Back in the late 1980’s someone told me that this amazing aquatic biologist had bought a cottage at Cognashene and was starting to do some research in Tadenac. At that point I had had enough of scientists would could not communicate their research findings in a way the average person could understand and more importantly provide recommendations that could help to protect the unique ecosystems on Georgian Bay. I was skeptical but I called Karl Schiefer hoping for the best.

Karl was indeed the most knowledgeable aquatic biologist we could ever hope for and he loved the Bay! He could explain the complex geomorphology of the Bay and how that impacted water quality and thus the complex aquatic ecosystems around the Bay in way that everyone including our local political leaders could understand. Whenever Karl talked about the Bay you could immediately sense how much he passionately cared about the Bay and why we all needed to take measures to protect the Bay before it was too late.

I remember one cold snowy winter evening in 1999 when Karl and I drove up to a District of Muskoka Council meeting to present a proposal to begin a volunteer water quality monitoring program. Besides figuring out what work needed to be done, we had to come up with a budget and present it. Karl went first and infront of a large Council – most of whom we had never met, Karl spoke with them as if he was sitting in their living room infront of a fireplace. In no time at all they approved our plan and budget. Then back outside in the hallway he said to me “let’s just sit down for a minute – now we have to figure out how to make this happen!” And we did just that. For the Township of the Archipelago, Karl also devised a similar volunteer-based water quality monitoring program with which the individuals could determine the results following Karl’s instructions.   His training programs were both professional and a personally connecting experience with encouragement and support – you can do this! And our volunteer-based shoreline water quality monitoring program was copied by cottage associations across southern Ontario. And Karl always happily offered advice to anyone needing some help.

But Karl did not suffer fools gladly. He supported only valid science that underwent peer review and was published in respected scientific journals. When water levels fell steeply, he called me in 2001 and asked me to come and take a look at the dried up large Longuissa Bay wetlands. He said most people are upset about hitting rocks and dinging their propellers but here is the really serious impact – the fish, the turtles, the snakes and other aquatic life that are dependent on these wetland  plants- have lost their habitat. Where are they? We need to be the voice for this critical loss of habitat. And then fortunately I found a well respected McMaster University aquatic biology professor who met Karl’s thoughtful and environmentally sound criteria and with Karl’s encouragement was willing to take on this important assessment.

Making this troubled world a better place was always Karl’s mantra.