North Bay field school (August 27 to august 30, 2018)

This CREATE ABATE field school examined how science and local knowledge inform policies and shape how we manage cyanobacteria blooms in Ontario. The provincial legislation and regulations empower watershed authorities to coordinate the integration of science and local knowledge to form policy decisions.

We used Callander Bay, an embayment of Lake Nipissing, as the study site to understand how cyanobacteria blooms are assessed and managed at the local level. Callander Bay has an occasional cyanobacteria bloom, which threatens the local drinking water supply, tourism industry, and recreational activities, among other economic, social, and environmental values. We heard from various agency and local representatives involved in assessing and managing risks.
 
Student presentations: Students had three minutes each to discuss how their research could inform the policies and programs in Callander Bay, and how the governance framework might be improved.
 
Field site visits: During the course the students visited North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority, North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, Callander Water Treatment Plant and Sewage Lagoons, and the Anishinabek Nation.