Great Lakes Guide

The value of a sliver of nature: Advocating for Wonscotonach/The Don River

2022-02-18T18:09:37Z

On November 21st 2021, the Toronto hub monitoring team staff joined Don’t Mess with the Don (DMWTD), a registered charity dedicated to protecting and enhancing the Don Valley and Toronto ravines, for their Rally for the Valley event. 200 people, including MPs and local community leaders, came together to clean up the banks of the Don River and advocate for the protection of the Don’s remaining accessible green space, as it is imminently threatened by the construction of a new train facility.

Isabel Fleisher

The event was inspirational and the “can-do” attitude of participants left me feeling hopeful. While people were removing about 800 pounds of debris from the riverside, I was testing water quality with a youth group and John Scott, a member of DMWTD. While we were testing for E. coli (and FYI the Don failed to pass the recreational standard that day), we found a large boom. At first glance, it looked immovable, but John assured me that in previous cleanups, they have moved cars out of the river valley.

After some finagling, we untangled the boom from the trees and were ready for the next challenge: getting it out of the valley. After a few unsuccessful attempts John finally grabbed the boom and forded the Don, wading chest-deep into the CHILLY November waters, to hand off the boom to the team on the other side of the river. To say I was inspired is an understatement.

Isabel Fleisher

John’s passion was palpable, as was the passion of the other 200 volunteers and speakers who came together that day to protect the Don River. This collective passion gave me a new understanding of the Don as a place of value—an understanding I’m not sure I had before.

A quick (and kind of dirty) history of the Wonscotonach/Don

Before we dig into the complexities of advocating for the Don, it’s important to understand the socio-ecological history of the Don. Its use and development overtime are deeply intertwined with how we regard its value.

Unfortunately, the history of Indigenous peoples’ relationship to the Don is under-investigated, but we do know they lived along its banks and valleys, finding sustenance and a place to flourish.

The Wonscotonach (the Anishinaabemowin place name for the Lower Don River) was home to permanent settlements during the Woodland period (approximately 1000-1700 A.D.) where people used the lower river’s marshy land for maize plantations, fishing, and hunting. Evidence of settlements has been found on Withrow Ave. (not too far from where the DMWTD event took place!), and evidence of footpaths and wigwams across Wonscotonach indicate a long-standing relationship between First Nations peoples and the river.

However, after the British Crown bought the area from the Mississauagas of New Credit in the Toronto Purchase, First Nations communities were largely driven out and the Don’s identity changed.

Soon, the Wonscotonach was no longer a place where people gathered, respected the water and wilderness, and thrived alongside it. Formerly revered by the Indiegous people, settlers reduced it to a mere space to extract resources.

Charles Sauriol (Toronto Archives: Link)

Driven by shortsighted notions of progress, the Don underwent heavy industrialization in the 1700-1800s and the ecological integrity of the waterway declined. Mills were built, the Don Valley Brickworks quarry was developed, and sewage flowed into the river. Today, the sewage is still flowing. There are currently 27 combined sewer outfalls and 19 storm sewers that empty into the Lower Don, contaminating the water for wildlife and people.

While the city of Toronto was quickly expanding, the river was quickly gaining a bad reputation as an “unsavoury” urban wasteland.

Did You Know?

Today, the Evergreen Brickworks are a beacon of environmental restoration, sustainability, and re-naturalization where wetlands have been re-established in an urban ecosystem.

Nelson Wu (Flickr: Link)

Eventually, the environmental and public health issues caused by the industrialized Don outweighed the capitalist benefits. Plans were made to fix the “Don Problem”, however many of the proposed ‘fixes’ (like straightening the river) didn’t consider the ecological complexities of the river, nor did they solve the problem in any significant way. More recently, plans have been made to properly address pollution in the Don and significant restoration work has been undertaken, yet the Don maintains its status as Canada’s most polluted urban river.

So, what is the value of the Don River?

The degradation of the Don has meant that many people have become disconnected from it. They do not see it as a place to swim, drink, or fish. For some the Don is nothing more than a view from the Don Valley Parkway (the development of which is another crux in the Don’s ecological history).

Ryan (Flickr: Link)

But for others, the Don is their Watermark. The Don is the place they go to connect with nature and spot wildlife like rabbits, deer, or salmon.

I talked to Floyd Ruskin and John Scott (both members of DMWTD and passionate environmental advocates) about their connection to the Don as well. For Floyd (and I’m sure many others), the Don was the first green space they were introduced to growing up, and it’s the place they bring the next generation to do the same. For John, the Don holds meaning as the natural space he can support locally, which helps him cope with the stress of global environmental degradation.

Personally, I’ve always been aware of the Don Valley as a handy corridor for biking, but it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that I started really exploring the Don and understanding its extensive trail network not as corridors, but as the arteries that veins of Toronto’s green heart. The Don is the place I’m able to get out of my mind, reconnect with nature, and find adventure in a way I didn't think was possible in the city.

The connections people have to the Don are what inspires them to protect it, epitomizing the meaning of Cousteau’s words when he said “people protect what they love”.

John and Floyd began protecting the Don because they recognized their connection to it and the value it holds for themselves and their communities. This kind of personal connection is what has inspired activists in prior decades. Many associate Charles Sauriol with the birth of conservation work on the Don river. His meditations in Tales of the Don recount his experience of the Don as a place for reflection, adventure, and connection.

Sauriol family cottage, Don Valley. Charles Sauriol (Toronto Archives: Link)

The November event was not the first time people have come together for the Don. Just over 50 years ago, Pollution Probe organized the Funeral for the Don where advocates came dressed in black to mourn its degraded state. This demonstration was one of the first to reject the idea that the Don River was a lost cause, but it was not the last. In the past 50 years, environmental groups like the Task Force to Bring Back the Don have come together to continue this advocacy and work to restore the Don.

Where do we stand today?

If Torontonians were to make our relationship with the Don Facebook Official we would likely hit the “It’s complicated” option.

Though there is a rich history of advocacy, our relationship is rocky as a result of the settler-led industrialization of Toronto. The Don has seen ecological improvement over the past decades due to the work of conservationists, yet the fight to have the Don recognized as a meaningful place rather than an area to develop persists.

