February 27 2024 OLW e-newsletter

OLW UPDATES & INVITES

	Fill out OLW’s Annual Survey (5-10 mins) to help create a free interactive tool that will map our Network and highlight collaboration across the country.
	Read our story on OLW’s collective ‘net’-work: taking one step at a time towards refreshing and re-energizing the Network’s common agenda.

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

	Check out our story on the Regroupement des organismes de bassins versants du Québec to learn how this Quebec-based network enables its 40 watershed organizations to collaborate through member-led communities of practice.
	Take a look at a report and video showcasing innovative collaborative drought management practices that incorporate Indigenous and Western knowledge (POLIS Water Sustainability Project, BC Water Legacy, Nicola Watershed Governance Partnership).

THE ART OF WATER

Submerge yourself in the Conservation Council of New Brunswick’s collaborative climate action art project From Harm to Harmony, which aims to help counter eco-anxiety.

WINDOW ON WATER POLICY & GOVERNANCE

A federal update since January– The House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development has held 16 meetings exploring freshwater and received 32 briefs on the topic.

	New Brunswick released a report and review of its Water Strategy, while the province’s Conservation Council penned a comprehensive assessment of the document.
	Ontario nonprofits launched a coalition to pursue action on salt pollution and prevent long term consequences for freshwater health.
	It is now possible to find out just how much water is used by industry in Quebec because major water users’ data became public, even as their royalties are increasing (last two links in French).

EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Women & Water virtual panel discussion, Water First, Mar. 8
siwłkʷ (WATER) Environmental Flows Conference, Canadian Water Resources Association & Okanagan Water Board, Mar. 13-15, Kelowna B.C.
Tribune des municipalités: La recherche et l’innovation pour une gestion durable des eaux pluviales municipales (Research and innovation for sustainable municipal stormwater management, in French) virtual municipal forum, CentrEau, Mar. 15
Changing Course World Water Day film screening & conversation, POLIS Water Sustainability Project, Mar. 21, Victoria B.C. or virtual
Letter writing calls to action:
- BC Code Blue campaign for watershed security
- Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition Campaign
- Council of Canadians No Water To Waste
Article submissions to Summer 2024 Issue, Plan Canada & Canadian Water Network, deadline Mar. 8
Nominations for National First Nations Water Leadership Award, Indigenous Services Canada, deadline Mar. 31
Podcast episodes:
- The Climate Lens: Alberta’s Water Wars
- Blue Fish Radio Show: Mohawk First Nation connections to fish and fishing
- NOW with Dave Brown: Canada’s resilience to floods and wildfires (skip to 14:07)

JOBS & GRANTS

Technical, project management, science education & administrative jobs (in French), Quebec:
Technical, research & communications jobs, Ducks Unlimited Canada, multiple locations
EcoAction Community Funding Program highlighting freshwater as a key priority, Environment and Climate Change Canada, deadline Mar. 22
Great Lakes basin grants, Freshwater Future, deadline Mar. 30
Generation of Environmental Leaders youth grants to preserve our shared waters, lands and air, Commission for Environmental Cooperation, deadline Mar. 31

And finally, a warm welcome to our newest Network members: completewaters and Shuswap Lake Estates!

Rebekah
Network Communications Lead
Our Living Waters