Baffin Bay Watershed Champions Program

The Baffin Bay Watershed Champions Program will encourage residents of the Baffin Bay watershed to participate in watershed-friendly practices in their daily lives by providing accessible resources and recognizing their efforts.

Participants will complete action items across several categories to become a certified Watershed Champion.
Collectively, these actions will contribute to reducing non-point source pollution, improving water quality, and will promote long-term engagement in watershed restoration. Action-items will include a range of simple and intensive tasks designed to be educational and impactful, including stormwater management, agricultural best management practices, septic system maintenance, fertilizer use, illegal dumping, pet waste management, and wildlife management. Participants will also be encouraged to attend watershed-related workshops, volunteer for cleanup events, join the Baffin Bay Stakeholder Group, and share program information with neighbors.

Additional action items will be developed in consultation with members of the Bringing Baffin Back team, but at a minimum will address management measures identified in the San Fernando & Petronila Creeks Watershed Protection Plan.

This program will create a comprehensive list of educational resources, guides, and technical support associated
with each action item. This approach aims to deepen participants’ understanding of how everyday choices affect
downstream water quality and will equip them with the tools and knowledge to implement sustainable practices
effectively. Project methodology will involve: Content development (compiling existing educational materials such as infographics, technical resources, and how-to guides for each action item); Design and development of a userfriendly webpage to house the program, application, and educational materials. A dedicated webpage managed by HRI and linked to the Bringing Baffin Back webpage (www.bringingbaffinback.org) will serve as the central platform for program resources, applications, and participant engagement. Outreach efforts will leverage existing Bringing Baffin Back events and communication channels to maximize visibility and participation.

Participants will apply for free by filling out an online application or by contacting the Watershed Coordinator, and will complete action items to earn a minimum score and become eligible to receive rewards. With participant permission, the project team will intermittently select a Watershed Champion to publicly highlight on the project website and social media pages.