Even post-industrialization, the Don Valley Parkway’s implementation in the 1950s further eliminated the valley’s greenspace and increased our alienation from it, and now the expansion of transit infrastructure will further develop the remaining sliver of natural land.

Black-crowned Night Heron on the Don. Dennis Jarvis (Flickr: Link)

All too often, restoring and protecting the Don feels less like a continued effort and more like a starting point we keep returning to.

We find ourselves at a critical moment—a fork in the river if you will—where people are connecting with local nature more than ever. We can choose to nurture this relationship or not. We can either develop the Don with an understanding of its environmental and cultural value, or we can ignore this and develop the Don as if it was worthless, barren space. Looking back into the past, we can find momentum for either future. It’s up to us to decide which way the river will flow.

Our hope for a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Don

In talking to John and Floyd about the future of the Don, we all agreed on two things: our belief in the possibility of a clean Don and our understanding that restoring the Don is contingent on all of us recognizing our relationship to it. People need to care about the Don and recognize the role that it already plays in their lives in order to collectively envision its swimmable future.

I also talked to Mark Mattson, President of Swim Drink Fish (the charity behind Great Lakes Guide) about the Don. He shared many of the same sentiments as John and Floyd about the importance of caring for the Don. He also reminded me of the inscription on the Queen Street Viaduct which reads, “This river I step in is not the river I stand in”.

Isabel Fleisher

This Heraclitus quote reflects the history of change and persistence on Don, and provides insight to its potential future. The Don has changed depending on the values of the communities that have historically depended on it.

In Reclaiming the Don, Jennifer Bonnell describes our relationship with the waterway as “mutually constitutive” where the river has shaped us and our city, just as we have shaped it. Yet throughout its continual shaping and reshaping, the Don has always persisted as our river. But how it (and we) change depends on the connection we have with it, and the intention we have when we choose to step in, or continue standing, in its waters.

I invite you to “step” into the Don, with the intention of making it better for the next person who steps in, and for yourself to stand in cleaner waters. Perhaps when stepping in, you might also notice your feet are already wet—that you were already in the Don, and in reflecting on this, you might start to understand the Don as part of your identity, as not void space but as a place of value that must be protected.

Annual Paddle the Don, 2009. Ben Lawson (Flickr: Link)

If we can all step into the Don, I think there’s hope for its waters.

How do we step into the Don? Floyd, John and Mark left me with some calls to action:

1. Get out and enjoy the Don!

these maps

self-guided walk

2. Get involved in activism work for the Don and adjacent areas.

Don’t Mess with the Don

Save Jimmie Simpson

3. Participate in restoration projects as a community scientist!

Stewardship or Community Science Projects

sign-up to volunteer

4. Get involved with reconciliation efforts on the Don.

5. Share your Don River Watermark with us!

6. Learn more.

Lost Rivers

Reclaiming the Don

Beyond Horizons: Swimming across Lake Erie for Mental Health

2021-08-09T20:55:18Z

My name is Coralee Allaert and on August 27-29, 2021, I will be swimming across Lake Erie on a new route which has never been attempted. This incredible challenge is in support of Jack.org and youth mental health.

My #BeyondHorizons challenge of swimming across this Great Lake inspires others to change mental health and show others that "it's okay to not be okay" and still do things to improve your mental health.

In February of 2021, I reached out to a good friend and mentor, Larry Optis, when I was going through some personal hardships. Optis took it upon himself to help me during this challenging period in my life. One of the goals Optis was helping me with was goal setting; Optis knew about my previous athletic background competing at a high level in Olympic freestyle wrestling and swimming at a university level.

Optis jokingly said to me, "Swim across a Great Lake this summer." Knowing how determined I am, I took it upon myself to investigate if such a thing was possible, and it was . We both started to fill out the paperwork to get me confirmed as an aspirant through Solo Swims Ontario.

Looking at swimming across Lake Erie and being the first person ever to swim this route is quite intimidating and emotional. I know it will be a challenging swim due to the prevailing winds and currents and I know I'm in for a battle.

I've been through numerous hardships, and this swim will prove to be a true test of strength and mental fortitude.

Whenever I set out on a swim, I feel calm and grateful that the water is there for me when things get rough. That's why it's important that we protect the Great Lakes. Not only is swimming in them great for our physical and mental health, they also provide water for us to drink, fish for us to eat, and so much more.

I am swimming to hopefully inspire others and be a part of the mental health revolution. Being a part of the Jack.org family and advocating for mental health has reignited my passion for life. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity.

Why you should try ‘binge watching’ nature

2021-07-26T13:36:23Z

During Ontario’s third lockdown, my day to day life began to feel like I was just floating from screen to screen.

Phone notifications and scrolling, to desktop, to TV, back to one last doom scroll or TikTok marathon before bed. Spending most of my time indoors turned into a habit, one that I knew was bad for both my mental health and for fitting into something other than my sweatpants.

I became disconnected from some of the things I love the most: nature and friends. Exploring local waterbodies or getting lost on a hike in a forest are the moments when I feel like my best self.

Credit: Ashley Bowes

Even after what felt like a long and numbing hiatus that seemed to turn us all into zombies (at least, in my circles), I am happy to report that the version of myself that thrives on being outside is slowly being resurrected and that behind the wild haircuts and scruffy beards, I still have my friends.

My fellow Swim Drink Fish coworkers and I were given the Friday after Canada Day off so that we could spend an extra long weekend reconnecting with nature.

You can read more about our experiences connecting with water here!

Credit: Ashley Bowes

On our “long weekend” Friday, as I got ready to step outside after admittedly puttering around for a good part of the day, dark clouds rolled in and heavy rain came down. “There goes my chance to seize the day off and be outside,” I thought.

Inside, when a dark storm rolls over, life can feel chaotic. It’s easy to forget that the storm will clear eventually and calmer weather awaits. When the rain stopped, I chose to head to Colonel Samuel Smith Park along the shores of Lake Ontario.

