Call for Sessions opens September!

Workshops, Field Trips & Other Events

IAGLR 2023 offers several opportunities dive a little deeper into a particular topic or take a field trip and explore!

Monday, May 8
10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Field Trip: Crawford Lake

The Crawford Lake Conservation Area, 50 km west of Toronto in the Lake Ontario catchment, lies within the Niagara Escarpment UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The lake that occupies a 24 m-deep sinkhole in Silurian dolomitic caprocks of the escarpment is meromictic, and varved sediments accumulate undisturbed beneath the chemocline. These record climatic and limnological/ hydrological changes, beginning with the establishment of an agricultural settlement in the late 13th century that was first identified from pollen of cultigens. Three longhouses are reconstructed at the site, based on archaeological excavations, and a garden demonstrates the Three Sisters agricultural practice in the small catchment of Crawford Lake around the middle of the last millennium. There is no evidence of anthropogenic impact after the site was abandoned during the early 16th century until the mid-19th century. Logging in the catchment and the operation of a lumber mill on the south shore of the lake greatly impacted the lake, but it is the effects of industrial expansion—notably in Hamilton, approximately 30 km upwind—during the Great Expansion of the mid-20th century that are most marked in the sediments. As a result, the varved succession of this unique meromictic lake in a protected conservation area is one of a dozen geologic records investigated for their potential as a GSSP (Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point) to formally define the Anthropocene. Participation is limited to 20, with a minimum of 10 required.

Tour Timing: 10 a.m. pick up at Toronto Hilton; arrive back at Hilton Toronto at 3 p.m. via tour bus.

Register: Contact Francine McCarthy, [email protected]
Cost: Can$125, includes box lunch, park entry fee, and transportation as well as the guided tour.

8:45 a.m.–~4:30 p.m.

Field Trip: Canada Centre for Inland Waters Site Visit and Scientific Collaboration Workshop

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Water Science and Technology Branch is offering a tour of its facilities at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters (CCIW) in Burlington, ON. Our team has prepared a collaborative science workshop with our water science researchers visiting CCIW. The workshop aims to promote future collaborative research opportunities by providing early career scientists with information and networking opportunities about CCIW facilities, capabilities, and expertise. The schedule for the event includes transportation and activities at CCIW. Please contact Reza Valipour at [email protected] for any questions about this event. Participation is limited to 50; just a few spots remain!

Timing: 8:45 a.m.: Meet for transportation via bus to CCIW; 3 p.m. departure from CCIW back to Toronto.

Register
Cost: Free

1:30 p.m.–4 p.m.

Workshop: Designing Ecological Restoration Goals and Objectives to be "Climate-Smart"

Thom Thomson Room, Hilton Toronto

This is a workshop for ecological restoration scientists and practitioners seeking guidance on how to develop goals and quantitative objectives that consider both current and predicted climate-change impacts to Great Lakes regional climate patterns. Participants will develop and document goal and objective statements that articulate an informed understanding of the projected and evidentiary effects of climate change—vital to demonstrate that project outcomes will be "climate-smart." Practical exercises, including experiences shared by participants, will be used to facilitate discussion on identifying components of project design for the restoration of aquatic and wetland systems susceptible to extreme weather events. Discussion will include review of adaptive management and its applicability as a tool to mitigate uncertainty in climate change effects on project outcomes. The principles and applications of quality assurance and quality control and how they can reduce uncertainty will be integrated throughout the workshop. The instructors of this course are co-authors of the publication Application of Quality Assurance and Quality Control Principles to Ecological Restoration Project Monitoring, EPA-905-K-19-001 published by the U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office and the Interagency Ecological Restoration Quality Committee. This workshop is funded under U.S. EPA contract in support of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Register: Contact Brick Fevold, General Dynamics Information Technology, [email protected]
Cost: Free

3 p.m.–5 p.m.

Workshop: Discover Seagull: A Cloud-based Platform for Great Lakes Data and Information

Osgood Room, Hilton Toronto

On April 28, 2022, the Great Lakes Observing System launched Seagull. A powerful, cloud-based platform for Great Lakes data and information. Seagull is the source of IOOS-certified data and metadata produced within the Great Lakes from observing platforms like buoys, weather stations, as well as model nowcasts and forecasts. Seagull streamlines the process of connecting a data source so users can visualize it, learn from it, and share it on demand. It is free to use and open to everyone! During this workshop, GLOS will provide an in-depth look into Seagull functionalities from high to low level with demonstrated use cases. Demonstrations will include highly anticipated features like model layer point-query, API usage, and observation submission. Additionally, this workshop will be a working session for interested stakeholders to connect with GLOS and Seagull developers directly and provide feedback.

Register
Cost: Free

Tuesday, May 9
12:30–1:30

Science Strategy Town Hall

Toronto Ballroom I & II, Hilton Toronto

Free livestream on Zoom Webinar - Follow "Join" link shortly before event

Join the IJC's Great Lakes Science Advisory Board for a discussion on the Great Lakes Science Strategy for the Next Decade. This initiative lays out a framework for placing the Great Lakes region on a sound scientific footing to ensure effective management and permanent sustainability of the system. We lack basic information and the understanding required to forecast change, mitigate impacts, and restore and preserve the Laurentian Great Lakes ecosystem and the economic, social, and environmental health of the region. Over the past two years, the Science Advisory Board has developed a strategy to define science and Traditional Knowledge needs to fill critical gaps in our understanding. The next step is to further engage with knowledge holders, stakeholders, rights holders, and governments to develop a comprehensive, multinational Great Lakes Science Plan for the Next Era. We encourage you to sign up for the town hall to engage in this important conversation.

Please review:

Registration: Sign up when you register for the conference
Cost: Free to attend; limited number of sandwiches available for purchase @ $15USD.

Wednesday, May 10
6–7:30

Documentary Screening: The Erie Situation

Toronto Ballroom I & II, Hilton Toronto

Join us for a viewing and panel discussion of The Erie Situation, a "film about the toxic mix of big agriculture, politics and water security rights." Panelists include Caitlin Starowicz, panel host; David Ruck, the film's producer and director; Katie Stammler, Essex Region Conservation Authority, Water Protection Manager; Bryan Gilvesy, ALUS.ca & Ontario farmer,  and Ed Verhamme, former IAGLR president, Lake Erie scientist/engineer, and film science advisor.

Registration: Sign up when you register for the conference.
Cost: Free

8–9:30

IAGLR Defy Cup Hockey Challenge

Mattamy Athletic Centre, 50 Carlton St.

Come cheer on your favorite team as they face off in the IAGLR Defy Cup Challenge. It's a great time and a great cause, as the game raises funds for the IAGLR Scholarship. Contact Michael Twiss is you are interested in participating.

Thank you to our Sponsors

IAGLR 2023 will be a great time to connect!

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