Profile Photo of Tim Alamenciak

Tim Alamenciak

Restoration Knowledge Systems Community Engagement

I am a translational ecologist investigating the critical gap between scientific evidence and local implementation. My work integrates ecological restoration, data synthesis, and community engagement to design open knowledge systems that support evidence-informed decision-making.

Guiding questions

  • Engagement: What are the socio-ecological legacies of short-term conservation agreements?
    Current Focus: Spatio-temporal modeling of term agreement outcomes and a participant analysis with Ducks Unlimited Canada to determine how temporary contracts shape long-term landscape connectivity.
  • Knowledge: How can we architect digital platforms that transform fragmented data into actionable local intelligence?
    Current Focus: Developing EcoWeaver, a novel semantic framework for synthesizing diverse ecological data streams into accessible, community-ready formats.
  • Collaboration: What mechanisms facilitate the transition from passive engagement to durable community capacity?
    Current Focus: A pilot initiative using participatory scenario planning to co-design restoration strategies between community groups and municipalities.

My teaching and mentoring mirror this translational approach, emphasizing inquiry-based learning and applied problem-solving that prepares students to navigate the complexity of real-world environmental management.

Publications

Peer-reviewed

Pre-prints and conference papers

Tip for readers: my full publication history is listed in the CV.

Projects

Selected active directions (details coming soon)

  • EcoWeaver — semantic framework for accessible ecological knowledge synthesis
  • Temporary conservation agreements — outcomes, legacies, and landscape connectivity with Ducks Unlimited Canada
  • Participatory scenario planning — co-designing restoration strategies with municipalities and community groups

Teaching

My teaching is grounded in inquiry-based, student-centred learning that prepares students to navigate complex and uncertain environmental challenges. I design courses that combine clear disciplinary foundations with opportunities for students to help shape how and why they learn, encouraging reflection on both course content and their own learning processes.

I believe students learn best when they are actively engaged in defining problems, applying skills, and reflecting on outcomes. In my teaching, I pair structured guidance with open inquiry, equipping students with technical skills—such as plant identification or systems thinking—and creating opportunities to apply those skills in real-world contexts, including community-engaged and experiential learning.

A core goal of my teaching is to connect knowledge with purpose. By situating environmental learning within broader social–ecological systems and questions of justice, students are better able to understand the real-world implications of their work and the responsibilities that come with environmental decision-making. I use stories, case studies, and collaborative activities to make abstract concepts concrete and to highlight the challenges of systems change.

Ultimately, I see teaching as an act of accompaniment: supporting students as they develop the skills, confidence, and critical thinking needed to engage with the “wicked problems” they will encounter in their careers and communities.

Courses Taught

  • ERS 253 – Communities and Sustainability (University of Waterloo) – Full course redesign, inquiry-based approach, integration of guest experts.

Graduate & Undergraduate Supervision

  • Honours thesis supervision – Carleton University
  • Graduate mentorship – Carleton University, University of Waterloo, St. Jerome’s University

Teaching Interests

  • Ecological restoration
  • Environmental data & knowledge systems
  • Community engagement and environmental stewardship
  • Interdisciplinary environmental research methods
Contact

tim.alamenciak@cunet.carleton.ca

Affiliations

Bennett Lab
Carleton University

DRAGEN Lab
St. Jerome’s University

Profiles

GitHub

ORCID

Scholia

LinkedIn

Quick links

CV (docx)