A Carleton University research group has received a Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund worth more than $17,000 to help protect local waterways in the Great Lakes Basin. The group, led by Steven Cooke, associate professor of environmental science and biology, is planting native species and clearing debris from Watts Creek, a tributary of the Ottawa River. Their work will help protect water quality in the Ottawa River, which flows into the St. Lawrence River.
“This project will engage student volunteers in solving real-world problems through hands-on restoration on Watts Creek,” said Cooke. “We are thrilled to have support from the provincial government for stream restoration activities that will have a meaningful impact on local aquatic ecosystems.”
The grants help grassroots community groups, non-profit organizations and First Nations and Métis communities restore the lakes and their tributaries through local actions such as cleaning up shorelines and protecting and restoring wetlands.
“We want all Ontarians to help us protect the Great Lakes,” said Yasir Naqvi, MPP for Ottawa Centre. “I encourage everyone to help by joining local efforts to clean up our beaches, creeks, streams, rivers and lakes.”
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For more information:
Chris Cline
Media Relations
Carleton University
613-520-2600, ext. 1391
christopher_cline@carleton.ca