Courtesy of Lake Huron Center for Coastal Conservation.

 

January 2018

Keeping a Great Lake great since 1998!

 

 

 

Message from the Chair

Jim Roberts

 

 

Through consumption of the daily news it’s easy to become disheartened by stories that document the negative impacts humans have had, and continue to have, on the natural world. It is my belief that in many cases it’s not malice or greed, but our ignorance of nature’s systems that is the root of the problem. We simply don’t understand the impact of our behaviour.

 

One can become resigned to believing humans can’t or won’t change. We need to resist this temptation. One way to do so is to support directly (by volunteering), or indirectly (by offering financial support), organizations dedicated to preserving what we have and restoring what has been degraded or lost. Organizations don’t necessarily need to have a large international footprint in order to have an impact. Local organizations, backed with an expert knowledge base, and an ability to efficiently leverage limited resources into tangible results can make a significant positive impact.

 

The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation is doing exactly this. The LHCCC is a local organization dedicated to improving our relationship with the Lake Huron coast line. Since joining the Board in 2015, I have seen firsthand LHCCC’s effectiveness in providing education and guidance to individuals, groups, corporations and municipalities regarding Lake Huron’s coastal processes and natural assets, and how best they can be preserved and enhanced, while continuing to be utilized and enjoyed for the long term.

 

Did You Know

Your donation's help us, and they help you too!

 

 

Donations over $25.00 made to the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation are eligible for a charitable tax receipt. You can use this receipt when filing your income taxes in the next few months to help offset the amount you may need to pay back!

 

What is good for us, is also good for you, too!

Thank you for contributing to Coastal Conservation efforts across Lake Huron!

 

 

 

20 Years of Coastal Conservation

Keeping our Great Lake, Great!

 

 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation. Founded in 1998, the Coastal Centre has completed work along the shorelines of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. With the priorities of protecting and restoring water quality and biodiversity, and addressing the issues of climate change and coastal processes, the Coastal Centre has used science-based research to link and inspire coastal communities.

 

Our partnerships with local, provincial and federal organizations in addition to other grassroots groups, NGO's and community champions have contributed to the incredible success and ongoing achievements in Lake Huron's coastal communities. Thank you to all of our incredible supporters for helping us protect our lake. 20 great years, and many more to come!

 

New Year, New You?

Taking the Pledge to Protect our Lakes

 

 

Every New Year's Eve when the clock strikes midnight, something magical happens. It's as if a reset button was hit, to meet those goals that have been nagging at you all year. For most people, spending less or eating healthier are high on the list for priorities, but more than ever, many are putting their commitment to the environment onto their list of resolutions.

 

"Hey! That sounds like me!", you might think as you read this, "But how can I make a difference in Lake Huron?". Here's a few examples of how you can jump start your New Year with a "Green" foot forward!

 

1.Ditch Single Use Plastics

 

Straws, plastic bags, coffee cups, disposable water bottles - what do they have in common? They all have better reusable alternatives! Consider bringing reusable grocery bags and reusable food options to minimize your plastic waste production in 2018.

 

PRO TIP: Plastic straws are one of the easiest things to say no to! Consider asking for your drink with out a straw at restaurants and seek out alternatives like paper or reusable options like the ones advertised here.

 

2. Build a Garden!

 

There's nothing more satisfying than a fresh picked tomato straight from the garden. Growing your own food is an eco-friendly and affordable option that reduces global emissions that result from transporting produce.

 

Don't have time a vegetable garden? Pollinator's need food too! Pollinator gardens help to support local agriculture by providing habitat and food stores for bees, moths and butterflies and other beneficial insects. Adding logs and rocks to the garden help to keep a natural appearance and provides shelter for pollinators!

 

3. Volunteer at a Beach Cleanup

 

The Coastal Centre will be hosting many beach cleanups along the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay coast. These family-friendly events engage communities in collaborative efforts to remove garbage from the beach and keeping it out of the lake! Keep an eye on our events page for more details.

 

Want to host or assist with a beach cleanup? Let us know! We're always looking to maximize impact.

 

What's in Store for 2018?

 

 

"Is the Coast Clear?" Biennial Conference - May 10th & 11th

 

Experts from the Great Lakes region will present on challenges and solutions to coastal topics. This 2-day event provides an opportunity for environmental professionals and the general public to learn about issues affecting Lake Huron's Coastal environment. To register for the conference or to explore partnership opportunities for this event, click here.

 

Microplastic Awareness Project - NEW!

 

The Lake Huron Microplastic Awareness Project is a new initiative for the Coastal Centre in 2018. This citizen science based monitoring protocol will raise awareness about the presence of small plastic particles called microplastics in the waters of Lake Huron's nearshore. Water samples will be collected along the shoreline and filtered to determine the quantity of plastic particles in a 1-L sample of water.

 

Local schools will learn about the "Plastic Problem" in Lake Huron, and take part in the data collection and filtration processes. For more information, visit our Microplastic Awareness Project page.

 

The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation supports environmental efforts along the Canadian coastline of Lake Huron. We foster communication and partnerships between environmental agencies and organizations, working towards a sustainable and resilient coast. We provide education, resources, and information on lake-wide issues and our programs reflect the inter-connectivity between land and water.

