This societal impact focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

Through strategic partnerships with governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations, Lakehead University will leverage collective expertise to drive innovation and impact marine conservation initiatives to foster environmental stewardship and raise awareness among members of the community. 

Research and Innovation

Protecting Freshwater Ecosystems

Lakehead University researchers are contributing to efforts to understand and protect the health of Northern Ontario's freshwater ecosystems. Research into the increasing occurrence of blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, is helping identify the environmental factors contributing to harmful algal blooms and potential approaches to mitigation. A 2025 blue-green algae mitigation project also focused on planting native vegetation to improve water quality, reduce nutrient loading and enhance shoreline areas.

Advancing Freshwater Conservation and Water Security

Lakehead University researchers are working to protect freshwater ecosystems and improve the health of the Lake Superior watershed. Dr. Robert Stewart, Associate Professor in Geography and the Environment and Water Resource Science, leads the Freshwater Coastal Management Research Group, which examines water and sediment quality, watershed pollution, stormwater and the management of freshwater coastal environments. His research focuses on water security and protecting watershed and coastal environments throughout the Lake Superior Basin.

Monitoring Aquatic Ecosystems

Lakehead's Aquatic Toxicology Research Centre (ATRC) conducts regulatory testing and monitoring of the effects of industrial effluents on aquatic organisms. The Centre uses organisms such as rainbow trout and Daphnia magna to assess the effects of industrial discharges and support environmental protection. Lakehead identifies the ATRC as part of its work to minimize damage to aquatic ecosystems, particularly in Northwestern Ontario and the Great Lakes region.

Blue Justice Research and Community-Led Fisheries Sustainability

Lakehead University’s Blue Justice research explores equity, sustainability, and the rights and well-being of coastal communities and small-scale fisheries, particularly across the Laurentian Great Lakes watershed. Through interdisciplinary research and community partnerships, the initiative examines fisheries governance, Indigenous self-determination, food sovereignty, and environmental justice. Key projects include documenting the cultural, political, and ecological importance of Batchewanaung Anishinabek fisheries and developing case studies on community-led responses to challenges facing Great Lakes fisheries.

Teaching and Student Life

Training Future Water Leaders

Lakehead University’s Water Resource Science program provides students with specialized education and hands-on experience in freshwater science and management. The four-year program focuses on water quality, conservation, aquatic ecosystems, watershed management and environmental policy. Through field-based courses and research in Water Resource Science and related environmental programs, students study lakes, rivers, wetlands and watersheds and develop practical experience in water sampling, environmental monitoring and aquatic ecosystem assessment. The university’s location on the shores of Lake Superior provides a unique natural laboratory where students can connect their academic studies with real-world challenges facing freshwater ecosystems.

Education about Aquatic Ecosystems

Lakehead University, in collaboration with Confederation College, provided Indigenous youth with hands-on learning through the Aki Kikinomakaywin Camp. The program connected STEM education with Indigenous knowledge and relationships to land and water, including freshwater ecosystems, water management and conservation.

Lakehead supported environmental education through the Ontario Master Naturalist Certificate Program, which provides training for individuals interested in environmental stewardship. Program content includes wetlands and water conservation, supporting community knowledge and stewardship of local ecosystems.

Community Impact

Community Action for a Healthier Lake Superior

Through the Thunder Bay Remedial Action Plan (RAP), Lakehead University works with government, community organizations, researchers and local stakeholders to improve the health of Lake Superior. RAP provides opportunities for community involvement in addressing environmental concerns in the Thunder Bay Area of Concern, including habitat degradation, pollution and aquatic ecosystem health. This work connects university research with local action and helps communities play a role in the long-term protection and restoration of Lake Superior.

Helping Communities Protect Local Water

Lakehead University’s Rain Garden Demonstration provides a practical example of how the university helps community members take action to protect freshwater. The demonstration site shows how rain gardens can reduce urban stormwater runoff and help protect Lake Superior water quality. Members of the public can visit the site to learn how rain gardens work and how similar stormwater management practices can be incorporated into their own properties.

