Features Education Research
Ottawa World Water Day event to highlight watershed education

Ottawa – Water education groups Blue Drinks Ottawa and Water Rangers are holding a World Water Day event March 22 featuring speakers and water quality kit training.

Several speakers have been confirmed:

• City councillor David Chernushenko, chairman of the Ottawa’s Environment and Climate Protection Committee
• Barbara King, Executive Director of Watersheds Canada
• Meera Karunananthan, Blue Planet Project Director from The Council of Canadians

Water Rangers’ goal is to empower Ontario communities to learn about citizen science for our lakes and rivers, Blue Drinks said on its event website. Community leaders and other volunteers are encouraged to come and learn about water quality and how to conduct tests. By collecting data over time, members of the public will be able to view baselines for these locations and will be better able to determine if something has changed.

The March 22 event, “Protecting our water together,” will feature a demonstration of how watersheds work by Ottawa Riverkeeper’s chief scientist, Meaghan Murphy. Thanks to Ontario150, community members will take home citizen science water test kits to help monitor 150 new locations in Ontario this year! You may apply for one by March 13 at https://waterrangers.ca/ontario150.

Pizza, beverages and prizes will be provided, along with a chance to win prizes.

The event will take place at Makerspace North.