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

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The Meewasin Northeast Swale

Current Northeast Swale Programming • General Programming at the Northeast Swale Interpretive hikes and onsite educational programming to engage students in natural environments • 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 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

Swale Citizen Science Project • Biodiversity Monitoring Collecting biological information on the local environment and the species that inhabit it • Program Attributes: Marsh Monsters Project Name Site 1  Three sites visited across the Meewasin Northeast Swale Backswimmer Caddisfly Larva Copepod  Students collect information on the local ecosystem Damselfly Nymph Dragonfly Nymph  Including: aquatic invertebrates, plant species, bird Iding, etc. Fishing Spider Giant Water Bug  Species are identified under the supervision of interpreter Leech Mayfly Nymph Midge Larva  Presence of animal species and habitat type are noted Mosquito Larva Mosquito and Midge Pupa  Additional samples are collected for further analysis 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

Swale Citizen Science Project • Biodiversity Monitoring Monitor and assess changes to the distribution and abundance of native species • that inhabit the swale. 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

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