Combining old friends, new knowledge and a great cause is a powerful formula for feeling good about yourself and your work. Throw in some glorious fall weather and a mellow float trip down the North Saskatchewan, and you've got, well, River Rally 2011!
Hosted by Alberta Ecotrust with help from the Alberta Stewardship Network, this year's Rally brought together nearly 90 participants, including environmental stewards, business people, scientists, First Nations members, municipal officials, and provincial managers to celebrate the work, build the networks, and enhance the skills and knowledge of Alberta's dedicated watershed protectors.
The Rally began with a splash as participants, following an interesting, informative tour of EPCOR's state-of-the-art Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant, took to the North Saskatchewan for a "raft-and-learn" float along the North Saskatchewan that focused on urban river impacts and mitigations. In the late afternoon, the stewards assembled for a "Margarita Mingle" cocktail reception compliments of Encana, an evening buffet, and a keynote by communications and marketing guru Kivi Leroux Miller on "Three Trends Changing the Way We Communicate Forever."
The following day was primarily dedicated to workshops building on three key areas of learning: communicating and fundraising for success, engaging and working with others in your community, and accessing and leveraging tools and resources for watershed protection. Highlights of the day included Kivi Leroux Miller's workshops on storytelling as a powerful tool, and highly informative sessions on engaging governments, fundraising basics cumulative effects and watershed planning.
Two innovative workshops on First Nations Perspectives and Engaging First Nations were particularly well attended, in large part because many ENGOs are uncertain about how to approach First Nations and involve them in their watershed protection work. The answers, coming from an articulate, committed panel of First Nations community leaders made good, common sense. To paraphrase the words of Joseph Jobin, Danika Littlechild, and Norine Saddleback: "Come and talk to us. Be sensitive to the reality that First Nations communities already have a lot on their plates, take some time to get to know us, and please don't make any big requests until you do know us. But above all, do come and talk to us." As Alberta Ecotrust Executive Director Pat Letizia recounted, "These sessions were very special and heart warming. They opened up new pathways for a few groups, and gave others something powerful to think about as they navigate the waters of basin planning and community consultation."
Returning to the banks of the North Saskatchewan to close out the Rally with a sun-filled Sunday picnic, participants had a chance to work on their own river stories and cheer on Hugh Sanders of the Battle River Watershed Alliance as his name was drawn as the winner of a $1,500 Watershed Protectors mini-grant. Departing for home, participants were full of praise for their time together. "Next time," one advised us, "start advertising earlier. I want to make sure my entire Board attends."
River Rally 2011 is a part of Alberta Ecotrust's Watershed Protectors Program, sponsored by Suncor Energy with additional support from the RBC Foundation through the RBC Blue Water Project. Watershed Protectors supports the good work of the water community including those activities related to Water for Life. The goal is to help build skills and networks that elevate Alberta's water stewards' potential for success and to build a fellowship around water at the community level.
Special credit goes to the event sponsors who made this year's Rally a "phenomenal event at an unbelievable price." The Rally's Lead sponsor was Encana, one of Alberta Ecotrust's long-time Partners. EPCOR and Capital Power Corporation were also important contributors. Thanks to all of them for their time and investment!
