
Developing Water Solutions within the Context of Climate Change
VIRTUAL COMPONENT
MAY 24 – JUN 14, 2022
4 VIRTUAL SESSIONS
IN-PERSON COMPONENT
AUG 28 – SEP 2, 2022
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
About WIL Atlantic
It is with great enthusiasm that we are launching the first hybrid Water Innovation Lab in Canada (Northern Turtle Island) with both virtual and in-person programming. The Waterlution team is fortunate to be working with a knowledgeable local team, in Prince Edward Island (PEI) and the Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation (CCCA). The multi-phase capacity building, entrepreneurial and innovation training initiative will accept 100 young water professionals who together will increase Canada’s adaptability, resilience, and innovation leadership in the face of climate change. WIL Atlantic takes place within the traditional and ancestral lands of the Mi’kma’ki people, and Indigneous youth of all Nations are highly encouraged to apply.
The program combines leadership and skills training with on-the-land knowledge sharing from local knowledge holders and water-dependent industries (farming and fisheries) so as to stimulate and accelerate innovative climate change solution-making.
Core Themes
Innovation teams will create entrepreneurial projects that tackle one of three core themes:
- Rising sea levels and coastal erosion of island & coastal communities
- Flooding and water insecurity from changing weather events
- Species impacts (crops and aquatic life)
STAY CONNECTED
OUR Water in the Atlantic Canada needs
INNOVATION
The Water Innovation Lab, known as WIL, is a front-running, immersive leadership training designed to accelerate collaborative innovation, fast-track global knowledge-sharing and devise new innovations that improve water security. WIL supports emerging leaders and entrepreneurs(20-35 yrs) across water and climate change disciplines to learn and innovate together. WIL develops future water leaders to think holistically, design innovatively, and communicate effectively across cultures.







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Themes
PROGRAM DETAILS
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a small densely-populated island with 3,200 km of coastline, and as such, it is highly vulnerable to water challenges related to climate change, primarily sea level rise, coastal erosion, and storm surges that result in flooding. The island is made of primarily sand and sandstone leaving it especially vulnerable to coastal erosion, and the island land area has already decreased by a net 2,000 hectares over the last half century. Prince Edward Island is the most densely-populated province, and over the next hundred years, it will face approximately 1m of sea level rise putting its residents’ homes, coastal infrastructure, and cultural heritage resources in danger.
With these local challenges in mind, participants at WIL Atlantic will dive into the following 3 themes:
- Rising sea levels and coastal erosion of island & coastal communities
- Flooding and water insecurity from changing weather events
- Species impacts, looking at diverse crops and aquatic life.
WHO can apply?
Open to young professionals (ages 19-35) across PEI and Canada/ Northern Turtle Island. We are seeking applicants with a keen interest in water and climate change adaptation and innovation. We encourage applications from women and all genders as well as Black, Indigenous and People of Colour.
Applications open
Fee Structure
Phase 1 Online Sessions
No Cost
Phase 2 In-Person Collaboration
3 fee options for selected participants for In-person Collaboration in PEI. Payment due in early August, 2022.
1. Full Fee – $339 (including HST), for fully employed, sponsored and able to pay this full fee.
2. Reduced Fee – $170 (including HST), for students or underemployed applicants.
3. Scholarship – intended for participants that cannot contribute the amounts above.
WIL ATLANTIC Phases
Phase 1 – Online Training
Phase 1 takes place virtually, with 4 weeks of interactive online training where experts will share knowledge on the themes and the WIL community will be nurtured.
Phase 2 – In-Person Immersive Training