Credit: Ashley Bowes

As I stepped foot on the trail along North Creek Wetland surrounded by lush trees and bushes, I immediately noticed how alive the world around me felt and how much more peaceful my thoughts had become. Red-winged Blackbirds and Cedar Waxwings flew from branch to branch. I could hear a mix of chirps and singing above me.

The smell of rain and the scent of Lake Ontario led me to the shoreline. I walked out onto a rocky beach and looked to Toronto’s skyline in the distance.

Credit: Ashley Bowes

The sun poked out from behind a few grey clouds and there were random bursts of light rain which made for some faint but stunning rainbows over Lake Ontario.

Credit: Ashley Bowes

The many stunning photo opportunities are what I would call the pot of gold. More excited than the Yosemitebear Mountain Double Rainbow guy, I continued exploring the water’s edge, noticing birds, snails, bees, wildflowers, and ducks and swans swimming along the lake.

Credit: Ashley Bowes

I even followed a young rabbit who jumped ahead of me for part of the trail.

Observing nature both big and small, stopping to take in the moodiness of Lake Ontario and the shifting light as different shades of cloud moved in the sky, reminded me that binge watching and scrolling through nature is the greatest dopamine hit of them all and that perhaps, like the birds, we are meant to feel the most alive when the storm passes.

Credit: Ashley Bowes

Five awesome dune restoration projects to check out this summer

2022-02-18T18:08:07Z

Great Lake Dunes are among the rarest ecosystems in North America. They are incredibly fragile, yet integral to protecting our shorelines. Not only do they create habitat for endangered and endemic species, they also help keep our waters clean.

Did You Know?

A mature dune is valued at 3000 CAD/linear metre for its environmental services.

Dune systems store sand, similar to a power bank for your phone. When beaches are eroded by wave action or high water levels, they lose some of their sand. But when water levels recede or wave action lessens, dunes redeposit sand back onto the beach.

WIthout dunes we wouldn’t have natural flat sandy beach areas that make the outdoors accessible—making dunes the unsung heroes of our beach days.

Let’s take a look at five exciting dune restoration projects happening at Blue Flag beaches in the Great Lakes. The Blue Flag program champions environmental management, and these dune restoration projects exemplify what it means to achieve the Blue Flag standard.

Here are five restoration and management projects happening across the Great Lakes:

1 Canatara Beach

For years, local community members, park staff, and the City of Sarnia have been working hard to develop a dune restoration program. The project includes planting dune vegetation, building protective barriers, and implementing educational signage. The small group of passionate community members, beach managers, city and park staff has been engaging and educating their community through marram grass planting events.

Did You Know?

Marram grass is an incredibly resilient bit of vegetation. It provides structural support for healthy dune systems by allowing sand to collect between its blades. As time passes marram grass gets buried by the building sand. Yet like a zombie emerging from the grave, the grass continues to grow, emerging from the ground. The importance of dune vegetation is best underscored by the fun New Zealander saying, “No grass, no dunes. No dunes, no beach.”

Canatara Beach is also in the process of developing the Canatara Park Pollinator Friendly Dune Restoration Project. This project will use native vegetation to restore eroding beach dunes habitats while creating ecologically functional and beautiful habitats. Using native vegetation helps protect the local diversity of plants and pollinators around Sarnia.

If you’re able to visit Canatara Beach, you’ll get to witness a two for one ecological deal of healthy dunes and healthy pollinator habitats—both of which are incredibly important to a functioning ecological system.

Lake Huron Center for Coastal Conservation

2 Grand Bend Beach (North and South)

The Grand Bend community has been able to grow their dunes sustainably while balancing the impacts of tourism. Dune restoration began at Grand Bend in 2008, when marram grass was planted and snow fencing was installed to help the dunes grow. Snow fencing helps to protect dunes from human impact, while also collecting sand during the beginning of the dune’s formation.

Dune growth at the beach has been successful, so much so that the St. Clair Conservation Authority has transplanted dune grasses from Grand Bend to Ipperwash Road to reduce erosion and protect the nearby slopes.

Lake Huron Center for Coastal Conservation

3 Hanlan’s Point Beach

One of Toronto’s most established dune restoration projects is on Toronto Island. Dune restoration began at Hanlan’s Point in 2000. Since the dunes were established, the project has moved from a restoration phase to a management phase, meaning that these dunes now need upkeep and support rather than restoration.

This summer, Hanlan’s Points dunes will be fed the sand they need to stay resilient. Gibraltar Point is a major sand deposit for Hanlan’s Beach, so the Gibraltar Point Erosion Control Project will also help keep Hanlan’s shoreline intact.

In 2018, two Piping Plovers nested on Hanlan’s Point Beach. This was the first time the Piping Plover has been able to successfully breed on Toronto Island in 84 years.

Piping Plovers like to nest in the dry sand near the back of the beach. The establishment of healthy dunes has created suitable habitat for this endangered species now.

While you’re checking out Hanlan’s Beach, you’ll see an array of environmental education signage and pathways that let visitors know where it is safe to walk to avoid the sensitive dune habitat.

Randy McDonald (Flickr: Link)

4 Woodbine Beach

After you’ve checked out the well-developed dunes of Hanlan’s Beach, maybe you’ll find yourself interested in checking out more dunes in development.

We recommend strolling over to Woodbine Beach to check out TRCAs new dune restoration work. Two dunes have been shaped with fencing and educational signage. The Woodbine dunes are a type of green infrastructure in response to high water levels in the area. By planting these dunes now, we’re able to protect the beaches we love for years to come.

The Woodbine Beach dunes are a work in progress. Planting this summer will include installing 2000 plugs of marram grass as well as other native plant species like Little Bluestem, Wildrye, and Goldenrod. Planting diverse vegetation helps the dunes maintain their resiliency.

Isabel Fleisher

5 Wasaga Beach

Wasaga’s Dunes are currently protecting the shoreline in the face of high water levels. When water levels rise, the beach area shrinks, and the coast becomes more susceptible to erosion. Across Wasaga’s 14 km of coastline, there is privately owned land that stretches directly onto the beach.

