We are pleased to announce the OuTstanding In Stewardship award winners of 2025.
Agriculture: Erin & Casey Murphy- Thompson, Thompson WP farms
Individual: Anjah Howard
Organization/Business: Louis Bull Tribe
Youth: Laurie Philips & Terrace Ridge Elementary School
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 January 31st. OTIS Award details.
Use the form below to nominate someone you know for an OTIS Award!
The Thompson’s care for their land by caring for their riparian areas. They promote native plants for feed and overall grassland stewardship. They are committed to learning and growing to be the best stewards of their land. They seek out ways to engage with responsible land management strategies, and provide a healthy life for their animals, and their family.
Anjah Howard, Manager of Planning and Development with Camrose County, exemplifies what it means to be OuTstanding In Stewardship. Since the formation of the Battle River Watershed Alliance, she has been a dedicated advisor and champion for watershed health. Her leadership and expertise as a Planner has helped shape the foundation and evolution of watershed planning in our region, ensuring that land, water, biodiversity, and the economic stability of local communities are considered together in decision-making processes. Anjah has exemplified stewardship not only through policy leadership but through action, volunteering her time at watershed outreach and engagement events and serving as a steady, collaborative voice for responsible land and water management.
In 2024, Louis Bull Tribe completed a Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment. The assessment provides valuable information for the Louis Bull Tribe to increase climate awareness, evaluate the risk of climate related hazards, and continue to build a resilient and economically viable community. This information will be used to guide opportunities for LBT citizens to meaningfully maintain their connection with the land.
Laurie Phillips and Terrace Ridge School has been committed to creating opportunities for students to learn about our environment, our watershed, and our impacts; both in class and in school-wide opportunities. Laurie has been the driving force behind the Jane Goodall projects and the bi-annual Watershed Days. Throughout these days, she is mindful to embed literacy and art connections. Laurie has always been passionate about our environment and how we can act to protect our land and water. She takes students and staff well beyond the curriculum when sharing her knowledge.
Agriculture: Terry and Peggy Vockeroth
Individual: Mayor Ian Wilson
Organization/business: Town of Viking
Youth: Belle Dodds
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