Abstract:
Since 2022, NORDIK Institute has partnered with communities across our region to collaboratively train and coordinate volunteers to monitor the health of our waters. These teams are collectively called Water Ranger teams, or WatR teams for short. Communities we currently work with are Missanabie Cree First Nation, Batchewana First Nation, the City of Sault Ste. Marie (through the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority), the Township of Thessalon, and the Township of Huron Shores. As our office is based in Sault Ste. Marie, at Algoma University, we offer most of our training sessions from this location; however, we do periodically offer events and training sessions in our partner communities as well – contact us to learn more about these opportunities, or to schedule one contact Kiki( kiki.vetrie@algomau.ca )or Ajaz( ajaz.shaikh@algomau.ca )
Now that the 2025 monitoring season is upon us, WatR teams at NORDIK are seeking water enthusiasts to join their community’s team! As a WatR volunteer, you will have the support of a network of like-minded community members as you learn more about water quality statuses, challenges (e.g., microplastics) and solutions in our region. By volunteering your time, you will contribute to collecting much-needed data to support Great Lakes’ decision-making and ensure a healthier and more resilient community by becoming a voice for our local waters.
Join one or more of our free, no-obligation training sessions to learn more! We currently have three topics to choose from: an introduction about our team’s water quality monitoring activities, how to conduct broader stream assessments, and how to survey for microplastics in and around our waterways. While we hope you will volunteer with us at any of our 40+ sites across the region (25 of which are in Sault Ste. Marie), there is no requirement. We are proud to offer these sessions to all community members who want to learn more about local waters. Sessions are offered at Algoma University on a monthly basis, or may be scheduled in other communities upon request. To learn more about the Sault Ste. Marie sessions, please contact us or click the registration link within each topic description to learn more.
Description of training sessions:
1. Water Quality Monitoring Training
*Training sessions are scheduled for each month.
If you are unable to join our training sessions due to a schedule conflict, please let us know, and we will arrange an alternative session accordingly.
Description: This training is for any community members who want information about our team’s water quality monitoring activities. Learn how to use the Water Rangers Freshwater Explorer Test kit. Learn why monitoring is important, why we need data in the northern Great Lakes, and what we can do with this important data we are collecting. Become a citizen scientist! This session is mandatory for those who wish to be water quality monitoring volunteers. Register here.
2. Microplastics Exploration in the Northern Great Lakes
Description: Join us to explore how microplastics could impact freshwater quality and the health of those who live in and around waterways. We will discuss how we can reduce microplastics in our waters and environment. This is an active session where participants will identify and analyze microplastic samples using the Saturna Imaging System by Ocean Diagnostics. We are the first organization across the Great Lakes to make use of this new, state-of-the-art tool, and you can be among the first to use it! Register here.
3. Introductory Stream Assessment Workshop (one upcoming session)
Description: This hands-on training session will teach participants how to assess the physical characteristics of local rivers and streams, learn about biological indicators of water quality, and understand different biological sampling techniques such as invertebrate surveying, travelling kick and sweep and eDNA testing. Learn about qualitative observation and how the water can tell us its story. Register here
Dates:
2022 – 2026
