ShoreLINES: Stories from our guides and guardians

Shaping my future

By Violet Davies

As a kid, I was always outside playing, climbing trees, and exploring the forests of my hometown. I loved being outside and experiencing the wilderness. As I got older, I noticed forests disappearing, litter accumulating, and a general mistreatment of the land. So, I decided I needed to do my part in preserving Canada’s natural beauty.

Powerhouse History

By Kendra Kachur

The lock at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site was originally envisioned to operate using hydraulics; however, in 1893 a ground-breaking decision was made to power the lock using electricity. This marked a historic moment, as the Sault Ste. Marie Canal became the first lock in the world to be electrically operated. At the heart of this change stood the Powerhouse, a remarkable structure completed in 1894.

Counting nests for conservation

By Kim Teager

While exploring Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) this past summer, you may have spotted and wondered why Parks Canada staff were wandering over rocky islands and outcrops among hordes of screaming gulls. Did you know that counting nests in waterbird colonies is a great way of monitoring the lake’s ecological sustainability?

CRM plans go awry

By Lisa Sonnenburg

While most of Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) is water, as part of cultural resource management (CRM) we also get out onto the islands to find and document the area’s fascinating human history. Any work, whether on land or underwater, requires months of meticulous planning. However, to quote Robert Burns: “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry”; and then what do you do?