Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 242016 lake StewardS newSletter | 3 Communicating Science by Deanna Panitz FOCA Membership & Programs Coordinator “Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone.” ~ AlBERt EInstEIn During a recent visit to the Living Lakes Centre in Sudbury, FOCA’s Executive Director, Terry Rees, spoke with Dr. David Pearson about the importance of communicating science. David took Terry on a tour of his Masters of Communications students at Laurentian University, who were busy working on post-doc reports that combine scientific method with modern media tools, including digital video. POP QuIZ: Would you rather read an article filled with terms like halophilic, anthropogenic, inverse analysis and eutrophication? Or do you want a story or video about a blue-green algae bloom on a lake like yours, and what may have caused it? While professional scientists are carefully trained in research methodologies, nomenclature and analytical skills, they have traditionally received very little practical training in how to translate all this detailed information into something readable and meaningful to the average citizen. Perhaps that is changing for the better. At Universities like Trent, Laurentian and Queen’s, as well as Fleming College’s Environmental Visual Communication Program, art and science are converging to help deliver environmental messages meant to foster real change. When I was completing my undergraduate degree at Trent University, I took a course that has proven to be extremely useful beyond my university experience. Called, “Environment and Communication Writing,” the course focused on developing skills for plain- language descriptions of environmental science to non-scientific audiences. does it matter if science is effectively communicated to non-scientists? Yes, it really does, particularly if we need to generate public support for research, or to inform decision- making. Certainly, you and I should understand how the science connects to decisions we need to make in our own lives. (Should I bother getting the septic system pumped out? What does that have to do with the weed growth along my shoreline over the past few years?) Fortunately this is part of where FOCA comes in, since it is our mission to promote thriving and sustainable waterfront communities across Ontario, and we work to achieve this through effective communication, education and advocacy. We use tools like the FOCA Elert (our e-newsletter), posts on the FOCA website (foca.on.ca) and through an extensive library of publications that are written specifically for waterfront property owners and citizen scientists! To read more about current water science in Ontario that you need to know about, visit https://foca.on.ca/resources/ and enter a search term, such as ‘science.’ FOCA Members in Action In the Kushog Lake Property Owners Association 2016 Spring Newsletter, the association did an excellent job of communicating the results of their Lake Water Monitoring Program to members. They were able to effectively explain each water quality parameter (like Disolved Oxygen and Total Suspended Solids), and what the results mean for the health of their lake. Download a copy of the Newsletter here: http:// kushoglake.org/newsletter.html. Congratulations, KLPOA, and keep up the great work! FOCA has several publications that help you understand the story at your waterfront. Our newest guide, Managing your Waterfront Property in a Changing Climate, is available in digital format and will be in print soon. This guide outlines anticipated climate change impacts on cottage country (shifting species distribution, extreme weather events and invasive species). It also explains the role of healthy shorelines in mitigating these changes. Access a digital copy at: https://foca.on.ca/managing- your-waterfront-property-in-a-changing-climate/ Managing Your Waterfront weather events and invasive species). It also explains