Nature Lovers Support Momentous Aquatic Research
Carol and Ralph Ingleton, nature lovers and environmental educators, believe in the power of community-based research to drive meaningful change and protect our natural resources.
“We have to support quality research as a community because that’s the backbone of the whole Peterborough region,” says Mr. Ingleton. “A high quality water experience — while fishing, swimming, or cottaging — depends wholly on the health of our water systems.”
Carol and Ralph Ingleton, nature lovers and environmental educators, have always given back. The Stoney Lake couple advocate for protecting the lands and waters they love dearly and they work to inspire future generations to do the same.
Mr. Ingleton has worked with water in Ontario for 60 years. He became an outdoor environment educator in 1969 and he worked in the Toronto district for 35 years as a teacher and consultant. Ms. Ingleton was an elementary school and ESL teacher for 19 years. They have been supportive, interested parties in conservation education.
That’s why, in 2019, they helped establish the Trent Aquatic Research Program (TARP) Endowment. Run by Trent biology professor Dr. Paul Frost, the program aims to train the next generation of aquatic scientists, while also educating the community.
As Mr. Ingleton says: “Trent’s research programs are really important to water quality issues and their ability to reach out to the community to solve those issues.”
The couple have long been involved in conservation and environmental protection organizations. Mr. Ingleton was the Director of the Forest Valley Outdoor Education Centre until his retirement and was a consultant for numerous national and international conservation and environmental education program. In 2011, the Ingletons and Chris and Linda Wells donated over 70 acres to the Kawartha Land Trust to protect the land and allow people to responsibly explore its forests, swamps, and fields.
In 1974, Mr. Ingleton helped establish the first international conference on environmental education: the Man Environment Impact Conference. Delegates from 40 countries attended to hear the keynote speaker Jacques Cousteau. The famous explorer and filmmaker was also a vocal conservationist whose lecture galvanized Mr. Ingleton to join water conservation efforts.
Mr. and Ms. Ingleton have also established the Camp Kawartha Kids Endowment Fund, to sponsor campers to attend the camp’s outdoor recreation and environmental education program. They support many initiatives to improve lake water quality and in sustainable building practices to protect the waters they love.
“We have to support quality research as a community because that’s the backbone of the whole Peterborough region,” says Mr. Ingleton. “A high quality water experience — while fishing, swimming, or cottaging — depends wholly on the health of our water systems.”
Through the Trent Aquatic Research Program (TARP), we plan to build on Trent’s legacy and further cement its leadership role in aquatic science for the overall benefit of our valuable aquatic ecosystems.
To Learn more about TARP please visit www.trentu.ca/TARP or contact Emily Vassiliadis ’94, Senior Development Officer, Sciences at 705-748-1011 ext. 7031 or emilyvassiliadis@trentu.ca