This is blog #8 in our “Understanding Drought” series. Are we “back to normal” after this summer? Find out!
Alberta has more native pollinators than you think! A whole host of solitary bees, social bees, wasps, and many more animals all pollinate our native and crop flowers. Many of them overwinter underground or in hollow stems, so a few small landscaping decisions this fall can provide crucial habitat.
Reducing our outdoor water use has the biggest potential to cut down on our water bills. Read on to discover the WXYZ’s of conserving water outside.
This is blog #7 in our “Understanding Drought” series where we answer the question on everyone’s mind: Are we still in a drought?
Overall, the study found that most well owners feel they are not susceptible to well contamination issues because they have not had any health concerns that they linked to their well water quality. Perceived susceptibility is critical, because it helps indicate how motivated people would be to test and/or treat their well.
“The Oldman Watershed Council allows everyone to have a voice and tell their story,” was Kyle Gouw’s answer as to why they chose to donate to the Oldman Watershed Council. “Everyone has a story about water. Water is not one person’s responsibility; it is everyone’s responsibility. Water ties us together. Water builds community.”
Southern Alberta relies on intensive agriculture and livestock production. When you drive through the countryside, what do you see? Lots of people want to know that their food is safe - but how much attention do we pay to what happens on our fields? There is real innovation happening in the Oldman watershed - and here's a story about hemp use and a special kind of recycling - another #SAWC17 project!
A great turn out at the first Voices of the Oldman: Ag Matters session in Taber last week. Lots of great discussion on watershed stewardship. We look forward to the upcoming Twin Butte & Area session on Feb 10. Check out first hand here - the experts who will be providing updates on stewardship initiatives in that area and what outcomes to expect in participating in the roundtable discussions yourself!
Find out a little bit more about the experts providing panel updates on agricultural stewardship activities that they are currently working on at the first Voices of the Oldman: Agriculture Matters session in Taber on Jan 31, 2017 from 2-5pm. Plus, more details on what outcomes can be expected by those participating.
Please join us in Taber January 31, Twin Butte February 10 or Stavely March 1!
The Oldman Watershed Council is excited to introduce a new brand of events called Voices of the Oldman. These events are an important opportunity to have your voice heard both locally and provincially. What we hear at these events will shape our projects and also the advice we give to the Government of Alberta.
You can get "smarter" too with the 5 things that Taren learned at the Farming Smarter Conference and Tradeshow 2016. The connection between urban and rural was a big theme, so whether you live in town or in the country, take a few moments and check out this blog on everything from crop research, to 4-H to facts about flax, and no-till practices - and why it matters for the food you eat and the health of the watershed.
SACPA recently invited us to present at the Lethbridge Public Library and give an update on our current research. Anna Garleff, Communications Specialist, and Shannon Frank, Executive Director, welcomed a full house and were excited to present history, maps, timelines and videos to the crowd. Thank you for coming - we had representation from throughout the watershed and we were thrilled to see everyone there. Here's the narrated PowerPoint for those who couldn't make it.
You will probably have seen the 3 videos that are now out about urban watershed management and health. They are available on our You Tube channel. Now in the works are 3 videos on urban themes - again, from a scientific viewpoint, one for the kids and one for the public. Thanks to the Potato Growers of Alberta for their collaboration and support of our Film Project ... and this write-up!
If you're an urbanite, you probably don't care about BMPs or know what they are. But I bet you've been to restaurants downtown and have eaten some pretty special veg!!! So whether you're a farmer, a rancher, or a city resident who just wants to understand where your food (Read: water) comes from .... read on! This article details lots of great resources in regards to sustainability in agriculture.
