Coming Events

A Picture and A Thousand Words: PhotoVoice Project
Date: December 31 2010
Location: anywhere and everywhere in the Battle River Watershed
The Battle River Watershed Alliance has recently begun pursuing a project called “PhotoVoice.” Through photography, we are seeking to capture people’s perceptions of, and connections to, the Battle River watershed. Each picture tells a story, and we’d love to hear yours!

There is no deadline to be involved in this project, and opportunities to be involved begin NOW, summer 2010.

Participants of the PhotoVoice project are asked to observe the landscape around them – whether natural or man-made – and reflect on aspects of the landscape that invoke positive or negative feelings for them. They are encouraged to take photographs of these things and then reflect, through writing, on these experiences and the message they would like their photographs to convey.

The PhotoVoice project contains two elements: the personal and the communal. The first step is to explore and reflect on our personal perceptions of, and connections to, the landscape around us. The second step is to take that experience and share it with others. We are all part of a community and have something to contribute to that community. Through small group gatherings, photography exhibits, and other initiatives, PhotoVoice participants are invited to share their thoughts, experiences and stories with others.

Moving from thought to action is also encouraged. At times, we see things in the world around us that we desire to see protected, or to see changed, or to see improved. When that is the case, we encourage participants to move beyond personal reflection to outward action in order to create positive change in our world.

We wish to involve people of all ages and from all walks of life. Everyone, from the photography beginner to the photography expert, is welcome to participate!

If you are interested in participating in the PhotoVoice project, please email the BRWA Communications Coordinator, Sarah Skinner, at sarah@battleriverwatershed.ca, or phone us at 780.672.0276.

Also, be sure to check out our PhotoVoice blog at www.voicesofthebattleriver.blogspot.com.

Red Deer Watershed Alliance Community Forums
Date: November 25 2010
Location: Various locations
In January 2010, following the successful completion of the State of the Watershed Report, the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance began a public consultation process for the development of an Integrated Watershed Management Plan.

We want to involve the community in the planning process, so we are holding a series of Community Forums on watershed health and we hope you will participate.

The first three forums are:

Sundre
Tuesday Sept 21
10 am – 3 pm
Sundre Arena, #1, 101 2nd Ave NW

Red Deer
Wednesday Sept 22
10 am – 3 pm
Quality Inn (North Hill Inn), 7150, 50th (Gaetz) Ave

Oyen
Thursday Sept 23
10 am – 3 pm
Oyen Seniors Centre, 219 2nd Street West

The same information will be provided at each forum so you can pick the location that best suits you. Lunch will be provided.

Everyone is welcome, but you must register by September 14, 2010
Email: iwmp@rdrwa.ca
Phone: 403-340-7379

The forums will focus on watershed health indicators related to water quality and water quantity. There will be resource people to give short presentations and then you will have an opportunity to ask questions, make comments and take part in discussions.

If you are unable to attend, there will be other ways you can learn about the watershed and provide input.

A second set of daytime forums on land use and biodiversity will be held at the same locations in October, so please make a note of the following dates:

Sundre Tuesday Oct 26

Red Deer Wednesday Oct 27

Oyen Thursday Oct 28

The community forums will be followed by workshops where participants will “roll up their sleeves” and use information from the forums to set priorities for health issues in their part of the watershed. More information on the workshops will be sent out closer to the date. Mark your calendars now so you will be available to participate in these important workshops:

Sundre Tuesday November 23

Red Deer Wednesday November 24

Oyen Thursday November 25

If you need any other information, please email us at iwmp@rdrwa.ca or phone 403-340-7379. Check out the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance website in early September for more information: www.rdrwa.ca

Capture the Spirit of the Watershed
Date: September 18 2010
Location: Camrose and area
The Battle River Watershed Alliance is partnering with the Camrose Arts Society to "Capture the Spirit of the Watershed" through two plein air painting workshops. The workshops will take place on June 12 and September 18, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on each day. The public is free to sign up for one or both workshops. See descriptions below.

SPIRIT OF THE VALLEY: June 12
Walk in Stony Creek valley in Camrose directly south from the Stony Creek Centre and discover the wonders of painting the valley.

SPIRIT OF THE WETLAND: September 18
Join colleagues in a workshop to a rural wetland east of Camrose. After a drive to Killam we will head north to Don Ruzicka's farm and set up the plein air experience at his cabin that overlooks a beautiful prairie wetland. Lunch provided!

For more information or to register for one or both of the workshops, contact Jane Cherry-Lemire at 780.672.9949 or by email to jcherry@camrose.ca