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Watershed News and Views Winter 2020
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SEAWA is very proud to present:
Prairie Shores - Riparian Restoration in the SEAWA Watershed, a documentary about partnerships in riparian restoration. The video, shot in the spring and summer of 2019, demonstrates the hard work and passion of the people and partners of SEAWA.
It can be viewed here.
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Farewell lunch for Brooklyn. From the left: Garry Lentz, Karen Saffran, Ryan Davison, Brooklyn Neubeker, Ron Linowski, Marilou Montemayor, Greg Heebner, Stuart Murray, Martha Munz Gue, and Tina Regehr. Photo taken by Indian Kitchen staff on December 6, 2019.
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SEAWA staff, and board and committee members enjoyed a farewell lunch for Brooklyn Neubeker at the Indian Kitchen restaurant in Medicine Hat on December 6. Brooklyn recently left SEAWA to start an exciting new chapter in her life in Nevada. Brooklyn worked at SEAWA for a year and three months, starting as an intern before becoming the Communications and Office Facilitator. When there was staff turnover, she took over as the field team lead for SEAWA’s riparian restoration work for the summer of 2019. She was willing to be flexible such that her work expanded to include not just community engagement and office tasks, but also environmental stewardship and applied research. She worked hard, with passion and dedication, applying her best and she helped achieve SEAWA’s goals, objectives, and project deliverables, despite SEAWA’s minimal staff capacity. Brooklyn said that working with SEAWA was extremely rewarding and fulfilling, and that the skills and knowledge she gained will be invaluable in her future. Brooklyn is also grateful to have met many talented and passionate individuals who are committed to sustainability in the watershed.
Thank you again Brooklyn, for all your hard work at SEAWA! You will be missed.
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Water Quality: Dissolved Oxygen
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Fish and other aquatic species such as snails, aquatic insects, and crayfish need water that contains dissolved oxygen (DO) to survive. Some aquatic species require water with a relatively high concentration of DO, while others can survive in water with quite low levels of oxygen.
Oxygen enters water from two primary sources: it either dissolves into water from contact with the atmosphere or is produced by plants during photosynthesis. Dissolved oxygen can’t be seen – it doesn’t appear as bubbles in the water. The amount of DO is the measure of free oxygen (O2) molecules* wholly dissolved within the water. This "non-compound" oxygen is oxygen that is not bonded to any other element**. (The bonded oxygen molecule in water (H2O) is in a compound and does not count toward DO levels.) While air usually is about 21 percent oxygen, water holds only a tiny fraction of a percentage of DO.
Dissolved oxygen is an important indicator of water quality. When it drops below levels necessary to sustain aquatic life, it can become a significant water quality issue. The ability of aquatic life to survive in low oxygen conditions depends on how low the oxygen goes, how long species are exposed to low DO conditions, the type of fish or aquatic organism, their age or life stage, how healthy they are, and other environmental conditions such as temperature.
The level of DO in a stream is affected by both natural and human-induced factors. Natural factors include:
- Elevation – Streams get much of their oxygen from the atmosphere. At higher altitudes (and therefore lower atmospheric pressure), less oxygen is present in the atmosphere; therefore, less is available to the water body.
- Turbulence – Turbulence creates opportunities for oxygen to enter streams. Rapids and waterfalls can mix so much oxygen into the water that it becomes supersaturated. In contrast, deep sections of lakes and reservoirs, or water bodies that freeze, may be so isolated from the atmosphere that the oxygen concentration drops to zero. Stream reaches downstream from wetlands may reflect the naturally low dissolved oxygen concentrations found in wetlands, and conditions of low stream flow may produce stagnant pools with low oxygen levels.
- Temperature – Cold water holds more DO than warm water. Because of this, the DO concentration of a stream or lake will vary throughout the year simply because temperatures rise and fall on an annual cycle.
- Aquatic vegetation – During the day, aquatic vegetation and algae produce and release oxygen into the water during photosynthesis. At night, plants use oxygen during respiration. This creates a natural daily cycle in the concentration of DO.
