Sessions (by theme)

Adaptive management of the Great Lakes requires hydroclimate data for (1) testing water management alternatives under a range of hydroclimate conditions, (2) making decisions based on predicted hydroclimate conditions over varying time horizons, and (3) understanding and communicating impacts of hydroclimate activities and the ability and/or limitations of water management to address these impacts. The long history of binational water management along with modeling complexities resulting from the vast surface areas of the lakes, their interaction with the regional climate, and data discontinuities that result from combining observations and models from both sides of the border have resulted in a unique evolution of hydroclimate data, models, and their applications to water management.

We seek presentations that describe advancements in hydroclimate data and models for use in Great Lakes adaptive management, particularly ones that build on the results and progress presented in the previous IAGLR Great Lakes data sessions. In addition, we look for contributions that highlight the potential applications of hydrologic, hydraulic, atmospheric, and data science models to decision support and communication of the ability and/or limitation of water management strategies to mitigate impacts. We also welcome presentations that highlight the research gaps in hydroclimate science that might be narrowed in the coming years due to advancements in data availability and modeling efforts.

This session is a continuation of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management Committee’s effort to identify research priorities to advance adaptive management for the Great Lakes.

Chaired by:
Frank Seglenieks¹, Lauren Fry², Deanna Fielder³, Scott Steinschneider⁴, Dani Jones⁵, David Cannon⁵

¹ Environment and Climate Change Canada,² NOAA,³ US Army Corps of Engineers,⁴ Cornell University,⁵ University of Michigan Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research

Corresponding chair: Frank Seglenieks, frank.seglenieks@ec.gc.ca

This session aims to explore foundational research on how large lake extreme events such as high-water episodes, storm surges, meteotsunamis, extreme ice loss, floods, heat waves, wildfires, and compounding hazards (e.g., coincident flooding and harmful algal blooms, or ice loss and winter storm intensity) impact water quality and ecosystem health as expressed through biological, chemical, or physical lake processes including the disruption of lake ecosystems. We invite contributions that examine case studies and longer term evaluations of regional, large lake extreme events to better understand the nuances of singular events and cumulative impacts on the Great Lakes ecosystem and water quality. We also solicit work that integrates new tools for water quality related impact assessment, pathways for adaptation, and risk communication. In spirit with the IAGLR 2026 theme, “Bridging Communities & Ideas,” this session encourages cross-sector collaborations among all information value chain partners, including Indigenous knowledge holders, scientists and citizen scientists, engineers, policymakers, and communications experts to strengthen understanding of extreme event impacts to build Great Lakes water quality resilience.

Keywords: Water quality; Extreme events; Indigenous knowledge; Great Lakes; Climate change impacts; Infrastructure vulnerability; Indigenous knowledge; Compounding hazards; Decision support; Risk communication; Resilience

Chaired by:
Alisa Young¹, Laura Jones², Carla Torchia³

¹ U.S. Government,² Canadian Government, ³Canada Water Agency

Corresponding chair: Alisa Young, alisa.young@noaa.gov

Past research has revealed numerous alterations in lake physics, chemistry, and biology that have been induced by climate change.  Recent work has also highlighted the often-subtle interactions between climate change and other stressors (e.g., increased nutrient and organic carbon loadings, anthropogenic chemical contamination, and invasive species).  This session encourages presentations that continue to advance our understanding of these climate-induced changes in lakes.  In particular, we would like to highlight differences (or similarities) in large- and small-lake responses to climate change (and co-occurring stressors).  This could include comparisons of lake physical responses to climate change between large and small lakes (e.g., ice cover, stratification), as well as regional or survey studies of either large or small lakes that can highlight the similarities and impactful changes observed.  This session welcomes experimental, modeling, and observational studies from large and small lakes around the world.

Chaired by:
Noel Urban¹, Scott Higgins², John Lenters³, Peter Blanken⁴

¹ Michigan Technological University,² IISD-ELA,³ University of Michigan,⁴ university of Colorado Boulder

Corresponding chair: Noel Urban, nurban@mtu.edu

This session’s focus is on the physical limnology of the Laurentian Great Lakes and other lakes of the world. Papers are solicited dealing with field, modeling, AI, machine learning, experimental, and laboratory studies of physical processes in lakes and coastal regions, including, but not limited to, surface waves, internal waves, currents, turbulence, ice cover, stratification, water level fluctuations, and sediment transport. Studies focused on lakes of all sizes, big and small, are encouraged. 

Chaired by:
Shuqi Lin¹, David Cannon², Jay Austin³, Dan Titze⁴, Chin H Wu⁵

¹ Environment and Climate Change Canada,² CIGLR, University of Michigan,³ University of Minnesota Duluth,⁴ NOAA Federal,⁵ University of Wisconsin-Madison

Corresponding chair: Shuqi Lin, Shuqi.lin@ec.gc.ca

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact (Compact) and associated cross-border Agreement are at the intersection of Science, Policy, and Management. These agreements call for leadership in developing science that improves management of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system. As stated in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Compact Council and Regional Body’s revised 2024 Science Strategy “…the integration of information about the impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes Basin water balance is a key challenge.”

Priority research themes for the next five years were included in the 2024 Regional Body and Compact Council’s updated Science Strategy.  “Quantifying Groundwater resources in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence River Basin” was identified as the Regional Body/Compact Council Science Team’s focus area for 2026.  This is particularly timely as estimating water availability has increased in importance with new water intensive industries coming into the region; the corresponding needs for new energy generation that will require water resources; and new agricultural uses due to climate change.  Accordingly, this session will focus on research that will advance a better understanding of the availability of groundwater resources in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence River Basin, as well as how efficient use of water resources can be used with the overall intention of informing water policy makers enabling them to plan for the future.

Chaired by:
Peter Johnson¹, Shaili Pfeiffer²

¹ Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers,² Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Corresponding chair: Peter Johnson, pjohnson@gsgp.org

This session brings together educators, scientists, and community leaders to explore how hands-on, place-based learning can connect youth to the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River, or other aquatic ecosystems while fostering stewardship and workforce development. Presenters will share successful initiatives that integrate experiential education, Indigenous ways of knowing, and/or community science to mobilize young learners as active participants in aquatic science. The presentations will highlight not only how to deepen environmental literacy but also how to cultivate a sense of responsibility and belonging, empowering youth to become stewards of their local ecosystems and contributors to the future of aquatic science.

Whether you're a scientist seeking ideas for meaningful outreach opportunities, an educator designing materials for learners, or a community member supporting workforce development or youth engagement, this session offers practical strategies and inspiration for bridging disciplines and generations in service of our connected waters. By fostering collaboration across sectors and centering on youth, we can strengthen the collective impact of Great Lakes/aquatic science and education—ensuring that the next generation is not only informed, but equipped and inspired to lead.

Chaired by:
Kristin TePas¹, Kelsey Prihoda², Pauline Gerrard³, Emilie DeRochie⁴

¹ Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant,² University of Minnesota Sea Grant College Program,³ IISD Experimental Lakes Area,⁴ St. Lawrence River Institute

Corresponding chair: Kristin TePas, ktepas@illinois.edu

We mourn the passing of Dr. Louis Bernatchez on September 28, 2023, following a long battle with illness. In honour of his extraordinary contributions to science and mentorship, this session is dedicated to celebrating Louis’ lasting influence on the study of genetics, molecular ecology, and evolution in the aquatic realm, as well as his impact on the Canadian biological research community. Since Louis’ research spanned a remarkable breadth of topics, this session is  open to contributions from a broad range of topics in evolutionary biology, aquatic conservation, genetics, epigenetics, transcriptomics, and environmental DNA. After all, Louis had basically worked on everything at some point in his career! Louis published more than 500 scientific manuscripts that have collectively been cited more than 50,000 times. He also founded and served as the editor-in-chief for two influential journals (Evolutionary Applications and Environmental DNA). However, of all his accomplishments, Louis himself was most proud of his mentorship of young scientists, having trained over 150 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. His legacy and influence shaping younger generations of Canadian biologists has thus been profound. Louis’ passion for science and down-to-earth personality inspired both young and established researchers alike, and in the spirit of honouring that legacy, we invite contributions from those who wish to remember and pay respect to Louis as a scientist, collaborator, mentor, and friend. Please join us in celebrating the life and legacy of one of Canada’s most influential scientists.

