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June 2014
 
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Meet Michele Dillman
SEAWA Admin & Outreach Summer Assistant!

Michele was introduced to SEAWA through an Administrative Professional practicum program that she completed next door, at Hyperion Research Ltd. She will be assisting with the outreach events (*Check the 'Mark Your Calendar' section below) and helping to complete office re-organization and planning tasks. 
In addition to her administrative skills, Michele brings with her a passion for the outdoors, with a special 'thing' for frogs. We welcome her to SEAWA.

Click for the checklist of the birds of Alberta.

Trail Watchers
 

The Grasslands Naturalists Club plan to keep an eye on the conditions of the trails and parks in the City of Medicine Hat."Trail Watchers" will be noting and reporting any hazards, spills, beaver activity, erosion or damage to paths or bridges. You are welcome to become a 

Trail Watcher and can even select a section of the trail to monitor. Trail Watchers are also encouraged to clean up litter. Call John Slater 403.526.7003 to receive a free Litter Picker or  City Parks Department at 403.529.8333 to make a report.

What is an Aquatic Invasive Species?

> It's a non-native species that threatens: 

  •  the diversity or abundance of native species and the ecological health of infested waters
  • recreational, agricultural or commercial activities dependent on water in lakes, rivers, streams and canals
For more info click these links:
>Riparian areas are the lands adjacent to streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands, where the vegetation and soils are strongly influenced by the presence of water. Although they make up only a small fraction of the land, they are among the most productive and valuable of all landscape types and have been the focus of conflicts between resource users.

The key to maintaining healthy riparian areas is understanding how they work or function.   

 

Join us on July 9th to explore riparian areas within Medicine Hat!

 Mark your calendar! 
Prairie Appreciation Day June 14th

Canada Day at Kin Coulee

SEAWA Field Trip
July 9th

 Country in the City Stampede, July 23-26

 

In the works....

Vote on the SEAWA mascot


Boaters - Help prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

Alberta waters are at risk of becoming infested with Aquatic Invasive Species. The movement of watercraft into Alberta is the highest risk of infecting our waters.  

If you're traveling with a boat, you must clean, drain and dry all equipment before departing. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Inspectors will provide education at special events.  They'll also conduct boat inspections at various Alberta Parks boat launches in the province. Alberta Parks is collaborating with Alberta Environment & Sustainable Resource Development and other government and external agencies in these efforts.

 

Why are Aquatic Invasive Species a problem?

Aquatic Invasive Species are a threat to the economy, especially agriculture, tourism and recreation. They destroy natural lake ecosystems and fisheries.  The management of their impacts could cost millions of dollars each year.The species of greatest concern in Alberta currently are two mussels; Quagga Mussel and Zebra Mussel and one plant; Eurasian Watermilfoil. Aquatic Invasive Species like Quagga and Zebra Mussels can spread quickly and can live out of water for up to 30 days.

 

Does Alberta have Quagga or Zebra Mussels?

Not yet. Prevention is the most effective way of managing Aquatic Invasive Species.  There are currently  some infestations of lower risk aquatic invasive species that are being managed locally.  Purple loosestrife is an example.

 

How are Aquatic Invasive Species spread?  

Aquatic Invasive Species are primarily spread through the transportation of watercraft from infected waters to unaffected areas. Infected lakes have been found in Lake Winnipeg, Utah, Southwest United States and Eastern North America.Boaters are discouraged from transporting boats from these areas.

 

Where do I call to report something suspicious on my boat or equipment or for more information?

Alberta:  1-855-336-2628 (BOAT)

Montana:  406-TIP-MONT (406-847-6668)

British Columbia:  1-888-933-3722
Prairie Appreciation
The Prairie Conservation Forum was established by the Government of Alberta in 1989 to convey Alberta's support and commitment to implementing the Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP). The PCAPs are five year blueprints for conserving, protecting and managing native prairie and parkland species, communities and habitats, and was initiated by the World Wildlife Fund, Canada and the provincial governments of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta to offer a prairie-wide vision for the preservation of Canada's prairies. Alberta's PCAP is prepared by a committee of PCF members that represent government and non-government organizations in Alberta.

The 2nd Prairie Appreciation Festival will be on Saturday, June 14, 2014 near Cypress Hills Provincial Park. 
 
Come gain a first-hand grasslands experience for the entire family! Bring a picnic lunch and lawn chair! 
Go on a wetlands bug safari, operate a solar  
water pump, saddle a horse, take a roping  
lesson and much more!  
Registration begins at 9 am at Russill Ranch  
*See more details on poster by following this link. 
5-8 pm BBQ dinner and several entertaining activities  
BBQ is $15/adult, $10/student (6-15 yrs)
under 6 free
RSVP for BBQ
Contact
 
 
Red Deer River, Karol Dabbs

Nature Alberta serves a membership of over 40 clubs and represents thousands of individuals who share a passion for natural history across the province.Natural history is the study of plants or animals, using observational rather than experimental methods.

 

Alberta is fortunate to have a wide diversity of wildlife and wild spaces. and its citizens benefit by having access to a healthy, natural environment.

 

Programs offered by Nature Alberta are Bird Conservation, Citizen Science & Database and Living By Water.

 

What is Citizen Science?

The term citizen science is often used to describe communities or networks of citizens who act as observers in some domain of science. Citizen science has long been recognized as a legitimate means of collecting scientific data and can also be used to entice more people to get engaged in a greater appreciation of our natural resources. There are a number of national and provincial citizen science programs that Albertans can contribute sightings and other natural history information to. Nature Alberta has compiled a list of some of these programs in this report.

 

  RBC Blue Water Day 

 

Most Canadians take water for granted. We think we have lots of it and it will always be there. So in 2008, RBC started polling Canadians about their attitudes towards water to see if the serious water issues around the world were having an impact on how we use and think about water, and tracking whether our attitudes are changing.

Since 2008, RBC has made the poll results freely available to NGOs and other interested parties. RBC wants to help contribute to a healthy conversation about the value and vulnerability of water in Canada.

For 2014 results, click here.

 

One of the local RBC branches (13th Avenue) will be honoring  Blue Water Day by taking staff and their families on a field trip to Police Point, building a rain barrel and learning about xeriscape next week.
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.
 
Get in touch
Shanna Mohns
Communication Coordinator, SEAWA
shanna@seawa.ca