SOK Forum Looks at Invasive Species
Submitted by Moira Parker
As the Sources of Knowledge Forum approaches this spring in Tobermory, this year’s program is packed with a range of speakers examining invasive species from local, Great Lakes, and global perspectives. The Forum will explore how invasive species are altering ecosystems across land and water, and how those changes are being studied and managed.
One of the speakers, Dr. Erin Dunlop, a Senior Research Scientist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, will focus on the role of invasive mussels in reshaping Lake Huron. Zebra and quagga mussels, now well established in the Great Lakes, have driven significant ecosystem changes over the past several decades. Dunlop’s research examines the effects of these changes on fish populations, focusing on lake whitefish, a species of cultural, ecological and economic importance in the region.
The Forum will also look ahead to emerging threats. Kayla Martin, a master’s student at the University of Waterloo, is studying Hydrilla verticillata, an aggressive aquatic plant that has recently appeared in the western basin of Lake Erie. Her work examines how this species is affecting water quality and aquatic communities, and what can be done to prevent it from becoming established more widely in Ontario.
While some invasive species arrive through global pathways, others begin much closer to home. Shawn McKnight looks at how this plays out in residential spaces, focusing on how common garden plants can spread beyond their intended use. Species such as periwinkle, Japanese knotweed, and English ivy, originally introduced for landscaping, have escaped into natural areas and continue to spread. McKnight will discuss how homeowners can grow toward native plantings that support local biodiversity.
Another familiar presence on the landscape is phragmites, a tall, dense reed that has become widespread across Ontario wetlands and shorelines. Samantha Sommer, Manager of the Habitat Restoration Program with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, will share her experience managing phragmites in the Long Point region. Her work involves coordinating large control efforts across public and private lands and will discuss the challenges and the collaborative nature of long-term invasive species management.
Ahead of the Forum, Sources of Knowledge is also partnering with the Tobermory Meeting Place for a screening of Thinking Beyond the Market, a film by Dr. Brian Doucet exploring genuinely affordable housing. The event will take place on April 2 from 1:00 to 3:30 pm at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre, with a Q&A to follow. Admission is free, with donations welcome.
Registration for the Forum is now open, and early sign-up is recommended! Email info@sourcesofknowledge.ca for registration, more information is available at sourcesofknowledge.ca.