Chaired by:
Matthew Yates¹, Margaret Docker¹, Clare Venney², Dylan Fraser³, Daniel Heath⁴

¹ University of Manitoba,² University of Alberta,³ Concordia University,⁴ University of Windsor

Corresponding chair: Matthew Yates, matthew.yates@outlook.com

Aquatic ecosystems face unprecedented pressures from climate change, habitat alteration, species invasion, and shifting societal needs, making inter-generational collaboration in science and management essential. This session highlights the role of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and practitioners in shaping long-term strategies for aquatic conservation while fostering continuity across generations of scientists, managers, and communities. By integrating inter-generational planning into scientific design and process, we establish elements for successful longevity in aquatic stewardship. The session will showcase diverse “faces” of science—ranging from academic researchers to community scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, and non-governmental organizations—demonstrating how inclusive participation strengthens both research and management outcomes.

Inspired by FishCAST (Fisheries Management and Conservation Careers in Science and Technology), an NSERC CREATE program for trainees to engage in research and professional skills training, this session will showcase 10-12 presentations followed by group discussions that highlight collaborative research, case studies, and lessons learned from ECR-led initiatives. This session is not limited to FishCAST members, but broadly invites submissions and participants from any aspect of the aquatic sciences, particularly those that signal themes of co-production and inclusivity at the forefront. Participants will learn how inclusive participation can address multidisciplinary challenges of sustaining aquatic ecosystems, and how collaborative approaches can embed long-term, inter-generational values into practice. This session invites participants to learn from, and with, the next generation of aquatic scientists. By bridging knowledge, practice, and vision across generations, we can build stronger, collaborative, adaptive, and resilient pathways for enduring stewardship for aquatic ecosystems and resources.

Chaired by:
FishCAST ECRs¹, Alfred Achieng², Raegan Davis³, Sarika Suarez Sharma⁴, Kendra Thompson-Kumar⁴, Margaret Docker⁵, Catherine Febria⁴, Christina Semeniuk⁴

¹ Multiple Universities,² University of Toronto,³ Carleton University,⁴ University of Windsor,⁵ University of Manitoba

Corresponding chair: FishCAST ECRs, fishcast.openwaters@gmail.com

Bioenergetics studies have a rich history of applications with fishes, informing fisheries management, stocking, and fundamental ecological understanding. There is a growing diversity of experimental, field, and modeling approaches employed, including examples of integrated studies that use a diversity of creative methods to estimate ecologically relevant bioenergetics. In a rapidly changing world, these studies have a key role to play in managing aquatic ecosystems, but also involve some challenges that necessitate further scientific development. This session will include recent studies in this growing field, spanning from experimental, field, and modeling approaches.

Chaired by:
Jacob Brownscombe¹, Neil Mochnacz¹, Matthew Guzzo¹

¹ Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Corresponding chair: Jacob Brownscombe, Jacob.Brownscombe@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Lampreys occupy a unique position at the intersection of evolutionary biology, conservation, and invasive species management. This session will bring together those exploring the latest advances in lamprey science and management, spanning topics from phylogenomics to innovative tactics for controlling invasive sea lamprey populations in the Laurentian Great Lakes. The session will also highlight conservation challenges facing imperiled native species, including habitat restoration, climate resilience, and cultural heritage considerations. Participants will discuss advances in tools such as environmental DNA, acoustic telemetry, individual-based models, and emerging genetic techniques that are transforming our ability to monitor, manage, and understand lamprey populations. In addition, the session will consider socio-ecological perspectives, including Indigenous knowledge systems and public outreach initiatives, which are increasingly recognized as key to integrated conservation and management approaches. By synthesizing insights from across disciplines, such as behavioral ecology and physiology to genomics and policy, the session aims to foster collaboration and reveal research priorities. We invite presentations on fundamental biology, conservation and management strategies, and methodological advances, with the goal of charting a path forward for lampreys in the face of global environmental change.

Chaired by:
Margaret Docker¹, John Hume², Samantha Brunner², Michael Wilkie³

¹ University of Manitoba Faculty of Science,² Michigan State University,³ Wilfrid Laurier University

Corresponding chair: Margaret Docker, Margaret.Docker@umanitoba.ca

Aquatic food webs are vulnerable to change caused by human activities, including habitat modification and pollution. While individuals and populations can be studied in the laboratory and field by focusing on direct, sub-lethal and lethal impacts, assessing food web-level effects requires consideration of food web structure, including interactions between and among taxa and/or trophic levels, and the indirect or ecosystem-level effects that may arise due to these interactions. This work, however, is essential for understanding how aquatic ecosystems respond to environmental change at ecologically relevant levels of biological organization. In this session, we will explore how food webs are impacted by anthropogenic changes such as pollution, habitat modification and exploitation, and/or climate change, using methods that consider communities and/or multiple trophic levels in their assessment of environmental effects. For example, we encourage the submission of abstracts using methods derived from nutritional and food web ecology such as fatty acid and stable isotope analyses, as well as those that consider multiple trophic levels, species interactions. and indirect effects, to study the structure or stability of aquatic ecosystems.

Chaired by:
Garth Covernton¹, Stephanie Graves²

¹ Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto,² Department of Biology, McMaster University

Corresponding chair: Garth Covernton, garth.covernton@utoronto.ca

The lower food webs of large lakes- bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic invertebrates - form the foundation of ecosystem structure and function. These communities regulate nutrient cycling, energy transfer, and support higher trophic levels. Despite their central role, lower food web components often receive less research attention compared to upper trophic levels, even though changes at the base of the food web can profoundly alter entire ecosystems and are the first sign of broader ecological problems. This session will highlight the critical importance of long-term monitoring and research on lower food webs to understand ecosystem dynamics, detect emerging stressors, and forecast future changes. We are looking for presentations that highlight recent findings on long-term changes in aquatic communities, spatial and temporal trends, as well as the roles of invasive species, anthropogenic impacts, environmental change, hypoxia, and other factors that shape community dynamics. In addition to more traditional techniques, presentations on methodological advances, including molecular tools, remote sensing, and automated monitoring to improve species detection and assessment, are welcome. By synthesizing insights from individual lakes and across the basin, this session will address critical gaps in our understanding of lower food web dynamics, provide recommendations for sustaining monitoring programs, and explore how these data can inform ecosystem-based management.

Chaired by:
Nikolai Barulin¹, James Watkins², Euan Reavie³, Lars Rudstam²

¹ Great Lakes Center, Buffalo State University,² Cornell University,³ University of Minnesota Duluth

Corresponding chair: Nikolai Barulin, belsturgeon@gmail.com

Behavioural ecology is a cornerstone of understanding how and why animals interact with their environment. This session will include diverse topics such as personality, habitat use, movement, migration, antipredator responses, learning, social environment, human impacts, foraging, and more. By integrating the choices individuals make with knowledge of their biotic and abiotic environment, we can learn more about where we find animals and why they are there.

