1

InsideEduca,on’sWatershed

Educa-onTourSouthSaskatchewanRiverBasin

July4‐8,2011

SummaryReportThe2011WatershedEduca7onTourwasaprofessionaldevelopmenteduca,on

programdesignedtotellthemanystoriesofstakeholdersintheSouth

SaskatchewanRiverBasin.Highligh,ngwatersources,stewardship,industryand

innova,on,teachersfromacrossWesternCanadabroadenedtheirunderstanding

andapprecia,onofoneofourmostvaluable

resources‐Water.

Waterisafundamentalpartofourenvironment,

societyandeconomy;itisahighlyvaluedand

highlymanagedresourcethatappears

throughouttheK‐12curriculum.Teachers,as

ci,zensandeducators,actasambassadorsof

ourwaterresourcesanditisimpera,vethatthey

sharecurrentandaccurateinforma,ontoengagetheirstudents‐theleaders,

decision‐makersandstewardsoftomorrow‐inmeaningfulwatereduca,on.

ExaminingthescienceandissuesofAlberta’swatersheds,specificallyaclosed

basinsuchastheSouthSaskatchewan,providesvaluableinsightsintothepast,

presentandfutureofwaterinourprovince.Thisexperienceenablespar,cipants

tobringup‐to‐date,balancedinforma,onbacktotheirclassroom.

Thefollowingsummaryreportoutlinestheprogram,partnersandtheevalua,on

ofthe2011WatershedEduca,onTour,highligh,nghowthistour,andotherInside

Educa,onprograms,providehigh‐qualityprogrammingtosupportnatural

resourceandenvironmenteduca,on.

Programat‐a‐glance(Adetailedcopyoftheprogramcanbefoundinappendix1)

MondayJuly4 TuesdayJuly5 WednesdayJuly6 ThursdayJuly7 FridayJuly8

ProgramIntroduc7on Exploringthe

headwatersregion

Focusinginon

municipalwater

Learningabout

industryandinnova7on

Showcasingwater

educa7onandclassroomresources

•Joinwiththe

UniversityofCalgary’sBiogeoscience

Ins,tuteforanEveningwithBob

Sandford:Ethical

Water:LearningtoValueWhatMa9ers

Most

•Meetwith8

differentwaterstakeholdersincluding

FirstNa,ons,Forestry,Oil&Gas,Watershed

Groups,Academics,

andENGO’s

•StopattheGhost

Dam/ReservoirandtheStoneyNakoda

Lodge

•Interpre,vefloat

downtheBowRiver

•TourofBonnybrook

WastewaterTreatmentPlant

•MayorofOkotoks

BillRobertson

•VisittoRalphKlein

ParkEnvironmentalEduca,onandEthics

Centre

•TourofWestern

IrrigaFonDistrictincludingcanal

systems,technology,andastopatalocal

feedlot

•Encana’sgroundwater

presenta,onandfieldtourtoacompleFons

well

•WetlandsworkshopwithDucksUnlimited

Canada

•InsideEduca,on’s

ResourceWorkshop

•Programclosing

ProgramDuringthisdynamicweek‐longprogrampar,cipantsexploredtheSouthSaskatchewanRiverBasinfromtheheadwatersregionin

Kananaskis,throughtheCityofCalgaryandeastwardtoStrathmoreandtheWesternIrriga,onDistrict,stoppingtolearnfrom25

differentspeakersthatallowedushaveaone‐of‐a‐kindlookatWaterInAlberta.Thestructureoftheprogramexemplifieda

mul,pleperspec,veapproachthatpromotesabalancedviewofwaterresources.

Theprogramaimedto:

• developanunderstandingofwatersourcesincludingrivers,wetlands,andgroundwater

• leadtoanapprecia,onforthecomplexityofwatershedissues

• increaseawarenessofthewidevarietyofstakeholders/perspec,vesintheSouthSK.RiverBasin

• increaseknowledgeaboutwaterconserva,onandstewardship

• recognizetheimportanceofwatermanagementtoensurewaterqualityandquan,tyforfuturegenera,ons

ProgramPartnershipInsideEduca,onappreciatesthe,meandsupportoftheallofthepartners

thatcametogethertomaketheprogramasuccess.Professionaldevelopment

programs,likethe2011WatershedEduca7onTour,relyonthegenerosityof

thesemutuallybeneficiallypartnerships.Thankyoutoallorganiza,onsthat

hostedsessions,providedexpertspeakersanddona,onsofcurriculumrelevant

resources.Aspecialthankyoutotheorganiza,onswhoprovidedthefinancial

supportthatmadethisprogrampossible:

AlbertaIrrigaFon,AlbertaWaterResearchInsFtute,CanadianAssociaFonof

PetroleumProducers,DevonEnergy,EncanaCorporaFon,Governmentof

Alberta,PennWestEnergyandtheSmallExplorersandProducersAssociaFon

ofCanada

PartnerRecogni-on

Programpar,cipantsweremadeawareofpartnersthroughoutthetour.

