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Freshwater Scientists to meet in Toronto May 8–12

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2023

Adapting to climate change takes center stage; Discussions focus on problems and solutions for the world’s large lakes

TORONTO—More than 700 freshwater researchers from the Great Lakes region and beyond will gather in downtown Toronto, May 8–12, 2023, for the 66th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research convened by the International Association for Great Lakes Research.

"We're looking forward to meeting again in person to share the latest science on the world's great lakes under the theme Adapting to Climate Change," states IAGLR Executive Director Jérôme Marty. "With more than 600 presentations in nearly 50 sessions, the annual conference continues to reflect our multidisciplinary mandate and membership."

The conference will feature three keynote speakers, who will illustrate how to make progress toward climate adaptation using Indigenous and Western Knowledge, policy, and local community involvement. All keynotes will be livestreamed free.

In 2019, the USA and Canada ranked 2nd and 10th among greenhouse gas-emitting countries in terms of total emissions, notes Dr. Marty, and Canada is currently experiencing some of the most rapid temperature changes observed worldwide.

"The Great Lakes are seeing a continued decline in ice cover over several decades, causing cascading effects on physical, chemical, and biological properties of each lake," he states. "The conference will provide an opportunity to share the most recent discoveries to be considered when making decisions on how to prepare for and manage future changes."

FEATURED SPEAKERS (free livestream)

Viewable in person and via Zoom Webinar livestream (free). To view livestream, visit the online program. Links to "Join Virtual Event" will be posted under each keynote and go live at the times indicated.

Plenaries are 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. EDT on the days noted in the Toronto Ballroom I & II.

TUESDAY, MAY 9
Linda Mortsch
University of Waterloo; Environment and Climate Change Canada (retired)
Adapting to climate change in the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Basin: A retrospective to guide future action

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10
Sapna Sharma
York University
Trends, drivers, and consequences of ice loss in lakes around the Northern Hemisphere

THURSDAY, MAY 11
Kerry-Ann Charles
Cambium Indigenous Professional Services
Key concepts fundamental for adapting to climate change: An Anishnabe Kwe perspective

SPECIAL EVENTS & HIGHLIGHTED SESSIONS

Science Strategy Town Hall (free livestream)
Tuesday, May 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m., Toronto Ballroom I & II
Free livestream on Zoom Webinar - Follow Join link during times indicated

Join the International Joint Commission's Great Lakes Science Advisory Board for a town hall discussion on the Great Lakes Science Strategy and its plan to develop a comprehensive, multinational Great Lakes Science Plan for the Next Era.

The Erie Situation: Documentary Screening & Panel Discussion
Wednesday, May 9, 6–7:30 p.m., Toronto Ballroom I & II
Join us for a viewing and panel discussion of the award-winning documentary The Erie Situation, a "film about the toxic mix of big agriculture, politics and water security rights." Panelists include Victoria Lean, 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

African Great Lakes
Wednesday, May 10, 8–11 a.m., Toronto Ballroom I & II
This virtual session showcases the contributions of African women in science toward the development, conservation, and management of the African Great Lakes. Presenters will share their perspectives on critical solutions, approaches, and research on the African Great Lakes, which hold over 25% of the world's surface freshwater and support the livelihoods of millions of people. 
 

Valuing Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being, Doing, and Connecting in an Era of Climate Change, Crisis, and Uncertainty (free livestream)
Thursday, May 11, 8 a.m.–4:20 p.m., Toronto Ballroom I & II
Free Zoom Meeting livestream - Follow Join link during times indicated

This session will focus on Indigenous-led conservation and care efforts that support and embrace Indigenous knowledge systems, sovereignty, and governance structures. The need for and value of Indigenous-led conservation is being increasingly recognized by the research community and public alike. This is apparent across Canada and around the world where policymakers and various actors in dominant society have failed to control human activities driving climate change and habitat loss, while Indigenous lands and waters have been relied on and cared for across millennia. Far from the colonial idea of separating people from nature in order to preserve nature and the concept of the "pristine" or "wilderness" free from human influence, Indigenous approaches to conservation regularly place reciprocal people–place relationships at the center of cultural and care practices.

HANDY REFERENCES

CONFERENCE COORDINATES

CONTACTS

Jérôme Marty
IAGLR Executive Director
[email protected]
(613) 355-6843

Paula McIntyre
IAGLR Communication Director
[email protected]

Brianna Ellis
IAGLR Conference Coordinator
[email protected]

Calvin Hitch
IAGLR 2023 Site Chair
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
(647) 632-7284
[email protected]  

Tim Johnson
IAGLR 2023 Program Chair
Ontario MNRF
(613) 922-3004
[email protected]