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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-09-07, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, September 7, 2016 Great Lakes clean up starts in Bayfield and expands Justine Alkema Clinton News Record 1000 people spent August 21 cleaning up the beloved Great Lakes as a part of eXX- pedition 2016. What started as the small brainchild of Bayfield native Jennifer Pate turned into something much bigger than she could have hoped for. "It ended up snowballing into something quite phe- nomenal," said Pate. Pate is an environmental enthusiast who has her BA in Geogra- phy and MSc in Environ- ment, Science and Society. While beach clean-up was a part of the event, numer- ous boats also went out on all the Great Lakes as well as on the St. Lawrence River and Lake St. Clair. Volunteers spent the day trolling for plastics in the water and obtaining water samples as well as brain- storming solutions to keep plastics out of the waterways. Pate organized the event with Elaine McKinnon who she met in 2014 when they were both on a boat crossing the Atlantic Ocean to con- duct research on plastics in waterways. After talking, they realized they both lived by the Great Lakes, and thought the jour- ney they were on would be a good thing to take home. "It took us two years of planning to put this together," said Pate. "It's been quite a process. We brought leading researchers together from across the region, and it was incredible to see those collaborations happening:' One of the researchers they got in contact with who helped with the event was Professor Sherri Mason from the State University of New York who is a leading researcher in the Great Lakes. Since Mason is well connected to other profes- sionals in her field, she was able to connect them with a number of other researchers to help out. The day was also meant to be an awareness event for the massive issue of micro - plastics in the Great Lakes; there is a greater density of microplastics in the Great Lakes than in the oceans. Microplastics are pieces of plastic that are smaller than lmm. The main reason they enter waterways is because they are able to pass through waste treatment plants due to their tiny size. One popular type of microplastics are the small beads in items such as body wash, toothpaste, deodor- ant, hand cleanser and facial scrub. They might add flair to a hygiene product, but they are extremely destruc- tive when they hit waterways. Other microplastics may be larger plastic items that - '- Boats trolling the water for microplastics. have broken down over time. Microplastics act like sponges for toxins and chem- icals. When fish and other wildlife ingest the plastics, it bioaccumulates up the food chain, gaining concentration and posing serious impacts for humans. Also wildlife that ingest the plastic could suffer internal blockage, dehydra- tion and death. Organizing the event was a huge workload for Pate and McKinnon, who took on the project solely as volunteers. For this reason, they likely won't run it again next year. However Pate is planning on designating the third Satur- day of August as a "Love your Greats" day. This annual event will be to encourage care and protec- tion of the Great Lakes. "It's one thingsto hear about these issues, and it's another to go out and expe- rience it yourself," said Pate. Pate stressed that our environment and specifi- cally our Great Lakes are not separate from us; they are an integral part of our lives, and it's our responsibility to take care of them. After decades in education Director Ted Doherty set to retire Director of Education Ted Doherty will retire from the Avon Maitland District School Board December 31, capping three decades of teaching and executive lead- ership with the Board. Doherty began his career in 1986 as a math teacher at F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham. He subse- quently held positions of vice-principal, principal, system principal and super- intendent, prior to assuming the role of director in 2010. "The board of trustees wish Director Doherty all the best in his retirement," said Board Chair Colleen Schenk. "His insight has helped to grow our board as a leader in the province and he leaves an extraordinary legacy of success that will forever remain a part of our Board's many achievements." When the province prior- itized improving the gradua- tion rate and providing increased options for all Pictured here is Ted Doherty students, Doherty became a champion for finding suc- cess for students by chal- lenging existing practices and thinking. His work around emerging technologies has been show- cased both in the province and beyond, as he led his team to identify how learn- ing in the 21st century must change to meet our ever changing world and the needs of students and staff. Doherty passionately led the transformation of Avon Mait- land into a more equitable and inclusive education system where everyone is valued. His desire to ensure that students are equipped for a life beyond Avon Maitland, in any chosen pathway, has been an inspira- tion to those who work for him. "It has been an honour to serve our wonderful stu- dents in a variety of roles for over 30 years," said Doherty. "We have a unique opportunity and responsibil- ity when working in public education, and I believe there is no career more rewarding." WIRCTORY UOURC'H You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS ANGLICAN 21 St., Seaforth Church Office 519-527-1522 holyspirit@tcc.on.ca Rev. Shaun Eaton - Deacon -in -Charge Sunday, September 11 Worship at 9:30am Everyone Welcome Council meets Wed. Sept. 7 at 1:30pm Community Mental Health Presentation Thurs. Sept. 8 at 7pm All are welcome to attend EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH Worship Leader - Gayle Coleman September 11th - 10:30 - Youth Sunday School 10:30 Grandparents Day Coming Bring a Grandparent for tea and Snack Like us on facebook www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Interim Pastor: Rev. Laurie Morris Sept 11 -11 am Sinlessness - Part B Sept 18-11 am od" #1 "Beholding School Sunday School 9:45 am Sept 11 - 6 pm "Behold Your God" Video #1 Tuesday evenings: Youth Group - 6:30 - 9 pm B&G Club - 6:45 pm (Starts Sept 13) (t--\ EVERYONE WELCOME FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth 519-527-0170 Rev. Dwight Nelson Lorrie Mann - Organist Sunday Worship September 11 - 11 am Pork ChopBBQ Sept. 15 Tickets at Blooms n' Rooms Sunday School • 6. Nursery ALL WELCOMEProvidedasNeeded - '- Boats trolling the water for microplastics. have broken down over time. Microplastics act like sponges for toxins and chem- icals. When fish and other wildlife ingest the plastics, it bioaccumulates up the food chain, gaining concentration and posing serious impacts for humans. Also wildlife that ingest the plastic could suffer internal blockage, dehydra- tion and death. Organizing the event was a huge workload for Pate and McKinnon, who took on the project solely as volunteers. For this reason, they likely won't run it again next year. However Pate is planning on designating the third Satur- day of August as a "Love your Greats" day. This annual event will be to encourage care and protec- tion of the Great Lakes. "It's one thingsto hear about these issues, and it's another to go out and expe- rience it yourself," said Pate. Pate stressed that our environment and specifi- cally our Great Lakes are not separate from us; they are an integral part of our lives, and it's our responsibility to take care of them. After decades in education Director Ted Doherty set to retire Director of Education Ted Doherty will retire from the Avon Maitland District School Board December 31, capping three decades of teaching and executive lead- ership with the Board. Doherty began his career in 1986 as a math teacher at F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham. He subse- quently held positions of vice-principal, principal, system principal and super- intendent, prior to assuming the role of director in 2010. "The board of trustees wish Director Doherty all the best in his retirement," said Board Chair Colleen Schenk. "His insight has helped to grow our board as a leader in the province and he leaves an extraordinary legacy of success that will forever remain a part of our Board's many achievements." When the province prior- itized improving the gradua- tion rate and providing increased options for all Pictured here is Ted Doherty students, Doherty became a champion for finding suc- cess for students by chal- lenging existing practices and thinking. His work around emerging technologies has been show- cased both in the province and beyond, as he led his team to identify how learn- ing in the 21st century must change to meet our ever changing world and the needs of students and staff. Doherty passionately led the transformation of Avon Mait- land into a more equitable and inclusive education system where everyone is valued. His desire to ensure that students are equipped for a life beyond Avon Maitland, in any chosen pathway, has been an inspira- tion to those who work for him. "It has been an honour to serve our wonderful stu- dents in a variety of roles for over 30 years," said Doherty. "We have a unique opportunity and responsibil- ity when working in public education, and I believe there is no career more rewarding."