2019 Watershed Festival

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Join the BRWA to celebrate our Battle! Come enjoy a gem in the heart of our watershed- Big Knife Provincial Park. You will be treated to guided hikes and canoe trips, a free lunch and saskatoon pie, and games and crafts for the kids. Throughout this fun-filled day we will be exploring and appreciating all that this region provides to us. All at no-cost!

You can see more details and invite your friends from our Facebook event page.

Finding Common Ground 2.0

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Tour and Training Opportunity

The Finding Common Ground 2.0 tour will be exploring energy options and opportunities, with a focus on energy efficiency, around the Battle River region. We have space for 25 local Energy Ambassadors to take part in this fully-funded professional development training.

What will the tour include?

Participants will gain first hand experience in energy production, distribution, and efficient use. Loading onto a coach bus in Camrose, we will visit multiple energy production sites and to hear from guest experts. Topics will include: renewable and conventional energy production and distribution; technological innovations and advances in efficiencies; local impacts of energy on our social, economic, and environmental resilience; and how to increase energy efficiency in your home, workplace, and community.

After a full day of tours, participants will have the option to stay overnight in Camrose, or be returned to their vehicles to return home. The second day will be much like the first; exploring and discussing our energy systems, as well as gaining experience in sharing your thoughts and ideas about the project and topics with others.

Ambassador Schedule:

Wednesday October 23
Big Picture Day
Morning
Meet in Camrose for registration, load onto coach bus
Travel to the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts centre for:

  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Tour of the innovative and award winning solar array and energy efficient building
  • Keynote Speaker Chris Turner presentation on our Energy
Afternoon
Travel to the Paintearth Mine, operated by Westmoreland. Learn about their coal mining operation and recent addition of biofuel.

Visit the ATCO Battle River Generating Station. Tour the coal facility and learn about how coal power is produced. Also hear about the conversion to natural gas and changes to the energy production.

Hear from guest speakers from Enbridge about the transportation of energy products in their pipelines.

Travel to Halkirk to visit the Capital Power Wind Farm and learn about how the wind is adding power to our grid and the future of wind in Alberta.
Evening
Dinner on our way back from Halkirk.

Be returned to your vehicle, with the option to stay overnight at the local hotel (costs are covered).
Thursday October 24
Home-Scale Day
Morning
Meet in Camrose, load onto coach bus
Travel to Lacombe Composite High school for:

  • Keynote speaker David Dodge on Green Energy Futures and energy efficiency success stories.
  • Tour of school’s energy projects including solar panels, passive solar geodesic dome, and aquaponics system. Also hear about what students across the province are doing to address energy and climate topics.
Afternoon
Travel to Maskwacis. Hear from Iron and Earth and Louis Bull Council Member Desmond Bull on the Louis Bull Nation’s solar projects and training initiative.

Visit a straw bale home to see how one local family has reduced their energy consumption and used local materials to build. You will also be able to see and learn about electric vehicles, including a visit with a Tesla.

Participate in an Energy Savings workshop for how you and your business can save on your bills.

Wrap-up the event with a presentation from the Alberta Narratives project, and over dinner talk about your own highlights of the trip to prepare to share your story.

Become an Energy Ambassador!

We have recruited Energy Ambassadors from across the Battle River/Sounding Creek watersheds (and beyond) to be part of this tour!

Ambassadors will participate in a two-day bus tour exploring the various energy options and opportunities in the Battle River region. They will have exclusive behind the scenes access to all types of energy projects and hear from guest speakers on energy production, distribution, and efficiencies. Along with the renewable and conventional energy projects, we will learn about the social and environmental challenges and opportunities in the watershed. Ambassadors will also be able to participate in online webinars to compliment the bus tour.

Following the training, Energy Ambassadors will share their experience with friends, colleagues, or the public in a short “What I learned” presentation. Supported by the BRWA with a slide-deck and speaking prompts, this talk will cover their experiences on the tour, their personal highlights, and what they learned on energy options and opportunities. To move from words to actions, Energy Ambassadors and their presentation group will also commit to making one simple change for energy efficiency.

Regardless of their personal or professional backgrounds, Energy Ambassadors will build knowledge and experience to understand our local energy context and what actions can be taken to improve our regions sustainability during this time of change.

Want to sign-up or learn more?

Fill out this event registration form to be contacted with details. *The Tour is currently full. If you are interested, please complete the form to be put on a waiting list.

Event Signup

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This event is being supported by Alberta Environment and Park’s Community Environment Action Grant, and Energy Efficiency Education Grant Program.

Magpie Nature Camp

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Magpie Nature Camp helps kids find joy in the great outdoors, teaching activities that empower them to connect to nature and find value in stewardship. Campers will learn about wilderness safety and awareness, edible and medicinal plants, fish and wildlife, and survival skills like shelter building, fire starting, and bow and arrow making. We will deepen our connection to nature, build confidence and resilience outdoors, learn ancient skills, and have fun!

View the magpie nature camp family handbook here

2020 FEES

Cost is $75.00 per week per child, PLUS $50.00 per family for a Fish and Game membership. (Cost does not apply if you are already a member.)

Example:

A single child attending camp: $75.00 + $50.00 family membership fee = $125.00 total

Two children attending camp: $75.00 + $75.00 + $50.00 family membership fee = $200.00 total

 

View the magpie nature camp family handbook here