ION-Yukon River
INDIGENOUS OBSERVATION NETWORK
Through an international accord between Indigenous governments, the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council and United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Indigenous Observation Network (ION) was formed. ION is a large-scale monitoring program with the goal to address water quality and environmental change impacts on rural indigenous communities across the Yukon River Watershed. The communities living in this area are highly dependent on the landscape and environment for subsistence and drinking water resources to maintain their traditional way of life.
This manual is a reference tool for technicians participating in the Active Layer Network (ALN) under Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council - US Geological Survey (YRITWC-USGS) protocols. Throughout the manual key points are noted with special characters and text boxes in the body of the text. This highlights essential materials and provides resources for additional research.
The Indigenous Observation Network (ION) monitors water quality and the active layer (permafrost) in the Yukon River Watershed by combining rigorous scientific training with the skills and knowledge of local community members. The community members collect environmental data that are verifiable and defensible. ION is guided by Indigenous Knowledge to advance the knowledge of environmental changes on hydrological processes and fluvial bio-geochemistry over a variety of temporal and spatial scales in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic environments.