Adopt-a-River Program turns local PEI Students into Young Scientists

In 2009 during the months of May/June and September/October over 175 students were busy wading through PEI streams, experiencing what it is like to be environmental technicians? To-date, over 600 local school students have participated in the monitoring and enhancement of streams through BBEMA’s Water Education, Monitoring and Outreach program. The Adopt-a-River project offers students in grades six through ten the chance to observe the natural environment of aquatic habitats, learn about ecological indicators, and discover the challenges associated with the conservation of a healthy waterway. The goal is to get students involved in their environment and to foster action to solve environmental problems at a local level.

Students from Three Oaks High School collect

and identify aquatic Insects from the stream site

Using scientific methods students gathered data on water quality parameters: pH, turbidity,dissolved oxygen, coliform bacteria and nitrates. Students collected and identified benthic macro invertebrates – aquatic organisms without a backbone “mollusks, leeches, worms and insect larvae” that spend part of their life cycle on the stream bottom. The sensitivity of these organisms to changes in the chemical and physical make-up of their habitat, make them excellent indicators of a stream’s overall environmental quality. Each class used the information gathered to help develop conservation and enhancement plans for the property landowners outlining overall health status of the stream, possible site problem areas and potential enhancement activities. Participating teachers enjoyed the opportunity to engage students in natural learning activities, citing the program as a fantastic opportunity to express the importance of good citizenship.

A grade 8 student from Summerside Intermediate School carries away an

old pool during the classes stream site clean up.

BBEMA would like to thank Three Oaks and Kinkora Regional high schools and Summerside Intermediate school for their enthusiasm and initiative in the project. Together, all of our Adopt-a-River students are making a significant contribution to the Island’s stream ecosystem, which includes wildlife and all the people who use it.

Alternate Energy Challenge a Success

In 2008, BBEMA challenged citizens in the Bedeque Bay watershed, in both the urban and rural community, to adopt various types of alternative energy systems. The emphasis of this three month challenge was on solar energy systems, since the sun is a source of free energy. With increasing costs of fuel, conversion to alternative energy systems makes a lot of economic sense as well.”

The Alternate Energy ChallengeIn, partnered with local buisiness with Renewable Lifestyles, the City of Summerside and Habitat for Humanity to reduce green house gas emissions, help homeowners save money and assists the local community - the ultimate goal - to reduce a minimum of 20 tonnes of green house gas (GHG) emissions in the Bedeque Bay watershed area by promoting the adoption of renewable energy. As a result of this challenges success - a Habitat for Humanity family in will get a free Cansolair soolar heating unit installed for free.

Steve Howard of Renewable Lifestyles said, “The challenge was a success in terms of a trend towards green energy. As a business owner, I am not only interested in assisting customers reduce their environmental footprint through renewables, I also wanted to help a family that may not be able to afford such a system to obtain one. Therefore, as part of this project with BBEMA, for each alternate energy system sold at Renewable Lifestyles donated a percentage of the sales to cover the purchase of an alternative energy system for a local family.

The Habitat for Humanity Home will be built on South Drive, in the City of Summerside

Brandon Kelly, Vice-Chair of the BBEMA states, “Our organization is not solely an environmental organization, it promotes sustainable development, whereby the environment, the economy, and the community are considered in balance. This project is a perfect example of sustainable development in action, through a partnership with business, non-governmental organizations, community and government.”

Mayor Basil Stewart noted that the City of Summerside is very supportive of renewable energy and this collaborative project, and he looks forward to seeing a “green” Habitat for Humanity home in Summerside. He stated that the City will be helping promote this Alternative Energy Challenge through notification in its upcoming electric bills.

The Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity, Wendi Poirier stated , “We are excited about this unique partnership, it’s wonderful that a family can further reduce the costs of maintaining their new home through the installation of a renewable energy system”.

The type of renewable energy system selected and the timing of installation in the Habitat for Humanity home really depends upon people in this watershed community and their participation in the Alternative Energy Challenge. The more alternative energy systems sold, the faster we will able to raise funds for the renewable system for the Habitat for Humanity home.”

Challenge Results:

SOLD - 3 Solar Hot Water Heaters - 8 Cansolair Panels - 3 Pellet Stoves

Total Greenhouse Gas Reductions = 34.34 tonnes

Solar Water Heater = 1 tonnes of GHGs per unit per year. (3 tonnes)

Cansolair = 1.4 tonnes of GHG's per unit per year = (11.2 tonnes)

Pellet Stoves = 6.75 tonnes og GHG's per unit per year = (20.25 tonnes)