RESEARCH, EDUCATION & COMMUNITY

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 support.With the St. Lawrence River as its natural laboratory, the

River Institute undertakes research that contributes to the scientific foun-

dation of how large river ecosystems and their components function.

It has earned an international reputation for its fresh water ecosystem re-

search projects. Working partnerships with universities governments,

industry, and communities allow the River Institute to address 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 or on

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Students out sampling

29% Donations & Sponsors

27% Fee for Research Services

19% Federal/Provincial Grants

15% Education Fees

5% Conference

4% Interest

33% Research

23% Education

20% Admin. & Fundraising

14% Technical Services

10% Outreach

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FINANCIALS

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.

Page 1……………………………….History and Mandate

Page 2……………………………….Table of Contents

Page 3……………………………….Governance and Staff

Page 4……………………………….Research

Page 5……………………………….Education

Page 6……………………………….Community

Page 7……………………………….Applied Research / Technical

Services

Page 8……………………… ………Publications

Page 9……………………………….Publications

Page 10……………………………...Publications

Page 11……………………………...Donors, Sponsors & Partners

Page 12……………………………...Local Partners

Page 13……………………………...Local, Regional & National

Partners

Page 14……………………………...Financials

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Map Turtle basking in the sun

The River Institute

Bay of Quinte Restoration Council

Centre Saint-Laurent

Great Rivers Centre at Clarkson University

Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Eco Canada

Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

Environment Canada: Ontario Region and Quebec Region

International Joint Commission

Lower Trent Conservation Authority

National Water Research Institute

Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation

Ontario Forestry Association

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture / Food and Rural Affairs

Ontario Ministry of Environment

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation

Ottawa University

River Quest

Public Health Ontario Laboratories

Queen’s University at Kingston, Ontario

SGS Lakefield Environmental Services

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REGIONAL, NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

The River Institute

The Outdoor

Learning Lab built in 2012

by carpentry students at St. Lawrence College,

is used for education and for wet work.

As chairman of the Board of Directors, I often reflect on the dedicated team of research scientists and staff at the River Institute. They are committed to understanding the impact of human activities on the river, and sharing their discoveries with the community and other scientists. The work at the River Institute affects our quality of life in Eastern Ontario and helps protect our freshwater resources for future generations – I encourage you to learn more about the River Institute on these pages and on our website at www.riverinstitute.ca.

Board of Directors: Hendrik Saaltink, Melanie Baker Brown, Henry Lickers, Johanne Delves, Elaine Kennedy, Bernadette Clement, Don Fairweather, Pat Finucan, Bill Hughes, Bill Knight, Chief Joe Lazore, Gib McIntee, Ian McLeod, Karen Switzer-Howse, Rick Fawthrop.

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CHAIR OF THE BOARD HENDRIK SAALTINK

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF RESEARCH SCIENTIST DR. JEFF RIDAL

We are very excited to present our 2012 Annual Report in this new format. We want everyone to realize the progress we are making toward protecting the river, inspiring young people, creating new partnerships, and reaching out to our community. We encourage you to visit us at our Open House on June 27th and find out how you can get involved in our river research and learning programs!

Staff: Jeff Ridal, Christina Collard, Sharon van den Oetelaar, Pam Maloney, Brian Hickey, Jerome Marty, Marc André Roy, Nessa Prendergast, Lisa Migneault, Andy Bramburger, Jennifer Haley, Ray Gauthier, Luc St. Pierre, Crystal Martell, Mackenzie Waller, Jason Szwec, Jennipher Carter, Louis Savard, Laurie Beckstead. River Institute Staff Summer 2012

GOVERNANCE & STAFF

The River Institute

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 Water Resources Committee

Job Zone d’emploi, Cornwall

Laflèche Leblanc Soil Recycling

McDonald Duncan Law Office

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne

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 South Stormont

United Counties of Prescott-Russell

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LOCAL PARTNERS

The River Institute

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 develop solutions.

Some of the projects worked on in 2012 include:

Predicting and controlling bacteria at local beaches

Monitoring mercury in walleye

Learning about species at risk in our region

(turtles, cutlip minnows)

Examining the causes of excess algae in near shore areas

Tracking invasive species

Studying microscopic diatoms for clues about

environmental change

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RESEARCH

At work in the Lab

The River Institute

The St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences relies on dona-

tions, sponsorship and grants from a wide variety of donors The River Institute also re-

ceives funding to support various initiatives, including investments in technology and

staff. partners to continue to contribute to the ongoing health of St. Lawrence River and

surrounding communities.

