Guest Post by Environment Lethbridge
Editor's Note: Tin cans, old boots, sprung mattresses - our coulees deserve better than that! Environment Lethbridge rolled up their sleeves and pitched in for their Southern Albeta Water Charter action!** Anyone can participate in #SAWC17 - join the movement! #SAWC17 runs from May long weekend to September long weekend and will wrap up with an awards ceremony for all participants who successfully complete the terms of their Charter!
Environment Lethbridge has completed their action for the Southern Alberta Water Charter! Environment Lethbridge was established in 2012, with a mandate to inspire and equip people in Lethbridge to take action towards sustainability. An important step towards becoming a more sustainable community is the protection of Oldman River, which is the source of our drinking water.
Volunteer collecting garbage along the coulee.
Volunteers in action.
OWC's Larin Guenther with a more memorable find in the coulee.
We are all interconnected to the local environment and have a direct impact on its health. The coulee defines the landscape of Lethbridge. Its health and protection directly impact our ecosystem and water supply as it provides a concentrated water supply to plant, mammal and bird species in the area. Keeping the coulee clear of trash and debris is important as runoff flows directly into the Oldman River.
To show our commitment to Southern Alberta Water Charter, we hosted a Coulee Clean-Up to assist in the removal of waste that can end in the river and/or impact the water that runs off into the coulee. Several staff and volunteers worked together to gather bags filled with plastic bottles, tins cans, disposable coffee cups and cigarette butts! We also found some more memorable items including an old mattress box spring, car parts, ceramic pieces and old signage.
Wild flowers and Cacti in bloom in the coulees.
Bees working hard in the coulee.
Another volunteer in action.
Everyone should have access to safe, clean drinking water. Protecting the quality of water in the Oldman River is important to everyone who depends on the Oldman River for drinking water. The Southern Alberta Water Charter works to protect our drinking water.
We encourage others to sign on to the Southern Alberta Water Charter and commit to making a direct difference in our watershed!. These commitments to our environment are not only beneficial to wildlife and ecosystems, they are crucial to our community.
Sign up your family, organization or business here; http://oldmanwatershed.ca/charter-participating/ It's fun, easy to do and a great way to get out in the watershed.
Volunteers with garbage collected in the coulees.