- Riparian vegetation – Vegetation adjacent to streams, lakes, and wetlands may shade the water, decreasing water temperatures. As water temperature drops, its ability to hold DO increases.
- Aquatic life – Animals living in water use DO, and bacteria take up oxygen as they decompose materials. Dissolved oxygen levels drop in a water body that contains a lot of dead, decomposing material.
- Groundwater inflow – Groundwater is naturally low in DO, and it is a primary source of river flow during dry weather and base flow conditions. During winter months, when ice prevents aeration from the atmosphere, groundwater inflows may contribute to occurrences of low DO in a river.
Human factors that affect dissolved oxygen include:
- Destruction of riparian areas – Development or overgrazing may decrease the amount of shade and increase the water temperature, thereby reducing the amount of DO the water can hold.
- Point source pollution – Untreated sewage effluent and factory discharge into waterways can be decomposed by bacteria (as noted above), leading to areas of low DO downstream.
- Nutrient pollution – Excess phosphorus or nitrogen in the water can also indirectly affect oxygen concentrations. These nutrients may over-fertilize the water, resulting in excess aquatic plant growth. When these plants die and decay, they consume oxygen, leading to a drop in concentration.
- Organic waste – If there is a lot of organic waste in the stream, microorganisms multiply and use more oxygen than can be replaced in the stream. Organic wastes may come from a variety of sources: runoff from dairies, feedlots, and other agricultural operations; lawn clippings, topsoil, and other yard material from urban areas; land clearing and urban development; urban wastewater discharge; or stormwater runoff from agricultural fields and urban areas.
Because different species have different tolerances for low DO, a change in its concentration can affect the composition of aquatic communities in a stream. Reduced oxygen levels have been shown to cause lethal and sub-lethal (physiological and behavioural) effects in various organisms, especially fish. Many, but not all, fish kills in the summer result from low concentrations of DO in the water. On warm summer nights during algal blooms, the DO concentration sometimes drops too low for the fish, and a die-off can occur. Algal blooms can occur as a result of purely natural conditions or because of human activity that results in adding nutrients, nitrogen, and phosphorus to water systems. A "winterkill" is a fish kill caused by prolonged reduction in DO due to ice or snow cover on a lake or pond.
The oxygen requirements of aquatic invertebrates have been studied extensively and a broad range of tolerance has been identified across species. A variety of mechanisms are used to endure low oxygen conditions, from metabolic changes to merely rising to the surface of the water (snails). Because the tolerance of individual species is well known, they can be used as indicators of poor water quality, including DO levels.
Dissolved oxygen is only one of a number of properties measured in the field to determine water quality. A water quality multi-meter can be used to measure temperature, acidity (pH), conductivity, particulate matter (turbidity), hardness, and suspended sediment in addition to DO. Each test reveals something different about the health of a water body.
The Canadian water quality guidelines for the lowest acceptable DO concentrations are 6 and 5.5 mg/L for the early and other life stages, respectively, in warm-water ecosystems, and 9.5 and 6.5 mg/L for the early and other life stages, respectively, in cold-water ecosystems. The guidelines were derived from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s “slight production impairment” estimates (USEPA 1986), with an additional safety margin of 0.5 mg/L to estimate threshold DO concentrations. Learn more about the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life. The recommended Alberta Environmental Quality Guideline values for the protection of aquatic life: dissolved oxygen is 6 mg/L for early life stages and 5.5 mg/L for other stages of life.
References/More information:
*A molecule is the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.
**An element is a primary constituent of matter and cannot be broken down into a simpler substance by chemical means.
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The Cottonwoods of the South Saskatchewan River
By SEAWA member Paula Munro
Hello All! As an amateur photographer and avid outdoors woman, I have been a tree enthusiast from a very early age. Like many others before me, I have always been drawn to the wonder and majestic beauty of what they represent in our lives and our world collectively. I am relatively new to the Medicine Hat area and I couldn’t help but fall in love with the great cottonwoods of the South Saskatchewan River. It is such an experience to walk through these woods in silence while the animals come out and play right before your eyes. It’s an unspoken peace and calm felt by all the inhabitants as these giant beauties nourish and protect this delicate ecosystem.
