Partnerships
Caring for our Watersheds
Caring for our Watersheds is an educational program sponsored by Agrium® that draws from the strengths of industry, environmental organizations, and communities to engage students in improving and preserving their watersheds. The program encourages students from grades 7-12 to develop creative solutions to watershed issues that are important in their community. Cash prizes are awarded to the top competitors and their schools in each category. The OWC is a partner with Agrium® to support students in the Oldman Watershed to submit their solution to a watershed issue. In 2009-2010, 200 students from Southern Alberta submitted their solution to answer the question “What can you do to improve your watershed?”
For more information and opportunities to get involved, visit CaringForOurWatersheds.com
Wetland Interpretive Signs
In 2006, the City of Lethbridge partnered with the Oldman Watershed Council to develop 10 interpretive signs along the path around the constructed wetland in Lethbridge's first sustainable community of SunRidge in southwest Lethbridge. The signs point out features of the wetland and explain the many important functions the wetland performs for the community. In 2010 the same signs will be adapted for the wetlands at the Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale.
The function of these constructed wetlands is to collect and filter storm water from yards and roads before the water is piped directly into the Oldman River. By doing this wetlands protect the Oldman River from pollutants such as dirt, herbicides, fertilizers, oil, gas and pet waste. They also offer recreational opportunities and beautify our urban spaces.
Environment Week
The first week of June every year is designated as Environment Week in Canada and the OWC is a member of the Lethbridge team that showcases environmental events held during that week. Past events have included a Bike and Barby for Clean Air, film nights and trade shows. In 2010 The Green List was created to recognize individuals, businesses and organizations that are taking “green” actions. A celebration gala was held for those nominated to the list. The Green List will grow every year – watch for a chance to nominate your environmental hero!
Weed Pulls
Invasive weeds can inhibit the function of a healthy watershed by out-competing native vegetation for space, moisture, and nutrients. When invasive plants displace native plants, biodiversity of the ecosystem declines, negatively affecting its function. They also cost our economy by reducing crop yields, endangering livestock and lowering property values.
The Oldman Watershed Council supports stewardship groups and individuals in their efforts to combat invasive plants. One successful example of these stewardship group events is the Pincher Creek Watershed Group. This group hosts the annual Blue Weed Blitz where enthusiastic community members hand pull blueweed from the riparian area of Pincher Creek in hopes of reducing and eliminating this weed. Other weed species to be aware of in your community are spotted knapweed, leafy spurge, and purple loosestrife. Watch for local events in your community.
Prairie Conservation Forum
The OWC is pleased to support the Alberta Prairie Conservation Forum. Sometimes we forget that the land in our watershed has a direct impact on the rivers, lakes and even groundwater. The Prairie Conservation Forum is a coalition of stakeholders and individuals who are active in conserving grassland and parkland ecosystems in Alberta. This group is currently involved in the implementation of the Prairie Conservation Action Plan.
The OWC is a proud member of the PCF Education Team that engages residents to raise awareness of grasslands issues. This team has assisted with organizing a Teacher’s Institute with Inside Education, held a Grassland Education Field Trip with youth in collaboration with the Helen Schuler Nature Centre and is working on developing an educational videoconference session for schools. For more information on the Prairie Conservation Forum, visit their website at www.albertapcf.org
Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
Every year in September volunteers from all across Canada spend some time picking up garbage from along our shorelines. The Oldman Watershed Council and Helen Schuler Nature Centre organize a cleanup along the Oldman River in Lethbridge. In 2011 six kayakers, 1 snorkeler and 20 more volunteers on foot cleaned the shoreline from the Nature Reserve at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre to the highway 3 bridge and back.
The most common finds were cigarette butts, food containers and packagingm, and bottle caps and lids. However the following are a list of some of the more odd items that were found: a chainsaw, a speargun (yes, you read that correctly!), 2 bicycles, lawn furniture, 6 blow up rafts and a shopping cart!
Drawn into Action Mapping Project
The Drawn into Action Project is an innovative spin-off of community mapping, which enables citizens to compile stories of their home. Community maps are useful tools to display and share community based knowledge, values and relationships. Field trips were also held to connect learners to the local ecosystems and to community. Pre and post mapping workshops incorporated techniques that would challenge and engage people’s artistic side to assist them in giving a voice to our watershed, the grasslands, local history and culture, wildlife species, and land-use perspectives. Art pieces developed during this mapping project were displayed in community – wide exhibits. The OWC sponsored the Helen Schuler Nature Centre who oversaw this project.
See a video of one groups’ participation here.
OWC Team Projects
Communications & Outreach Activities
OWC Website
OWC Bi-Weekly Update
OWC Display
Annual Reports
Quarterly Newsletters
Annual General Meeting Planning
Rural Team
Blackfoot Challenge Tour
Holding the Reins Workshop
Watershed Legacy Program
Watershed Stewardship Tour
State of the Watershed Team
State of the Watershed Report
Urban Team
Prairie Urban Garden
Prairie Urban Garden Tour
Lethbridge Home and Garden Show
Yellow Fish Road
Integrated Watershed Management Team
Integrated Watershed Management Plan
Visioning for the Integrated Watershed Management Team
Final Vision and Qualitative Outcome Statements
Watershed Science Team
Science Forum
Watershed Science Tour