Vermilion River Watershed Alliance Finalist in Emerald Foundation Shared Footprints Award

Vermilion River Watershed Alliance Finalist in Emerald Foundation Shared Footprints Award

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

The Vermilion River Watershed Alliance is one of four finalists in the Emerald Foundation’s Shared Footprints Award.

VRWA was nominated for its Restoration and Enhancement Project. The winner of the award will be officially announced during the 30th Annual Emerald Awards on June 1.

VRWA representative and Vegreville town councillor Dave Berry shared the good news with his counterparts during council’s legislative committee meeting on April 6.

Coun. Berry, who currently serves as VRWA President, stated, “Reaching the finals of such a precious award is very gratifying to all those involved. It is the program that is being recognized for its contribution to watershed conservation; and without the participation of the many landowners this level of success would not have been possible.”

The eco buffer in Vegreville.

(Vermilion River Watershed Alliance/Submitted Photo)

“It is an honour for the VRWA’s Vermilion River Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Project to have made it as a finalist in the Shared Footprints category for the prestigious Emerald Awards,” stated VRWA Planning Coordinator Michelle Gordy.

She went on to say, “Not only do these awards go towards recognizing those who have made incredible environmental achievements in Alberta, but through this recognition, help us to continue our efforts in conservation and restoration for the Vermilion River watershed by expanding our network, increasing our advertising potential, and providing some validation to what we do.

Also, this year, those who win the award also receive a $2,000 cheque, and this would go a long way in helping with our efforts, so, fingers crossed!

This nomination would not have been possible without the willingness and hard work of the landowners across the watershed to participate in this project, many of whom also provided letters of support for the nomination, recognizing, themselves, how important it is to protect and restore riparian areas on the banks of the river and our precious wetlands that provide a multitude of services to us in both good times and bad.”

The old bridge near Vermilion.

(Alberta Camera Club/Submitted Photo)

According to the VRWA’s submission, it stated, “In the spirit of shared environmental goals and collaboration, the Vermilion River Watershed Alliance (VRWA) worked with local, agricultural landowners, municipalities, and students to enhance and restore over 20 kilometers of riparian areas along the Vermilion River, creeks, and tributaries and 157 hectares of wetlands within the Vermilion River Watershed.

In partnership with the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance, and through grant funding from the Alberta Government and Environment and Climate Change Canada, participants proposed a variety of projects on their land that would protect wetlands and riparian zones.

These projects included fencing sensitive ecological areas to mitigate negative effects from livestock, installing off-stream watering systems to improve water quality, planting native grasses and trees to improve erosion control, and planting Ecobuffers to increase biodiversity and provide ecotourism and teaching opportunities.

Over 30 landowners participated in the brand-new program over the course of four years (2016-2019). This initiative was further enhanced through collaborative partnerships with local municipalities, Lakeland College, and other non-profit organizations such as Alberta Woodlot Extension Society, Cows and Fish, and ALUS Canada – Vermilion River.

As a result of the initial success of this program, the VRWA will continue this work in additional municipalities within the watershed, thus expanding the overall positive environmental reach of these efforts.”