by Watershed Stewardship Assistant, Rachel Morris.
Banner Photo: OWC staff with our newly wrapped truck at a planting site! Left to right: Rachel, Sofie, Debra, Maria, Kallie. Photo by Kallie Desruisseaux.
As winter arrives, the OWC team is looking back on all the fieldwork we did during spring, summer, and fall of 2024. We did more stream biomonitoring this year than ever before; we got a whole bunch of students into the field to learn about science; and we were involved in a wide range of restoration projects. On top of that, we welcomed a new restoration manager, Debra, and our loyal field truck got a makeover. Keep reading to check out field updates and stories from our whole team!
What We Got Up To
We’ve Caught CABIN Fever!
CABIN (Canadian Aquatic BIomonitoring Network) is a national protocol for sampling streams. It uses benthic macroinvertebrates (creatures such as insects that live in stream beds) to evaluate stream health. This year, we sampled 19 sites, which includes 8 potential reference sites for building a future reference model. We scouted out a further 28 possible sampling sites. We also trained two new staff and one member of a partner organization in CABIN sampling protocol.
Kallie, Deb, Rachel, Sofie, and volunteer Cody at a CABIN field site on Beaver Creek. Photo by Kallie Desruisseaux.
Believe it or not, there’s a creek in this photo! Maria is about to kick net Indian Creek, a small stream on Waldron Ranch. Photo by Rachel Morris.
Deb measuring a pebble during the 100 pebble count, an important part of CABIN sampling which allows you to characterize the streambed habitat by the size of the rocks. Photo by Sofie Forsström.
Deb kick-netting to collect the benthic macroinvertebrate sample at Sharples Creek. Photo by Kallie Desruisseaux.
Rachel processing a benthic invertebrate sample at Lee Creek. Photo by Kallie Desruisseaux.
The entire OWC CABIN crew (Kallie, Rachel, Sofie, Debra, and Maria) at Todd Creek, scouting out reference sites. Always wear hi-vis clothing during hunting season! Photo by Maria Albuquerque
Training Future Fieldworkers
Our X-Stream Science program brings grade 7-12 students into the field to learn about watershed health, benthic macroinvertebrates, and water sampling techniques. This year we brought 221 students into the field to get their hands dirty (and wet) trying out scientific fieldwork!
The X-Stream Science program starts with an in-class explanation of field techniques. Here Rachel is describing the procedures to students at the PEAKS Campus, Crowsnest Pass. Photo by Maria Albuquerque.
Students collect a sample of benthic invertebrates by kicking up sediment and collecting it in a net. Here’s a creek’s-eye view at Todd Creek! Photo by Sofie Forsström.
A group of students examining their benthic invertebrate sample. They will sort and identify the animals they found, then tally the number of types to evaluate the invertebrate community. All animals are released at the end of the program. Photo by Maria Albuquerque.
These sorted insect trays from X-Stream Science at Todd Creek contain dragonfly larvae, stonefly larvae, mayfly larvae, a hellgramite (dobsonfly larva), watersnipe larvae, and more! Photo by Rachel Morris.
A student holding a larval (juvenile) stonefly, which lives on rocky streambeds. When mature, this animal will grow wings and become terrestrial. Photo by Maria Albuquerque.
After assessing the benthic macroinvertebrates, students measure a number of water chemistry parameters, like dissolved oxygen. Photo by Sofie Forsström
At the end of the program, students gather for the final discussion about what their results mean for the health of their creek. Photo by Maria Albuquerque.
Restoration Recap
In 2024, OWC worked on eight of our own restoration projects. We planted:
1,285 willows for riparian health
2,981 indigenous flowers and shrubs for pollinator habitat.
1,110 trees and 1,890 (non-willow) shrubs for carbon storage and habitat.
Rachel and Deb digging through snow and soil to plant potted willows along Belly River, November 2024. Photo by Sofie Forsström.
Kallie taking a selfie with a newly planted sandbar willow (Otsipiis). Photo by Kallie Desruisseaux
Shannon watering a newly planted strawberry (ootsistsíín) plant at Naapi’s Garden, July 2024. Photo by Rachel Morris.
Rachel, Maria, Deb, and Sofie celebrating after a big day of planting willows on Willow Creek! November 2024. Photo by Kallie Desruisseaux.
We also pitched in at nine restoration and stewardship events put on by our partners, including:
Beaver dam analogue (BDA) building, willow staking, and wattle fencing with Freshwater Conservation Canada (FCC), formerly Trout Unlimited Canada. We attended four FCC restoration projects, as well as their annual fish rescue.
BDA building with Cows & Fish.
Trail building and maintenance with the Alberta Hiking Association. We attended two trail build days.
Maria assembling a BDA at Trout Creek. Photo by Rachel Morris.
OWC and Freshwater Conservation Canada (FCC) staff celebrating after building a BDA (visible in foreground) at Trout Creek. Photo by Maria Albuquerque.
Rachel, Laurie from Cows & Fish, and Maria at work on a BDA at a Cows & Fish restoration project at Scott’s Coulee, Piikani Nation. Photo by Debra Still.
Deb en route to collect willow stakes for a FCC streambank restoration project at Lee Creek. Photo by Rachel Morris.
Volunteers, including OWC staff, getting ready to electrofish at the FCC fish rescue, Belly River irrigation canals. Photo by Maria Albuquerque.
