About
The Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) is a not-for-profit organization in southern Alberta, Canada. We are one of 11 Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs) in Alberta, mandated by the provincial government to provide an independent voice for watershed management and health under the province's Water For Life strategy.
This video is about who we are, what we do, and why we do it!
The OWC consists of the staff and over 700 members who work collaboratively with all residents and stakeholders to improve the Oldman River watershed and ensure water security by:
improving and sharing knowledge
building and strengthening partnerships
providing a science-based forum for all voices to be heard
promoting and facilitating community and institutional action and stewardship
developing and implementing integrated land and water plans.
The OWC is governed by a Board of Directors that is comprised of nineteen representatives from various stakeholder sectors, and four members at large.
The OWC was formed in September 2004, when the Oldman River Basin Water Quality Initiative merged with the Oldman Basin Advisory Council. When the province's Water for Life strategy was released, these two groups combined to provide a diverse partnership that is knowledgeable in all areas of watershed management, including sustainable water management and land-use practices in the Oldman River basin.
WPACs are mandated to create a State of the Watershed Report and an Integrated Watershed Management Plan. The OWC has accomplished these targets and is moving through implementation.
The provincial government's Water For Life action plan includes three goals that form the basis for policy direction and reflect social, economic, and environmental priorities.
Water For Life Goals:
Safe secure drinking water
Healthy aquatic ecosystems
Reliable quality water supplies for a sustainable economy
