Gateway to Canada’s Water Information

Update

Water Connections is an online facility designed to realize Centre for Sustainable Watersheds’ vision of a first-stop, central access point for water information that will facilitate collaboration across Canada’s water community.  Waterconnect.ca was launched as this Canadian Internet gateway in June 2008 and currently is under redevelopment to serve you better. Also, new features will soon be added.  First, a prototype regional profile, sampling the Rideau Corridor – home to Ontario’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Secondly, an innovative Water Policy Resource section, which at the outset will feature the work funded by The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation.

It is important to access and share a wide range of water information and data across this vast country.  At the same time it should be kept in mind that Water Connections is a tool that may be of greatest usefulness for the vital work rooted at the local level.  On-the-ground efforts by local organizations are critical to ensure the integrity of our lakes and rivers. 

Our mission is to continue to maintain a user friendly web-based water information portal dedicated to providing everyone with access to a nationwide treasure of water data, resources, activities and contacts that might otherwise lie buried.  Water Connections will capture the information that users feel is important to enhancing water quality through an interactive interface.  All water stakeholders - and who isn’t? - will have the opportunity to become involved and post relevant water information.  Public engagement, whether by organization or individual, is welcomed!

Background

Extensive research and consultation with the water resource community has shown that without an effective and accessible channel through which ideas and information can flow, a culture of knowledge-based cooperation will invariably remain elusive.  Water Connections addresses this issue by providing the mechanism necessary for broad-based engagement with the principles of information exchange and helping a whole range of users navigate the maze of water data and information with ease.  It is a helpful way for organizations to build capacity, forge partnerships, and better coordinate their own efforts and initiatives.

As a centralized access point, Water Connections will serve as both the destination and the source of water information to engage the public and help all stakeholders work together to sustain our precious water resources.  Its purpose is to address the pressing need for improved access to water information by the vast array of stakeholders in Canada’s water community.

Features and Functions

Regional Profile

The Water Connections’ Regional Profile pilot project will provide integrated map-based features displaying organizations and their activities throughout the Rideau Corridor.  It will build a comprehensive water information exchange network and an online community of regional water practitioners.  Designed on the Water Connections web-based platform, the Profile will become a unique and valuable information sharing tool for this region, which embraces Canada’s newest World Heritage Site.  The result will be an online tool that seeks to encompass all organizations in the region having an interest in water.  It will afford an in-depth access to regionally significant resources, events and news submitted by organizations, and will provide the basis for the development of new partnerships and broader cooperation.

Tools for Organizations

With support of Mountain Equipment Co-op, CSW has assembled a comprehensive library of tools, including step-by-step guides, protocols, and best management practices on organizational topics from fundraising and human resources, to finances and outreach.

Water Policy Resource

This centralized policy resource will feature historic and current water policy projects funded by The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation.  Access to water policy research and recommendations will stimulate a broader debate on the future direction of water policy in Canada.  Once launched, it is hoped that other policy organizations will join in populating this section of Water Connections.  Please contact info@waterconnect.ca to learn more.

Water Data

Because collection and availability of data is essential to any initiative intended to protect and improve water resources, this section will be developed to provide links to many data storage sites.  This function will allow vital water data and knowledge from across the country to be readily accessed, shared and used.

News

This section will feature current news related to all water issues.  It will facilitate access to news articles from a great variety of sources, thereby providing a clearer picture of regional and national concerns.

Events

Events will be posted on Water Connections to foster participation and interaction within the water community, as well as interchange of ideas and cooperative efforts on a broader scale.  This outreach resource will encourage citizens to learn more about the organizations, their water-related activities and opportunities for volunteer engagement everywhere.

The Water Connections website is currently under redevelopment.
Please continue checking www.waterconnect.ca for more updates.