As I see very noticeable changes to the riverfront areas, specifically in the city, and I learn more about just how vitally important these trees and others are to the riparian restoration efforts of SEAWA and partners, I feel compelled to learn and act on change in our community, and to continue to educate myself and others in understanding the immense effort needed for these projects to get on the ground. As our urban areas grow and compromise sustainability, it becomes increasingly essential to replenish and ensure that these trees and many other plants and wildlife stay in these areas.
I'm looking forward to future efforts with the inspirational crew at SEAWA! With spring on the horizon, let’s get ready for planting! Cheers!
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Northern Otters in Medicine Hat?
Unexpected visitors were spotted by the South Saskatchewan River at Police Point Park, Medicine Hat and park visitors are thrilled! Medicine Hat News and Chat News Today reported the story on February 10. Please read the articles to see the images captured by Dan Schiebelbein.
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Keziah Gosselin-Lesko from the City of Medicine Hat presents the summary of her group’s ideas at the Prairie Water Management Workshop held on January 28, 2020, in Calgary.
Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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Regional Network: Prairie Water Management Workshop
SEAWA’s Executive Director, Marilou Montemayor, and City of Medicine Hat Parks and Recreation staff Keziah Gosselin-Lesko and Dave Genio participated in the Prairie Water Management Workshop held in Calgary on January 28, 2020. There are potential challenges to dealing with predicted climate volatility and its associated changes in the environment, particularly in terms of land and water. During the workshop, background information was presented on water resource management and allocation; and on precipitation, runoff, and air temperature patterns. The intent of the workshop was to document challenges, opportunities, and priorities that may help address these potential challenges. Break-out session categories were: water quantity, supply, and availability; water quality and watershed health; water demand; and regulatory and governance. Participants included representatives from Indigenous organizations, provincial and municipal governments, agricultural producers, industry, academics, and not-for-profit groups. The well-attended event was hosted by Western Economic Diversification, Government of Canada, the agency tasked with developing a land and water strategy for the Prairies. The workshop process was facilitated by WaterSmart consulting group. Workshops were also scheduled for Saskatoon and Winnipeg within that week.
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Winter Water Art Show
Marilou Montemayor, SEAWA Executive Director, at the Art Show with local artists Mitchelle Winger, Marco Jansen, and Harvey Fix. (Report below by SEAWA member Martha Munz Gue.)
Photo credit: Margaret Velichko.
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What started as a project for the Downtown Art Walk on September 27, 2019 has grown! The owner of the Arcade Plaza allowed the SEAWA Water Art Show to remain through October, November and December 2019 in a lovely space on the main floor of the Arcade Plaza, downtown Medicine Hat on 3rd Street. Large windows provide good viewing from both the outside sidewalk and from the inside atrium. The gallery is in the same building as the SEAWA office.
In January 2020, the show was changed to the "SEAWA Winter Water Art Show" and artists brought in their paintings, photography, and sculptures of snow, ice, and frost. The show will remain in place for February and March 2020. In the first week of March, the show will be changed to "Riparian Scenes and Riparian Plants". Members of the Hat Art Club, the Medicine Hat Pottery Association and other artists have been keen to contribute to the art show and to learn about SEAWA projects through the display that has been refined by one of our newest members (who is a scrapbooker). In the meantime, the Medicine Hat Public Library invited SEAWA to host an art show at the library for the month of March to complement the Canada Water Week displays. A new demographic has become aware of SEAWA through their art. While publicity has been through the community art clubs at the Cultural Centre, SEAWA members who have artwork related to water are also encouraged to participate. The show has crystallized into a winter wonderland worth seeing! At the same time, Paula Munro and Brandy Hammond fixed up display boards depicting SEAWA’s riparian restoration projects and community engagement.
