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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for PROBUS St. Catharines
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191008T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191008T110000
DTSTAMP:20260421T053536
CREATED:20211031T173044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211031T184010Z
UID:4169-1570528800-1570532400@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:David Cowan\, Friends of Beaverdams Church
DESCRIPTION:Beaverdams church restoration a lengthy and costly project \nBob Halfyard introduced guest speaker David Cowan\, a well-known organist in Niagara\, who was appearing in his role as President of the Friends of Beaverdams Church. David\, a native of Thorold\, illustrated his talk about the historic church with pictures showing various stages of the restoration work done over the past seven years. \nProviding some background\, David said that the church\, a clapboard two-storey building\, was built in 1832 in the New England meet-ing house style. The original congregation was Methodist Episcopal and most members were Loyalists from New Jersey who arrived after the American Revolution. The first minister was Dr. Egerton Ryerson\, the founder of Ontario’s education system. \nDavid said that the church boomed until the building of the second Welland Canal that left the church somewhat isolated and the congregation dropped to about 25 members. In 1879 the interior was altered to make it suitable for a public meeting place. In the period from 1890 to 1987 the building was used only for a Sunday School. \nIn 2008 the building was sold by the United Church of Canada to Thorold for $1. In 2013 the Friends of Beaverdams Church was granted Non-Profit corporate status under the umbrella of the Ontario Historical Society. The following year the group purchased the church and cemetery from Thorold for $2. \nA new\, historically accurate\, metal roof was in-stalled in 2015 and work was started on the resto-ration of the original foundation which involved rais-ing the building\, installing concrete blocks and fin-ishing it off using some of the original rubble stone. \nThe next major project involved replacing 26 windows that were custom made to match the orig-inal 1832 style. The exterior clapboard siding was then replaced giving the building a like-new ap-pearance from the outside. \nDavid pointed out that much work remains to be done on the inside. All that work does not come cheaply. David said his group has raised and spent more than $250\,000 so far and the total restoration could eat up another $300\,000. \nThe building\, on Marlatt’s Road in Thorold\, enjoys both municipal and provincial heritage designation.\nFuture uses will include weddings\, art shows\, smaller concerts and historical and heritage events.\nIf anyone wishes more information about the project they can check out the website at http://friendsofbeaverdamschurch.com \nDavid was thanked for his presentation by Bryan Brodie.
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/david-cowan-friends-of-beaverdams-church/
CATEGORIES:2019 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/David-Cowan-e1635701707678.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190926
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190928
DTSTAMP:20260421T053536
CREATED:20210804T031320Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211031T181429Z
UID:2934-1569528000-1569614399@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Fall Car Rally
DESCRIPTION:Co-convenor Robin Fancott makes presentation to Joan and Hugh Learmonth\, the winners of the 2019 PROBUS Fall Car Rally. Runners- up \, Don and Carol McAlpine\, are flanked by Robin and co-convenor\, Ted Higgins\, who plotted an enjoyable drive in the country.
