New Exhibition at the Biosphère Explores the Hidden Side of Canada’s Waterscapes

March 22, 2010 to March 22, 2010

A new exhibition revealing the biodiversity, complexity and splendour of Canada’s aquatic ecosystems is sure to make a splash. Canada's Waterscapes—Yours to Enjoy, Explore and Protect opens on February 2, 2010, at the Biosphère.

Come and marvel at the abundance of marine life in the St. Lawrence estuary. The diverse species in the St. Lawrence range from nine species of whales to creatures that live 350 metres below the surface. Meet invertebrates capable of bringing decades-old buried pollutants back into circulation. Learn about invasive predatory species and find out why wetlands are aquatic treasures sheltering remarkable specimens. As part of the interactive hands-on activities, create a frog chorus or your very own ocean symphony.

Canada’s Waterscapes emphasizes the ecological significance of our water bodies and wetlands, and stresses the need to protect them. The exhibition is produced by the Canadian Museum of Nature in partnership with Parks Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, RBC and the Canadian Water Network, with support from Canadian Geographic.

Presented as part of the International Year of Biodiversity, Canada’s Waterscapes will be on display at the Biosphère until April 30, 2010. The museum is located on Sainte-Hélène Island in Montréal. Visit www.biosphere.ec.gc.ca for complete information on visiting hours and entrance fees.

To mark World Water Day on March 22, the Biosphère is offering two free public seminars, beginning at 7 pm and a visit of the Canada's Waterscapes exhibit! Two expert speakers will discuss current issues pertaining to water in Canada.

The first seminar, given in French by Michel Poulin, a researcher at the Canadian Museum of Nature, will look at the study of plants and animals that live in and around the sea ice of Arctic Canada. This seminar is entitled "La vie dans les eaux les plus froides du monde : Sous la surface de l'océan Arctique" (Life in the Coldest Water on Earth: Exploring Below the Surface of the Arctic Ocean).

The second seminar, entitled "A watershed of change: A global-through-local view of water issues, challenges and opportunities", will be given in English by Dr. Mark Servos, Scientific Director of the Canadian Water Network.

These two lectures are part of the RBC Blue Water Project's National Lecture Series and highlight Canada's Waterscapes exhibit at the Biosphère. Podcasts for both seminars will be available at www.nature.ca.