CANTON — St. Lawrence University is slated to receive $10,000 from a nonprofit organization to produce online content supporting the preservation of the ecosystems of the St. Regis, Grasse, and Raquette rivers.

The money, funneled through Humanities New York, will be used by the North Country Rights of Nature Project to create a “bill of rights” for the ecosystems, and an online exhibit showcasing the history of the three rivers and North Country communities' connections with the waterways. The online exhibition will feature an interactive historical timeline of articles and illustrated animations.

The North Country Rights of Nature Project is led by St. Lawrence Professor and Chair of Global Studies John Collins in collaboration with Weave News, an independent media outlet, and Talking Wings Productions, a group of environmental storytellers.

As part of the grant funded project, Weave News will publish a series of articles showcasing members of the community and leaders of the "Rights of Nature" movement.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the North Country Rights of Nature Project will be completed virtually. The grant, which is supported by the Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan Action Grant, was awarded to just over 22 percent of applicants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, said a press release from St. Lawrence University.

The North Country Rights of Nature Project will conclude March 22, with a virtual symposium moderated by Talking Wings Productions and high school-age youth groups.

The symposium will welcome government officials, legal experts, and scientists, including representatives from the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Adirondack Diversity Initiative, to discuss a new governance system for waterways and develop a bill of rights for the three rivers.