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/fall-car-rally/
CATEGORIES:Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/carrally2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20190910T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20190910T110000
DTSTAMP:20260421T053536
CREATED:20211031T174927Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211031T184020Z
UID:4174-1568109600-1568113200@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Dr. Michael Olson\, Department of Chemistry and Biology\, Ryerson University
DESCRIPTION:Cancer researchers seek solutions to hundreds of different mutations \nDon Walker introduced the guest speaker\, his son-in-law\, Dr. Michael Olson\, who is a professor at Ryerson University in the Department of Chemistry and Biology.\nMichael is a graduate of the University of Alberta\, where he got a Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics. He then went to the University of Toronto and obtained a PhD in Pharmacology.\nMichael became the head of his own research laboratory at the Institute of Cancer Research in London\, and later took up a position at the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute in Glasgow\, Scotland. In 2018\, he was awarded a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair and moved to Ryerson University. \nMichael began by defining how cancers are different from normal tissues and organs and described how advances in genetics have revealed that cancer is much more complicated than we originally believed. There are two basic types of cancer-causing genetic mutations\, loss of tumour suppressors (the brake pedals) and increased activity of oncogenes (the gas pedals). \nInstead of there being one type of cancer at each site\, such as lung cancer\, there are hundreds of different cancers because of the large number of mutations to tumour suppressors and oncogenes. This knowledge explains why some patients with cancers at a specific site respond to therapy\, while other patients don’t. It’s because their collection of genetic mutations are different. This detailed knowledge makes it possible to design new drugs that target cancers better by aiming at the specific genetic changes. \nMichael spoke about an international study that looked at the survival of cancer patients in Canada\, several European countries\, Australia and New Zealand. Encouragingly\, cancer patients in Canada had some of the best survival rates in the four cancer types studied\, and the survival rates in Canada improved over a 10-year period. \nWhen trying to find out why cancer patients did better in some countries\, two factors were identified. The first factor is the attitude that patients had when they were diagnosed with cancer. In countries where cancer was met with a positive attitude the survival rates were better.\nThe second factor was how likely a family doctor was to refer a patient for testing or consultation with specialists the first time that a problem was presented by a patient. \nFinally\, Michael talked about some of the research that his lab has carried out in the past few years. Because of his interest in how cancer cells spread throughout the body\, a process called metastasis\, he collaborated with drug discovery experts to develop drugs that could block cancer spread. In collaboration with a brain tumour specialist\, the drug they discovered was found to reduce the spread of brain tumour cells after radiation treatment\, meaning that the combination of radiation plus drug was more effective than either treatment on its own. \nBruce Knicley thanked Michael for his informative presentation and gave him the usual token of appreciation.
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/dr-michael-olson-department-of-chemistry-and-biology-ryerson-university/
CATEGORIES:2019 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Dr.-Michael-Olson.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20190813T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20190813T110000
DTSTAMP:20260421T053536
CREATED:20211031T175802Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211031T184028Z
UID:4177-1565690400-1565694000@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Lynn and Jim Miller\, trip to Peru and Machu Picchu
DESCRIPTION:Speakers offer photographic journey to Machu Picchu \nWayne Tester introduced his daughter Lynn Miller and her husband Jim and provided some background for the presentation on their trip to Peru and Machu Picchu. Lynn and Jim took the pictures during their trip in 2015 while Wayne did the editing and composing of the program match-ing pictures with the pan flute music of Ecuadorian Leo Rojas. \nLynn and Jim first visited Cusco\, located in southeastern Peru\, a city with a population of more 400\,000 which was once the capital of the Inca empire. Their journey from there took them to what is called the sacred valley where they viewed massive salt mines. \nThe final goal of their trip was Machu Picchu\, the Incan Citadel set high in the Andes Mountains\, about 80 kilometres northeast of Cusco. Jim and Lynn’s photos illustrated the sophisticated dry-stone walls in the buildings constructed around 1450. \nDuring a brief question and answer session\, Jim pointed out that the Inca civilization lasted only about a century before the Incas were conquered by the Spanish and the population was wiped out by disease. \nThe ancient settlement is about 3\,000 metres above sea level and both Lynn and Jim said they were able to cope with that elevation\, but Lynn said she didn’t follow when Jim took a challenging Inca trail that allowed him to get photos from high above the main site. \nJim said their trip was arranged through a company called Geo Adventures and they looked after all their needs. \nJoe Vanderkooi thanked Jim and Lynn as well as Wayne for their combined efforts to produce such an engaging show and presented Jim and Lynn with a token of the club’s appreciation.
