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After three years of success with their "Cows and Cottagers" program and other projects, the Waters Edge Resource Group (WERG) has become a great model for how various service providers can partner to address local conservation issues. Working with both rural and urban landowners, WERG has been successful at addressing local issues and building knowledge about riparian management.
"Although most of the partners were addressing similar issues, the first time we got together formally as a partnership was to design and implement the Thunder Lake Riparian Project in 1998," says Jan Young, Senior Technician with Alberta Conservation Association (ACA). ACA was formed in 1997 to administer the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund, previously administered by Fish and Wildlife. Working with a cooperating landowner, the Thunder Lake Project included fencing of 1.25 miles of riparian shoreline, tree planting and the installation of a solar water pumping system.
Based on the success of this project, the partners decided to form the Waters Edge Resource Group. "By forming a resource working group, a landowner could make one contact and have access to all the resources needed for making riparian management decisions, instead of having to search out and contact every organization individually," explains Young. "The partners were also working towards the same goals of conservation of water, soil, and wildlife habitat, so it made sense to focus our efforts," she adds. Collectively WERG offers the range of resources and expertise required for most local riparian and conservation related projects.
"Cows and Cottagers" is the major winter event we plan every year focusing on riparian areas and management issues," explains Tara Golby, AESA Conservation Technologist with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. "We've held the workshop in a different location every year, with about 100 participants representing rural residential, cottage owners and agriculture producers." This winter the workshop was held at Lake Isle and was co-hosted by the Lake Isle Water Quality Group.
Cows and Cottagers Workshop Hosted by WERG
Photo credit: WERG
"We also held a Family Lake Day last summer at Lac la Nonne, complimenting the Cows and Cottagers program," says Golby. "It was designed as an outdoor classroom with experts at various stations conducting hands on presentations beside the lake." The day ended with a picnic along the lake. "Based on the success, we're hoping to hold a similar event again this year," she adds.
WERG has also focused on training activities for its working group membership. "Recognizing how important riparian issues were to us, we decided to hold a training workshop for agency staff with Dr. Paul Hansen from University of Montana," says Young. The two-day workshop included a day of presentations, and a day of hands-on riparian health assessment training in the field.
As to the future, WERG plans to get together and bring in a facilitator again to discuss where future efforts should be focused. "We're all in this together, and we need to work together to protect these important areas," says Young. "Protecting soil, water, air and habitat resources is not only beneficial for fish and wildlife, it's also key to successful conservation farming."
WERG offers a one-stop resource centre for landowners and others looking for information on riparian management and conservation practices. "We're able to provide watershed groups and individuals with access to information, technical assistance, expert resources and access to funding," adds Golby. WERG partners include: County of Barrhead's and Lac Ste Anne's Agriculture Service Board, Alberta Conservation Association, Gateway Research Organization, Sustainable Resources Development (Fish and Wildlife and Public Lands), PFRA, Barrhead Fish and Game Club, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. Funding for the workshops was provided through AESA (Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Program), Community Riparian Program (CRP) and WERG partners. |
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