Water Data Hub Dialogue exceeds all expectations
| () |
On November 29 & 30, residents, guests and water experts gathered in Invermere, B.C. to discuss current water monitoring initiatives and water data storage hubs used in B.C., Canada and in the USA, and what the next steps are towards developing a collaborative water monitoring framework and data hub for the Columbia Basin.
The event — A Water Data Hub Dialogue: Cracking the Code in 3D — focused on two days of learning, sharing, and creative brainstorming amongst scientists, government, industry, community groups, First Nations, and technology experts with the goal of moving toward integrating the region’s water knowledge through freely accessed open source data and applied decision making.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this energizing and ambitiously successful event. A special thank you to Shuswap Band Chief Barb Cote and Akisqnuk First Nation Chief Alfred Joseph of the Ktunaxa Nation for welcoming us to their shared Traditional Territory.
Click here for a video of the Women’s Warrior Song welcome by members of the Shuswap Band (the song starts at the 0:46 second mark).
Some of what we have heard so far from the water dialogue attendees:
- “Surprising mix of diverse expert presenters. Exceeded all expectations. Wonderful to see that so much of this work is already underway.”
- “I will advocate for and help educate people about the Data Hub and its benefits, and get as many organizations in my community interested and involved as I can. I don’t make decisions regarding funding available, but will dedicate time and effort to keep my community involved in this important initiative.”
- “Great couple of days. Very good speakers and very well organized.”
- “Great job. Lots of information, partnerships and collaboration. Good initial planning for a great framework”
- “Wow, excellent summaries, input and synthesis. Volunteer efforts of people stepping up to collect input is fabulous! Nice approach.”
A full proceeding of the dialogue including speaker presentations, breakout session brainstorming, survey results and next steps will be available mid-January.
To review live coverage of the dialogue including photos of slides and guest speaker quotes, visit Living Lakes Canada on Twitter and the event hashtag #WaterDataHub2017.
We would like to thank Pat Morrow for capturing the two-day conference. To view our photo albums, find Living Lakes Canada on Facebook and or go directly to the online albums “Cracking the Code in 3D Day 1” and “Cracking the Code in 3D Day 2”.
Photo by Pat Morrow
