WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg’s Richardson College for the Environment and the Lake Winnipeg Foundation present the RED ZONE: Chemicals, Currents and Change Symposium on campus from October 26-28. The symposium features internationally distinguished scientists who specialize in Lake Winnipeg’s watershed issues.
Watershed Includes Several States & Provinces
Lake Winnipeg’s watershed stretches beyond Manitoba’s border. The watershed encompasses four provinces (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta) and three US states (Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana). This symposium will discuss interrelated themes that directly affect the watershed across borders and propose policy initiatives to improve and sustain it for future generations. Themes discussed will include how lakes work nutrients and algae, invasive species, human health issues, climate, and water flows and levels. The symposium will also explore actions the public can take to minimize damage to the watershed.
An Important Step Toward Understanding
“Water is the life blood of our planet,”explained Dr. Michael Mehta, Principal, Richardson College for the Environment and Professor of Environmental Studies. “Without this natural resource, ecosystems collapse and communities suffer. The Red Zone Symposium is an important step toward understanding the vulnerability of Lake Winnipeg’s watershed and all of those who rely upon its grandeur.”
“This is the first time such an illustrious group of top scientists from across Lake Winnpipeg’s watershed have gathered to discuss the many problems and possible solutions facing the lake,” said Anne Doherty, President of the Lake Winnipeg Foundation. “The symposium will help ensure policy makers have the science to back policies and changes needed to improve the state of Lake Winnipeg’s watershed and be informative for anyone who is interested in the Lake”.
Free Public Forum
The symposium features two days of sessions that cover many relevant issues involving the watershed and a free public forum on Monday, October 27 from 7:00-9:00 pm in Convocation Hall. The public forum will feature a roundtable discussion with key scientists and policy makers including David Schindler, Robert Hecky, Hans Peterson, Peter Leavitt, Norman Yan, and UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor Lloyd Axworthy. Former Manitoba Premier, Gary Filmon, will moderate the discussions. For biographies of the participants, please visit http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/conf-the-red-zone-speakers.
The registration fee for the two-day symposium is $250 and $100 for students. To register for the symposium or to see a schedule of events and symposium information visit http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/conf-the-red-zone-index.
The symposium will be of interest to people who work in any area of water management, educators, non-government environmental agencies, students and the public.
Journalists are invited to attend the symposium. To arrange one-on-one interviews with speakers please contact Naniece Ibrahim at the contact information below.
