From willow staking to coco matting and root wads, Dylan and Dorothy are excited to tell you all about the bioengineering best practices they learned at Lost Creek in May!
OHVs, SSRP, + the Castle: Addressing Misunderstandings
Ever since the announcement of the Castle Provincial Park and Castle Wildland Provincial Park Draft Management Plan by the provincial government there have been many questions circulating around our social media and other pages about how the proposed plan will impact different user groups
How to Grow Lunch from Fish Waste - Aquaponics & Other Agricultural Innovations
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.
City will Participate in Water Charter
The Oldman Watershed Council hopes to unite municipalities and organizations to protect the local water supply.
On Monday, Lethbridge City Council agreed to add their name to a Southern Alberta Water Charter proposed by the OWC. Signing the charter pledges action and commitment to the betterment of the health of the Oldman watershed.
PNWER: “The Gold Standard of US - Canada Relations”
Pacific North West Economic Region Foundation - PNWR! OWC's Executive Director, Shannon Frank, recently presented at the Canada / USA conference, as our Engaging Recreationists Project is considered an example of best practice on both sides of the border. There were also work sessions on water policy and practice...
Water Monitoring - What's in it for you?
What's the government doing to ensure we have clean, clear water for generations to come? OWC is transitioning from Headwaters Protection (Goal 3 of its Integrated Watershed Management Plan) to Goal 6 - WATER QUALITY. This is a summary of the recent annual Water Quality Monitoring Workshop held in Lethbridge ...
A rancher's experience with solar energy in Southwest Alberta
New guest blogpost by Quentin Stevick! Now is your chance to have a say in how the AB gov't will invest in energy efficiency programs. Energy Efficiency Alberta is a new agency that will promote and support energy efficiency and energy systems for homes, businesses and communities. Quentin Stevick tells his thoughts on energy efficiency, the current system and what should change from a rural perspective that will benefit all Albertans...
New video! Minister of Environment & Parks and MLA Lethbridge East in the Headwaters
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.
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 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.
Get out into the backcountry & help restore trails!
THE FISH THAT GOT AWAY!
What We Learned at Holding the Reins and Watershed Legacy Program 2016 Recipients Announced!
Westslope Cutthroat Trout: Recovery Efforts, Critical Habitat Order and More….
Is our Oldman watershed in a Federal-Provincial tug-of-war?
Who's the boss of the water? The province? The feds? The town? How can anyone make sense out of all this legislation? Who is responsible for something like flooding, anyway? Our Political Science Intern, Mairin Gettman, takes a look at legislation and how it affects the watershed. A BIG SHOUT OUT to Adam Driedzic of the Environmental Law Centre, who assisted in no small way with this project: THANK YOU!
City of Lethbridge River Valley Parks Master Plan
It's all happening at once! Come out to an event this week!
What Does the Liberal Federal Government Mean for Environmental Issues?
Government, Shovels ... and 5 other things you may not have heard about
Celebrating the Castle Special Place
GRASSY MOUNTAIN VS. COAL
EDITOR'S NOTE: The OWC is proud to feature Guest Posts from all community members and does not endorse any one particular political party.
by Romy S. Tittel
I was invited by a number of concerned landowners to come out and see Grassy Mountain. This mountain is the proposed site of the Benga Mining/Riversdale Resources open-pit coal mine north of Blairmore.
I had already been made aware of this project when I had a booth in the Coleman Lifestyle Show back in April of this year. Our booth happened to be situated directly across from the Riversdale Resource booth. Their booth hosted a number of large pictures of alpine meadows and blue skies all very idyllic except for the part of removing a mountain to get to the coal seam.
This mine had already been worked back in the 1950’s and had since been abandoned, the scars still evident these many decades later. The group of landowners took me for a tour of their properties at the foot of this mountain. Then they showed me Gold stream, part of the watershed that formed part of the habitat for an endangered westslope Cutthroat trout species, native to this part of southern Alberta. I had just posted a couple of articles announcing the closure of many fishing spots in the area due to low water levels and the heat stressing the fish.
I had already posted an article detailing the United Church of Canada’s decision to divest from fossil fuels. This mirrored the decisions of many major institution over this past year, all coming to the same conclusion; the tide has turned on these forms of energy. The future lies in renewable resources and taking firm action on mitigating climate change by taking real steps towards lowering our carbon emissions.
This week also had me enjoying the company of two musicians, Ceslo Machado and William Beauvais, who had come to teach and perform at this year’s Mount Royal University’s Guitarfest West. It was at Ceslo’s performance that I had the chance to talk with one of the attendees, Jason Donev, about entering politics. It turn out he is a senior instructor at the University of Calgary and he and his students are writing an energy encyclopedia to help us navigate our way to the new energy future.
I also had confirmation this week that my name was going to be on the ballot in the upcoming Federal Election. It is issues such as this coal mine that have me excited to be part of the new parliament. We Canadians are standing at a crossroads with not only our energy future but our country’s future and our beautiful Earth’s future. Let us all stand together and bravely and confidently take the first steps towards our future.
Romy S. Tittel
Green Party Candidate/CEO Foothills EDA
Twitter: @romytittel
Facebook: www.facebook.com/romy.tittel.3
