2011 Watershed Education Tour

Watershed Educa-on Tour Inside Educa,on’s

South Saskatchewan River Basin July 4‐8, 2011

Summary Report The 2011 Watershed Educa7on Tour was a professional development educa,on program designed to tell the many stories of stakeholders in the South Saskatchewan River Basin. Highligh,ng water sources, stewardship, industry and innova,on, teachers from across Western Canada broadened their understanding and apprecia,on of one of our most valuable resources ‐ Water.

Water is a fundamental part of our environment, society and economy; it is a highly valued and highly managed resource that appears throughout the K‐12 curriculum. Teachers, as ci,zens and educators, act as ambassadors of our water resources and it is impera,ve that they share current and accurate informa,on to engage their students ‐ the leaders, decision‐makers and stewards of tomorrow ‐ in meaningful water educa,on.

Examining the science and issues of Alberta’s watersheds, specifically a closed basin such as the South Saskatchewan, provides valuable insights into the past, present and future of water in our province. This experience enables par,cipants to bring up‐to‐date, balanced informa,on back to their classroom.

The following summary report outlines the program, partners and the evalua,on of the 2011 Watershed Educa,on Tour, highligh,ng how this tour, and other Inside Educa,on programs, provide high‐quality programming to support natural resource and environment educa,on.

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Program During this dynamic week‐long program par,cipants explored the South Saskatchewan River Basin from the headwaters region in Kananaskis, through the City of Calgary and eastward to Strathmore and the Western Irriga,on District, stopping to learn from 25 different speakers that allowed us have a one‐of‐a‐kind look at Water In Alberta. The structure of the program exemplified a mul,ple perspec,ve approach that promotes a balanced view of water resources.

The program aimed to: • develop an understanding of water sources including rivers, wetlands, and groundwater • lead to an apprecia,on for the complexity of watershed issues • increase awareness of the wide variety of stakeholders/perspec,ves in the South SK. River Basin • increase knowledge about water conserva,on and stewardship • recognize the importance of water management to ensure water quality and quan,ty for future genera,ons

Program at‐a‐glance (A detailed copy of the program can be found in appendix 1) Monday July 4

Tuesday July 5

Wednesday July 6

Thursday July 7

Friday July 8

Program Introduc7on

Exploring the headwaters region

Focusing in on municipal water

Learning about industry and innova7on

Showcasing water educa7on and classroom resources

• Join with the University of Calgary’s Biogeoscience Ins,tute for an Evening with Bob Sandford: Ethical Water: Learning to Value What Ma9ers Most

•Meet with 8 different water stakeholders including First Na,ons, Forestry, Oil & Gas, Watershed Groups, Academics, and ENGO’s •Stop at the Ghost Dam / Reservoir and the Stoney Nakoda Lodge

•Interpre,ve float down the Bow River •Tour of Bonnybrook Wastewater Treatment Plant • Mayor of Okotoks Bill Robertson •Visit to Ralph Klein Park Environmental Educa,on and Ethics Centre

•Tour of Western IrrigaFon District including canal systems, technology, and a stop at a local feedlot •Encana’s groundwater presenta,on and field tour to a compleFons well •Wetlands workshop with Ducks Unlimited Canada

•Inside Educa,on’s Resource Workshop •Program closing

Program Partnership Inside Educa,on appreciates the ,me and support of the all of the partners that came together to make the program a success. Professional development programs, like the 2011 Watershed Educa7on Tour, rely on the generosity of these mutually beneficially partnerships. Thank you to all organiza,ons that hosted sessions, provided expert speakers and dona,ons of curriculum relevant resources. A special thank you to the organiza,ons who provided the financial support that made this program possible: Alberta IrrigaFon, Alberta Water Research InsFtute, Canadian AssociaFon of Petroleum Producers, Devon Energy, Encana CorporaFon, Government of Alberta, PennWest Energy and the Small Explorers and Producers AssociaFon of Canada

Partner Recogni-on Program par,cipants were made aware of partners throughout the tour.

Special thanks were given at the opening and closing sessions, and logos were printed on the program package. The banner to the right was designed and printed by Inside Educa,on and showcased when appropriate throughout the program.

