Watershed technicians and program coordinators from across Manitoba gathered in late June for a hands-on, two-day field event in southern Manitoba aimed at enhancing collaboration, professional development, and practical skills in watershed management.
The event brought together representatives from various Watershed Districts, including Redboine, along with GROW and PWCP coordinators. It followed a more technical, design-focused meeting held in March, where participants explored in-office processes like mapping and planning. This latest gathering brought those ideas into the field for real-world application.
Theory to fieldwork
Led by Gerrit Maxwell of the Pembina Valley Watershed District and Rob Nichol from the Redboine Watershed District, the group toured several active project sites. Among the highlights were shelterbelt installations, tree planter demonstrations, and more than eight locations featuring erosion control structures, low-level crossings, and water retention systems.
Seeing these projects in action gave participants the chance to evaluate results, identify potential design improvements, and better understand the substantial role of landowner cooperation in achieving long-term success.
“In-person learning like this is invaluable,” organizers emphasized. “When technicians come together around shared goals, they benefit from each other’s experience—and generate more creative and effective solutions than they might alone.”
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Innovation on display
The second day of the event featured a live demonstration of Real Time Kinematic (RTK) survey drone technology by Lewis Instruments. The RTK drone collects highly accurate geographic data in real time, helping technicians work more efficiently, reduce post-processing time, and improve safety in the field.
The June event was made possible through funding from the Watershed District Capacity Fund, provided by the Manitoba Association of Watersheds, which continues to play a substantial role in supporting technicians, managers, and administrators across the province, ensuring that Manitoba’s Watershed Districts are well-equipped to serve landowners and protect vital soil and water resources.
- with files from Angie Smith -