Phase 2 invites up to 30 of the original participants to a 5-day, in-person immersive event taking place at the newly built Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation (CCCA) in PEI which will be an intensive program of skills development and innovative collaboration.* Participants will receive mentorship from experts and participate in immersive field tours designed to deepen understanding of the 3 themes.
Phase 3 – Mentorship and Innovation Acceleration
3 project teams will receive extended mentorship for team innovation projects, acceleration of project development, and potentially initial piloting or prototyping (depending on nature of innovation project) of innovative solutions.
Phase 4 – Community Knowledge Sharing
Targeted to the broader public and school aged children, Phase 4 is dedicated to community-wide engagement including a Community Day showcase of innovation projects, community feedback gathering, collective knowledge sharing, and a participatory, community-created art installation. Phase 4 also includes the creation of K-12 curricular resources to infuse the classroom with rich knowledge about climate change in PEI and ways in which students can act to make local change.
*All in-person programs will only take place if safe to do so in the context of the global pandemic. Adaptations will be made as necessary if gathering is no longer possible.
Schedule
PHASE 1: Online Training
4 virtual sessions held on Tuesdays from 5-7 pm AT
Opening Session
May 24, 2022 | 5-7 pm AT
Session 2
May 31, 2022 | 5-7 pm AT
Session 3
June 7, 2022 | 5-7 pm AT
Session 4
June 14, 2022 | 5-7 pm AT
Targeting 100 young professionals, the 4-week highly interactive on-line program provides leadership skill development, resource guest specific to climate change approaches and about PEI’s water and climate challenges and the early-stage formulation of team-based innovation projects. This phase also includes office hours for innovation project coaching, mentorship for developing project pitches, and a culminating in-person project pitch showcase. 30 participants who attend the virtual sessions and present innovative water/climate/community projects will be selected to participate in Phase II, in beautiful PEI.
PHASE 2: In-Person Immersive Training
August 28-Sept 2, 2022
to be hosted in Prince Edward Island at the Canadian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation
Participants will stay in dual occupancy rooms at the Canadian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation in PEI.
*Schedule may change.
Sunday August 28
Arrival/Registration opens 12 pm
Program begins 2pm
Mi’kmaw Elder Methilda Knockwood-Snache opening the week with a water ceremony, a smudge & talking circle.
Welcome and introduction to the program, networking and community building.
Monday August 29
Capacity building & Facilitation Training – a deep dive into 21st century skills training, developing a collaborative network, unpacking complex problems, innovation theory, collaboration and team building.
Tuesday August 30
Field Tours – with local experts we will explore the 3 themes more deeply through on-the-ground field tours, getting outside and seeing hands-on application of the concepts.
Wednesday August 31
Continued project development, skills training and mentorship.
Optional Field Day – more details to come.
Thursday Sept 1
Resource Guests – teams will receive mentorship and coaching from experts, working to advance their final projects.
Final Project Presentations.
Friday Sept 2
Reflection and Closing.
10 am Departure
Up to 30 selected innovation project members come together for the in-person 5-day immersive, an intensive program of skills development, field tours, knowledge learning circles with Indigenous knowledge holders, farmers and fisher people, watershed groups, policy makers and innovation project development. Taking place at the Canadian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation in PEI, participants will learn from the facility and the lands surrounding it which serves as a living laboratory allowing for unlimited access to nearby wetlands, forests and coastal habitats directly affected by climate change.
Elder Methila Knockwood-Snache
Mi’kmaw Elder Methilda Knockwood-Snache will open the week with a water ceremony, water stories, smudge and a talking circle to start our time together with the right intention.
These are just some of the exciting field tours planned with local experts!

