Diving into STREAM/CABIN training in Fredericton, New Brunswick
By Rhia MacKenzie, Living Lakes Canada’s eDNA Program Coordinator
The Fredericton STREAM/CABIN training on June 14th and 15th was Living Lakes Canada’s first biomonitoring foray into Atlantic Canada. Participants in the course included representatives and guardians from Meduxnekeag River Association, Canaan-Washademoak Watershed Association, NunatuKavut, Wolastoqey Nation, Maliseet Nation Conservation Council, Nashwaak Watershed and ACAP staff (Atlantic Coastal Action Program). We had 13 participants and they were a great group to connect with as their diverse projects and goals were intriguing to learn about. We were also lucky to have representatives and research scientists from Environment and Climate Change Canada who provided training support and shared current research opportunities for Atlantic Canada programs.
On a personal note, I am new to the Living Lakes Canada team as the eDNA Program Coordinator and had a great learning experience shadowing STREAM/CABIN trainer Raegan Mallinson and her team of Heather Shaw (Living Lakes Canada’s High Elevation Monitoring Program Manager) and World Wildlife Fund Canada’s Catherine Paquette.
I saw that the value in learning the STREAM/CABIN methodologies is much more than learning a biomonitoring method. The training courses offer great opportunities to network, connect, partner with and learn from other communities.
Getting on board with the STREAM program is a great way to ensure local communities and groups have access to efficient, cost-effective and cutting-edge biomonitoring technology.
Ride the STREAM wave, it is the riffle of the future! (Any STREAM participants out there will know what this means! – Rhia)
For more information Living Lakes Canada’s STREAM program contact Raegan Mallinson: raegan@livinglakescanada.ca.
Banner photo credit: Catherine Paquette