Series of clean-up, water science events start today

The Sault Ste. Marie Water Rangers Task Team has a busy stretch ahead.

The team, hosted by NORDIK Institute in partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority, is holding a series of events this week, beginning with an Algoma University Campus clean-up on July 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Interested participants can meet at the NORDIK Institute office at the University in room SH 211) to join in the campus-wide clean-up at Algoma Univeristy.

At noon, the NORDIK Institute will host a presentation about volunteer opportunities in community-led water science. The presentation will be held at Algoma University’s SpeakEasy.

On July 12, all interested community members are invited to join water quality monitoring training from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Algoma University (EW 205). 

The training is mandatory for anyone interested in volunteering with the Sault Ste. Marie Water Rangers Task Team.

For those that can't make it, other training sessions will be offered and you can contact the team to sign up for future training or to volunteer at events.  The training opportunity is available every two weeks on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.

A second portion of the training, which takes place outdoors, will be arranged based on availability.

On July 13, NORDIK staff will be at the Drake Street Park from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. where people can learn about community-based water quality monitoring and environmental DNA. Participants can help NORDIK collect a DNA sample from Clark Creek to help learn more about the local mussels and insects.

After that, the group will shift to Bellevue Park at the covered area near Topsail Island to participate in a shoreline clean-up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where the group will pick up garbage from around the park and test a new mobile application that uses AI to measure different kinds of litter! 

Anyone interested in joining in is asked to prepared for the weather and wear comfortable footwear.