Urban Lakes and Wetlands Workshop

September 30 to October 1, Chestermere

The ALMS Urban Lakes and Wetlands committee invites submissions of abstracts for presentations at our fall workshop. The focus of this ALMS workshop will be on management of the quality and quantity of water within urban lakes and wetlands, other than storm water treatment ponds, and land uses that will impact or affect these lakes and wetlands.

We are looking for 20 minute presentations on unique lake management research; planning activities for land use adjacent to lakes; lake management planning activities; and best management practices.  We are also looking for speakers to address current or emerging urban lake management, or urban wetland management policy.

If you are interested in speaking at the workshop, please submit a brief abstract by May 31, 2011 to info@alms.ca. We will let you know before June 30, 2011 if your presentation has been accepted for inclusion in our program. For more details on the conference click here

As a concerned cottager in the SV Nakamun, Dwayne recognized the need for a more comprehensive approach to Watershed Stewardship knowledge and initiatives around Lake Nakamun and became one of a handful of the founding members of the Lac La Nonne Watershed Stewardship Society in 2004. He has continued to serve this group as Vice-Chairman and has recently been elected as Councillor in the S.V. Nakamun in 2010. Over these years, Dwayne has on many occasions brought watershed initiatives to the residents surrounding Lake Nakamun, including lake stewardship information sessions, Home Site Consultation, riparian assessment awareness studies and sessions, beneficial management practices, stream and lake water quality sampling, and partnering with the Uinversity of Alberta to study the possible effect of Iron Treatment to improve the water quality in Lake Nakamun.

Dwayne has become recognized and is considered the "Watershed Stewardship Guy" in the area surrounding Nakamun for his efforts and continuous contributions.Through the various initiatives, residents are more aware today of responsible environmental stewardship practices in and around Lake Nakamun including the use of pesticides and fertilizers on their property, the use of treated timber and artificial materials in landscaping, the importance of vegetation cover in riparian and upland areas, and the importance of maintaining fish habitat and minimizing disruption of natural features and vegetation. More residents are now employing good environmental stewardship practices on their sites today as a result. 

Dwayne's obvious passion for this volunteer effort is evident in his everyday participation to watershed stewardship for the areas surrounding lake Nakamun but are also becoming more far reaching through his associations with other stewardship activities and councils in Alberta. He keeps abreast of what others are doing and continues to put a "stewardship" lens on municipal activities and general cottager activites around the lake. 

Dwayne was nominated for an Emerald Award but did not reach the finals. ALMS would however like to use this opportunity to recognize Dwayne for his lake watershed stewardship efforts.  Your efforts are greatly appreciated!