Mark Mattson
@waterkeepermark.bsky.social
President Swim Drink Fish. Former Lake Ontario Waterkeeper. Lives in Great Lakes St Lawrence River watershed. Biinaagami
So much snow and cold weather today — nice to have a fire and not be travelling
January 25, 2026 at 11:17 PM
So much snow and cold weather today — nice to have a fire and not be travelling
Before the Bad Weather. Coming together is always the best solution, especially when it comes to weathering a storm: natural, economic or political. 🇨🇦
January 25, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Before the Bad Weather. Coming together is always the best solution, especially when it comes to weathering a storm: natural, economic or political. 🇨🇦
Our cottage was built sometime close to confederation in 1870s or 1880s. On days like today, grateful all the cold, all the winters & all the wind can’t knock it down. Just like Canada
January 24, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Our cottage was built sometime close to confederation in 1870s or 1880s. On days like today, grateful all the cold, all the winters & all the wind can’t knock it down. Just like Canada
Enjoying my time outside today in extreme cold and sunlight. Listening to library of old Waterkeeper podcasts. In light of Ontario’s new commercial push for nuclear power again — thought this discussion in 2007 was deeply insightful. on.soundcloud.com/0kC5IP9HoDU4...
January 24, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Enjoying my time outside today in extreme cold and sunlight. Listening to library of old Waterkeeper podcasts. In light of Ontario’s new commercial push for nuclear power again — thought this discussion in 2007 was deeply insightful. on.soundcloud.com/0kC5IP9HoDU4...
End of a beautiful winter weekend on the River. No better time to disconnect from the distractions manufactured to get your attention and suck you away from your books, exercise and community that makes you happy.
January 18, 2026 at 11:15 PM
End of a beautiful winter weekend on the River. No better time to disconnect from the distractions manufactured to get your attention and suck you away from your books, exercise and community that makes you happy.
Winter returns to Kingston and Great Lakes.
January 16, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Winter returns to Kingston and Great Lakes.
Excited by this partnership. Canada is in the move. www.swimdrinkfish.ca/blog/swim-dr...
Swim Drink Fish and Swimmable Cities Partner for the Future of the Great Lakes — Swim Drink Fish
Swim Drink Fish is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the global Swimmable Cities initiative.
www.swimdrinkfish.ca
January 16, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Excited by this partnership. Canada is in the move. www.swimdrinkfish.ca/blog/swim-dr...
Cold but sunny, bright and quiet today. Amazing day for walking, skiing and skating away.
January 16, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Cold but sunny, bright and quiet today. Amazing day for walking, skiing and skating away.
The St Lawrence River freezing up again today, probably for the next 6 weeks this time. We’ll see but the ducks didn’t bother coming back over last week of water. @swimdrinkfish @biinaagami
January 15, 2026 at 3:23 PM
The St Lawrence River freezing up again today, probably for the next 6 weeks this time. We’ll see but the ducks didn’t bother coming back over last week of water. @swimdrinkfish @biinaagami
Ice all gone on the St Lawrence River. Early January thaw before freezing again (I am sure) this week. Strange to see a boat out among the ice flows in winter. @swimdrinkfish
January 14, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Ice all gone on the St Lawrence River. Early January thaw before freezing again (I am sure) this week. Strange to see a boat out among the ice flows in winter. @swimdrinkfish
One of the largest environmental clean ups on the planet, certainly in Canada and on Great Lakes is happening just off the #401 outside Toronto. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnKi... @lowaterkeeper
January 14, 2026 at 8:09 PM
One of the largest environmental clean ups on the planet, certainly in Canada and on Great Lakes is happening just off the #401 outside Toronto. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnKi... @lowaterkeeper
Here in Guelph at invitations of Ontario Government to talk about Biinaagami project. @OMAFAinnovates @swimdrinkfish @CanGeo with full team. Exciting and impactful.
January 13, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Here in Guelph at invitations of Ontario Government to talk about Biinaagami project. @OMAFAinnovates @swimdrinkfish @CanGeo with full team. Exciting and impactful.
Photo from 24 years ago today of me confronting gov’t officials about leaking Technoparc dump in Montreal on St Lawrence River. Working as Waterkeeper is more vocation than job. All can hope for is to work with smart people, with good hearts, doing meaningful work. ♥️
January 13, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Photo from 24 years ago today of me confronting gov’t officials about leaking Technoparc dump in Montreal on St Lawrence River. Working as Waterkeeper is more vocation than job. All can hope for is to work with smart people, with good hearts, doing meaningful work. ♥️
Feels good to see the Bills advance today. I’ve always liked the City of Buffalo and the Bills. Community supports the @BNWaterkeeper and Great Lakes. Congratulations from @LOWaterkeeper and @swimdrinkfish
January 11, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Feels good to see the Bills advance today. I’ve always liked the City of Buffalo and the Bills. Community supports the @BNWaterkeeper and Great Lakes. Congratulations from @LOWaterkeeper and @swimdrinkfish
I love the facts and stories shared by Brian Calley on Facebook about the Great Lakes. Like our own project, Biinaagami created with @CanGeo @swimdrinkfish — the watershed is endlessly fascinating & wonderful. www.facebook.com/share/p/1BgA...
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:13 PM
I love the facts and stories shared by Brian Calley on Facebook about the Great Lakes. Like our own project, Biinaagami created with @CanGeo @swimdrinkfish — the watershed is endlessly fascinating & wonderful. www.facebook.com/share/p/1BgA...
Never happy to see a big black cherry fall, as they are so beautiful in the woods, however, creates opportunity to keep using the wood for other things.
January 10, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Never happy to see a big black cherry fall, as they are so beautiful in the woods, however, creates opportunity to keep using the wood for other things.
Good news for Wolfe Island and Kingston — the Wolfe Island III is reportedly on way back from Hamilton to Island for work over the winter. Public transportation like ferries, buses, trains …never so important until they are!!
January 6, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Good news for Wolfe Island and Kingston — the Wolfe Island III is reportedly on way back from Hamilton to Island for work over the winter. Public transportation like ferries, buses, trains …never so important until they are!!
Once in a generational opportunity for communities in BC to restore connections between people & waterfronts with creative design & meaningful impacts for environment. Wave Prize | Join the Waterfront Movement Today @swimdrinkfish Apply by Jan 30. www.swimdrinkfish.ca/waveprize
Wave Prize | Join the Waterfront Movement Today — Swim Drink Fish
Discover how the WAVE Prize by Swim Drink Fish promotes urban waterfront access through grants for building natural water swimming structures across BC.
www.swimdrinkfish.ca
January 6, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Once in a generational opportunity for communities in BC to restore connections between people & waterfronts with creative design & meaningful impacts for environment. Wave Prize | Join the Waterfront Movement Today @swimdrinkfish Apply by Jan 30. www.swimdrinkfish.ca/waveprize
The City of Kingston has a public utility that prioritizes community interests ahead of business interests. For our Lake & environment — that is a good thing. Saving Kingston's model for utilities, environmental stewardship | The Kingston Whig Standard www.thewhig.com/opinion/pres...
Preserving Kingston's proven model for utilities and environmental stewardship crucial
For decades, Kingston has been a leader in protecting Lake Ontario and ensuring safe, clean water for its residents.
www.thewhig.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:31 PM
The City of Kingston has a public utility that prioritizes community interests ahead of business interests. For our Lake & environment — that is a good thing. Saving Kingston's model for utilities, environmental stewardship | The Kingston Whig Standard www.thewhig.com/opinion/pres...
Utilities Kingston is a public utility that oversees Kingston natural gas and water utilities. Has been envy of other cities for decades. No need to change ownership because of ideology or desire for less public accountability. substack.com/@waterkeeper...
Mark Mattson (@waterkeepermark)
Protecting Kingston’s Leadership in Clean Water and Public Accountability
Subject: Preserving Kingston’s Proven Model for Utilities and Environmental Stewardship
For decades, Kingston has been ...
substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Utilities Kingston is a public utility that oversees Kingston natural gas and water utilities. Has been envy of other cities for decades. No need to change ownership because of ideology or desire for less public accountability. substack.com/@waterkeeper...
Back in Toronto for intense week of work with @swimdrinkfish team. Despite month & weather — never time to lose focus on what we need to do to protect & restore our rivers, lakes & oceans. Knowledge, community & priorities are antidotes to all the distractions
January 4, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Back in Toronto for intense week of work with @swimdrinkfish team. Despite month & weather — never time to lose focus on what we need to do to protect & restore our rivers, lakes & oceans. Knowledge, community & priorities are antidotes to all the distractions
Front page of NY Times today. Very concerning as Canada seems unwilling to acknowledge truth & deal fall out from our use of Glyphosate on our food. A Study Is Retracted, Renewing Concerns About the Weedkiller Roundup @swimdrinkfish @intotheweedsdoc www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/c...
A Study Is Retracted, Renewing Concerns About the Weedkiller Roundup
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Front page of NY Times today. Very concerning as Canada seems unwilling to acknowledge truth & deal fall out from our use of Glyphosate on our food. A Study Is Retracted, Renewing Concerns About the Weedkiller Roundup @swimdrinkfish @intotheweedsdoc www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/c...
Tramping through the snow to check in on the yellow cottage and the Shagbark Hickory on the river bank. The wind and cold never seem to affect these old wooden structures
January 3, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Tramping through the snow to check in on the yellow cottage and the Shagbark Hickory on the river bank. The wind and cold never seem to affect these old wooden structures