Swim Drink Fish Blog
Read the latest updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, Artists for Water, and more.
STATEMENT re: Federal Court’s ruling in Darlington refurbishment appeal (Press Release)
Public interest groups are disappointed in a Federal Court of Appeal decision that found that the lack of public review of severe accidents and long term storage of nuclear waste is lawful if the nuclear regulator says so. Waterkeeper, Mark Mattson comments on the recent decision.
IJC survey: Great Lakes citizens value the Great Lakes for drinking water, recreation and as treasured natural resource
Eighty-five percent of Great Lakes citizens believe protecting the Great Lakes is highly important, according to one of the largest surveys ever conducted on public perception of the world’s largest freshwater system.
Need a Source? Waterkeeper can help you cover the Scarborough Waterfront Project (Press Release)
If you are a local reporter in Toronto and write about environmental stories, the Scarborough Waterfront Project probably affects you. Connect with us if you have any questions or want more information.
The Scarborough Waterfront Project: An opportunity to protect one of Lake Ontario’s great treasures
The TRCA’s Scarborough Waterfront Project is aimed at improving shoreline access, increasing connectivity and restoring habitat. These are important goals but Waterkeeper believes that water quality enhancement and watershed protection must be the project’s top priority.
No notifications, no information: Paddling with a floating condom
Last summer, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment decided that Toronto should notify the public of wet weather events. This will alert the public when recreational water quality is in question. If you happen to be one of Toronto’s many dedicated rec water users like Michael and Nadia Austin, you probably have a few concerns. Waterkeeper caught up with these two surfer-SUP’ers to discuss their recent experiences on the water.
Maternal, meditative, magical: The true weight of water
Many factors are considered when determining overall lake health. Water has many wondrous properties. But Tristan explains how the Great Lakes' complex ecology is heavily determined by one specific property: Water density. By understanding water density and how the lake responds to temperature, it is easier to see how human demands interact with the lake's seasonal cycle.
Why we’re calling the FarmTech Ethanol file a “Case Closed”
Oshawa-reporter, Zack Bradley called our office not too long ago wanting an update on the FarmTech ethanol project. This is the proposed ethanol plant that would sit on Gifford Hill, the last greenspace in the Oshawa port area. FarmTech pulled its applications for provincial approval in 2014, but the silence had Krystyn thinking.
MEDIA ADVISORY: 47 groups ask Federal Government to repeal changes to the Fisheries Act.
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is one of 47 conservationists, Indigenous leaders, scientists and streamkeepers, who signed on a letter organized by Northern Confluence and strongly support a call for the Government of Canada to reform the country's essential fisheries law, the Fisheries Act. Read the letter.
Behind the Watermark Project: Why every Canadian should share their Watermark
The Watermark Project is more than an effort to collect stories because Watermarks are more than stories. When we ask you to share your Watermark, we're not only asking you to contribute your story. We're asking you to help protect a waterbody.
Watermarks with impact: Ripples becoming waves
If you’ve been following us for the past few months, you might have wondered why we’re focused on collecting water stories – what we call Watermarks. Why are we asking Canadians to tell us their strongest memories of water? What can happen when people know their connection to water?