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28th Annual River Symposium set for October 27 and 28

October 26, 2021
By Bob Peters

Cornwall Ontario –  The River Symposium returns this week – and for the second year in a row the event will be virtual.

River Symposium 2021

The theme of this year’s symposium is Global Challenges, Local Concerns and the two day event will once again feature presentations centered on ecological research and discussion on ways to interact with our natural environment.

The symposium provides a platform for researchers, educators, policy-makers, community leaders and citizens to discuss current ecological health of our freshwater ecosystems and explore issues and challenges facing large rivers and their watersheds. This sharing of knowledge is powerful as it leads to a better understanding of fresh water resources and ecosystems, as well as the development of strategies for renewal and protection.

As in past events the Symposium will host a Community Day to connect the public with local scientists and community partners to learn about the challenges that face the St. Lawrence River, and a Science Day with presentations by scientists on the great work they are doing involving the St. Lawrence River.

Community Day (October 27th) will be your opportunity to engage with local scientists and community partners to learn about the challenges that face our freshwater ecosystems and how you can get involved in finding local solutions to these challenges. Join us online and be part of the conversation!

Science Day (October 28th) will involve presentations, posters, and discussions by scientists and experts to share their research and discuss current issues. Session topics include Living Waters: Environmental Change, Footprints: Freshwater habitats, All things Small: Food web ecology and Resilience, and All Things Great: Fish biology and Biodiversity. All presentations will be available live online.

Don’t miss the keynote speakers on Science Day.

Dr. Anthony (Tony) Ricciardi is a Professor at the School of Environment at McGill University. His talk, entitled The Ecological Transformation of the St. Lawrence River by Invasive Species will describe his work on invasive species and their impacts. Nearly 190 non-native species have become established in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin since the early 19th century, and as many as 90 of these species have colonized the St. Lawrence River.  These invasions have altered biodiversity, water quality, and fish habitat. Professor Ricciardi will discuss how such non-native species have been brought to the system, regulations that have been implemented to slow the rate of invasion of non-native species, and more current concerns. Future ecological disruptions from non-native species under the influence of climate change will also be discussed.

Abraham Francis, the Manager for the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Environment Program, will share his perspective on the roles and responsibilities of caring for creation in Akwesasne. Abraham finds strength and inspiration his work from his community and experiences specifically related to relationships between different aspects of creation. Situated in his biocultural context, his perspective is informed by the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen (Words that come before all else), which lays the foundation for his thoughts on our roles and responsibilities to care for creation.

Tune in for the sessions that interest you! For more detail, visit:

About the Symposium

The River Symposium is organized by the River Institute. The symposium series began in 1993 (one year before River Institute was founded) as a means to bring scientists and communities together to discuss freshwater issues.

About the River Institute

The River Institute was established in 1994 as a unique community partnership involving government, education, business and industry, and the Mohawks of Akwesasne. Its mandate is to conduct environmental research, education, and outreach with a focus on the Great Lakes / St. Lawrence River ecosystem.  The River Symposium provides a platform for researchers, educators, policy-makers, community leaders, and citizens to discuss the current ecological health of our freshwater ecosystems and explore issues and challenges facing large rivers and their watersheds. This sharing of knowledge is powerful as it leads to a better understanding of freshwater resources and ecosystems, as well as the development of strategies for renewal and protection.

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