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Watershed News!
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June 2013
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SEAWA Quicklinks
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Meet Les Pearson, a good friend of SEAWA:
"Water is vital to the future well-being of Medicine Hat. We are an oasis on the edge of the Palliser desert. As a City Alderman, I've been asked to deal with recent 100 year flood mitigations, water treatment issues, water-sharing agreements with municipal neighbours, and the unsettling fact that our residents have the highest water consumption rates in Alberta, maybe Canada. In Medicine Hat--as one former Mayor has said--"Water is gold!" We have no choice but to be informed and engaged in all these issues, and I am proud to do my part on behalf of the City."
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May 22nd was the International Day of Biodiversity!
It's a big year for water! The theme of this year's international day of biodiversity (or world biodiversity day) was 'water and biodiversity,' which was been chosen to coincide with the designation of 2013 as the International Year of Water Co-operation.
The date of the international day of biodiversity (22 May) marks the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
2005-2015 is also the UN decade of "Water for Life." See here for some key messages.
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This month's featured reading? Waterfowl habitat conditions for 2013.
Throughout the year, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) field staff assess waterfowl habitat conditions across the country. Their observations are compiled in a Habitat Report that shows others how these conditions may influence breeding, migrating and staging waterfowl in Canada.
Check out their 2013 Habitat Reports...
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What makes rain smell so good?
Step outside after the first storm after a dry spell and it hits you: the sweet, fresh, powerful smell of fresh rain. Have you ever wondered what causes that smell? If so, you're not alone! Read more about that distinctive smell here...
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Alberta's River Forecast Centre Many municipalities, emergency responders and Albertans rely on the work of the River Forecast Centre to assess current river conditions and develop short-term forecasts. Read about their work here. |
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Alberta's pest list includes 60 critters!
If an animal is classified as a pest then no licence is needed to remove it. However, people are encouraged to contact a Fish and Wildlife officer for advice on legal methods that can be used to remove it. Read more here. And yes, that IS the outline of a house sparrow (grrr)!
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This Thing Called Science: Citizen Science, that is!
An interesting YouTube series about science. This edition features YOU; highlighting how anyone (everyone!) can contribute to finding out how things work. Watch the video here... |
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STOP! Don't plan anything until you've checked with us!
On June 8, SEAWA will be co-hosting Alberta's first Prairie Appreciation Festival with the Nature Conservancy, the Prairie Conservation Forum, and others. The day-long event will feature nature walks, games, interpretive displays and yummy food! Read all about it here.
Aquality Environmental Consulting is once again offering "Alberta Wetlands: From Classification to Policy," a course aimed at a variety of stakeholders including consultants, industry workers, not-for-profit organizations, and municipal and provincial government departments. The course runs June 26-27 in Calgary. Contact them directly for more information.
Note the change of date!!! SEAWA will be holding their annual river canoe trip on the weekend of July 5-7. Are your paddles polished yet?
To promote greater awareness of water conservation in southern Alberta, the Alberta Hiking Association is planning a walk from the Saskatchewan border to the headwaters of the Oldman River July 13 to July 28. Should we put in a team? Email us! In the meantime, read all about it here.
SEAWA has chosen Kin Coulee Park for our annual Shoreline Clean-up. Join us on Sunday, Sept 22. We'll need help if we want to beat the amount of trash we cleaned up last year at River Valley Park in Redcliff!
... and don't forget to look for SEAWA at local events throughout the summer. We'll be at Spectrum, Canada Day celebrations at Kin Coulee, and at the Stampede. We're always happy to answer questions, and listen to your concerns, about local land and water issues!
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Join the Conversation
Please feel free to contact us with any comments or questions you have about SEAWA, about land and water issues in the region, or about your personal connection to the watershed. |
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Contact Info
Maggie Romuld M.Sc., P.Biol.
Watershed Project Manager
maggie@seawa.ca
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