In the July/August issue of Canadian Geographic, writer D’Arcy Jenish and photographer Martin Beaulieu hop aboard a freighter for a trip on the St. Lawrence Seaway. For the past 50 years, the seaway has served as an important artery for ships carrying the coal, grain and iron ore that fuelled Canada’s economy. Major changes to those heavy industries, however, are forcing the seaway to adapt as it enters its next half century. Find out how the seaway is dealing with both economic and environmental challenges, and how it is tied into the lives and livelihoods of thousands of Canadians.

PLUS: Read about the changing role of Canada’s national parks wardens as the corps turns 100. And discover an Arctic arts festival — and the joys of summer camp.

Inland superhighway
For half a century, the St. Lawrence Seaway has served as a vital artery for ships carrying the coal, grain and iron ore that fuelled Canada’s economy. But a sea change may be brewing.
By D’Arcy Jenish with photography by Martin Beaulieu

Exclusively online: view a timeline and a video of the seaway's 300-year history, a photo gallery and an interactive diagram illustrating the waterway’s different regions, how locks work and more.

CG Photo Club: Field Report — an interview with Martin Beaulieu
Travel with photographer Martin Beaulieu through the locks and channels of the historic St. Lawrence Seaway.

Wardens in arms
A century after its creation, the national parks warden service is undergoing a dramatic reinvention
Story and photography by Ed Struzik

Wilderness trippers
Summer camp taught me about nature and independence, and a few lessons that weren’t advertised in the brochure
By Don Gillmor

Iqaluit in the groove
As summer dawns, performers from around the world descend on Nunavut’s capital for an eclectic celebration of the arts
By Dave Bidini with photography by Patrice Halley

The inside story
Going with the flow, Geo whiz kids, A cut above, Seaway’s birthday

Editor’s notebook
Locks and lakers

Contributors
Meet our writers and photographers

Reverberations
Wind directions, Watching the watersheds, Archaeological ghosts

Discovery
Birds on a wire, Sealing and dealing, Building bridges, Elmer the imposter, Let there be light, What we can learn from big hairy bugs

À la carte
Guitar towns
By Steven Fick and Dan Rubinstein

Reviews
Rockers without borders, Lost in spaces

On the horizon
Rocky road: Newfoundland’s isolated Northern Peninsula

In Habitat
Atlin, with a heart of gold
By Jill Frayne