Mr. Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories announced today that Aurora College will receive $410,000 over 5 years for research to help identify and restore key areas of coastal ecosystems in northern Canada.
Aurora College’s Aurora Research Institute in the Northwest Territories will use these funds to examine the effects of ground slumping due to permafrost thaw on the nearshore waters of the Beaufort Sea coast near Tuktoyaktuk. Funding will also be used to mitigate ground slumping using native plant species.
“It’s important to focus on the health of the Arctic environment now, so that Canada can assess changes and risks, and put plans in place to protect its long-term future,” said MP McLeod in a press release.
“This funding will help provide researchers with vital information on the current state of our cherished Arctic ecosystems, and also provide opportunities to develop strategies to mitigate future risks.”
Researchers will work with residents of Tuktoyaktuk and the Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee will help design the study.
Local Indigenous knowledge will also be used to identify study sites that are close to locally significant fishing locations.
