Espace pour la vie and Génome Québec are inviting  the public to take part in a community science  activity whose aim is a better understanding of  the state of biodiversity in the St. Lawrence  River Estuary through an analysis of the  environmental DNA contained in a single  water sample. At the heart of this project lies the beluga,  an emblematic sentinel species in Québec. The initiative will help: support conservation efforts for key  St. Lawrence River species; better understand the biodiversity and changing  environment of the St. Lawrence River Estuary; mobilize the public around the importance of  preserving aquatic ecosystems. How to participate The public is invited to collect water samples containing  environmental DNA, following a protocol established by  Génome Québec and with support from the Biodôme  education team. Those samples will be analyzed at its  Centre d’expertise et de services, and the results will afterwards be available both for research purposes  and to the public Sampling dates and locations May 22, July 5 and August 23 La Malbaie | Centre Écologique de Port-au-Saumon Cacouna | Pointe de Cacouna Ktopeqonok May 23, July 6 and August 24 Tadoussac | Centre d’interprétation des mammifères marins Rimouski | Parc national du Bic code Beluga, an initiative of Génome Québec and Espace pour la vie