Program Par-cipants

25

21

Par-cipants from

12

Schools in

Communi-es

North East Bri-sh Columbia Brianne Logeman, Alwin Holland School Dawn Gladysz, Alwin Holland School

Northern Alberta Agnes Tomkow, Jean Bap7ste School Lynn Murphy, Jean Bap7ste School

Calgary & Area Corrine Webb, Coventry Hills School Genevieve Schmaltz, St. Brigid School David Bernier, Ecole La Mosaique Jacinth BrisseQ, Calgary Board of Educa7on

Allan Cronkite, La Crete Public School Micheal Pierce, Menno Simons Community School Sandra Douglas, Jean Bap7ste School Yolanda Wakefiled, Westview Public School

Rakhee DaQani, Elboya School Peggy Wong, St. Brigid School

Edmonton & Area

Shannon Boyle, St. Michael Elementary/Jr. High

Amy Roy‐GraQon, University of Alberta Nicole For7n, Grandin Elementary School

South & Central Alberta

Emilia Borruso, Holy Cross Academie Interna7onal Lindsay Graham, Millgrove School

Joyce Dirk, Alexis Sioux First Na7ons Susan Campbell, Hughenden Public School

Nellie Sobkow, Mundare Elementary Malcolm Landry, Robert Rundel Elementary

Program Evalua-on Inside Educa,on is very proud of the 2011 Watershed Educa,on Tour.

We are confident that par,cipants gained the experiences and exposure to water‐related topics, issues and perspec,ves that they will apply in the classroom. The program structure (following the basin downstream from the headwaters), a balance of mul,ple perspec,ves, the variety of tours, workshops and hands‐on ac,vi,es, in addi,on to our passionate guest speakers and great weather, all contributed to the success of the program.

Par,cipant feedback was acained through wricen lecers and an on‐ line survey distributed upon program comple,on. The following tes,monials, and survey results provide a summary of the exemplary feedback we received.

Survey results indicate: • Each par,cipant will share learnings from the tour with an average of 115 students, transla,ng into a reach of over 2000 students • 100% of respondents stated that this experience will enhance their teaching • 100% of respondents would recommend an Inside Educa,on professional development tour to a colleague

“The induc7on into watershed educa7on was deep and powerful! I'm always on the lookout for ways to provoke young children's thinking and nurture their development as global ci7zens. Not one drop of learning on the Watershed Educa7on Tour will be wasted! ‐ Corrine Webb, Cranston School, Calgary, AB “Water, wow! I have learned so much. Just like my students, I have never really realized just how much water is a part of everything. So much has to go into protec7ng our water. Plus, all the stakeholders!

You can tell the people who are invested in the land really have a passion to protect it.” ‐ Brianne Logeman, Alwin Holland School, Fort St. John, BC "I would recommend this program to many people... I wish they could have also experienced the greatest adventure and hands‐on experience of their careers. You mo7vate me to con7nue on in my career." ‐ Jo Ann Gallucci, Calgary Board of Educa,on, Calgary AB “I loved the mul7ple perspec7ves and the bias‐ balanced views. What a gi^ to be able to share this with students. I feel so much more prepared to talk about the industry, career op7ons, stakeholders and of course water. What an excep7onal program.” ‐ Anonymous "I would like to thank you for the outstanding opportunity to broaden my perspec7ve on how water is managed in Southern Alberta. I have been provided with key informa7on that I can apply to my local teaching area. Thanks again for the wonderful professional and personal experience." ‐ Michael Pierce, Menno Simons Community School, Cleardale, AB “I have learned lots about water and watersheds.

My percep7ons have certainly been broadened and my curiosity has been piqued to look into more about water and water needs where I live and work.”‐ Lynn Murphy, Jean Bap,ste School, Fox Lake, AB “This has been a wonderful experience. I have had the opportunity to reflect, discuss and learn about many different topics surrounding water. I have learned many useful ideas about how to bring the issue of water to life in the classroom.” ‐ Anonymous

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In the News Highligh,ng once again that Inside Educa,on Tours have impact well‐beyond the program par,cipants, we were excited to have interest from media in the town of Okotoks and their coverage of the program. Inside Educa,on was featured in the ar,cle “Teachers get a lesson on Okotoks water policy: Town’s conservaFon ideas to be taught in classroom” published in the Western Wheel on July 13, 2011. You can read more at: hcp://insideeduca,on.ca/In_the_News

Survey results showing percentage of respondents in agreement with the following program goals

The educa,on tour increased my understanding of water sources The educa,on tour increased my apprecia,on for the complexity of watershed issues The program increased my awareness of the variety of stakeholder/perspec,ves in the South Sk. River Basin The program increased my knowledge about water conserva,on and stewardship

