BRWA is hosting an in-person gathering of the Battle River and Sounding Creek Stewardship Community of Practice.
The top ten finalists of the Caring For Our Watersheds contest will present their proposals to a panel of judges at the Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin, AB. At this event, the placements for the top ten will be determined and honourable mentions will be acknowledged for their efforts to improve their watersheds.
Learn more about the Caring For our Watersheds Contest
BRWA’s AGM will be held on June 19, 2025. Keep an eye on this page for updates.
BRWA has teamed up with Augustana’s Campus Recreation, Vikings Athletics and Environmental Science programs to run a week-long camp from July 21-25 for children ages 9-12. Half of the day will cover a variety of indoor and outdoor sports, while the other half of the day, participants will explore the wonders of the watershed. BRWA staff will be the science camp leaders with special activities led by Dr. Greg King, Dr. Glen Hvenegaard, and other experts. The camp will be held in Camrose at U of A, Augustana Campus. Spots are limited. Registration open 19-Feb-2025 7:00 AM – Until 30-Jun-2025 11:59 PM.
Two bursaries are available! Contact otis@battleriverwatershed.ca
Join us for a special World Water Day Webinar hosted by Alberta’s Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs). This year, we’re diving into the critical topic of Glacier Preservation and its impact on our water resources. Stay tuned for the registration link!
Time: 4 – 7 PM
Join BRWA and the County of Vermilion River at Lindsay Evans Park on Wednesday, August 14th for a Wetland Adventure Day!
There will be pond dipping and other fun and family friendly wetland-themed activities. Click on the poster for more details!
Time: 10 AM to 3 PM
A variety of healthy lake partners will be coming out to share what they do to help protect the lake and watershed. There will be something for everyone to do, including games, educational resources and crafts.
Date: July 27th
Time: 11:00 am to 3:30 pm
Join us at Pleasure Island Fish Pond, just East of Camrose, for our Watershed Festival. You will be treated to a day of activities, a watershed expo with experts on birding, wildlife, native plants and sustainable agriculture. There will be guided hikes, food, face painting and crafts for kids. Throughout this fun-filled day we will be exploring and appreciating all our watershed provides to us. All at no-cost!
List of current experts/booths attending:
List of Activities:
Notice:
Despite ongoing smoke and rain, we plan to proceed with the event if air quality advisories are 6 or below by Friday. However, if they are higher and in the red zone, we will unfortunately need to cancel for health and safety reasons. We will notify you promptly on Friday after reviewing air advisories, weather reports, and all relevant advisories for the area. We will post on social media, email lists and on this page if the event is cancelled.
Location: *new location due to low flow conditions in the Battle River* Castor Creek (see below for specific meeting place)
Start Time: 10:00 am
About the Event: BRWA staff are planning to paddle Castor Creek in the Town of Castor. This is an out-and-back paddle, so it can be as long or short a paddle as you would like. Bring your own boat, safety gear, lunch, and provisions. Anyone wishing to join, please email stewardship@battleriverwatershed.ca
Start Time: 10:00 am
We welcome the public to join us for a day of monitoring different bird species!
We will be meeting at West beach parking lot. From there, we will split into two groups. One group will embark on a 5 km forest hike, while the other will enjoy a less intensive walk along the beach area and camping ground. You are welcome to choose either group depending on your preferred level of activity for the day.
Please remember to dress appropriately for the weather, bring sunscreen, bug spray (we are in a active tick area), and pack a lunch with plenty of water.
We will have binoculars for the volunteers. Please email stewardship@battleriverwatershed.ca if interested.
Time: Starts at 10 am
Join BRWA and the Camrose Museum for free admission, watershed themed activities, museum tour and more! Call (780) 672-3298 if interested.
Time: 10:00 to Noon
Join the BRWA and the Camrose Green Action Committee to plant approximately 1000 small poplar trees and native wildflowers. If interested in volunteering please contact: camrosegac@gmail.com
Join us this year at the Alberta, Métis Fest. It will be two thrilling days filled with Métis culture and celebration including music performances Métis Jamboree and Living Fiddling Legends, Jigging Competitions, Artisan Market, and more! For more information check out their event page.
Time: 1 – 4:30 pm
The BRWA is holding our AGM in Camrose. All members of the community are welcome to attend and hear updates about our organization’s annual operations. Meeting materials will be circulated to members before the event. AGM will include a a business meeting, OTIS award presentation, state of the watershed overview and one more presentation to be announced.
Meeting Materials
01-2024 AGM Agenda
02-2023 AGM Minutes
03-2024-25 Budget
04-2024 AGM Special Resolutions for Membership Vote
05-Board of Director’s Terms of Reference
06-Bylaw Comparison 2013 to 2024
07-Annual Report 2023-24
We will be at Central Alberta Youth Range Days this year! Tickets are $20 each and topics include riparian health, rangeland management, plant identification and aquatic invertebrates. Parents are welcome. Register before June 28 – space is limited!
Contact County of Stettler at: info@stettlercounty.ca for registration or more information.
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM MDT
The purpose of the BRSC Stewardship Community of Practice is to bring together individuals and organizations that operate in the Battle River and Sounding Creek watersheds, and who are committed to working to advance stewardship actions through the creation and exchange of knowledge and experience.
This is a gathering to celebrate the success stories of our watershed stewards, and to learn and help others with shared challenges. It will also be a great opportunity to meet potential project partners and collaborators.
The session will include:
Date: February 29, 2024
Time: 10 am – 3:30 pm
Join us to learn about ecological, community, and public health in the Battle River and Sounding Creek watersheds, as highlighted in the new State of the Watershed report. This is an opportunity to hear from you about how this data resonates in your community.
Who should come? The summit is intended for First Nations and Metis Nation representatives, municipalities, public health professionals, community support organizations, watershed stewardship groups and environmental non-profits, agricultural organizations, economic development agencies, academia, Government of Alberta, and industry partners.
Date: January 26, 2024
Time: 10 am – 3:30 pm
Join us for a workshop to get started on drought management, build community resilience, and learn from the experiences of community members who have survived droughts. This workshop is designed to connect water management partners, support municipalities with their drought management strategies and plans, and build community resiliency.
Intended for Municipal CAOs, Council Members, Agricultural Services, and other municipal staff working on drought mitigation measures (please limit participation to 3-4 members per municipality), representatives from the Government of Alberta, and related organizations including Alberta Emergency Management Agency, Alberta Energy Regulator, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, Rural Municipalities of Alberta.
Date: January 24, 2024
Time: 2 – 4pm
Join the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance and the Battle River Watershed Alliance in this interactive workshop on the Riparian Web Portal.
Topics will include:
Register at least 48 hours in advance to receive your personal Riparian Web Portal login information.
Prerequisite: Please watch the “Dive into the Riparian Data: Our Intactness Project” 101 workshop recording prior to this event for background understanding on the data collection and assessment.
Date: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Time: 12pm – 1pm
The BRSC Stewardship Community of Practice will bring together individuals and organizations that operate in the Battle River and Sounding Creek watersheds, and who are committed to working to advance stewardship actions through the creation and exchange of knowledge and experience.
This is a gathering to celebrate the success stories of our watershed stewards, and to learn and help others with shared challenges. It will also be a great opportunity to meet potential project partners and collaborators.
The session will include:
An Introduction the the Community of Practice, our shared purpose and goals
5 guest speakers from across the watershed:
Opportunity to meet other groups and talk about topics that arise
For more information contact Susanna at susanna@battleriverwatershed.ca
Date: Thursday, November 30th
Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Join us for a workshop to get started on drought management, build community resilience, and learn from the experiences of community members who have survived droughts. This workshop is designed to connect water management partners, support municipalities with their drought management strategies and plans, and build community resiliency.
Intended for Municipal CAOs, Council Members, Agricultural Services, and other municipal staff working on drought mitigation measures (please limit participation to 3-4 members per municipality), representatives from the Government of Alberta, and related organizations including Alberta Emergency Management Agency, Alberta Energy Regulator, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, Rural Municipalities of Alberta.