Specialthanksweregivenattheopeningandclosingsessions,andlogoswere

printedontheprogrampackage.Thebannertotherightwasdesignedand

printedbyInsideEduca,onandshowcasedwhenappropriatethroughoutthe

program.

ProgramPar-cipants

Calgary&AreaCorrineWebb,CoventryHillsSchool

GenevieveSchmaltz,St.BrigidSchool

DavidBernier,EcoleLaMosaique

JacinthBrisseQ,CalgaryBoardofEduca7on

RakheeDaQani,ElboyaSchool

PeggyWong,St.BrigidSchool

ShannonBoyle,St.MichaelElementary/Jr.High

Edmonton&AreaAmyRoy‐GraQon,UniversityofAlberta

NicoleFor7n,GrandinElementarySchool

EmiliaBorruso,HolyCrossAcademieInterna7onal

LindsayGraham,MillgroveSchool

NellieSobkow,MundareElementary

MalcolmLandry,RobertRundelElementary

NorthernAlbertaAgnesTomkow,JeanBap7steSchool

LynnMurphy,JeanBap7steSchool

AllanCronkite,LaCretePublicSchool

MichealPierce,MennoSimonsCommunitySchool

SandraDouglas,JeanBap7steSchool

YolandaWakefiled,WestviewPublicSchool

South&CentralAlbertaJoyceDirk,AlexisSiouxFirstNa7ons

SusanCampbell,HughendenPublicSchool

NorthEastBri-shColumbiaBrianneLogeman,AlwinHollandSchool

DawnGladysz,AlwinHollandSchool

25Par-cipantsfrom21Schoolsin12Communi-es

ProgramEvalua-onInsideEduca,onisveryproudofthe2011WatershedEduca,onTour.

Weareconfidentthatpar,cipantsgainedtheexperiencesand

exposuretowater‐relatedtopics,issuesandperspec,vesthattheywill

applyintheclassroom.Theprogramstructure(followingthebasin

downstreamfromtheheadwaters),abalanceofmul,ple

perspec,ves,thevarietyoftours,workshopsandhands‐onac,vi,es,

inaddi,ontoourpassionateguestspeakersandgreatweather,all

contributedtothesuccessoftheprogram.

Par,cipantfeedbackwasacainedthroughwricenlecersandanon‐

linesurveydistributeduponprogramcomple,on.Thefollowing

tes,monials,andsurveyresultsprovideasummaryoftheexemplary

feedbackwereceived.

Surveyresultsindicate:

• Eachpar,cipantwillsharelearningsfromthetourwithanaverage

of115students,transla,ngintoareachofover2000students

• 100%ofrespondentsstatedthatthisexperiencewillenhancetheir

teaching

• 100%ofrespondentswouldrecommendanInsideEduca,on

professionaldevelopmenttourtoacolleague

“Theinduc7onintowatershededuca7onwasdeepandpowerful!I'malwaysonthelookoutforwaystoprovokeyoungchildren'sthinkingandnurturetheirdevelopmentasglobalci7zens.NotonedropoflearningontheWatershedEduca7onTourwillbewasted!‐CorrineWebb,CranstonSchool,Calgary,AB

“Water,wow!Ihavelearnedsomuch.Justlikemystudents,Ihaveneverreallyrealizedjusthowmuchwaterisapartofeverything.Somuchhastogointoprotec7ngourwater.Plus,allthestakeholders!Youcantellthepeoplewhoareinvestedinthelandreallyhaveapassiontoprotectit.”‐BrianneLogeman,AlwinHollandSchool,FortSt.John,BC

"Iwouldrecommendthisprogramtomanypeople...Iwishtheycouldhavealsoexperiencedthegreatestadventureandhands‐onexperienceoftheircareers.Youmo7vatemetocon7nueoninmycareer."‐JoAnnGallucci,CalgaryBoardofEduca,on,CalgaryAB

“Ilovedthemul7pleperspec7vesandthebias‐balancedviews.Whatagi^tobeabletosharethiswithstudents.Ifeelsomuchmorepreparedtotalkabouttheindustry,careerop7ons,stakeholdersandofcoursewater.Whatanexcep7onalprogram.”‐Anonymous

"Iwouldliketothankyoufortheoutstandingopportunitytobroadenmyperspec7veonhowwaterismanagedinSouthernAlberta.Ihavebeenprovidedwithkeyinforma7onthatIcanapplytomylocalteachingarea.Thanksagainforthewonderfulprofessionalandpersonalexperience."‐MichaelPierce,MennoSimonsCommunitySchool,Cleardale,AB

“Ihavelearnedlotsaboutwaterandwatersheds.Mypercep7onshavecertainlybeenbroadenedandmycuriosityhasbeenpiquedtolookintomoreaboutwaterandwaterneedswhereIliveandwork.”‐LynnMurphy,JeanBap,steSchool,FoxLake,AB