Chaired by:
Trevor Pitcher, tpitcher@uwindsor.ca

Estuarine and coastal systems form dynamic interfaces between freshwater and marine environments, supporting high biological productivity and providing essential ecosystem services to human and natural communities. This session will showcase research on the physical, chemical, and biological processes shaping these transitional environments, including nutrient cycling, habitat connectivity, hydrodynamics, and responses to climate-driven stressors such as sea-level rise, temperature shifts, and extreme weather events. Presentations are encouraged on topics spanning ecosystem monitoring, restoration, modeling, and governance, with particular emphasis on the linkages between inland waters, estuarine, and coastal systems. By integrating perspectives from freshwater and marine sciences, this session aims to advance understanding of coupled aquatic systems and promote collaborative approaches for sustainable management of estuaries, coasts, and oceans in a rapidly changing world.

Chaired by:
Ken Jeffries, Ken.Jeffries@umanitoba.ca

This session will focus on the introduction, establishment, spread, and impacts of invasive species across Great Lakes systems. Invasive species have resulted in dramatic declines in native biodiversity across the world. For example, in Lake Victoria in East Africa, the introduction of the invasive and highly predatory Nile perch (Lates niloticus) in the 1960s coincided with a disappearance of approximately 200 native cichlid species and the collapse of the associated artisanal fisheries. Further, in the North American Great Lakes system, the introduction of numerous invasive fishes and molluscs have drastically altered food web structure and has had significant consequences for native biodiversity. Given the commonality of both biodiversity and economic consequences that invasive species have caused in both systems, abstracts from both the North American Great Lakes/St. Lawrence river and African Great Lakes are encouraged in this session. We aim to provide a platform for discussing methodologies for studying invasive species, mitigation strategies and their successes/failures, risk assessments for spreading/future invaders, and the impacts of invasive species across disciplines including, but not limited to, biodiversity science, fisheries, eco-physiology, and economics. Taken together, this session aims to serve as a venue for discussing the varied impacts of invasive species and their implications for the health of aquatic ecosystems.

Chaired by:
Ty Colvin¹, Veronica Groves¹

¹ McGill University

Corresponding chair: Ty Colvin, ty.colvin@mail.mcgill.ca

Invasive species are a leading threat to native species and biodiversity, are an important driver of global ecological and evolutionary change, restructure food webs, and have caused significant economic damage to aquatic ecosystems. This session welcomes presentations reflecting a broad array of aquatic invasive species research in aquatic ecosystems, including ecological, economic, social science, communications, education, and evaluation research. Presentations about efforts to connect invasive species research to lay audiences (community science, education, etc.) are also welcome.

Chaired by:
Rochelle Sturtevant¹, El Lower¹

¹ Michigan Sea Grant

Corresponding chair: Rochelle Sturtevant, sturtev1@msu.edu

This theme session will explore the ecology, assessment, and management of harvested marine species across Canada’s ocean ecosystems. It will bring together researchers and practitioners from Canada’s three oceans, with participation from academia, government agencies, the fishing industry, Indigenous communities, and non-governmental organizations.

Marine fisheries are deeply embedded in the history and culture of Canada’s coastal communities and have significant socio-economic impacts both nationally and globally. Canadian fisheries are highly diverse, ranging from small-scale subsistence operations to large-scale industrial enterprises. Some fisheries have thrived for centuries in highly productive ecosystems, while others are emerging or have experienced collapse. Marine fisheries in Canada are now navigating a complex suite of challenges—including climate change, resource development, and the expansion of protected areas— that are reshaping traditional practices and calling for innovative solutions.

Canada’s marine fisheries science community has played a foundational role in the development of aquatic sciences, including the establishment of the Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research in 1948. The Society of Canadian Aquatic Sciences (SCAS) annual conference continues this legacy, serving as a central venue for knowledge exchange within the Canadian aquatic sciences community.

This session aims to honor these historical roots while fostering continued collaboration between marine fisheries and aquatic sciences researchers. As the second annual Marine Fisheries session at SCAS, we believe its establishment provides a vital platform for Canadian marine scientists to reconnect, build new collaborations, and contribute to the SCAS conference’s role as a central hub—or “clearing house”—for marine fisheries science in Canada.

Chaired by:
David Keith¹, Stephanie Boudreau¹

¹ Fisheries and Oceans Canada Maritimes Region

Corresponding chair: David Keith, David.Keith@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened globally, supporting a disproportionate number of species at risk due to habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. This session will focus on advancing understanding of the ecological, genetic, and management dimensions of imperiled species in freshwater ecosystems. Contributions will explore patterns of decline, conservation genetics, recovery planning, and habitat restoration efforts aimed at improving population resilience. By highlighting recent research and on-the-ground conservation initiatives, this session seeks to identify emerging threats, knowledge gaps, and opportunities for adaptive management of freshwater species at risk.

Chaired by:
Katriina Ilves, kilves@nature.ca & Doug Watkinson, doug.watkinson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

There is growing recognition that effective management of fisheries and aquatic systems depends not only on ecological and biological data, but also on understanding the people, communities, and institutions connected to them. From Indigenous knowledge systems to community stewardship, livelihoods, and governance structures, social and human dimensions shape how aquatic resources are valued, used, and sustained. Yet, these perspectives remain underrepresented in fisheries policy and management. This session focuses on bringing social research to the forefront asking how it has been used, what challenges remain, and how it can better inform the future of fisheries and aquatic resource management.

We are calling on human dimensions researchers, practitioners, and managers to share insights, challenges, and opportunities around questions such as:

• What expertise exists for understanding the social and human dimensions of fisheries and aquatic systems?

• How have social data been applied in fisheries management, and with what outcomes?

• What are the needs of fisheries managers and practitioners with respect to social research?

• Where should future efforts and collaborations be focused?

The session will provide space to highlight diverse expertise and experiences, from practical vignettes of applied social research to perspectives on key knowledge gaps and priorities. We especially encourage contributions from practitioners and managers who can articulate needs and opportunities for better integrating social dimensions into policy and practice.

Chaired by:
Vivian Nguyen¹, Andrew Muir², Jeanne Coffin-Schmitt²

¹ Carleton University, ² Great Lakes Fishery Commission

Corresponding chair: Vivian Nguyen, Carleton University, VivianNguyen@cunet.carleton.ca

This session centres Indigenous epistemologies and ethical frameworks in relation to limnology and freshwater ecosystems, exploring how they illuminate relationships of reciprocity, responsibility, and kinship with water. Rather than assuming a singular epistemic authority, the session recognises the coexistence of multiple knowledge systems and examines how they interact, complement, and at times challenge one another in water governance contexts.

Elders, freshwater stewards, community practitioners, and scientists will come together to share their work protecting, restoring, and understanding freshwater systems within their territories and lived realities. Presentations highlight a wide range of global approaches to freshwater stewardship, including community-led monitoring and Guardianship initiatives, collaborative research and governance models, and scientific assessments of ecosystem change.

Contributions span diverse methods and perspectives, from place-based observations and long-term community assessments to conventional scientific monitoring, modelling, and remote sensing. Together, the presentations explore how freshwater systems are shaped by ecological change, development pressures, governance decisions, and relationships between people, water, and place. By bringing together varied approaches to knowing, monitoring, and governing freshwater systems, the session supports dialogue on how collaboration, accountability, and stewardship can be strengthened in practice.

Chaired by:
Kianna Durston¹, Daniel Gladu-Kanu¹, Navjot Dhaliwal^2,3, Edwin Wagah^2,4, Dilber Yunus⁵, Phoolman Chaudhary⁶

¹ Lake Winnipeg Indigenous Collective, ² Indigenous Wisdom for Freshwater Conservation (IWFC),³ York University,⁴ Eötvös Loránd University,⁵ Experimental Lakes Area - IISD, ⁶Asian Indigenous International Network

Corresponding chairs: Phoolman Chaudhary, phoolmanc@gmail.com; Navjot Dhaliwal, navdha@yorku.ca; Kianna Durston, kianna@lwic.org; & Dilber Yunus, dyunus@iisd-ela.org

MANOOMIN (wild rice, Zizania palustris) is an ecologically, culturally, and nutritionally significant aquatic plant, central to the life and creation story of Anishinaabeg people. In addition to playing a critical role in Indigenous food sovereignty, MANOOMIN holds deep spiritual and cultural meaning, connecting people, water, and the land. In recent decades, many wild rice populations have declined, impacted by regulated and managed water levels, and by increasing competition from invasive plants, including hybrid cattails (Typha × glauca) and phragmites (Phragmites australis). This session invites presentations from western and Indigenous scientists as well as traditional knowledge keepers to explore the multiple factors that limit wild rice growth and resilience. Presentations can address ecological, hydrological, and cultural dimensions of MANOOMIN stewardship, including research findings, community-based initiatives, and restoration practices. Our goal is to create dialogue and collaboration between Indigenous knowledge holders, researchers, land and water managers, and community members. By bringing together diverse perspectives, we aim to deepen understanding, identify shared priorities, and support efforts to protect and restore wild rice across the Great Lakes region.

Chaired by:
Lienne Sethna¹ , Vince Palace²

¹ St. Croix Watershed Research Station, ²IISD-ELA

Corresponding chair: Vince Palace, vpalace@iisd-ela.org

Environmental degradation is manifesting in Indigenous communities through deteriorating water quality, influencing socio-ecological determinants of health and well-being. Indigenous communities are uniquely positioned to help resolve environmental problems because of place-based Indigenous Knowledge (IK). IK offers guidance on climate adaptation and resilience-building, considering ecological change particularly on water. Six Nations of the Grand River of the Haudenosaunee has been engaged in efforts to achieve sustainable ecosystems, health, and well-being directly tied to the state of the natural environment. The Ohneganos Ohnegahdę:gyo research project, led by Six Nations of the Grand River, is focused on mixed methods, and capacity building.  Similarly, the Global Centre for Climate Change and Transboundary Waters (GCTW) research design is reflected in our commitment to engage across disciplines and worldviews. While working in sustained partnership with Indigenous leaders, GCTW’s research adheres to the ethical principles and protocols and one of the Center’s goals is to establish an Indigenous research institute that supports the development, accessibility, and practice of TEK and IK. The concept of developing a Indigenous-led Research and Training Institute- to be housed at Indigenous lands and centered around Indigenous Knowledge pedagogies - reflects these collaborative objectives. The challenge is to find a balance between government and academia, knowledge equity in data collection, and the incorporation of Indigenous metrics and language that can build capacity, support self-determination, and water security for future generations.

Chaired by:
Dawn Martin-Hill¹, Gail Krantzberg²

¹ McMaster University,² Global Centre for Climate Change and Transboundary Waters

Corresponding chair: Gail Krantzberg, krantz@Mcmaster.ca

Chaired by:
Claire Herbert¹, Yanique Campbell¹, Chris Hay², Sumeep Bath², Sandra Svoboda³, Anna Boegehold⁴, Stephany Hildebrand⁵, Nicole Wood⁶

¹ University of Manitoba,² IISD Experimental Lakes Area,³ The Nature Conservancy, ⁴ International Joint Commission, ⁵The River Institute,⁶ IAGLR

Corresponding chairs: Anna Boegehold, annaboegehold@gmail.com; Claire Herbert, claire.herbert@umanitoba.ca; Sumeep Bath, sbath@iisd-ela.org

Aquatic systems in Canada are shaped by both ecological and social processes that are implicated in systems of power, including colonialism and other forms of injustice. This session critically examines how power, place, and policy intersect in the management of aquatic systems, foregrounding the lived experiences and knowledge systems of Indigenous and local communities. In this session, talks will interrogate the ecological consequences of social injustice, the social consequences of ecological crises, and paths towards social-ecological justice in aquatic systems.  Presentations will explore questions such as: How has colonialism shaped aquatic ecosystems? How do settler colonial logics shape management and conservation? Who is included or excluded in fisheries governance? What does justice look like in the context of aquatic stewardship and food sovereignty? Through interdisciplinary dialogue and community-grounded perspectives, this session aims to unsettle dominant paradigms and advance transformative approaches to equity in aquatic ecosystem management.

Chaired by:
Sara Cannon^1,2,3, Jared Connoy^1,2,3

¹ Centre for Indigenous Fisheries,² Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries,³ University of British Columbia

Corresponding chair: Sara Cannon, s.cannon@oceans.ubc.ca

Rivers connect land, water and people and are crucial to sustaining health and well-being at local and global scales. Unfortunately, the integrity of rivers and our relationships with them are in decline. Rivers are as complex as people, and with so many rivers in decline, there is an increasing responsibility to steward our rivers using science, storytelling, and partnerships.

This session intentionally seeks to explore questions around river science, stewardship and restoration. This half-day session & film screening will take an 'unconference' approach, featuring shorter presentations followed by a longer period of solutions- and partnership-oriented discussion, networking, and play. All are welcome to present on any aspect of river sciences - spanning molecules to whole ecosystems, natural, Indigenous, social and community sciences. Recognizing that all efforts are needed to restore the health of rivers and relationships with them, we welcome joint/co-presentations, intergenerational voices and alignments with sister sessions on Indigenous Knowledges.

In reciprocity, this session will also celebrate the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, whereby participants will participate in group photovoice and MacroBlitz activities throughout the conference. A screening of Aotearoa-New Zealand film “I am the river and the river is me” will also be offered, about the journey to legal personhood status for the Whanganui River. This session hopes to converge on key issues facing river science and stewardship across Canada, identify new indicators for recovery, and opportunities for collaboration. In doing so, this session will initiate the establishment of a collective riverkeeper community of practice to be established.

Chaired by:
Catherine Febria¹, Dalal Hanna², Evan Bowness³, Lauren Lawson², Abraham Francis⁴

¹ University of Windsor,² Carleton University,³ Western University, ⁴ Aronia Collective

Corresponding chair: Catherine Febria, catherine.febria@uwindsor.ca

There is a push in Canada, and arguably around the world, to manage fisheries with an ecosystem approach, whereby ecological, environmental, and human drivers of fish and marine mammal population dynamics are incorporated into fisheries stock assessment and subsequent management decisions. Fisheries and Oceans Canada have recently developed a science methods toolbox for considering methods used to incorporate ecosystem information into single stock assessments but many of the tools pertain only to data-rich ecosystems. Arctic ecosystems, on the other hand, are often considered data-limited; however, studies in the Arctic are uniquely poised to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and enhance baseline monitoring within the region to support an ecosystem approach. This session invites experienced stakeholders to share how they have or are striving to incorporate an ecosystem approach to managing subsistence and commercial resources; examples of both quantitative and qualitative incorporation of ecosystem considerations into stock assessments and management are encouraged.

Chaired by:
Kevin Hedges¹, Cortney Watt¹, Wojciech Walkusz¹

¹ Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Corresponding chair: Kevin Hedges, kevin.hedges@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Despite decades of relatively sparse research and monitoring activities on Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes, both lakes are now hotspots of activity with strong government (federal and territorial), university, and community partners and are experiencing dramatic changes due to climate change.  As in the Laurentian Great Lakes, research has followed a trajectory based on concerns with contaminants (local mines, inputs from the Peace Athabasca Rivers, atmospheric), fisheries, food webs, and now the impacts of climate change. The observed changes and concerns raised are reflected by recent research and monitoring activities, and new partnerships continue to grow.  This session will focus on providing updates on the current state of knowledge of these two great northern lakes, partnerships, and recommendations for future study.  Submissions on Lake Athabasca and the Peace Athabasca River deltas also will be considered.