Morrel River Management Cooperative
The Morrel River Management Cooperative has been working to protect the watershed from agricultural impacts – working collaboratively with farmers to create buffer zones. Participants will take a trip to Mooney’s Pond to see their work in action.

Perry Gotell with Tranquility Cove Tours
Participants will get out on the water on boating tours, learning first hand about fisheries and coastal erosion from expert Perry Gotell.

Scott Anderson with Agriculture Canada
Participants will visit Living Labs sites to explore concepts in water drainage and constructed wetlands in relation to agricultural practices.

Stephanie Arnold - ClIMAtlantic/UPEI
Potatoes, drones, and agriculture – visiting research sites with Stephanie Arnold from the UPEI Climate Lab, participants will learn about the impact of climate change on crops.

Souris Harbour
Visiting the harbour, participants will learn about erosion protection installations & have a brief tourist moment on the Souris Boardwalk.
More Field Tours to come!
FAQs
We encourage you to apply! Tell us about how you’ve been engaged with this topic, and the reviewers will see if you have the right background to be included. This is a young professionals space, and if you really feel you want to be there, put your best effort in. Diversity of experiences adds richness to the WIL program and we encourage applicants that have unique backgrounds.
WIL Atlantic is open to Canadians and people living, working or studying in Canada. Unfortunately, we cannot accept global applicants, but sign up for our newsletter and/or follow our social channels as we do host global WILs!
There is no cost to attend Phase 1. We do not want price to be a barrier for those hoping to attend Phase 2. We have wonderful partners and funders and scholarships are available to anyone who cannot afford the fees. Scholarship information is available on our webpage and in the application form.
Yes, participants who attend 3 of 4 sessions during phase 1 will be eligible for a certificate (although we prefer and encourage you to attend all 4 sessions!). Those who attend phases 1 and 2 will receive a combined certificate.
For Phase 1, please allow for 2 hours per week to attend the virtual session plus 2-3 hours per week to connect with others and work on your projects.
Phase 2 is an immersive 5 day program with evening activities which are part of the networking. There will be wifi to check email and stay in touch, but the less work you can do during that week the better. This is a professional experience and you will get the most by being as present as possible!
Beyond Phase 2 there will be opportunities to advance innovation projects, with work schedules created by each project group.
Yes, sessions will be recorded for you to review afterwards if you are unable to make a session. We strongly encourage you to attend all sessions, as they are collaborative and interactive, and you will get the most learning by being present! Out of the 4 virtual sessions we allow for 1 absence.
At Waterlution, speakers and experts are usually referred to as Resource Guests, where the role is to elevate the knowledge and skills of the young professionals participating. If you think you have a strong set of skills to contribute, please email krystal.pyke@gmail.com with your background and she will be in touch.
As a general approach, Waterlution does vegetarian as the base, sometimes adding animal proteins and dairy to fit a variety of people. We do our best to accommodate vegan diets and allergies and would work with you on a case-by-case basis. Participants attending Phase 2 will be sent a form where those details will be included.
It is our sincere hope that the in-person portion will proceed as planned. The number of people attending phase 2 has already been adapted to a lower number as a covid consideration. However if something happens beyond our control, we will revisit whether phase 2 will happen in person. (But our fingers and toes are crossed!)
Our strong preference is that people can stay the whole time; however, we understand that there can be exceptions and there is space for this included in your application form. It will be taken into consideration.
WIL Atlantic Canada
Resource Guests
More amazing guests will be added soon

Adam Fenech
Associate Professor
Dr. Fenech has worked extensively in the area of climate change for thirty-two years and has edited eight books on climate change, most recently on Global Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainability in the Middle East. Presently, Dr. Fenech is an Associate Professor in the School of Climate Change and Adaptation at the University of Prince Edward Island where he developed the curriculum for the first undergraduate programme in Applied Climate Change and Adaptation. Dr. Fenech has taught at the University of Toronto as well as the Smithsonian Institution for over 25 years, and lectures regularly at universities across Canada and around the world. He is presently the Director of the University of Prince Edward Island's Climate Research Lab that conducts research on the vulnerability, impacts and adaptation to climate change, where his virtual reality depiction of sea level rise has won international awards including one from MIT for communicating coastal science. He maintains the largest fleet of drones at a Canadian university including the largest drone in the country with a four metre wingspan. Dr. Fenech has acquired over $10 million in research projects over the past ten years in the areas of climate change data analysis, virtual reality and applications of drone technology. Dr. Fenech is featured as one of forty brilliant and influential Canadians in a book published last week titled Inspiring Canadians: Forty Brilliant Canadians and their Visions for the Nation.

Stephanie Arnold
CLIMAtlantic
Stephanie completed her Chemical Engineering degree and MBA at the University of Toronto. After spending time in the private sector, she joined the UPEI Climate Lab where she collaborated with different sectors and organizations across the Island on climate change and adaptation issues. Her PhD research earned her recognition as a Top 25 “Emerging Thought Leader” from WIIS-Canada. Stephanie also serves on a number of community and provincial boards and councils, including BIPOC USHR, Provincial Anti-Racism Table, and Rustico Ringette Association.

Krystal Pyke
ClimateSense
Krystal Pyke, is the Professional Development Coordinator with the ClimateSense project, part of the UPEI Climate Lab. They are an enthusiastic experience based educator with a wide ranging background in fisheries ecology, environmental education, science curriculum development, and restorative justice. They are committed to providing dynamic experiential learning opportunities that integrate science-based evidence, historical context, and differentiated knowledge practices to help individuals and communities confront complex ecological issues.

Perry Gotell
Tranquility Cove Adventures
Perry is the owner/operator and Captain of Tranquility Cove Adventures and has been on the water most of his life, first fishing with his dad, then in 1987 buying his own outfit. He is a 3rd generation lobsterman and loved his work fishing the same lobster ground as his dad and grandfather. Perry retired from fishing in 2012 turning all his energy to TCA. In 2007 he started TCA with his first summer in 2008, it’s been growing ever since, offering unique adventures for all ages. Perry runs a fully insured and federally certified business, working each year to raise the standard and professionalism he is now Prince Edwards Islands leading Experiential Provider.

Peter Nishimura
Senior Climate Change Adaptation Policy Advisor

Peter Nishimura
Senior Climate Change Adaptation Policy Advisor
Peter is a Senior Climate Change Adaptation Policy Advisor with the PEI Department of Environment, Water, and Climate Change.