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/lynn-and-jim-miller-trip-to-peru-and-machu-picchu/
CATEGORIES:2019 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Lynn-and-Jim-Miller.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20190709T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20190709T110000
DTSTAMP:20260421T053536
CREATED:20211031T205501Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211031T205501Z
UID:4185-1562666400-1562670000@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Danny Lamb\, The Power of Music
DESCRIPTION:Andy Redman introduced July’s guest speaker\, Danny Lamb\, saying that he had known Danny from the time he was born and surprised Danny by presenting him with a couple photographs taken when he was an infant. \nDanny’s talk was on the Power of Music in my Life and he began his presentation by performing a song he wrote called “Champion”. Danny\, who was born in St. Catharines and grew up in St. Davids\, was diagnosed with hydrocephalus at the age of three and had to have a shunt implanted to drain cerebrospinal fluid from in and around his brain. At first\, the problem did not interfere with his passion for sports and especially soccer\, but he was finally forced to give up the sport after breaking the shunt. \nThere are four types of spina bifida which is characterized by the incomplete development of the brain\, spinal cord and/or meninges (the protective covering around the brain and spinal cord). The exact cause of spina bifida remains a mystery. In Danny’s case\, a malformation resulted in a blockage of cerebrospinal fluid resulting in damaging pressure on the brain. \nDenied sports\, Danny turned to music and a Rotary exchange to Brazil taught him that he could communicate through music even though he couldn’t speak Portuguese. \nHe returned home believing that he could use music to connect with young people and spread the word about hydrocephalus and spina bifida and got involved with Hydrocephalus Canada and has taken part in music workshops around the world. \nHe has used his musical talents to encourage people to meet their challenges through groups such as PUSH (People United for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus)\, the Music and Lives movement\, WE.org and www.asongacity.com \nDanny said the goal of the Music and Lives movement is to help kids find what their next steps will be through music. He mentioned one young musician who got to perform in Las Vegas just days after graduating from Grade 8.
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/danny-lamb-the-power-of-music/
CATEGORIES:2019 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Danny-Lamb.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20190625T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20190625T130000
DTSTAMP:20260421T053536
CREATED:20210804T030349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210804T030816Z
UID:2927-1561460400-1561467600@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Touring World of Orchid Growing
DESCRIPTION:PROBUS members and spouses were treated to an excellent tour of CosMic Plants in Beamsville in June. Neil van Steekelburg\, co-owner of the opera- tion with his brother Mike\, led the tour through the massive greenhouse and processing building on Bartlett Road providing details about the nearly two -year time frame involved in developing tiny plants into flowering orchids ready for sale. Neil\, shown holding two young plants\, pointed out the vital role of precise climate control required for various stag- es of growth of the plants. \n\n\n\n\nGreenhouse flowers make up a huge portion of the agricultural economy in Niagara and you will have the opportunity to learn about one portion of that thriving business with a tour of CosMic Plants in Beamsville on June 25. \nAl Higgins and David Merritt have arranged for a tour of the CosMic greenhouses on Bartlett Road where brothers Neil and Mike Steekelburg grow thousands of orchids. The tour is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Tuesday\, June 25. \nSign up with Al or David at the June meeting.
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/touring-world-of-orchid-growing/
CATEGORIES:Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pexels-photo-62403.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20190611T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20190611T110000
DTSTAMP:20260421T053536
CREATED:20211031T210005Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211031T210227Z
UID:4188-1560247200-1560250800@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Adam Shoalts (Explorer)
DESCRIPTION:Young explorer recounts trip across Canada’s Arctic \nAdam Shoalts\, a native of Fenwick\, who graduated from Brock and received a PhD from McMaster University\, has undertaken a number of expeditions for Canadian Geographic. \nAdam talked specifically about two books that he has written. The first\, titled Alone Against the North\, recounts his amazing solo 4\,000-kilometre journey across Canada’s Arctic and the second\, A History of Canada in Ten Maps\, follows the history of exploring and mapping the expanse of Canada. \nAdam\, who said that he has had a passion to be in the woods from an early age\, has explored and photographed his way around the world and\, in particular\, has sought out places were few other humans have travelled. \nIllustrating his talk with photos\, Adam talked about the challenges of crossing the Arctic. He said much of the Hudson Bay lowlands are swamp and bog. He set out from Old Crow in the Yukon in May and reached Baker Lake\, Nunavut in September. \nAlong the way\, he worked his way up stream on the Coppermine River\, made portages around rough water and sometimes was forced to stop for a day or two because of high winds. He also talked about the opportunity to photograph wild animals that were not used to seeing humans. His experiences included a face-to-face encounter with a muskox as he peeked out from his tent. \nIn his second book\, Adam\, the explorer in residence for the Royal Canadian Geographic Society\, provides background and context to 10 early maps of Canada starting with a Viking map showing part of Canada and Greenland. \nAs more of the west was discovered by the likes of Cartier\, Champlain and McKenzie\, maps be-came more detailed and more accurate. Adam said that maps prepared by David Thompson\, in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s\, are precise even by to-day’s standards.
