The Nose Creek Watershed Partnership (NWCP) was awarded an Alberta Emerald Award on Wednesday afternoon after being shortlisted for the prestigious provincial award earlier this spring. It was one of 15 organizations that received the Alberta Emerald Awards.

The organization was shortlisted in the government category. The government category recognized organizations' ongoing commitments that set the example for environmental leadership and advocate sustainability as a major component in governance. Sandi Riemersma, an environmental biologist at Palliser Environmental and Clint Goodman, the Co-chair of the NWCP accepted the award.

"Thank you so much to the Alberta Emerald Award Foundation for this special recognition. It is truly a great honour. Not only does this award showcase the long-standing dedication of the partnership to advancing environmental stewardship, but it also is the icing on the cake as we celebrate our silver anniversary; 25 years," Goodman said as he accepted the award. 

Goodman said that the success of the partnership is the direct result of strong relationships with various stakeholders and that such an award will validate the efforts of the organization. 

"This recognition gives partners and stakeholders inspiration to continue the work that is underway as well as a reason to pause and celebrate our achievements as we strive to continue to maintain the quality of our land, and water resources in the Nose Creek watershed to benefit the communities in the future."

Goodman thanked The City of Airdrie, The City of Calgary, the Town of Crossfield, Rockyview County, as well as the Calgary Airport Authority and the Bow River Basin Council for working with the organization.

According to the submissions for the Emerald Awards, the NWCP was formed in 1998 to protect riparian areas and manage streamflows in the Nose Creek watershed to mitigate the impacts of flood and drought and improve water quality for water users and aquatic life.

"The NCWP has positively impacted the environment and continues to build resiliency through watershed-scale collaboration, planning, policy and action. The NCWP increased understanding of streamflow, instream flow needs, water quality, and riparian condition to develop the science-based Nose Creek Watershed Water Management Plan (Plan)."

Other organizations who were shortlisted in the government category included Violet Grove’s Constructed Floating Wetlands System with Aeration from Brazeau County and the various environmental achievements of the City of St. Albert.

Marisa Orfei, Executive Director of the Alberta Emerald Foundation (AEF) underlined that the foundation is the only awards program in the country to recognize the important work of environmental leaders across all sectors

“By honouring and elevating the ingenuity, dedication and hard work of these individuals and organizations, we inspire others to follow their example, benefiting all Albertans with a healthier and cleaner environment," she said. 

This year, the AEF received 51 nominations from all corners of the province, each demonstrating significant achievements in their efforts to protect our environment and take action against climate change.

Each winner receiving awards in the various categories will receive a $2,000 grant to support the continuation of their environmental work, a certificate to commemorate their achievement and a profile of their work through the AEF’s sharing stories program, which includes the Emerald Documentary Series, What On EARTH Can We Do? Podcast, and Environmental Speaker Series.

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