Chaired by:
Marlene Evans¹, Diane Giroux², Kim Howland³, Xinhua Zhu³

¹ Environment and Climate Change Canada,² Akaitcho Territory Government,³ Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Corresponding chair: Marlene Evans, marlene.evans@ec.gc.ca

The Canadian Arctic is experiencing accelerated environmental change, with profound implications for northern ecosystems and Peoples. Rising temperatures, changing sea-ice regimes, range expansions, and invasive species are reshaping coastal to offshore ecosystems and altering subsistence harvest opportunities. These widespread changes are impacting food webs, increasing the potential for interactions among endemic, range-expanding, and invasive species. At the same time, shifts in biodiversity are being detected across trophic levels from zooplankton to marine mammals. Elucidating these dynamics is critical for predicting ecosystem resilience and conserving biodiversity, objectives shared by researchers and Indigenous rightsholders. As Indigenous lifeways are interconnected with the land, bridging Indigenous knowledges and Western sciences through community-led initiatives enriches our understanding of ecological processes and local impacts of change.

We invite contributions that explore biodiversity change and trophic interactions across ecological scales- from primary producers to apex predators - using diverse community-based methods and scientific tools. These may include Indigenous knowledges, community-led monitoring, biomarkers, or modelling. This session aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on biodiversity change and trophic ecology in Arctic aquatic ecosystems, providing an inclusive forum to share findings and practices, strengthen collaborations, and connect science with policy.

Chaired by:
Darcy McNicholl¹, Paloma Carvalho¹, Laurissa Christie¹, Allison Drake¹

¹ Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Corresponding chair: Darcy McNicholl, darcy.mcnicholl@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Annex 10 (Science Annex) of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) coordinates the binational Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) in support of Great Lakes ecosystem assessment and management. The CSMI process includes enhanced monitoring and science-based field activities conducted in one Great Lake per year, which are implemented in support of science priorities identified by the GLWQA Annex 2 Lake Partnerships. The 2024 Lake Erie CSMI investigations by federal agencies and partners addressed key knowledge gaps among four science priority themes including chemical contaminant pollution, nutrient and bacterial pollution, habitat and native species, and invasive species. Here, we will provide an overview of the CSMI five-year cycle that involves the development of science priorities, field year planning, intensive field year science and monitoring, analysis and reporting to environmental managers. A summary of field activities that took place during the Lake Erie CSMI field year and results of those efforts will be shared, and next steps for reporting results of the 2024 effort will be highlighted.

Chaired by:
Paris Collingsworth¹, Annie Scofield², David Depew³

¹ Purdue University,² USEPA Great Lakes National Program Office,³ Environment and Climate Change Canada

Corresponding chair: Paris Collingsworth, pcolling@purdue.edu

The Canada Water Agency (CWA), together with Environment Climate Change Canada (ECCC), is holding a joint session on the aquatic ecosystem health of Lake Winnipeg and Lake Winnipeg Basin. The session will cover a spectrum of work across scientific and Indigenous knowledge systems, as well as collaborative efforts focused on improving the aquatic ecosystem health of the Lake Winnipeg. This session will highlight the Canada Water Agency’s Lake Winnipeg Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative, monitoring and research for Lake Winnipeg and Lake of the Woods, including near-shore efforts; watershed-based water quality monitoring including community-based monitoring efforts; EOLakeWatch algal monitoring; and other related knowledge efforts to support freshwater decision-making.

The session will be complemented by a tour showcasing efforts by various organizations (i.e. federal and provincial government, Indigenous, conservation organizations) related to science advancements, knowledge mobilization and on the ground efforts to create a better understanding and improve the aquatic ecosystem health of Lake Winnipeg. The tour would highlight efforts of the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium to coordinate in-lake research efforts on the MV Namao, explore community-based science and other Indigenous led efforts, and showcase on the ground efforts (e.g, large scale wetland restoration. on farm management, and wastewater treatment) to improve water quality in Lake Winnipeg and Lake Winnipeg Basin.

Chaired by:
Ute Holweger¹, Nicole Mishuk

¹ Government

Corresponding chair: Nicole Mishuk, Nicole.Mischuk@cwa-aec.gc.ca

Within the context of a joint conference of two professional societies and the theme of bridging, this session aims to facilitate discussion of the challenges and benefits of including diverse perspectives within research teams. Navigating the complexities of aquatic science and resource management, especially within the context of large lakes, necessitates transcending many types of boundaries. Yet, research and management often remain siloed by geography, politics, culture, and disciplines. Building on the concept of the aquatic continuum - which describes the inherent linkages among lakes, rivers, estuaries, and oceans - this session will bring together those taking an integrated, holistic approach to aquatic systems. This session aims to explore the dynamics of collaborative teams that bridge diverse perspectives. We welcome presentations that detail projects involving international, inter-cultural, or interdisciplinary partnerships spanning systems across the aquatic continuum. Presenters are encouraged to reflect within their presentation on the challenges and benefits of these collaborations. The session will conclude with a series of small group discussions intended to foster connections among attendees and catalyze new partnerships. We hope to use these discussions to produce a product (e.g., article for the IAGLR Lakes Letter) to highlight similarities and differences in the challenges and benefits of working across boundaries, whether they be spatial, political, cultural, or disciplinary.

Chaired by:
Jessica Ives¹, Scott Colborne², Brittany Zepernick³, Hillary Glandon⁴, Diane Orihel⁵

¹ Great Lakes Fishery Commission,² Michigan State University,³ University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, ⁴ Illinois Natural History Survey, ⁵ Queen's University

Corresponding chairs: Jessica Ives, jives@glfc.org & Hillary Glandon, halane@illinois.edu

Community-based monitoring (CBM) mobilizes energy, engagement, and knowledge through a full-circle approach that connects community concerns with measurable impacts on freshwater ecosystems. From coast to coast to coast, CBM programs are generating rigorous, locally relevant information on the health of our rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands. This data is not only critical for informing local freshwater stewardship, but also increasingly recognized as a foundation for research and policy development that drives action on complex water challenges at regional, national, and international scales.    

This session highlights the growing role of Indigenous and non-Indigenous CBM in freshwater science and policy, showcasing examples where community-generated data has directly informed decision-making, shaped research priorities, and led to tangible stewardship and conservation actions.  It will also feature initiatives that strengthen CBM through tools, training, and infrastructure at all stages of the data lifecycle - supporting consistent monitoring protocols, data sharing, and long-term capacity development. This session welcomes water stewards, community leaders, researchers, data managers, and decision-makers to share insights, challenges, and innovations in turning community data into evidence that informs science, guides policy and leads to real change on the ground, coming full circle to address the very challenges that first inspired community action. 

Chaired by:
Patrick Schaefer¹, Chelsea Lobson²

¹ DataStream Initiative,² Lake Winnipeg Foundation

Corresponding chair: Patrick Schaefer, patrick@datastream.org

Human activities layered on natural variability create interacting stressors in aquatic systems. Their combined, often non-additive effects can obscure early warnings, push systems past thresholds, and complicate single-issue management. Meeting this challenge requires a multi-stressor approach that quantifies cumulative effects and links evidence to planning and adaptive management. This session invites presentations that advance the detection, understanding, and reduction of cumulative effects across aquatic ecosystems. Topics broadly include multi-stressor diagnostics, early-warning and resilience metrics, pathway and interaction mapping, and applications informing habitat restoration, fisheries management, water-quality protection, and conservation planning. We welcome empirical field and laboratory studies documenting stressor impacts and pathways in aquatic systems, long-term monitoring syntheses, mechanistic and forecast modeling, and in particular emerging decision-support tools and frameworks that lower the barriers for managers to make informed decisions around cumulative effects with limited data (e.g., load allocations, offsets, and threshold-setting frameworks). We also seek talks on policy reforms and regulatory processes that operationalize cumulative effects perspectives (e.g., impact assessment, environmental licensing/permitting, adaptive management) and on braiding of multiple knowledge systems to co-produce actionable evidence (e.g. stressor-response functions) that underpin the assessment of impacts. Collectively, the overarching goal of the session is to share resources others can adopt (e.g., predictive tools, guidance, and open data), to identify common bottlenecks, and to advance practical and scalable approaches for diagnosing and mitigating cumulative effects in aquatic ecosystems.

