News

NCC Floodplain near the Musquodoboit River, NS

NCC pulls together data in Eastern Canada to create open-access conservation planning tools

 October 22, 2019

A key element of freshwater conservation is knowing where to prioritize ecosystem restoration and preservation efforts. With the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC) Freshwater Conservation Blueprint this just got easier in eastern Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. 

Keep Reading  NCC pulls together data in Eastern Canada to create open-access conservation planning tools
Patrick LeClair reviewing data with Cameron Deacoff at a laptop on a table

From Water to Web Workshop Series

 August 28, 2019

This past winter, Atlantic Water Network’s (AWN) staff traveled throughout Atlantic Canada to deliver our “ From Water to Web ” workshop series, with a focus on data management. This workshop series followed the launch of Atlantic DataStream, an open access web portal for water quality data. As we supported community-based monitoring (CBM) organizations in uploading their data to the platform, it was clear that data management plays a key role in organizing, sharing and communicating the results of monitoring programs, but is often left until the last minute or skipped entirely. AWN designed the water to web workshops to highlight data management and help groups integrate it into their program planning.

Keep Reading  From Water to Web Workshop Series
Wooden sign reading 'Souris & Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation'

CBM In Action: Souris and Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation

 July 22, 2019

Community-based monitoring groups of all shapes and sizes are taking action to protect rivers, lakes and wetlands. These are the amazing people and initiatives that inspire us to do the work we do here at DataStream. In this video Keila Miller of the Souris and Area Branch of the Prince Edward Island Wildlife Federation talks about the work her organization is involved in to protect water and wildlife.

Keep Reading  CBM In Action: Souris and Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation
Screenshot of locations in Atlantic DataStream

Watershed groups in New Brunswick bring valuable historical data online

 March 5, 2019

Since Atlantic DataStream went live in June 2018, organizations throughout the Atlantic Provinces have been eager to share one of their most precious pieces of information - their water quality datasets.  With the support of the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund (NB ETF), Atlantic Water Network has been working directly with twelve watershed groups in New Brunswick to digitize, format, and upload their water quality data. There are now nearly 70 years of water quality data available on Atlantic DataStream – a secure, open access platform that helps groups share and connect monitoring results in meaningful ways.  Atlantic Water Network works with several organizations throughout the province of New Brunswick, many of whom had decades worth of data, but not always in accessible forms. Even with today’s technology, we hear stories of groups who have years of valuable information that is only found in paper copies, and in some cases, stored away in filing cabinets or even shoe boxes! Atlantic DataStream now makes sharing data even easier than before, with a standardized format aligned with the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency’s WQX format and safely stored incorporating Blockchain technology.  

Keep Reading  Watershed groups in New Brunswick bring valuable historical data online
Petitcodiac river

DataStream at the 2018 Living Waters Rally

 October 11, 2018

Last week, DataStream joined over 100 freshwater organizations from across Canada for the 2018 Living Waters Rally. This year’s Rally took place near the shores of the Peticodiac River in Moncton, New Brunswick on the traditional unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) and Mi’kmaq Peoples. Organized by the Freshwater Alliance, these biannual gatherings are valuable opportunities for groups to connect and learn from countrywide efforts to protect freshwater. This year, we were excited to be involved in several sessions during the rally:

Keep Reading  DataStream at the 2018 Living Waters Rally
Mouth of the Saint John's Harbour in Newfoundland looking into the harbour from the ocean

Blockchain technology put to new use in freshwater health

 September 17, 2018

HALIFAX, Sept. 18, 2018 –  The nimble nature of community-based monitoring is being paired with the security of blockchain technology in Atlantic Canada to safeguard freshwater health. Widespread data deficiencies are among the key findings of World Wildlife Fund Canada’s 2017  Watershed Reports, with two-thirds of Canada’s sub-watersheds data deficient for health indicators, preventing an informed understanding of the human impact in most watersheds.   While communities and stewardship organizations across Atlantic Canada have a long history of sophisticated monitoring programs, until recently they did not have a common and secure place to share their data.  

Keep Reading  Blockchain technology put to new use in freshwater health
Iphone displaying the Atlantic DataStream homepage with people on a deck around a table in the background

Kicking Off Atlantic DataStream in Halifax! June 5-6, 2018

 June 26, 2018

Atlantic DataStream kicked off on World Environment Day (June 5, 2018) with a two-day conference and celebration in Halifax, NS. More than 100 community-based water monitors joined us from across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Join the Atlantic Water Network Community Hub Facebook Group to connect with conference attendees. We don’t yet fully understand the impact that human activities and climate change are having on watersheds across Canada. But we do know that communities are connected to their waters and are best-placed to see changes as they happen.

Keep Reading  Kicking Off Atlantic DataStream in Halifax! June 5-6, 2018
Members of WWF, the Atlantic Water Network, the PEI Watershed alliance, and the Gordon Foundation at the Water's Next Award

DataStream Wins Water's Next Award

 June 22, 2018

On June 20, DataStream won the 2018 Water’s Next award for Project & Technology at the Canadian Water Summit in Vancouver. DataStream is an open-access, online platform for sharing information about freshwater health in the Mackenzie Basin.  The Water’s Next Awards celebrate achievements in the water community from storm water management to innovation in drinking water solutions, web technologies, local stewardship and more. DataStream promotes public participation and trust in water stewardship decisions.

Keep Reading  DataStream Wins Water's Next Award
Person in hip waders net fishing

The results are in! National CBM Survey Highlights

 March 15, 2018

Through a diversity of monitoring, stewardship and guardian programs, communities across Canada are playing an increasingly important role in gathering critical information about the health of their watersheds. As interest in community-based water monitoring (CBWM) grows, investments to organize and implement community-driven initiatives are being made. However, to realize the full potential of these efforts, there is a need for strategic thinking, collaboration, and coordination, including at the national level.

Keep Reading  The results are in! National CBM Survey Highlights

NEW FEATURE: Search for Monitoring Data by Sub-Basin

 March 2, 2018

One of the exciting things about DataStream is watching it grow and evolve over time. Not only are more datasets coming online, but we are continually making it better thanks to the thoughtful feedback we get from DataStream users. Now, by popular demand, you can filter your search for monitoring data within the sub-basins of the larger Mackenzie River Basin. This is so important because it allows communities to view and compare data across shared waterways.

Keep Reading  NEW FEATURE: Search for Monitoring Data by Sub-Basin
Lake shot from the air

Announcing the New DataStream Coordinator

 February 8, 2018

As the DataStream platform continues to grow and evolve, so too does our team, and we are excited to announce that Lindsay Day is joining us as the new DataStream Coordinator. Lindsay will assist with the ongoing expansion of DataStream, and will work with communities in the Mackenzie River Basin to continually improve the DataStream platform. Please join us in welcoming Lindsay to  The Gordon Foundation  and the DataStream team. By way of introduction, we share a short Q&A with Lindsay here.

Keep Reading  Announcing the New DataStream Coordinator