The Oldman goes to Hollywood!

(well …almost …)

Good news from the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) - funding is in place to extend the Communications Coordinator’s contract until spring 2015! Anna Garleff was hired in February, 2014, to put in place several enduring key communications tools and to train the team in their use.



The signature piece of this suite is a film. It will not be a typical educational film. Rather, it will create a space for people to have an experience and draw their own conclusions through presentation of the facts. This is important in a watershed with perhaps the most extreme stakeholder diversity: the goal of the film is to communicate clearly where water comes from, where it ultimately goes and what happens in between.

The core message is: "We are all downstream". 

About 10 - 15 minutes in length, this film will be presented at: exhibitions and trade shows; schools; Watershed Planning & Advisory Council summits; municipal, county and provincial government meetings; in conservation and environmental arenas; and more. It will be made available on the web site free-of-charge and will be an important tool to attract further donors and sponsors.

This film will be shown to audiences up and down the watershed - and beyond - with the intent to educate, inspire and contribute to a stronger sense of community. It will portray southern Alberta's diversity and entrepreneurship via watershed use. Following the growth of the region from the mid-1700s through to 2025, it will use historical photos, interactive maps from the ALCES project (A Landscape Cumulative Effects Simulator - headed by Dr. Brad Stelfox), and spectacular footage of the people, places and landscapes. 

The film is the centre piece to a larger vision. Complementary to the film, spin-off videos will be created around 10 themes, such as:  Irrigation, Recreational Vehicle Use, Water Quality, Invasive Species, etc. – as well as the story of OWC itself.



In addition to our own Board, we have consulted with: Dr. Kerry McArthur (a film scholar) about the conceptual ideas; Dr. Mark Wolfe (a Communications Professor) about the integrity of the ideas; Belinda Crowson (a local provincial historian and author) about the accuracy of the timeline; William Singer, Lori Brave Rock, and Elders of the Kainai (Blood Tribe) regarding the creation story and the naming of the river; Debby Gregorash – one of the founders of the pre-OWC entities; Pete Lovering (SouthGrow); Roger Hohm (Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development / Irrigation Secretariat); David Hill (University of Lethbridge); George Gallant (a film maker; Lethbridge College); Clint Dunford (former provincial Cabinet Minister); and, Morton Molyneux (a long-time film maker) about the viability of the script. Thumbs up from everyone!!!



After all, it is their story, too. It is up to us to show the way forward for future generations of people who depend on the Oldman River watershed for work, play and existence. 

Over the years, the OWC has had incredible support from its many volunteers and donors. The OWC mandate has much in common with the environmental stewardship goals of industry, tourism, farming, ranching and recreation … to name a few. So many people and organizations are working hard to promote progressive water management practices with the inherent awareness that "Water is vital to life, the environment and the social and economic well-being of communities" (Ref: Alberta Irrigation Project Association). This presumes a common understanding of the challenges and opportunities. We believe this film project will increase the common understanding exponentially.

The Oldman Watershed Council is inviting key decision-makers / thinkers / community builders and supporters to be a part of this exciting project!


OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE ¹
We are  seeking five (5) 'founding partners' to provide  initial seed money through a donation of $1,000 each.      
We are also requesting donations from individuals in any amount from $10 and above – as well as strong organizational support.


The OWC thanks you sincerely for your consideration to support this exciting project!!





TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE FILM OR HOW TO BECOME A SPONSOR,       PLEASE CONTACT:
Anna Garleff, PhD in proficio
Communications Coordinator, Oldman Watershed Council
anna@oldmanbasin.org OR 587 224 3793 (cell) OR 403 3824239 (OWC office)


HERE'S HOW YOU CAN BECOME A SPONSOR OF THE OWC FILM PROJECT:


OPTION A:  BECOME ONE OF THE FIVE FOUNDING PARTNERS*

Every entrepreneurial idea needs seed money - those vital funds to both begin the project and also inspire others to become involved. The OWC is looking for five (5) Founding Partners - individuals or organizations - to provide $1,000 to kick-start this inspiring project.

Opportunities Include:
o    Your Watershed Story will be professionally written and released to all media channels, including the press and our blog
o    first mention thank you with your name and logo on the credits of the film
o    mentions throughout the film release on our social media channels (i.e., Facebook, Twitter,  Blog, OWC website)
o    credit on all media releases and articles
o     a cheque-signing ceremony as part of a media / fundraising campaign
o    free access to the film to show to your stakeholders / audiences
o    a tax-free charitable receipt


 *The OWC is thrilled to announce that the
 City of Lethbridge - Water Department - is confirmed as the first Founding Partner. 

As of this afternoon, the second Founding Partner is Heleen Jacobsen of realestatecentre.ca



OPTION B: BECOME A COLLABORATIVE PARTNER

Let's face it. Some of our most important work here in southern Alberta is reliant on water to thrive, survive and create the conditions for prosperity for the region. Highly complex, these organizations have a hard time communicating to the public what they do, how they use and care for water and why their work will become of increasing importance as time goes by. The OWC is inviting sponsors of $5,000 and above to collaborate directly in an enduring relationship with the OWC.  

Opportunities Include:
o    Three 5-minute (approx) videos about you, your business and why watershed health is essential to it.
 (These will be scripted, filmed and edited professionally and will:  populate our You Tube Channel, be featured on our website and form an essential part of watershed education for the OWC. As applicable, one video will be aimed at schools, the second for the general public, and the third for other professionals and scientists in the field.)
o    an invitation to speak and be filmed at our upcoming OWC Watershed Summit 2015
o    a name and logo mention on the credits of the film
o    mentions throughout the film release on our social media channels (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Blog, OWC website)
o    credit on all media releases and articles, including a new suite of printed OWC material
o    a cheque-signing ceremony as part of a media / fundraising campaign
o    free access to the film to show to your stakeholders / audience s
o    a tax-free charitable receipt




OPTION C:  Both A and B
Yes, it is possible to become a Collaborative partner 
AND 
get your Watershed Story written with first credits on the film -
 - Be one of the first 5 Founding Partner sponsors!



OPTION D: BECOME A FRIEND OF THE OLDMAN WATERSHED COUNCIL

We are all part of the watershed; we use water to bathe, recreate, prepare our food, keep our lawns green and for our kids to run through when the summer days are hot. Water IS life and it's essential that the headwaters remain in a healthy condition so that there is plentiful, clean water for generations to come. We are ALL downstream. The Oldman Watershed Council is inspired by the outpouring of support for a smarter, more caring world where people interact with the environment like it's the only one we've got. The OWC welcomes all gifts of any amount - or community-sourced fundraising - to help make this film the best that it can be.

Opportunities include:
o    an invitation to a "how to film the watershed" seminar (to be offered in Taber, Lethbridge, Pincher Creek) after the film release
o    an invitation to participate in the OWC Watershed Summit 2015
o    mentions throughout the film release on our social media channels (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Blog, OWC website)
o    free access to the film to show to your stakeholders / audiences
o    a tax-free charitable receipt
o    Donations from anyone under 18 will be honoured with a photo opportunity with the OWC and a special blog posting