Chaired by:
Anas M. Usoof¹, Jordan Rosenfeld², Lauren Jarvis³, Kristen Cyr⁴, Isabelle Tormasi⁴, Holly Mosco⁴, Fielding Montgomery⁵, Christina Semeniuk⁴

¹ The University of Winnipeg,² The University of British Columbia,³ Fisheries and Oceans Canada, ⁴ University of Windsor,⁵ Canadian Wildlife Federation

Corresponding chairs: Anas M. Usoof, a.usoof@uwinnipeg.ca &
Kristen Cyr, Margareeaquaticresearchteam@gmail.com

Effective fisheries management depends on robust scientific understanding of fish population dynamics, habitat conditions, and ecosystem interactions. This session will highlight advances in stock assessment methodologies, long-term monitoring, and adaptive management approaches that support sustainable freshwater fisheries. Presentations will explore new tools for estimating population abundance and productivity, integrating environmental variability and climate impacts into models, and applying genomic, acoustic, and telemetry data to refine management decisions.

Chaired by:
Wendylee Stott, DFO, Wendylee.Stott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca & Vince Palace, ELA

By all accounts, we are in the midst of a freshwater biodiversity crisis and continually challenged on how to best manage freshwater resources to benefit nature and people.  Every day, researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners face these struggles and decision makers apply various strategies and levers (e.g., regulation and permitting, monitoring and adaptive management, finance and incentives, education and behaviour change) in an attempt to protect and restore freshwater biodiversity and ecosystems.  Yet, the outcomes from those actions are rarely subject to candid post-hoc reflections to explore what worked and what didn’t.  Taking time to reflect is essential to learn from our actions yet those efforts fail to inform the broader community if those stories are not shared more broadly.  Here we invite presenters to flex their courage, humility, and pride as they variously share their experiences with success, failures, frontiers, and the spaces in between related to freshwater biodiversity and ecosystems.  Case studies could focus on a fisheries management intervention, a wetland restoration project, a stormwater management action, a community engagement initiative, a policy change related to development, and so on, from very specific actions to broader actions at the national level or beyond.  We promise to create a safe space where sharing experiences is not only cathartic but normalized as an important aspect of advancing and improving the evidence base for freshwater policy and practice. Presenters will have the opportunity to submit their papers to a special collection in Canadian Science Publishing's new journal "Freshwater Policy & Practice".

Chaired by:
Steven Cooke¹, Irena Creed², Jessica Reid³

¹ Carleton University,² University of Toronto at Scarborough,³ Canadian Science Publishing

Corresponding chair: Steven Cooke, steven_cooke@carleton.ca

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) remain one of the most pressing threats to freshwater ecosystems, undermining biodiversity, altering food webs, and placing significant social and economic burdens on communities.  Interconnected waters are the norm in North America -rivers meander between States and Provinces ignoring political boundaries, while the Great Lakes remain a shared resource between federal, provincial, and state jurisdictions. Beyond their natural flows human mediated factors connect waterbodies in novel ways, whether via bait buckets, live wells, or water control projects. The management of these shared connected waterbodies requires cross-jurisdictional coordination, integration of diverse knowledge systems, and innovative tools for prevention, detection, and control.

This session will highlight the shared challenges of managing AIS in connected waters, while showcasing solutions that bridge science, policy, and management actions. We invite contributions that examine pathways of introduction and spread of novel and existing threats, advances in monitoring and rapid response, ecological and socio-economic impacts, and strategies that build resilience against future invasions.

Chaired by:
Brendan Spearin¹, Kaitlyn Brougham¹, Elaina Waters¹

¹ Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Corresponding chair: Brendan Spearin, brendan.spearin@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Canada’s Fisheries Act is the primary legislation responsible for avoiding, minimizing or offsetting the potential harmful alteration, destruction or disruption to fish and their habitat resulting from development projects. As such, it is one of Canada’s most powerful tools to achieve fish conservation. Its implementation requires multi-directional engagement between Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Indigenous communities, project proponents, and their consultants. Academic research, science-based approaches, traditional and technical knowledge are all necessary for the successful planning, execution, and monitoring of projects regulated by this Act. Therefore, knowledge transfer between these groups is critical to ensuring that project reviews and regulation proceed efficiently, are predictable, and achieve the goal of no net loss to fish and their habitat. This session intends to share challenges and successes of projects that require approval under the Act and research that may improve their outcomes. The objective is to strengthen collaboration between academia, DFO, Indigenous communities, project proponents and consultants who contribute knowledge necessary for implementation of the federal Fisheries Act. We invite presentations on case studies, applied research, and management considerations that align with this objective. The session will conclude with a panel discussion regarding shared experiences and opportunities for improvement to the processes and actions of projects requiring Fisheries Act approval.

Chaired by:
Andre-Marcel Baril¹, Laura Phalen²

¹ GeoProcess Research Associates,² Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Corresponding chair: Andre-Marcel Baril, abaril@geoprocess.com

This session will feature speakers working in the nexus between science and policy for sustainable lake management, highlighting efforts focussed on translating science into action for managing priorities for lake sustainability. In Manitoba, Canada, the best available science is being translated into policy through enabling the development of strategies, like voluntary sustainability standards or adaptable quotas, among others. Other stories will bring experiences of science-policy efforts from other lakes in North America and globally.

Chaired by:
Emily Kroft¹, Dimple Roy¹, Marina Puzyreva¹

¹ IISD

Corresponding chair: Emily Kroft, ekroft@iisd.ca

The use of antimicrobial compounds in personal care and household cleaning products continues to rise, spanning quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., benzalkonium chloride) and legacy active ingredients such as triclosan. Conventional wastewater treatment plants often remove these chemicals incompletely, leading to their persistence in effluents, sludges, sediments, and receiving waters. Consequently, antimicrobial compounds are increasingly being detected across aquatic systems worldwide. This session seeks abstracts that advance the environmental chemistry and risk assessment of these compounds and their transformation products. Topics include occurrence and spatiotemporal trends; fate and transport (sorption, partitioning, photolysis, biodegradation); source apportionment and modeling; bioavailability and mixture interactions; analytical advances (passive sampling, HRMS, suspect/non-target screening); and linkages to exposure and risk. We especially invite studies on under‑studied toxicological endpoints relevant to these antimicrobials: microbial community structure and function (biofilms, periphyton, nitrification/denitrification); ecosystem processes (respiration, nutrient cycling); and One Health dimensions such as antimicrobial resistance. Contributions addressing mitigation (e.g., treatment innovation, product reformulation), environmental monitoring frameworks, and weight‑of‑evidence approaches for risk assessment are also welcome.

