SUNDRE – The municipal council recently heard about plans to raise awareness regarding the importance of water conservation as well as to promote responsible stewardship.
Karen Fahrlander, who is a board member with the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance (RDRWA), outlined those plans during a recent regular meeting of Sundre council.
“I have lived in Sundre my entire life,” said Fahrlander, adding councillors Jaime Marr and Owen Petersen were once upon a time students of hers.
The Red Deer River, where over the years she has spent many hours horseback riding along the banks and picnicking with her family, is among the main reasons Fahrlander said she is so proud to call Sundre her home.
“I grew up alongside the Red Deer River,” she said.
“This early connection with nature has continued throughout my life,” she said, describing her camera as her “constant companion” that helps her capture photographs of wildlife and natural vistas.
“The river is like a magnet,” she added, citing the surge in numbers of visitors during the warmer months.
“It offers mystery, peace and contentment.”
The river’s headwaters originate in the Skoki Valley of Banff National Park before making its was downstream toward Sundre. Along the way, there are many tributaries such as the Bearberry Creek, Little Red Deer and James rivers, as well as numerous bodies of water such as Burnstick, Beaver and Birch lakes, she said.
“Sundre is surrounded by water. Sundre would be an excellent location to have a ‘Let’s Honour Water’ day,” she told council, adding the focus of the event will be to create awareness about water issues and along the way develop a deeper respect for the region’s watersheds.
“I believe we all have a role to play in protecting Alberta’s watersheds; whether it is a riparian area, lake, stream or a river,” she said.
“No matter how we use the land in the Eastern Slopes – whether it’s camping, hiking, fishing, off-roading, farming or ranching – we have a responsibility to pursue our activities in ways that keep our waters cold, clean, clear and connected,” she said, drawing from a statement by the Trout Collective.
Through conversations with officials, participation in conferences as well as webinars put on by the University of Calgary pertaining to the topic of water, Fahrlander said she has developed a greater appreciation for the work going on in Alberta.
“I believe this knowledge should be shared with the public toward creating a respectful water stewardship model,” she said.
To begin with watershed awareness, the alliance is planning a spring forum on Friday, March 8. The event will feature speakers from Indigenous communities, the University of Calgary as well as the Alberta government. Additionally, Janelle Baker, an associate professor at Athabasca University with roots in Sundre, will be providing a presentation about golden trout studies.
The event will be hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #223 in Sundre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with tickets to be available through Eventbrite.
A follow-up, two-day event is also planned for May 2-3. The first session on Thursday is intended specifically for students, while the Friday component will be open to the public.
Two dozen groups will be invited to participate, she said, citing examples such as Cows & Fish, Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Alberta Invasive Species Council, Legacy Land Trust Society, and the Red Deer River Municipal Users Group.
Concluding her presentation to council, Fahrlander requested the municipality’s help in advertising the events, the mayor’s participation in offering some words at the March 8 event, and lastly to either waive or otherwise offset the Sundre Community Centre’s rental cost for the two-day event.
Coun. Paul Isaac asked if she had also considered including tourism operators and organizations in the invitation callout as the industry in the area seems to be growing. Fahrlander said that was a good idea but that she had not and asked Isaac if he had any particular groups in mind.
The councillor suggested Tourism Alberta and referred her to administration for additional options.
Coun. Owen Petersen asked about the format for the event in May, and whether it will be more of a trade show style or perhaps more like a scheduled lineup of speakers presenting a variety of topics.
“It does bring to mind a trade show format,” said Fahrlander.
However, the event being put together specifically for students at River Valley School will provide more opportunities for engagement, she said.
“That will be an interactive engaging lesson that each of the water groups are going to be providing,” she said.
“I’ve been to trade shows before with students, and it becomes a ‘let’s see how much loot we can collect.’ And that’s not what this is about; it’s a learning atmosphere.”
When asked by Coun. Jaime Marr if she had looked into available grants, Fahrlander said she had not yet done so.
Mayor Richard Warnock said with regards to the request to waive the community centre’s rental cost that she would have to go through the municipality’s Grants to Organizations committee, a simple enough process that administration could help out with.
Additionally, having checked his calendar, Warnock said March 8 was clear and confirmed he’d attend to offer a few words.
“The answer is yes to your request,” he said, adding water has become among the top subjects discussed at all manner of meetings.
“We’re living where there is water. (But) there’s a lot of Albertans living where there’s not,” he said.
Isaac’s motion to accept the presentation for information carried.
Created in 2005, the alliance is non-profit society that serves as the designated Watershed Planning and Advisory Council for the Red Deer River watershed under the Government of Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy, reads a portion of the background information in council’s agenda.
The provincial government has also asked municipalities to begin drafting up water-shortage plans as the threat of severe drought looms on the horizon.
