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FREE Community Education Forum
Water Management in the SEAWA Watershed

The SEAWA watershed lies within semi-arid southern Alberta. In this desert-like region, the proper management of water is critical for healthy ecosystems, for economic success, and to meet human consumption needs. It is therefore important to consider and understand the management of water at all levels: individual, municipal, provincial, and federal. By carefully managing our water resources, and understanding supply forecasts, we can all contribute to ensuring the future availability and good quality of water within our watershed. It is also important for individuals to understand the laws and regulations around waterbodies, whether they be on private or public land, and the reasons behind them.

With that in mind, SEAWA has invited speakers from the Government of Alberta, the University of Regina, the Bow River Basin Council, CE Analytic, and others, to give presentations at our educational forum. Presentations will include: water quality and quantity in southern Alberta, the effect of climate change on water supplies, the  regional Water Quality Management Framework, Alberta's Water Act, how municipalities can conserve and protect wetlands, and other subjects.


Date
April 5, 2019
Check-in and registration: 8:00 am
Speakers: 8:30 am – 2:30 pm


Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided. If you have any dietary restrictions please contact Brooklyn at brooklyn.neubeker@seawa.ca to arrange alternatives.

Location
Medicine Hat College Cultural Centre – CC169
299 College Drive SE Medicine Hat, AB


(Note: Parking at the college is $4 for the day and the machines only accept coins.)

Registration is now open:
You may register online, by email, or by phone (403)580-8980
Please register by March 30, 2019

Stay tuned for the final agenda and more details. We look forward to seeing you there!


If you are a member of an environmental organization and would be interested in setting up a booth or display at this event, please contact Brooklyn at brooklyn.neubeker@seawa.ca 
Water Week at Medicine Hat Public Library
This year, Water Week will be celebrated at the Medicine Hat Public Library from March 18 to 22. The 2019 World Water Day theme of "Leaving no one behind" focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water for all by 2030. Organizations from around the city, including SEAWA, will have displays at the library all week, and invite the public to visit them.
Other events at the library celebrating Water Week:

Praxis Wonders of Water Event
Join Praxis on March 19 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, as they celebrate World Water Week 2019. Water is an integral part of our everyday lives but we do need to be wise about it no matter who we are. We believe it is never too early to start investigating the "Wonders of Water". Children ages 4-6 (along with a parent/guardian) are invited to participate in some engaging hands-on science activities focusing on water. Be prepared to get messy and have some fun exploring the wonders of water and science! Pre-registration is required.

2019 World Tour Paddling Film Festival 
The Medicine Hat Paddling Club will be presenting the 2019 World Tour Paddling Film Festival on March 19, at 7 pm, at the Medicine Hat Public Library Theatre. Tickets (Adult and Children) are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Tickets are available at the Medicine Hat Public Library, Mike’s Meats Inc., Valhalla Pure Outfitters, The Boarding House, and the Tourism Medicine Hat – Visitor Information Centre. This is the 4th annual Paddling Film Festival in Medicine Hat. Each year tickets have sold out, so get your tickets now!

Anthropocene: The Human Epoch
On Friday March 22, SEAWA is collaborating with the Medicine Hat Public Library to show the documentary Anthropocene: The Human Epoch. This documentary follows a body of scientists who argue that we are currently in an epoch labelled the Anthropocene: an epoch in which humanity is the dominant force affecting and shaping the landscape. It investigates the far reach of humanity and the extent of the impact we have had on the Earth. This award-winning documentary will be shown from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Medicine Hat Public Library Theatre. This event is free to the public to attend.  We hope to see you there!
Working Well Workshop
March 7, 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
County of Warner Agri Service Board Building

Presented by the Working Well Program in partnership with SEAWA, the County of Warner, and MRWCC.
Consider how your life would change if you lost your water supply!

Did you know that a poorly maintained water well can put your water supply at risk of contamination and reduce your well yield? If you are one of 450,000 Albertans who use their water well for household purposes, the key to ensuring your water supply is safe and secure is knowing how groundwater works, learning about your well, and understanding how to properly maintain it. Proper water well siting, construction, maintenance and plugging will help protect your well from biofouling and contamination, save you costly repairs, and ensure your well water yields are sustained over many years.

Find out what you can do to protect your well. Attend the FREE water well management workshop being hosted by SEAWA, the County of Warner, and MRWCC, and presented by the Working Well Program. Technical expertise will be provided by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta Health Services and licensed water well drillers. The workshop will cover:
•    Groundwater – how it works
•    Water quality and quantity testing
•    Well protection – protecting your well from contamination
•    Basic well maintenance
•    Water sampling – how to do it 

To attend the workshop, please pre-register by calling Kerry Gross at the County of Warner Office at: (403) 642-2255.
Other Upcoming Events

February

February 1 – March 10: Kid's Winter Storywalk "Froggy Gets Dressed" by Jonathan London at Police Point Park, Medicine Hat. Medicine Hat Interpretive Program.

February 6 – March 31What’s The Connection – Wildlife, Habitat, and Fire. Interactive display from Parks Canada at the Police Point Park Nature Centre, Medicine Hat.

Everything in nature is connected! Interactive display stations relate how fire influences habitat and wildlife in Jasper National Park. There are also display panels about the 2017 Kenow Fire in Waterton Lakes National Park and how prescribed burning helps restore the landscape in Grasslands National Park. Parks Canada Staff will be available during the Family Day Event on Feb. 18 to tour visitors through the display.

February 18, Monday, 11 am  - 4 pm. Annual Kiwanis Club Family Day. Police Point Park, Medicine Hat.
Celebrate the Annual Kiwanis Club Family Day at Police Point Park. There will be all kinds of free activities to enjoy - including snowshoeing and skiing (if there's enough snow). If there's no snow there will still be lots to do. Activities start at 11:00 am and continue to 4:00 pm. Snow equipment rentals will end at 3:00 pm.

February 19 - 21: Alberta Soil Science Workshop: Soil Resilience and Extreme Events. Calgary, AB.
The Alberta Soil Science Workshop is held to facilitate regional interaction among professionals in soil science. Typically 100 to 150 participants gather for a 1½ to 2 day program that comprises 40 to 60 oral and poster presentations. These include: keynote papers focused on the workshop theme, technical papers within five distinct fields, and volunteer papers. Currently the five technical groups are:  Land Use and Rangelands, Soil Fertility, Land Reclamation, and Forest, Riparian and Wetland Soils. This year there is a special technical session on Soil Resilience and Extreme Events.
 

February 20, 12 pm. Webinar: "Future Flows: Water Law and Policy in Alberta for a Sustainable Future". Environmental Law Centre.
Join Jason Unger, Executive Director of the Environmental Law Centre, to explore how water law and policy may better serve instream flow needs today and into the future. There is no cost to you to attend this webinar, it is made possible with funding from the Alberta Law Foundation. There are limited spots to attend. Please register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

February 26, 8 pm. "Goodbye Prairie Rose" presentationGrasslands Naturalists meeting at 7 pm, speaker at 8 pm. Interpretive Centre at Police Point Park, Medicine Hat.
Dr. Larson will detail the ecological effects of an invasive species on the prairie rose. The Rose Stem Girdler (RSC), Agrilus cuprescens, is an invasive beetle native to Europe but introduced into North America.The ecological impacts to the prairies of several other invasive species of wood-feeding beetles will also be discussed.

February 27, Registration 11:30 am, event 12 - 1 pm. Coming to a Yard Near Yours: Honeybees in Urban Municipalities. The Danish Canadian Club in Tivoli Hall, 727 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB.
Urban honeybee farming is becoming increasingly popular in and around major urban municipalities in Canada. Until recently, the push to plan for bees in urban environments has been less apparent but with honeybees being introduced into residential contexts, guidelines and regulations are becoming a necessity. There is a cost for this event. Visit Alberta Professional Planners Institute for more info and to register.

March

March 16, Saturday, Registration 8:30 am - AGM 4:30 pm. Every Plant Tells A Story: Documenting Native Plants in Alberta. Alberta Native Plant Council annual workshop and AGM. University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB.

March 30, Saturday. Meet at 6 am. Grasslands Naturalists Manyberries Birding Trip, Manyberries area, AB.
Annual field trip to the Manyberries area to observe early spring migrants as well as to view Sharp-tailed Grouse Dancing on their lek (note: viewed though scopes thus not interfering with their courtship ritual). Led by Ben Velner. Meet at 6:00 AM at the Tim Hortons along Dunmore Road across from the Medicine Hat Mall. This trip will return to Medicine Hat in mid afternoon so bring a lunch and also dress warmly.

Ongoing. SALMTEC’s Wetland Policy Basics online course.
This short online course was designed for anyone interested in Alberta's wetlands. There is a cost associated with this course. 

Please contact Brooklyn Neubeker, SEAWA Stewardship Intern, if your organization is hosting an event that would be of interest to SEAWA members. 
brooklyn.neubeker@seawa.ca
Hot off the Press!
New info sheet about Russion olive trees

SEAWA has created a new information sheet highlighting the invasive qualities of Russian olive trees within southeastern Alberta. Russian olive trees are commonly planted due to their drought tolerance and pleasing aesthetic; however, they outcompete native species which reduces biodiversity. This sheet was produced to educate the public about this tree and discourage future planting. Read or download the sheet.
Want to help us with our restoration fieldwork?

It might not quite feel like spring yet, but SEAWA staff are keeping their eyes peeled for some warm weather so they can kickstart their restoration activities for the 2019 fieldwork season.

 Are you passionate about maintaining healthy ecosystems in our community? Would you like to help us with our restoration efforts? SEAWA needs volunteers with a wide range of abilities and interests to help improve the health of our watershed. Send us an email for volunteer opportunities for your group, staff, or students!
Copyright © SEAWA 2018 All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in to be a SEAWA member, and it is the goal of SEAWA to keep you informed on news and upcoming events.

Our mailing address is:
South East Alberta Watershed Alliance
Rm 41, 419 - 3rd Street S. E.
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0G9
Canada

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