With three years of drought behind us, low snowpack across the province and the current El Niño conditions expected to continue to bring hot and dry conditions, Alberta could be in for its driest, smokiest, fiery summer ever!
As severe drought looms over Alberta, the Bow River Basin Council (BRBC) is gearing up to host a workshop aimed at fostering collaboration and preparedness among all sectors of society.
Stacey Smythe, an Assistant Deputy Minister with Alberta Environment, has said of the current water crisis, “We’re all in this together. This situation has never been more true than it is today.”
The BRBC workshop, set for February 23 at the RancheHouse in Cochrane, is aptly titled “Collaboration in Times of Severe Drought.”
This event is designed to be a rallying point for government officials, experts, and the general public to come together to figure out how to respond to the looming water crisis.
In This Together
The BRBC‘s Legislation and Policy Committee, under the guidance of Co-Chair Dr. Judy Stewart, emphasizes that expertise in water issues is not needed to participate.
The coming drought is expected to spare no one, affecting individuals and communities of all types.
From urban and rural residents to small business owners, farmers, and ranchers, the call to action is clear… everyone must start getting prepared for what lies ahead.
Dr. Stewart’s message is compelling and inclusive: “This workshop is designed especially for you.”
She highlights the critical nature of the drought, pointing out that it will arrive “dry, hot, and dusty,” leaving no one immune to its effects.
The scarcity of water will challenge the status quo, making it imperative for everyone to come together, share concerns, and brainstorm solutions to navigate the drought emergency.
Multi-Disciplinary Sessions
The workshop’s agenda will include presentations from experts across multiple fields, including the provincial government on water-sharing agreements, the City of Calgary on drought preparation strategies, and representatives from irrigation districts and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
These sessions aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the drought’s potential impacts and the collective measures Albertans need to take to lessen the impact.
There will be critical discussions about the prioritization of water usage, especially in scenarios where water licenses and rights may be overridden by government decisions during a state of emergency.
The emphasis will be on prioritizing human needs, followed by animals and crops, underscoring the interconnectedness of these elements for survival.
Dr. Stewart also plans to tackle the broader implications of drought on people’s buying habits, urging participants to consider the sustainability of their daily choices.
By questioning the necessity of specific goods and services that require significant water resources, the workshop aims to foster a culture of conservation and adaptation.
Registration for the “Collaboration in Times of Severe Drought” workshop is free, offering a unique opportunity for community members to engage with experts, voice their concerns, and contribute to developing a cohesive drought preparedness strategy.
Interested individuals are encouraged to visit Eventbrite.com to register and join the effort to combat the challenges posed by the impending drought.
