Meewasins Citizen Science Program: Water Quality and Biodiversity - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Meewasin’s Citizen Science Program:

Water Quality and Biodiversity

Kenton Lysak and Gillian May PFSRB Every River Has A Story Conference, 2016

Meewasin Mandates

to conserve to develop to educate

What is a Citizen Scientist?

Citizen Science

• Scientific research conducted by amateur or non-professional scientists
• Projects can have a local, national, or international focus
• Involves many people collaborating towards a common goal
• Offers large-scale opportunities for researchers to:

a) Collect scientific observations for research and monitoring. b) Spread knowledge and foster public interest in the environment. c) Promote hands-on environmental stewardship. d) Encourage collaboration and partnerships e) Address questions and issues of local or global concern.

The Importance of Citizen Science

Projects range from:

• Wildlife and plant surveys
• Air quality
• Water quality
• Light pollution
• Invasive species identification
• Burning/grazing patterns
• Monitoring ecosystem health
• Determining ecosystem services
• Contributing to online data bases
• Collection of biological samples
• Recording weather patterns
• Determining migration patterns

Monitoring the Northeast Swale

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Water Quality Monitoring

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The Meewasin Northeast Swale

• General Programming at the Northeast Swale
• Educational Themes:

 Natural history – local flora and fauna, biodiversity  Human history – Batoche trail, UofS limestone use  Geological history – glaciations, fossils, rock types  Conservation – habitats, conservation practices, sheep  Human effects on environment – sustainability

Current Northeast Swale Programming

Interpretive hikes and onsite educational programming to engage students in natural environments

OUTCOMES:

• Promote natural science education within an outdoor classroom
• Create engaged citizens that recognize the importance of the swale
• Initiate an educational presence at the swale for future years

• Biodiversity Monitoring
• Program Attributes:

 Three sites visited across the Meewasin Northeast Swale  Students collect information on the local ecosystem  Including: aquatic invertebrates, plant species, bird Iding, etc.  Species are identified under the supervision of interpreter  Presence of animal species and habitat type are noted  Additional samples are collected for further analysis

Swale Citizen Science Project

Collecting biological information on the local environment and the species that inhabit it

Marsh Monsters Project

Name Site 1

Backswimmer Caddisfly Larva Copepod Damselfly Nymph Dragonfly Nymph Fishing Spider Giant Water Bug Leech Mayfly Nymph Midge Larva Mosquito Larva Mosquito and Midge Pupa Predacious Beetle (larva) Predacious Diving Beetle Phantom Midge Larva Seed Shrimp Sideswimmer Snail Water Boatman Water Flea Water Mite Water Scorpian Water Strider Whirligig Beetle

Freshwater Invertebrates

• Biodiversity Monitoring
• Monitor and assess changes to the distribution and abundance of native species

that inhabit the swale.

Swale Citizen Science Project

Monitoring:

 Species diversity and distributions of local flora and fauna  Ecological disturbance along the perimeter greenway  Presence and removal of invasive species  Anthropogenic effects on biodiversity  Effects of regular burnings and grazing  Carbon sequestering  Water retention OUTCOMES:

• Actively monitor the ecological integrity of the swale
• Promote stewardship and scientific inquiry through student-led projects
• Provide hands-on learning of scientific collection methods and analysis

Habitat Building

Wildlife Monitoring

RBC Science of Water

Citizen Science

• Water Quality
• Student Participation
• Inspired Learning

RBC Blue Water Program

• RBC Blue Water

Program runs in conjunction with the Meewasin interpretive canoe tour program

• Located at Beaver Creek

Conservation area

Water quality

Water quality

Water Quality Monitoring

Educational Themes

 Animal Structure and Function  Geological formations, and types of rock  Water and water features  Weathering and erosion

Water Quality

• Sampling is done by students
• Safety is our number one concern
• Teaching best practice
• Learning about the environment

Water Quality

Outcomes:

• Hands on learning
• Appreciation of

water as a resource

• Education about

aquatic habitat

• Understanding

about our affect on the environment

• Creating engaged

students

• Encouraging

environmental stewardship

Inspired Learning

• Achieving educational outcomes
• Appreciation of nature
• Unique opportunities
• Understanding the scientific method

Inspired Learning

• Nature based strategies for

enhancing academic achievement

• Inspiring environmental

stewardship

• Achieving educational outcomes
• Fostering a love of both science

and nature

• Increasing opportunities for

science education

• Hands on learning

We strive to be a fundamental branch between the natural sciences and its communication to the public.

Meewasin Valley Authority