Watercolor paintings by Loretta Fix, Elizabeth Kirschenman, and Michelle Winger celebrate the fresh beauty of snow and frost on coulees, trees, and park trails. Sun and shade play on the snow and delight. Variety of scene and expression is most pronounced in the acrylic paintings by Dale Beaven, Adolph Erdmann, Martha Munz Gue, Diane Smyth, and Margaret Velichko. A local scene painted by Margaret Velichko depicts the riparian area of Ross Creek as seen from East Glen. The coulees and valley with a long train, the highway, cattle, and walking trail make anyone from here feel right at home.
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Local artists describing their work to each other. From left to right: Dale Beaven, Loretta Fix, Elaine Zimmerman, Harvey Fix, and Martha Munz Gue. February 4, 2020.
Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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Clay pieces on view include an ‘observant’ owl and a sage grouse by Annette ten Cate. After coming to Medicine Hat for the Artist in Residence program, Annette decided to make her home in Medicine Hat, and make her living creating whimsical clay sculptures of creatures from nature. Harvey Fix also works in clay. His porcelain sculptures of ice were created after Harvey viewed the ice jam on the river, and pictures of the arctic ice chunks floating away.
Photographs by Dr. Ian Gilchrist and David Gue contrast in distance of the view. David’s picture of "Glazed Coulees" was taken the day after the sun melted the snow enough to form a glaze the next day when the temperature dropped to well below freezing. Ian’s images of frost on his greenhouse glass in Yellowknife show the amazing variety and creativity of "Jack Frost". And then there is glass! Unique and stunning are Pat Davies abstracts with acrylic background generously loaded with chunks of thick glass, colors and shapes carefully chosen to create harmony.
Dale Beaven’s painting is of particular interest. She has carefully painted animals that are listed as threatened or endangered, and they are named on the sides of the painting. She has titled her painting: Canadian Heritage; Threatened Species. While the rendering of each animal is precise and true to nature in form, the colors are surreal to express the danger and urgency. Beside her painting are three by the grandson of Nancy Hoffman, Joseph Cayenne. The colours and subjects of his art describe similar horror, with additional angst, as described by the titles: Spinco: World Spinning out of Control, Tear Drops & Rain Drops, and Earth-Fire-Outrage / Desperation.
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Canadian Heritage of Indigenous Species Facing the Threat of Climate Change by Dale Beaven. One of the displays at the SEAWA Art Show, February 4, 2020.
Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
The Water Art Show at the Arcade Plaza can be viewed from windows both on the street and in the atrium of the Plaza. Doors are open every Tuesday from 12:30 to 5:00 pm. For more information please call SEAWA at 403-580-8980.
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Teacher's Conference
SEAWA volunteers Brandy Hammond (L) and Paula Munro (R) hosted the SEAWA booth at the recent SEATCA conference held at at Medicine Hat College.
Photo Credit: SEAWA.
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As SEAWA activities ramp up for 2020, we are excited about our growth and about how many more people are becoming aware of our organization. On February 20 and 21, we kicked off our public outreach and education program during the annual Southeastern Alberta Teachers Convention Association (SEATCA) conference at Medicine Hat College.
Over the last several years, the focus at SEAWA has been on restoring riparian areas in and around Medicine Hat. The convention offered us an opportunity to share information with local teachers, students, and community members about projects currently underway and those already completed in our watershed. We also told people how they can become more active in improving riparian health and environmental stewardship. We released the new SEAWA Prairie Shores Riparian Restoration Documentary for viewing and received positive feedback and a lot of local interest. Several teachers suggested that they will use the documentary in class projects to teach students about local environmental health, noting that the timing will work well to highlight World Water Day in March and Earth Day in April. We also handed out information pamphlets, including those that describe how invasive species conflict with stewardship efforts to protect overall riparian health.
SEAWA would like to thank volunteers Greg Heebner, Paula Munro, Brandy Hammond, and Alicia Lew, for hosting this year’s SEAWA booth. The volunteers felt that it was a great opportunity to bring awareness to the teachers and students of Medicine Hat. They were also happy to highlight issues of riparian health and encourage local citizens to become more actively involved in environmental concerns in our community.
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Connected in nature: wetlands, riparian forests, water, and biodiversity!
Wetlands and riparian areas are ecosystems that result from the strong influence of the presence of water on land. The presence of water is a combination of its duration, level, and velocity or wave action. Wetlands (commonly called sloughs in the SEAWA watershed) are those shallow depressions or ponds that are seasonally, temporarily, intermittently, or permanently filled with water. These sloughs are usually surrounded by dry uplands, and as such, are also knnown as isolated wetlands. Prolonged duration of water results in soils devoid of oxygen (anoxic condition) that is not suitable for many plants because roots need oxygen for plants to thrive. At the beginning of the growing season - which also coincides with spring melt - plants are most sensitive to high water level and its duration. Wetland plants must grow fast enough in height to exceed the rising water level before roots run out of energy reserves. Wetland plants have developed adaptations to cope with these constraints.
Riparian areas are those green strips of lush vegetation along streams and rivers, and around lakes and reservoirs. Because riparian areas are adjacent to water bodies they may either have slopes of varying degrees or a steep vertical drop. Slopes create gradients in soil moisture with greatest amounts at the edge of water which gradually decreases upslope. This moisture gradient results in corresponding vegetation zones along a riparian area. A gentle slope may allow a water level favourable to the development of a shoreline wetland by the water’s edge. Farther away from the water’s edge are noticeable zones of shrubs, then trees.
Isolated wetlands and riparian areas are different ecosystems; they are not interchangeable. Depending on the depth of water at the water’s edge, riparian areas may include a shoreline wetland. Wetland vegetation around wetlands are part of the entire wetland.
Both ecosystems provide similar services that benefit people and the environment although their processes may be different spatially and temporally. Ecosystem services include an improvement in water quality; attenuation of the effects of floods; nutrient cycling; food and habitat for plants, fish, and wildlife; and enjoyment and appreciation of nature.
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Isolated wetland (a marsh). Eagle Butte Road, towards Medicine Hat, July 5, 2018.
Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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Riparian area with a shoreline wetland with Hard stem bulrushes, Murray Lake, July 24, 2017. The riparian area includes the shoreline wetland and extends to the zone of trees closest to the water.
Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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Bullshead reservoir riparian area without a shoreline wetland, November 20, 2017.
Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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During the 2019 field season of SEAWA’s riparian restoration work, staff found two uncommon wetland plants at two separate restoration sites: Great Basin calicoflower at the Sauder reservoir shore (as its water receded), and Sea milkwort at Bullshead Creek. SEAWA is thankful to Cathy Linowski for plant identification and information on the S3 status of calicoflower. Upon her recommendation we reported calicoflower to the Alberta Conservation Information Management System (ACIMS).
ACIMS is a database for tracking Alberta’s biodiversity, ecological communities, and sites of rare species. ACIMS provides lists of tracked elements and species, and provides each species a Subnational Conservation Status Rank. Ranks include: S5 for common species, S4 for uncommon but not rare species, S3 for species with less than 100 known occurrences, S2 for species with twenty or fewer known occurrences, S1 for species with five of fewer known occurrences, SH for species with only historical records but hopes of rediscovery, and SX for species believed to be extirpated from the province.
February 2 is celebrated annually as World Wetlands Day and the theme for 2020 is Wetlands and Biodiversity. For more information visit the World Wetland Day website.
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An Uncommon Wetland Plant
Sea milkwort on the bank of Bullshead Creek, McKinley Hereford Farms, November 12, 2019.
Photo credit: Brooklyn Neubeker.
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And Another One...
Great Basin calicoflower on the shores of Sauder Reservoir, August 16, 2019.
Photo credit: Brooklyn Neubeker.
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...and Celebrating Riparian Forests!
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Cottonwood seedling recruitment on the shores of the South Saskatchewan River, by the Get Growing Organic Farm, consequent to the flood of 2013, October 17, 2019.
Photo credit: Brooklyn Neubeker.
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River flooding is key to the regeneration of riparian forests, and at SEAWA we are happy to share in the celebration of the International Day of Forests. Each year, March 21 is set aside to raise awareness of the importance of all forests.
Forests provide numerous ecological benefits. They directly affect our water supply and its quality, and provide habitat to many plants and animals; notably fish and waterfowl in aquatic ecosystems. Forests regulate runoff, protect river banks and shorelines from erosion, help purify air, and store carbon. They are also a sight to behold, providing humans visual enjoyment as well as places for responsible recreation. Managed sustainably, they are an economic source providing timber for various human needs.
In semi-arid areas such as the SEAWA watershed and south east Alberta, forests are usually found near permanent water bodies. Floods cause tremendous havoc to development on floodplains and riparian areas, with associated high costs of damage and disruption of people’s lives. However, natural regeneration of riparian forests along the South Saskatchewan River is dependent on natural seedling recruitment facilitated by floods. Floods bring in fresh fertile sediment, rich in nutrients and organic matter, that fill in the coarse shoreline substrate. A suitable habitat for seed growth and establishment gets created with ample moisture supply. Seedling roots must establish and reach deep to follow the water level as it recedes. Roots must grow deep, strong, and fast enough to resist the next spring melt or another flood. Seedlings closest to water may get inundated for weeks and die, while others on the upslope zone of the shore dry out and die. Therefore, development near riparian areas should consider set-back distances and provide room for trees, shrubs and wildlife. Alberta Environment and Parks has recommendations on set-back distances that is available online.
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A tranquil and misty morning at a Manitoba maple riparian forest, Peigan Creek, July 2017.
We usually find Manitoba maple forests along creeks and around ponds. However, invasive Russian olive trees have become dominant in many areas choking out or displacing native shrubs and trees. We have to control the spread of weedy Russian olive trees by not planting them and physically removing seedlings and saplings, and fruits (discard in the garbage).
Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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Russian olive infestation at the north shore of Connaught Pond, College Drive, Medicine Hat, May 2018. Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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Riparian Areas Restoration: 2019 Wind-up
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The pleasant cool weather during the first week of December 2019 allowed SEAWA staff to complete a few more field activities. These were some of the numerous tasks that we had to finish before Brooklyn Neubeker left SEAWA at the end of December to embark on a new chapter of her life in Nevada.
At Saratoga Park restoration site, by Seven Persons Creek, we installed another 50 plant protection cages on December 2nd. In April 2019, we planted 101 native shrubs (Saskatoons, golden currants, wolf willows, buffalo berries, and red osier dogwoods) on this site and caged 51 of the them, in an alternating pattern. During the growing season we observed heavy browsing pressure on uncaged plants and decided to cage the rest after the hectic summer fieldwork and other community engagement activities were done. A few extra cages were also taken to the Connaught pond restoration site and installed on uncaged cottonwoods planted in August 2019.
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Brooklyn Neubeker and Sheldon Gill install cages around shrubs, Saratoga Park, Dec. 2, 2019. Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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We realized that taller cottonwood saplings would definitely need wider protective cages:
A sapling planted in November 2018 at the Connaught pond site was broken at the top, probably due to browsing by a moose. Photo taken December 2, 2019.
Photo credit: Marilou Montemayor.
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Our 11th restoration site is at Get Growing Organic Farm by the South Saskatchewan River. A pleasant cool 3rd week of November 2019 enabled the installation of about 2 km of fence. We learned that fence posts for an organic farm are made of steel rather than the usual treated wood posts. The fence was installed to manage cattle in and out of the riparian area. Gates will be installed, and trees and shrubs planted along the riparian side of the fence in the spring. There’s a pivot irrigation system whose coverage will reach the row of trees and shrubs that will be planted.
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One of several sections of completed fence, Get Growing Organic Farm, December 5, 2019.
Photo credit: Brooklyn Neubeker.
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Riparian Areas Restoration: Completed Activities and Next Steps
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SEAWA staff Marilou Montemayor and Brooklyn Neubeker at the conclusion of a productive 2019 field season! December 5, 2019. Photo credit: Andy Wagman.