In areas where the land has been altered and dunes have been removed, the evidence of erosion and lack of sandy beach is much clearer than areas where the dunes have remained intact.

In the years to come, restoration workers at Wasaga Provincial Park are looking to work with private landowners to create a resilient waterfront by supporting healthy dunes and keeping properties environmentally friendly. Wasaga is also working on a pilot project to establish a nursery for marram grass. The nursery will be able to supply nearby sites with the structurally important grass, but also act as an educational tool for visitors to see dunes in action.

stephengg (Flickr: Link)

Bonus Dune Restoration Spotlight

We’d be remiss not to mention the exemplary work being done by the Lake Huron Center for Coastal Conservation (LHCCC). LHCCC is responsible for the Green Ribbon Challenge, which has been used to inspire landowners to become dune stewards. LHCCC works with landowners to assess and make a restoration plan for their beach. The program supplies beach owners with a Beach Care Toolkit containing a dune planting guide, sand-fencing, and a dune protection sign. The LHCCC deploys volunteers to assist with planting or fencing installation.

Lake Huron Center for Coastal Conservation

The Lake Huron Center for Coastal Conservation is the leading group for dune conservation (among other things). The LHCCC has created many incredible resources to help you dig deeper into the world of dunes and coastal restoration.

Here are some resources to check out:

Dune Planting Guide
Common Misconceptions About Beaches
Learning about Beach and Dune Ecosystems

Hopefully, you’ve been inspired to explore some nearby dunes, but remember when you’re out to take care where you step. Remember to use established pathways and avoid stepping on dune vegetation when you’re out exploring.

Dune are nature's sandcastles, so when you’re at the beach, don’t be the jerk that steps on them!

Our staff speaks out about why it's important to connect with water

2021-07-22T16:37:15Z

What could be better than a summer splash on a sunny day?

Our staff at Swim Drink Fish, the nonprofit behind Great Lakes Guide, enjoyed a day off on July 2nd spent connecting to water, nature, and appreciating the Great Lakes and waterbodies beyond.

Here’s what we have to say about why it’s important to connect with water, especially during COVID-19.

“The Swim Drink Fish team works to connect people with water. On July 2, our team spent the day connecting with water ourselves. Ontario Place beach is a great spot for those living in Toronto downtown, and that's where I went. It was great to relax and unwind on those hot days.”

– Alicia Hong, Operations Lead

“Connecting to water over the last year has been my way of dealing with the isolation and uncertainty caused by Covid-19.”

– Mark Mattson, President of Swim Drink Fish and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper

“Connecting to water has been even more important than usual to me during these unprecedented times. It has offered an escape where I can find some comfort and serenity, allowing me to still create great memories at the places I love, such as Cameron Lake.”

– Melanie Stirling, Communications Specialist

“It’s important to me to be in a constant state of wonder. For me, forming deep connections to and respect for the handful of places I hold dear is the most rudimentary part of driving change in the grander scheme of things.”

– Imogene Broberg-Hull, Water Monitoring Coordinator

“It is especially important to get out and connect with nature during these difficult times because it is an excellent reminder that there is so much more out there beyond the computer screens, headlines, and day to day struggles of living in a COVID world. Being out on the water always puts a smile on my face!”

– David Meeker, Niagara Community Monitoring Hub Coordinator

“On the long weekend Friday, after the heavy downpour, I headed to Colonel Samuel Smith Park along the shores of Lake Ontario. When I stepped foot on the trail along North Creek Wetland, I was surrounded by lush trees and bushes. I immediately noticed how alive the world around me felt and how much calmer I had become. Observing nature’s moments big and small reminded me that scrolling through and binge watching nature is the greatest dopamine hit of them all. Perhaps, like the birds, we are meant to feel the most alive after the storm.”

– Ashley Bowes, Digital Community Specialist

“When I was younger, I took water for granted. Now that I don't get to spend as much time in or by the water, I treasure every opportunity.”

– Jessica Gordon, Great Lakes Water Monitoring Manager - Communications

“Connecting with water has, ironically, always been such a grounding experience for me. It takes me out of my head, and puts me in the moment connected to the natural world teeming with life around me. During COVID, with the worries, stresses, and uncertainties, just being present in the now is so indescribably calming.”

– Gregary Ford, Great Lakes Water Monitoring Manager - Operations

“Spending time in nature is a cherished part of our family's daily routine. Even taking the kids for a short walk, enjoying time in the garden, or visiting our local stream resets our mood, restores balance and anchors the kids. Nature offers a sacred space for their imagination to ignite and reinforces their understanding that connecting with nature can support and reveal their truest, most authentic self.”

– Lauren Brown Hornor, President of Fraser Riverkeeper

“Throughout this pandemic I have often felt cooped up and isolated, which has had detrimental effects on my mental health. Nature has been an essential escape to help alleviate negative feelings and explore new environments. Since January 2021, I have been jumping into waterbodies across the greater Vancouver area, and it has been an absolute joy to feel the benefits of cold water swimming, connect to my environment around me, and spend physically distanced time with my friends.”

– Sadie Caron, Western Program Manager

“One way I connect with water was through gardening. To me, gardening is grounding and is a source of endless curiosity and appreciation for the natural world.”

– Emma Langley, Kingston Community Monitoring Hub Coordinator

“As a child, I took summers by the water for granted. Now I find myself constantly missing the simplicity of that time. Nothing makes you feel quite like a carefree kid like jumping in a cold lake on a hot day. This weekend I took a dip in new watery landscapes around the St. Lawrence river, submerging myself in the familiar nostalgia.”

– Meghan Callon, Communications and Design Manager

“Working on the scientific side of water stewardship, we often neglect to recognize the emotional value that being on, in, or near water provides. It has been scientifically proven that not only does being on/in/or near water lower stress hormones, but doing so also inspires creativity and connects us to each other. After a COVID-19 year, I can’t imagine a better way to promote healing and make the most of summer. To me, there is nothing quite as mentally revitalizing as plunging into a lake first thing in the morning, going for a boat ride, or quietly fishing at sunset….See you at the lake!”

– Tessa Anderson, Lake - Erie Niagara Hub Assistant

“Connecting to water and nature has helped me regain my sense of self and find peace during the pandemic.”

– Lindi Osborne, Content Writer and Editor

When was the last time you visited a forest, beach, or other natural space?

If it's been too long, you may be at risk of nature deficit disorder—the physical and mental toll of becoming disconnected from the environment. Going outside is great for our physical and mental health, and can be an excellent way to partake in self care.

Five Freaky Frog Facts

2022-01-12T18:47:29Z

Frogs are by far the coolest critters that live in the Great Lakes, and I’ll happily debate anyone who says otherwise. You might be surprised to learn that frogs do a lot more than just sit on lily pads, look cute, and eat flies.

Today, we’re talking about five freaky frog facts.

1 Frogs don’t drink

Kermit lied to us. But that's none of my business.

Or at least, not in the traditional sense. Instead of drinking through their mouths, frogs drink (and breathe) through their skin. Frogs and other terrestrial amphibians like toads absorb water through a drink patch on their pelvic areas when they get thirsty.

As Anthony HOPkins playing Bullfrogo Bill said in Silence of the Clams, “It puts the water on its skin or else it gets dried out again.”

Did You Know?

Frogs are an indicator species meaning that if the frogs are healthy, so are their habitats. This is because of their permeable skin, which absorbs either clean or polluted water. If there is not enough oxygen in the water, frogs can actually drown.

2 Frogs swallow with their eyeballs

As if drinking through their bellies wasn’t weird enough, frogs also eat with their eyes. Frogs gulp down their prey whole, then push their eyeballs down into their mouth to force the food down their throats. I wonder if their eyes are bigger than their stomachs...

Having trouble swallowing that mental image? Take it away, David.

3 Frogs turn into Frogsicles

What do Great Lakes frogs do in the winter? Do they just freeze and thaw in the spring? Just like bears and bats (but not beavers), many frogs hibernate by lowering their body temperatures, heart rates, and metabolisms.

Ontario’s Wood Frogs, Chorus Frogs, Spring Peepers, and Gray Tree Frogs turn into frogsicles once temperatures drop below -5°C. Their breathing, bodily functions, and even their hearts stop as miniscule ice crystals form inside them and freeze about 40% of the water in their body.

Did You Know?

Frogs that freeze have high levels of glucose in their blood that behaves like a sort of antifreeze, preventing full freezing and organ damage.

Not all frogs freeze, however. Aquatic Great Lakes frog species like Bullfrogs, Mink Frogs, and Green Frogs, all simply chill out in unfrozen water, breathing oxygenated water through their skin and dreaming of mosquito season, probably.

4 Bullfrogs eat everything and anything

Rusty Clark (Flickr: Link)

Seriously, it’s horrifying.

Fish, turtles, snakes, bats, and birds are all fair game as long as the bullfrog is big enough to overpower them. Perhaps freakiest of all, bullfrogs will even pounce, mouths wide open, and devour smaller frogs.

How do these soft-skinned googly-eyed giants manage to eat such an impressive array of other animals? Three reasons: strong jaws, sharp teeth, and dextrous tongues that can clench onto prey like a slimy boa constrictor.

5 Frogs eat themselves

Oh, did you think we were done with disturbing eating habits? How very wrong you are, my amphibian-fearing friend!

We’ve all gnawed off and eaten a hangnail or two, but frogs take autocannibalism to the next level. When frogs shed dead skin, they munch on it for a protein-packed snack. I mean, why not recycle those precious nutrients, right?

Did You Know?

Frogs shed their skin to keep it from hardening, so that they can continue to breathe through it, taking in oxygen while they’re in the water.

Shedding off all my skin and I’ve been eating just fine, gotta gotta chow down because I’ll eat it all

Hopefully, I haven’t scared you off of swimming where the frogs dwell. There are no documented cases of Bullfrogs eating people.

Besides, there are greater things to fear in the Greats, from Bessie, to Gaasyendietha, to the real-life monsters living in these inland seas.

How Great Lakes Guide helps cure nature deficit disorder

2021-08-16T18:44:52Z

When was the last time you frolicked in a forest, lay down on a beach, or swam in the refreshing waters of a Great Lake? If you’re like the majority of Canadians, it’s been too long.

You may not even realize it, but there’s a good chance that you or someone you know is suffering from nature deficit disorder.

What is nature deficit disorder?

Nature deficit disorder is a term created by Richard Louv to describe the mental and physical ramifications of our disconnection from the natural world. Though the disorder is not a medical diagnosis, there are “symptoms” of this alienation from nature.

Symptoms of nature deficit disorder include:

Weakened senses
Trouble focusing
Obesity
Physical and mental illness

A less tangible—but no less destructive—symptom of nature disorder is a fading understanding and appreciation for the natural world, which results in decreasing concern for its wellbeing. This can become more than just a problem at an individual level when we become so detached from nature that we stop advocating for the environment.

Did You Know?

The Great Lakes are one of the most significant water resources on our planet. Lake Ontario alone provides drinking water for 9 million people.

But if we are not spending time with the lakes, we will not be there to notice when they need our help.

Children are at most at risk of developing nature deficit disorder—this is especially worrying because caring for the environment as a grown up stems from enjoying nature as a kid.

Zach Lucero (Unsplash: Link)

Why are we experiencing nature deficit disorder?

Our world has changed a lot in the past decades. Green spaces are vanishing fast or becoming degraded as short-sighted land development, urban planning, and industry take priority. Meanwhile, our lives have become more tethered to technology than ever before.

It’s estimated that Canadians spend 90% of their time indoors and that one third of us are outdoors for less than 30 minutes weekly.

Startling statistics like these are what inspired us to create Great Lakes Guide. Great Lakes Guide helps you unleash your inner explorer and discover places to connect with nature and water around the Great Lakes.

Here are 3 ways you can use Great Lakes to connect with nature and fight nature deficit disorder:

1 Discover places to visit in the Great Lakes region

Bruce Peninsula National Park on Lake Huron

Looking for your next Great Lakes destination? We’ve got a suggestion or two. Check out our Destinations page and choose from nearly 2,000 stunning spots. You can filter destinations by watershed, activity, and type of location, like islands, beaches, national parks, conservation areas, and more.