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/adam-shoalts-explorer/
CATEGORIES:2019 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Adam-Shaolts.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20190514T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20190514T110000
DTSTAMP:20260421T053536
CREATED:20211031T210624Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211031T210624Z
UID:4191-1557828000-1557831600@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Juliet Dunn Executive Director\, Artistic Producer \, TD Niagara Jazz Festival.
DESCRIPTION:Festival brings world-class jazz musicians to Niagara \nDan Plunkett introduced guest speaker Juliet Dunn who is Executive Director\, Artistic Producer and co-creator of the TD Niagara Jazz Festival. \nJuliet\, who has an impressive musical career in her own right\, gave an informative and lively talk about the non-profit organization and the more than 50 shows and events which it stages during the year to promote jazz and jazz musicians. \nJuliet spent 13 years in Paris\, France before returning to Canada. She spent two years performing with the Shaw Festival\, formed her own jazz band and\, with husband and musical partner Peter Shea\, performed as a lead jazz vocalist around the world. \nThe idea for the Niagara Jazz Festival evolved and rap-idly grew. The first annual festival was held in 2014 and in its fourth year it won the award as Best New Festival in Ontario. \nThe festival brings Canadian and internationally acclaimed jazz musicians to Niagara with con-certs\, educational initiatives\, activities and free events. Each year the festival has continued to expand with events such as the youth program called Jazz 4 the Ages and a world music event called World Music on the Beach. \nLast year the festival boasted 265 musicians and 77 performances from various bands. \nThis year’s lineup includes Niagara’s Summer Mardi Gras in Port Dalhousie and World Music on the Beach at Lakeside Park in July. \nJuliet said that the Festival partnered with the Performing Arts Centre to present the Music of a Charlie Brown Christmas. A Live\, Learn Jazz series is scheduled for those interested in learning more about jazz music in a fun atmosphere such as at various local wineries. \nYou can find out more about the festival and the many events scheduled for this year by going to www.niagarajazzfestival.com
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/juliet-dunn-executive-director-artistic-producer-td-niagara-jazz-festival/
CATEGORIES:2019 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Juliet-Dunn-e1635714372417.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20190409T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20190409T110000
DTSTAMP:20260421T053536
CREATED:20211031T211213Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211031T211213Z
UID:4194-1554804000-1554807600@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Chris Esposito\, Osteoporosis Canada in Niagara.
