Environmental DNA and RNA (eDNA) is the genetic material organisms leave behind in their environment, including in water, soil and air. 

Recognizing the deep interconnectedness of people and the environment—and in the spirit for reciprocity and respect for “Nibi” (Water)—the PrairieDNA network will help track the health of Prairie ecosystems to understand the extent of environmental harms and restore the balance between humans and the environment for future generations.

The network will use genomics tools to detect and quantify eDNA in rivers, lakes, and municipal waters—working to facilitate connections among researchers and Indigenous communities, combining cultural wisdom and modern science to promote sustainable environmental practices.

The network will work to effect change by facilitating connections among scientific researchers and Indigenous communities through three themes: 1) Reciprocal Ecologies 2) Altered Landscapes and 3) Human-Constructed Systems. This work will be grounded in:

• Place-based understanding of ecosystems.
• “One Health,” which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, including the direct and indirect benefits humans experience from healthy ecosystems.

Photo Credit: Thamali Vidanage