Field Trips & Workshops

Wednesday afternoon offers a mid-week break in the regular scheduling to get outside and explore. Check out the following field trip options to refresh and learn! We'll be adding more options once details are finalized.

Tuesday, May 21
Multiple time slots available Tour USCGC MORRO BAY Joint Coast Guard Operation Coal Shovel not only supports the flow of commerce through the lower Great Lakes during winter but has also supported winter science for over 15 years providing safe platforms to sample ice-covered waters. We are pleased to welcome USCGC MORRO BAY (WTGB-106) to IAGLR 2024 and encourage conference delegates to take an opportunity to join a guided tour of the vessel, which will be moored at Festival Plaza adjacent to Caesars Windsor. Tours will be capped at 15 participants with time slots available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Register: Be sure to stop by the registration desk to sign up for a slot. Cost: Free
Wednesday, May 22
Multiple time slots available Tour USCGC MORRO BAY Joint Coast Guard Operation Coal Shovel not only supports the flow of commerce through the lower Great Lakes during winter but has also supported winter science for over 15 years providing safe platforms to sample ice-covered waters. We are pleased to welcome USCGC MORRO BAY (WTGB-106) to IAGLR 2024 and encourage conference delegates to take an opportunity to join a guided tour of the vessel, which will be moored at Festival Plaza adjacent to Caesars Windsor. Tours will be capped at 15 participants with time slots available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Register: Be sure to stop by the registration desk to sign up for a slot. Cost: Free
8–11 a.m. FishCAST x ACARE Workshop Jovis at Caesars Windsor Jointly run by FishCAST (an NSERC Canada CREATE program) and AWIS (a program by the African Center for Research and Education), this half-day workshop will offer a unique opportunity for networking, learning, and professional growth within the fisheries and aquatic sciences. We are thrilled to collaborate to help build local and global collaborations. The workshop aims to provide networking opportunities for you to engage with new and established researchers and science practitioners, gain insights from their experiences, explore shared research interests, and build your own professional networks. This is also an opportunity to inquire about research projects, seek advice on career development, or navigate academia with guidance from industry experts. In-person registration is limited to 30 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration for this workshop will close on May 8, 2024. Register Cost: Free
12:50–5 p.m. Walking Tour in Detroit Join University of Windsor faculty John Hartig and Tom Najem for a walking tour in Detroit. Detroit is well known for its public spaces and its art and architecture. Indeed, Detroit's architecture is recognized as being among the finest in the United States. Recently, Detroit's Campus Martius Park was named the No. 1 Best Public Space in nation by USA Today readers. In addition, USA Today readers identified the Detroit RiverWalk as the No. 1 riverwalk in the United States three years in a row. This walking tour will explore these unique public spaces and highlight architecture that is now making Detroit a destination of choice. Depending on interest, three tour options will be available: Option 1: a tour of the Detroit RiverWalk - the No. 1 riverwalk in the United States three years in a row. This new waterfront porch is one of the largest, by scale, urban waterfront redevelopment projects in the United States, and gives hope and proves that Detroit has a bright future. Option 2: a tour of downtown Detroit, for those more interested in Detroit's urban spaces and art deco buildings. This will include a walk through some of the historic buildings like Guardian and Book Cadillac Buildings, the many public squares, and depending on interest, taking the tram to mid-town to see the museum district. Option 3: a limited tour of both the Detroit RiverWalk and Campus Martius Park. Participants will transit to Detroit on the Transit Windsor Tunnel Bus, which makes hourly trips between Windsor and Detroit. You will need to have documents to clear customs/immigration at both the US and Canadian points of entry. For most, this will be a valid passport or Nexus card. Depending on your passport, you may need a visa, so please check in advance. Fare is $10 cash (Canadian or US) each way, and the bus only accepts exact fare. Participants will board the Tunnel Bus at 12:50 pm from the Caesar’s Windsor stop with arrival at US Customs at 1:20 pm. Once participants clear Customs, you will meet the tour organizers at the Mariner’s Church located adjacent to the US Customs plaza. You will spend ~3 h in Detroit before transiting back to Windsor on the 4:40 pm bus. Register Cost: Cash for bus fare (exact fare only, $10 US/CAN each way)
