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RESEARCH, EDUCATION, COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL SERVICES
The River Institute
The St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences is a non-governmental organization established in 1994 as a unique community partnership involving government, education, business industry, and the Mohawks of Akwesasne. Its mandate is environmental research, education, community action, and technical services. With the St. Lawrence River as its natural laboratory, the River Institute undertakes research that contributes to the scientific foundation of how large river ecosystems and their components function. The River Institute has earned an international reputation for its fresh wa-ter ecosystem research projects. Working partnerships with universities governments, industry, and communities allow the River Institute to ad-dress local, national, and international needs. Through its education programs, the River Institute introduces thousands of students to the reality of science, and provides powerful role models for young people considering a career in science. As a learning and discovery centre, it places scientific inquiry into the very heart of the community.
For more information, visit www.riverinstitute.ca follow us on
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Page 1……………………………….Mandate
Page 2……………………………….Table of Contents
Page 3……………………………….Governance
Page 4……………………………….Research
Page 5……………………………….Education
Page 6……………………………….Community
Page 7……………………………….Applied Research / Technical Services
Page 8……………………… ………River Institute at Work
Page 10……………………………...Publications & Presentations
Page 12……………………………...Area Partners
Page 13……………………………...Donors / Sponsors / Partners
Page 15……………………………...Financial
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Matt Windle and his American Eel Research
The River Institute
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31% Donations & Sponsors
23% Fee for Research Services
26% Federal/Provincial Grants
16% Education Fees
3% Conference
3% Interest
32% Research
21% Education
21% Admin. & Fundraising
17% Technical Services
10% Outreach
FINANCIAL
The River Institute
* More detailed financial information can be obtained by contacting the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences through the website at www.riverinstitute.ca
Revenues 2013 Expenses 2013
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The St. Lawrence River Institute
of Environmental Sciences Board of Directors for 2013
Rik Saaltink (Chair), Mela-nie Baker Brown, Ian Mac-Leod, Bernadette Clement, Gib McIntee, Brian King, Johanne Delves, Elaine Kennedy, Henry Lickers,
Karen Switzer-Howse, Pat Finucan, and Bill Knight
CHAIR OF THE BOARD HENDRIK SAALTINK
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF RESEARCH SCIENTIST DR. JEFF RIDAL
GOVERNANCE
The River Institute
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the incorporation of the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences in 2014, I speak for the entire Board in extending heartfelt pride and gratitude to all of the staff and volunteers at the River Institute. What we have created is an organization with a solid foundation of scientific excellence.
This level of excellence is reflected by the recent appointment of our Executive Director, Dr. Jeff RIdal, as the Canadian Co-chair of the Science Priority Committee of the International Joint Commission. I congratu-late Jeff on this prestigious honour and I offer the fullest support of the Board as he undertakes these re-sponsibilities.
At the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences, research and innovation are fundamental. Our primary assets are the scientists and educators.
When a new scientist joins the Institute, our value is elevated by the expertise and energy that he or she brings. Joining us in 2013 was Matt Windle, a new post-doctoral fellow who is fascinated by all things fishy. His most recent passion is the American Eel. Matt has continued to conduct research over the past year on this endangered species and he has an ability to make eels appealing to everyone. Eel science is just part of what we do to assess the chemical, physical and biological health of the St. Lawrence River and other fresh-water bodies.
Other unique projects in 2013 included a partnership with the Mohawks of Akwesasne to study water quality and biodiversity; and Algae Alert , an ongoing ‘Citizen Science’ project that involved over 50 community vol-unteers collecting samples to help track the incidence of blue green algae. Biodiversity is also at the heart of a new education program supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), Ontario Power Generation and the Raisin Region Conservation Authority. We have also extended our research collaborations with universi-ties and research institutes. These partnerships include new projects planned with the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Windsor, Carleton University, and the Ottawa Riverkeeper. These collaborations open new capabilities and broaden opportunities for public engagement and visibility for the River Institute as we celebrate our 20th anniversary.
