Weeds, weeds, everywhere weeds
We have to get control
Noxious, invasive, prohibited, toxic
We're always on patrol
3 Reasons Why I Love Canadian Agriculture
Voices of the Oldman: Taber Success, on to Twin Butte!
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!
"Voices of the Oldman" Kicks Off in Taber
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.
Voices of the Oldman: Agriculture Matters
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.
How I Got "Smarter"... in 2 Days!
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.
Watershed Legacy Program in the Porcupine Hills
Believe it or not, cattle are fussy critters. Yessiree, if there's a choice between drinking from a mucky old hole, or a fresh bubbling water source - guess which they pick? Keeping cows away from streams is something that the OWC is actively supporting: not only in word, but indeed! (pun intended) So funders are sought and funding is awarded for projects ...
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...
WLP Palmer Ranch
Innovation in Irrigation
Well, the long weekend is coming up and people will be heading for the hills. But what about our dedicated farmers? It is their busy season right now, and hail and rainstorms have not helped matters. Agriculture is the lifeblood of southern Alberta. That lifeblood is the Oldman. Irrigation has made its mark on our economy and on our landscape and users of irrigation water in southern Alberta are always searching for innovative ways to improve efficiencies. Here's a little tribute to our growers, and all the rural people who steward the land ...
What We Learned at Holding the Reins and Watershed Legacy Program 2016 Recipients Announced!
WLP Applications open til FEBRUARY 12th
Funding available - WLP Program NOW OPEN!
Please welcome Cody Spencer and ... the Watershed Legacy Program (WLP)
Cody Spencer is a bison rancher, owning and operating the successful Sweetgrass Bison business. He has also been a star volunteer with the OWC this summer, working in the headwaters with riparian restoration and with the Recreation Users Education Project. Now Cody is taking the lead on OWC's Watershed Legacy Program (WLP), which provides support for landowners ...
Here's what I can't believe!
(Editors note: Thank you to Kelly Hall for this guest blog...
We welcome submissions to our blog from throughout the watershed - get in touch - what's your perspective?)
I can hardly believe that the end of 2014 is fast approaching!
Kelly Hall posing with a "gem" of the foothills - Alberta's endangered Limber Pine (
Pinus flexilis
) as designated under Alberta's Wildlife Act
Two Thousand and Fourteen has been an amazing year for The Timber Ridge Conservation Site. A year of many firsts and certainly a great deal of hope for the future. It all started on January 1 with a beautiful winter wedding, pictures on the cabin steps with the snow covered ridge as the background. The deepest, longest, coldest winter in many years had us more than ready for spring vegetation!
Our free flowing thermal springs have continued to amaze us. For the first time in our history we have seen flow increase in the fall, specifically after the eighteen inches of heavy wet snow on September 8 and then again November 2. The trout in the pond are pink, tasty, and happy in the beautiful, cold, clear water! Our many visitors can attest to that, especially the ones that had to use a net to bring in their catch.
Some of the natural changes are becoming more apparent. The old growth aspens are coming down and new meadows are alive with diversity. We've seen more Parry Oat Grass , more grouse and the newly protected wetland has responded well! The wildlife sightings on the property continue to grow, including a first for us this year - Elk not far from the cabin deck.
Timber Ridge has acquired many new friends this past year - we've now collected hair on Bear Rub Trees, began the process of collecting any and all bugs, Botanists have identified even more species, students have planted Limber Pine seedlings and we continue to collect some amazing pictures thanks to the pin hole and trail cameras. A pair of chipmunks have now called the cabin deck home and the competition at the bird feeders is increasing and really quite entertaining.
Glen Hall, standing on a blast mat (recycled tires) which surround his motion-sensored, solar powered, off-stream watering system - a Beneficial Management Practice helped put in place by the OWC's Watershed Legacy Program
Timber Ridge is living proof that it does take a collaborative effort to manage our watershed. Our best day yet was Celebrating Collaboration on September 18, 2014. We have to say thank you to all of our partners for years of knowledge, assistance, financial support and for joining us on the tour! A special thank you goes to Leta Pezderic (OWC) and Brad Taylor (ACA) for all their help planning for the day. We were so pleased to be part of the OWC's film project and believe the message within is so very important.
Timber Ridge is a treasure that we will continue to learn about and want to share with others. The cabin continues to be a wonderful venue for inspiring conversation, renewing friendships and gathering allies as we strive to leave our legacy. We've now checked off an item on our "bucket list" - bringing our partners together at that special place. September 18 would have been my Mom's birthday - she was our first partner!
Kelly Hall,
Landowner, Timber Ridge Conservation Site
