I Adopt a Watercourse

I Adopt a Watercourse is a citizen science educational program that immerses participating students and citizens in water conservation. Its multiple components involve studying the natural environment to assess the overall health of the watercourse. This assessment leads to the implementation of actions to protect and conserve the natural diversity of these environments. I Adopt a Watercourse has a transformative effect on participants. It instills a sense of pride and responsibility, a connection to aquatic ecosystems, a special bond with nature, and an increased capacity for action. Developed in Canada 25 years ago by G3E, the project is now being implemented in France in the Adour-Garonne basin in partnership with the Water Agency.

I adopt a river in figures and concrete actions:

• 75,000 students and 300 educators taking action for their rivers
• 36 organizations involved in coordinating the project in Canada and France
• 800 kilometers of protected or restored riverbanks
• More than 100 wildlife species observed, helping to assess the health of aquatic ecosystems
• 516 hectares of riverbanks cleaned up, equivalent to 7 football fields
• 400 tons of waste collected
• 270 watercourses studied and ADOPTED!