23rd Annual International Symposium
on the St. Lawrence / Great Lakes ecosystems
May 25, 2016
Great Nations, Great River: Collective Efforts to Engage Communities through Science and Action
St. Lawrence Power Development Visitors Centre
Cornwall, Ontario Canada
The 2016 Great Nations, Great River Symposium in partnership with the Upper St. Lawrence River Protection Network provides a platform for researchers, educators, policy-makers, community leaders and citizens to share knowledge about the status of the St. Lawrence River/Great Lakes and other freshwater ecosystems and their responses to changing conditions. A focus this year will be sharing knowledge about how the research and environmental community can empower communities to protect water, restore wetlands, improve beaches, enhance understanding and consider adaptive management practices.
Theme of Presentations: Species at Risk, Invasive Species and Regulations When Working Around Water, Chaired by Naomi Langlois-Anderson, South Nation Conservation Authority.
Species at Risk (SAR), their habitat requirements and regulations protecting them can create hurdles to your project or research development. Working in and around water also has it’s challenges. “Did you say I need a permit for that?” “ I just found an Invasive Alien Species in my project site!” In this session, we will delve into the regulatory aspects of working around water, Species at Risk, how to know what species are deemed at risk, how you can mitigate impacts, and the challenges of dealing with Invasive Alien Species.
Geoff Owen's presentation title: Working in and Around Water, Wetlands and Natural Hazards – Conservation Authorities Act
Description: This presentation will cover a brief history of how the Conservation Authorities Act Regulations came to be and how it has evolved in response to protecting people and property. It will also discuss how the Regulations apply in general and specifically to research techniques and environmentally friendly projects.
Naomi Langlois-Anderson's presentation title: Ground-truthing SAR: How to Find Them and What you Need to Know
Description: The regulatory aspects of doing work on the ground can be complicated. Whether it’s a monitoring station that’s being permanently installed along the shoreline, or a habitat restoration project, certain activities can require that you modify your project, change the timing of your work or make other modifications to mitigate your impact on SAR. We will review case studies and learn about activities that can impact SAR, and how it was mitigated
Other presentations in this session from agencies including Ducks Unlimited Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.