2019 Nelson CABIN field practicum largest training yet

Living Lakes Canada (LLC) delivered its first CABIN training course of the 2019 field season in Nelson on June 12-13 using an adapted CABIN protocol to include eDNA analysis. The collection of eDNA from rivers across Canada is part of the new community-based project called STREAM (Sequencing the Rivers for Environmental Assessment and Monitoring), which is a collaboration between Living Lakes Canada, World Wildlife Fund Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada and the University of Guelph to collect data for stream health assessments. Learn more HERE. 

By LLC Program Manager Raegan Mallison

The Nelson 2019 CABiN field practicum was a success! The course drew 18 participants, the largest course Living Lakes Canada has ever led both in the Nelson area and across Canada.

Participants came from great distances including Utah and Alaska to join the course. We had local stewardship groups join including the staff from Friends of Kootenay Lake, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Lake Windermere Ambassadors. We had participants from industry, academia- professors and students and environmental consultants join us.

The range of experience was across the board, with some being familiar with the CABiN protocol and even helping to assist with monitoring prior to this training, and others brand new to field work.

We were fortunate to have Allison Lutz with Selkirk College join us to assist with teaching and learning the new DNA metabarcoding field techniques and decontamination protocols.

Three Living Lakes Canada summer interns were able to join us for the course. The summer interns will be assisting outreach and logistics planning to support the STREAM project and supporting CABiN users to submit benthic samples for DNA metabarcoding free of charge, not only in the Columbia Basin but across other priority watersheds this field season including: Skeena, Peace/Athabasca, Bow Valley, Alberta and Sudbury, Ontario.

We are excited to have them on board! Welcome Ashley Dubois, Kyle Prince and Lindsay Capito. For more information, check out their profiles on the About Us page on our website under “Team”. Read their first person accounts of participating in their STREAM training below.

We want to send out a big thank you to all those that participated in the 2019 Nelson CABiN training. For other CABiN field practicums this year please visit the LLC website for locations, dates and how to register.

Ashley Dubois, Living Lakes Canada Summer Intern

I am currently a fourth year student at the University of Alberta where I’m working towards a BSc majoring in Biology. The two day CABIN field course in Nelson, BC provided me with a great foundation for aquatic biomonitoring. I know learning the protocol for proper water chemistry sampling and benthic invertebrate collection will benefit me in the future for a range of career paths. There were many people attending the course who had extended knowledge and experience in the aquatics field. This provided an opportunity for networking and brainstorming about aquatics. That being said, I was one among many others who had little to no experience in the field, so this course is truly for anyone interested, regardless of prior experience. The instructors were extremely kind and approachable, as well as knowledgeable, providing a fun learning atmosphere for all participants. After the two days of CABIN field training, I now feel confident and excited to apply my new knowledge to my summer position with Living Lakes Canada.

Kyle Prince, Living Lakes Canada Summer Intern

The CABIN field course in Nelson, B.C. last week was a great way to consolidate all the information I learned during the online modules. It was awesome to have knowledgeable and experienced instructors to interact with and clarify any uncertainties. It was also great to finally get to outside and practice the skills required to complete a proper CABIN study. I enjoyed the wide variety of participants including consultants, NGO employees, professors, and some students too! It was a positive and engaged group which enhanced the course experience. I am excited to use my new certification and get back into the creeks as soon as possible.