News & Updates

Latest Discoveries

We’ve just wrapped up our summer sampling season — and the results are in. Our team analyzed 1,247 water samples across 12 key sites in Lake Ontario, revealing something unexpected: microplastic concentrations have dropped by 18% since last year. (Yes, you read that right.) But before we celebrate, there’s a catch: the plastics we’re finding now are smaller — much smaller — and more likely to enter the food chain. What does this mean for fish, for us, for the entire ecosystem? We’re digging deeper.

Microplastics Decline

18% reduction in microplastic concentrations across Lake Ontario sampling sites compared to 2023.

New Species Detected

First confirmed sighting of the invasive bloody-red mysid shrimp in Lake Erie’s western basin — a species previously limited to the Atlantic coast.

Algal Bloom Shift

Toxic algal blooms in Lake Erie now peaking 12 days earlier than historical averages — a shift linked to warmer spring temperatures.

Policy Updates

Policy isn’t just paperwork — it’s the difference between clean water and contamination, between healthy ecosystems and collapse. Here’s what’s moving on the policy front.

We’ve been working closely with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to update water quality standards — and three of our key recommendations were adopted in the 2024 revisions. That means stricter limits on phosphorus, tighter controls on industrial runoff, and new monitoring requirements for microplastics. It’s not perfect — but it’s progress. (And we’re not stopping here.)

On the federal level, we’re pushing for the Great Lakes Protection Act to include stronger enforcement mechanisms. Right now, violations often go unpunished — and that’s not good enough. We’re advocating for real consequences: fines, cleanup orders, and mandatory restoration plans for repeat offenders.

Field Reports

The best data comes from the field — and our team has been busy. Here’s what we’ve seen, measured, and learned in the past few months.

Lake Superior’s Hidden Depths

We spent two weeks on Lake Superior — the deepest, coldest, and least studied of the Great Lakes. What we found? A thriving deep-water ecosystem, untouched by invasive species. (For now.) But we also found microplastics — even here, in the middle of nowhere. If plastics can reach Lake Superior, they can reach anywhere.

Urban Shorelines, Urban Problems

Our Toronto shoreline study is complete — and the results aren’t pretty. Stormwater runoff is carrying everything from cigarette butts to pharmaceuticals into Lake Ontario. (Yes, we found traces of caffeine and ibuprofen in the water. No, that’s not normal.) The good news? Green infrastructure — like rain gardens and permeable pavement — can help. We’re working with the city to test solutions.