Attend OWC's Annual General Meeting!

Attend OWC's Annual General Meeting!

Join Us! This is your opportunity to catch up with friends, make new ones and have fun learning about OWC's accomplishments over the past year! Interactive games and unique door prizes top off this free event in Lethbridge! Register today!!

Dirty Your Boots for the Clean Community Challenge

Would you like to participate in the clean community challenge this summer? This is a great way to get your first stamp of the summer, or add to the participation stamps you already have. We will have Clean Community Cards available at the first knapweed pull of the 2016 season, so gather your team and get ready for a fun evening of invasive plant removal! A little bit of volunteer time, a pair of gloves and some team work is all it takes. Call Curtis at Helen Schuler Nature Center – 403-320-3064 to register.

City of Lethbridge departments, including Helen Schuler Nature Centre, Parks, and Water, with the assistance of the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC), are inviting members of the community to join in the fight against invasive plants by participating in a weed pull this summer. Weed pulls are planned for the third Thursday of each month through the summer 5pm-9pm and will target Knapweed species in problem-areas:

May 19th – Helen Schuler Nature Centre
First weed pull of the season – meet at the Coal Mining Kiosk beside HSNC @ 5:00 pm

June 16th – Meet in Galt museum parking lot

July 21st – Elizabeth Hall Wetlands

August 18th – Botterill Bottom park

September 15th – – Helen Schuler Nature Centre
Last weed pull of the season – meet at the Coal Mining Kiosk beside HSNC @ 5:00 pm

Each weed pull will start at 5:00pm with an informative talk from local experts about issues affecting our watershed, and how each of us can make a positive difference! Of course there will be snacks, drinks, gloves, bags and tools to be provided to participants. Prizes will be awarded to volunteers throughout the summer! We will have a table set up at the start location with someone handing out the supplies you need through the evening.

Anyone wishing to participate can contact the Nature Centre for more details or to register – 403-320-3064 – or just show up!

Alberta’s Fire Emergency - Imagine How You Would Feel...Don’t Let it be You

ATTENTION: With the support of the Alberta Off-Highway Vehicle Association and due to extreme fire hazards, the Government of Alberta has issued a province-wide ban on the use of ALL recreational off-highway vehicles on public lands and provincial parks, effective immediately. This ban does not include agricultural, commercial, industrial or First Nations use. Additionally, the ban does not include camping or the use of RV’s. 

Details here: Government of Alberta Link

 

Imagine knowing that it was your fault, that something you thought was insignificant cost someone their home, their life or the life of a loved one. When venturing out into the backcountry this spring, remember that more than half of all wildfires in Canada are human caused and do your part to insure that human isn’t you.

By now, we’ve all seen the horrible devastation caused by forest fires in the community of Fort McMurray and area. Extremely dry conditions have set the stage for similar blazes across the province, leading the Government of Alberta to implement a province-wide fire ban. This ban is not to be taken lightly, as even a small oversight can escalate into tragedy.

Right now valuable resources are needed to deal with the situation in the Fort McMurray area and new fire outbreaks would put a significant strain on everyone involved. In this difficult time, we must all do our part to reduce the risk of forest fires in every possible situation.

Info for Campers:

The Provincial Government issued a province-wide fire ban as of May 5th. Under this ban, the following are

PROHIBITED:

  • Use of ALL wood, briquette and propane or natural gas fires

  • Patio heaters, turkey fryers and Tiki torches

PERMITTED:

  • Liquid or gas fueled stoves and BBQs that meet the CSA  or UL standards

  • Liquid or gas fueled lanterns (enclosed flame) that meet CSA or UL standards

While some camping appliances are still permitted, it is important to use caution during any activity that may increase the risk of wildfires.

The recent ban on OHV use is mandatory. When this ban ends, or if using OHV's on private land, here is some important information regarding fire prevention.