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As of December 2019, SEAWA has restored 11 km of riparian areas at 11 sites in collaboration with nine partners. Restoration methods included fencing, installation of off-stream watering systems, removal of corral panels from riparian areas, and planting of native shrubs, trees, and live stakes. Planting at various sites was done in May 2018, November 2018, December 2018, April 2019, and August 2019. SEAWA staff and volunteers planted a total of 2,500 shrubs (Saskatoons, golden currant, wolf willow, red osier dogwood, thorny buffaloberry, chokecherry, and western snowberry); trees (cottonwoods and Manitoba maple); and sandbar willow stakes; and the overall survival rate as of August 2019 was 45% for shrubs and trees, and 14% for stakes.
Staff also conducted applied research on the control of two riparian invasive species: Leafy spurge and Russian olive. In May 2018, we completed a riparian areas assessment of 702 km, for the whole Seven Persons Creek watershed. The report is available on our website. The entire riparian project was funded by contributions from the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, Government of Canada (April 2017 to March 2018), and a grant from Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program, Government of Alberta (April 2017 to March 2020). Individual landowner projects were funded on a cost-share basis with landowners from these two sources.
The 2020 field season will focus on providing plant care to the surviving plants so that they get established and eventually continue to thrive on their own. Applied research on the control of riparian invasive species will be continued. Communication/education activities will focus on analyzing data, writing, publishing, and sharing information about our riparian restoration experience, and the results of applied research on invasive riparian species. These will be delivered through various media tools and methods. The purpose of applied research is to provide guidance on the management of riparian invasive species.
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News From Partners and Members
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World Water Day is celebrated every year on March 22 and this year the theme is Water and Climate Change.
SEAWA, Grasslands Naturalists, Council of Canadians, the city of Medicine Hat, and many other groups and individuals will celebrate the occasion for the whole week of March 22 with displays at the Medicine Hat Public Library. There will also be a water themed art show at the library featuring works of local artists.
Stay tuned for more information about local events. To learn more about the global celebration, visit the World Water Day website.
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Aquality is once again offering their comprehensive course entitled "Alberta Wetlands: From Classification to Policy". Upcoming dates and locations include:
March 24-25, 2020: CALGARY, AB
April 14-15, 2020: EDMONTON, AB
May 5-6, 2020: CALGARY, AB
The course is designed to help consultants, industry professionals, resource managers, not-for-profit organizations, and government regulators understand the theoretical component used in wetland assessments. This course has had great feedback and would benefit any who wish to attend. Please visit their website for more information or register here.
Aquality—in partnership with the Alberta Conservation Association—has also just announced the release of their FREE online course, Alberta Wetlands 101: Online Experience.
The purpose of free online course is to provide a barrier-free approach to wetland information, help fill the knowledge gap across Alberta’s professionals and general public, and to help ensure that wetlands are protected as the Alberta Wetland Policy intended. Provincial legislation and tools are constantly evolving, and Aquality staff ensure that the public receives the most up-to-date wetland information in all courses.
The wetland video series features eleven five-minute videos each with a short corresponding review quiz. To learn more about the course and view the syllabus please visit www.albertawetlands.ca.
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Save the date!
KAINAI ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (KEPA)
SUMMIT 2020
June 3, 4 & 5
Stay tuned for more information, or contact:
Blood Tribe Land Management
Phone: 403 737 8151
Fax: 403 737 8183
Email: mheavyhead@btlands.com
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Registration is now open for farms and ranches to be part of 2020 Open Farm Days. Alberta Open Farm Days is about farmers and ranchers inviting their urban and rural neighbors to stop in for a visit to share stories, see demonstrations, and learn more about the farmers who grow their food. SEAWA is proud to have been part of #ABFARMDAYS in the past and is looking forward to visiting this year’s host farms.
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FYI: We're making a few changes...
Due to reduced funding, the number of SEAWA e-newsletters will be reduced from six to four issues per year beginning April 2020.
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Got something to say? Have an event you'd like us to share with our members?
Do you have a story you'd like to tell? Are you hosting a watershed-inspired event? Want to share it with over 600 like-minded individuals? Let us know! We're always looking for topics that might interest our members.
executive@seawa.ca
403-580-8980
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P.S. SEAWA relies on an active volunteer membership. Send us an email if you are passionate about maintaining a healthy watershed!
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