This program is the first of its kind in our watershed and provides a platform for youth to collaborate, voice their opinions, and drive positive change for the future of our water.
Collaborate with like-minded peers and learn from leaders and professionals in the environmental sector. Apply for the 2025 council today!
ELIGIBILITY
Prospective applicants need only demonstrate their passion for community, environment and team learning to apply. We aim to form a team of diverse and dynamic students, ready to spark change in our watershed.
Applicants need only:
- Live or attend school in the North Saskatchewan River watershed
- Be able to attend all in-person and virtual sessions (see schedule)
- Apply and showcase why you’re interested in participating (no previous experience or prerequisites required!)
Please note that this Youth Council may require members to complete additional work outside of meeting sessions. Members also require access to a computer to attend virtual sessions. Transporation costs for attendance of in-person sessions will be covered through the program.
Send any inquiries or questions about this program to jillian.peterson@nswa.ab.ca
Inside the Program
The 2024 Youth Water Council
The 2024 Youth Water Council features a group of 9 passionate high-school students living in the North Saskatchewan River watershed. Together, they embarked on a journey of discovery, through virtual learning sessions, weekend camps, and the creation of their own Innovative Project.
LEARNING AND DISCOVERY
The program kicks-off with an in-person workshop, full of team-bonding, group activities, and guest lectures. Council members are then led through virtual learning sessions by NSWA team members and environmental knowledge experts. We explore topics on watershed management, stewardship initiatives, wetland health, water quality, and climate change impacts.
The 2024 council members learned about a variety of topics with our knowledge experts.
- Watershed 101 - NSWA team members
- Environmental Engineering - Dr. Maricor Arlos, University of Alberta
- Water Quality Management - Melissa Logan, City of St. Albert
- Wetland & Riparian Health in Our Watershed - Amy McLeod, Cows & Fish
- Climate Change and Land Use Simulation Activity - Jennifer Janzen, Alberta Tomorrow
- Lake Management, Aquatic Plant ID, and Careers in the Water Sector - Bradley Peter, Alberta Lake Management Society (ALMS)
- Indigenous knowledge, reconciliation & holistic health - Azure Johnson
INNOVATIVE PROJECT
Next, YWC council members are guided through the creation of their Innovative Project during scheduled virtual sessions and a weekend camp! The team will have the opportunity to work on an environmental cause that speaks to them while learning project management skills along the way!
The YWC Weekend camp is a highlight of the program! The Battle Lake 4H Center provides the perfect refuge for 3 days of experiential learning, group bonding, and project planning.
The camp allows council members to deliberate on the objectives, timeline and vision for their Innovative Project in-person.
All food and accommodations are included.
Thank you to our generous supporters for supporting this program.
Richard Easton Estate, Enbridge Fueling Futures, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, and Sherritt International.
In memory of Richard Easton.
Richard (Dick) Easton (1949-2022) was raised and educated in Calgary, where he attained a degree in Social Work at the University of Calgary. He met his future wife Susan at the U of C, and following graduation they launched their respective careers in Social Work and raised a family in Fort Saskatchewan.
Throughout his life Dick was a passionate advocate for social and environmental justice. Living in a community recognized as one of the nations leading industrial centres for petro-chemical manufacturing, Dick kept a watchful eye out for impacts from industrial emissions. He was not reluctant to speak out on his environmental concerns and observations, often as a lone voice within the community.
Dick had a lasting passion in conservation, natural history and nature photography and was a regular navigator of Alberta Rivers in his Aluminum canoe, which he titled the “Orange Bear”. His favoured and most frequent outings were on the North Saskatchewan River, setting in at Devon and spending a glorious long day paddling through to Fort Saskatchewan, often solo but at time with friends. Dick took a special interest in understanding the geology, geography and natural features of the NSR watershed and through his photography would make public presentations on some of his many canoe outings.
Dick passed away in August 2022, making generous provisions in his Will for a variety of charitable causes. His family has elected to support development of the Youth Water Council through the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance as a tribute to his memory.