DONORS / SPONSORS / PARTNERS
The River Institute
Centre Saint Laurent
Eco Canada
Eastern Ontario Water Resources
Committee
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario
Environment Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Great Rivers Centre- Clarkson
University
International Joint Commission
Lower Trent Conservation Authority
National Research Council of Canada
National Water Research Institute
NSERC Undergraduate Student
Research Awards
NSERC Promo Science
Ontario Ministry of Research and
Innovation
Ontario Forestry Association
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture / Food
and Rural Affairs
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
and Climate Change
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
and Forestry
Ontario Ministry of Research and
Innovation
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Public Health Laboratories
Queen’s University
River Quest
Science Horizons
Service Canada
SGS Lake Environmental Services
Shell Environmental Fund
The Harold Crabtree Foundation
University of Ottawa
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS
Dr. Steven Bacher
Melanie Baker Brown
Gerald Benson
Katherine Burke
Caneau Water and Sewage Operations Inc.
Cornwall Medical Associates
Johanne Delves
Dr. Steven Deneka
Charles Eadie
Don Fairweather
Patrick Finucan
Lydia Johnson
Elaine Kennedy
William Knight
Ed Lumley
Gib McIntee
Ian McLeod
Dr. David Riddell
Rik Saaltink
Karen Switzer - Howse
Dr. Roger Tremblay
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The St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences performs research on freshwater ecosystems throughout Eastern Ontario. These projects help us to understand the environmental problems in our region and to develop solutions. Focus areas in 2013 have included biodiversity, impacts of climate change, near shore issues, and river governance.
2013 Research Projects include:
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne water quality and biodiversity Species at risk in our region
(American eels, bats, turtles, cutlip minnows)
Algae Alert - engaging citizens in science while helping to examine causes of excess algae in near shore areas
Alvar awareness and habitat characterization Studying microscopic diatoms for clues about environmental
change
Predicting and monitoring bacteria at local beaches
Monitoring mercury in walleye
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RESEARCH
The River Institute
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The River Institute
DONORS / SPONSORS / PARTNERS Eric Baker Foundation
The Harold Crabtree Foundation
Bay of Quinte Restoration Council
Brockville Community Foundation
Canadian Pacific Railway
CIBC World Markets Children’s Foundation
Chem Tech Environmental Inc.
Children’s Water Education Council
Community Foundation of Ottawa
Conservation Ontario
Echo Foundation
Enbridge Inc.
Great Lakes Sustainability Fund
Greenfield Ethanol - Johnston Plant
Greenlane Environmental Services
Ingredion Canada Inc.
Tom and Gail Kaneb Foundation
Leeds - Grenville Stewardship Council
Maurice Price Foundation
Seaway International Bridge Corporation
RBC Foundation - Royal Bank of Canada
RBC Blue Water Fund
Schad Foundation
Sunrise Rotary Club of Cornwall
St. Lawrence Testing
St. Lawrence Seaway Development and Seaway Management Corporation
TD Canada Trust
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
The Catherine and Maxwell Meighan Foundation
The Port of Johnstown
The Trottier Family Foundation
TransCanada Pipeline Inc.
WSP Canada Inc.
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The River Institute
DONORS / SPONSORS / PARTNERS Akwesasne Mohawk Board of Education
Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce
Cornwall Public Library
City of Cornwall
Clean Air Cornwall
Conseil des écoles publiques de l’est de l’Ontario
Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l’Est ontarien
Cooper Marsh Conservators Inc.
Eastern Ontario Health Unit
Eastern Ontario Training Board
Eastern Ontario Water Resources Committee
Job Zone d’emploi, Cornwall
Laflèche Leblanc Soil Recycling
McDonald Duncan Law Office
Miller Hughes Ford Lincoln
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
Ontario Power Generation
Ottawa Stewardship Council
Parks of the St. Lawrence
Raisin Region Conservation Authority
Resource Stewardship Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Council
Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Science Fair
Seaway News
Service Canada
Standard Freeholder
South Nation Conservation
St. Lawrence College
St. Lawrence Parks Commission
St. Lawrence River Restoration Council
Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
Township of South Stormont
United Counties of Prescott-Russell
“The River Institute is a leading force in fresh water research.
