Environment
How Shoreline Erosion Is Reshaping the Great Lakes
Bluff collapses, retreating beaches, and lost property along the Great Lakes shoreline.
By Maren Falk | September 14, 2025Shoreline Environment
Erosion, wetland loss, invasive species, water quality, habitat protection, and the science behind shoreline health.
Environment
The Quiet Disappearance of Coastal Wetlands in Ontario
Ontario has lost more than 70 percent of its southern wetlands. The ones that remain are under pressure.
By Maren Falk | September 28, 2025Environment
Algae Blooms and the Future of Lake Erie
Toxic algae blooms choke stretches of Lake Erie every summer. The causes are known. The fixes are not.
By Maren Falk | October 5, 2025Environment
Riparian Buffers: What They Are and Why They Matter
The strip of vegetation along a waterway does more work than most people realize.
By Maren Falk | October 12, 2025Environment
Invasive Species That Are Changing Ontario Waterways
From zebra mussels to round gobies, the species reshaping Ontario lakes and rivers.
By Maren Falk | October 19, 2025Environment
What Happens to Fish Habitat When Shorelines Get Developed
Docks, seawalls, and cleared lots change the underwater world more than most owners think.
By Maren Falk | November 2, 2025Environment
Native Plants for Shoreline Gardens That Help the Ecosystem
The right plants along the water filter runoff, prevent erosion, and support wildlife.
By Maren Falk | November 9, 2025Environment
Stormwater Runoff and What It Means for Waterfront Towns
When rain hits pavement in a waterfront town, everything downstream feels it.
By Maren Falk | November 16, 2025Environment
Water Quality at Small-Town Beaches Across Ontario
Beach postings, E. coli counts, and what they tell us about the health of Ontario waters.
By Maren Falk | November 30, 2025Environment
How Ice Damage Affects Shoreline Structures Every Winter
Ice shove, ice jacking, and the toll that winter takes on docks, seawalls, and retaining walls.
By Maren Falk | December 7, 2025Environment
Do Naturalized Shorelines Actually Work?
The case for letting the shoreline grow wild, and where it succeeds and fails.
By Maren Falk | December 14, 2025Environment
How Conservation Authorities Regulate Shoreline Activity
Permits, setbacks, and the rules that govern what you can do near the water.
By Maren Falk | December 28, 2025Environment
Road Salt Is Poisoning Our Waterways
Chloride levels in Ontario streams and lakes are rising. Road salt is the biggest driver.
By Maren Falk | January 4, 2026Environment
Shoreline Restoration Projects That Made a Difference
From Nottawasaga Bay to the Bay of Quinte, restoration efforts that actually worked.
By Maren Falk | January 11, 2026Environment
Phragmites: The Invasive Grass Taking Over
Phragmites australis is crowding out native plants, choking wetlands, and changing shoreline habitat.
By Maren Falk | January 25, 2026Environment
Citizen Science Programs Monitoring Water Quality
Volunteer water monitoring programs across Ontario and the data they produce.
By Maren Falk | February 1, 2026Environment
Climate Change and Fluctuating Water Levels
Great Lakes water levels swing between record highs and lows. Climate change is part of the story.
By Maren Falk | February 8, 2026Environment
Why Protecting Spawning Habitat Should Be a Local Priority
Fish need specific conditions to reproduce. Local decisions often destroy those conditions.
By Maren Falk | February 22, 2026Environment
Microplastics in Freshwater: How Big Is the Problem?
Tiny plastic particles are in every Great Lake and most Ontario rivers. What the research shows.
By Maren Falk | March 8, 2026Environment
Spring Flooding and the River Towns That Bear the Brunt
Every spring, the same towns flood. The pattern is predictable. The response rarely changes.
By Maren Falk | March 22, 2026