HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-10-30, Page 9JUNIOR
KINVERGARTEN
Children 3 years old by
December 31,201 3
are eligible for JK it)
September 2014
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 9
Scientists descending on Southwestern Ontario to
get better grip on most vulnerable of Great Lakes
Jane Sims
QMI Agency
Scientists are taking Lake Erie's pulse
this week, and brainstorming how to tackle
some of its biggest threats.
More than 80 researchers will descend
on the University of Windsor for a think-
tank, the Lake Erie Millenium Network,
hoping the best and brightest can figure
out how to make and keep the lake
healthy.
'The list of topics is long and challenging
-- from the dreaded Asian carp, to agricul-
tural run-off that's feeding giant algae
blooms in the lake.
"One of our biggest challenges of this
meeting is, we're trying to find a way to
snake people who don't live right on the
lake realize that their activities have a big
impact on Lake Erie," said conference co-
chair Jan Ciborowski, a Windsor biology
professor.
High on everyone's mind is the growth of
massive algae blooms, especially in the
lake's western end, that are threatening
water intakes and quality. One such blob in
2011, the worst year on record. grew to
almost the size of Prince Edward Island.
Pollutants such as phosphorous, found
QMI Agency Me photo
in animal waste and farts fertilizer, were
implicated.
The problem is "getting worse," said
Sandy Bihn, executive director of Lake Erie
Waterkeeper Inc. in Toledo,
One Ohio water intake for 2,000 people
was shut down because algae levels greatly
exceeded World health Organization
standards.
"We are really at a crisis point for Lake
Erie, especially with micro -systems," she
said.
Southwestern Ontario may have a lot to
do with the algae problem.
"We think that the nutrients for that are
Hurricanes Aquatic Club host first
Purple and Black meet of the season
Lakeshore Advance
On Monday October 21st the Huron
I lurricanes Aquatic Swim team hosted
an in-house competition at the Vanas-
tra Recreation Centre. Dubbed the
"purple and Black" meet after the team
colours, all of the forty seven Regis-
tered Hurricanes who range in age
from 6-18yrs were invited to attend
and show off their skills. Swimmers
travel from all areas of I luron county
and some even from Bruce county to
practice with the 1 lurricanes anywhere
between one and five times/week.
'this meet provided the thirty partici-
pants an opportunity to practice for
the races they would be competing in
the following weekend in Orangeville.
In addition, family and friends had a
chance to see how hard each swimmer
has been working at practice
Butterfly, Backstroke, Breast stroke
and Freestyle are the 4 strokes The
1luron Hurricanes race and there was
no shortage of Ilurricanes trying out a
little bit of everything. "It was great to
see some new faces out that have
never raced before! Events like this
remind you that it takes a TEAM to
achieve success." Coach Kristy Lyon
said. She encourages the kids to try
every race, get out of what they con-
sider "comfortable" and try something
new.„ Switntning is a lot of fun, there
are so many things to perfect and this
generation of Hurricanes is on the
right track!”
Also part of the competition was
"dryland testing , which provides team
members the opportunity to see where
they are at with their core, pushup,
situp and vertical Jump exercises. 'this
was the first of a series of 3 in house
club meets in Vanastra the Hurricane
will have this season.
Coach Kristy says "'The Ilurricanes
cheered their way through an amazing
evening and we'd like to thank all of
the parents that carne out to help and
be part of our first team meet! We are
ready for our first away meet in Oran-
geville this upcoming weekend where
20 Hurricanes are traveling to com-
pete! Go Ilurricanes GO!"
The lluron Hurricanes season runs
from September through May, and
accepts new members anytime pro-
rated! Contact coach Kristy Lyon
(swimcoachkristy@gmail.com) 519-
955-1784 to set up a FREE TRIAL at
any of the Novice Practice times in
both Vanastra @ VRC and in Goderich
@ YMCA. www.huronhurricanes.ca
probably coming down the Thames and
Sydenham rivers, so they represent all the
increased agricultural activity we're seeing
in Southwestern Ontario — well away from
the lakes," said Ciborowski.
No -till farts practices have reduced the
amount of sediment flowing into water-
ways, but that's also allowed more run-off.
Climate change has led to more winter
rains, putting more chemicals into the
waters that feed the algae.
"A complicated mixture of better farthing
practices, but also climate change resulting
in these winter run-off and heavier storms
and warmer summers, make it more likely
for algae to grow," he said.
Ile cautioned science still doesn't have
"a smoking gun" to solve the environmen-
tal issue, but the conference may help
researchers "see the big issue."
The threat of Asian carp — an ecology -
destroying foreign invader — will be on the
agenda, but it's not clear if it's invaded the
lake yet
"We're dreading it showing up," he said.
The conference, t'%inning Tuesday to
'Thursday, is a lead -up to an intensive study
of the lake next year.
jane. situs@su rased ia. ca
About Ede
• Smallest of the Great Lakes by water
volume
• Shallowest, most diverse of the lakes
• Crowded by 12 million people in its
drainage basin
Top 10 Topics At Ede Conference
1. Farm run-off, including from South-
westem Ontario
2. Changes, like large algae blooms.
3. "Dead zones,' with so little oxygen
nothing lives.
4. Health of fisheries.
5. Effects of pesticides on birds.
6. What about water levels?
7. Effects of wind farms in the lake.
6. The dreaded Asian carp. Is it here?
9. New international water quality
agreement.
10. Developing a "true picture" of the
whole lake.
education
IZindergattex
Registratiou
Avon Maitland Schools
0
3 year olds
Monday Morning, November 4
Bluewater Coast ES - CaII 519-262-2833
Tuesday Morning, November 5
Exeter Public School - Call 519-235-2630
Wednesday Morning, November 6
Stephen Central Public School - Call 519-234-6302
Thursday Morning, November 14
Huron Centennial School - Call 519-233-3330
Ted Doherty
Director of Education
Itewst ration packages are now
available for pick tip at your
local school. CaII your local
school to nnak4• .►n .appointment.
•
yourschools.ca
SENIOR
K INVERGARTEN
Children 4 years old by
December 31. 2013. am
eligible for SK u,
September 2014
Colleen Schenk
Chair