Professionally through North Island Labs, a small environmental laboratory, we are involved with a number of local community watershed stewardship groups; providing technical expertise and in-kind contributions to ongoing projects. We also work with First Nations, Provincial and Federal Government agencies in addressing local water quality issues.Personally, I am actively involved with a number of community-based environmental groups. I am also presently in the process of completing my Masters Science of Environment and Management through Royal Roads University. This project has somehow grown from being a water quality project to one that addresses the challenges and benefits of a community-based approach to environmental stewardship. As someone who has functioned strictly within a laboratory environment, the aspect of developing & sustaining community "buy-in" and action is very new and extremely interesting.