 

 

 

 

 

January 2018

Keeping a Great Lake great since 1998!

 

 

 

Message from the Chair

Jim Roberts

 

 

Through consumption of the daily news it’s easy to become disheartened by stories that document the negative impacts humans have had, and continue to have, on the natural world. It is my belief that in many cases it’s not malice or greed, but our ignorance of nature’s systems that is the root of the problem. We simply don’t understand the impact of our behaviour.

 

One can become resigned to believing humans can’t or won’t change. We need to resist this temptation. One way to do so is to support directly (by volunteering), or indirectly (by offering financial support), organizations dedicated to preserving what we have and restoring what has been degraded or lost. Organizations don’t necessarily need to have a large international footprint in order to have an impact. Local organizations, backed with an expert knowledge base, and an ability to efficiently leverage limited resources into tangible results can make a significant positive impact.

 

The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation is doing exactly this. The LHCCC is a local organization dedicated to improving our relationship with the Lake Huron coast line. Since joining the Board in 2015, I have seen firsthand LHCCC’s effectiveness in providing education and guidance to individuals, groups, corporations and municipalities regarding Lake Huron’s coastal processes and natural assets, and how best they can be preserved and enhanced, while continuing to be utilized and enjoyed for the long term.

 

Did You Know

Your donation's help us, and they help you too!

 

 

Donations over $25.00 made to the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation are eligible for a charitable tax receipt. You can use this receipt when filing your income taxes in the next few months to help offset the amount you may need to pay back!

 

What is good for us, is also good for you, too!

Thank you for contributing to Coastal Conservation efforts across Lake Huron!

 

 

 

20 Years of Coastal Conservation

Keeping our Great Lake, Great!

 

 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation. Founded in 1998, the Coastal Centre has completed work along the shorelines of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. With the priorities of protecting and restoring water quality and biodiversity, and addressing the issues of climate change and coastal processes, the Coastal Centre has used science-based research to link and inspire coastal communities.

 

Our partnerships with local, provincial and federal organizations in addition to other grassroots groups, NGO's and community champions have contributed to the incredible success and ongoing achievements in Lake Huron's coastal communities. Thank you to all of our incredible supporters for helping us protect our lake. 20 great years, and many more to come!

 

New Year, New You?

Taking the Pledge to Protect our Lakes

 

 

Every New Year's Eve when the clock strikes midnight, something magical happens. It's as if a reset button was hit, to meet those goals that have been nagging at you all year. For most people, spending less or eating healthier are high on the list for priorities, but more than ever, many are putting their commitment to the environment onto their list of resolutions.

 

"Hey! That sounds like me!", you might think as you read this, "But how can I make a difference in Lake Huron?". Here's a few examples of how you can jump start your New Year with a "Green" foot forward!

 

1.Ditch Single Use Plastics

 

Straws, plastic bags, coffee cups, disposable water bottles - what do they have in common? They all have better reusable alternatives! Consider bringing reusable grocery bags and reusable food options to minimize your plastic waste production in 2018.

 

PRO TIP: Plastic straws are one of the easiest things to say no to! Consider asking for your drink with out a straw at restaurants and seek out alternatives like paper or reusable options like the ones advertised here.

 

2. Build a Garden!

 

There's nothing more satisfying than a fresh picked tomato straight from the garden. Growing your own food is an eco-friendly and affordable option that reduces global emissions that result from transporting produce.

 

Don't have time a vegetable garden? Pollinator's need food too! Pollinator gardens help to support local agriculture by providing habitat and food stores for bees, moths and butterflies and other beneficial insects. Adding logs and rocks to the garden help to keep a natural appearance and provides shelter for pollinators!

 

3. Volunteer at a Beach Cleanup

 

The Coastal Centre will be hosting many beach cleanups along the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay coast. These family-friendly events engage communities in collaborative efforts to remove garbage from the beach and keeping it out of the lake! Keep an eye on our events page for more details.

 

Want to host or assist with a beach cleanup? Let us know! We're always looking to maximize impact.

 

What's in Store for 2018?

 

 

"Is the Coast Clear?" Biennial Conference - May 10th & 11th

 

Experts from the Great Lakes region will present on challenges and solutions to coastal topics. This 2-day event provides an opportunity for environmental professionals and the general public to learn about issues affecting Lake Huron's Coastal environment. To register for the conference or to explore partnership opportunities for this event, click here.

 

Microplastic Awareness Project - NEW!

 

The Lake Huron Microplastic Awareness Project is a new initiative for the Coastal Centre in 2018. This citizen science based monitoring protocol will raise awareness about the presence of small plastic particles called microplastics in the waters of Lake Huron's nearshore. Water samples will be collected along the shoreline and filtered to determine the quantity of plastic particles in a 1-L sample of water.

 

Local schools will learn about the "Plastic Problem" in Lake Huron, and take part in the data collection and filtration processes. For more information, visit our Microplastic Awareness Project page.

 

The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation supports environmental efforts along the Canadian coastline of Lake Huron. We foster communication and partnerships between environmental agencies and organizations, working towards a sustainable and resilient coast. We provide education, resources, and information on lake-wide issues and our programs reflect the inter-connectivity between land and water.