A Trout-perch removed from the irrigation canals at the FCC fish rescue. Photo by Maria Albuquerque.
Hear It From the Team
OWC staff answered questions about their highs, lows, and takeaways of the 2024 field season. Keep reading to learn all about it!
Shannon: What was your favourite field day this season?
My favourite day of the field season was at Naapi's Garden and Katoyiss Seed Bank during the Kainai Ecosystem Protection Association (KEPA) 10th Annual Summit. Our dear friend and watershed partner, Api'soomaahka, gave a tour of the grassland he is restoring in Kainai Nation, and about 35 participants planted native flowers to increase namoo (pollinator) habitat. It is so inspiring to see people taking action to improve the watershed! It's what keeps me going year after year.
Kallie: What was your favorite place you worked in the watershed this field season?
Sofie, Rachel, Debra, volunteer Cody, and I had a jam-packed couple days when we did CABIN sampling at multiple sites, camped overnight, and did more scouting sites the next day. It was so busy, in fact, that I can't recall the name of this stream where I took this picture on the right. To get to this spot we had to walk down a hill, around and over an electric fence, we had to fight off some cows (just kidding, but there were cows) and eventually we ended up in this beautiful natural tapestry. CABIN sampling is a fun and peaceful endeavour, just you and your team and the beautiful stream. The sun was getting low in the sky, and reflected off the water like it was made of diamonds. I could have stayed in that place forever, it was so idyllic. There were many sites like this in our CABIN field season. Sometimes it feels like we went to places no human has ever been to before, they seem that pristine. Working for OWC has increased my love for being in nature, and I can't wait to revisit these sites again in the future.
Sofie: Do you have any tips to ensure a successful field season?
First of all, live and work in a beautiful watershed! As a project manager, safety is my top priority. There is a lot of work that happens behind the scenes to prepare for fieldwork. We invest in training (our staff certifications range from Standard to Advanced Wilderness First Aid, as well as defensive driving, WHMIS, etc.), equipment (e.g. first aid kit, hi-vis clothing, maps, bear spray), and safety plans with comprehensive hazard assessment, route plan, and check-in procedures using an inReach for two-way satellite communication. In the summer, hats and hydration are essential; in winter, staying warm, dry, and hydrated are just as important. Keeping well-fueled is invaluable year-round—both the vehicle and the people! By ensuring everyone is safe, warm/dry, and happy, we can readily face nearly any challenge that fieldwork brings.
Maria: What was your biggest challenge this field season?
This year, when we were sampling Yarrow Creek, I was surprised by the snow and low temperatures that definitely didn't match my layers. Although I am very grateful for being in one of the most beautiful places in our watershed, sitting on the snow and walking in a freezing creek was one of my biggest challenges this season! After about two hours at the site, I kept asking myself, "Why did I decide to work in the environmental field in Alberta, one of the coldest places on Earth?", "Why have I moved from the warm tropical air of my hometown to a freezer?", "I could do this in a much more pleasant temperature wearing tank tops!". The negative thoughts and the cold coming from my wet wader boots overtook me, making it even more difficult to finish sampling. On the other hand, my coworkers were extremely happy and excited to see snow in this unique magical place. They kept being positive and encouraging - "Maria, you are doing so great!" but I just wanted it to be done. When we finished, we had an incredible hill to climb (walk, but it felt like climbing) with all our gear, and I had to find the last bit of energy to haul our equipment up to the truck. When we were all done, I was exhausted but also very proud of myself and my team, who kept being positive and rugged the whole time! We sampled two sites on a pristine ecoregion with no easy access. When I think I helped get environmental data that will support our watershed's health, it is very rewarding! I thank my team for keeping me going despite the challenges, and if there is anyone else from a warm country who is reading this blog, don't forget that it is all about the layers, a positive mind, and having a great team!
Debra: Any fieldwork tips & tricks to share with our watershed residents?
I think the biggest tips and tricks I can give when it comes to field work are layers and snacks! When a field day starts off at -5 and ends up being +22 by the afternoon, you need to know how to layer. It is an art form! Alongside this, is snacks!! No one wants to work with a hangry coworker, or be one for that matter. Having snacks that fuel you and also make you do a lil' happy dance in the field are mood setting for the entire day! When in doubt, bring chocolate and sour candies!
Rachel: Top 3 most memorable moments of the field season?
One of my most memorable fieldwork moments was CABIN sampling mid-september when we found a giant water bug, or toebiter! They are the size of my thumb and look super cool. I stopped in the middle of the pebble count to point it out and the whole team ran to look! It’s very special that even as we’re in the middle of fieldwork our team is willing to stop and look at cool plants or animals.
Another impressive moment was when we were camping at Maycroft between sampling days. Deb started a fire with no matches (on the first try!), which should have earned her a Scouts badge.
Finally, at one of our last CABIN sites in Castle Wildland PP, three of us hauled our sampling gear up the most enormous hill over rugged terrain in the snow. Our team’s resilience and ruggedness is truly inspiring. I can’t wait for next field season!
Thank You!
A huge thank you goes out to all of the volunteers, partners, and landowners we worked with this season, for making all these accomplishments possible!
Our fieldwork was funded in part by grants from:
Thanks for reading! Happy winter and see you next year!