By merging research work with educational experiences it provides innovative opportunities for young people to get excited about environ-mental science. The River Institute provides the tools and knowledge we need to care for our River and protect this fragile resource.”
Tom Kaneb
Past President of the River Institute
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EDUCATION
The River Institute
At the River Institute, thousands of students learn about fresh water by getting involved in real research with our scientists. During school workshops and internships, they track and moni-tor fish, identify invertebrates, catch and release turtles, and analyze water samples. College and university students work side by side with our research scientists on current research projects. Education programs were offered to students of all ag-es in 2013. These included:
Graduate student placements
Bachelor of Nursing, St. Lawrence College (Laurentian University)
Post Secondary - Environmental Technician Program (St. Lawrence College)
University Student Work Placements International University Student Placement 4 Youth Internships 6 OPG School Programs 73 Secondary and Elementary School Workshops 5 schools and 8 teams for Envirothon
Eastern Ontario Children’s Water Festival in Cornwall, Casselman, and Spencerville with 2000 participants
Special Kids Workshops had 154 participants 5 participants for Rotary Adventures in the
Environment
Over 5000
students had a River
Institute experience in 2013. Bilingual programs take place throughout Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry; Prescott/ Russell and Leeds/ Grenville Eastern
Ontario and Western Quebec
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PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
The River Institute
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COMMUNITY
Day out on Thompson Island with Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
The River Institute
The River Institute promotes environmental awareness and learning in the community through a variety of fun and interactive science programs:
Science and Nature Speaker Series - held monthly at the Cornwall Public Library had 300 participants
Eco-friends Summer Day Camp for 6 -11 year olds, held for 7 weeks at Cooper Marsh
Jr. Scientist camp for 12-14 year olds Community Outreach Programs in partnership with area
youth groups
3 Family Workshops at the OPG Visitor Centre had an attendance of 700 participants
Encore Seniors Workshops
Annual Open House “The River Institute has been a good friend and partner of the Mohawk People over the past 20 years. The research, outreach, and education provided by the River Institute has been most helpful to the Environment Program and helps us fulfill our responsibilities to the River. I am proud to work with such good partners in the spirit of peace and friendship.”
Henry Lickers MCA Environmental Science Officer
Bramburger, A.J., Munyon, J.W. & Gaiser, E.E. (2013). Water quality and wet season diatom assemblage characteristics from the Tamiami Trail pilot swales
sites (Everglades National Park, FL). Phytotaxa, 35pp.
Bramburger, A.J., Hamilton, P.B. & Haffner, G.D. (2013) Effects of a simulated upwelling event on the littoral epilithic diatom community of an ancient tropical
lake (Lake Matano, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia) Hydrobiologia.
Bramburger, A.J., Hamilton, P.B., Hehanussa, P.E. & Haffner, G.D. (accepted). Colonization of artificial substrates by the littoral diatom community of an ancient,
tropical lake. Journal of Phycology. 18pp.
Bramburger A.J., Water: Celebrating World Water Day 2013. St. Lawrence Col-
lege “Green Team” Invited Lecture. March, 2013.
Bramburger A.J., Algae Alert: A community-based approach to understanding harmful algae blooms. Lum Clark Seminar Series, Great Lakes Institute, Univer-
sity of Windsor. Windsor ON. December 2013.
Windle, M.J.S. 2013. The endangered American eel. Oral presenta-tion at the Queen’s University World Fisheries Day Symposium, King-
ston, ON, November 23, 2013.
Windle, M.J.S. 2013. An American eel habitat project in the St. Law-rence River. Oral presentation at the Cornwall Lunker Club meeting,
Cornwall, ON, November 20, 2013.
