Link Digital is proud to support Living Lakes Canada's annual National Lake Blitz, a fantastic citizen science program that empowers everyone to become a lake steward.
About National Lake Blitz and its mission
The National Lake Blitz invites volunteers to monitor lakes across Canada from May to September.
The mission is to gather temperature readings, snap shoreline photos, record water color, and contribute to a greater understanding of aquatic ecosystems. All data is added to the Lake Blitz Observation Map. The data is also made available on two open access online platforms for sharing fresh water data: the Columbia Basin Water Hub, the official home for Lake Blitz data, and Datastream.
No prior experience is necessary to join this entry level program. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or a curious kid, there’s a place for you within the National Lake Blitz. Living Lakes Canada provides diverse resources to help support volunteers, including “how-to” videos for youth who want to get involved. After signing up, each volunteer receives a free standardized monitoring kit and online training. From data collection to entry, the training guides volunteers on how to monitor their chosen lake.
Why is this important?
The data collected through the National Lake Blitz enables a comprehensive picture of lake health across the country. This information can be used in developing conservation strategies and protecting these vital ecosystems.
For those with interest in the visual, the Lake Blitz’s sister event, the Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge, might be for you. Running from June to July 2024, this contest encourages anyone, including Lake Blitz volunteers, to capture the stunning biodiversity of lakes and submit their photos for a chance to win prizes.
Join the Lake Blitz Summer Speaker Series
As part of the National Lake Blitz, Living Lakes Canada hosts a virtual Summer Speaker Series. These bite-sized talks are open to the public and provide opportunities to learn and network with other volunteers, lake stewards and environmental leaders across Canada. A diverse panel of experts, artists, storytellers, and researchers from Canada will dive into their unique perspectives on lake ecosystems and climate change impacts, and share their experiences and expertise.
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Want to explore the Columbia Basin Water Hub further? If you are interested in discovering more about the Columbia Basin Water Hub, you can read this case study to learn about its technical aspects and the benefits of open access databases. You can also go to this video to watch the presentation by Maggie Finkle-Aucoin, GIS and Database Manager with Living Lakes Canada, from our monthly forum in November 2023.
