Discover the power of community-based freshwater monitoring

Experts meet to explore the role of citizen science in protecting this valuable resource

TORONTO, Oct. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Join water experts from across Canada gathering in Banff, Alta., next week to learn about the power of citizen science to address the widespread lack of consistent, quality data about our freshwater ecosystems. 

What: "Building Bridges: Citizens, Science and Policy," the first-ever national workshop on community-based monitoring of freshwater systems, co-hosted by the Alberta Lake Management Society and Living Lakes Canada at the North American Lake Management Society Symposium, which runs Nov. 1 to 4. (For detailed workshop information including agenda, themes and outcomes, please visit livinglakes.ca/buildingbridges.)

Who: Renowned water expert Dr. David Schindler (Killam Memorial professor of ecology emeritus at University of Alberta), WWF-Canada vice-president of freshwater conservation Elizabeth Hendriks, Living Lakes Canada executive director Kat Hartwig, the Alberta Lake Management Society, other environmental organizations, academics, scientists, Indigenous communities and citizen scientists

Where: Banff Springs Hotel

When: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016

Why: WWF-Canada's cross-country  Watershed Reports show that more than half of the watersheds already assessed lack sufficient data to make sound conclusions about freshwater health. Across Canada, the historical dismantling of both long- and short-term monitoring stations and programs, lack of re-investment in new monitoring stations and loss of evidence-based decision making has left us unequipped to soundly manage this precious resource. Community-based monitoring is emerging as a scientifically sound approach to solving the challenges associated with watershed management. This workshop will explore how to ensure scientific rigour around community-based monitoring to enable scaling up of the solution.

About World Wildlife Fund Canada

WWF-Canada creates solutions to the environmental challenges that matter most for Canadians. We work in places that are unique and ecologically important, so that nature, wildlife and people thrive together. Because we are all wildlife. For more information, visit wwf.ca.

SOURCE WWF-Canada

Rowena Calpito, communications specialist, [email protected], [phone] ext 7267