Sault's Invasive Species Centre launches community focused program
The Sault's Invasive Species Centre is looking to protect waterways this summer with the launch of its new community science program.
Called IsampleON, the program aims to incorporate community volunteers from more than 500 organizations in Ontario, to help identify invasive species in Ontario's lakes.
"Volunteers will be collecting and analyzing water samples on lakes and shorelines," said Rebecca Schroeder, Aquatic Invasive Species liaison. "They will then be sending them back to us where we analyze them for presence or absence of invasive mussel veligers."
Schroeder said volunteers will help keep the Invasive Species Centre proactive in protecting watersheds throughout the province.
Volunteers will be organized by the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Association.
"Each of them has got a unique opportunity to be eyes and ears on the water and look out for our environment," said Terry Rees, executive director.
Rees said the program also incorporates public awareness, particularly around boaters launching from multiple lakes this summer.
"It means everyone who moves a boat from one waterbody to another has an opportunity to do their part to ensure they're not moving any water from one waterbody to another," he said. "Invasive mussels in particular can travel this way without proper care."
The Invasive Species Centre said that while invasive mussels remain an issue in many parts of Ontario, it will be focusing on 25 lakes from three watersheds.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.