Saturday, August 26th from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Join us for this annual open house event hosted at Peaceful Valley Day Lodge. It is an opportunity for local community members, stakeholders, and clients to meet the staff and volunteers of Peaceful Valley, tour the facility and grounds, and learn more about the site.
BRWA will be in attendance and will be sharing watershed info and giving away free atlases about the local region!
See the poster for event details and to learn more about Peaceful Valley.
Date: August 19th
Time: 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Rain Date: August 20th (we will be notifying all exhibitors and participants within 24 hours of the event if we choose to switch to our rain day)
Join us at Big Knife Provincial Park to enjoy a gem in the heart of our watershed, including the hoodoos next to the Battle River. You will be treated to a day of activities, a watershed expo with experts on birding, water quality, and local wildlife. There will be guided hikes, food, games and crafts for kids. Throughout this fun-filled day we will be exploring and appreciating all that this region provides to us. All at no-cost!
For updates on the festival sign up here
Watershed Festival schedule
List of current guest experts/booths attending:
List of Activities:
Date: August 15th
Please join BRWA staff and the site staff to take action and learn how we can maintain a habitat for native plants, pollinators and other species. Join us in the morning, afternoon or for both sessions. We will be providing food and weed pulling supplies. Please bring water and gloves if you have them. Dress for the weather and be prepared for bugs.
Please email stewardship@battleriverwatershed.ca for more information and to register.
Feel free to share our event poster!
Morning Session: 10 am to noon
Where: Wetaskiwin Water Treatment Plant, Coal Lake
Afternoon Session: 2 to 4 pm
Where: Pleasure Island Fish Pond
Date: August 12th
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Day use area of Pigeon Lake Provincial Park
BRWA is excited to attend Love the Lake day at Pigeon Lake. This event will give the community an opportunity to enjoy some time at the lake, while learning about Pigeon Lake Watershed and the other amazing organizations that do work to make the environment around Pigeon Lake as healthy as possible! Come join us and many other healthy lake partners for a day filled with games and watershed themed activities, interactive booths as well as food and prizes. See you there!
For more information visit PLWA’s website here
Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
We will be hosting programs at the first Central Alberta Youth Range Day. Youth Range Day will be an interactive day to engage and educate youth aged 13-18 on topics such as rangeland management, riparian health, aquatic invertebrates, and plant identification! Parents are welcome! Space is limited, so register early (deadline to register is July 1)
For more information about the event click here or email stewardship@battleriverwatershed.ca
Start Time: 9:30 am
Join us as we scout out Tide Creek to expand our Paddle the Battle online guide!
This is an open event, but in order to participate personal boats and safety gear is required. We will be meeting at Gilwood boat dock (53°03’26.1″N 114°10’19.1″W), and if waters are too rough we will be driving to the bridge on highway 771 and loading in there. Please plan for a couple of hours by bringing your own lunch and plenty of water.
If interested in participating or if you have questions please contact engagement@battleriverwatershed.ca
For more information about the Paddle the Battle guides check out this link!
Time: 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
We will be at the annual Purple Martin Festival at Stoney Creek Center on June 18th. Come on down and learn about the extraordinary birds that are Purple Martins and how the Camrose community aids their growth and habitat. BRWA will be hosting a booth as well as bug dipping during the event.
For registration for the event email wildlifestewardship@camrose.ca
$10 for Adults
$25 for a Family of Four
Children under 12 are Free
For more information check out the Purple Martin Festival Face book page here.
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
This year’s AGM and bus tour will include a business meeting in the morning, lunch, time to explore the fern glades and lakeshore views of Mt. Butte, and a bus tour with stops in the Battle Lake watershed. On the bus tour, guest speakers will share their information on local stewardship efforts, implementation of beneficial agricultural practices, and partnerships in lake watershed management. BRWA members, watershed residents, local groups, businesses, and government representatives are all invited! Busing for the event, to and from Camrose, will be available.
Meeting Materials
Join us at Augustana on Feb. 6th, when Rita Wong will join the Battle River Watershed Alliance and local guests to explore our personal and community relationships with water. Check out the poster for more information!
Join the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance and the Battle River Watershed Alliance in this interactive webinar on the Riparian Intactness Assessment Project.
