LICA Specializes in Environmental Stewardship in Lakeland Region

LICA Specializes in Environmental Stewardship in Lakeland Region

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

An environmental stewardship group has caught the attention of a couple of municipalities in the region.

Kristina Morris, Executive Director of the Lakeland Industry & Community Association, (LICA) made a couple of virtual presentations to Smoky Lake County and the County of Two Hills on Jan. 27 and Jan. 19.

The community non-profit has been in existence for more than 20 years and offers a variety of programs and services including a multitude of watershed programs, air quality and soil acidification monitoring, riparian management and a whole host of educational and community outreach programs and workshops.

Morris said the group’s vision is to keep the environment in the region ecologically healthy and sustainable. “I’m very proud to say we have 18 board members representing a variety of sectors.” Morris said LICA is seeking interest from other communities to join the organization.

Turbidity testing in river.

(LICA/Submitted Photos)

LICA offers several school-based programs, including: Stream of Dreams, Little Green Sprouts, Little Green Thumbs, Extreme Science, and Keep our Lake Blue.

In response to the expansion of oil and gas production in the region, the Lakeland Industry and Community Association (LICA) was formed in October 2000.

LICA, a community-based not-forprofit association registered under the Alberta Societies Act, has evolved to become a Synergy Group, Watershed Planning and Advisory Council (WPAC) for the Beaver River Watershed and an Airshed.

According to LICA’s 2020-’21 Annual Report:

• 1,216 people reached thru outreach programs

• 1,108 passive air samples collected and analyzed

• 574,252 hours of public near or real time air monitoring data

• 99.5% air quality health index low risk across network

• 12,500 riparian trees planted

• 48 school programs

• 51 lake samples thru ALMU Lakewatch

• 16 summer and youth programs

• 281 members and 88 volunteers

Indoor gardening project.

(LICA/Submitted Photos)

Morris said they are always looking to expand partnerships, community partnerships and outreach programs and told both municipalities

they could become members. Smoky Lake County council passed a motion to purchase annual membership in the amount of $250. County of Two Hills Reeve Don Gulayec stated that, “Council will discuss joining at a later date after our Ag Service Board weighs the potential benefits if any.”