Water, water everywhere in Algoma U research project

What does water mean to you? 

Researchers from Algoma University’s School of Business and Economics, in conjunction with Water Wise want to know.

The groups are conducting community-based action research on Blue Economy and Freshwater Entrepreneurship that focuses on the economic development surrounding the nexus of the upper Great Lakes (Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and St. Mary’s River). 

The team is currently gathering this information through a survey called Blue Economy and Freshwater Entrepreneurship Survey, 2022, which will "recognize the challenges and opportunities to a sustainable Blue Economy," a press release issued by the university today states. 

"Sault Ste. Marie, the surrounding Algoma region, and local neighbouring First Nations are situated on the border of Canada and the United States, along the St. Mary River," according to the release. "The river serves as an intermediary territory between Lake Superior and Lake Huron and the lower Great Lakes. This unique location of Sault Ste. Marie, known as Baawaating, the place of the rapids have attracted much settlement and economic development that is vested in freshwater. This makes discussion around the Blue Economy relevant for this region, where “Blue” refers to the natural capital of blue water."

Survey results will remain anonymous and are due by Oct. 3.  

For more information, see the press release below. 

Researchers from Algoma University’s School of Business and Economics, in conjunction with Water Wise are conducting community-based action research on Blue Economy and Freshwater Entrepreneurship that focuses on the economic development surrounding the nexus of the upper Great Lakes (Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and St. Marys River). 

Sault Ste. Marie, the surrounding Algoma region, and local neighbouring First Nations are situated on the border of Canada and the United States, along the St. Mary River. The river serves as an intermediary territory between Lake Superior and Lake Huron and the lower Great Lakes. This unique location of Sault Ste. Marie, known as Baawaating, the place of the rapids have attracted much settlement and economic development that is vested in freshwater. This makes discussion around the Blue Economy relevant for this region, where “Blue” refers to the natural capital of blue water. 

Currently, the research team is gathering information through a survey titled Blue Economy and Freshwater Entrepreneurship Survey, 2022, which will recognize the challenges and opportunities to a sustainable Blue Economy. Participation in the survey will be vital to understanding from a community perspective what value is placed on freshwater - our living source of life, and what innovative practices exist to manage freshwater resources in the upper Great Lakes more sustainably. Participation in this survey is voluntary, and all responses are anonymous. None of the responses will be connected to identifying information. The timing is vital as a national Blue Economy strategy is in the process of being developed for Canada. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The survey deadline is Oct. 3, 2022.

Information will be collected and shared with stakeholders to determine what actions and priorities exist around this topic, and actions that could be taken to deal with challenges and opportunities. A focus group will be held and information will be collected and shared with the community.

For more information about Blue Economy and Freshwater Entrepreneurship, please contact [email protected].