Citizen Science Monitoring Programs in Severn Sound

SSEA Citizen Science Locations Map

What is Citizen Science?

Citizen science involves community members as volunteer scientists, drawing on local knowledge and passion for important places. It helps increase our “eyes on the ground,” providing observations over a wider area, and allows for participation in hands-on sampling and data collection. Citizen science is a great tool for scanning a watershed for potential problems, and is an effective way to educate the community about environmental issues and work together on solutions. Sampling can include: lake and tributary quality, algae bloom occurrences, timing of ice cover, and invasive species. Existing SSEA monitoring programs can verify the information, making citizen-collected data more reliable and useful.

Do you have a primary or seasonal residence, or regularly visit areas within the yellow shaded area on the map below? To become a citizen scientist and help collect observations under one of the programs below, contact our Citizen Science Program Coordinator today!

In 2022, participants in all programs who report observations will have a chance to win prizes from local businesses!!! Stay tuned for details.

Monitoring Programs

A description of each program along with additional results not described in the above reports can be found under the panels below:

Shore Watch

Stream Watch

Invasive Species Spotters

Ice Spotters

Water Level Watch

Lake Partner Program

What volunteers are saying about our programs?

Being a Shore Watch volunteer has been an interesting activity. I have always enjoyed the shoreline birds and mammals. This regular SSEA monitoring has increased my awareness of water and air temperatures with cloud cover impacts. Logging details, sometimes with photos, has given a better picture of the shoreline and the impacts of storms, big speedy boats and human use which all negatively affect the shoreline. I have been able to share my better understanding with others in the community.

Eileen

Shore Watch Volunteer

As a program participant, I would like to testify to the positive social and environmental outcomes being generated by the SSEA Citizen Science initiatives. As a citizen with concern for our community’s youth and its surrounding environment, this initiative, and the funding support behind it, is deeply appreciated.

Jeff

Shore Watch Volunteer and teacher

As a Shore Watch volunteer in the Severn Sound Citizen Science program, I would like to say that I was pleasantly surprised at the level of dedication to detail and responsiveness by the program organizers. As a full time resident of the area, my duties were an easy and pleasant task and I am happy to participate in this small way to ensure the future environmental health of the Great Lakes.

Karen

Shore Watch Volunteer

Even with busy family schedules, the SSEA Stream Watch Citizen Science program made me find time to visit sections of the untouched Coldwater River and take a few measurements and install a temperature logger. I really appreciate having an organization that cares about, and has real scientific data on our waterways, all of which will be extremely useful as Simcoe County becomes pressured for development, yet in a sustainable, environmentally friendly manner.

Carl

Stream Watch Volunteer

Reports

Funders

SSEA Citizen Science programs have received current or past funding from the following supporters:

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation

Lake Huron - Georgian Bay Watershed - Community Action

Invasive Species Centre

Environmental Careers Organization Canada

Huronia Community Foundation - Environment Fund

How to
Information

Need a refresher on collecting data and samples?

Check out our Citizen Science How to Videos for the Stream and Shore Watch programs, and our Demonstration Video of an Aquatic Rake Toss.: