As a Canada Research Chair…

As a Canada Research Chair in Freshwater Restoration Ecology, my research and the global science community has shown that watershed-scale monitoring and stewardship is crucial for livelihoods, economies and well-being. Amalgamating the conservation authorities will significantly impact the critical expertise needed at local scales to meet the needs of regional and national interests, economies and livelihoods.

Our research has shown that partnerships with local organizations are essential to scaling large-scale impacts and the eroding of the existing structures will harm short- and long-term services, communities, biodiversity and livelihoods.

Windsor-Essex is especially unique and the local expertise needed is crucial to maintain. Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island faces unique challenges: flat, low-lying land, impermeable soils, rapid runoff response, aggressive shoreline erosion, and neighbourhoods that have experienced flooding far too often. Solutions require boots-on-the-ground expertise close to affected communities — not offices hours away. Local conservation staff and offices understand the water, land, people, and challenges of the watershed in ways centralized decision-makers cannot. As a research team, working with local conservation authorities has been essential given the specific context of the region. A larger organization would not be able to provide the critical support needed.
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The science is clear:  Watersheds are unique, as are the communities that live and steward lands and waters, and the industries supported across each of them. Decisions should be based on science, geography, and local hydrology, not overly large administrative boundaries.