Dr. Michael Russello, Principal Investigator (left), and Dr. Danielle Schmidt, Mitacs Accelerate Postdoctoral Fellow (right), testing protocols for water sampling and real-time, eDNA detection of invasive mussels on the shore of Lake Opinicon at Queen’s University Biological Station on July 22, 2026. (Image Credit: OBWB)

By Liam Verster

$584K Raised for eDNA System

Fundraiser to support mussel detection technology a success

Jul 29, 2026 | 11:05 AM

A Rotary-led campaign in support of a new invasive mussel detection tool has surpassed its goal.

Groups across the region raised more than $109,000 in support of an environmental DNA mussel detection system. That brought the fundraiser total up to $584,000, well above the goal of $475,000.

The funds will go to support a two year pilot project, led by researchers at the University of British Columbia Okanagan in partnership with the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB).

“We are extremely grateful to the Rotarians, foundations, local governments and individual donors who recognized the importance of this work and stepped forward to support it,” James Littley, Chief Operating Officer of the OBWB, stated.

“This is an excellent example of people coming together to address a major threat before it reaches our lakes.”

$584K Raised for eDNA System

Fundraiser to support mussel detection technology a success

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The fundraiser was kicked off with a $200,000 contribution from the OBWB, $100,000 from the Colin and Lois Pritchard Foundation, and $75,000 from Mitacs. The City of Kelowna-UBC Okanagan Research Alliance also contributed $100,000, and the Rotary Clubs raised the remaining $109,000.

“Rotarians have a mission to protect our planet and its resources and fund projects that have lasting impacts. We care deeply about our communities, and we are not afraid to tackle big issues,” Colin Pritchard said.

“When we learned about the threat invasive mussels pose, I knew we had to do something.

“The additional funding may allow the project to move beyond the initial research phase and help put this technology directly into the hands of watercraft inspectors,” he added. “I am very pleased with the outcome and grateful to my fellow Rotarians and everyone else who stepped forward to support this work.”

The eDNA system will collect and analyze small genetic samples taken from watercraft at roadside inspection stations, supplementing human inspectors and the mussel-sniffing dogs, of which there are only two in all of B.C.

“This research is harnessing leading-edge genomic technologies to help address an issue of the utmost importance to the Province and our community,” Dr. Michael Russello, Principal Investigator and UBC Okanagan Impact Research Chair in Conservation Genomics, stated.

“At the same time, the work is only possible because of our partnerships with researchers at the University of California, Davis and Queen’s University in Ontario, making this a North America-wide effort.”

Initial estimations claimed contamination through invasive zebra and quagga mussels could cost the province between $64-million and $129-million annually with potential impacts to hydroelectric facilities, drinking water systems, irrigation infrastructure, ports, marinas, tourism, real estate, and ecosystems, however the OBWB said that estimate was now closer to the hundreds of millions of dollars.

People bringing watercraft into the Okanagan are urged to Clean, Drain and Dry all their equipment, remove drain plugs during transport, and visit roadside inspection stations before entering the water.

by Liam Verster

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