Lake Huron Conference Program

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PROGRAM

2023 Conference PROGRAM

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SPEAKERS

Beach Naturalization Extending From Habitat Protection

Dr. Mary-Louise Byrne, Professor, PGeo, Geography and Environmental Studies; Chair Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University

The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) are an endangered species that was once abundant at Wasaga Beach and throughout the Great Lakes. Their numbers declined because of increased recreational and development pressures along the beaches - their nesting sites. At the lowest, they were down to just around 16 nesting pairs and had disappeared from Wasaga Beach. With habitat protection, the numbers have rebounded and in 2007 they returned to the area. Each year, the Provincial Park takes steps to protect the habitat and a peripheral change has been the naturalization of the beach in the area. This preliminary report will present information about the changes to the geomorphology of the beach/dune system that extend from the habitat protection work carried out annually by park staff.

SPEAKERS

Community Science for Improved Coastal Monitoring

Alyssa Bourassa, Coastal Stewardship Technician, Lake Huron Coastal Centre

Kiersten McCutcheon, Coastal Data Scientist, Niagara Coastal

Community involvement through citizen science fosters a deeper connection to the coast and improves coastal literacy by engaging participants in routine monitoring. This joint presentation will feature the LHCC's Coast Watchers program and Niagara Coastal's VAST project as local initiatives which empower community members to take action to protect the Great Lakes coast.

SPEAKERS

Huron Pines: Taking a holistic approach to Lake Huron watershed conservation

Samantha Nellis, Water Program Director, Huron Pines

Huron Pines is celebrating our 50th year working to protect and enhance Northern Michigan's natural resources. This presentation will provide an overview of how we strive to protect the vitality of Lake Huron by protecting the entire watershed from the headwaters to the lakeshore and all the forests, wetlands and prairies in between. We take a holistic approach to safeguard our resources, working with partners, communities, experts, and landowners to educate, steward, conserve and sustain the health of Lake Huron.

SPEAKERS

Live Staking Along the Lake Huron Shoreline

Becky Adams, Environmental Research Assistant, B.M. Ross and Associates Limited

In 2022, BMROSS was involved with multiple projects along the Lake Huron shoreline in Port Elgin. Live staking, a bioengineering technique, was incorporated into the projects to restore sections of the shoreline. In her presentation, Becky will discuss the process of sourcing, harvesting and installing live stakes and the benefits of bioengineering techniques compared to shoreline hardening techniques.

SPEAKERS

Introduction to Healthy Lake Huron

Emily Febrey, Stewardship Communications Technician, St. Clair Region Conservation Authority

Healthy Lake Huron is a concerted effort to address shoreline water quality concerns such as nuisance algae and bacterial issues and to promote safe and clean beaches from Sarnia to Tobermory. Water quality concerns along the Lake Huron shoreline have been ongoing for many years. This situation is caused by a combination of nutrient and bacterial pollution from sources such as poorly functioning private septic systems, municipal wastewater, runoff from farm fields and other rural and urban properties, and natural sources such as waterfowl. Discussion will include how partners coordinate actions aimed at lowering phosphorus entering the Lake and reducing the incidences of high levels of bacteria.

SPEAKERS

Lake Huron Coastal Engineering Projects: A Review

Pat Prodanovic, Coastal Engineer, TRUE Consulting

The intent of this talk is to present typical coastal engineering projects undertaken within the shoreline reaches of Lake Huron. These projects may include preparation of design drawings for repair or construction of new shoreline protection system, along with impact assessments that speak to how the proposed shoreline alternation affects natural coastal processes. Other projects examples will include those that develop building setbacks and assist homeowners in obtaining permits for homes and cottages proposed near the shoreline. Such projects are required to complete detailed impact assessments of natural hazards and quantify impacts on coastal processes (flooding, erosion, and dynamic beach assessments). To carry out such assessment requires understanding of shoreline characterization (such studies along Lake Huron shoreline are over 40 years old and are still very relevant), site inspections (observing on site consequences of coastal processes at play), numerical coastal modeling (using computer simulations to quantify waves, lake currents, beach profile evolution, storm surges), along with professional judgment. Examples of several such projects will be presented, along with main findings and eventual project outcomes.

SPEAKERS

State of the Bay Ecosystem Health Report

Katrina Krievins, Aquatic Conservation Programs Manager, Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere

GBB's first State of the Bay ecosystem health report was released in 2013 with the goal of summarizing available research about water, wetlands, fisheries, and habitats in this unique landscape, and sharing it with people who care about Georgian Bay. In 2018, the second report was published with new information on climate change, landscape biodiversity, and a recognition of the work of conservation groups and Indigenous communities. The 2023 report will build on past reports by incorporating Indigenous knowledges to compliment scientific analyses and deepen our collective understanding of environmental change.

SPEAKERS

St. Clair "The Big" River Story

Kristina Lee, Director, Ontario Friends of St. Clair River

Ontario Friends of St. Clair River (FOSCR) have been working to protect and preserve the St. Clair River for over 20 years in support of the federal and provincial government’s St Clair River Remedial Action Plan. Huge strides have been made to address pollutants and other stressors on the River ecosystem. This presentation will address current and historical environmental conditions and the unique social aspects of the watershed. In close proximity to the US and two First Nation territories, work to engage and restore the River have been complex and required cooperation and extensive inter-agency, First Nation, industry and community engagement. The journey has been long and challenging but the results are most encouraging. We hope that the strategies used on the “Big River” will provide valuable examples that can be utilized for other areas.

SPEAKERS

Lake Huron Forever: Two Shores, One Water

Abigail Ertel, Community Program Director, Huron Pines

The Lake Huron Forever initiative was started in 2019 by shoreline community foundations and conservation partners from the United States and Canada. Their goal is to advance water quality protection and sustainable communities on both sides of the lake. The initiative supports design and implementation of on-the-ground projects that strengthen the health of communities and their natural resources. By leveraging shared resources and expertise Lake Huron Forever is inspiring Lake Huron communities to put common waters first as they plan and implement projects for the benefit of their residents. In this session, attendees will learn about how Lake Huron Forever is motivating collective action at the community level using a unique partnership model that aligns community philanthropy with technical watershed protection approaches. Participants will also have a chance to share their ideas, interests and connections to this work as the initiative prepares to launch their next 5 year Action Agenda.