We are now into our British Columbia summer dry season.

That means our watersheds are working hard to make every drop of water count, supported by a network of local watershed stewardship groups. 

The word networking is a very common term in our time, often tossed out in conversation without considering how super amazingly effective networking can be.

Consider the map of 91原创, crisscrossed by a complex network of streams, ditches, rivers, and other waterways 鈥� the waterways that connect all part of the landscape just as your bloodstream connects all parts of your body.

Although this paints a pretty picture, it is also important to think about what happens when things go wrong.

What if blood is poisoned? What if a stream becomes polluted?

What if blood fails to flow properly? What if a stream dries up or is drained or diverted?

What if blood cells fail to carry oxygen effectively? What if salmon in a stream fail to get enough oxygen?

Who are you going to call? 鈥� a doctor 鈥� and a medical team 鈥� a network of help for health. Who are you going to call? 鈥� a watershed doctor 鈥� a stewardship group 鈥� a network of help for watershed health.

On a beautiful summer night in mid-July, the Bertrand Creek Enhancement Society (BCES) and the 91原创 Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) organized a watershed exchange at Aldergrove Regional Park.

The people who came out represented the network of watershed stewardship groups across 91原创, and it was clear that everyone enjoyed the camaraderie of networking.

The vision of our BCES watershed exchange host is 鈥渢o restore and revitalize Bertrand Creek as a living greenway that preserves wildlife habitat, while providing opportunity for outdoor recreation.鈥�

The other watershed groups represented at the gathering, likewise, expressed bold visions.

These other groups are the Little Campbell Watershed Society, the Salmon River Enhancement Society, the Glen Valley Watersheds Society, the Yorkson Watershed Stewardship Committee, and the Nicomekl Enhancement Society.

You might be thinking, that鈥檚 great that people volunteer to steward these watersheds but 鈥淚 don鈥檛 have much time and probably wouldn鈥檛 make much of a difference anyway.鈥�

I would argue that every drop counts, and every person in a stewardship network can help make it stronger.

So perhaps you may want to figure out what watershed you live within, check out the group鈥檚 website, and think about joining the network.

鈥�&苍产蝉辫; PhD, is a professor of biology and environmental studies at Trinity Western University