Download the information sheet for protected natural areas

Adopt a River is a water quality
It enables stewards of protected natural areas to:
monitoring education program. In
Monitor
the overall health of river ecosystems in their territory;
2009, a new component, citizen
Monitor
ecological integrity;
science, was tested in five protected
natural areas across Canada.
The program has received numerous
provincial and national recognitions
and distinctions, a testimony to
the quality of the program and its
Raise awareness among visitors and neighbouring communities of the importance of
conserving watercourses, and of the role of natural areas;
Increase
Involve
the site’s educational offerings;
visitors and citizens in ecological monitoring;
Develop
a sense of belonging for communities adjacent to natural areas; and
Stimulate
citizens’ interest in community involvement.
The two models currently offered in protected natural areas are the visitor model and
the citizen science model.
scientific and educational credibility.
Model
In light of this, management would
Visitor
like to establish the program in
Citizen science
Clientele
Visitors, campers, seasonal
Community members,
environmental
organizations,
community organizations
extend the program nationally was
Duration
Approximately 2 hours
2 or more days
based on the interest of many groups
Number of persons
required
3 to 15 persons
6 to 25 persons
Training required
Yes – 1 ½ days
Yes – 2 ½ days
Equipment
To be confirmed by the Parks Canada National Office
various protected natural areas
across Canada. The decision to
across Canada eager to become
integrated into the Adopt a River
Network.
Created in 1999 in partnership with
Environment Canada’s Biosphere,
this Quebec program was adapted
for protected natural areas so that
more citizens can get involved in
© Catherine Watrous - Parks Canada
monitoring the ecological health of
Canada’s rivers.
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The visitor model
Usually delivered by a protected natural area interpreter, this model is proven to be quite simple since it is essentially an introduction
to the ecological monitoring of rivers. Based on approved scientific protocols1, this dynamic activity provides participants with a short
introduction to ecological monitoring followed by data collection from a river to determine its overall health. By using basic scientific
equipment and specially designed teaching tools adapted to the model’s target groups, participants play an active role in monitoring
the ecological integrity of the site they are visiting.
Content of activity
• Introduction to watersheds, protected natural areas, ecological monitoring, and the
importance of protecting rivers.
Duration: approx. 30 minutes
• Collecting scientific data.
Site description: site observation, width and depth of river, current speed, odour, colour
and aspects of water;
Physicochemical parameters: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity; and
Macroinvertebrates: collection, sorting, and identification of collected indicator species.
© Véronique Nolet - G3E
Duration: approx. 1hr 20 minutes
• Brief overview of the activity, summary of results, and use of data collected.
Duration: approx. 10 minutes
Teaching tools have been created exclusively to meet the needs of visitors participating
in the activity. Information on the physicochemical parameters and macroinvertebrates
is clear and easy to understand. As a thank you, a macroinvertebrates identification card
has been developed and given to each participant at the end of the activity.
1 Protocols approved by Parks Canada, Environment Canada’s Biosphere and the ministère du Développement Durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs
du Québec.
“It was very good! I liked that a lot. Good job!” - Cap Toumente National Wildlife Area
“What a great program.” - Fundy National Park of Canada
“I really enjoyed the activity!” - Riding Mountain National Park of Canada
“I was surprised at how hands-on the activity was. It kept me interested and excited to try new things!”
- Fundy National Park of Canada
“I was surprised about sorting and naming insects. I thought it would be much more difficult than it actually was.”
- Riding Mountain National Park of Canada
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Citizen science model
This model is for community members who want to get involved in a citizen science program. An individual from the protected natural
area trains the participants. This training, which varies in duration from 8 to 10 hours, can be given in two full days or spread over
multiple evenings depending on the needs and knowledge of the participants. The goal of this model is to introduce the concept of
ecological monitoring, explain how it is used to monitor the overall health of watercourses, describe the theory behind the project,
and introduce the various protocols used. A field trip is then organized to collect data. The activity concludes with analysis of the data
collected and a discussion on what can be done to help in the conservation or protection of rivers. The main objective of this model is
to encourage community involvement.
Theory content
• Introduction to watersheds, protected natural areas, ecological monitoring and the
importance of protecting rivers;
• Training on the physicochemical and bacteriological parameters of water;
• Theoretical and practical training on identifying benthic macroinvertebrates; and
• Training on habitat parameters.
Duration: between 6 and 7 hours
Field trip content
• Habitat parameter: site observation, width and depth of river, current speed, smell,
colour and aspects of water, shoreline vegetation, human presence, etc.
• Physicochemical and bacteriological parameters: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH,
turbidity, hardness, phosphates, nitrates, and coliform bacteria.
• Macroinvertebrate population: collection, sorting and identification of collected
indicator species.
Duration: between 1 and 3 hours
Conclusion of the activity
• Compilation of results, integration of data on the program Web site
(www.g3e-ewag.ca)
• Analysis of results obtained, overall health index of the river, and habitat quality
index.
• Invitation to participants to get involved in protecting and conserving the river: provide
options for actions the group can take.
Duration: between 1 and 3 hours
© Véronique Nolet - G3E
What will the collected data be used for?
The data collected by means of these two models will help monitor the overall health of
the watercourses being studied. Although you may have volunteers with little experience
collecting the data, they can quickly identify problems in the watercourses being studied,
thanks to the scientific protocols that have been developed and scientifically approved.
With regular data collection throughout the summer, you’ll be surprised at how quickly
you will expand your baseline data on the watercourses passing through your site.
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Adopt a River and CABIN – allies in the preservation of your
watercourses
The Adopt a River program is not a competitor to Environment Canada’s CABIN
Program. Quite the contrary – these two programs complement each other! Unlike
CABIN, Adopt a River provides visitors and volunteers with hands-on involvement
in ecological monitoring of the site. An agreement exists between Adopt a River
and CABIN to ensure that the two programs will not interfere with each other’s
work on the same site.
Why promote voluntary visitor involvement in ecological monitoring?
Ecological monitoring is fundamental to the health of ecosystems and contributes to
protecting the ecological integrity of natural protected areas. From this perspective,
involving visitors and citizens in the scientific processes of ecological monitoring will
demystify the methods that are used to conserve ecological integrity. Understanding
how the environment is protected involves understanding why everyone needs to
do his or her part for the health of watercourses.
Visitor experience - the heart of the educational program
Diversifying the educational offerings at a protected natural area generates interest
for a broader audience. Enjoyable activities such as Adopt a River allow visitors
to plan and experience their visit differently. Fun, entertainment and learning are
blended so seamlessly that visitors will surely come back or tell their friends and
family about the program.
In conclusion, introducing Adopt a River in your protected natural area means that you:
Join a dynamic nationwide network for the ecological monitoring of watercourses.
Participate and get involved in a proven scientific educational program.
Benefit from a platform for discussion concerning the health of watercourses in Canada.
Encourage citizen involvement in the initiatives being undertaken to preserve the ecological integrity of sites.
Encourage visitor interest and involvement, opening the door to their eventual return to your protected natural area.
Adopt this program and you will become part of the network of participating natural protected areas, thereby allowing thousands of
Canadians to become involved in the protection of watercourses.
“I’m amazed by the amount of creatures in the water. I just never thought about it before!” - Cap Toumente National Wildlife Area
“It was very easy to get into.” - Gatineau Park
“I knew it would be good, but it exceeded my expectations!” - Fundy National Park of Canada
“I would never have believed that so much life can be found by scraping rocks!” – Gatineau Park
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