Oldman Watershed Council (OWC)

06/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined OWC’s Ecosystem Services Value Calculator webinar.
The webinar introduced our new calculator, which helps estimate the annual value of ecosystem services provided by different land types in southern Alberta, including wetlands, riparian areas, forests, grasslands, shrublands, and open water.
Ecosystem services include benefits like water filtration, flood control, drought resilience, habitat maintenance, air filtration, and water supply. While the value of healthy landscapes goes far beyond a dollar amount, the calculator offers a practical way to better understand the measurable benefits nature provides to communities, economies, and long-term water security.

Missed the webinar, or want a quick refresher? We have two recap videos available:

Watch the full webinar recap:
https://youtu.be/OzhypAJLN5w

Watch the how-to video:
https://youtu.be/066cD3q0cxk

Try the Ecosystem Services Value Calculator:
https://oldmanwatershed.ca/eco-calc

How much value do healthy landscapes provide?In this webinar, the...

06/08/2026

Congratulations to the Blood Tribe Land Management Department on receiving the Prairie Conservation 2026 Award.

This recognition celebrates long-standing leadership in protecting prairie habitats, species at risk, native grasslands, and the cultural relationships connected to these landscapes. The Blood Tribe Land Management Department’s work through initiatives like the Kainai skahkoyii Land Initiative is an important example of conservation guided by deep knowledge, care, and responsibility to the land.

OWC is grateful to work alongside partners who are advancing prairie conservation, ecological restoration, and watershed health across Treaty 7 territory and southern Alberta.

Read more:

Blood Tribe Land Management Department wins Prairie Conservation AwardBy Amber Sugai, Blood Tribe Communications Officer On May 6, 2026, the 14th Prairie Conservation Award and Endangered Species Conference was held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Blood Tribe Land Management received the Prairie Con...

06/08/2026

Join us for OWC’s Spring BioBlitz!

On Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Oldman Watershed Council is hosting a BioBlitz at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre n Lethbridge.

Participants will help observe and record plants, animals, insects, and other species while learning more about local biodiversity and the ecosystems that support watershed health. It is a great opportunity to spend time outside, build nature observation skills, and contribute to community science.

Registration is free and space is limited to 25 participants.

Sign up here:

Join the Oldman Watershed Council on the last day of spring to learn about bees and take part in a bioblitz community science event.

06/04/2026

Get your early-bird tickets for Alberta Ecotrust Foundation’s 2026 Environmental Gathering: Connected by Nature.

Join people from across Alberta’s environmental sector on November 17 and 18 in Calgary for a kick-off reception, conference programming, and networking focused on how restoring and protecting nature strengthens Alberta’s communities.

OWC’s CEO, Shannon Frank, will be presenting as part of the program, and we are looking forward to joining conversations about nature-based solutions, watershed security, nature-based solutions, and community resilience.

The opening keynote will feature Wes Olson, author, painter, and bison specialist, presenting The Ecological Buffalo and exploring how keystone species shape resilient ecosystems.

Early-bird tickets are available until July 31, with group discounts available.

Learn more and register:

Come together with leaders, practitioners, and changemakers from across sectors to explore nature-based solutions and conservation approaches that support climate resilience, local economies, and community well-being.

06/03/2026

The City of Lethbridge is asking everyone to cut back on non‑essential water use for at least the next few days.

Rainfall has pushed extra debris into the river, making treatment more difficult.

Drinking water remains safe.

More 👉 https://www.lethbridge.ca/news/posts/community-asked-to-conserve-water-amid-heavy-rainfall-impacts/

06/02/2026

The CWRA Alberta Branch is hosting a webinar on June 4 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. MT about the Alberta Water Act and how water management rules have changed over time. The webinar will be followed by the branch AGM at 1 p.m..

This session may be useful for anyone interested in water policy, water rights, water management, and the future of water in Alberta. Understanding how water management has evolved helps support informed conversations about planning, stewardship, and resilience.

Register here:

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: AB Branch Webinar and AGM. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

05/29/2026

Join OWC in the Lavern area on June 12/13 to help plant new pollinator gardens that support native flowers, shrubs, bees, and other pollinators in the Oldman watershed.

Volunteers can register for one or both days. This hands-on outdoor event includes learning about native plants, pollinator gardens, and bumble bee species at risk, including Bohemian Cuckoo, Suckley’s Cuckoo, Western, and Yellow-banded bumble bees. No prior experience is required.

Registration is free and closes Thursday, June 11, 2026. Exact location details will be shared with registered volunteers before the event.

For more information and registration, visit:

Come learn about our bumble bees, pollinator gardens, and native plants.

05/28/2026

The Alberta Emerald Foundation are celebrating 35 years of environmental excellence.

The awards ceremony on June 4 is an opportunity to recognize the people, organizations, and communities working toward a healthier, more resilient Alberta. We are grateful to be part of a broad community of people committed to environmental leadership, collaboration, and practical action across the province.

We would be glad to see our community there to help celebrate this important work.

For more information and tickets, visit:

35th Annual Emerald Awards for Environmental Excellence The Emerald Awards showcase the organizations, projects, and individuals across Alberta working to address environmental challenges and build a more resilient and sustainable future. For 35 years, the Alberta Emerald Foundation has celebrated t...

05/28/2026

Alberta Wilderness Association is hosting a field trip to the Taber grasslands on June 6.

This event offers a chance to visit places that are not normally accessible and learn more about native grasslands, irrigation expansion, and landscape change in southern Alberta. Grasslands are an important part of our watershed landscape, supporting biodiversity, soil health, water storage, and working lands.

For more information, visit:

Join us in Taber for a day of all things grasslands! Did you know that 2026 is the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists?