By partnering with other land managers, including Blood Tribe Land Management, Piikani Nation Land Management, and Cows and Fish, the focus is on restorative action to support Indigenous cultural revival, boost resilience to climate change, improve access to quality water, and enhance biodiversity. The project restores key grassland and riparian ecosystems and builds the capacity of partners to bring Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) knowledge and western science together.
The Headwaters Restoration Project arose out of the successful Engaging Recreationists Project. The audience was expanded to include land users beyond recreationists and offered more in-person restoration and educational programs. It focussed on the education and engagement of adult land users, such as fishers, farmers, ranchers, and landowners, among others.
Uniting Rural Producers and Urban Consumers is a multi-year project that aims to educate, engage, and inform urban consumers in southern Alberta about agricultural practices and watershed stewardship through a suite of communications materials. The program connects those who are not involved in food production systems, with those who are. It has been inspiring to hear stories from producers firsthand and learn more about the innovative work that is being done in our region to tackle challenges around food production.
Profiling the Watershed is our high-tech, virtual reality, and experiential learning project. Made possible by RBC Foundation’s Tech for Nature grant program, this future-looking project has two primary components: a custom watershed stewardship virtual reality (VR) training program and an immersive environment with climate monitoring through 360° and ambisonic audio location captures.
Engaging Recreationists is a collaborative, on-the-ground project designed to reduce threats to the headwaters—threats that include the cumulative effects of linear features, such as roads and recreational trails. Through stakeholder engagement, education, community-based social marketing, streambank restoration, and stewardship activities, we are encouraging motorized recreationists to keep wheels out of the water and thereby protect our headwaters, water quality, and critical habitat for endangered species.
We’re big fans of drought-friendly gardening, and we have everything you need to get started! Xeriscaping is a landscaping method for arid and semi-arid climates that uses water-conserving techniques, mulch, and efficient irrigation. By planting native and drought-tolerant varieties that naturally thrive in the dry prairie environment, you use less water and little to no pesticides or fertilizers. That helps protect water quality! You can enjoy a beautiful yard, complete with gorgeous blooms, save on your monthly water bill, and, do very little maintenance on it.
