"Project Mermaid" Launched by Bonne Belle Photography

Okanagan mermaids working to protect local lakes

Posted from Kelowna Now May 4, 2016 by Molly Gibson Kirby

Mythical sea creatures are being used to raise awareness of water issues in the Okanagan.

In honour of Water Week in British Columbia Bonne Belle Photography is launching an environmental awareness campaign titled “Project Mermaid Okanagan”.

The focus of the campaign is to show residents beautiful art, while showing very serious environment threats found in the lakes.

“The mermaid is a gentle water guardian, watching over the lakes,” said founder Bonnie Donovan.

“She is an ambassador between us and our environment and a reminder of how precious our waters are. Everyone loves her.”

One-minute commercials and print ads of mermaids on Okanagan beaches will circulate around social media and in local magazines.

2016_Project_Mermaid_Okanagan_ from Bonne Belle Photography on Vimeo

The portraits are drawing attention to issues like invasive mussel species. Donovan said the hope is to create a coffee table book next year that will feature well-known women in the Okanagan, posing as mermaids.

Each photograph has an official Project Mermaid Okanagan stamp and soon there will be photographs at different venues in the Okanagan to raise awareness about the campaign.

Even though stories tell us that mermaids are found in salt water not fresh, Donovan laughed that fact off.

“Do you really believe there are mermaids in the ocean? The mermaid is a fictional character, much like the Ogopogo, and we can put her wherever we want! We have a dolphin statue downtown, and we don’t have dolphins in Okanagan lake, either.”

Project Mermaid is supporting the current work being done by the Okanagan Basin Water Board.

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Kelowna/16/05/04/Okanagan_mermaids_working_to_protect_local_lakes/