Workshop brings researchers to UWinnipeg December 10 and 11, 2015
WINNIPEG, MB –Lake Manitoba suffers from many of the same water quality issues that affect Lake Winnipeg, including elevated nutrient concentrations and algal blooms. The Lake Manitoba basin contributes to nutrient loading in Lake Winnipeg, and alterations to the nutrient status of Lake Manitoba have the potential to impact the water quality and ecosystem health of Lake Winnipeg. Currently, however, there is very little water quality data available for Lake Manitoba, and monitoring capacity around the lake is limited. The impact of environmental pressures on Lake Manitoba, such as changes in water levels due to the Portage Diversion, high nutrient loads from the surrounding watershed, and warmer summers due to climate change, is largely unknown.
The goal of this two-day science workshop is to assess the current state of knowledge of water quality issues in Lake Manitoba and its watershed, identify critical knowledge gaps, and brainstorm ways to move forward on improving water quality and ecosystem health in this region. This workshop is led by an organizing committee from The University of Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba, Ducks Unlimited, International Institute for Sustainable Development and Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship. It brings together university, provincial and federal government, and non-governmental experts on issues of water quality in Lake Manitoba with
30 to 40 participants expected.
The workshop consists of oral presentations by researchers who have done work in and around Lake Manitoba, facilitated breakout groups to identify key knowledge gaps and scientific research priorities and group discussion to chart a long-term research plan for Lake Manitoba. Lake Manitoba is the 13th largest lake in North America.
Speakers include:
Dr. Gordon Goldsborough (Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba)
Dr. Rebecca Rooney (Assistant Professor, Biology, University of Waterloo)
Dr. Helen Baulch (Assistant Professor, School of Environment and Sustainability and Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan)
FOR WORKSHOP INFORMATION:
Dr. Nora Casson, Assistant Professor, Geography
University of Winnipeg
(204) 258-3052
MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Senior Communications Specialist, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