DESCRIPTION:Osteoporosis is a disease that affects men as well as women \nEmil Knebel introduced guest speaker Chris Esposito who has had an extensive background in volunteer work and has spent 10 years working with Osteoporosis Canada in Niagara. \nChris said that she was pleased to be able to speak to a group of men because osteoporosis is so often considered a woman’s disease but affects men as well. She pointed out that one in three women and one in five men will suffer a broken bone from osteoporosis. \nShe said that there is no single cause of osteoporosis which is a thinning of bones as they be-come porous and thus much weaker. She said that family history or certain medications can be factors. \nTo emphasize the seriousness of broken bones\, Chris pointed out that approximately 30\,000 hip fractures occur in Canada each year and proportionately more men than women die within one year of that fracture. \nShe said that osteoporosis is difficult to detect and is often not discovered until someone suffers a broken bone as the result of a minor injury such as a stumble or fall. She emphasized the importance of everyone over the age of 65 having a bone density test and said that anyone with certain risk factors should have a test sooner and with more frequent follow-ups. \nThe results of the test then serve as a baseline to compare bone density at a later date. She said that patients should obtain a copy of the results and keep for their own record. She pointed out that an initial bone density test is covered by OHIP and is both safe and painless. \nThere is some good news. Certain drugs are available to help increase bone mass. An active life style is key to having healthy bones. Walking\, stress resistance\, weight training and building core strength are all key to maintaining strong bones. She said that Vitamin D helps bones absorb calcium but cautioned that it is possible to get too much calcium if you are taking calcium supplements along with a healthy\, balanced diet. \nShe said that it has been shown that bone density numbers can be reversed with a healthy diet and regular activity. Chris pointed out that astronauts on extended trips to space have to maintain a regular exercise program to combat osteoporosis. \nNote: If members would like more information about calcium in their diet\, they can check out a document produced by the Dietitians of Canada which provides a detailed listing of food sources of calcium.
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/chris-esposito-osteoporosis-canada-in-niagara/
CATEGORIES:2019 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Chirs-Esposito-e1635714715355.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20190312T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20190312T110000
DTSTAMP:20260421T053536
CREATED:20211031T211724Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211031T211724Z
UID:4197-1552384800-1552388400@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Hugh Gayler\, (Probus Member) High-rise towers
DESCRIPTION:High-rise towers haven’t always enjoyed universal acceptance \nBob Henderson introduced his long-time friend and Brock University colleague Hugh Gayler whose presentation at the March meeting was entitled The Sky-scraper and high-rise living in the western city. \nHugh pointed out that the sky-scraper is not necessarily a modern invention with the pyramids and medieval towers in Italy being very early versions. He said that buildings in Europe were limited to five-to-six storeys. Chicago\, which Hugh said was home to the first high-rises\, boosted a 16-storey building in the late 1880’s. \nAfter World War I\, New York’s Chrysler Building briefly held the title of world’s tallest until it was surpassed by the Empire State Building in 1931. The Rockefeller Centre\, built during the Depression\, added to the New York skyline. \nHugh pointed out that tall and elaborate buildings were an expression of power in the 30’s and illustrated the point with a picture of the Chicago Tribune building which was completed in 1925. He said that trains played a key role in the development of high-rise office buildings because they provided the transportation to bring workers into the downtown core. \nWhile high-rises were becoming common in North America\, there was opposition to them in Europe. He pointed out that the Eiffel Tower was not well received in Paris and was supposed to a temporary attraction. Almost all buildings in Paris were restricted to seven storeys. In London after World War II\, the growing economy meant that office buildings put up quickly soon proved to be inadequate and had to be replaced. Hugh pointed out that Centre Point\, the first true high-rise in London sat empty for many years in the 1960’s. How-ever\, bombed out areas of the city were ripe for modern development despite opposition. \nThat opposition to high-rise living was given more ammunition by the 2017 fire at the Grenfell Tower which claimed 72 lives. But growth continued in areas such as Canary Wharf. \nHugh said that cities look for distinguishing features in structures and illustrated with pictures of such buildings at the Toronto City Hall\, the city’s black towers opened in 1966 and\, of course\, the CN Tower. Newer towers in London have been given names such as the Gherkin and the Cheese Grater\, based on their appearances. \nHe said the newest trend in New York is too tall\, skinny condo towers which appeal to the super rich.