Windle, M.J.S. 2013. American eels in the St. Lawrence River. Oral presentation at the Science and Nature Speaker Series, Cornwall,
ON, October 23, 2013.
250 Canadian
scientists and engineers
joined with members of the
general public to take part in the 2013 River Symposium hosted by the River Institute at St. Lawrence College
in May 2013
River Rendezvous Community Day at River Symposium at St. Lawrence College
The River Institute
The St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences is available to develop custom applied research and technical appli-cations for organizations, offering a combination of expertise and innovation that has earned an international reputation. Our multidisciplinary team possesses demonstrated knowledge in analytical laboratory services, microbiological testing, environmen-tal monitoring and environmental assessments. This expertise provides organizations with optimal and flexible solutions adapted specifically to meet their needs. River Institute laboratories are accredited by the Canadian Associ-ation for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA) in accordance with the recognized International Standards ISO/EIC17025:2005. As a result of the River Institute expansion of its technical services, a program officially launched on March 16th, 2013, fourteen new projects are currently underway.
Our Technical Services include:
Microscopic Imaging and Identification
Analytical and Technical Laboratory Services
Custom Research and Development Services
Education and Training
For more information on our applied research and technical services go to www.riverinstitute.ca/technical services.
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APPLIED RESEARCH & TECHNICAL SERVICES
Peer-Reviewed Journals
Lessard C.R., A.J Poulain., J.J Ridal., J.R. Doyle, J.M. Blais. A dynamic mass balance model for mercury in the St. Lawrence River near Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. Submit-
ted to Science of the Total Environment.
Ridal, J.J., R. Gauthier, A. Poulain, and E. Yumvihoze. Assessment of Mercury Load-ing Contributions from Municipal Combined and Storm Sewer Outlets to the St. Law-rence River (Cornwall) Area of Concern. Report prepared for the St. Lawrence River Restoration Council, Cornwall, ON and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, King-
ston, ON. June 2013. 15 pp.
Ridal, J.J.and P.V.H. Hodson. Analysis of Methyl Mercury in Lake St. Francis Sedi-ment Samples. Report prepared for the St. Lawrence River Restoration Council, Corn-
wall, ON and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Kingston, ON. Mar 2013, 13 pp
Ridal, J.J.and J. Marty. Status Report for the Fish and Wildlife Restrictions Beneficial Use Impairment for the Bay of Quinte Area of Concern.Report prepared for the Bay
Quinte Restoration Council, Belleville, ON and Environment Canada. May 2013,16 pp.
Ridal, J.J. and C.M. Collard. Report on the 2013 Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Ecosystem Symposium - Protecting Water Ecosystems and Empowering Communi-ties in the St. Lawrence River/Great Lakes. Report prepared for Environment Canada,
June 2013. 23 pp.
Ridal, J.J., R. Gauthier, A. Poulain, and E. Yumvihoze. Mercury Loading Contribu-tions from Municipal Combined and Storm Sewer Outlets to the St. Lawrence River at Cornwall, ON. Presented at the Canadian Association for Water Quality Meeting, Dec
2013.
L. Savard, A. Bramburger, J. Marty, M. Waller Mapping Water Quality at Tributary Mouths and Corresponding Nearshore Areas of Lake St Francis. Report prepared for the St. Lawrence River Restoration Council and the Ontario Ministry of the Environ-
ment. June 2013, 21 pp.
Windle, M. K. Delage and J.J. Ridal.Sediment Mapping in Support of the Sediment Management Strategy for the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) AOC. Report prepared for the St. Lawrence River Restoration Council, Cornwall, ON and Environment Canada,
Downsview, ON. 5 pp.
Windle, M.J.S., Rose, G.A., Devillers, R., and M.-J. Fortin. 2013. Using spatial indices to assess ecosystem change on the Newfoundland-Labrador Shelf. PLOS ONE, In
Review
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PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
The River Institute
In 2013, 100 eels,
walleye, and turtles were tagged
and fitted with radio transmitters to help us understand their habitat preferences
and track their range of travel