Environmental Stewardship Coordinator

Members of the District of Lakeland Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) have been conducting environmental sampling since 2011 on four lakes within the District of Lakeland, Saskatchewan, particularly Emma Lake. The primary goal of the program is to collect consistent water quality data, building a database that could be used for public environmental stewardship education. The need for such a program is in response to ever-increasing concerns from the public regarding water quality degradation, increased weed growth, as well as more frequent algae blooms. Data collected to date on Emma Lake shows a decreasing trend in lake transparency with all indicators pointing to cultural eutrophication (i.e. nutrient pollution) owing to shoreline development, erosion, and sediment inflow, boat traffic, fertilizer use and leaky septic systems. During the past six years the volunteers have worked with several Saskatchewan Polytechnic Natural Resource students to assist with water quality sampling, data collection, and dissemination. This year the EAC, in continuation of its Emma Lake study would like to involve a student, not only to assist the current field sampling program, but also to lead in the design and collection of additional field data related to suspended sediments and macrophyte weed growth while contributing to a public awareness campaign.

Faculty Supervisor:

David Halstead

Student:

Partner:

District of Lakeland No. 521

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Public administration

University:

Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Program: