Watermarks: How Our Personal Stories Inspire Environmental Action

Personal stories are powerful drivers of environmental action. Gregary Ford, Vice President at Swim Drink Fish, introduces the concept of a “Watermark”—a lasting impression left by a personal connection to water. These stories, rooted in memory and emotion, inspire sustainable behaviour and fuel collective advocacy through the Watermark Project. By combining personal conviction with professional leadership, we can turn individual experiences into meaningful environmental change.

Tracing the Origins of Your Environmental Conscience 

Can you trace the first ripple of your environmental conscience? Why do you care about sustainability? How did you first develop a conservation ethic? 

These answers are not found in our quarterly reports, statistics, or company policies. You probably felt these things long before your first paycheck or the first time you were awarded for your volunteer efforts. These answers originate in your story. It’s a story of connection, a deeply personal story. 

What Is a Watermark?

At Swim Drink Fish, we call these stories “watermarks”—the impressions left by our encounters with water. Like a unique mark on a page, a watermark reveals the origin and meaning of something precious. For us, it’s the profound imprint of a lake, river, or ocean, that whisper of where we belong and what truly matters. 

Somewhere, some body of water is a part of your story. Somewhere, something made you care about reducing GHG emissions. Something made you commit yourself to nonprofit work protecting species at risk. Something made you choose to champion sustainable procurement practices. Something made you put up your hand in grade school, volunteering for the recycling committee. 

For me, it’s the crisp, almost metallic scent of Lake Erie after a summer storm, the way the waves would wash against the sand dunes, a symphony of wildness that both thrilled and calmed me. It’s the memory of my mom, an avid camper, taking my younger brother and I on a whirlwind tour of Canada’s greatest Great Lakes, the relentless energy of those waves mirrored in her eyes.

“These aren’t just memories; they’re the fabric of my connection to the natural world. They’re my Watermark. These memories, these stories, are what makes me tick, and what brought me to Swim Drink Fish, what made me dedicate myself to our waters”. – Gregary Ford

And I know I’m not alone. As I share my story with you, I guarantee you’ve thought of a place special to you. A memory of why you got into the work you do. And maybe it sparked something. And maybe, by sharing your story, you can spark something in someone else. A team member during a morning huddle, a family member around the dinner table, a friend across the tennis court from you. 

The Power of Personal Connection

And this phenomenon is not isolated. Research increasingly demonstrates the profound link between personal connection to nature and pro-environmental behaviour. Studies on “nature connectedness” reveal that individuals who feel a strong emotional bond with the natural world are likelier to adopt sustainable lifestyles and advocate for environmental protection. 

This is the power of the Watermark Project. We invite you to share your own true story about your connection to a body of water. It could be your most powerful memory—positive, negative, neutral, or otherwise—of time spent on, or around, a waterbody. Whatever your story may be, your Watermark indicates that you are an active part of water heritage. 

Once submitted, these Watermarks are stored and shared in a digital archive, creating a permanent, open-access, and ever-growing record of the relationship between people and their water. This archive becomes more than just a collection of stories; it becomes a powerful tool for advocacy. By documenting the value of our waterbodies, we help researchers identify waters where people swim, drink, boat, or fish, ensuring that those uses can be protected in the future. Watermarks serve as a legal record in waterbody protection across Canada, ensuring that environmental laws are applied to safeguard our waters from harm. 

From Inspiration to Action

But stories alone are not enough. We need to act. The profound insights gained from these personal connections must be translated into tangible progress through dedicated, strategic action. This is where the invaluable work of leaders like yourselves becomes paramount. Your daily efforts, whether in pioneering clean technologies, shaping robust environmental policies, implementing sustainable business practices, or driving community engagement, are the essential bridge between inspiration and implementation. You are at the forefront of translating environmental consciousness into measurable outcomes, demonstrating that a deep-seated ethic can indeed drive systemic change. 

By advancing renewable energy solutions, championing circular economy principles, restoring critical habitats, or fostering responsible resource management, you are directly safeguarding the natural spaces that serve as sources of profound personal connection. Your leadership not only protects the environment but also cultivates an environment where personal connection to nature can flourish, inspiring others within your organizations and broader communities to embrace sustainable practices. 

It is this relentless pursuit of meaningful change, grounded in both personal conviction and professional expertise, that truly amplifies our collective impact. This daily dedication to solving complex environmental challenges is the most powerful form of advocacy, demonstrating what is possible when passion meets purpose. And it starts with a story. 

What’s Your Watermark?

So, I urge you to consider your own Watermark. What stories do you carry within you? How can you use those stories to inspire others?  

By sharing our stories and taking action, we create a ripple effect, a wave of change that extends far beyond our individual experiences. We become part of a collective effort to ensure healthy waters and environment for generations to come. And that, ultimately, is the most powerful story of all.