In this 101 workshop, you will learn the Why and How of the Riparian Intactness Assessment Project, how it applies to your work, and how it can improve the health of our watersheds.
Topics will include:
– Information about the project, and why the BRWA and NSWA are pursuing it
– An overview of the methods used to measure riparian intactness, pressure, and prioritization
– The importance of riparian areas for watershed health
– Tools and resources for governments, agriculture, and ENGOs to apply this knowledge
– Share your thoughts on the project and its potential relevance to your work.
Register at least 48 hours in advance.
This workshop is a pre-requisite for the “Where Data Meets Action: Riparian Web Portal” workshop.
Plan to Attend, Register Today!
The BRWA’s annual general meeting is open to our followers, supporters, members, and interested individuals and organizations.
Attend this meeting to hear an update on our year’s business and annual operations. Learn how the BRWA is working to achieve its goals.
Please register via Eventbrite to receive an agenda.
What will we cover?
Help us thank David Samm for his excellent leadership, and meet our new Executive Director! Hear from our team about what we have accomplished this year and what’s coming up next year.
The 2022 Alberta Caring for our Watersheds Contest will be hosted online Saturday April 23rd from 6:00-8:30pm MST. Register via our EventBrite page receive a link to the virtual event.
Students from across Alberta will share their ideas to improve their watershed.
Click the More Information button for details on finalists.
April 7th @ 7pm, The Bailey Theatre in Camrose
We are excited to welcome you for an evening of films, celebrations, and community at the Bailey Theatre. Come join us at the proverbial “water’s edge”!
As part of our Riparian Intactness Assessment project, we have developed a series of short films that showcase the important functions of riparian areas, share exciting new methods for monitoring them, and celebrate work that local landowners are doing to protect them. We are proud to present these videos for the very first time at this event!
Each year, we recognize recognize individuals, farms & businesses, organizations, and youth in the Battle River and Sounding Creek watersheds who are OuTstanding In Stewardship. We celebrate the work they are doing to care for our watersheds, including the land, air, water, and biodiversity. This evening, we will be celebrating the winners of the 2021 OTIS Awards.
Throughout the evening, we will also be able to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and saskatoon berry treats courtesy of the Bailey Bistro.
Our speaker panel includes:
Dr. Brian Smerdon is a Research Associate and Instructor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alberta. He works to discover and share the story of groundwater: where it originated, how long its journey has been, and its experience along the flow path. Brian is also president of the Canadian chapter of the International Association of Hydrogeologists.
Dustin Twinn is a council member for the Swan River First Nation. He dedicates the majority of his time at the nation working on the restoration of their traditional territory.
Dr. Rita Wong is an Associate Professor in Critical and Cultural Studies at Emily Carr University. Rita investigates the relationships between contemporary poetics, water justice, and ecology. She has published many books and co-edited an anthology with Dorothy Christian entitled Downstream: Reimagining Water. She understands that when waterways are healthy, life (including people) will be healthy too, and that we cannot afford to endanger and pollute the waters that sustain our lives.
Each speaker brings a unique perspective and will share their knowledge and experiences with us.
Learn how you can use the Riparian Web Portal to:
-View new satellite-based riparian data through the interactive map
-Get inspired by on-the-ground stewardship projects
-Browse resources that will help you care for riparian areas that matter to you
Join the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance and the Battle River Watershed Alliance in this interactive training webinar on the Riparian Intactness Assessment Project and resulting Web Portal.
101: Our Intactness Project. In the AM workshop you will learn the Why and How of the Riparian Intactness Assessment project, how it applies to your work, and how it can improve the health of our watersheds. This webinar is a pre-requisite for the 102 workshop.
102: Where Data Meets Action. In the PM workshop, you will gain login access to see and understand riparian data and be trained on adding your projects to the site.
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!
Cohort 1: Ages 8, 9, & 10. 9:00am to 12:00pm
Cohort 2: Ages 10, 11, & 12. 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Cohort 3: Ages 8, 9, & 10. 9:00am to 12:00pm
Cohort 4: Ages 10, 11, & 12. 1:00pm to 4:00pm
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.)
