Climate change and its impact on shorelines, natural habitats and wetlands is the theme of this weekend’s 2024 Environmental Symposium hosted by the West Lake Community Association (WLCA).
Association members and others will gather at Isaiah Tubbs Resort on Saturday to hear from several guest speakers from organizations such as Watersheds Canada, The Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Invasive Species Centre.
WLCA’s Cathie Coultis says their not-for-profit community organization was formed in 2020 to respond to safety and environmental issues in the area.
Coultis says with much of the West Lake area declared a provincially significant area of importance, residents have growing concerns about impacts on the environment.
“We have a number of endangered and species at risk. The county has actually zoned part of this area as a Natural Heritage area. And part of the area of the lake is also considered a flood hazard-zoned area.”
This is the association’s third Environmental Symposium.
Coultis highlights some of the scheduled speakers.
“Tony Morris who’s the Conservation Policy and Campaigns Director for Ontario Nature. He’s gonna be talking about the value of protected areas, planning for biodiversity, conservation and climate adaptation. And then Les Stanfield who’s the aquatic ecologist, his theme is are you ready for the next big rainfall event?”
There will also be several exhibitor booths offering information.
In addition to the annual Environmental Symposium, the association also hosts a native plant sale in the spring and a summertime artisan show.
More on the West Lake Community Association and how to join are here.
There may still be some space available at the symposium.
Contact Coultis at cathie@westlakepec.ca if you’d like to attend.
