Summary
Adventures with Watersnake - Exploring the Waterways of British Columbia shares eight adventurous water stories written by young British Columbian authors. Each story/chapter features real waterbodies and facts; some stories are fictional, and some are inspired by the author's own experiences and adventures! The seven authors are volunteer members of Waterlution's Youth Advisory Board.
![]()
Waterlution is a non-profit organization working to build future water leaders in Canada, and around the world. Annually, Waterlution trains and supports a nation-wide Youth Advisory Board comprised of young professionals and post-secondary students who are passionate about water and education! The Youth Advisory are champions of water and cultural education in their communities.
This campaign is so very important to the Youth Advisory Board, our dream is that Adventures with Watersnake inspires many to steward and protect our most precious resource, water! All funds raised during this campaign will support educational workshops for school-aged youth in Canada. Please support our dream by helping us reach our goal!
![]()
What We Need & What You Get
To continue to reach more school groups in BC and across Canada, our Youth Advisors are working to raise $5000 that can help cover the costs associated with delivering workshops (For instance, some volunteers have to drive far distances to reach their schools, and some workshops require resource guests and/or materials). Your contribution supports educational workshops for the Great Canoe Journey and Great Waters Challenge programs, delivered by the Youth Advisors and very knowledgeable resource guests.
Adventures with Watersnake includes:
- Eight stories (presented as chapters) tied together with Watersnake's narration
-A few black and white sketches in each chapter (as seen throughout this campaign!)
-Five printable colouring sheets of the sketches
-A glossary to help readers with big words and water terminology
-A place for readers to add in their own water story!
- It's waterless! Though it is filled with water stories, the book itself is printed through a waterless printing company (most print shops use a ton of water for printing! See more below**). It makes perfect sense to raise awareness of water consumption while being an environmentally-conscious gift.
![]()
The campaign also features:
- A culturally informative 2019 water calendar, with photos of waterbodies from across Canada and the traditional territories these waterbodies belong to. Each month you'll learn how to say "water" in a different indigenous language. Available in English and French, printed on eco-friendly paper (French version shipping the first week or Jan 2019).
- Copies of Canada's Great Water Adventure storybook (from 2017), inviting readers to explore Canada and its waterways through the eyes of two young adventurers set out to visit each province and territory to learn about many breathtaking and unique waterways. Available in English and French, printed by Warren's Waterless Printing.
The Team
Sarah Alexis, Author and Narrator -Sarah is a member of the Okanagan Indian Band located at the head of Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada. She has an undergraduate degree in Indigenous Studies with a minor in History from the University of British Columbia Okanagan. Sarah continues to focus on her work involved in the Natural Resource sector and the Okanagan Language in the Syilx Nation.
Kirsten Mathison, Author and Editor- An adventure enthusiast and life-long learner, Kirsten is passionate about exploration and discovery – whether in a cave, on a boat, up a mountain, or behind a computer screen. Exploring and learning more about the natural world led to a recognition of our profound interdependence and connection to the environment, including the omnipresent force and flow of water. Kirsten has BSc in Geography and Anthropology from UVic and now works as a Geomatics Analyst, mapping the ocean floor and making navigation charts for submarines.
Emma Squires, Author and Editor- Emma has always felt connected to and in awe of the natural world. After earning her B’Comm from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, the draw of the ocean, glaciers and mountains of the West Coast led her to BC. Emma works in management consulting, and spends her free time exploring the backcountry of BC, by way of foot or boat through the summer, and by skis through the winter.
Jackson MacPherson, Author- Jackson is a student studying water and environmental engineering technologies at the Okanagan College and eventually hopes to attend BCIT to obtain a full Bachelors of Technology. Ever since a young age, Jackson has been captivated with the role of water in society and within the ecosystem.
Noa Mayer, Author- Noa is a student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a BSc in Natural Resource Conservation. Social and environmental stewardship were key ethics in Noa’s elementary education, focusing on our collective responsibility to protect and repair the planet. These ethics have stayed with Noa into her adult life and guide both her academic endeavours and personal ideologies.
Cairo Huntingford, Author- Cairo is a Simon Fraser University History grad and future social studies teacher. An avid backpacker, Cairo has traveled through several countries in the world, and has big plans on traveling more of her own. If she could have it her own way, Cairo would be on the water all the time, whether it be while paddle-boarding or swimming on the vast ocean and lake bodies throughout her province.
Alan Shapiro, Author- Alan is an environmental professional and science communicator. He has consulted on a range of water resource projects, from environmental assessments to hydrogeological investigations, and has a particular interest is in water resource planning and stakeholder engagement. He is also co-founder of LitScience – a science communication training firm that supports academic, research, and technical organizations – and Science Slam Canada, a non-profit organization that runs science outreach events across the country.
Christine Craig, Water Calendar Coordinator- Christine completed the Ecosystem Management Technician program and the Advanced Water Systems Operations and Management program both completed at Sir Sandford Fleming College. She has been a water and wastewater treatment plant operator/mechanic with Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) for the last 2 years. Christine teaches grade eight students about water and wastewater treatment processes giving students perspective on the importance of conserving/protecting our water for future generations.
![]()
The Impact
In the first two years of the Youth Advisory Board, 36 young leaders were trained and delivered educational workshops to over 4200 school-aged youth! As part of the program's design, many school classes hosted their own water celebrations, educating even more young minds!
The first self-published book by the Youth Advisory Board was released in Dec 2017 and has sold over 600 copies to date!
Your donations help bring more youth-led educational workshops to schools across Canada!
![]()
Other Ways You Can Help
Some people just can't contribute, but that doesn't mean you can't be a supporter!
- Help us get the word out! Post the campaign on social media, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @Waterlution to reshare our posts!
- Send this campaign with a personal message to three friends who might be really interested!
Note on waterless printing: Yes, it costs more, but it is the right - and environmentally conscious - thing to do. Many large presses can consume hundreds of thousands of litres of water per year as part of the normal printing process. Waterless printing takes advantage of modern technology to reduce these environmental impacts. It eliminates chemicals and water altogether. Waterless presses are also praised for their high-quality colour reproduction and the reduced paper set-up waste for each job.
Note on Canada Post Strike: Please be aware that regional Canada Post strikes are happening in some Canadian cities. Our anticipating shipment date is December 10th 2018. Stay tuned into crowdfunding updates.
![]()