Make a real change in your local environment. Work with like-minded peers and leaders in stewardship. Build experience for future career and academic opportunities.
About the Youth Water Council
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.
Our 2024 council features a group of 9 passionate high-school students living in the North Saskatchewan River watershed. Together, they are embarking on a journey of discovery over 5 months, through virtual learning sessions, weekend camps, and the creation of their own Innovative Project.
Stay tuned for updates for our 2025 council. And for more more information, contact the program coordinators!
Jillian Peterson (Jillian.Peterson@nswa.ab.ca)
Kaila Belovich (Kaila.Belovich@nswa.ab.ca)
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 INNOVATIVE PROJECT
Next, YWC council members are guided through the implementation of their very own 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 Youth Water Council Story Video
Check out the Youth Water Council Story video, produced by Story Brokers Media House.
The video shares the 2024 Youth Water Council’s journey. See how council members expanded their watershed knowledge during virtual learning sessions and how they planned their Innovative Project at the 4H Club Weekend Camp!
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
The Youth Water Council program will kick-off with an introductory virtual session on February 1st, and a knowledge-building workshop on the 10th! The workshop will feature various team-building activities and learning opportunities (Location TBD). Following the camp, students will embark on bi-weekly virtual learning sessions. Environmental experts will lead students through a variety of topics, including:
- Watershed Management & the Conservation Community
- Building Wetland & Riparian Health in Our Watershed
- Water Quality, Quantity & Climate Change Impacts & Adaptation in our Watershed
Phase 2 will follow Spring Break and start off with an in-person weekend camp! Students will put their heads together and come up with a project idea that speaks to them. The camp will feature fun outdoor and indoor team building activities and all food and accommodations will be included! Afterwards, the YWC members will get back to virtual sessions and build their project. There may be more in-person elements, depending on what the student’s project looks like.
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 impassioned students, ready to spark change in our watershed.
Applicants must:
- Live or attend school in the North Saskatchewan River watershed
- Be able to attend all in-person and virtual sessions (see above schedule)
- Submit an application and showcase why you’re interested in participating
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.
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.