Dip your toes into water monitoring with the 3rd Annual National Lake Blitz
Do you love your local lakes and want to help protect them for future generations? Dip your toes into water monitoring this summer and be part of the solution. Lakes in Canada are threatened by habitat loss, invasive species, pollution and climate impacts like rising water temperatures. Join the Living Lakes Canada network of volunteer lake monitors and track various impacts at a lake you love by registering for the 3rd Annual National Lake Blitz.
With summer days spent lakeside already top of mind, we’re opening Lake Blitz registration early this year! Starting February 1st, you can register as a volunteer and start planning your 2023 lake monitoring adventure.
Each volunteer will receive a free Lake Blitz Standard Kit containing a thermometer, tape measure, field guide, and datasheets. New this year, we’re developing a Lake Blitz Level 2 Kit that will be available for purchase to allow enthusiastic volunteers to measure additional parameters including pH and water clarity. Living Lakes Canada will provide free online training on how to monitor your local lake, from data collection to data entry. All the lake data that you’ll help to collect this year will be uploaded to the Lake Blitz Observation Map and available for download from the Columbia Basin Water Hub.
All volunteers will also be invited to Monthly Meet-ups, online workshops featuring expert guest speakers who will be presenting on a range of topics relevant to lake monitoring.
If water monitoring doesn’t float your boat, there’s another way to get involved in the Lake Blitz. As of May 1st, you can submit your favourite lake photos to the Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge. Submissions can be received through our website or using the hashtag #LakeBlitzPhoto2023. This year’s photo categories include Lake Biodiversity, Lake Landscapes, Lake Impacts and Kids (age 12 and under). Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn for a chance to see your submission featured on our channels. All entries will be showcased in the 2023 Photo Challenge Online Gallery.
Lake Blitz registration closes May 1st or when our supply of Lake Blitz Kits runs out, so register on February 1st and join Living Lakes Canada in getting outside this summer and helping protect lakes across Canada. We look forward to welcoming you to the Lake Blitz volunteer team.
To learn more about the program and to register, visit LakeBlitz.LivingLakesCanada.ca or contact the Lake Blitz Program Manager at LakeBlitz@LivingLakesCanada.ca.
Header photo credit: Sarah Pasley, Assiniboine Lake B.C. 2022 Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge.