Battle River Watershed Alliance

06/12/2026

June is Indigenous History Month, a time to reflect and celebrate. We gratefully acknowledge the ancestral territory and ongoing presence of Indigenous Peoples and Nations within the Battle River and Sounding Creek watersheds, located in Treaty 6 and 7 territory, and the Metis homeland. These lands are the meeting ground and travelling route for many Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial.

The hamlet of Duhamel, located 20 kms southwest of Camrose. Duhamel was established by Francois Gabriel Dumont, whose nephew, Gabriel Dumont, would become Louis Riel’s military leader during the North-West resistance in 1885. Like many Metis settlements, the land was subdivided into river lots. Few signs of the hamlet of Duhamel still exist, however, on the south side of the Battle River, the hamlet’s original catholic church still stands.

Battle River Watershed Alliance is committed to building strong and respectful relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of this land, with all living beings and the land and water on which we all depend.



📷: Trautman farm (circa 1948), located six miles west of Duhamel
photo credit: Pat Trautman, Waskahegantrail.ca

06/10/2026

Join us for tree-planting and native seed spreading and potluck, June 14th, 1:00 pm

The Battle River & North Saskatchewan watershed alliances are partnering with the Global Foundation’s Miquelon Watershed Stewardship Committee (MWSC) to co-host a tree planting and indigenous blessing event.

Go to the Global Foundation's website for more information: https://gfoundation.ca/news/unbio-2-2-2-3-2-4/

06/10/2026

Thank you to all the community members who joined the BRWA, the MD of Wainwright, and the Wainwright Wildlife Society for a Bioblitz last Saturday!

Participants contributed to biodiversity monitoring and enjoyed two guided hikes, where they learned from local birding expert Randy, along with wagon rides, field games, booths, and a hot dog lunch.

Thank you once again to the Wainwright Wildlife Society, the MD of wainwright, and the many volunteers that made this event possible. Stay tuned for more citizen science opportunities in the Battle River Watershed!



📷: Ray Giles, Sarah Skinner

06/02/2026

Saturday June 6th Mistahiya (10km east of Riverdale Mini-Park)
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

BRWA is excited to partner with the MD of Wainwright and the Wainwright Wildlife Society to host this public event. Come out and learn about the Battle River Watershed, there will be activities for all ages. For the Bioblitz, everyone will be encouraged take one of the many guided walks along the Mistahiya trail with their citizen science hat on to identify and record as many species as possible.

Contact the BRWA for more information
To Register, email [email protected] or call the M.D of Wainwright office at 780-842-4454.

05/22/2026

Celebrate World Biodiversity Day with fun facts about some of the species found in the Battle River and Sounding Creek Watersheds!

❖ Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) are the fastest land mammals in North America, reaching a top speed of approximately 95 km/h.

❖ Wood frogs (Lithobates sylvatica) have the ability to partially freeze their circulatory system in sub-zero temperatures; allowing them to be found much further north than most other frog species. Wood frog sightings have been reported at Battle lake, the headwaters of the Battle River.

❖ Piping plover (Charadius melodus) chicks are able to walk and leave the nest within 24 hours of hatching. Piping Plovers are an endangered species in Alberta. Battle River Watershed Alliance is a caretaker for crucial Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and works with volunteers to monitor piping plovers.

Volunteer for citizen science monitoring: https://www.battleriverwatershed.ca/get-involved/citizen-science/

📷: Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta Institute For Wildlife Conservation, Ray Giles (via iNaturalist)

05/12/2026

Join us for the second annual Nature Science + Sport skills combo camp!

BRWA and the University of Alberta Augustana Campus host this week long camp from August 10th to August 14th. Participants spend half the day learning a new sport, and the other half exploring natural sciences and the watershed.

Two bursaries are available.

Register today: https://www.activityreg.ualberta.ca/UOFA/public/booking/CourseDetails/26049

04/30/2026

ICYMI - The Duck and Run 5k in Camrose is on June 6th. 🏃🏼‍♀️to support Ducks Unlimited! Ducks Unlimited Canada-Alberta

04/28/2026

We are grateful to be part of tomorrow's ceremony and community gathering to mark the beginning of the nôtinitosîpîhk (Battle River) riparian stewardship project in a good way. The focus of the project is to establish a demonstration site for sharing knowledge and restoring vegetation along the shoreline. Montana First Nation, Brwa Staff, and Cows and Fish - Riparian Management Society are working together to support a healthy ecosystem for biodiversity and water quality.

Please join us to learn more!

Montana First Nation NOTINITOSIPIHK
Riparian Stewardship Project Kickoff
Date: APRIL 29TH 2026
Montana First Nation gym
Pipe Ceremony 10am
Lunch & Community Engagement to follow at 12 noon
- For more information please contact the Consultation and Lands department

04/22/2026

In celebration of Earth Day, make plans to naturalize your lawn to protect pollinators. Learn more in our latest blog by Ray Giles.

Nearly a quarter of Alberta’s native bee species are in decline—and for another quarter, we don’t yet know enough to assess their future. Insects are vital to our ecosystems and local food systems. Learn how small actions in your yard can help protect pollinators and support a more sustainable future. The blog also shares a timely reminder from the Camrose Environmental Sustainability Group this spring: wait—don’t clean up your yard just yet!

Check out the Blog: https://www.battleriverwatershed.ca/our-watersheds/blogging-the-battle/naturalize-your-lawn-to-protect-pollinators/

03/22/2026

💧Celebrating World Water Day – March 22

Where Water Flows, Equality Grows

This year’s World Water Day theme, led by UNICEF and UN Women, highlights the vital connection between water and gender. Access to safe water and sanitation is not only a basic human right — it’s essential to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls.

At the Battle River Watershed Alliance (BRWA), we are proud to be one of 11 Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils under Water for Life: Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability. Through this work, we support shared responsibility, sustainability, and collaborative watershed management — all of which contribute to healthier communities and more equitable access to water.

Behind every project, partnership, and initiative are people who care deeply about the Battle River and Sounding Creek watersheds and the communities connected to this land and water. Together, we’re helping build a future where everyone benefits from clean, accessible water.

💙 Let’s continue working toward SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All