Tlicho Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Program (TAEMP) - Behchoko 2015

The purpose of the Tlicho Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Program (TAEMP) is to continue to successfully implement an aquatic ecosystem monitoring program based on Tlicho and scientific knowledge in order to determine whether fish health, water, and sediment quality are changing over time at locations near Tlicho communities. There are historic and proposed developments in the region, and there is concern in Tlicho communities that contamination of nearby aquatic ecosystems may occur, or has already occurred. As a result of concerns and a general lack of information there is a need to collect and update baseline information, and have ongoing monitoring of the aquatic ecosystems in Wek'ezhi in anticipation of continuing pressures on the watershed. Further, it is important to have Tlicho community members (including elders and youth) directly involved in the scientific monitoring, and have a genuine opportunity for community members to exchange their knowledge with research scientists in appropriate community and on-the-land settings. The main objectives of the Tlicho Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Program (TAEMP) are: i) To collaborate with Program partners (e.g. the Wek'ezhi Land and Water Board, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Tlicho Government, and Tlicho communities) in the long-term implementation of community-based monitoring; ii) To develop long-term datasets for aquatic ecosystem monitoring in Wek'ezhi, and contribute to concurrent monitoring initiatives (such as the Tlicho Government's Marian Watershed Stewardship Program, and GNWT Water Stewardship Strategy); iii) To provide basic training and educational opportunities for Tlicho community members, including youth and elders; and, iv) To engage schools in educational opportunities for youth related to aquatic ecosystems and environmental monitoring.蒂利乔水生生态系统监测计划（Tlicho Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Program，TAEMP）的宗旨为：依托蒂利乔本土知识与科学知识，持续高效推进水生生态系统监测工作，以明确蒂利乔社区周边区域的鱼类健康、水体及沉积物质量是否随时间发生变化。该区域既有已开展的开发项目，也存在拟实施的开发计划，蒂利乔社区民众担忧周边水生生态系统可能或已经遭受污染。鉴于此类担忧以及现有信息的严重匮乏，有必要收集并更新基线数据，同时对韦克埃济（Wek'ezhi）地区的水生生态系统开展长期监测，以应对该流域持续面临的开发压力。此外，推动蒂利乔社区成员（包括长老与青年）直接参与科学监测工作，并为社区成员提供在社区及实地场景中与科研人员交流本土知识的真实渠道，同样具有重要意义。 蒂利乔水生生态系统监测计划（TAEMP）的核心目标如下： i） 与项目合作方（如韦克埃济水土管理委员会（Wek'ezhi Land and Water Board）、加拿大渔业与海洋部（Department of Fisheries and Oceans）、蒂利乔政府（Tlicho Government）及蒂利乔各社区）协作，长期推进以社区为主体的监测工作； ii） 建立韦克埃济地区水生生态系统监测的长期数据集，并为同期开展的相关监测项目提供支持，例如蒂利乔政府的玛丽安流域管护计划（Marian Watershed Stewardship Program）以及加拿大西北地区政府水资源管护战略（GNWT Water Stewardship Strategy）； iii） 为蒂利乔社区成员（包括青年与长老）提供基础培训与教育机会； iv） 邀请学校参与面向青年的水生生态系统与环境监测相关教育活动。