SEAWA Quicklinks
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Meet the Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency - AEMERA
Why is aemera.org being set-up?
Working with a network of environmental groups, industry and agencies, the Government of Alberta has been conducting environmental monitoring activities over that past 40 years under the Environment Protection and Enhancement Act.
What is aemera.org?
The Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency is the provincial organization established to monitor, evaluate and report on key air, water, land and biodiversity indicators to better inform decision-making by policy makers, regulators, planners, researchers, communities, industries and the public.
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The Benefits of Getting Outside
When was the last time you felt the grass beneath your feet? If statistics are anything to go by, you probably can't even remember.
Thanks to more of us living in cities than ever before, fewer people are finding their ways into the great outdoors on a regular basis and it's starting to wreak havoc on our health.
We've all experienced the "aaahh" feeling when breathing in fresh air and that physical benefit goes right to our heads.
For studies, natural locations and a great info-graphic on this topic, click here.
For the Medicine Hat Interpretive Program summer schedule, (filled with MANY opportunities to get outside!) click here.
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July 23-26
Country in the City was initiated to provide a connection between the urban and rural communities by having informative, educational and interactive displays on topics related to agriculture, energy, recycling and living in the country. Country in the City is free with Stampede admission.
SEAWA will be there, be sure to stop and visit us!
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SEAWA Field Trip
July 9th
Country in the City at the Stampede
July 23-26
Shoreline Clean-up
at Kin Coulee
September 20
Yellow Fish Road
September 28
In the works....
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Youth - do you love being outside
AND taking photos?
This is for you!
Photography Contest for Youth
2014 - 2015
Work, live and play:
People in Police Point Park and the South Saskatchewan River watershed.
Age Categories 12 years or under & 13-18 years as of July 1, 2014
Photographers may submit up to three photographs each month of the contest.Sponsors will print and display photographs for exhibition.
Please include where the photo was taken and tell us a bit about it.
Photographs are to be submitted electronically by email to:
corlaine.mhip@natureline.info
and
shanna@seawa.ca
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SEAWA Urban
Riparian Tour
July 9th
Join us as we learn about the ribbons of green along the streams and rivers (known as riparian areas) in Medicine Hat. Get a hands-on opportunity to assess the health of a stretch of river in the city and discuss management and land use choices and challenges in urban areas.
Our main facilitator is Norine Ambrose from Cows and Fish (out of Lethbridge) who will interpret for the guests on the tour.
The day will start at 10:00 at the Medicine Hat College main parking lot. Look for the big yellow school bus, which will take the group to varied sites of interest within the city. *Parking is free
10: 00 to 10:45
Site visit #1:South Saskatchewan River downstream of Medicine Hat near Ranchlands area
Water testing site for SEAWA, Trace Organic Project
- Dr. Peter Wallis
10:45 to 11:30
Site visit #2: Ross Creek at Highway 41A
Riparian observation and discussion - Norine Ambrose
11:30 to 1:00
Irrigation, process and discussion on recreational area
- Cam Jacques
Complimentary meal ordered from the lunch menu at the club
and a beautiful river view!
1:00 to 1:40
Site #4: City of Medicine Hat Storm pond
Observe riparian activity, information on the city's program
1:40 - 3:00
Site #5: Riverside trails
Participate in litter cleanup as we stroll the paths
Riparian Health Assessment exercise - Norine Ambrose
3:00 Board the bus back to the college
RSVP's are appreciated and seats on the bus can be reserved, however, there will be some seats available on a first come first served basis the morning of the outing. You are welcome to attend the whole day or join us when your schedule allows. For details and reservations please be in touch with Shanna.
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 | | Alida, in Southeast Saskatchewan July 2, 2014 |
Flooding in Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Heavy rainfall in late June, in southeast Saskatchewan has some communities struggling to keep up with the influx of water. It's led to dangerous travel conditions after some highways were submerged or washed out and several states of emergency were declared in nearly 90 municipalities.
Patrick Boyle with the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency said there will be "significant peaks" in water systems as the flood moves downstream, especially in the Lower Qu'Appelle River watershed, which extends from Regina to the Manitoba boundary. The Saskatchewan government estimated that more than 300 people were out of their homes in that province, while in Manitoba high water had forced some 500 people to flee.Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall estimates the flooding could cost in excess of $360 million, similar to what it cost in the 2011 flood. However, that figure does not include farm losses, which are certain to be significant and widespread.
Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn said farmers in his province have crop insurance but he knows that won't make up for lost income."I think we'll be very happy to see sunshine for the next three months," he said. "Unfortunately, nobody is in charge of Mother Nature."
Saskatchewan Flood Photos
Many Albertans in this corner of the province hail from Saskatchewan. Friends and family who have been affected are in our thoughts.
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Medicine Hat Court House - Ken Wou
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Trees are an important part of the urban landscape. They assist in removing the ever increasing amount of carbon dioxide that is polluting our air.
They provide a feel of more green space for families to enjoy and it beautifies the neighbourhoods. They provide a means for a gathering place and the opportunity for communities to engage and develop.
The increasing number of trees and green area encourages people to lead a healthier lifestyle. Trees will decrease the temperatures of nearby buildings increasing cooling efficiencies. Trees and green space influence property values in a positive way.
Trees in an urban environment provide employees with a more positive work life balance.
~ Ken Wou
Speak for the Trees Photo Contest - the results are in!
Click here for all the best shots of urban trees in Medicine Hat. Allison, at the Parks & Recreation department at the City of Medicine Hat has kept us involved and informed about this year's contest. We love all of the entries and are glad to be involved in our partner's activities. Great job shutterbugs!
*See SEAWA & PPNC's photo contest information in the side-bar to the left.
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