A YOUTH WATER COUNCIL
For the North SaskatchewAn River WatersHED
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.
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.
Learning and DIscovery
Youth Water Council members are led through virtual learning sessions by NSWA team members and environmental knowledge experts. We explore topics on watershed management and stewardship, conservation, restoration, wetland health, water quality and climate change impacts.
The Innovative Project
Next, YWC council members are guided through the creation of their very own Innovative Project during scheduled virtual sessions and a weekend camp! Council members have the opportunity to work on an environmental cause that speaks to them, and learn project management skills along the way! The project will align with the objectives of NSWA’s Integrated Watershed Management Plan, and council members will decide what it looks like. The team will work within a budget of $7,500, provided through the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
WHat it Looks like
Phase 1: Kick-off Workshop + Virtual Learning Sessions
The Youth Water Council program will kick-off with an introductory virtual session and a knowledge-building workshop! The workshop features various team-building activities and learning opportunities. Our 2024 council workshop was held at the University of Alberta. Students then embark on bi-weekly virtual learning sessions. Environmental experts 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: Weekend Camp + Project Implementation
Phase 2 follows Spring Break and start off with an in-person weekend camp! Students put their heads together and come up with a project idea that speaks to them. The camp features fun outdoor and indoor team building activities, along with presentations from experts in the conservation community. Afterwards, the YWC members get back to virtual sessions and build their project.
YOUTH WATER COUNCIL 2024 SCHEDULE
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 high school in the North Saskatchewan River watershed
- Be able to attend all in-person and virtual sessions (see above schedule)
- Submit an application that showcases why you’re interested in joining the council
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.