Chris Chesworth (M.Sc., P.Biol.)

My roles at WSP (previously Golder) as a component lead, project manager, and field biologist involves regulatory permitting, proposal writing and project cost estimations, the design and execution of field programs, completing statistical analysis and interpretation, and technical report writing. I also serve as my teams health and safety committee member and act as the hire partner for junior and intermediate level staff joining our team. My reporting and analysis experience includes the preparation of baseline reports, environmental impact assessments (EIA), environmental effects monitoring (EEM) reports, annual aquatic effects monitoring program (AEMP) reports, habitat suitability indexing (HSI), and construction monitoring compliance reports. I have planned and executed fish rescues, TSS/turbidity monitoring, fish and fish habitat assessments, lower trophic community assessments, and water quality sampling. I have also had a unique opportunity to work closely (seconded) with a CER-regulated pipeline client to complete a compliance assessment, and to update, their internal Water Protection documentation as it relates to federal (Canada) and provincial (Alberta and British Columbia) regulations.

Designed and conducted a five-month long watershed monitoring project which assessed the effects of nutrient producing land-use on aquatic ecosystems. Modelled in-stream primary production (i.e., stream metabolism) and collected water quality grab samples to determined the eutrophication potential in over 23 stream reaches. Calibrated, deployed, and maintained aquatic data loggers (YSI sondes). Employed techniques outlined by the Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) to collect biological samples (e.g., benthic kick-nets) and to assess chemical and physical stream reach properties. Coordinated project initiatives with research assistants, landowners, and conservation authorities.

Mentored over 200 students on courses relating to aquatic biology and environmental science (River Ecosystems, Biogeography, Geology and Geography Field Course, World Rivers, Ontario and the Great Lakes). Communicated scientific concepts to students with science and non-science backgrounds by conceptualizing complex problems, leading tutorial/lab/field sessions, and holding office hours for one on one sessions.

Monitored the effects of point source (i.e., wastewater effluent) and non-point source (i.e., agricultural run-off) nutrient runoff in over 30 streams within the Lake Erie watershed. Used CABIN techniques to: collect BMI and water quality samples; and assess physical and chemical stream reach properties (e.g., pebble counts, site description, elevation gradient, hand-held YSI meter readings, depth transects, stream discharge, canopy cover, etc.).

Skippered and maintained small aquatic vessels (16 & 18 foot skiffs) and led daily research expeditions into coastal environments Deployed deep lines, long lines, and gill nets to catch different species of shark to assess temporal trends in biodiversity. Measured weight and length of sharks before inserting satellite tags, PIT tags, dart tags and acoustic transmitters; used acoustic telemetry to track movement patters of juvenile lemon sharks and smalltooth sawfish.

Used dichotomous keys to identify weed species in lowbush blueberry agricultural fields. Designed and constructed experimental plots to assess the effectiveness of herbicide treatments on weed species. Communicated the result to farmers allowing them to implement more effective pest management strategies leading to higher agricultural outputs.