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World Water Day is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis.
Across the prairies, several projects are also happening to protect and support our access to a good, clean water source now and into the future.
In Manitoba ... Manitoba Habitat Conservancy has approved $11.6 million in funding to help achieve a diverse array of on-the-ground water and land conservation initiatives focused on preserving wetlands, waterways, and other habitats.
The funding is coming through the Conservation, GROW, and Wetlands GROW Trusts and is designed to help rejuvenate natural habitats, mitigate floods and droughts, enhance water quality, protect wildlife, promote biological diversity, support carbon sequestration, and foster connections between people and nature.
This year over $9.7 million was awarded to 13 watershed districts, including the largest single award of $2.4 million to the Assiniboine West Watershed District.
Under the Conservation Trust, over $2.2 million has been allocated across fifteen projects led by eleven non-profit conservation organizations in Manitoba.
More information on Manitoba's Habitat Conservancy programs can be found here.
In Saskatchewan, the province recently announced it is ready to move ahead with phase one of the Lake Diefenbaker expansion project.
Engineering, design and stakeholder meetings will take place over the next 12 to 14 months with construction of the first 90,00 acres targeted for 2025.
The project cost is estimated to be $1.5 billion which will be cost-shared between the province and producers who choose to take part in the program.
Agriculture Minister and Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency David Marit says they continue to encourage the federal government to come to the table in a more meaningful way and be part of this important project as it moves forward.
More information on Saskatchewan's Lake Diefenbaker Expansion can be found here.
Alberta is investing more than $35 million to help maximize how water is used and help prevent future droughts by creating a 21st-century water-management system and healthy, thriving wetlands and watersheds to provide long-term drought protection.
The province says action is needed to better share, store, conserve and manage water with the increase in population, there's an increasing demand for water.
Parts of the province have experienced droughts or water shortages in recent years and are at risk of a severe drought this year.
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz says we must find new and better ways to reduce the impacts of droughts and make every drop of water count.
"That’s why we are taking action to improve wetlands and transform how water is managed in our province. This funding would help maximize Alberta’s long-term water supply to ensure communities and businesses thrive.”
More information on Alberta's plan to improve water management and conservation can be found here.