Info for Recreational Vehicle Users:

All Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) and All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) users are encouraged to practice extreme caution when heading out this season as the fire hazard in our watershed is already high. Remember that if you are found responsible for the start of a wildfire you may be charged under the Forest and Prairie Protection Act and be held responsible for the cost of extinguishing the fire.

Here are some tips from the Alberta Government to prevent starting a wildfire while enjoying the backcountry.

  • Before you ride, ensure that there is no debris build up

  • Always carry a small fire extinguisher and collapsible shovel to put out small fires

  • Wash your OHV regularly at a commercial car-wash or your home

  • Remember that you are required to have a spark arrester on your OHV

For more information check out these helpful links:

Alberta Fire Bans by phone: 1-866-394-3473

Alberta Parks

Alberta Environment and Parks

Alberta Wildfire App for Android and IPhone

If you spot a wildfire or see an out-of-control fire call 310-FIRE (toll-free) anywhere in Alberta.

Thank you to the Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad, Southern Alberta Off Road and many others who are encouraging their members to recreate responsibility or stay home during this fire season to reduce the risks. 

Only a week left to renew!

Only a week left to renew!

Having a large membership helps OWC get funding and attract volunteers. It's FREE! So why not join? OWC membership is open to any interested individuals, organizations, municipalities, and irrigation districts that is located, works or plays within the Oldman Watershed Basin. 

 

Introducing Rob Taylor - completing OWC's Outreach Assistant Team!

Introducing Rob Taylor - completing OWC's Outreach Assistant Team!

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 ... 

Introducing Nicola Spencer, OWC's newest Outreach Assistant!

Introducing Nicola Spencer, OWC's newest Outreach Assistant!

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 ...

JUST EAT IT - April 22nd is Earth Day!

JUST EAT IT - April 22nd is Earth Day!

You've all heard about the recent appeal of ugly produce ... well an even closer look reveals that we are throwing away $31 BILLION dollars worth of food ... completely needlessly. Southern Alberta uses plenty of water to grow food for the world and yet we are throwing it away! April 22 is Earth Day. Let's learn how to save food, water and money - not a bad combination. EVENTS at 11:00 and 3:00 ...

Our Outreach Assistant Team Summer 2016

Our Outreach Assistant Team Summer 2016

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! 

Pole Haven – What happened? And what happens now?

Pole Haven –  What happened? And what happens now?

By now, plenty of people have heard about the "Pole Haven Incident".  And if you haven't, you almost surely have heard talk of "closing down the backcountry" or  that "nothing is being done about protecting our drinking water".  Here's what OWC is doing ... 

Say Hi to the New Guy!

Say Hi to the New Guy!

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 ...

Get out into the backcountry & help restore trails!

Get out into the backcountry & help restore trails!

Want to spend a day among friends helping restore flood-damaged trails in the beautiful backcountry?  Then read on! There are several opportunities coming up at various location in the watershed ...

THE FISH THAT GOT AWAY!

THE FISH THAT GOT AWAY!

Guest Blogger Jordan Pinkster shares his story on "The OneThat Got Away!", delving deep into some of the current issues that face us all  in headwaters (and habitat) protection. An angler's point of view, Jordan's exquisite writing style delves into stewardship projects, penalties, poaching .... 

What We Learned at Holding the Reins and Watershed Legacy Program 2016 Recipients Announced!

What We Learned at Holding the Reins and Watershed Legacy Program 2016 Recipients Announced!

The 2016 Watershed Legacy Program recipients are announced. Holding the Reins was a great success! We heard from stewardship groups and producers about...

Interview with filmmaker Rick Searle

Interview with filmmaker Rick Searle

***SCREENING LIVE FOR WORLD WATERDAY MARCH 22*** With all the attention on the headwaters at the moment (it IS, after all, the first goal tackled via the OWC's Action Plans ....) it can be easy at times to forget what happens downstream. That, is, until disaster strikes like it did in the floods of 2013. Filmmaker Rick Searle explains how decisions made upstream helped contribute to a semi-arid corner of Manitoba being completely flooded ...