During River’s Day (Sept. 22, 2019) Talen, with help from some Oak Bay High students and Biology Teacher, Mr. Derek Shrubsol, collected some water from Bowker Creek. At UVic, the water was filtered and then the filter paper placed on media that not only helps bacteria grow, but is treated in a way that helps in the identification of the bacteria (some are blue, some red). This success (see image) is the first step in the development of a program that will eventually allow  students to monitor water (streams, lakes, bays) that matter to them. Thanks very much to Dr. Asit Mazumder at UVic for providing the reagents and equipment necessary for this water testing.