Provincial funds support watershed stewardship groups
November 19, 2008
Edmonton…A $250,000 installment to the Alberta Stewardship Network’s Watershed Stewardship Grant Program will help with community-level action to safeguard Alberta’s water resources.
“Stewardship is a shared responsibility,” said Rob Renner, Minister of Environment. “Our $250,000 contribution partnered with grassroots commitment translates into better protection of Alberta’s water resources.” With this latest installment, the province has contributed $1 million to the Alberta Stewardship Network since Water for Life was first released five years ago.
Watershed stewardship groups are community, volunteer-based partnerships actively engaged in environmental stewardship of their watershed. They include individuals, organizations, agriculture, industry, municipalities and other local governments.
There are more than 140 watershed stewardship groups throughout Alberta involved in on-the-ground measure to protect Alberta’s water. Some examples of their efforts include the following.
• The Elbow River Watershed Partnership’s Youth Field Study Program – nearly 1,000 students have taken part in monitored the river’s water quality and discovering the connection between land and water.
• The Nose Creek Watershed Partnership – the first community-based group to develop a sub-basin water management plan. The plan is a consistent and integrated approach that provides valuable tools for watershed management across municipal boundaries.
• West Athabasca Watershed Bioregional Society Hardisty Creek Restoration Project – fish passage remediation and habitat restoration has resulted in the restoration of about 300 metres of fish habitat and the return of bull trout, northern pike, and mountain whitefish to the creek.
The Alberta Stewardship Network is a multi-agency, multi-stakeholder group that supports information exchange and grassroots stewardship efforts.
Other provincial grants for Water for Life partners this fiscal year includes $900,000 for the Alberta Water Council and $1.7 million for Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils.
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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Cara Van Marck
Communications
Alberta Environment
780–427-6267
To call toll-free within Alberta, dial 780–310-0000.
