Thanks to Waterloo’s unique location at the heart of the Great Lakes region, CZC 2027 offers participants the rare opportunity to experience three iconic freshwater coastlines through unforgettable field trips and social events.
At Lake Erie, participants will witness the rapidly eroding bluffs of the north shore and visit Long Point, the longest freshwater sand spit in the world and a globally significant ecosystem.
Lake Erie
Experience one of the most dynamic and rapidly changing coastlines in the Great Lakes on this full-day field trip to the north shore of Lake Erie. Participants will witness dramatic examples of coastal erosion, where bluffs are retreating by as much as 4 metres per year, contributing the equivalent of nearly 360,000 dump trucks of sediment annually into the lake.
Despite this massive sediment input, the journey to Long Point, the longest freshwater sand spit in the world, reveals a striking coastal paradox: the downdrift beaches and dunes are starved of sediment and actively eroding. This contrast highlights the complex challenges of sediment transport, shoreline change, and coastal management in the Great Lakes.
Along the way, participants will hear directly from local landowners and community members who are experiencing the real impacts of bluff retreat, including the loss of land, homes, and livelihoods. The trip will also include a stop at the dramatic “Lake Erie Grand Canyon” near Port Burwell, where an extensive gully system showcases the scale and intensity of erosion processes shaping the landscape.
This field trip offers a powerful opportunity to see coastal change firsthand and engage with both the science and human dimensions of erosion along Lake Erie’s north shore.
- # of Participants: TBD
- Cost per participant: TBD
A trip to Lake Huron will explore the stunning landscapes of the Pinery Provincial Park, highlighting dune systems, coastal processes, and conservation challenges.
Lake Huron
Stand at the edge of a constantly shifting shoreline where wind, waves, and sand are reshaping the land in real time along Lake Huron. This full-day field trip explores one of the most dynamic coastal environments in the Great Lakes, culminating at the massive sand dunes at Pinery Provincial Park. Participants will experience sandy beaches, active dune systems, and stretches of coastline continuously influenced by powerful wave action and changing lake levels.
Along the route, the group will observe active shoreline processes, including bluff erosion, beach migration, and the formation and movement of sand dunes. These features highlight the dynamic balance between sediment supply, wave energy, and coastal stability—key factors influencing the long-term evolution of Lake Huron’s shoreline.
A central focus of the trip is the internationally significant dune ecosystem at Pinery Provincial Park, home to some of the largest freshwater coastal dunes in Ontario. Here, participants will examine how wind, vegetation, and human activity interact to shape and sometimes destabilize these fragile landscapes.
Throughout the day, participants will gain insight into the challenges of coastal management, including habitat preservation, and the impacts of changing water levels on both natural systems and nearby communities. Opportunities for discussion with local park staff and community groups will connect scientific observations with real-world management decisions and conservation efforts.
This field trip offers a compelling opportunity to experience coastal change firsthand while engaging with both the physical processes and environmental considerations shaping the Lake Huron shoreline.
- # of Participants: TBD
- Cost per participant: TBD
Conference field trips will showcase the diversity and complexity of Great Lakes coastal systems. Beyond the learning, CZC 2027 will offer plenty of opportunities to relax, connect, and celebrate. Attendees can enjoy lively conference social events, informal networking gatherings, and a special taste of local culture with Oktoberfest in July, inspired by the region’s famous festival tradition.
Together, these experiences make CZC 2027 not just a conference, but a truly memorable Great Lakes coastal experience.
Watch this space for more information about the planned events and activities.