A new national initiative aimed at improving water literacy among young Canadians is launching for students next September, amid growing concerns about water security and public awareness.
Montreal-based AquaAction announced the program in partnership with Canadian Geographic and the Canadian Museum of Nature. The initiative, called the Water Literacy Project, is designed to engage students and educators across the country with hands-on learning and career-focused skills tied to Canada’s freshwater systems.
“When we teach water, we shape the future. Water runs everything. It spins turbines, fills our pipes, grows our food. It gives life to the landscapes and communities we call home,” announced AquaAction President Soula Chronopoulos. “The Water Literacy Project is a resource hub that gives teachers what they need to deepen students’ understanding of water and inspire them to care. We are excited by how far it has come and how much potential we have to grow,” she added.
Despite Canada’s global reputation for abundant freshwater, experts warn that increasing human activity and climate change are placing growing pressure on water quality and availability. At the same time, public opinion research suggests many Canadians lack a basic understanding of water-related issues — a gap proponents say could hinder both environmental protection and workforce development in the water sector.
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The Water Literacy Project aims to address that disconnect by providing curriculum-linked resources and interactive programming to schools nationwide. The program will include digital learning materials, community-based “action packs,” and virtual workshops connecting classrooms with science educators. It also features a large-format interactive floor map exploring freshwater systems and related careers, developed by Canadian Geographic.
Canadian Museum of Nature President and CEO Danika Goosney said the museum will contribute to the learning experience by delivering virtual workshops to hundreds of classrooms across Canada.
Canadian Geographic says it will also pull from its network of educators and explorers to equip youth with knowledge and understanding of freshwater in Canada.
The initiative is backed by more than $600,000 in federal funding through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Climate Action and Awareness Fund, alongside matching support from the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation. Additional contributions have come from the Canada Water Agency and Natural Resources Canada.
A full roll-out is planned for the start of the 2026–27 school year, with resources available through an online platform tailored to different grade levels. The program will also incorporate Indigenous perspectives on water stewardship and include gamified features such as digital badges to encourage participation.
Additional partners include the ClearWater Futures Foundation and the Roots of Resilience Charter School, which will pilot some of the educational materials.
Organizers say the initiative is ultimately intended to build a new generation of water-literate Canadians equipped to address emerging environmental challenges and support innovation in the country’s water sector.
