LSWCoP - Climate Change Adaptation Community of Practice

Welcome to the

Lake Simcoe Watershed Community of Practice (LSWCoP)

...Working together to build resilience in the face of current and future climate vulnerabilities and risks

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What is the LSWCoP?

The LSWCoP serves as an online community for climate change adaptation that serves stakeholders within the Lake Simcoe watershed. The portal acts as an online database of information that, along with active facilitation, will help communicate climate change science and disseminate adaptation resources.

The LSWCoP is a ‘sub-community’ of the Climate Change Adaptation Community of Practice (CCACoP). Sub-communities (or Sub-CoPs) have the same functionalities as the main CCACoP site, but they provide a private space where certain members can discuss and share the latest research and information around a specific topic. Therefore, not only do LSWCoP members have access to the larger CCACoP site and all of its resources, but they also benefit from participating in a smaller, more defined interest group.

What can you find on the LSWCoP?

Here are some of the features and activities you can find on the LSWCoP:

The latest news articles relating to climate change impacts and adaptation, particularly within the Lake Simcoe watershed;
Upcoming climate change and adaptation events;
An online library packed with various climate change adaptation resources;
Discussion forums on member-driven topics;
Maps of the Lake Simcoe watershed, including sub-watersheds;
Webinars featuring climate change adaptation experts, as well as access to recordings of past webinars;
A wiki that allows members to co-create documents;
Links to online resources; and
Regular emails to keep you up-to-date on the latest LSWCoP activity.

LSWCoP Supporters

The LSWCoP is made possible with support from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

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Who can join the LSWCoP?

The LSWCoP is dedicated specifically to those individuals who have a vested interest in climate change adaptation in the Lake Simcoe watershed.

This can include researchers, academics, local governments including municipalities and First Nation/Métis communities, planning authorities, non-governmental organizations, and other interested stakeholders.

What exactly is a 'Community of Practice'?

What a great question! Well, as defined by anthropologist Etienne Wenger, a community of practice is a “group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly”.

Furthermore, communities of practice are about the quality of conversations and knowledge sharing that they foster, and it is through the process of sharing information and experiences with the group that the members learn from each other and have an opportunity to develop themselves personally and professionally. Click here to learn more!

About the Lake Simcoe Watershed

With a surface area of 744 km², Lake Simcoe is the largest inland lake in Southern Ontario apart from the Great Lakes. The Lake, which is bordered by Simcoe County, Durham Region and York Region, comprises 20% of the total area of the watershed and is a source of safe drinking water for many municipalities. The area is home to 400,000 residents, a bustling hub of tourism and recreation, and supports agricultural and industrial sectors. The watershed is also home to the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, a small community residing both on and off the eastern shore of Lake Simcoe, within the Township of Georgina.

The Lake Simcoe watershed contains significant natural, urban and agricultural systems, including parts of the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Ontario Greenbelt. In addition to its natural beauty, the area is also valuable to the Ontario economy. For example, recreational activities contribute approximately $200 million per year to Ontario’s economy. As well, with nearly half of the watershed being prime agricultural land, agriculture generates another $300 million per year.

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