Student reflections on the experience of becoming “more informed, connected and engaged resident of the Lake Simcoe Watershed” Blog by Canada Summer Jobs students Georgia Bubel and Meetkumar Patel.
Georgia
Working for the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition has been an incredible opportunity. As the outreach coordinator, I had the privilege of organizing and attending events in many communities. This experience not only improved my organizational skills, but also allowed me to connect with a variety of people with their own unique stories and connections to the watershed. It was encouraging to listen to the public’s knowledge and concern for Lake Simcoe.
I also researched and created informational handouts about the current ecological state of the watershed, which in turn furthered my own knowledge of freshwater ecosystems as well as environmental policies and protection.
I have lived my whole life in the watershed, kayaking, swimming and biking along the shoreline of Lake Simcoe. I feel so fortunate to have been raised near this beautiful lake and want to ensure future generations can feel the same spirit of gratitude.
The valuable skills I gained this summer will follow me back to university and beyond. I am deeply grateful to the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition for making me a more informed, connected and engaged resident of the Lake Simcoe Watershed.
Kumar
This summer I have been given an opportunity to work as a natural and applied science researcher with the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition. The experience has been one of the most transformative experiences of my academic and professional journey. Coming in, I already had an interest in environmental research and watershed management planning, but my role pushed me far beyond theory into the detailed, and often messy, reality of environmental data, government decision-making, and community advocacy.
My work was grounded in evidence, but it was never just about collecting facts, it was about asking the right questions, uncovering what was not being reported as well connecting dots between policy, science, and lived experiences. I spent weeks sifting through municipal budgets, provincial environmental reports, and scientific studies to track patterns in phosphorus pollution, stormwater management, road salt management and beach water quality.
This role taught me to think like both scientist and investigator. I developed skills in data interpretation, environmental monitoring analysis, and technical writing- producing Report, blogs and articles that transformed complex issues into clear, actionable information for the public. I also learned how to navigate the “grey literature” space, using unconventional but credible sources like health unit data, archived municipal records, and community-based monitoring results to fill in the missing pieces. Outside of research, community outreach became a critical part of my work. At events like the Innisfil Farmers Market, I wasn’t just sharing information; I was listening, hearing from residents whose personal experiences with the lake confirmed many of the trends I had seen in the data. Those conversations reminded me that research is not an isolated exercise.
This summer has shaped me into a more confident and purposeful researcher. Working with the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition under the guidance of Executive Director Claire Malcolmson has shown me the power of pairing rigorous science with advocacy. The organization’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and community action has inspired me to use research not just to understand problems, but to help solve them. I leave this role with sharper skills, a stronger voice, and a deeper commitment to protecting Lake Simcoe and the people who depend on it.