On World Environment Day, Genome British Columbia revealed a new wave of funding designed to support rural and Indigenous communities across British Columbia and the Yukon in safeguarding their ecosystems — using an innovative science known as environmental DNA, or eDNA.
Environmental DNA refers to the tiny fragments of genetic material that living organisms shed into their surroundings — whether in water, soil, or air. By analyzing these genetic traces, scientists can determine which species are present in a given environment, without having to physically capture or observe them. Originally leveraged during the COVID-19 pandemic to monitor viral presence in wastewater, eDNA is now being embraced as a tool for broader environmental and public health applications.
“Genomics is allowing us to ‘listen’ to the environment in a whole new way,” said Dr. Federica Di Palma, Chief Scientific Officer at Genome BC. “And when communities have access to this knowledge, it becomes a powerful tool for stewardship, health, and resilience.”
Genome BC, a not-for-profit research organization, has announced support for three pioneering projects aimed at expanding the use of eDNA technology in a way that respects Indigenous rights and enables local leadership.
ChùNet: A Network for Water-Based Knowledge
Co-led by Erin Gill of Simon Fraser University and Math’ieya Alatini of the One Yukon Coalition, the ChùNet initiative will establish a network to support eDNA water monitoring efforts in remote and Indigenous regions. The project includes hands-on training, community-led research, and a strong focus on Indigenous data sovereignty, guided by OCAP® principles (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession).
iMicroSeq: Linking Microbial Insights to Public Health
The iMicroSeq project, under the leadership of Fiona Brinkman and Emma Griffiths from Simon Fraser University, focuses on microbial DNA found in wastewater. The team is developing a nationwide platform to help detect pathogens, track disease, and connect insights across health, agriculture, and environmental sectors. Following the “One Health” philosophy, the system acknowledges the intertwined well-being of humans, animals, and ecosystems.
eDNA Explorer Canada: Making Biodiversity Data More Accessible
Led by Caren Helbing (University of Victoria) and Rachel Meyer (University of California, Santa Cruz), this project adapts an existing American tool to suit Canadian needs. The platform lets users visualize and share eDNA data on biodiversity, drawing on previous work by the iTrackDNA program — which played a key role in developing Canada’s national standards for eDNA sampling.
Over its 25-year history, Genome BC has invested in more than 550 projects across the province, helping advance scientific discovery and its real-world applications. This latest investment in eDNA marks a significant step toward giving communities the tools to better understand, protect, and manage their environments — on their own terms.