Protecting and Restoring Lake Superior’s Aquatic Ecosystems

Lakehead University researchers have contributed to understanding the health and recovery of aquatic ecosystems in Northwestern Ontario. Research on Blackbird Creek and Jackfish Bay, a Great Lakes Area of Concern connected to Lake Superior, has documented the environmental impacts of industrial wastewater and the ecosystem's response following the closure of the Terrace Bay pulp mill. Researchers Robert Stewart and Tim Hollinger have monitored water quality in the area since 2008, providing important evidence of changes in aquatic conditions. Following the mill's closure in 2024, researchers observed clearer, oxygen-rich water and the return of trout fry to Blackbird Creek, demonstrating the resilience of freshwater ecosystems when pollution pressures are reduced.

Supporting Great Lakes Research and Collaboration

In 2024, Lakehead University’s Lake Superior Living Labs Network brought together researchers, Indigenous communities, organizations and other partners through a virtual summit focused on the Lake Superior watershed and the importance of protecting freshwater resources. The summit provided an opportunity to share knowledge, research and perspectives on the environmental challenges facing the Lake Superior basin, while highlighting the shared relationships and responsibilities connected to the watershed. By creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange, the Network supports a more integrated approach to understanding and protecting the health of Lake Superior and its surrounding freshwater ecosystems.

Exploring Superior Shoal to Advance Lake Superior Conservation

Lakehead University biologist Dr. Michael Rennie led a research expedition to Superior Shoal, an underwater mountain in Lake Superior, to investigate its biodiversity and ecological importance. Working with researchers and conservation partners, the team used underwater remotely operated vehicles and acoustic monitoring to study fish populations, including lake trout, and the shoal’s unique ecosystem. The research will help conservation strategies to protect Lake Superior and other large-lake environments from threats such as climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

Exploring Frog Conservation

Lakehead University biologist Dr. Adam Algar studies amphibians and reptiles, focusing on how frogs in northwestern Ontario respond to environmental changes and climate change. In partnership with the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority, his research team monitors frog and bird calls to identify species, track long-term ecological changes, and understand factors affecting breeding seasons. His research also examines how temperature influences frog behaviour, movement, and survival, helping researchers better understand biodiversity and predict how species may respond to a warming climate.

Global Reach

Dr. Michael Rennie’s freshwater research at the IISD–Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) contributed to broader efforts to understand and address threats to aquatic ecosystems. His Community Ecology and Energetics Lab investigated the effects of microplastic pollution, invasive species and contaminants on freshwater ecosystems, generating evidence that can support environmental policy and water-security decision-making. Lakehead University identifies this work as contributing to regional and global water-management solutions, demonstrating how research conducted in Northwestern Ontario can inform broader approaches to freshwater protection and sustainable aquatic-resource management.

Administration and Operations

Preventing Water Pollution

Lakehead University has policies and procedures for the safe handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials. These requirements help prevent chemicals and other contaminants from entering municipal wastewater systems and local waterways. Training and established disposal procedures support the protection of aquatic ecosystems, local watersheds and surrounding communities.

Reducing Plastic Waste on Campus

Lakehead University implemented multiple measures to reduce plastic waste and prevent plastic pollution. The Orillia campus prohibits the sale of single-use plastic water bottles under its Bottled Water Policy. Lakehead also promotes reusable mugs and dining ware and operates centralized waste and recycling at the Thunder Bay campus. The centralized system eliminates the need for more than 25,000 single-use garbage bags annually. Additional recycling and e-waste collection activities support waste diversion and responsible material management.

Sustainable Seafood Policy

Lakehead University's food-service provider, Aramark, maintains a Sustainable Seafood Policy covering fresh, frozen and shelf-stable wild-caught and farm-raised seafood. The policy requires responsible sourcing practices designed to conserve aquatic ecosystems, improve traceability and support sustainable seafood production.