Findings of first national assessment of Canada's watersheds to be revealed at Healthy Waters Summit

Conference to explore citizen science, Indigenous water perspectives and the role of business in freshwater sustainability

OTTAWA, June 8, 2017 /CNW/ - The findings of four years of research into the state of Canada's freshwater ecosystems will be shared at WWF-Canada's Healthy Waters Summit in Ottawa on June 12.

This WWF-Canada summit will bring together stakeholders from Indigenous and other local communities, academia, governments and businesses to discuss solutions for improved freshwater health for wildlife and communities who depend on this critical resource.

Panellists will explore the power of citizen science, Indigenous perspectives on healthy waters, the role of business in freshwater sustainability, community action and the open data movement in Canada.

The event begins on Saturday, June 11 - Canadian Rivers Day - with a public celebration of Canada's freshwater, and continues on June 12 with a full day of discussion about the future of Canada's freshwater ecosystems.

CELEBRATIONS OF CANADA'S FRESHWATER
What: Music, Indigenous round dance and refreshments with freshwater experts
When: Sunday, June 11, 2017
Where: Aboriginal Experiences, Victoria Island (100 Middle St., Ottawa).
Who: Open to the public

HEALTHY WATERS SUMMIT
What: Leading freshwater voices from across Canada discuss the most pressing freshwater issues and work toward solutions.
When: Monday, June 12, 2017, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit here for the full summit agenda.
Where: The Lord Elgin hotel, 100 Elgin St., Ottawa
Who: Media are welcome at all presentations and panel discussions, including those with:

    --  North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson, parliamentary secretary to the
        Minister of Environment and Climate Change
    --  Glenn Benoy, senior water quality and ecosystem adviser, International
        Joint Commission
    --  Caleb Behn, Eh-Cho Dene and Dunne Za/Cree from the Treaty 8 Territory of
        Northeastern British Columbia
    --  Kat Hartwig, executive director of Living Lakes Canada
    --  Robert Chant, senior vice-president, corporate affairs and
        communications, Loblaw Companies Limited
    --  Craig Stewart, vice-president of federal affairs, Insurance Bureau of
        Canada

Visit here for a full list of summit panellists.

This summit is sponsored by Coca-Cola Canada Ltd. in collaboration with RBC.

About World Wildlife Fund Canada
WWF-Canada creates solutions to the environmental challenges that matter most for Canadians. We work in places that are unique and ecologically important, so that nature, wildlife and people thrive together. Because we are all wildlife. For more information, visit wwf.ca.

SOURCE WWF-Canada