Scott Anderson
Ag Water Engineer
Scott grew up on the family farm in Morell PEI. He received an Engineering Diploma from UPEI and a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS). Scott worked as an extension specialist in Soil and Water Engineering with the PEI Department of Agriculture for 15 years, then made the move to Agriculture and AgriFood Canada as the Regional Water Resources Engineer. Currently he is the project manager / coordinator for the AAFC Living Labs Initiative on PEI, which is a producer centred on farm research program that aims to increase the adoption of innovative best management practices using effective knowledge transfer and outreach approaches.

Randy Angus
Maritimes fishery and aquaculture

Randy Angus
Maritimes fishery and aquaculture
Randy has over 40 years experience in the Maritimes fishery and aquaculture industry. He has extensive experience in working with both the public and private sectors in resource management, and has a diverse background that covers a variety of species and organizations. He has worked in the administration of research and hatchery facilities, and has over 6 years of experience in Community development, 7 years climate change research, and sustainable development projects.
A firm believer in life long learning, Randy looks forward to new opportunities and activities. He enjoys contributing to the Confederacy team in the protection, enhancement and strengthening of the Mi’kmaq Nation in Prince Edward Island.

Elder Methilda Knockwood-Snache
Elders Advisory Lodge, Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Elder Methilda Knockwood-Snache
Elders Advisory Lodge, Atlantic First Nations Water Authority
A much-respected Elder, Methilda Knockwood-Snache maintains the culture and customs of the Mi’kmaq people of Lennox Island by sharing traditional wisdom and practices. Known by her traditional name as Turtle Woman, Methilda is passionate about sharing knowledge of the importance of water to life. Part of the Elders Advisory Lodge for the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority, she works to ensure traditional knowledge and culture is a guiding factor for the AFNWA Board of Directors.

Erin Taylor
Director, ClimateSense Program

Erin Taylor
Director, ClimateSense Program
Manager of the Climate Change Secretariat for PEI's Department of Environment, Water, and Climate Change.

Katie Scott
Ducks Unlimited

Katie Scott
Ducks Unlimited

Barry Stevens
President, Stevens Solutions & Design Inc. & 3D Wave Design

Barry Stevens
President, Stevens Solutions & Design Inc. & 3D Wave Design
As a Mi’kmaq Acadia First Nation community member, Barry has held positions in both management and engineering roles in advanced development laboratories, anti-submarine warfare product design, HF communications, business development and consulting, training, product sales, and production management. At his last place of employment, he was V.P. of Operations. In 2001, Barry launched Stevens Solutions &
Design Inc. (SS&DI) and has supplied communications and custom electronic hardware designs/software solutions for use in corporate communications, instruction and eLearning, security, defence, government
agencies, global corporations, non-profits, and Indigenous organizations.
As SS&DI focused its R&D efforts to Climate Change adaptation visualization software, 3D Wave Design Mapping Solutions www.3dwavedesign.com was born. 3D Wave Design has developed close relationships
with environmental, First Nations and applied geomatics research groups, particularly in relation to wildfire and inland flood risk assessments and global warming induced sea-level rise prediction and simulation.
SS&DI/3DWave’s 3D proprietary LiDAR ingestion software/WebGL visualizations have been used by Atlantic Canadian towns, Municipalities and First Nation communities to demonstrate risks and to develop engineered mitigation solutions for council and public review.

Taylor Wilkes
Facilitator, Our Living Waters

Taylor Wilkes
Facilitator, Our Living Waters
Originating from Colorado, I grew up with erratic climate conditions and an understanding about climate's influence on people's relationship with water. I spent the first decade of my career meandering between water sectors, learning about the language and cultures of the many disciplines involved in water work. Now I sit, happily, in a facilitation role, spurring water collaborations in the space between sectors and knowledge systems. Our Living Waters is designed to amplify the influence and impact of the many, diverse organizations that make up the water community in Canada.

Morell River Management Co-operative
Morell River Management Cooperative was incorporated in 1988, and has since been the lead organization for the management of the rivers within the St. Peter's Bay area drainage basin.
The MRMC is the lead agency for the management of the Morell River, Midgell River, Bristol Creek, Marie River, Schooner Creek, and St Peters River. The organization has its roots in the Morell and Area Land Use Steering Committee, which successfully created PEI’s first conservation zone.
The MRMC focuses on protecting and enhancing salmonid habitat, restoring riparian zones, and improving overall water quality within the watersheds. We continuously monitor our rivers and educate the surrounding communities about the importance of maintaining healthy watersheds.

Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI
Integrated Resource Management

Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI
Integrated Resource Management
Integrated Resource Management (IRM) division is responsible for providing technical advice and assistance for all aspects of resources and resource management including environmental issues. This is reflected by the world view of the Mi’kmaq that views Mother Earth holistically, and that all things are interconnected. Accordingly, the scope of work includes: Marine Fisheries; Food Social and Ceremonial Fisheries (FSC); Watershed Management; Species at Risk; Aquaculture; Hunting; Trapping; Forestry; Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP); Crafts; Culturally Important Wildlife; Fresh Water Fishing; Agriculture; Land Management; Land Use; Duty to Consult (DTC); Drinking Water; Wastewater Management; Wind and Solar Energy; Oil and Gas exploration; Climate Change; and other Environmental Issues as they arise.

Igor Vieira
Igor lives in Recife (Brazil), crosses bridges to discover the sea and writes to discover himself and the world. He is an Environmental Engineer (ASCES UNITA), Climate and Water Quality/Water Resources Researcher with Specialization in Oceanography (UFPE) and a Masters Degree in Environmental Engineering (UFRPE). He coordinated a national campaign on water and SDG 6 in Brazil, advocates on climate change, is a co-founder and adviser of the “climate de eleição” and currently is the Programs Coordinator at Waterlution in Brazil. He has experience with facilitation, campaign and project management in the private sector and NGOs. He participated in international conferences such as the World Water Forum, UN climate conferences, and UN Climate Week for Latin America and the Caribbean. He believes in the power of people to change the world, but above all, he believes in the power of nature to change people.
Organizational Team

Karen Kun
President & Founder, Waterlution
Karen Kun is the Founder and President of Waterlution, and co-founder of Greatness – The Great Lakes Project. She credits her time two decades ago living among Indigenous communities in Latin America as the inspiration behind applying water as a metaphor for everything essential in caring for and preserving ourselves and our planet. Seventeen years later, Karen continues to incorporate the practice of storytelling, building personal connections, peer-to-peer social engagement, and empathy as the fundamental tools in creating meaningful water dialogue. She is well known for her motto, which is to simply show up. Showing up has given Karen the opportunity to develop unexpected partnerships and to experiment with a variety of viewpoints and approaches. As a woman, mother, entrepreneur, risk-taker, mentor and Waterlution’s leader, Karen proudly supports all aspects of youth development. Growing the development of future global water leaders with the necessary tools to approach complex water issues has become a monumental aspect of Waterlution’s ongoing work and driver for change. Along with her water background, she is a skilled business leader who from 2005-2012 was publisher of Corporate Knights magazine.
- Email:karen@waterlution.org

Olivia Allen
Skills & Development Lead
Olivia is passionate about life-long learning, facilitation, systems thinking, the environment and connecting people. She holds a BSc- Environmental Science from Royal Roads University, and a Water Resources Diploma from Nova Scotia Community College. Before working with Waterlution Olivia worked on water quality analysis and research, but transitioned environmental education. Olivia joined Waterlution as a volunteer Youth Advisory Board member in 2016, and after participating in Water Innovation Lab - India 2017, she joined as a staff. As the Project Lead for Youth Programs she enjoys blending her passion and knowledge of environmental science with community building, education, mentorship and career coaching through in leading our Youth Advisory Board volunteer program and Canadian-based school projects.

Megan Cornall
WIL Coordinator
Megan has a passion for facilitating spaces for innovation, mentorship, networking and collaboration between young leaders and entrepreneurs in the water space. Megan began with Waterlution in 2019 at WIL Canada, then went on to coordinate WIL Global 2020 with 15 virtual interactive skills and capacity building workshops sessions over 5 months for 80 participants. For two years, she has led skills training for AquaHacking challenge Expedition, training Canadian entrepreneurs on 21st century skills on water innovations. Most recently, Megan led the evaluation process on testing a new innovative approach focused on adolescent girl empowerment through capacity building and water innovation in Northern Mozambique. Megan enjoys developing water-centric programming that bring people together across sectors, and creating space to break down and address complex problems.

Stephanie Pheasant-Recollet
Indigenous Relations Coordinator
Stephanie is a First Nations student, artist and mother from Wiikwemkoong, Mnidoo Mnising (Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island); home of the world’s largest freshwater island. She is enrolled at Laurentian University’ Indigenous Studies program and when finished she plans to move onto an Indigenous Education program, to assist in the healing process between Canada and the First Nations People of Turtle Island. During downtime, Stephanie joined Waterlution by volunteering on the Youth Advisory Board in 2019/2020. Stephanie is focused on her family, she and her husband, are highly motivated in teaching their young daughter more about their Anishinaabe culture: ceremony, language, art, foods, etc.
PARTNERS





QUESTIONS ABOUT WIL Atlantic Canada?
Krystal Pike
Email: climatesense@upei.ca
Karen Kun
Email: karen@waterlution.org