We are very please to announce the OuTstanding In Stewardship award winners of 2024.
Agriculture: Terry & Peggy Vockeroth
Individual: Mayor Ian Rawlinson
Organization/Business: Town of Viking
Youth: Belle Dodds
The OTIS Award is a way to recognize individuals, agricultural initiatives, businesses and organizations, and youth in the Battle River and Sounding Creek watersheds who are OuTstanding In Stewardship. Stewardship is taking action to care for our watershed, including the land, air, water, and biodiversity. It also supports healthy communities, including our culture and economy, now and into the future.
The OTIS Award is named after the star character in the book series “Otis and Friends: Environmental Adventures.” This series was written by Ponoka high-school students in our Caring for our Watersheds Contest. Otis and his friends help people take action to create a better watershed. OTIS is also an acronym for OuTstanding In Stewardship! Otis, his authors, and the OTIS Award Winners are examples for us all. Nominations are accepted annually between July 1 and the last day of February. OTIS Award details.
Use the form below to nominate someone you know for an OTIS Award!
Terry and Peggy Vockeroth have been managing their grazing lands in Paintearth County for decades with a strong conservation ethic. Terry is a passionate supporter of riparian conservation and restoration, encouraging other landowners to adopt similar practices. In addition to the work supported by the BRWA RiparianCare project, the Vockeroths installed additional fencing to protect more riparian areas. Having riparian area champions like Terry and Peggy is crucial to maintaining these vital ecosystems.
Ian Rawlinson, Mayor of the Summer Village of Crystal Springs, has successfully implemented many Pigeon Lake Watershed Management Plan recommendations, a strong testament to his commitment to lake health, the environment, and the community. With Ian’s leadership, the community has a new wastewater system, funded a study on blue-green algae treatments, invested in a monitoring buoy, hosts annual shoreline clean ups, and supports stewardship in land use planning to protect and monitor the lake.
In 2024, the Town of Viking revitalized a municipal water reservoir with the Filtered Raw Water Pumping Station. As the town’s previous water source, the water reservoir and pumping station is now used to accommodate agricultural and fire protection needs in the area to mitigate the occurring drought situation. This pumping station enables the Town of Viking to remain an important residential and business centre in a rural Alberta area.
Belle Dodds is a graduating student from University of Alberta Augustana. Belle has fostered a meaningful connection with the watershed and those that call it home. Belle has led the Augustana Wildlife Club using her fun and passionate spirit to engage with peers on wildlife and watershed issues. Her infectious love of the natural world makes you want to care about the world around you.
Agriculture: Darrel Fipke
Individual: Rebecca King
Organization/Business: Scandia Roadside Native Prairie Restoration Project
Youth: Nipisihkopahk Wellness Social Development Department, Samson Cree Nation Mimiw Sakahikan Aquatic Habitat Project
Individual: Robb Gibbs
Agriculture: Michael and Clara Hampton
Business/Organization: Ecoplast Solutions, Inc.
Youth: Altario School
Individual: Lorne Ferguson – Volunteer stewardship
Business: Dan and Harriet Liddle – Nature with agriculture
Organization: Wainwright Wildlife Society – Valuing wild spaces
Youth: Round Hill Renaissance Agricultural Foundation – Growing Rural Education
Individual: Glen Hvenegaard
Business: Camrose Energy
Organization: Millet & District Museum
Youth: Hughenden Public School
Individual: Pres Winter – Blue Bird Trail
Business/Organization: City of Wetaskiwin – Municipal Sustainability
Youth: Junior Forest Wardens, The Grove Grizzlies – Creek Restoration
Farm: Brenda Bohmer, Brenlea Farms – Improving Practices for Wetlands
Individual: Don and Marie Ruzicka – Leading by Example
Business/Organization: Nica’s Hair Salon – Reduce Salon Waste
Youth: Wainwright Girl Guides – Park Clean-up and Beautification
Farm: Tin Forest Farm – Caretakers of Farm Wetlands
Individual: Tom Tomaszewski – Conservation Volunteer
Business/Organization: Buffalo Lake Naturalist Club – Sharing their love of nature
Youth: Katelynn Cook – Environmental Educator
Farm: MSW Farms – Beneficial Agricultural Practices
Individual: Susan Ellis – Pigeon Lake Leadership
Business/Organization: Chinook Applied Research Association- Agricultural Best Management
Youth: Lougheed Colony School- Tree Stewardship
Individual: Roy and Judy Louis-Water Ceremony Leadership
Business/Organization: Blue Dot Camrose- City Declaration of Environmental Rights
Youth: Mina Shin and Brooklyn Green- Greening Golf Courses
Individual: Midge Lambert- Watershed restoration
Business/Organization: County of Vermilion River,- Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS)
Youth: EcoVision- Local Food production
Individual: Mike Black-Battle Lake Stewards
Youth: Maven Boddy and the Golden Prairie 4H club- Riparian Restoration
Business/Organization: Lacombe County-Environmental Management
Individual: Carol Wilson- Stewardship Advocate
Youth Category: Kaitlin Lomas, Katie and Vicki Wyering, Melissa Gartner-Otis and Friends Book series authors
Business/Organization: Darcy and Candace Goodrich, Pure Stock County Farms- Eco-farmers