“Thishasbeenawonderfulexperience.Ihavehadtheopportunitytoreflect,discussandlearnaboutmanydifferenttopicssurroundingwater.Ihavelearnedmanyusefulideasabouthowtobringtheissueofwatertolifeintheclassroom.”‐Anonymous

5

The2011WatershedEduca-onTourwas:

!"#

$!"#

%!"#

&!"#

'!"#

(!"#

)!"#

*!"#

+!"#

,!"#

$!!"#

!"#$%&'()*

!+,-&.$"&(*

/&(&"-)+*

0$123435()*

6*7$$+*8)24$19*:;;$12,"52%*

<)()=&"2*2$*>%*2)&-35"7*

6"*$=)1&((*3573?=&(,)*@A*$;;$12,"52%*

6"*$=)1&((*3573?B,&(52%*@A*$;;$12,"52%*

-./0123#41566#

-/7689:.#41566#

-/7689:.#;<=:1566#

-.5/0123#;<=:1566#

Surveyresultsshowingpercentageofrespondentsinagreementwith

thefollowingprogramgoals

Surveyresultsshowingpercentageofrespondentsinagreementwith

thefollowingprogramgoals

Surveyresultsshowingpercentageofrespondentsinagreementwith

thefollowingprogramgoals

Surveyresultsshowingpercentageofrespondentsinagreementwith

thefollowingprogramgoals

Surveyresultsshowingpercentageofrespondentsinagreementwith

thefollowingprogramgoals

Strongly

Agree

Some‐

what

Agree

Some‐

what

Disagree

Strongly

Disagree

Theeduca,ontourincreasedmyunderstandingofwater

sources100% ‐ ‐ ‐

Theeduca,ontourincreasedmyapprecia,onforthe

complexityofwatershedissues100% ‐ ‐ ‐

Theprogramincreasedmyawarenessofthevarietyof

stakeholder/perspec,vesintheSouthSk.RiverBasin100% ‐ ‐ ‐

Theprogramincreasedmyknowledgeaboutwater

conserva,onandstewardship75% 25% ‐ ‐

Theeduca,ontourillustratedtheimportanceofwater

managementtoensurewaterqualityandquan,tyforfuture

genera,ons

100% ‐ ‐ ‐

Theeduca,ontourexposedmetopeople,placesand

perspec,vesIwouldnothaveotherwiseexperienced100% ‐ ‐ ‐

IntheNewsHighligh,ngonceagainthatInsideEduca,onTourshaveimpactwell‐beyondtheprogrampar,cipants,wewereexcitedtohave

interestfrommediainthetownofOkotoksandtheircoverageoftheprogram.InsideEduca,onwasfeaturedinthear,cle

“TeachersgetalessononOkotokswaterpolicy:Town’sconservaFonideastobetaughtinclassroom”publishedinthe

WesternWheelonJuly13,2011.Youcanreadmoreat:hcp://insideeduca,on.ca/In_the_News

6

SummaryOverall,the2011WatershedEduca,onTourwasagreatsuccess!Theprogramprovidedawealthofknowledge,numerousinsighmul

discussions,networkingopportuni,esandmanyone‐of‐a‐kindexperiencestoourpar,cipants,solidifyingtheirunderstandingofthe

valueofwaterandwatereduca,on.Thelearninggainedfromtheprogramwillextendwellbeyondthetouraspar,cipantssharetheir

experienceswithstudentsandcolleagues,engageinmeaningfulwatereduca,onandinspirefuturegenera,onsofstewards.

Theinterest,enthusiasmandfeedbackfromthepar,cipants,programpartners,guestspeakersandInsideEduca,onstaffspeaktothe

manysuccessesandachievementsofthistourandhighlighttheon‐goingneedforhigh‐quality,

accessible,professionaldevelopmentprogramslikethe2011WatershedEduca,onTour.

FutureInsideEduca,onstrivestobeaneduca,onleaderconnec,ngstudentsandteacherswithour

naturalresourcesandenvironment.Withthis,andthegeneroussupportofourpartners,weare

excitedtobeginprepara,onsfortheupcomingfallprofessionaldevelopmentprograms:BorealCareersEduca7onTour,September22‐24

RenewableEnergyEduca7onTour,September29‐October1,2011

Adap7ngAlberta:ClimateChangeEcoLab,October19‐20,2011

OilSandsInnova7onsEduca7onTour,November3‐5,2011

Wearealsothrilledtoannounceoursecondyouthsummit,Navigate2012:AWaterLiteracyYouthSummit.BuildingonthesuccessesfromGenerate2011,InsideEduca,oniswillbringtogetherhighschoolstudents,theirteachersandexpertsfromacrosstheprovincetodiveintothescienceandissuesthatshapeAlberta’swaterstory.

Thankyouagaintoallofourpartners,speakersandpar,cipantsforyourcon,nuedsupport!

7

Appendix1:DetailedPar-cipantProgram

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.

8

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.

9

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.

10

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 they’ve learned, share their experiences and share their thoughts on the tour itself.

Many thanks to our partners who made this program possible