnson.
The participating students – second-year Environmental Science and Technology (ESAT, formerly the Land and Water Resources program) learners – conducted water quality measurements and collected samples for analyses including eDNA, isotopes and chlorophyll-a. These methods help scientists understand ecosystem health, productivity and even detect invasive species.
“Chlorophyll tells us the productivity of a water body, isotopes reveal long-term water history and eDNA can identify species present — including invasive ones,” said Johnson. “These samples help us understand conditions, changes and potential management impacts.”
Johnson noted that these technical tools have already yielded significant local findings. Last year, testing in a wetland west of Olds revealed the presence of invasive Prussian carp — a discovery that helped explain an increase in local pelican populations, likely feeding on the fast-growing fish.
ALMS representatives emphasized that the work contributes to a broader provincial goal. Through LakeKeepers, the ALMS citizen-science water monitoring initiative, volunteers and partners like Olds College gather data on remote lakes across Alberta. This initiative is particularly valuable during the winter months when information is often limited.
“Each lake sampled contributes to a better understanding of lakes in Alberta,” said Brittany Onysyk, ALMS program manager. “Winter lake data is especially limited, so opportunities like this are incredibly valuable.”
Samples collected at Olds College will be analyzed by specialized laboratories, with the resulting data uploaded to DataStream — an open-access platform that supports water research and transparency across Canada. Beyond data collection, the collaboration provides students with practical experience using sophisticated equipment and strict scientific protocols.
“Our hope is that students take something meaningful away from the demonstration,” Onysyk said. “Whether that’s developing curiosity about water and limnology or simply enjoying fieldwork, we want these opportunities to provide valuable experience in water monitoring.”
The partnership is now in its third year, and both organizations see it as a win-win. While ALMS gains critical data, Olds College students gain a competitive edge. Learners can even use ALMS equipment and lab support for their own course projects, assessing watersheds and developing management responses for real-world stakeholders.
“Working with ALMS has been fantastic,” Johnson said. “It’s a valuable experience for students and one I hope we can continue for years to come.”
The sentiment is mutual. “Working with David has been great and we look forward to our day out presenting at Olds College,” Onysyk said. “The passion that David has for the environment and how he tries to instill this passion and value in his students is inspiring.”
Through collaborations like this, students not only develop technical competencies but also gain insight into how environmental monitoring informs conservation, management and the long-term health of Alberta’s lakes and wetlands.
If you would like to learn more about ALMS, volunteer for their Winter Lakekeepers or donate please visit their website.