Are you interested in collecting data that helps us to monitor water and environmental quality? Get involved in local conservation through our citizen science program.
Citizen science is the practice of engaging members of the public to collect data which can be used to increase scientific knowledge and inform decision making. It is a method that is widely used in various environmental monitoring projects and programs such as water quality, frog and amphibian surveys, bird surveys and many other applications.
Current projects
Learn about the current citizen science conservation projects.
Senior Citizen Climate Change Action Group |
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Kawartha Conservation has developed a climate change monitoring project that is specifically aimed at senior citizens in the Kawartha Region. Senior citizens have critical skills and localized knowledge of their waterbodies. Combined, they can help inform future decision-making around lake management planning activities in the Kawartha Lakes. Kawartha Conservation looking for a number of volunteers to help collect climate data (rain, air temperature and water temperature) on their property. Volunteers have the option to choose between two roles; a mentor role and a volunteer role. This project provides an opportunity to contribute to meaningful, long-term data of our watershed as well as providing seniors with an opportunity to network and talk with other like-minded individuals across the watershed. |
Kawartha Water Watch |
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Participating in the Kawartha Water Watch program includes collecting water samples from various locations across the Kawartha Conservation Area. This data is used to create our watershed reports. |
Nearshore monitoring project |
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The nearshore monitoring project focuses on collecting important data about the nearshore areas of each lake within the Kawartha Conservation jurisdiction. The data is then analyzed and compared to open water data, providing an in-depth approach to monitoring the health of lakes in the Kawartha Conservation watershed. Starry Stonewort is an emerging invasive aquatic plant (algae) of concern in southern Ontario. Research indicates it can proliferate and negatively alter the aquatic ecosystem, for example by: outcompeting native aquatic plants, reducing habitat quality for fishes, changing water quality, among others. Although recent studies have been completed in Lake Scugog, there is relatively limited information on the presence and impacts of Starry Stonewort across the Kawartha Lakes. Kawartha Conservation, in partnership with local stakeholders, was successful in obtaining a one-year grant from the province to coordinate the monitoring of aquatic plants, including Starry Stonewort, at 60 locations in 2021. The Nearshoring Monitoring Project has now concluded for 2021. We would like to thank all of our dedicated volunteers for their time, effort and commitment in making this project a success. |
Great Lakes Local Action Fund Project |
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The Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan commits to continuing to safeguard the Great Lakes water resources and ecosystems for future generations. In support of this commitment, the Ontario government launched the Great Lakes Local Action Fund to help small-scale community projects and actions have a positive environmental impact on the Great Lakes, as well as social and or economic benefits for their communities in Ontario within the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin. Kawartha Conservation, in collaboration with several partners, is excited to contribute to this initiative through the following project: “Enhancing nearshore water quality and aquatic plant management in the Kawartha Lakes, Lake Ontario Drainage Basin”. The Project is a collaborative initiative among community members, local water resource managers and academia that will improve the water quality and aquatic plants in the nearshore environment of the Kawartha Lakes, which are part of the Lake Ontario Basin. |
Links to external Citizen Science programs
Walleye Watch |
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Walleye Watch is a program developed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Trained citizen scientists go out during the walleye spawning window and document fish presence throughout Lake Scugog. |
Lake partner program |
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The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has partnered with the Federation of Cottagers Association to collect important water quality data on inland lakes from May to October of each year. This long term monitoring program has been ongoing since 2002. |
Christmas bird count |
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Ontario Nature is the leader in this citizen science based data collection program. The program welcomes birder skills of all levels to count as many different species, and individuals of those species, as possible over the course of a single day. The data is entered into a provincial database. |