After many years of very hard work, commitment, and perseverance,
WWF Canada’s Freshwater Team has released their Freshwater Health Assessment (http://www.wwf.ca/conservation/freshwater/freshwaterhealth/). This is our first, national effort to comprehensively
report on the state of Canadian rivers. The
assessment or ‘report card’ will evolve to become an effective tool in the tool
box used by river managers, community organizations, and all river enthusiasts
across Canada. It has the potential to
transform our thinking and actions, including uniting in conservation, communities
within and among watersheds across Canada.
The Freshwater Health Assessment (FHA) is a response to Canada’s
water community’s desire for a clear, science-based picture of the health of
our rivers. While this should be a goal
for our national government, we couldn’t wait any longer for action and unfortunately,
the federal government is now reducing its potential to achieve environmental
status reports. The FHA was created over
2-years of extensive and intensive collaborations with Canada’s river science experts
to build four key metrics that measure water quality, water flow, fish, and benthic
macroinvertebrates (bottom dwelling animals).
The metrics were designed to be applied across the diversity of Canadian
rivers. The FHA was not designed to replace the many innovative
assessment and management tools Canadians have already developed in watershed
organizations across Canada. Rather, the
FHA will compliment ongoing initiatives and provide an effective linkage for
river conservationists, managers, scientists, and everyone interested in rivers
right across our great country.
The Canadian Rivers Institute has been and will continue to
be a proud supporter of the FHA as it grows and evolves.
Thank you Tony Maas and the WWF Canada Freshwater Team!
