The Ottawa-Gatineau Watershed Atlas Launch Event

Ottawa University Campus - Thursday, January 29, 2009

A Public Website Launch for The Ottawa-Gatineau Watershed Atlas

Thursday, January 29, 2008
10:30am – 12:00pm

Ottawa University Campus,
New Residential Complex
Lounge 140
90 University Pvt, Ottawa, ON

Pollution Probe and partner organizations will be holding a public launch to present the Ottawa Gatineau Watershed Atlas (OGWA). The OGWA project is an exciting initiative that brings together watershed management and public outreach on both sides of the Ottawa River to improve the region’s most valuable resource. The project uses 5 natural boundaries (watersheds) within the Ottawa-Gatineau region, rather than political boundaries, to display water-related data and information on easy-to-use maps. The website also has a comprehensive, informative public educational tool, which will provide local citizens with information and online tools they need to be part of environmental decision making about their water.

What is the OGWA Project?
• A free, searchable, bi-lingual, interactive watershed information tool
• Designed by the local watershed community to promote: – the watershed approach – the community right to know and understand – improved communication and decision-making for a healthier river
watershed
• Built using free open source software
• Uses standardized approach to geographically based information
• Where possible sharing data directly from the provider

Pollution Probe, in collaboration with local partners, has developed a web atlas that uses interactive maps to guide community members through their watershed. OGWA has only been made possible through the sharing and exchange of geo-spatial data and information amongst agencies in the Ottawa- Gatineau region. Alongside the featured interactive maps there are interpretive discussions in both French and English in order to raise community awareness and understanding on water issues.

Please join us for the special event where you will learn about this value community-based watershed tool. The event will feature background on the project, a demonstration of the Ottawa Gatineau Watershed Atlas website, and will conclude with refreshments and snacks.

For more information, please contact:

Launch Information:
Natasha Lan
nlan@pollutionprobe.org
416-926-1907×230

Project Information:
Elli MacDonald
emacdonald@pollutionprobe.org
613-237-4815