Strongly Agree

Some‐ what Agree

Some‐ what Disagree

Strongly Disagree

100%

‐

‐

‐

100%

‐

‐

‐

100%

‐

‐

‐

75%

25%

‐

‐

100%

‐

‐

‐

100%

‐

‐

‐

The educa,on tour illustrated the importance of water management to ensure water quality and quan,ty for future genera,ons The educa,on tour exposed me to people, places and perspec,ves I would not have otherwise experienced

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Summary Overall, the 2011 Watershed Educa,on Tour was a great success! The program provided a wealth of knowledge, numerous insighmul discussions, networking opportuni,es and many one‐of‐a‐kind experiences to our par,cipants, solidifying their understanding of the value of water and water educa,on. The learning gained from the program will extend well beyond the tour as par,cipants share their experiences with students and colleagues, engage in meaningful water educa,on and inspire future genera,ons of stewards.

The interest, enthusiasm and feedback from the par,cipants, program partners, guest speakers and Inside Educa,on staff speak to the many successes and achievements of this tour and highlight the on‐going need for high‐quality, accessible, professional development programs like the 2011 Watershed Educa,on Tour.

Future Inside Educa,on strives to be an educa,on leader connec,ng students and teachers with our natural resources and environment. With this, and the generous support of our partners, we are excited to begin prepara,ons for the upcoming fall professional development programs: Boreal Careers Educa7on Tour, September 22‐24 Renewable Energy Educa7on Tour, September 29‐October 1, 2011 Adap7ng Alberta: Climate Change EcoLab, October 19‐20, 2011 Oil Sands Innova7ons Educa7on Tour, November 3‐5, 2011

We are also thrilled to announce our second youth summit, Navigate 2012: A Water Literacy Youth Summit. Building on the successes from Generate 2011, Inside Educa,on is will bring together high school students, their teachers and experts from across the province to dive into the science and issues that shape Alberta’s water story.

Thank you again to all of our partners, speakers and par,cipants for your con,nued support!

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Appendix 1: Detailed Par-cipant Program

Watershed Education Tour Program Outline, July 4 – 8th, 2011

Monday, July 4th Welcome and Overview Presenter: Inside Education A meet and greet that will introduce you to Inside Education, the other participants on the tour, and give you a look ahead to the upcoming week.

Water 101 Presenter: Kathryn Wagner, Inside Education This session will provide an overview of Alberta’s water resources: the sources and the stakeholders, quality and quantity, the issues and the industries. This brief introduction will set the stage from which participants can look ahead to the upcoming activities, discussions, and tours.

Ethical Water: Learning To Value What Matters Most An Evening with Bob Sandford Linking international examples to water issues in Western Canada, this keynote presentation will speak to the global water crisis and a new water ethic that will bridge the gap between science and policy shaping future of water resources. Speaking to the values of water and how we are all connected from the mountain glaciers to the prairie streams, it will become apparent that we live in a world shaped by water.

Tuesday, July 5th Water pressures, policies and possibilities Presenter: Julia Ko, Water Matters Examine the role of a non-government organization in addressing watershed issues. Highlighting a number of water policies that guide decision-making in the province Julia will discuss the challenges we face managing complex water issues and explore solutions from the environmental perspective.

Watershed Field Day Where it all Begins - Headwaters Stop Presenter: Michael Wagner, University of Alberta, Southern Rockies Watershed Project It all starts somewhere. The headwaters of Alberta are considered the source water for the province and our understanding of these complex systems creates the foundation for sound water management.

Touching on monitoring for cumulative effects and hydrologic modeling we will have a look at current research and innovation in the province.

Pipelines and Petroleum Projects Presenter: Carol Engstrom, Husky Energy Husky Energy has been innovative in their approach to pipeline stream crossings and riparian protection.

Here is your opportunity to learn about Husky’s approach to environmental best practices and how they both utilize and protect Alberta’s water.

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Ranching and the Jumpingpound Creek Presenter: Lori-Ann Eklund, WineGlass Ranch and Jumpingpound Creek Watershed Partnership Jumpingpound Creek is a small water body with many stakeholders, from ranching to recreation, from industry to individuals; committees like the Jumpingpund Creek Watershed Partnership play a key role in mapping out multiple uses of creeks, rivers and streams that make up the larger watershed. She will also speak to how the ranching community uses, values and protects the watershed, this session will get us thinking!

Forestry and Source Water Protection Presenter: Ed Kulscar, Spray Lake Sawmills The Jumpingpound/Kananaskis area is home to the forest management area of Spray Lake Sawmills and they have been operating there for over 60 years. Healthy watersheds require healthy forests, from a viewpoint overlooking some of their harvest areas; Ed will describe how his industry is connected to the watershed and the stewardship initiatives they have in place to protect local water bodies.

