Lake Erie Guardians looking for team members

REGIONAL — The Lake Erie Guardians – a joint citizen science initiative between the Canadian Freshwater Alliance and Water Rangers – will be helping residents protect and preserve the watershed with a range of environmental projects this summer.

There are 40 spots available on the Lake Erie Guardians team, each ready to be filled by an individual, family, household, or group, as long as they are able to access Lake Erie or one of the streams or rivers that are part of its watershed, such as the St. Clair, Detroit, Thames or Grand River.

Those who are selected to participate in the program will take part in a range of citizen science activities, starting with monthly water monitoring.

Participants will run water quality tests and upload their findings to an open data platform. This allows scientists – both amateur and professional – to spot changes in water quality while also contributing to a larger dataset that will be shared with other water-conservation organizations.

“Consistent measuring will give us a baseline,” said Emelia Duguay, Sustainable Development Coordinator at Water Rangers. “Then, over time, if our measurements deviate from this baseline, we know that we ought to take a closer look at what’s going on.

The Guardians will also undertake additional activities over the seven-month program, such as shoreline naturalization, tree planting, cleanups, removing invasive species, and helping with educational efforts in the community.

“The two million Ontarians that live in the Lake Erie watershed rely on its waters for their livelihoods and quality of life on a daily basis,” explained Raj Gill, Great Lakes Program Director at the Canadian Freshwater Alliance. “We want to do our part to help make sure the lake’s ecosystem is protected for all – humans and animals alike – now, and for future generations.”

No experience is needed to become a Guardian, as training will be provided to all participants.

Those interested in applying to be a Lake Erie Guardian are invited to learn more at https://www.freshwateralliance.ca/lakeerieguardians.