Sandy MacDonald, president of Holland College, says a new watershed management centre the school is starting is a timely project because P.E.I. just experienced a drought. Photo by Logan MacLean /The GuardianArticle contentAfter a summer of drought, water is on the minds of many Islanders. From farmers and municipalities to post-secondary institutions, people are concerned about how much water the province has and what may happen to it.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentNow, Holland College and a group of partners are getting involved and trying to give some answers.Article contentArticle contentThe school is in the process of setting up the John and Christine Andrew Centre of Excellence in Watershed Management, based on donated land in East Royalty, Charlottetown.Article contentArticle contentThe property includes an old farmhouse, barn, garage, pond, saltwater marsh and spillway, all donated by the Andrews.Article contentTwo of the school’s programs will be run out of the centre, while another two will also use it on a regular basis.Article contentIt will also be a research area for students pursuing micro-credentials and post-grad work certificates in their professional fields, or for journalism students at the school who can help inform the public about research, Holland College president Sandy MacDonald said in a Nov. 21 Guardian interview.Article content“We see the value for the community. We see the value for our students. We see the value for the advancement of knowledge in this area.”Article content Sandy MacDonald, president of Holland College, says the new watershed management centre probably would have never happened without the land donation. Photo by Logan MacLean /The GuardianArticle contentThere are six core objectives for the centre, such as increasing skills for students and workers, giving more access to labs and equipment, allowing more research and development of P.E.I.’s water system, including four of the school’s programs and engaging the public on water issues.Article contentArticle contentAll of this will be through a First Nations lens.Article contentArticle contentTheir leadership has also been key, with Abegweit First Nation being a co-author on the school’s applications for the project, MacDonald said.Article contentFunding partnersArticle contentWithout the donation and many partnerships, the centre would probably never have happened, MacDonald said.Article contentPartners include Abegweit First Nation, the P.E.I. Watershed Alliance, Parks Canada, the provincial government, UPEI and some individual watershed management organizations.Article contentHolland College also hopes to get funding from the federal government, with plans to apply to multiple streams. The total budget is not clear yet, because some of the applications are not complete.Article contentAsked about paying for new projects in a time when the school is struggling with lost tuition from a drop in international students, MacDonald said the school has to continue its business despite setbacks.
Watershed management centre coming to Holland College in Charlottetown
