What’s cute, fuzzy, and sleeps through winter? Bumble bees! Find out where they hunker down in winter, and what cues tell them it’s time to emerge and forage in spring.
The Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) has received many requests for information about coal mining. In this FAQ blog, we answer the most common questions and provide links for readers seeking additional details and information.
What is natural infrastructure, and how can it benefit communities? Read the first blog in our new series to find out!
A historic donation has been made to OWC and the province’s WPACs.
There has been a lot of talk about the road paving to the Castle and the installation of water lines - along the lines of this development can't be good for the watershed. We are THRILLED that so many people are beginning to consider the impact of development! Here's the inside scoop, and the science to base your arguments on ...
You've asked: "What does it matter how many trails there are? What does it matter if the trail is made by motorized vehicles or, say, horses? What does it matter if an abandoned access road is used as a trail? How can anybody say the backcountry isn't healthy - after all, I just saw a moose back there!" OWC's Rob Taylor answers all ...
Recently, the OWC took Minister Phillips and MLA Fitzpatrick up to the headwaters for a tour of our area of special interest, Dutch Creek, and some flyfishing. We got the opportunity to capture some of it on film. In this clip, Minister Phillips explains how the OWC - and the other 10 Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils across Alberta - help inform her work.
What are we actually DOING to improve the health of our watershed? The OWC is working closely and carefully with all stakeholders over the last years to identify 8 Goals. As the birthplace of our water, protecting the headwaters is a priority. We created the Headwaters Action Team and the Headwaters Action Plan. Continuing on our successes of last year out in the backcountry, our 4 Outreach Assistants are going to help put that plan into action this summer. We'd like to introduce you to Rob Taylor ...
The top 4 priority actions selected by the mulit-stakeholder Headwaters Action Team (HAT) are: 1) Complete A Linear Features Classification (completed) 2) Complete fine-scale cumulativeeffects assessment of fish populations and habitat streams (underway) 3) Assist Environment & Parks with the prevention of quatic invasive species (ongoing) and 4) Explore options for recreation user fees to fund enforcement, education and stewardship projects (underway). Four Outreach Assistants have been hired to build on the work done last summer by OWC's Outreach Assistants Adam Janzen and Rowan Garleff, together with our Collaborative Partners, in Dutch Creek and elsewhere in the headwaters. This is Nicola Spencer, one of three new Outreach Assistants for this season. Meet Nicola ...
Things are hopping busy at the OWC as we ramp up for the summer season and the Engaging Recreationists Project. The aim is to get ALL USERS of the backcountry to understand the importance of watershed management and health, and to respect the role that waterbodies and the land that surrounds them play in providing drinking water to everyone downstream. This summer, OWC is training a team of 4 Outreach Assistants. Meet the 2nd member of our team, Ryan Bell!
Our Engaging Recreationists project is ramping up! Last year, we had 2 Outreach Assistants in the backcountry, piloting our outreach project. This year, we are doubling that capacity and have hired the first of 4 Outreach Assistants (OAs) who will be helping with restoration work and education in the backcountry. Led by Education Manager Sofie Forsstrom, the project is set to take off soon and we will announce the other OAs as they come aboard ...
