Great Nations, Great River 23rd Annual Symposium

Learn about our St. Lawrence River and What Can Be Done to Help Protect and Restore it

CORNWALL, ON – Worried about our St. Lawrence River and its changing conditions? The St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences is hosting its annual River Symposium on May 25 and 26, 2016 titled “Great Nations, Great River” in partnership with the Upper St. Lawrence Protection Network.

The focus of this years’ symposium will be on research projects and the environmental community, with topics ranging from fish, marine shipping and spills, pipelines and sewage.

“This year’s theme recognizes that we need to act in partnership to protect and conserve this great river. In a river, most communities are downstream of another, and we have to continuously be aware and minimize downstream impacts,” says Dr. Jeffrey Ridal, Executive Director at the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences. “We are really excited about our guest speakers joining us from different regions of the St. Lawrence River ecosystem- each of which will speak about key concerns for the river, the science involved and their thoughts on what is needed to protect a river.”

May 25th will host over 25 talks on issues relating to the St. Lawrence River and other tributaries. On May 26th, we invite the community to come and learn about Science and Nature at our Community Science Day. This will involve a morning of exhibits and guest speaker, Dr. Jérôme Marty, who will give a presentation titled “Taking Care of the St. Lawrence River: A Job for Everyone- not just Scientists”.

The St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences is pleased to open registration to this symposium to the public. It serves as a great opportunity to educate those in our community and surrounding area about our river, the impacts various phenomenon have on its state, and what we can do to be proactive and work toward fixing it. Whether you are a resident of Cornwall and surrounding area, a student, or an environmental activist, there is something for everyone to enjoy and learn about at these events.

Download the full Symposium Program PDF by clicking here.

To register, or for additional information about the symposium, please call us at (613) 936-6620 or email info@riverinstitute.ca or visit the event website here.

– more –

About the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences

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 environmental research and education with a focus on the Great Lakes/ St. Lawrence River ecosystem. It has earned an international reputation for its fresh water ecosystem research projects.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Chantal Seguin
Marketing and Communications Assistant
St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences
2 St. Lawrence Drive
Cornwall, ON K6H 4Z1
cseguin@riverinstitute.ca
(613) 936-6620