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/hugh-gayler-probus-member-high-rise-towers/
CATEGORIES:2019 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Hugh-Gaylor-e1635714997727.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20190212T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20190212T230000
DTSTAMP:20260421T053536
CREATED:20211031T212128Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211031T212128Z
UID:4199-1549965600-1550012400@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:David Merritt\, (Probus Member) William Hamilton Merritt
DESCRIPTION:William Hamilton Merritt was a man of many talents \nOur guest speaker David Merritt appeared in costume as his ancestor William Hamilton Merritt who\, as a soldier\, merchant\, promoter and politician\, played an important role in the history of Niagara and especially in the development of the Welland Canal. \nWilliam\, the son of Thomas Merritt\, was born in 1793 in Bedford\, New York but came to Canada in 1796. In 1808 he went to Bermuda with his uncle where he studied ship-ping. When he returned to Canada\, he farmed in Grantham Township\, be-came a merchant opening a store and also joined the militia. \nHis life took another change in 1811 with the outbreak of war between Canada and the United States. Merritt fought in the battle of Queenston Heights and was captured at Lundy’s Lane. After the war\, David related that William went into partnership with his brother-in-law Charles Ingersoll to open a dry goods store and in 1817 he purchased a mill site opening both a grist mill and saw mill on Twelve Mile Creek. \nAs a business man he saw the need to link the Great Lakes to transport goods to Western Canada and in 1893 organized meetings of the Welland Canal Company. He travelled far and wide\, including going to England\, to raise the necessary funds for the ambitious project. \nDespite numerous setbacks\, the first two schooners travelled from Lake Ontario to Buffalo in 1829 and the following year the canal was completed to Gravelly Bay\, what is now Port Colborne. \nDavid pointed out that\, although it is less well known\, William was also heavily involved in railways. He pushed for international rail links and was active in rail lines between Detroit and Buffalo. \nMerritt held the position of magistrate for Niagara District from 1817. He entered the Upper Canadian assembly for Haldimand in 1831 and\, in 1860\, resigned from the assembly and was elected to the Legislative Council for Niagara.
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/david-merritt-probus-member-william-hamilton-merritt/
CATEGORIES:2019 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/David-Merritt.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20190108T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20190108T110000
DTSTAMP:20260421T053536
CREATED:20211031T212534Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211031T212534Z
UID:4202-1546941600-1546945200@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Natalie Green\, Project Manager - (Clean up Niagara River)
DESCRIPTION:Our guest speaker this month was Natalie Green\, the project manager for the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan. \nNatalie\, who admitted to having a passion about the Great Lakes and the Niagara River\, said the river has a long history of pollution problems going back to the 1880’s because it was the first river to be heavily harnessed for power. \nIn the early part of the 20th century\, the Niagara River\, the 58 kilometre connecting channel between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario\, was one of the most de-graded places in North America. The first Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement was signed by the United States and Canada in 1972 and was revised in 1978\, 1987 and 2012. \nIn 1987 the Niagara River was identified as one of the 43 Great Lakes’ Areas of Concern. A Remedial Action Plan was developed for each Area of Concern. Although the river is listed as a binational area\, Natalie pointed out that each side of the border has its own action plan. \nThe Remedial Action Plan is a community-based partnership to restore and protect water quality. The project is funded by the federal and provincial governments in partnership with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. \nNatalie said that all areas of concern use 14 indicators to measure\, what is called beneficial use impairment or BUI\, to determine the health of the Niagara River. These indicators include such things as restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption\, degradation of fish populations\, the condition of sediment-dwelling insects\, the presence of algae\, beach closings and restrictions on drinking water. \nShe indicated that current monitoring indicates that there may still be contaminant issues in the area of Lyons Creek. \nShe said that one of the main challenges remaining along the river is the loss of coastline wet-land habitat to encourage fish populations along the upper river. In a move to reverse this loss\, ash trees and old Christmas trees have been placed along the shoreline to create wetland areas where fish can lay their eggs. \nOn-going studies and monitoring programs play a big role in helping eliminate remaining areas of concern. \nMuch more information is available at the web-site: www.ourniagarariver.ca
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/natalie-green-project-manager-clean-up-niagara-river/
CATEGORIES:2019 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Natalie-Green.jpg
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