News

Apply for a Watershed Stewardship Grant Today

Posted January 5, 2012 by LSC

Calling all grassroots watershed stewardship groups! We are now accepting applications for the 2012 Watershed Stewardship Grant.

Since 2005, the Watershed Stewardship Grant (WSG) program, made possible through the Government of Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy, has provided funding to the province’s stewardship community to support their efforts.

Through this program, grants of up to $7,500 are awarded to watershed stewardship groups which are working in their communities to raise awareness of local watershed issues or improve the condition of their local watershed.

As part of our effort to continually improve the program, we have updated the application process to include new web pages, easier to use application and reporting forms, and a sample application to guide you through the process.

Applications for the 2012 grant period will be accepted from January 1 to February 1, 2012. To learn more about the WSG program, projects funded in the past, available resources, and how to apply, visit the WSG web pages.

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Alberta Water Council Releases Moving From Words to Action Final Report

Posted August 8, 2011 by LSC

The Board of Directors of the Alberta Water Council recently approved the Moving from Words to Actions Project Team’s final report. The report’s recommendations are variously directed to the three Water for Life partnerships as well as the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Stewardship Network. The implementation of the recommendations is expected to strengthen coordination and communication among and between the three Water for Life partnerships.

For more information and to download a copy of the Moving From Words to Actions final report, visit the Alberta Water Council website.

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Flooding and Wetlands: What's the Connection?

Posted July 15, 2011 by LSC

With climate patterns that we haven’t seen since settlement began and increased flooding rivers in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Dr. John Pomeroy explains that our traditional reliance on water control structures like dams may not be enough.

Now is the time to rethink the role of wetlands as the original, natural form of storing water in watersheds and landscapes and reducing the effects of downstream flooding.

Having drained many wetlands over the past century, we have reduced natural storage and other benefits those wetlands provide, and at the same time, added strain to our water control structures and other flood management systems.

Visit GlobalSask for a brief news clip featuring Dr. Pomeroy.

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Canada Water Week March 14-22, 2011

Posted January 25, 2011 by LSC

Do you have an interest in clean and healthy lakes and rivers?
If so, we would like you to join with us from March 14 to 22 as we celebrate Healthy Rivers, Living Lakes during our inaugural Canada Water Week.

Taking part is easy. There are endless opportunities to get involved: organize an art exhibit or concert; screen a documentary; host a water stewardship event; organize a public rally to unite voices for clean water in your community; or simply enjoy your favourite river or lake with family, neighbours and friends.

What is Canada Water Week?
Canada Water Week wants to raise the profile and understanding of water across Canada through a week-long celebration of this precious resource, starting March 14 and culminating with World Water Day on March 22, 2011.

National Canada Water Week activities are being organized jointly by the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation, WWF-Canada and Living Lakes Network Canada. Local activities will be coordinated by individuals and community groups across the country. By raising awareness about water and its importance to our nation’s prosperity, we aim to stimulate individual, community and government action on clean water.

How can you help?
We want to celebrate from coast-to-coast-to-coast. To that end, we are encouraging groups across the country to organize fun and educational events in their communities. Art exhibits, concerts, documentary screenings, sporting events; educational activities through libraries, community/recreational centers, museums, schools, water utilities or nature appreciation groups—there’s no end to creatively engaging people on water.

Let this year’s theme—Healthy Rivers, Living Lakes—serves as your inspiration. Having healthy rivers and living lakes is critical to all aspects of our lives — recreation, drinking water, family vacations, culture — not to mention the importance to animals, fish, birds, insects and plants; we all require clean water for our health.

The idea for Canada Water Week is to exercise the positive power of arts and culture to encourage people to embrace and appreciate water in order to protect it.

How will we help you?
In a few weeks we will launch “www.canadawaterweek.com, our shared online home. This interactive website will allow you to: upload and promote your event through a calendar and integrated social media; download tools you may need such as logos, poster and press release templates, and information sheets; contribute to our Flickr pool of photos; and connect with other individuals and groups across the country. As we approach Canada Water Week, we will also be promoting activities across the country, generating publicity and creating momentum for participation and attendance at events.

Be a regional water week organizer!
If reading this has you extra excited, then you are the perfect person to be a volunteer regional organizer for Water Week. This position involves helping our outreach coordinator in mobilizing local groups to host events, providing support to those events and assisting with web and social media platforms. Help us make this the most successful launch possible, become a regional water week organizer today – contact us at info@canadawaterweek.com for more information.

Be sure not to miss out. Together, across Canada, we will unite in our love for clean and healthy rivers and lakes. Mark your calendars today — March 14 to 22 — Canada Water Week. Get in touch with us for more information or to discuss your idea for a Water Week event.

Canada Water Week
Healthy Rivers,Living Lakes
March 14 to 22, 2011
www.canadawaterweek.com
info@canadawaterweek.com

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