BCLSS Highlights 2024 – First Nations LakeKeepers Program
The BC Lake Stewardship Society is pleased to report on our First Nations Lake Stewardship & Monitoring Training Program (First Nations LakeKeepers). The BCLSS has been conducting LakeKeepers Workshops for many years, primarily for people living on lakes who want to conduct water quality monitoring and better steward their lakes. In 2023, we implemented our program for First Nations communities throughout BC and continued it with 7 workshops held in 2024 with participation of 9 different First Nations. We are looking forward to more workshops in 2025!
LakeKeepers instructor Norm Zirnhelt demonstrating instrument calibration at Seton Lake for representatives of Xaxli’p, P’egP’ig’Lha, Xwisten, Tsalalh Nations.
“These programs are great opportunities for applied lake science and Traditional Environmental Knowledge to complement one another in moving toward better management and protection of BC’s lakes” said Norm Zirnhelt, a professional biologist and BC Lake Stewardship Society Training Instructor.
BCLSS offers two workshops, a1.5-day LakeKeepers training course and a 3-day Lake Ecology & Monitoring Certification course. Both courses provide participants with a greater understanding of lake ecology and health, as well as human impacts to watersheds and lakes. This knowledge increases people’s ability to steward their lakes, as they are equipped with a better understanding of the watershed and potential land-use impacts. More information on BCLSS courses can be found at https://www.bclss.org/programs#lakekeepers
Many participants are interested in stream health as well, for example to understand impacts to important spawning streams, so the training has been expanded to include watersheds. In 2025, BCLSS is excited to be able to offer an extra module of the LakeKeepers Training to cover watershed assessment and monitoring.
The 3 day course is designed for environmental professionals as well as for First Nations Guardians wanting more in depth technical knowledge of lakes and watersheds. There has been strong interest among many First Nations who have established or are starting Guardian Programs. One of our courses in 2024 was delivered to the Lake Babine Nation Guardians. The Lake Babine Nation Guardian Program Overview and Information brochure defines a Guardian Program as “an Indigenous-led environmental monitoring program that is based on the values and protocols of the LBN. The Guardians are the eyes, ears, boots on the ground for the wider Lake Babine community” BCLSS strongly supports First Nations Guardians in their efforts to protect the water and land.
Participants at the Lake Babine Nation Lakekeepers Workshop calibrate a multi-parameter field instrument that measures Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, pH, and Conductivity. The field program was on Pinkut Lake near Burns Lake. Field assessment suggested a productive lake and an abundance of Zooplankton were collected by participants.
A Lake Babine Nation Land Guardian preparing to deploy a Zooplankton net on Pinkut Lake
Participating in these training courses arms participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to conduct scientifically defensible monitoring programs. The technical field skills taught in the course ensure that participants are collecting high quality data when conducting monitoring on their own, which ensures credibility. The data collected can then be used to determine trends in water quality and shared with decision makers.
“I really enjoyed the field work, getting hands on experience. The extra help in the classroom was much appreciated. With this training I can do water sampling in my community with more confidence and understand water chemistry better now” said Chad Paul, Esk’etemc First Nation Land Guardian.
Workshop participants identifying zooplankton captured in Alkali Lake (the animal component of the planktonic community). Plankton are aquatic organisms that are unable to swim effectively against currents. Phytoplankton are the plant component, commonly known as algae.
In 2024, BCLSS had participation from the following First Nations: Xaxli’p, P’egP’ig’Lha, Xwisten, Tsalalh, Esk’etemc, Lake Babiine, Simpcw, Williams Lake First Nation and the Skwah. These represent nations from the Lower Mainland in the south to the Babine in the north. Our LakeKeepers workshops have been enthusiastically received. BCLSS partnered with BC Ministry of Environment & Parks, the Canada Water Agency , and had funding contributed from a BC Conservation & Biodiversity Award to deliver these workshops, as well as contributions from the individual First Nations communities mentioned above.
HOBO Pendant Temperature Logger
During the field portion, there was strong interest in calibrating and using water quality field instruments. BCLSS provided all groups with HOBO Pendant Water Temperature Loggers as part of the course so that they could start monitoring immediately. These compact, waterproof loggers can be used in numerous applications, including fresh and salt water. The loggers are Bluetooth-enabled for wireless communication with a mobile device (internet not required). Using the HOBO app, one can easily configure the loggers, download logged data to a phone or tablet, or automatically upload the data for further analysis. As many important fish species are temperature sensitive, these HOBO loggers can provide early warning signs of a deterioration in habitat quality due to temperature changes.
“Hands on equipment use was helpful and will support our field operations” said Anna-Lise Cooke, Lands Manager, Skwah First Nation.
The classroom portion of the workshops included an introduction to lakes, an overview of how to develop a lake sampling program, a summary of water quality parameters, and some hands-on training with lake sampling equipment including zooplankton nets, Secchi disks, water sampling bottles, multi-depth samplers, and more. During the field portion of the workshop, participants learned how to collect water samples, take dissolved oxygen and temperature profile measurements, and sample for aquatic plants and zooplankton. This hands-on experience kept participants engaged and reinforced the material covered during the classroom session.
As stated previously, this training provides participants with essential experience and credibility when undertaking monitoring programs. The technical field skills taught in the course ensure that participants collect high-quality data when conducting monitoring on their own. This quality data can then be used to determine trends in water quality and shared with decision makers.
Participants at the St’at’imc workshop on Seton Lake deploying a muti depth Van Dorn sampler
“This course is great and would recommend to others” said one St’at’imc participant.
“BCLSS has been honored to provide this training and learn from the participants as well! The courses can also be fun!” said Instructor Norm Zirnhelt. Anyone interested in the BCLSS First Nations LakeKeepers Program can contact the BCLSS office info@bclss.org or visit our website https://www.bclss.org/programs#lakekeepers
If you would like a LakeKeepers Workshop in your community in 2025, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can get you on a list for potential funding.
