4. Storytelling Through the Watermark Project

"Some waterbody, somewhere, is part of who you are."

The Watermark Project is a community effort to collect and archive true stories about the ways people interact with water. These stories help us all recognize our dependence on water and highlight water's influence on our culture. By saving and studying these stories, we have tangible evidence of the importance water plays in our daily lives, and Swim Drink Fish uses this archive to help protect the waters we know and love.

Lake Michigan, Illinois - Cameron Davis

Cameron recalls one particular childhood memory while walking with his father along Lake Michigan's shoreline. Seeing his father stop to pick up litter while others walked on, left a mark on Cameron. So much so that he later volunteered with the Alliance for the Great Lakes, which he works for today.

St. Lawrence River, New York - April Adams-Phillips

April's family and the town of Akwesasne has had a generational relationship with the St. Lawrence River. April recalls her memories while growing up along the river – swimming and fishing; brother hunting and trapping; how her grandparents lived off of the river and went fishing by simply using a bucket; and how her grandmother made her basket dyes from the river's water.

Amanda Konkin- Jericho Beach, BC

Amanda Konkin moved to Vancouver like many others: for its opportunity. They were pursuing a passion in theatre and film. Their first time on set was in the middle of the night in the pouring rain on Jericho Beach. During that time, surrounded by the beauty of the beach, the tranquillity of the night, with the lights of the city in the distance, they realised they had found their home.

The Watermark Project is an ever-growing tapestry of water stories that provide a unique window into how we and our communities are influenced by water.