The Value of Lakes Around the Secwepemc Territory
Faculty/Staff: Peter Tsigaris
Platform: Pressbooks
Site link (if applicable): https://thompsonokanaganlakes.pressbooks.tru.ca
Services provided: Copy editing, site domain/setup, copyright review, and platform support
Description: Publishing student research is more than just an academic exercise–it’s an empowering opportunity for students to share their original ideas, contribute to a global body of knowledge, and engage with their studies in meaningful ways. The Value of Lakes Around the Secwépemc Territory book, developed collaboratively with graduate students during the 2023 Winter semester, assesses the natural asset values of several lakes on the unceded land of the Secwépemc People and examines the annual flow of ecosystem services they provide. The project is part of the Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management program at Thompson Rivers University and builds on the “Valuation Methods for Cost-Benefit Analysis” course in which students explore advanced techniques to assess nature and the impacts it experiences using methods such as benefit transfer, hedonic pricing, experimental design, contingent valuation, choice experiments, and market estimation. This book also features a foreword by Dr. Nathan Matthew, Former Chancellor of TRU and current Chancellor Emeritus.
Other Books by Peter Tsigaris and students:
Impact Summary
- Used in course(s):
- When:
- Estimated number of students using textbook(s):
- Average price of textbook replaced:
- The average price of ___-related textbook in Canada typically ranges from $__ to $__ depending on format (print or ebook) and publisher – we are using a modest estimate of $100/ high quality textbook, featuring accessibility and engaging components such as videos, graphics, and interactive H5P activity components.
- Estimated savings: $__ x __ students = $____
Impact Story
Written by Aiko Uehara
Book and Authors Introduction
The Value of Lakes Around the Secwépemc Territory is a book developed by Dr. Peter Tsigaris, a professor of economics and environmental economics with 31 years of experience at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). Dr. Tsigaris worked collaboratively with graduate students―including Adewale Adewunmi, Temiloluwa M. Akinosho, Mark Butler, Andrea L. Castro, Bill V. Del Rosario, Imesha Fernando, Chukwuemeka Ikegwu, Nripesh Kunwar, Xingming Li, Sara S. Natea, Olanike Onasile, Shirlena J. Oudith, Stephanie E. Paul, Yuhusuru Rathnayake, and Gisele Shemaduring. He recognizes each of them as co-creators of the project. Completed during the 2023 Winter semester, this initiative examines the natural asset values of several lakes on the unceded land of the Secwépemc people and evaluates the annual flow of ecosystem services they provide.
This project was part of the Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management program at TRU and built on the ECON 6040: Valuation Methods for Cost-Benefit Analysis course. In this course, students explore advanced techniques to assess environmental assets and their impacts, using methods such as benefit transfer, hedonic pricing, experimental design, contingent valuation, choice experiments, and market estimation.
This project focused on lakes in the Kamloops area, with each student selecting a specific lake for assessment. They evaluated the ecosystem services these lakes provide to the community and investigated historical environmental challenges faced by these bodies of water. Additionally, students explored the spiritual and cultural significance of these lakes to Indigenous communities as natural assets. As a culmination of their work, each student wrote a chapter, contributing to the overall findings of the book.
Challenges, Limitations, Collaboration With the TRU Open Press, and Guidance
Dr. Tsigaris and his students encountered several challenges during the project, particularly with the technological aspects and copyright issues. A significant hurdle was integrating images and tables into the Pressbooks platform and obtaining copyright clearance for these materials.
However, the TRU Open Press team provided invaluable support, assisting with copyediting, domain and site setup, copyright reviews, and platform guidance―including the integration of images and tables. Dr. Tsigaris expressed that his experience working with the TRU Open Press team was exceptional, acknowledging the crucial role they played in ensuring the successful completion of the project.
Another challenge was keeping students engaged and ensuring they submitted their work consistently. To address this, Dr. Tsigaris provided constructive and critical feedback on drafts, emphasizing the importance of high-quality research and motivating students to refine their contributions.
The Credibility of the Book
Several key elements reinforce the credibility of the book is underscored by several key elements. TRU Chancellor Dr. Nathan Matthew authored the foreword, adding a respected institutional perspective to the work. Furthermore, the project benefited from direct contributions and quotes from the Indigenous community enrich the project, strengthening its cultural relevance.
Additionally, one of the students, Xingming Li, in collaboration with Dr. Tsigaris, published an open access article titled “The Global Values of Freshwater Lakes” in the prestigious journal Ecology Letter (February 24, 2024). This article, which explores the global value of lakes, builds on the findings presented in the book. Its publication further solidifies the academic credibility of the project and highlights the potential for further academic impact. Furthermore, the creation of open educational resources (OERs) and the collaboration with the TRU Open Press have broadened the professional networks of Dr. Tisgaris and his students’ creating new opportunities in their field.
Future Scope
Looking ahead, Dr. Tsigaris plans to initiate a second phase of the project, deepening and expanding the research and the analysis of the lakes and their ecosystem services. Additionally, he is developing Future Earth, an open-access student journal, where he serves as the chief editor. With ongoing support from the TRU Open Press, Dr. Tsigaris aims to involve students as guest editors for specific topics, and encourage them to submit their research for publication, fostering their engagement in academic scholarship.