Casco Inc.

CIBC Wood Gundy

Children’s Water Education Council

Eastern Ontario Training Board

Eastern Ontario Water Resource Committee

Enbridge Inc.

Patrick Finucan

Genivar Inc.

Great Lakes Sustainability Fund

Greenfield Ethanol – Johnstown Plant

Tom and Gail Kaneb Foundation

Maurice Price Foundation

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

Ontario Power Generation-Ottawa / St. Lawrence Plant Group

Ontario Trillium Foundation

Port of Prescott

Royal Bank of Canada – Blue Water Project

Schad Foundation

Seaway International Bridge Corporation

Sunrise Rotary Club of Cornwall

St. Lawrence College

St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences Board of Directors

TD Canada Trust

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation

The Harold Crabtree Foundation

The Trottier Family Foundation

Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal

TransCanada Pipeline Ltd.

United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry

Upper Canada District School Board

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DONORS, SPONSORS & PARTNERS

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 monitor

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 are offered to students of all ages:

Post Secondary - Environmental Technician Program

(St. Lawrence College)

University Student Work Placements

5 Youth Internships

6 OPG School Programs

76 Secondary and Elementary School Work-

shops

6 schools and 10 teams for Envirothon

Eastern Ontario Children’s Water Festival in

Cornwall, Casselman, and Spencerville

3 Workshops for Special Kids

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EDUCATION

Getting feet wet in River Institute School Program

The River Institute

Over 5000 students have a River

Institute experience every year!

Bilingual programs take place throughout

Eastern Ontario and Western

Quebec

Conferences & Presentations de Lafontaine, Y., Marty, J. and Despatie, S. Seasonal Variability in Potential Risk of Hemi-mysis anomala: Transfer by Shipping in Montreal Harbour. 55th International Association for Great Lakes Research. Cornwall, ON, Canada. May 2012.

Haley, J., Bramburger, A.H., Ridal, J.J., Marty, J., Pelot, A., Joyce, A. and Majury, A. Bacteri-al Monitoring at St. Lawrence River Public Swimming Beaches. 55th International Associa-tion for Great Lakes Research. Cornwall, ON, Canada. May 2012.

Haley, J., Bramburger, A.J., Ridal, J.J., Marty, J., Pelot, A., Joyce, A. & Majury, A. Towards Predictive Modeling of E.coli Densities at St. Lawrence River Public Swimming Beaches: A Collaborative Beach Health Management Approach. 55th Meeting of the Inter-national Asso-ciation for Great Lakes Research, Cornwall, ON. May 2012.

Ridal, J.J. and J. Marty. Current Status of IBU#1: Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consump-tion in the Bay of Quinte. Presented at the State of Bay Workshop held Oct 10-11, 2012 in Belleville, ON.

Haley, J., A.J. Bramburger and J.J. Ridal. A comparison of culture, rapid detection, and mod-eling techniques for determining e. coli concentrations at St. Lawrence River beaches. Pre-sented at the Great Lakes Beach Association Conference, held October 16-18, 2012, at Mis-sion Point Resort, Mackinac Island, MI.

Ives, J. T., Marty, J., de LaFontaine, Y., Koops, M. A. & Power, M. The bloody shrimp are every-where: spatial differences in the food sources of invasive Hemimysis anomala. Pre-sented at the International Conference on Applications of Stable Isotope Techniques to Eco-logical Studies in Brest, France, on August 20th 2012.

Ives, J.T., Marty, J., Koops, M.A. Power, M. and de Lafontaine, Y. Spatial Variability in Food Sources of the Invasive Shrimp, Hemimysis anomala, Within Lentic and Lotic Systems. 55th International Association for Great Lakes Research. Cornwall, ON, Canada. May 2012.

Marty, J. Reviewing Carbon Stable Isotope Values to Infer Carbon Pathways Supporting Freshwater Food Webs, Université du Québec à Montréal. April 2012.

Marty J, Arts M, Ives J, Bowen K, Johanson OE, Koops M, Johnson T, And-Power M, Combin-ing stable isotope and fatty acid analyses to evaluate the effects of an invader on aquatic food webs in the Great Lakes, International Conference on Applications of Stable Isotope Techniques to Ecological Studies in Brest, France, on August 20th 2012

Marty, J., Arts, M.T., Ives, J.T., Bowen, K.L., Johannsson, O.E., Koops, M.A., Johnson, T.B. and Power, M. Comparison of the Ecology of the Native Mysis diluviana and the Exotic Hem-imysis anomala from Lake Ontario Based on Stable Isotopes and Fatty Acid Analyses. 55th International Association for Great Lakes Research. Cornwall, ON, Canada. May 2012.

Ridal, J.J., K. Norris, L.M. Campbell, P.V. Hodson, D.R.S. Lean, and M.R.Twiss. Fish Mercu-ry Contamination in Lake St. Francis, St. Lawrence River (Ontario and Quebec) Canada: trends, patterns and the source conundrum. Presented at the 55th International Conference for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), held May 13-17, 2012 in Cornwall, ON.

Smith, A., Delaney, C. Gulka, A., Le Féon, S., Marty, J., Twiss, M.R., Critoph, C., Morley, A. and Ridal, J.J. Assessing Temporal and Spatial Variability in Water Quality in the Nearshore Area of the Fluvial Lake St Francis, Cornwall AOC. 55th International Association for Great Lakes Research. Cornwall, ON, Canada. May 2012.

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PUBLICATIONS

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

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

18 Family Workshops at the OPG Visitor Centre

Encore Seniors Workshops

River Institute Annual Open House

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COMMUNITY

OPG Environmental Education Program 2012

The River Institute

Ridal, J.J., C. Collard, J. Marty. Post Conference Report on the 2012 Conference of the International Association for Great Lakes Research. Prepared for Environment Canada, Downsview, ON, July 9, 2012, 10 pp.

Ridal, J.J. and J. Marty. 2012. Updated Status Report for Restrictions on Fish and Wild-life Consumption in the Bay of Quinte. Report prepared for Environment Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario. Sept 24,2012, 7 pp.

Ridal, J.J. and M.R. Twiss. 2012. Synthesis of the state of the river, identification of sci-ence priorities and research needs for the International Section of the St. Lawrence Riv-er. Report prepared for Environment Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burling-ton, Ontario. May 3, 2012, 10 pp.

Ridal, J.J. and J. Marty. 2012. Assessing Fish Contaminant Sources in the Bay of Quinte Area of Concern: Progress to 2011 In the 2010 Bay of Quinte Progress Report, edited by M. Munawar, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Burlington, ON. 15 pp.

Ridal, J.J. and J. Marty. 2012. Assessment of Fish Contaminant Concentrations and Sta-tus of the Fish and Wildlife Restrictions Beneficial Use Impairment for the Bay of Quinte Area of Concern 2011. Final Report in support of the Fish Contaminant Working Group Bay of Quinte Restoration Council prepared for the Bay of Quinte RAP and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Eastern Region, Kingston, ON. Feb 2012, 15 pp.

Conferences & Presentations Bramburger, A.J. Paradise Found, Paradise Lost, Paradise Rehabilitated? A Brief History of the Florida Everglades. Science and Nature Speaker Series, St. Lawrence River Insti-tute of Environ-mental Sciences, Cornwall Public Library, Cornwall ON, January 2012 and and the Vankleek Hill Nature Society Seminar Series, Vankleek Hill, ON, December 2012.

Bramburger, A.J. & Gaiser, E.E. Algal Indicators of Water Quality in the Florida Ever-glades: Lessons Learned and Applicability to Great Lakes Wetlands. Canadian Associa-tion of Water Quality Congress. Burlington, ON. Feb. 2012.

Bramburger, A.J. & Gaiser, E.E. From Everglades to Alvars: Karstic Wetlands as Indica-tors of Environmental Change. 55th Meeting of the International Association for Great Lakes Research, Cornwall, ON. May 2012

Bramburger, A.J., Haley, J., Ridal, J.J., Marty, J., Pelot, A., Joyce, A. & Majury, A. Mathe-matical Nowcasting of Escherichia coli concentrations at St. Lawrence River Public Swim-ming Beaches. Great Lakes Beach Association, Mackinac Island, MI. Oct. 2012.

Bramburger, A.J., Haley, J., Ridal, J.J., Marty, J., Pelot, A., Joyce, A. & Majury, A. A Comparison of Culture, Rapid Detection, and Modeling Techniques for Determining E. coli Concentrations at St. Lawrence River Beaches. Great Lakes Beach Association Con-ference, Mackinac Island, MI. Oct. 2012.

Bramburger, A.J. Alvars: What We Should Know about Ontario’s Hidden Wetland Treas-ures. Science and Nature Speaker Series, St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences, Cornwall Public Library, Cornwall ON, November 2012.

Brush, J.M., Power, M., Marty, J. and Smokorowski, K.E. Food Web Responses to Varia-ble Flow Regimes in Boreal Rivers. 55th International Association for Great Lakes Re-search. Cornwall, ON, Canada. May 2012.

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PUBLICATIONS

The River Institute

65o Delegates

from all over the world took

part in the International

Association of Great Lakes Research

Conference hosted by the River Institute

in May 2012

The scientists at the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental

Sciences have specific knowledge and expertise to share with

others. We work in partnership with organizations, communities,

business and industry to develop research solutions to help

improve their processes.

Our special technical services include:

Microscopic Imaging and Identification

Analytical and Technical Laboratory Services

Custom Research and Development

Education and Training

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APPLIED RESEARCH & TECHNICAL SERVICES

A summer evening on the St. Lawrence River

The River Institute

Peer-Reviewed Journals de Lafontaine Y., Marty J. and Despatie S. 2012. Swarms of the Ponto-Caspian mysid Hemi-mysis anomala in Montreal harbour, St. Lawrence River, Canada. Journal of Great Lakes Re-search. doi:10.1016/j.jglr.2011.05.019.

Lessard, C.L., A.J. Poulain, J.J. Ridal, J.M. Blais. Steady-state mass balance model for mer-cury in the St. Lawrence River near Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. Accepted for publication in Environmental Pollution.

Marty J., de Lafontaine Y., Despatie S., Koops M., Power M., Bowen K. and Ives J. 2012. Evaluation of carbon pathways supporting the diet of invasive Hemimysis anomala in a large river. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 38(2): 45-51. doi:10.1016/j.jglr.2012.01.003

Razavi, N.R., J.J. Ridal, W. de Wit, M.B.C. Hickey, L.M. Campbell and P.V. Hodson. Ebullition rates and mercury concentrations in St. Lawrence River sediments and a benthic inver-tebrate. Accepted for publication in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.

Ricciardi, T., Avlijas, S. and Marty, J. 2012. Impacts of mysid introductions: a forecast for Hemi-mysis anomala in North America. Journal of Great Lakes Research. doi:10.1016/j.jglr.2011.06.007

Ridal, J.J., M.B.C. Hickey, J. Marty and S.P. Bhavsar. 2012. Assessing the fish consumption beneficial use impairment in the Bay of Quinte, Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 15:4, 453-463.

Walsh, M.G., Boscarino, B.T., Marty, J. and Johannsson, O.E. 2012. Mysis diluviana and Hemimysis anomala: reviewing the roles of a native and an invasive mysid in the Laurentian Great Lakes region. Journal of Great Lakes Research. doi:10.1016/j.jglr.2012.03.003.

Tadonleke R, Marty J. and Planas D. 2012. Assessing factors underlying variation of CO2 emissions in boreal lakes versus reservoirs. FEMS Microbial Ecology, doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01218.x.

Technical Reports Bramburger,A.J. and J.J. Ridal. Towards Enhanced Bioremediation and Leachate Quality in Remediated, Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soils at LLSR. Report prepared for Lafleche-Leblanc Soil Remediation Inc., Moose Creek Ontario and the Colleges Ontario Network for Industrial Innovation (CONII).

Critoph, C., M. Levac, L. St-Pierre and J.J. Ridal. 2012. PWF Strategy. An Assessment of Pattingale, Westley’s and Ferguson Creeks. Prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Eastern Region, Kingston, ON. Sept 2012.17 pp.

Ridal, J.J. and A. Bramburger. 2012. Assessment of the Beach Closing and Recreation Water Quality Impaired Beneficial Use for the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) Area of Concern. Report prepared for the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Eastern Region, Kingston, ON, in sup-port of the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) Remedial Action Plan and the Canada-Ontario Agreement. March 31, 2102, 27 pp.

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PUBLICATIONS

The River Institute

The River Institute The River Institute THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

RESEARCH, EDUCATION & COMMUNITY 2012