Rouge National Urban Park is the perfect spot for anyone seeking refuge in the GTA. Here, you can enjoy 79 square kilometers of green and blue space, exciting wildlife, and a variety of options for recreation.

2 Find new activities to do on the Great Lakes

Credit: Swim Drink Fish

Our Activities page can help you rediscover an old favourite, like swimming, hiking, or fishing, or it can introduce you to an activity you never considered, like birding, winter camping, or even surfing.

Learn how to birdwatch as a beginner, or visit one of the best birding areas on the Great Lakes.

Or if you want to try your hand at winter camping, we can help. Read our beginner’s guide to winter camping, find a winter camping destination, and use our list of 20 winter camping essentials to help you pack. If you’re still not convinced winter camping is for you, we have 9 reasons why you should reconsider.

And if you think we’re joking about surfing the Great Lakes, we’re not. Surfing these island seas is easier to get into than you’d think!

3 Advocate for the places you love

Credit: Humberto Rovina

As you reconnect with your local waters, you may find yourself with questions about what you’re seeing there and why. We have articles about how things like invasive species, road salt, water levels, climate change, and more, are affecting the Great Lakes.

Once you’ve been inspired to take action, there are many ways you can help safeguard your waters. For example, here are 10 easy things you can do to protect the Great Lakes from climate change.

You can take it one step further by becoming a citizen scientist on the Great Lakes by supporting our recreational water monitoring hubs or submitting a photo of what you see in the water to Gassy, our AI water monster, to help build a database of water health information.

yoga yobek (Unsplash: Link)

Perhaps easiest of all, you can simply introduce someone to the Great Lakes. Share your knowledge about the threats that face them. Help someone else cure their nature deficit disorder.

Not only will visiting the Great Lakes help you lead a happier, healthier life, getting outside and connecting with nature is the first step in restoring and protecting your waters.

Learn about restoration work at Frenchman’s Bay

2021-06-23T13:52:55Z

Frenchman’s Bay. A Home away from Home during the Pandemic.

The gentle sound of water lapping up onto the beach, the sight of a young girl paddleboarding for the first time, while song sparrows flitting between the trees and cyclists speeding past you. These are just some of the fantastic sights and sounds Frenchman’s Bay West Park has shown me.

Having access to an area such as this, one that really feels like home and the great outdoors, has been instrumental for me during COVID-19.

The Great Lakes are host to a number of sites that offer ecological benefits and aesthetic scenery that enchant those that visit. The Rotary Frenchman's Bay West Park in Pickering, Ontario goes even further beyond that by showing that environmental protection can be beautiful. Located on the North side of Lake Ontario in the Durham Region, the park features a small section of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, an initiative spawned from the environmental movements of the late 1980’s.

William Bird

Since that time, environmental groups have taken great strides to preserve the magnificent shorelines of the Great Lakes. This can be seen in the successes of projects conducted by Government organizations such as the City of Pickering or the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, as well as Swim Drink Fish, the charity behind Great Lakes Guide.

Projects like these actively protect what is naturally great, while encouraging the public to experience and better understand that inherent greatness.

If you are already aware of how essential areas providing access to the Great Lakes are, not just for you, but also for the greater community, then you can support these spaces by becoming a Blue Flag Volunteer or by funding these important initiatives through a donation. By supporting our work, you can help create a swimmable, drinkable and fishable future for all.

William Bird

Frenchman’s Bay ecosystems

To the potential newcomers of Frenchman’s Bay West, you have oh so many ways to experience the glory of the park. As someone coming out of an environmental management degree program, I was astonished to find such ecologically impressive and important areas in such a small space, especially considering how accessible it is for the public.

On the landbound portion of the site, visitors can enjoy beach, sandbar, mudflat, and forested ecosystems, each of which attracts unique wildlife.

Visiting the site, I was able to view several bird species including Common Terns, a seabird species known for its flashy aerial dives into the water in search of fish. I also saw a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, Mute Swans, and a new family of Kildeer, the parents actively staking their claim to a small area on the eastern side of the beach. The landforms in the area are a critical stopover habitat for migratory birds such as the Yellow Rail, Whimbrel, and Forster’s Tern.

William Bird

Did You Know?

There are several vegetation species of concern that are native to the area, such as yellow pond-lilies and butternut trees.

William Bird

The marsh at Frenchman’s Bay is perhaps the most impactful ecosystem in the park. Not only does it actively contribute to water quality in the area, it is also home for so many aquatic, terrestrial, and bird species, such as the Red-winged Blackbird—which I can virtually guarantee you will see if you visit in the summertime.

Why are wetlands important?

Well, wetlands provide a great number of services not just for animals, but also for us humans. The best part is they do it for free! Wetlands provide refuge for species such as birds, turtles, small mammals and a great deal more, which otherwise wouldn’t be able to live in the area. Wetlands masterfully capture pollutants from both the air and the water, also acting as a natural buffer against flooding, holding onto excess water and slowly releasing it as needed.

Here’s the issue: wetlands, especially in Southern Ontario, are disappearing or being degraded at alarming rates. In fact, we’ve lost 70 percent of the amount of wetlands that were here before human settlements.

William Bird

Restoring Frenchman’s Bay

Swim Drink Fish, with generous funding provided by the Weston Family Foundation and the participation from City of Pickering and Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), has taken steps to protect the Frenchman’s Bay wetland, as well as enhance and preserve public access to the area.

Over the past few years, Swim Drink Fish has been the largest funder of restoration efforts like this in Ontario. Frenchman’s Bay is a great example of the good that has come and can continue to come from our goal to protect the waters we love.

William Bird

The Frenchman’s Bay project came about through the Great Lakes Challenge, issued in 2017 to enrich peoples’ connection with the Great Lakes. The City of Pickering welcomed the challenge in 2018, having already undertaken some actions to improve access to the Great Lakes in the years prior. The City saw the challenge as an opportunity to reach greater heights.