First Nations and Water Presenter: Peter Snow, Stoney Nakoda Nation Stoney Nakoda Nation is located near Morley, just upstream of the Ghost Reservoir, and is a key stakeholder in the Bow River Basin and South Saskatchewan Watershed. Peter will explain the value and connection to the local watershed and how his role as consultation manager for the Nation helps ensure governance of the water resources that shape the community.

Ghost Reservoir and Dam Presenter: Klas Ohman, Associated Engineering When the Ghost dam was originally built in 1929, it more than doubled the amount of power TransAlta was able to generate. With a capacity to produce 51 MW of electricity, the Ghost plant is one of four hydro plants in the Bow River Electric System. Visit this unique site, and about the infrastructure that links electricity production to the watershed.

The Role of Riparian Areas Presenter: Amanda Halawell, Cows and Fish Riparian areas border all water bodies and are vital components of a healthy watershed. Learn about the role and function of these unique and sensitive areas while performing a riparian assessment activity along side an expert in the field.

Wednesday, July 6th An Interpretive Float down the Bow River Hosts: RiverWatch Learn about the river on the river! The guides at RiverWatch will add some splash to the program as they take us on a journey down the Bow River. This interactive tour will showcase a unique approach to education programming and includes water quality testing and a tour of the Bonnybrook Waste Water Treatment Plant. (Rafting is pending stream flow) Okotoks Water Woes – Case Study Presenter: Mayor Bill Robertson, Town of Okotoks The Town of Okotoks has been recognized as leaders in municipal water management. The growth of this community has put pressure on the Sheep River Watershed – the town’s only water supply. Learn how they became one of the first sustainable communities in Canada and how stewardship, water conservation and responsible growth management became the cornerstones of Okotoks’ municipal development plan.

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Seeing it in Action: Okotoks Water Spray Park Presenter: Tim Arnholz, Town of Okotoks The Okotoks spray park has been designed as a "Closed Loop" water recycling system. Water from the features is collected, filtered, disinfected and reused. Other than replacing the small amount lost due to evaporation and "splash out" this park recycles all its water. Hear about this and other innovative water management strategies in the town of Okotoks.

A visit to Ralph Klein Park Environmental Education and Ethics Centre Presenter: Laura Ewtushik, Ralph Klein Park Ralph Klein Park is a new facility in Calgary featuring a man-made wetland that uses natural vegetation to treat storm water before it is discharged into the Bow River. Several other energy conserving strategies and architectural concepts have been implemented. Take a tour and hear about the education philosophy behind this innovative facility.

Dinner with special guest: Jerry Brunen, City of Calgary and Inside Education Board of Directors Calgary’s Water Use and Conservation in a Closed Basin Presenter: Heather Hendrie, City of Calgary Water Services Calgary’s water is a very valuable resource. The supply is limited, and the growing population is placing increasing demands on the Bow and Elbow Rivers, both from a water quality and water quantity perspective. Learn about what Calgary is doing to conserve and manage their water resources.

Thursday, July 7th Irrigation and Agriculture Tour Presenter: Erwin Braun & Brian Sander, Western Irrigation District This half-day field trip will introduces us to the world of irrigation and the systems the Western Irrigation District has in place to manage the use of water in the Strathmore/Chestermere area. Visiting with a local sod farmer, the latest irrigation technologies, and a tour of a feedlot are all expected on this tour.

From the Ground Up: Coalbed Methane and Groundwater Presenter: Chris Riege, Encana As part of an industry that relies on water for operations, Encana is continuously working to develop and improve their approach to ground and surface water conservation and protection. Learn about Encana’s coalbed methane operations and their link to the South Saskatchewan River Basin.

Wetlands Workshop Presenter: Rosemarie Ferjuc, Ducks Unlimited Canada This session will be an introduction to the ecology and significance of wetlands in Alberta. The discussion will highlight the many values and functions of wetlands that make them such a vital part of the watershed story.

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Friday, July 8th Water Education Workshop Presenter: Inside Education What programs and resources are out there to help you bring engaging water education programming into your classroom? How can we bring the information we have learned on this tour together for use in the classroom? Come ready to workshop all the learning from the week and get new ideas/resources that will add some splash to class in 2011/2012!

Closing Discussion and Wrap up Presenter: Inside Education Here, participants will take a moment to look back on all theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned, share their experiences and share their thoughts on the tour itself.

Many thanks to our partners who made this program possible

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