The Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) has recently won an award, honouring their environmental achievement.
During the 34th Annual Emerald Awards ceremony in Edmonton on June 5, the Oldman Watershed Council received the 2025 Emerald Award for Environmental Excellence, in the Legacy Community Group/Non-profit category.
"This award affirms the power of collaboration in safeguarding the Oldman watershed. We share this honour with our volunteers, Indigenous partners, landowners, industry members, government, and supporters who work alongside us every day," explained Shannon Frank, the Executive Director of OWC in a media release. "Together, we are creating a resilient water future for southwest Alberta."
The Oldman Watershed has led practical, science-based projects which strengthen the watershed's ability to capture, store, and release clean water for over 25 years.
Through the work of staff and volunteers with the OWC, more than 80 km of streambank have been stabilized, as well as having planted tens of thousands of native trees and shrubs.
They had also installed low-tech structures, such as beaver dam analogues, which help to slow runoff, recharge aquifers, and create new habitat.
On top of that, the OWC has provided outreach and training to equip landowners, ranchers, and Indigenous partners with the skills needed for restoration, as well as fostering a stewardship ethic in over 40 communities.
It is estimated that OWC's efforts have added over $8 million to the province's economy, all while improving the recreation opportunities in the area and drought resilience.
Through the OWC pairing on-the-ground results with data-based information, they are able to inform and fill knowledge gaps for government and decision-makers, and helps to guide land-use policy that connects environmental health, economic stability, and long-term water security across the southern part of the province.
To learn more about the Oldman Watershed Council and what they do, head over to their website.