Media releases

• International Cool Climate Wine Symposium postponed to 2021

  Wednesday, March 25, 2020 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 25 March 2020 – R0051

  As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause significant uncertainty and risk to public health around the globe, the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium (ICCWS) 2020 Advisory Organizing Committee has made the decision to postpone its upcoming conference until 2021.

  The ICCWS 2020, which was slated to take place this July, will now be held at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada from July 25 to 29, 2021. The Symposium is being organized by Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) alongside its research and industry partners across the country.

  This difficult decision was made after careful evaluation of all currently available information from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Niagara Region Public Health, and the World Health Organization.

  The province of Ontario, where the conference was scheduled to be held, is currently operating under a state of emergency. That, combined with global travel restrictions and other rapidly evolving COVID-19 response measures, led the committee to determine that postponing the ICCWS is in the best interest of all attendees, partners, sponsors and organizers.

  “With the great degree of uncertainty that lies ahead, we believe postponing the conference is the best option to ensure a safe and successful event for all involved,” said CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis, Chair of the ICCWS 2020 Advisory Organizing Committee. “While we are disappointed we will not be able to come together to celebrate innovations and advances in cool climate grape, wine and business research this year, we place everyone’s health, safety and well-being above all else. We look forward to showcasing our Canadian grape and wine industry to the world when we host ICCWS in July 2021.”

  All registered delegates, invited speakers, sponsors and tradeshow exhibitors will be contacted directly in the coming days with more information. All payments made for conference registration, sponsorships and trade show booths will be honoured and applied to the 2021 date. Refunds will be issued to those who do not want payments used for the rescheduled date.

  “We appreciate your ongoing support in this extremely difficult time and wish you all the very best in the weeks and months to come,” said Inglis.

  For further updates as they become available, please visit the ICCWS website.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  * Sarah Ackles, Marketing & Communications Officer, Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, Brock University sackles@brocku.ca, 647-746-4453

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Getting outside is good for physical and mental health, say Brock experts

  Wednesday, March 25, 2020 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 25 March 2020 – R0050

  In light of recent park closures by conservation authorities and municipalities to prevent the spread of COVID-19, people need to be creative in how they connect with nature, says Kyle Rich, Assistant Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Brock University.

  Connecting with nature could include activities like gardening, strolling around the block or walking in a neighbourhood park.

  “Research shows that exercising outdoors and even just being outdoors, where you’re exposed to natural products like wood, flowers or plants, stimulates physiological responses in our body,” says Rich.

  Even better, exposure to the outdoors has tangible positive mental health outcomes.

  “It’s important to consider the physiological and mental health benefits of being outdoors and how to integrate that into your plans when you can’t go to the gym or go out with friends to social events like you normally do,” says Rich.

  Even having plants or pets inside the house makes a difference, he adds.

  When making plans to be outside, Rich stresses the need to avoid touching surfaces and follow physical distancing and other protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

  “Appreciate what we do have access to,” he says. “If you have a small backyard or a balcony, take the time to use it and make the best of it. You could even take your home workout to the front porch.”

  Kyle is co-author of the recent policy brief “Mood Walks: The role of parks and recreation in mental health promotion” from Brock’s Niagara Community Observatory, co-authored by Martha Barnes, Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies.

  This work builds on earlier Brock research conducted at the Glenridge Quarry Naturalization Site in St. Catharines which found walking in a natural setting improves mood more so than in urban environments.

  Cheryl McCormick, Professor of Psychology and Director of Brock’s Centre for Neuroscience, oversaw the research conducted by then-PhD student Shawn Geniole.

  “There are substantial health benefits from walking, and there is increasing evidence that walks in nature are particularly beneficial,” she says. “Results from our well-controlled study were that taking a walk improved mood and decreased stress hormone concentrations, with bigger benefits in greener, natural spaces than in less-green, urban spaces.”

   

  Brock professors Kyle Rich and Cheryl McCormick are available for interviews through phone, video and email.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases