Watershed Stewardship in Alberta - Land Stewardship Centre of ...

5. NORTH SASKATCHEWAN RIVER WATERSHED
5.1. REGIONAL STEWARDSHIP
GROUPS
Please note that we have sub-divided
the North Saskatchewan River into its
respective sub-watersheds and have
listed the corresponding regional
stewardship groups under the subwatershed
sections below (see Battle
River: section 5.3; and Sounding Creek:
section 5.5).
5.1.1. Beaverhill Bird
Observatory
Who We Are
Type of group:
Non-profit charitable organization
Mission/Objectives:
• To promote community interest in
birds and the natural world through
participation in outdoor activities
related to wildlife.
• To promote the preservation and
conservation of Canada’s natural
heritage with special emphasis on
the Beaverhill Lake area.
• To conduct studies of migrant and
resident birds and other aspects of
natural history, at Beaverhill Lake, in
the province of Alberta and
elsewhere, and to publish the
results.
• To assist the work of amateurs and
professional biologists and students
who are carrying out compatible
observations and research work.
• To engage in educational activities
that promote an appreciation for
Beaverhill Lake and the natural
history of Alberta.
• To cooperate with organizations with
similar objectives.
What We Do
• Migration Monitoring
• Monitoring Avian productivity and
survivorship program
• Alberta Nocturnal Owl Survey
• Public education and outreach
• Nest monitoring program
• Alberta raptor nestcard project
Where We Work
• Beaverhill Lake Natural Area
(songbird and owl research)
• Throughout Alberta (raptor research
and educational programs)
Resources We Have Available
• Consulting expertise
• Publications
How to Contact Us
Chuck Priestley
Email: charles@ualberta.ca
Web: www.beaverhillbirds.com
5.1.2. Beaverhill Watershed
Initiative (BWI)
Who We Are
Type of group:
The Beaverhill Watershed Initiative
(BWI) is a small, informal group of
dedicated individuals, still in the
formation and awareness phase that is
striving to form a watershed group.
What We Do
• Full color brochure and survey
developed in the spring of 2004 that
was mailed to all residents within the
watershed.
• Information nights
• Upcoming events:
o Water Quality Monitoring Day
(June 2005)
o School Wetland day (Fall 2005)
o School Resource Compendium
o More information nights
Where We Work
We are located in the Counties of
Beaver and Lamont, approximately 50
km to the east of Edmonton. The
Beaverhill Lake has been placed on the
RAMSAR list of Wetlands of
International Importance and can be
host to over 200,000 ducks, geese, and
swans.
How to Contact Us
Aimee Cook, Municipal Conservation
Technician (Rural Extension Staff)
Box 140
Ryley, AB T0B 4J0
Phone: (780) 663-3730
Email: aesa@beaver.ab.ca
5.1.3. Big Lake Environmental
Support Society (BLESS)
Who We Are
Type of group:
Non-profit charitable organization
Mission:
Preserving the physical and biological
integrity of the Big Lake wetlands. The
12
objectives of the Big Lake
Environmental Support Society are:
• To protect the physical and biotic
integrity of Big Lake, including its
banks, marshes and surrounding
wetlands, and that portion of the
Sturgeon River within the City of St
Albert, Alberta, to prevent
environmental damage to these
areas;
• To ensure the preservation of the
character and biological diversity of
Big Lake for educational, scientific
and research purposes;
• To encourage and promote natureoriented
recreational and educational
activities;
• To encourage, foster and develop
among its members and the public a
recognition of the importance of
environmental conservation and
responsible management of natural
areas, such as Big Lake, with the
least possible disruption when used
by people, and
• To work with governments at all
levels to assist in the proper
management of the areas described.
What We Do
• Environmental education programs:
summer nature programs, school
and youth group presentations
• Stewardship, monitoring,
environmental advocacy, lobbying
• Research/Documentation: collect
data on breeding bird counts and
water levels (e.g. bird studies,
riparian studies)
• Work with local municipalities and
landowners as part of the Big Lake
Management Group to guide lake
management planning
• Host festivals
• Run lake cleanup activities
• Publish brochures
• Provide input to consultation
processes regarding proposed
development around the lake
Where We Work
Big Lake and the surrounding area,
including the Big Lake Natural Area
(BLNA) and the Sturgeon River. Big
Lake is located in the North
Saskatchewan Watershed. The Big
Lake area includes Parkland and
Sturgeon counties, the City of
Edmonton and the City of St. Albert.
How to Contact Us
P.O. Box 65053
St. Albert, AB
Watershed Stewardship in Alberta Alberta Environment
April 2005 Alberta Stewardship Network
Land Stewardship Centre of Canada