The Great Lakes Challenge was founded to accommodate the ever-growing population in Pickering looking to connect with nature, while also protecting the natural spaces from negative human impacts.

By increasing the amount of public parking, creating spaces expressly for gathering, and better defining the trails and ways in which users can respectfully and easily move on the site, the restoration plan encouraged the public’s mindful use of the site.

William Bird

The restoration work also removed invasive species in the area while creating communities of native species in their place. Garlic Mustard, Dog Strangling Vine, and Japanese Knotweed are just some of the invasive species that are being managed in the park.

The final elements of the restoration plan focus on removing the foundations of the historic homes scattered along the beach, which will physically and symbolically erase the presence of the privatization of the land that occurred until well into the 1970’s.

William Bird

How restoration work benefits you

Before the restoration efforts, access to the beach was inconsistent and often resulted in the battering of the vegetation present. Now, with much easier access points spread consistently along the main road, it is far easier for people to get to all points of the beach, regardless of their physical capabilities or if they have children in tow.

From mothers walking with their toddlers on the beach, friends fishing on their way back home from work, people out on their daily walk and almost everything in between. Jennifer, a mother I had a chance to talk with while she was out with her son, even described the access to the beach as being excellent for getting strollers and wagons out into the sand.

William Bird

I also spoke with several people who were introduced to the area by other people. Many are learning that sharing a waterfront with others is a good thing, especially when those people come to see the area as important too. For them, an increase in public access is thoroughly welcome as it allows them to share their love of the park with others and grow the community of waterlovers.

William Bird

Like the many animals that live in the area, people are using the park as a home outside of home, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. I had the pleasure of speaking with Sue G., a frequent visitor to the park who first visited almost a year and a half ago. She believes that during a time when people have been so confined to their bubbles, having access to areas such as Frenchman’s Bay has been instrumental in their journeys into what green and blue spaces offer.

Sue is not alone in that sentiment. Most of the people I spoke to said that they had noticed a general increase of presence in the area as people took refuge in the natural world for their mental health during a difficult situation.

William Bird

For me, the beauty of the restoration efforts lies in that, no matter how people are enjoying the area, whether that be by foot, car, bike, kayak, windsurfing, or anything else you could imagine doing here, they are recognizing the value of restoring and protecting shorelines across the Great Lakes. Fight for your kayaking spot, your fishing hole, or even the beach you like to walk your dog on so that you and lots of others get to enjoy that place now and in the future!

William Bird

Advocating for the Great Lakes is easier now than ever before.

Learn how to become a citizen scientist in the Great Lakes or submit photos of what you see by the water to our AI lake monster, Gassy. She analyzes your photos, whether they’re of litter, people, or wildlife, to help us keep track of what’s going on at different waterfronts. If you’re looking to start giving back, Gassy is a great place to begin your journey and you can even directly contribute to the health of the new and improved Frenchman’s Bay through it.

William Bird

Hilarious one-star reviews for the Great Lakes

2021-06-15T17:31:27Z

The Great Lakes have it all: exquisite natural beauty, exciting wildlife, environmental, social, and economic value—not to mention the fact that they’re one of our greatest freshwater resources!

How could anyone complain, right?

Wrong. Today, I’m taking a look at the one-star reviews for our favourite freshwater destinations. As these enlightened souls will indignantly tell us, the Great Lakes SUCK! They’re too wet! They’re too cold! There’s too much water! There’s not enough water!

Here are 15 hilarious one-star reviews for...

Lake Superior

You might even call it… superior.

As they say, Lake Superior never gives up her dead when the gales of November come early. Just ask the Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck.

I give this one-star review five stars.

Lake Michigan

I guess... if you consider paragliding and sandsurfing ‘boreing’.

To be fair, in some places it does kind of look like the moon… but did you know that Lake Michigan has ICE VOLCANOES?! Way cooler than waterslides.

Yes, the Great Lakes are often called ‘inland seas’ due to their mahoosive size. But no, they do not have sharks. Or saltwater—at least, they shouldn’t. Also someone definitely needs to check on this reviewer.

Lake Huron

Gee, what did poor Huron ever do to you?

Welcome to Huron Hut, can I take your order? Just kidding. It’s sort of catch your own dinner deal.

Seconded.

Lake Erie

This reviewer has a point. Meet Bessie, the Lake Erie Monster—if you dare.

Yup, nothing worse than finding lots of water and sand... at a beach.

Okay here's the thing. As a warm and shallow lake with nutrient loading from agricultural runoff, Lake Erie is prone to algae growth and blooms. Some algae, like the nuisance algae Cladophora, is pretty gross, but non-toxic. Other algae, like blue-green algae, can reproduce rapidly and become a harmful algae bloom.

Always follow beach advisories for harmful algae, and report it to Spills Action Centre at 1-866-MOETIPS (6638477), TTY: 1-855-889-5775

Lake Ontario

Okay, I actually agree with this one. There are too many hostile ‘segulls’. Leave me and my hot dog alone.

I mean, it’s not like you can see Lake Ontario from space… and it only provides drinking water for like… 9 million people.

What’s grosser than turquoise blue waters and sandy shores? Disgusting.

Did You Know?

Though it wasn’t always the case, today Bluffer’s Beach beneath the majestic Scarborough Bluffs passes water quality tests 95% of the time or more and is one of the many Blue Flag beaches on the Great Lakes.

While most of these reviews don’t hold water, a couple of them do highlight the very real issue facing our Great Lakes, such as excessive algae growth and misconceptions about where the water is clean enough for swimming.

The good news is that we can all do our part to help the Great Lakes, from using less road salt to make them less salty, to taking 10 easy steps to protect the Great Lakes from climate change.

Discover HYDRA: A Story on Water told in Lake Ontario

2021-06-09T15:53:50Z

Kingston’s waterfront on Lake Ontario is an example of what’s possible when people care about and advocate for their waters—when grassroots activism leads to large-scale change.

Residents along with groups like Water Access Group and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper have worked to prosecute landfill operators, report sewage spills, and organize mass swims that have led to real-time sewage monitoring and Canada’s first urban deep water swimming pier, the Gord Edgar Downie Pier. In 2020, Swim Drink Fish (the charity behind Great Lakes Guide) launched the Kingston Hub, a community based recreational water monitoring program.

