'Science is All Around Us' shines a light on Charlie Lake

Charlie Lake is a place most people in the North Peace know well, whether it's for fishing, paddling or simply driving past, but a new exhibit at the Fort St. John North Peace Museum is encouraging visitors to take a closer look.

Science is All Around Us, created by the Charlie Lake Conservation Society, officially opened last week and explores the plants, animals and ecosystems that make Charlie Lake what it is, while showing how everyday observations can contribute to scientific research.

Charlie Lake Conservation Society member Bruce Kosugi said he hopes visitors leave with more than just a better understanding of the lake.

"We hope people leave with an appreciation for Charlie Lake, but also an understanding of the things people can do to contribute to scientific knowledge about the lake and the area where they live," he said.

Kosugi said contributing to science doesn't require expensive equipment or years of training.

"There are lots of simple things people can do," he said. "Something as easy as taking a photo of a plant and uploading it to iNaturalist."

The app helps identify the species, records where and when it was found, and stores that information for researchers studying changes over time or tracking where different species are found.

Several of the displays reward a second look, with small details that are easy to miss the first time through.

One section explores the life hidden beneath the surface of Charlie Lake, something many people may never think about despite spending time on the water.

Kosugi said one display came together after he collected a sample of green algae from the lake only a day before the exhibit opened.

"Yesterday I was paddling on Charlie Lake and collected some of the green algae you see here," he said. "It was absolutely full of tiny creatures.

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The sample contains freshwater shrimp, water fleas, worms, snails and many other organisms that are all part of the lake's ecosystem, offering visitors a closer look at a part of the lake that's rarely seen.

The exhibit also touches on topics including light pollution and wildlife observations, showing how small pieces of information collected by everyday people can help researchers build a better understanding of the natural world over time.

Science is All Around Us will remain on display at the Fort St. John North Peace Museum through September and is included with regular museum admission.