Water, Water, Everywhere

The Northwest Territories is one of the world's most watery places. The Arctic coastline is the longest in the country. Inland there are countless rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands. Water and ice are the dominant forces sculpting shorelines and drainages. Though ice-covered much of the year, many water bodies are seasonally abundant with wildlife, contributing substantially to world populations of seabirds, waterfowl, shorebirds and marine mammals.

Water has always been important for transportation and providing food and is of great spiritual significance to Dene and Inuit. Water is both giver and taker of life and must be respected.

This issue of The WILD Times features ideas, resources and activities for learning more about marine and freshwater environments. Dive in and get your feet wet!

"..., the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Inside Watery Highlights: Whale marks the spot - pg 3 Inuit Seal Hunt - pg 4 Spotlight on Salvenlinus Alpinus - pg 6 The In's and Out's of Arctic Char - pg 7 How the Lake Trout Got the Bones in Its Head - pg 9 Arctic, Seashore Beachcomers - pg 10 Canadian Heritage Rivers - pg 12 School Features: Inuujaq School Marine Biology Camp - pg 2 Fox Trapping at Sakku School - pg 19 Activities: The Great Balancing Act - pg 9 How to Make a Pond Table - pg 15 Resources: What Happens to Contaminants in Arctic Marine Food Chains? - pg 14 Waves and Waves... Answering Earth Science Questions - pg 16 Marine and Freshwater Environments - pg 18 Wet Web Sites - pg 17 Spring Birds - pg 20