Swim Drink Fish has been working to reconnect people to water in Kingston since 2001. This year, as well as next, Calliope Collective is creating, curating, and testing art installations, which will become part of a major water-based, parade style event HYDRA: A Story on Water at Douglas Fluhrer Park in Kingston to inspire people to recognize and reflect on their connection to water.

We spoke to Tricia Knowles, the Artistic Director and Cultural Producer behind HYDRA to learn more about this exciting event coming soon to Lake Ontario.

What was your inspiration for HYDRA?

Josh Lyons (Multi-Media Artist, Filmmaker, and Calliope Collective co-founder) and I were heavily moved and inspired by the floating Bosch Parade in the Netherlands, which is an on-the-water art spectacle with theatre and music inspired by the works of Jheronimus Bosch. We’re both also huge advocates for water access. So we thought, “How can we make a huge spectacle like that manifest in Kingston on Lake Ontario?”

Some of our previous events have encouraged people to reexamine their relationship to the land and connect their internal cycles to the cycles of the seasons in nature. With HYDRA, we are working towards creating a magnificent spectacle on the water like the Bosch Parade, but with a message of our connection to water.

Through the floating art installations that we selected to test this year, we explore the indigenous and boat building history of where the park is located, ecology, and pollution in the area (former tannery lands). With themes of the spirituality of water and its healing attributes, the installation recognizes how much we as a species rely on water for nourishment, hydration, physical and emotional healing—as medicine—and also that we need to give some of that back to the water so it too can heal.

Can you tell us about some of the floating installations that will be featured?

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 stay at home order means that not all of the installations will be ready this year. That said, there are a handful of exciting installations that are ready to be sailed! We will film the installations for a digital presentation so that viewers can get a sense of what’s to come when the event fully happens in person.

Since HYDRA is in digital form this year, it will feature original music written and composed by Teilhard Frost to tell our story in motion, with few words. The hope is to later develop a poetic story in workshops over the next year which can be presented for the full public event later on. You won’t hear the full collection of poetry this year, but you will meet our storyteller… a magnificent freshwater creature, appearing in giant puppet form thanks to the creative mind of Artist Clelia Scala and co-creator Todd Minicola.

To highlight the history of the area, The Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour’s Boat Yard Project will present their traditional birch bark canoe to the public for the first time. Professional artists Krista Dalby and Nella Casson from The Department of Illumination in Picton are working with recycled materials in an installation called “Plastic Bites Back.”

The highlight of this year is an installation called “Community Afloat,” which sailed on June 4th and is now in the Inner Harbour. As you might have guessed from the name, this was a community endeavour that represents keeping our heads above water (haha, get it?) during the pandemic.

The installation is kind of a ‘together, apart’ creation—that idea of creating something collaboratively while we’re apart, and in doing so, bringing the community together. We went into the community and reached out to schools with a lesson plan that encouraged people to think about connection to water. What ties us all together? What kind of relationship do we have with the Lake here in Kingston? They then translated their answers into visual representation on canvas or denim flags to be used in the art piece “Community Afloat.”

Randy deKleine-Stimpson

Why is it important to examine our relationship with water, in Kingston, the Great Lakes, and beyond?

This year is the 10th anniversary of Kingston becoming a blue community—a feat made possible by people examining their connection and relationship to water. This was possible because the community wanted it!

In Kingston in 2013, hundreds of people raised awareness for better access and waterfront planning in Kingston during the Shoreline Shuffle, created by David McDonald (Water Access Group’s founder). The word installation “Dear Kingston” curated by Su Sheedy was presented during the Shoreline Shuffle and the temporary sculptures that were set up along the Kingston shoreline represented the needs of each area. It made a huge impact in that it got people thinking, and acting to make a change to water access in Kingston.

Due in part to the Shoreline Shuffle, Kingston created the Waterfront Masterplan to improve water access in the city and renew waterfront spaces.

Water access is crucial. Not just access to the lake to swim, like the Gord Edgar Downie Pier (which is a tremendous improvement), but also access to drinking water. It breaks my heart that there is a reserve down the highway that still has to boil their water. We have so much to learn about protecting our water, and we need to take action to restore what we’ve lost and protect what we still have.

Gord Edgar Downie Pier

People have been fighting for our planet for so many years, and some things are only just starting to get more attention. The next generation is (rightly) worried about the future.

I think, for a lot of people, the pandemic has helped us discover what is and isn’t important. It’s promising that nature became a priority and its benefits are being recognized as important, especially when it comes to our mental health. Witnessing people reconnecting with their environment highlights a need for environmental education.

Do you see a relationship between art and activism/advocacy?

Absolutely. Artists can challenge people’s way of thinking, and inform and engage people in conversation they may not have had otherwise. Artists think differently – an artist’s brain is structurally so they are literally looking at issues through a different lens. I love that an artist can communicate information and present their message in a way that allows others to see from a new or unique perspective. Art is such a powerful tool for activism. It opens our minds and hearts to receiving; it gets the attention of people who otherwise may not be paying attention to an issue.

We hope that folks who see the Community Afloat installation, and eventually the full HYDRA presentation, will want to read more about what the installations are saying, and what they represent. Art has the power to move us from a place of emotion, to a place of action.

What do you want people to take away from HYDRA?

Beyond what I’ve already mentioned, my hope is that folks will see the opportunities that are possible in Kingston artistically, and that artists will continue to collaborate with one another. I hope that HYDRA encourages people to pause and think about the water when they’re in it, on it, beside it and take just a moment to consider their connection to it. To not take this magnificent lake for granted.

The more people that take the time to consider their relationship to the earth—to the land, the sky, and the water, they are going to care about it. They’ll want to protect it.

Community AFLOAT is a community created installation, part of the Calliope Collective presentation HYDRA: A Story on Water – made possible through funding from Canadian Heritage, City of Kingston Arts Fund, Ontario Arts Council and a generous donation from Atkinson Home Hardware in Hartington.