Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPAC's) are regional in scope. These are also multi-stakeholder groups that are leading watershed planning efforts in their respective regions. These groups are tasked with preparing a State of the Watershed report, highlighting the current conditions of their watersheds. They will also prepare Integrated Watershed Management Plans which will achieve the goals set out in the Water for Life Strategy.

Watershed Stewardship Groups (WSG's) have a local focus on protecting the watershed. WSG’s are volunteer led community groups that are actively involved in environmental stewardship of the watershed. Members include individuals, organizations, industry, agriculture, municipal and other forms of local government that are participating in grass roots projects which are making a very positive impact on the quality and quantity of our water and are demonstrating good land use practices.

WPAC's - Watershed Planning and Advisory Council

Under Alberta's Water for Life strategy, Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs) have been established for each of Alberta's major watershed basins. These councils are multi-stakeholder non-profit organizations that bring public and private sector stakeholders and individuals in a watershed together to assess the conditions of their watershed and to develop a plan and activities to address watershed issues.

Currently, nine watersheds have organizations formally recognized as Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils:

Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils currently under development include:
Athabasca WPAC

Also, check out the Elbow River Water Partnership and their recent Elbow River Basin Water Management Plan:
Elbow River Water Partnership

WSG's - Watershed Stewardship Groups

Watershed stewardship groups in the Oldman River watershed are made up of volunteer citizens who take the initiative to protect their local creek, stream, stretch of river or lake. Watershed stewardship groups proactively develop on-the-ground solutions to ensure the protection of the Oldman River watershed.

To view a map of the Watershed Stewardship Groups in the Oldman Basin, click here.

Stewardship Groups within the Oldman Watershed Council