Meet Matt, the man who lives Environmental Science at work, at home and at play. A former Environmental Design and Architecture student, Matt joined the WSRP as a Biogeochemistry Field Assistant for the 2015 summer field season before entering his fourth and final year at the University of Manitoba in Environmental Science. Matt found his true passion in Environmental Science and Hydrology after taking a 3rd year Hydrology course with Genevieve (Ali). It was after this course that Matt decided about to learn more about rivers, streams, watersheds and how water transports chemicals and solutes in subsurface flows and throughout streams. Matt is a critical thinker and found that working with the WSRP gave him an opportunity to learn about Hydrology through a more holistic lens. He quickly learned the challenges of field-based research and that “…you never know what mother nature’s going to do”, citing a major rainfall event in which many instruments were damaged or floated away downstream. Fitting with his critical thinking, Matt also “learned a lot about farming and what goes on beneath the surface”, such as the intricate process from field to table that is often overlooked when we sit down for a meal. Matt is appreciative of the fact that working for the WSRP has “drastically broadened [his] perspective of how important the soil and water beneath really is”. Another, rather humorous, ‘challenge’ of field-based research Matt cites specific to his work was the side effects of working with blue dye and the awkward looks he would receive when noticing his blue hands, despite his valiant efforts to clean them. The most enjoyable part of working for the WSRP is that every day and every week is a little different and there is no redundancy, according to Matt. He also enjoys the opportunity to get outside often, given his passion for the environment, staying active and appreciating nature.
Interview done and profile written by Jonathon Belanger