A Historic Gift and a New Era
As 2024 comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the remarkable donors who have made our work possible. This year, one individual has stepped forward with an unprecedented show of support, setting a new benchmark for generosity.
About Our Donor, Kim Sturgess
Last week, we received our largest personal donation ever: $25,000 from P. Kim Sturgess, C.M., DSc., LLD., MBA, P.Eng., FCAE. We couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you, Kim, for placing your trust in us.
But Kim didn’t stop there. She also invested in nine other sister Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils, bringing her total contribution to an incredible $250,000. Talk about ending the year with a flourish!
This historic investment is perhaps less surprising coming from someone who has devoted her life to water. Under Kim’s leadership, WaterSMART Solutions Ltd. has become the go-to consultant for vital water modeling initiatives in Alberta. Her team was recently entrusted to lead a critical water-sharing agreement process for the Government of Alberta. The company’s success led to it being purchased recently by Hazen and Sawyer. Over the years, Kim has earned numerous accolades, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Her Words, Her Vision
“I have always believed that sustainable water management holds the key to a healthier future for us all,” Kim said when announcing her donation. “Supporting the work of watershed councils across the province is my way of helping to ensure that future.”
Kim presenting the historic donation cheque to Scott Millar, North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance Executive Director.
Why Every Donation Matters
With Kim’s significant investment, the Oldman Watershed Council will be able to amplify its efforts—rehabilitating more land, educating more people, and monitoring more creeks and rivers. Every dollar goes further thanks to our volunteers and partners.
2. Donations big or small have a tangible impact:
● A $5 donation can help purchase native plant seedlings that restore pollinator habitats and strengthen drought resilience.
● A $2000 donation can fund a comprehensive aquatic health assessment at one creek or river site, helping us monitor conditions and guide better management decisions.
Donor support also helps the Oldman Watershed Council serve as a credible, unbiased information source in times of drought, participate as an observer in provincial water-sharing processes, and lead educational initiatives that engage both youth and adults. For example, our school programs reached over 500 students this year—some learning about macroinvertebrates right in the stream, others exploring careers in environmental science. We also worked with municipalities and First Nations on drought workshops, consulted and developed content with regional food producers, and used new tools like virtual reality training to bring watershed stewardship to life.
Together with community members, we restore natural infrastructure by planting native willows, removing invasive weeds, and improving conditions upstream so that water is retained longer on the land. Over the past year we’ve planted thousands of willows across multiple sites, installed numerous beaver dam analogues alongside partner organizations, and participated in weed pulls and garbage cleanups, all thanks to volunteer power and donor support.
If you’d like more detailed information about our initiatives and accomplishments, please read our latest Annual Report.
OWC staff, partners, and volunteers preparing for a day of willow planting and restoration.
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
As we close out 2024, we remain deeply appreciative of all our donors—and especially to Kim, who has opened up new possibilities for 2025. Your faith in the Oldman Watershed Council is immeasurably meaningful, and we are as dedicated as ever to improving the health of the Oldman watershed by working collaboratively with all stakeholders and rights-holders.
By continuing to invest in education, on-the-ground restoration, unbiased research, and innovative approaches to monitoring and management, we can strengthen the resilience of our watersheds. Our work is not only about protecting the environment, it is also about ensuring our local economies are sustainable and communities healthy. We all depend on a watershed that is thriving and resilient.
Get Involved
Interested in becoming part of this positive change? Consider:
● Subscribing to our newsletter for updates on projects and events.
● Volunteering at a local restoration day.
● Making a donation of any size to help us continue our essential work.
From all of us at the Oldman Watershed Council, thank you for your support. Together, we can ensure a healthier, more vibrant watershed for generations to come. See you in 2025!