1–4:30 p.m. Ojibway Prairie Complex Field Trip Located in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Ojibway Prairie Complex is a collection of six closely situated natural areas within a 10-minute drive from downtown. Windsor’s Department of Parks & Recreation's Ojibway Nature Centre administers five of these areas—Ojibway Park, Tallgrass Prairie Heritage Park, Black Oak Heritage Park, Spring Garden Natural Area, and Oakwood Natural Area—for a total of approximately 260 hectares. The majority of these sites are designated as the Ojibway Prairie Remnants Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. The adjacent Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve, administered by Ontario Parks, adds more than 105 hectares of additional prairie and savanna. The total area is continually growing as the City of Windsor and Ontario Parks acquire more land for protection. In 2021 Parks Canada launched a new program to create a network of national urban parks across Canada in order to support access to nature in urban centers. National urban parks will contribute to conservation of nature in urban areas and biodiversity goals, provide access to nature for people living in major urban centers, and advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. The City of Windsor is collaborating with Parks Canada and numerous partners such as Walpole Island First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Chippewas of the Thames, Ontario Parks, Town of LaSalle, Ministry of Transportation Ontario, and Hydro One in exploring a National Urban Park centre on the Ojibway Prairie Complex. This field trip will include bus transportation to and from Caesars Windsor, admission to the Ojibway Nature Centre and Ojibway Prairie Complex, as well as a two-hour guided hike of a few of the natural areas described above. The terrain is flat but there are hazards such as ticks, chiggers, mosquitos, and poison ivy so closed-toe footwear and outdoor clothing along with sun and insect protection are recommended. The Ojibway Nature Centre is fully accessible and has washrooms, a water bottle refill station, and a place indoors to rest. Enrollment will be limited to 80 participants. Tour timing: 1 p.m. pick up at Caesars Windsor; arrive back at Caesars at 5 p.m. via bus. Register Cost: $25 CAN (includes $10 cancellation fee)
1:30–2:30 p.m. and 2:45–3:45 p.m. Detroit River Waterfront Tour/Walk-and-Talk Learn about the Detroit River from local experts on the waterfront directly outside of Caesars Windsor. Walk along shoreline restoration projects, learn about the path of delisting the river as an Area of Concern, and learn about efforts to reduce impact from stormwater surges entering our water sources. Learn and briefly explore one of the largest combined sewage overflow catchment structures in all of North America. This hour-long walking tour will be held on cement paths along the Detroit Waterfront. Public bathrooms are available nearby. Walking distance will be less than 2 kilometers. Tours limited to 20 participants each. Tour timing: Please meet at the fountain in front of Caesars on Riverside Drive 15 minutes before start of tour. Register Cost: Free
1:30–2:30 p.m. and 2:45–3:45 p.m. INCUBATOR Art Lab Tour & Algae Painting Workshop INCUBATOR Art Lab, 144 University W. Avenue Want to paint with algae? Join INCUBATOR Art Lab for the IAGLR conference programming "Pockets of Awesome," a free algae painting workshop and lab tour! Workshop timing: Two workshops will be offered. Please meet at the lab, located at 144 University W. Avenue (about a 10-minute walk from Caesars Windsor). Workshops are limited to 24 participants each. Register Cost: Free
1:30–2:30 p.m. or 2:45 p.m.–3:45 p.m Podcasting for Science Communications Workshop Caesars Windsor In the age of disinformation, science communication matters more than ever. In this interactive workshop led by Allison Devereaux, we’ll explore podcasting as a tool for storytelling and teaching. Topics include how to navigate media interviews, best practices for educational podcasting, and the basics of starting a podcast. Two workshops will be offered. Each will be limited to 16 participants. Allison Devereaux teaches podcasting at Western University. She’s the host and producer of Unsalted, a podcast for people who work, live, and play on the Great Lakes. Allison spent more than a decade with CBC, most recently as host of Afternoon Drive, broadcasting across Southwestern Ontario. Register Cost: Free
Thursday, May 23
Multiple time slots available Tour USCGC MORRO BAY Joint Coast Guard Operation Coal Shovel not only supports the flow of commerce through the lower Great Lakes during winter but has also supported winter science for over 15 years providing safe platforms to sample ice-covered waters. We are pleased to welcome USCGC MORRO BAY (WTGB-106) to IAGLR 2024 and encourage conference delegates to take an opportunity to join a guided tour of the vessel, which will be moored at Festival Plaza adjacent to Caesars Windsor. Tours will be capped at 15 participants with time slots available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Register: Be sure to stop by the registration desk to sign up for a slot. Cost: Free
12:30–1:30 p.m. Navigating the Diversity of Aquatic Science Careers Panel Discussion Mercuri at Caesars Windsor Join us to learn about the wide variety of career options in aquatic sciences. This panel discussion will share the broad range of jobs available within different aquatic science sectors. Panelists from industry, academia, nonprofits, and government agencies will share about their journey, including their training and typical workday. Panelists will also provide general advice on how to prepare your CV and get ready for an interview. Moderator: Jérôme Marty, International Association for Great Lakes Research. This panel discussion is sponsored by WSP and is intended for undergraduate and graduate students and young professionals. Boxed lunch included. Registration required and capped at 50 participants. Register Cost: Free

