Welcome to the National Lake Blitz!

Photo by Toma Ward  •  2024 Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge

The National Lake Blitz is an annual citizen science program that empowers volunteers across Canada to monitor lakes. By providing accessible tools and support, the program inspires communities to actively steward lakes and deepen their  understanding of these freshwater ecosystems. 

Registration for 2025 is now OPEN. Sign up today! 

From May to September, Lake Blitz volunteers collect diverse information about their local lakes. All the data that’s collected is added to the interactive Lake Blitz Observation Map that can be viewed in real-time. There are two tiers of program participation:

Tier 1 Lake Biodiversity Stewards

Lake Biodiversity Stewards will document wildlife on or in the lake and along the shorelines, including both native and invasive species. Volunteers can submit observations on any lake they visit and  can participate as frequently as they’re able to. All data is collected through the Lake Biodiversity Stewards iNaturalist project and added to our interactive Lake Blitz Observation Map. This data helps track biodiversity in and around lakes across Canada and supports lake conservation efforts. Head to the Lake Biodiversity Stewards guide to learn more!

Tier 2 Lake Health Stewards

Lake Health Stewards are returning volunteers invited to monitor and document water temperature, air temperature, water clarity, and water colour, with the option to include wildlife observations. Data will be collected bi-weekly at their chosen lake. Tier 2 volunteers can access the 2025 Calendar for the monitoring schedule and key dates. Head to the Lake Health Stewards guide to learn more!

Registration

Registration is now open. For Tier 1 Lake Biodiversity Stewards, registration will remain open all season.

If you’d like to inquire about volunteering as a Tier 2 Lake Health Steward, please email us.

Questions? Contact the Lake Blitz Team: lakeblitz@livinglakescanada.ca

“Participating in the 2024 National Lake Blitz was an extraordinary opportunity to connect with nature and like-minded individuals, it gave me the tools and training needed to monitor one of my favourite lakes here in Manitoba, and even gave me the opportunity to get some of my family involved during some of the monitoring days. The program’s inclusive nature, welcoming volunteers of all skill levels, made it easy to participate.”
– Damian Hing, 2024 Lake Blitz Volunteer

Visit the Lake Blitz Program Page to learn more about the program and its objectives. 

Our Funders

Thank you to R. Howard Webster Foundation, Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program, Cogir Foundation, and F.K. Morrow Foundation for making the Lake Blitz possible.