Ripples of Connection: Water – The Element That Connects Us All!

水 (Shuǐ), d’eau (o), น้ำ (N̂ảm), ማይ (māy), вода (voda), पानी (paanee), water…these are some incomplete sounds and sights within language that can guide us towards thoughts of rain, lakes, ocean, hydration, out pour from taps, floods, hurricanes, sweat on our skin. Maybe it even conjures an image of our own life force that flows in our veins; we are after all composed over over 50% water. Other images that may not come to mind immediately are ice cubes, steam rooms, a boiling kettle and natural examples such as snow, frost, clouds and mist. Water exists in three different states on Earth and moves between these states to drive our climates across the globe. The three states are liquid, solid and gas. Water is literally everywhere, connecting all things!

What is something small you can do to help?

Enjoy water with fun and gratitude! We have made a small challenge for you this summer in collaboration with Living Lakes Canada! Think about how you would like to give thanks towards these larger networks that sustain us through action items in the link below.

Join the 2025 Freshwater Explorer Challenge

What has NatureKids BC been doing in person?

Our freshwater areas sustain so much life! Engaging with lakes, rivers and streams and wetlands doesn’t always mean it’s only about fishy friends. Fabulous and friendly snake discovery hunt explorer day in Kelowna this past April.
Photo Credit: Kelowna Club Leader Meghan

We’ve been exploring our local streams this summer using our Freshwater toolkit to learn about bio monitoring via macroinvertebrates and safe habitat for salmon and trout! Families have also just been basking in the beauty of nature and slowing down, connecting to this magical place that we live in. If you attended one of these explorer days you could write about it for the Freshwater Explorers Challenge! Check out some fun pictures below for inspiration this summer.

Fish hatchery tour in Surrey at the beginning of summer. Learning about important stream habitat, pollution and barriers to salmon migration.
Photo Credit: Club leader Sandra

RIPPLES ZINE

Check out inspiration for how to create a story on freshwater and to explore more about our “shared love and connection to water” from youth voices in: