About RinkWatch
Citizen science meets winter sports – tracking climate change one rink at a time
What is RinkWatch?
RinkWatch is a groundbreaking citizen science research initiative that brings together outdoor skating enthusiasts and environmental scientists to monitor winter weather conditions and study the long-term impacts of climate change.
Launched by researchers at Wilfrid Laurier University in January 2013, our community has grown to include participants from across North America who have submitted invaluable data on more than 1,400 outdoor rinks and ponds.
Beyond contributing to vital environmental research, RinkWatch has evolved into a vibrant online community for people passionate about creating and maintaining backyard and community rinks.
Meets
Winter Sports
Meet the Team
Dr. Colin Robertson
Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University where he runs the Spatial Lab. Colin’s research investigates how novel sources of geographic data can be used in environmental and health research.
Dr. Robert McLeman
Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, where he studies how environmental change affects communities and households. Learned to skate on the creek behind his house in Cambridge, Ontario.
Haydn Lawrence
PhD student (Geomatics) at the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on machine learning algorithms for capturing spatial data from text. Enjoys diverse activities from scuba diving to snowboarding.
Laura Sente
RinkWatch Research Assistant completing her BBA at Laurier with specialization in Marketing and minor in Environmental Studies. Passionate about sustainable business operations and social change.
Hannah Balkissoon
Second year student at Laurier completing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Environmental Science and Economics. Enjoys walks, family time, and baking.
Will Bender
Environmental Studies student at Laurier and RinkWatch Research Assistant. Playing hockey since age 5, he also enjoys drumming, reading, and walking his dog.
Contact Us
📧 Technical Help
Need technical assistance or have questions about using RinkWatch?
webmaster@rinkwatch.orgConnect With Us
Share photos, stories, and connect with fellow rink enthusiasts!
🏛️ Our Location
RinkWatch
Department of Geography & Environmental Studies
Wilfrid Laurier University
75 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5
A collaborative research initiative advancing climate science through citizen engagement