Chaired by:
Karen Kidd¹, Milena Esser¹, Alex Pelletier², Raina Hubley³, Pepe Rodriguez⁴

¹ McMaster University,² University of Saskatchewan,³ Ontario Tech University,⁴ IISD-Experimental Lakes Area

Corresponding chair: Karen Kidd, karenkidd@mcmaster.ca

Legacy and emerging contaminants are of concern in many lakes from perspectives of human and ecosystem health.  The effects of these contaminants can be amplified through interactions with one another and with other ecological stressors (e.g., eutrophication, climate change).  Microplastic, one important emerging contaminant, is a concern not only per se but also as carrier for contaminants, possibly causing greater biological uptake and effects than would occur in their absence.  The magnitude of contaminant inputs can be affected by lake size, watershed size, proximity to urban areas, or human activity in the watershed.  The residence times of contaminants in lake ecosystems varies greatly as a function of both contaminant and lake properties. 

This session invites presentations providing new insights into these and related topics including updating spatial and temporal trends of contaminants in lakes, mechanistic approaches to explain the fate and transport of contaminants in lake systems, novel approaches to analyzing complex mixtures of contaminants, and novel approaches for estimating risks or toxicological effects of complex mixtures of contaminants.  We particularly encourage submissions that provide insights into fundamental differences in contaminant behavior in large and small lakes.

Chaired by:
Judith Perlinger¹, Marta Venier², Noel Urban¹

¹ Michigan Technological University,² Indiana University Bloomington

Corresponding chair: Judith Perlinger, jperl@mtu.edu

From mountain tops and sea floors to the tributaries and depths of the world’s Great Lakes, macro, micro, and nano plastics are ubiquitous in our environment. As the largest source of drinking water for over 40 million people, the stakes for microplastics in the Laurentian Great Lakes are heightened. New regional efforts and discoveries underscore the continued need for research-guided dialogue, as well as action, around plastic pollution. Building from seven years of previous IAGLR sessions on the topic, this session once again welcomes submissions from practitioners studying the full spectrum of plastic pollution's dimensions and nuances—including but not limited to, fate and transport; monitoring and data harmonization; interception methods and tech advancements; toxicology; contaminant interactions; community intervention; behavior case studies; and more. Similar to the previous two years, this session will conclude with an interactive, expert panel to further explore and synthesize the day's conversations.

Chaired by:
Haley Dalian¹, Kennedy Bucci², Madelyne Cosme³

¹ NOAA Marine Debris Program, ²Lakehead University, ³Canada Water Agency

Corresponding chair: Haley Dalian, haley.dalian@noaa.gov

Freshwater environments are essential ecosystems that support biodiversity, provide drinking water, and sustain communities. Historically, most oil spill research has focused on marine systems, but the growing intersection of oil infrastructure with inland waterways has recently led to the significant progression of collaborative, robust freshwater oil spill science. This knowledge is critical for enabling evidence-based decisions during spill response.

This session will bring together researchers, Indigenous knowledge keepers, managers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore the unique challenges of preparing for, responding to, and recovering from oil spills in freshwater systems. Emphasizing the importance of Indigenous perspectives and place-based knowledge in stewardship and resilience, this session will conclude with a  panel discussion on Indigenous engagement in oil spill science in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River basin and beyond. 

This session, highlighting the results of recent research, aims to foster collaboration and dialogue across disciplines and communities, recognizing that effective solutions require both scientific innovation and local insight. It will spotlight recent policy and regulatory developments, offering perspectives on how evolving frameworks are shaping freshwater oil spill preparedness and response.

By bridging gaps between science, policy, and lived experience, this session seeks to advance understanding and action in freshwater oil spill science. We welcome contributions that showcase new research, collaborative models, and inclusive approaches to environmental protection and recovery.

Chaired by:
Natalie Chin¹, Kenneth Lee², Vince Palace³, Kelsey Prihoda⁴, Lisa Isaacman⁵

¹ University of Wisconsin Sea Grant,² Kenneth Lee Research Inc.,³ International Institute for Sustainable Development - Experimental Lakes Area,⁴ University of Minnesota Sea Grant College Program,⁵ Natural Resources Canada

Corresponding chair: Kelsey Prihoda, priho011@d.umn.edu

Community science—volunteer-powered data collection—is increasingly established and plays a vital role in the management and protection of freshwater ecosystems, including that of the Great Lakes. In particular, community-based water monitoring fills data gaps, supports long-term monitoring, and complements institutional research. Beyond the data, these initiatives cultivate a strong sense of stewardship and shared responsibility for freshwater health among local residents. This session will highlight the contributions of community-based water monitoring by sharing lessons in meaningful and effective community engagement, introducing new equipment and test kits, exploring implications for environmental research, demonstrating business cases for investment, and showcasing examples of where community science has directly influenced conservation and policy.

Chaired by:
Kat Kavanagh¹, Emilie DeRochie²

¹ Water Rangers,² River Institute

Corresponding chair: Emilie DeRochie, ederochie@riverinstitute.ca

This session will highlight ecological modeling and empirical studies of biological-physical interactions and biogeochemistry in the pelagic and benthic zones of large lakes as well as streams and rivers in their watersheds. We encourage contributions that address important ecological functions as well organismal responses to abiotic factors using process-based numerical models, data-driven models, AI or machine learning methods, ecological experiments, physiological or molecular tools, and in situ observations.

Chaired by:
Mark Rowe¹, Reza Valipour², Spencer Gardner³, Daniel Rucinski⁴, Josef Ackerman⁵

¹ NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory,² Environment and Climate Change Canada,³ Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research, University of Michigan,⁴ LimnoTech,⁵ University of Guelph

Corresponding chair: Mark Rowe, mark.rowe@noaa.gov

Fish researchers use telemetry to study the spatial ecology of fish. Telemetry refers to a diverse array of methods where information is transmitted from a remote source to a receiver. Telemetry is a powerful tool for tracking individual fish over time, providing insights into their movement patterns and habitat use. Consequently, telemetry has applied value and should be used to inform management and conservation efforts. In “From pings to policy: Practical applications in fish telemetry research” we invite presentations from researchers who are bridging the gap between raw telemetry data and decision-making. The focus of our session is to highlight research outcomes with practical applications for fisheries stewardship and management. Subsequently, our session aims to foster discussions on best practices for guiding telemetry research toward applied outcomes.

Chaired by:
Caleb Hasler¹, Lee Gutowsky², Doug Watkinson², Simon DePasquale¹

¹ University of Winnipeg,² Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Corresponding chair: Caleb Hasler, c.hasler@uwinnipeg.ca

The rapid pace of technological innovation has enabled radical shifts in humanity’s relationship with our freshwater resources. Newly feasible and affordable solutions are powering a movement of advanced water monitoring and management by community groups, researchers, governments, and industry leaders across the Great Lakes of the world. These technologies enhance our ability to provide the functional, streamlined, and dynamic solutions needed to navigate ever-changing conditions. Unfortunately, barriers to innovation still exist, with low risk tolerance, lack of funding, and long sales cycles often slowing the commercialization and implementation of new solutions.

This session will consist of case studies highlighting exciting use-cases for the next generation of freshwater tech as well as the infrastructure that accelerates its adoption and impact. By bringing together cross-sector perspectives, we will highlight researchers, inventors, and entrepreneurs alongside the network of collaborations, testbed facilities, and other capabilities that make the Great Lakes a global hub of innovation. If you are working to develop, demonstrate, deploy, and scale the next disruptive low-cost sensor, AI-powered early warning system, autonomous vehicle swarm, or emerging contaminant mitigation technology, then you belong here!

