A local volunteer with a water advocacy group has co-written a new children’s book, Adventures with Watersnake - Exploring Waterways of British Columbia.
Emma Squires is on the Youth Advisory Board with Waterlution, a non-profit that educates young people about the importance of water. The organization’s work includes creating new ways to improve water security around the world by working with youth.
In Adventures with Watersnake, a young girl who is passionate about water sets out to explore B.C. while learning about salmon, hot springs, caving and the Great Bear Rainforest.
Each chapter features real waterbodies and facts – some are fictional and others are inspired by the authors’ own experiences.
Squires’ chapter is about a kayak adventure in Telegraph Cove on Vancouver Island. She took a there this summer and wanted to write a chapter based on the lessons she learned.
“We kayaked every day, five to seven hours a day. We were surrounded by whales the entire time,” Squires told The Chief.
The 26-year-old joined Waterlution to gain experience in environmental and cultural programming. She is involved in promoting educational programs and delivering workshops and webinars for schools in B.C.
An Indiegogo campaign has been set up for the book. Money raised supports educational workshops for students in Canada.
The book is written particularly for kids aged 11 to 13 years old and is printed using a waterless printing company, which reduces the environmental impact of the book
“The book is all about how water can change your perspective,” Squires said.
Other local young people have also become involved with Waterlution.
Squamish resident Charlie Olmstead also sits on the volunteer Youth Advisory Board as a videographer and photographer for training, workshops and special events. The 22-year-old studied media and marketing at the Whistler Adventure School and now owns a media company in Squamish called Trail Mix Media.
Olivia Allen is the non-profit’s project lead for youth programs, and works remotely from Squamish to co-ordinate the Youth Advisory Board and work on school programs, including the Great Waters Challenge, which involved telling stories about water in the participants’ communities.
**Please note, this story has been corrected since it was first posted. The previous story had the incorrect program of study Squires is currently pursuing and the wrong location of the photo.
