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Inside Education's final report for the 2011 Watershed Education teacher tour
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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:
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0$123435()*
6*7$$+*8)24$19*:;;$12,"52%*
<)()=&"2*2$*>%*2)&-35"7*
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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