Efforts to restore habitat and manage fisheries often have specific outcomes or objectives related to the occurrence, abundance, biomass, or ecology of target species. But, what constitutes a realistic, achievable goal under current environmental conditions, given the dramatic changes to the Great Lakes in recent decades? To highlight attainable biological goals rather than historical baselines, we used an approach that couples contemporary (1990 - present) fish data and spatially referenced habitat to generate predictions of relative habitat suitability for several native fish species. The resulting spatial benchmarks (locations with high habitat suitability) have utility for planning restoration and management actions and evaluating outcomes. To showcase this work, we use the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Framework (GLAHF) Explorer and several tools therein for this workshop. GLAHF is a spatially-consistent framework and database developed by regional collaborators to facilitate basin-wide work on the Great Lakes. The GLAHF Explorer is a publicly available web GIS viewer that allows users to explore habitat maps and other spatial outputs such as modeled habitat suitability and ecosystem types.
The Coastal Wetland Conservation Framework is a binational, lakewide collaborative planning effort to establish baseline extent and condition of coastal wetlands that help partners prioritize where to work in order to achieve healthy Great Lakes and coastal communities. Lake Erie is the first of the Great Lakes to be piloted to demonstrate the Framework. This workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to hear the latest developments of the Framework, including recent progress on a Decision Support Tool. During this interactive session, participants will also be invited to provide input on the desired status for key ecological and human well-being indicators of Lake Erie coastal wetlands.
In an ever-changing world, many people are realizing the importance of implementing Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)-Practice Systems on these lands. Among many things, applying these knowledges may help restore habitats to their original conditions, enhance biodiversity, and/or support food sovereignty for communities. In this workshop, we will discuss the historical and potential harms to Indigenous communities that can occur when seeking to integrate Indigenous Knowledge into their own work followed by guiding principles to engage with communities in respectful and meaningful ways. After this presentation, group breakout sessions will discuss best practices for supporting and upholding Indigenous data sovereignty in their own work for sharing and feedback. This workshop will conclude with recommending readings and practices for participants, further enhancing their knowledge and critical thinking when applying these principles in their own fields/disciplines.
The village of Sodus Point, nestled along the southern shores of Lake Ontario, has faced significant flooding challenges that threatened its infrastructure, homes, and community well-being. This panel session will delve into the transformative journey of Sodus Point as it identified its vulnerabilities and implemented robust strategies to enhance its flood resilience. Through strategic planning, community engagement, and strong partnerships, Sodus Point has emerged as a leader in coastal resilience.
The session will kick off with an in-depth look at the visioning workshop that catalyzed Sodus Point's resilience initiatives. This workshop brought together residents, business owners, stakeholders, and experts to brainstorm and prioritize actions needed to address the village's flood risks. By fostering a sense of community and shared purpose, this initial step was crucial in laying the groundwork for subsequent efforts.
Following the discussion on the visioning workshop, the panel will explore the vital partnerships that have been instrumental in advancing Sodus Point's resilience projects. From collaborations with state and federal agencies to alliances with academic institutions and non-profit organizations, these partnerships have provided the technical expertise, funding, and resources necessary for the village to implement innovative solutions.
Key initiatives to be highlighted include the development of improved drainage systems, the construction of protective barriers, and the integration of green infrastructure to mitigate flood impacts. Additionally, the panel will discuss the community's ongoing commitment to resilience through continuous education, policy advocacy, and adaptive management practices.
By examining Sodus Point's comprehensive approach, attendees will gain valuable insights into the processes and strategies that can be applied to similar coastal communities facing the challenges of flooding.
Join us to learn from Sodus Point’s exemplary efforts and explore how community strength and collaboration can drive successful resilience initiatives in coastal regions.
