Do you remember when our lakes froze in late December?

Perhaps your family has kept track of when the ice was “safe” each winter? We know that climate change is affecting our “Ice In” dates. Some lake associations are already keeping track. From FOCA’s website and Trent University’s Dr. Nolan Pierce, we have a request to start collecting that data:

“FOCA stewards: start recording these types of observations and upload them to open-access citizen science repositories, like NatureWatch’s “IceWatch”.

The value of long-term ice data is immeasurable for global change research, and while the best time to start collecting these data was 50 years ago, the next best time is now. Scientists can use your ground-truthed records to evaluate changes in ice thickness and composition (black and white ice) as well as the timing of when lakes freeze and thaw. You may also help your local scientist (me!) better understand winter lake processes occurring under the ice. If you happen to find yourself at the lake this winter, consider becoming a citizen scientist and document your observations.”

If you’re interested in being a part of this citizen science project, register on the IceWatch website here: https://www.naturewatch.ca/icewatch/

Lead photo credit: Eddy Dadzis