Tuesday, May 21

Multiple time slots available

Tour USCGC MORRO BAY

Joint Coast Guard Operation Coal Shovel not only supports the flow of commerce through the lower Great Lakes during winter but has also supported winter science for over 15 years providing safe platforms to sample ice-covered waters. We are pleased to welcome USCGC MORRO BAY (WTGB-106) to IAGLR 2024 and encourage conference delegates to take an opportunity to join a guided tour of the vessel, which will be moored at Festival Plaza adjacent to Caesars Windsor.

Tours will be capped at 15 participants with time slots available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Wednesday, May 22

Multiple time slots available

Tour USCGC MORRO BAY

Tours will be capped at 15 participants with time slots available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

8–11 a.m.

FishCAST x ACARE Workshop

Jovis at Caesars Windsor

Jointly run by FishCAST (an NSERC Canada CREATE program) and AWIS (a program by the African Center for Research and Education), this half-day workshop will offer a unique opportunity for networking, learning, and professional growth within the fisheries and aquatic sciences. We are thrilled to collaborate to help build local and global collaborations. The workshop aims to provide networking opportunities for you to engage with new and established researchers and science practitioners, gain insights from their experiences, explore shared research interests, and build your own professional networks. This is also an opportunity to inquire about research projects, seek advice on career development, or navigate academia with guidance from industry experts.

In-person registration is limited to 30 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration for this workshop will close on May 8, 2024.

12:50–5 p.m.

Walking Tour in Detroit

Join University of Windsor faculty John Hartig and Tom Najem for a walking tour in Detroit. Detroit is well known for its public spaces and its art and architecture. Indeed, Detroit's architecture is recognized as being among the finest in the United States. Recently, Detroit's Campus Martius Park was named the No. 1 Best Public Space in nation by USA Today readers. In addition, USA Today readers identified the Detroit RiverWalk as the No. 1 riverwalk in the United States three years in a row. This walking tour will explore these unique public spaces and highlight architecture that is now making Detroit a destination of choice. Depending on interest, three tour options will be available:

Option 1: a tour of the Detroit RiverWalk - the No. 1 riverwalk in the United States three years in a row. This new waterfront porch is one of the largest, by scale, urban waterfront redevelopment projects in the United States, and gives hope and proves that Detroit has a bright future.
Option 2: a tour of downtown Detroit, for those more interested in Detroit's urban spaces and art deco buildings. This will include a walk through some of the historic buildings like Guardian and Book Cadillac Buildings, the many public squares, and depending on interest, taking the tram to mid-town to see the museum district.
Option 3: a limited tour of both the Detroit RiverWalk and Campus Martius Park.

Participants will transit to Detroit on the Transit Windsor Tunnel Bus, which makes hourly trips between Windsor and Detroit. You will need to have documents to clear customs/immigration at both the US and Canadian points of entry. For most, this will be a valid passport or Nexus card. Depending on your passport, you may need a visa, so please check in advance. Fare is $10 cash (Canadian or US) each way, and the bus only accepts exact fare. Participants will board the Tunnel Bus at 12:50 pm from the Caesar’s Windsor stop with arrival at US Customs at 1:20 pm. Once participants clear Customs, you will meet the tour organizers at the Mariner’s Church located adjacent to the US Customs plaza. You will spend ~3 h in Detroit before transiting back to Windsor on the 4:40 pm bus.

1–4:30 p.m.

Ojibway Prairie Complex Field Trip

Located in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Ojibway Prairie Complex is a collection of six closely situated natural areas within a 10-minute drive from downtown. Windsor’s Department of Parks & Recreation's Ojibway Nature Centre administers five of these areas—Ojibway Park, Tallgrass Prairie Heritage Park, Black Oak Heritage Park, Spring Garden Natural Area, and Oakwood Natural Area—for a total of approximately 260 hectares. The majority of these sites are designated as the Ojibway Prairie Remnants Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. The adjacent Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve, administered by Ontario Parks, adds more than 105 hectares of additional prairie and savanna. The total area is continually growing as the City of Windsor and Ontario Parks acquire more land for protection. In 2021 Parks Canada launched a new program to create a network of national urban parks across Canada in order to support access to nature in urban centers. National urban parks will contribute to conservation of nature in urban areas and biodiversity goals, provide access to nature for people living in major urban centers, and advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. The City of Windsor is collaborating with Parks Canada and numerous partners such as Walpole Island First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Chippewas of the Thames, Ontario Parks, Town of LaSalle, Ministry of Transportation Ontario, and Hydro One in exploring a National Urban Park centre on the Ojibway Prairie Complex.

This field trip will include bus transportation to and from Caesars Windsor, admission to the Ojibway Nature Centre and Ojibway Prairie Complex, as well as a two-hour guided hike of a few of the natural areas described above. The terrain is flat but there are hazards such as ticks, chiggers, mosquitos, and poison ivy so closed-toe footwear and outdoor clothing along with sun and insect protection are recommended. The Ojibway Nature Centre is fully accessible and has washrooms, a water bottle refill station, and a place indoors to rest. Enrollment will be limited to 80 participants.

Tour timing: 1 p.m. pick up at Caesars Windsor; arrive back at Caesars at 5 p.m. via bus.

1:30–2:30 p.m. and 2:45–3:45 p.m.

Detroit River Waterfront Tour/Walk-and-Talk

Learn about the Detroit River from local experts on the waterfront directly outside of Caesars Windsor. Walk along shoreline restoration projects, learn about the path of delisting the river as an Area of Concern, and learn about efforts to reduce impact from stormwater surges entering our water sources. Learn and briefly explore one of the largest combined sewage overflow catchment structures in all of North America. This hour-long walking tour will be held on cement paths along the Detroit Waterfront. Public bathrooms are available nearby. Walking distance will be less than 2 kilometers. Tours limited to 20 participants each.

Tour timing: Please meet at the fountain in front of Caesars on Riverside Drive 15 minutes before start of tour.

1:30–2:30 p.m. and 2:45–3:45 p.m.

INCUBATOR Art Lab Tour & Algae Painting Workshop

INCUBATOR Art Lab, 144 University W. Avenue

Want to paint with algae? Join INCUBATOR Art Lab for the IAGLR conference programming "Pockets of Awesome," a free algae painting workshop and lab tour!

Workshop timing: Two workshops will be offered. Please meet at the lab, located at 144 University W. Avenue (about a 10-minute walk from Caesars Windsor). Workshops are limited to 24 participants each.

1:30–2:30 p.m. or 2:45 p.m.–3:45 p.m

Podcasting for Science Communications Workshop

Caesars Windsor

In the age of disinformation, science communication matters more than ever. In this interactive workshop led by Allison Devereaux, we’ll explore podcasting as a tool for storytelling and teaching. Topics include how to navigate media interviews, best practices for educational podcasting, and the basics of starting a podcast. Two workshops will be offered. Each will be limited to 16 participants.

Allison Devereaux teaches podcasting at Western University. She’s the host and producer of Unsalted, a podcast for people who work, live, and play on the Great Lakes. Allison spent more than a decade with CBC, most recently as host of Afternoon Drive, broadcasting across Southwestern Ontario.

Thursday, May 23

Multiple time slots available

Tour USCGC MORRO BAY

Tours will be capped at 15 participants with time slots available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

12:30–1:30 p.m.

Navigating the Diversity of Aquatic Science Careers Panel Discussion

Mercuri at Caesars Windsor

Join us to learn about the wide variety of career options in aquatic sciences. This panel discussion will share the broad range of jobs available within different aquatic science sectors. Panelists from industry, academia, nonprofits, and government agencies will share about their journey, including their training and typical workday. Panelists will also provide general advice on how to prepare your CV and get ready for an interview. Moderator: Jérôme Marty, International Association for Great Lakes Research.

This panel discussion is sponsored by WSP and is intended for undergraduate and graduate students and young professionals. Boxed lunch included. Registration required and capped at 50 participants.