December 5 2008

In this Issue

	Riverkeeper Celebrates Volunteer Day!
	Riverkeeper's Christmas Wish List
	River Friends, stand up for your river!
	Give the Gift of Clean Water
	Riverkeeper Pond Hockey Tournament
	Ontario Pesticide Ban - take action to keep it strong
	Canadian Waterkeepers Meet in Wakefield
	Creative flow: Celebrating four Ottawa River Artists

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The Myth of Water Abundance in Canada

Meredith Brown, Clive Doucet, Maude Barlow and Stephen Hazell speak about water issues to a standing room only crowd at Saint Paul University in Ottawa.
To read about the event, check out Peter Dudley's news blog.

Riverkeeper Celebrates Volunteer Day!

In 2008, 331 people gave their time to Ottawa Riverkeeper. The number of Riverkeeper volunteers has doubled in 2 years.  Their efforts represent the equivalent of 5 employees, with an increase of over 1500 hours from last year. Thank you!

Our programs are strengthened by the efforts of our volunteers:

• Our Directors are impressive and dedicated volunteers who help guide and grow the organization.
• Riverwatchers are working on both sides our river to protect its health. They are great advocates on their stretch of the river and making a difference in their local communities.
• This month, our public outreach committee launched a new youth program called the River Friends – Stand up for your river!
• Volunteers are investigating queries from our Pollution Hotline and investigating sewage for the upcoming River Report. The Science committee supports Meredith in her role as an expert on Ottawa River matters.
• Writers, translators, copy-writers, graphic designers, illustrators and photographers help us deliver our message to the public. Our website receives many hits/day and our enews is sent to almost 1500 people.
• This year, volunteers organized more events to bring thousands of people to the shores of the Ottawa River. 

Moving into our new office has been great for our organization. We are now able to engage more volunteers. Thanks for a donation from Scott Keys we were able to set up a volunteer computer station that it is used every day of the week. We have a meeting room where we host a monthly orientation night for new volunteers.

Finally we would like to thank the sponsors of the volunteer program:  The Community Foundation of Ottawa, The Ontario Trillium Foundation, and TELUS. This year, we worked closely with Volunteer Ottawa to reach out to new volunteers.

Riverkeeper's Christmas Wish List

I've made my list and checked it twice, unfortunately Members of Parliament are arguing over who gets to be Santa Claus this year.  I hope they figure it out in time to deliver the goods.

The Riverkeeper's Wish List:

1. Separated sewers in Ottawa and Gatineau that put a stop to raw sewage entering our river every time it rains
2. A monitoring team and budget to measure indicators of river health over time
3. One penny for every Mega Watt of electricity the river produces each day
4. Another smart, dynamic, bilingual employee (check out our new job posting)
5. A new computer for Delphine
6. More Ottawa Riverkeeper members (it's not too late to buy a gift membership)
7. More time on the river

River Friends, stand up for your river!

Ottawa Riverkeeper’s new youth education program engages youth to learn about the importance of the Ottawa River. The initiative deepens students’ understanding about the linkages between the community and watershed; how their actions are impacting the river; and how they can help protect and enhance its health.

Learn about our river and ways to protect it in our latest video

Teachers, we invite you use the developed activities and participate in the River of your imagination Art Contest.

A big thank you to the volunteers who made this project a reality: Sarah Rosolen, Pauline Lynch-Stewart, Katherine Balpataky, Jennifer Gallant, Beth Lorimer, Abby Karos, and Elisa Bernier.

Give the Gift of Clean Water

Why not add a touch of blue to your holidays this year and give your friends and family the gift of clean water!  With your gift, we will work on your behalf to protect the ecological health and diversity of our river.

Come and see our new office space and help us celebrate.  We are having an "Open Office" on December 11th from 2-7PM.  Come and do your Christmas shopping - we have perfect stocking stuffers for your loved ones! Available this season, the new Riverkeeper water bottle and gift membership.

You can give the gift of clean water from the comfort of your home or office too!  Just click this link and let your fingers do the shopping!

Riverkeeper Pond Hockey Tournament

The second annual Ottawa Riverkeeper Pond Hockey Tournament is on! Join us and play Canada’s national game in a friendly outdoor atmosphere while supporting Ottawa Riverkeeper.

Saturday Feb. 7, 2009 at Britannia Yacht Club in Ottawa. Games will be played at nearby Mud Lake.

Register your team by January 22 – there is only space for 12 teams so don’t delay!  We expect to sell out this year.

Ontario Pesticide Ban - take action to keep it strong

Ontario has just released regulations for its new pesticide ban. The regulations are very health-protective but unfortunately the chemical industry is lobbying hard to weaken them. We need your help to keep them strong.

Please take two minutes right now to tell Ontario that you strongly support the new pesticide regulations.

Just click on this Ontario government website and express your opinions in the comment box.  Here are three statements you may want to consider:

1. I strongly support the pesticide regulations and hope they will come into effect by Spring, 2009.
2. The regulations will help Ontario industry become innovators in non-toxic lawn care, creating economic growth and green jobs.
3.  I hope the government will also require golf courses to reduce pesticide use.

After writing your comment, hit the "save" button to submit it.

Canadian Waterkeepers Meet in Wakefield

This month Waterkeepers from across Canada came together in Wakefield, Quebec for a capacity building retreat.  We shared our successes, we shared our frustrations and we strategized on ways to work collaboratively to better defend our local lakes, rivers and bays.  We came away with a renewed sense of purpose and the much needed strength to continue our fight to ensure swimmable, fishable, drinkable water for every Canadian.

Creative flow: Celebrating four Ottawa River Artists

By Katharine Fletcher

Local artists are drawn to the Ottawa River and most speak passionately about its history and natural beauty. Four creators – Ottawa’s Margaret Chwialkowska and John Almstedt, as well as Pontiac-based Dale Shutt and Elke Bzdurreck spoke with Katharine Fletcher about their connection to the majestic river.

Meet them now – and view their works…

                                                           Dyes on silk by Dale Shutt