Chaired by:
Max Herzog¹, Katelynn Johnson², Ed Verhamme³, Denver Peters⁴

¹ Cleveland Water Alliance,² University of Windsor,³ LimnoTech,⁴ Northwestern Michigan College

Corresponding chair: Max Herzog, mherzog@clewa.org

Aquatic ecosystems are changing rapidly in response to multiple and co-occurring environmental stressors. Many environmental challenges facing marine and freshwater ecosystems are decades in the making. Thus, they require long-term perspectives to establish background conditions, and postulate realistic management approaches and potential recovery states. This session invites presentations where long-term datasets spanning decades to millennia are utilized to track and understand aquatic environmental changes. Long-term datasets can include instrumental monitoring records (e.g. thermal data loggers, water chemistry parameters) and natural archives (e.g. lake and ocean sediments) that will provide historical perspectives on changes in biological, chemical, and physical conditions of aquatic ecosystems. We welcome presentations where long-term datasets are used to assess aquatic changes by identifying timing, magnitude, and/or impacts of diverse stressors (e.g. climatic changes, urbanization, contaminant pollution, acidification, eutrophication). This session also welcomes submissions that focus on development and application of hindcast and forecast models, and new technical and statistical approaches to understand long-term aquatic ecosystem changes.

Chaired by:
Branaavan Sivarajah¹, Cale A C Gushulak²

¹ Mount Allison University,² University of Manitoba

Corresponding chair: Branaavan Sivarajah, bsivarajah@mta.ca

Shallow lakes are among the most vulnerable aquatic ecosystems to environmental change. Their high surface-to-volume ratio makes them extremely sensitive to hydrological fluctuations, with direct consequences for water quality and habitat stability. Declining water levels often cause salinity to rise, reshaping community composition and reducing biodiversity. In continental climates, the loss of winter ice cover fundamentally alters circulation patterns: continuous mixing replaces stable cold-season conditions, favouring species adapted to stronger flows and turbulence over those adapted to winter conditions (e.g., by active motility or buoyancy regulation). Climate change also acts through internal ecological processes, driving shifts in trophic structures and nutrient cycling. More frequent extreme precipitation events in agricultural catchments can trigger sudden pulses of nutrient inputs, while warming and recurrent heatwaves alter lake thermal regimes. Even shallow, polymictic systems that typically remain mixed can experience temporary summer stratification, leading to rapid oxygen depletion near the sediments and subsequent phosphorus release. Such events can induce sudden eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. At the same time, stronger storm activity increases sediment resuspension, reducing light penetration and impairing benthic algae and macrophyte growth, further destabilizing ecosystem functioning. This session will focus on the ecological and management challenges facing shallow lakes under accelerating environmental pressures. The goal of this session is to discuss both external and internal drivers, including climate impacts, nutrient dynamics, hydrology, and biological responses. By exploring ecological mechanisms, the session aims to discuss how shallow lakes worldwide can be better protected and restored amid ongoing global change.

Chaired by:
George Bullerjahn¹, Boglarka Somogyi², R. Michael McKay³, Emily Chase⁴

¹ Bowling Green State University,² HUN-REN Balaton Limnological Research Institute,³ University of Windsor,⁴ University of Winnipeg

Corresponding chair: George Bullerjahn, bullerj@bgsu.edu

A vast number of lakes, spanning in size from small lakes to large and great lakes, are impacted by issues of eutrophication and harmful algal blooms (HABs).  Consequences span from cyanotoxins to impacts on dissolved oxygen, with myriad ecological impacts, and impacts on human uses.  While solutions are often discussed, gaps in our understanding both of drivers of HABs and mitigation options leave us scientifically and socially ill-prepared to solve this problem.  Indeed, proposed solutions are often inadequate, or inadequately implemented, to address the problems we see today.  In this session, talks will span from drivers of HABs and eutrophication, chemistry, ecology and physics of blooms, understanding change in these stressors over time, and managing impacts, including adaptation to bloom impacts and work to mitigate blooms. 

Chaired by:
Scott Higgins¹, Helen Baulch²

¹ IISD-ELA,² University of Saskatchewan

Corresponding chair: Helen Baulch, helen.baulch@usask.ca

Terrestrial inputs of water, nutrients, sediments, and organic matter are key drivers shaping the structure and function of freshwater ecosystems. This session will examine how land-based processes—including agricultural runoff, urbanization, forest management, and climate-driven changes—affect the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Presentations will explore nutrient and carbon fluxes, contaminant transport, sediment dynamics, and the role of land use in influencing water quality, food webs, and ecosystem resilience. The session also invites studies that integrate field observations, remote sensing, modeling, and watershed-scale management to better quantify terrestrial contributions to aquatic systems.

Chaired by:
Erik Emilson, erik.emilson@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca & Jan Ciborowski, jan.ciborowski@ucalgary.ca

Wetlands have historically been managed to maintain habitat connectivity, with a focus on connecting wildlife habitat to maintain continuous population ranges. However, wetlands also serve as the connective tissue between widespread nutrient runoff and downstream ecosystems (such as the Great Lakes). The hydrologic connectivity of wetlands leads to different, and sometimes conflicting, management requirements when compared to habitat connectivity. Wetlands, even seemingly disconnected wetlands, can act as buffers to the movement of water and pollutants across the landscape. This buffering effect has been shown to reduce nutrient loading, therein reducing the severity of harmful algal blooms. However, this function relies on a wetland’s connectivity to nutrient sources. As wetlands are increasingly restored or constructed for the purpose of mitigating nutrient pollution, understanding when and from where wetlands receive, release, and store nutrients is critical to maximizing nutrient retention. In this session we invite talks that discuss the management of wetlands and the needs and challenges associated specifically with managing wetlands for improving water quality.  This includes narrative talks that highlight difficulties and successes in monitoring wetlands, quantitative talks that harmonize datasets across different parameters or institutions, and talks that drive dialogue between management, policy, and science. We welcome talks on both coastal and inland wetlands within the Great Lakes drainage basin. Our goal in this session is to address how various styles of wetland management can improve water quality, and how we can leverage monitoring and management to understand and enhance nutrient retention by wetlands.

Chaired by:
Kenneth Anderson¹, Olivia Schloegel¹, Lauren Brown², Mary Ellen Klukow¹

¹ Kent State University,² Bowling Green State University

Corresponding chair: Kenneth Anderson, kande120@kent.edu

Phosphorus loading from watersheds is the primary contributor of harmful algal blooms in freshwater lakes, including Lake Winnipeg and Lake Erie. Harmful algal blooms threaten water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and the communities who depend on these lakes. Reducing phosphorus loading is essential - but experience has shown that broad, one-size-fits-all management strategies are not enough.

Evidence shows that focusing research, resources, and action in phosphorus “hotspots” - areas that contribute disproportionately high levels of phosphorus to rivers and lakes and that have high delivery ratios (meaning the phosphorus is not intercepted and sequestered upstream) - can be a more effective and efficient way to achieve measurable reductions. By concentrating efforts where they will have the greatest impact, we can better protect water quality while making the best use of limited resources. However, solutions may vary among regions, depending on land use, hydrology and other watershed characteristics.

This session invites contributions that explore approaches to identify phosphorus hotspots, as well as understanding and managing phosphorus sources within them. We hope to draw lessons from a diversity of regions facing similar challenges with phosphorus pollution. For instance, the Red River Valley in the Lake Winnipeg watershed and the Maumee River in the Lake Erie watershed share important similarities as major agricultural tributaries contributing significant phosphorus loads, albeit with differences in geography, governance, and management approaches. Examining parallels across regions can help researchers and managers learn from successes and challenges elsewhere and apply those insights to accelerate phosphorus reduction in their own basin.

Chaired by:
Chelsea Lobson¹, Nora Casson², Greg McCullough³, Thomas Saleh⁴

¹ Lake Winnipeg Foundation,² University of Winnipeg,³ University of Manitoba,⁴ IISD Experimental Lakes Area

Corresponding chair: Chelsea Lobson, chelsea@lakewinnipegfoundation.org

Chaired by:
Kathryn Peiman¹, Karen Smokorowski²

¹ SCAS-SCSA,² DFO

Corresponding chair: Kathryn Peiman, kats_eyez@hotmail.com