Learn More and Sign up on the 2021 Magpie Nature Camp Event Page
Take part in this Family Fishing Weekend and share your experiences with us!
On this weekend, Albertan’s are allowed to give fishing a try on waterbodies with open fishing seasons, without a sport fishing license.
Take a photo and share it with us using the #BattleRiverWatershed hastag for a chance to win a fabulous gift basket!
Thank you Cargill for supporting this project!
Be involved as a member of our organization by attending and supporting the BRWA’s work.
The BRWA’s annual general meeting is open to our members and other interested individuals and organizations. Attend this two-hour online meeting to hear an update on our year’s business and annual operations. Learn about how the BRWA has worked towards its goal, with a little help from our friends and partners.
An agenda and zoom link will be sent out to those who register the week prior to the event.
Register via Eventbrite
The 2021 Central Alberta Caring for our Watersheds Contest will be hosted online Saturday April 24th from 6:00-8:30pm MST. Register via our EventBrite page receive a link to the virtual event.
Students from across Alberta will share their ideas to improve their watershed.
Click the More Information button for details on finalists.
Be involved as a member of our organization by attending and supporting the BRWA’s work.
The BRWA’s annual general meeting is open to our members and other interested individuals and organizations. Attend this two-hour online meeting to hear an update on our year’s business and annual operations. Learn about how the BRWA has worked towards its goal as we “go with the flow” with the twists and turns of 2019/2020.
An agenda and zoom link will be sent out to those who register the week prior to the event.
Register via Eventbrite.
Join us on Friday, October 2nd (from 10 AM – 12 PM) to learn how to harvest and plant willow stem cuttings that can provide forest cover around streams, rivers, wetlands, and lakes. We’ll spend the morning working outside on all the steps of willow staking, from sourcing cuttings, to proper preparation, to planting, all while restoring a local creek! This workshop is free, but space is limited. Please register by contacting Kim Barkwell at kbarkwell@county10.ca or (780) 387-6182. Check out the poster for more details.
Drought and flood are two sides of the same coin: A broken water cycle is the root cause of both. Join Takota Coen from Coen Farm and Rob Avis from Verge Permaculture for an online workshop and field day at the Coen Farm. Learn how to design and implement low-tech, low-cost, nature-based earthworks that can build more effective and efficient water cycles on your land. Practice re-vegetation techniques and learn traditional uses of native plants. See the event poster for more information and registration details!
We are hosting another Finding Common Ground tour! Participants will travel by bus to explore energy production and efficiency options and opportunities in the region. By participating in this in-person tour and online webinars, these “Energy Ambassadors” will be trained with tools and knowledge to help make their home, office, and community more energy efficient and resilient! Professional development certificates will be provided to those Ambassadors who complete the training.
Join us for this 2-day workshop to learn how to design and implement low-tech, low-cost, nature-based earthworks that can build drought and flood resilience on your land. Check out the poster for more information and registration details.
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.
We are excited to host our annual Saskatoon Pie Baking Competition at the Downtown Camrose Farmer’s Market. The contest is open to everyone, new and experienced bakers alike!
There is no entry fee. All pie bakers receive a participation prize!
Champion judging will begin at 4:30 PM. Market-goers will be invited to sample pies and vote on their favorite for the People’s Choice Award starting at 5:00PM. Winners are announced by 6:00PM.
Please note that pie plates should be disposable, or can be retrieved by 6:00PM. A refrigerator will not be available. For more details call the Battle River Watershed Alliance office at: 780-672-0276, or check out the Saskatoon Pie Baking Competition Details Brochure.
Spirit of the Watershed is a plein-air art workshop which invites local artists to bring their art supplies outside. Participants have the opportunity for instruction and guidance from a local artist and instructor, and the space and time to be inspired by the beauty of nature.
Give voice to the diversity of perspectives that exist across the watershed and explore people’s connections to this place through photography.
Participants take photographs that have an impact on them or shape their connection to place in some way.
Riparian Web Portal Training
101: April 13th 2023 1:30pm
102: April 14th 2013 1:30pm
Learn More
Register: BRWA Eventbrite