State of the Lakes Symposium 2026
Thank you for joining us for a day of learning, discussion and connection focused on the health and future of our lakes and watershed.
Through a series of presentations, panel discussions and conversations, the State of the Lakes Symposium will explore lake health, watershed science, stewardship practices, community collaboration, and the emerging challenges and opportunities facing our region.
The health of our lakes is not shaped by one organization, one community or one area of expertise. It depends on the collective knowledge, experience and actions of Indigenous communities, scientists, environmental organizations, municipalities, lake associations, landowners and residents.
We hope today’s symposium provides valuable information, encourages thoughtful conversations and strengthens the connections among everyone working to protect and sustain our water resources.
| Time | Session Details |
|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. | Registration, Vendor Booths & Networking |
| 9:00 a.m. | Indigenous Opening Jeff Forbes, Deputy Chief, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation |
| 9:05 a.m. | Welcome Pat Warren, Chair, Kawartha Conservation |
| 9:10 a.m. | Lake Health Monitoring Program Brett Tregunno, Aquatic Biologist, Kawartha Conservation Tanner Liang, Water Quality Specialist, Kawartha Conservation |
| 9:25 a.m. | Healthy Lakes, Healthy Communities: Surveillance and Response to Environmental and Emerging Health Risks in the Kawartha Watershed Maya Miric and Faizat Adio, Student Public Health Inspectors, Lakelands Public Health |
| 9:55 a.m. | Break |
| 10:00 a.m. | Aquatic Vegetation in the Kawartha Lakes: The Good, the Bad, and the Complexity Dr. Andrea Kirkwood, Professor of Biological Science, Ontario Tech University |
| 10:30 a.m. | Monitoring, Assessment, and Management of the Fisheries in FMZ 17 Adam Challice, Regional Aquatic Ecosystem Science Specialist Nolan Pearce, Policy, Program and Planning Senior Biologist Jeremy Holden, Fisheries Population Specialist Ministry of Natural Resources |
| 11:00 a.m. | Lake Partner Program: Trends in Water Quality Gavin Vance, Lake Stewardship Coordinator, Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations |
| 11:30 a.m. | Vendor Showcase & Networking Break |
| 11:45 a.m. | Panel: One Watershed, Many Voices Moderator: Jeff Forbes, Deputy Chief, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Panelists: Jim Hunt, Lawyer and Former Chair, Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Committee Chris Appleton, Sturgeon Point Association Member Bob Bailey, Professor, Ontario Tech University and Chair, Kawartha Lake Stewards Association Justin Gerrow, Project Delivery Realty Officer, Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site, Parks Canada |
| 12:15 p.m. | Security without Vigilance: The Dividends of Complacency Jim Hunt, Lawyer and Former Chair, Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Committee |
| 12:45 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:30 p.m. | Vital Signs Report for the City of Kawartha Lakes Laurie Dillon-Schalk, Interim Executive Director, Kawartha Community Foundation |
| 2:00 p.m. | Landowner Action Programs Carolyn Snider, Community Engagement Technician, Kawartha Conservation Hunter Girdler, Forestry and Landowner Services Technician, Kawartha Conservation Julia Derue, Stewardship Technician, Kawartha Conservation Tom Tiisler, Agricultural Stewardship Technician, Kawartha Conservation |
| 2:15 p.m. | Fireside Chat: Preparing Our Watershed for the Future Moderator: Robert Pye, Chief Executive Officer, Watersheds Canada Panelists: Galen Yerex, Floodplain GIS/Mapping Technician, Kawartha Conservation Leah Barrie, Director, Development Services, City of Kawartha Lakes Marylee Boston, Executive Director, Fenelon Falls & District Chamber of Commerce Val Deziel, Director of Restoration Ecology and Research, Forests Canada |
| 2:45 p.m. | Vendor Showcase & Networking Break |
| 3:00 p.m. | Collaboration with Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Jeff Forbes, Deputy Chief, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation |
| 3:30 p.m. | Keynote Address: Spreading the Message Erica Ehm, Canadian TV Host and Writer |
| 3:50 p.m. | Indigenous Closing Jeff Forbes, Deputy Chief, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation |
| 4:00 p.m. | Closing & Final Remarks |
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Thank you for attending the 2026 State of the Lakes Symposium. Please take a few minutes to share your feedback and help us improve future events.
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