Paddlefest attendees rally behind the Watermark Project

Paddlefest 2017, just before kick-off. Waterkeeper's booth is on the far left. Photo by Matt Flowers.

This past weekend Lake Ontario Waterkeeper attended MEC Toronto Paddlefest 2017 at Sunnyside Beach. We had the chance to speak to recreational water users about water quality and condition of not just Lake Ontario, but water bodies across the country. The more we talked with people at our booth about water quality, the more they wanted to help do something about it. As the event went on, the answer became clear: Watermarks. Paddlefest attendees rallied behind the Watermark Project as a means to do their part to protect our waters.  

Many individuals passionate about improving Canada’s waterways shared their watermark with us, helping us gain more insight on the valuable relationship Canadians share with water. 

The stories we collected varied, from people talking about their experiences swimming, kayaking, and canoeing to Watermarks about growing up near water, making memories and building emotional and spiritual connections to their waterbody.

Every story is part of our collective water heritage, and every story is unique. Watermarks help  protect Canada’s beautiful waterways and show the value in striving to restore swimmable, drinkable, fishable water. 

A big thanks to all who shared their Watermarks with us, and to the volunteers who helped us collect them all weekend. Click here to see Watermarks collected from this event. 

Be sure to check out Watermarkproject.ca for more information, or to submit a Watermark of your own.