Saint Marys River BPAC Meeting
Hello Everyone,
Just a friendly reminder that next week’s BPAC meeting will be taking place on Wednesday March 5th, from 6:30-8:30 pm, in our regular boardroom BT 202 (Algoma University).
Pizza and pop will be provided, so please come hungry!
A portion of the meeting will be devoted to presentations, such as the findings of Environment Canada’s Fish Tumour Study (being presented by Dr. Paul Baumann), and the findings from the Michigan Department of Community Health’s (and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s) Chemical Fish Analysis and Eat Safe Fish campaign (being presented by Michelle Bruneau, MDCH).
Recent research suggests pine tree smell can limit climate change
Recent research, published in the science journal Nature, suggests that the aroma of pine trees can limit the impact of climate change. Researchers found that the vapours from pine trees located in their study sites in Finland, turn into aerosols above the tree canopy, which promotes cooling and the formation of clouds as a result of the sun being reflected back into space.
To read the BCC News article, CLICK HERE.
Thanks to Klaas Oswald for the link.
Peninsula Harbour Sediment Remediation Project Video
Recent Report on Evaporation in the Great Lakes and its Implications
A new report released by the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments (GLISA) Centre discusses and details evaporation in the Great Lakes and its implications on water levels. To access the report, please click on the above photo.
McKellar Island Bird Observatory looking for volunteers
Did you know that in April of this year, a new bird banding and migration monitoring station is opening in Thunder Bay, Ontario? McKellar Island Bird Observatory will be located on McKellar island in Thunder Bay!
Feel free to check out their website and become a member to receive newsletters regarding the happenings at the observatory! You can also adopt a bird!
ALSO – They are looking for VOLUNTEERS – bird bander interns, scribes, observers, interpreters and extractors. We have flexible shifts and offer training. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about birds and techniques used to monitor them.
McKellar Island is accessible by road, 10 minutes from intercity Thunder Bay. There is no public transportation and volunteers will need to supply their own transport.
Contact Maureen at mckellar@hotmail.ca or check out their Facebook page!
Lake Superior will ice over; might cause cool summer weather
Podcast Series – February 2014 Edition
Monday, February 10th 2014
FEBRUARY EDITION
For our second installment, Jim Bailey, North Shore RAP coordinator interviewed Laura Gallagher, a 4th year Environmental Science student here at Lakehead University. Laura is currently completing her 4th year honours thesis project on the presence of microplastics in the Thunder Bay harbour. Laura talks to us about “what is a microplastic?” and the consequences to them in the Great Lakes.
To listen to the podcast, please click on the above photo for a link to the interview!
See below for a microscopic image of the microplastics that Laura found.
On a larger scale, The 5 Gyres institute, in collaboration with SUNY Fredonia have recently published a scientific paper regarding the presence of microplastics in the Great Lakes. Click HERE to read the article.
Click our podcast page to see listen to archived podcasts!
Nipigon Bay PAC Meeting – February 19
The lower Nipigon River entering Nipigon Bay.
The next meeting of the Public Advisory Committee to the Nipigon Bay Remedial Action Plan will take place February 19th, 2014 from 7 p.m. till 9 p.m. in the Rotary Room of the Nipigon District Memorial Hospital (152 Hogan Rd.) More information including the agenda and complete meeting information package can be found here. The general public is welcome to attend and there is no charge.
Topics to be discussed include:
- Health of Fish Populations, Specifically Coaster Brook Trout
- Nipigon Stormwater Management
- Kama Creek Monitoring
- Review PAC Terms of Reference, progress over the past year, election of officers.
All meetings of the Public Advisory Committee for the Nipigon Bay Remedial Action Plan are accessible live online from your computer.
Scientists dispel misconceptions about evaporation and suggest need for monitoring programs
A recent report released by the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Centre (GLISA) has dispelled various myths regarding evaporation and the strong relationship between ice cover and evaporation rates. To read the article posted on the University of Michigan News website, CLICK HERE.
To read the full report, CLICK HERE.