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An open space in the forest with a view of a narrow creek going into the mountains

What’s a Wetland Worth?

Wetlands, to some, are priceless.  Economically it’s hard to put a price tag on them. Could we do without wetlands? No!  Beyond all the things we now know that wetlands contribute, those things called ecological goods and services, a local pond provides many of us with an education, experiences, risks, inspiration, entertainment, connections and appreciation.

Who Pays for Stewardship?

Stewardship, specifically environmental stewardship, is the act of caring for our natural resources – land, water, wildlife, and air – to sustain, conserve, protect and restore the environment for our generation and the generations still to come.  Environmental stewardship pays big dividends in the form of clean water, forage productivity, biodiversity, and water storage, but who pays for stewardship and how much do we owe?

Valueing Lakes and Wetlands

There are a variety of lakes and wetlands in Alberta, from the clear blue mountain lakes to willow-ringed potholes of central Alberta.  They all have a many things in common, including their value as water filters, storage tanks and critter condominiums

The Nature of Streams and Rivers

Don’t let stream horsepower get away on you!  Stream and river channels are seldom straight.  They meander, or bend, to balance energy and work.  Some simple physics helps us understand the nature of streams and rivers.

Shedding Light on Watershed Action

Community-based watershed and stewardship groups are growing in number in Alberta. Cows and Fish works with these groups to create a better understanding of riparian areas, their value, function and health.

Prairie-fed Rivers: Appreciating Local Waters

A reality for many living in Alberta and across the Prairie Provinces is that for most their water comes from a local prairie-fed source.  This differentiates these watersheds from headwater systems, whose flows come from our glaciers and mountains.  This article provides some insight into these unique prairie systems.

Is my Stream Sick? Is my Lakeshore Lame? What is a Cows and Fish Riparian Health Assessment?

Have you ever wondered what a healthy riparian area looks like?  Or how you might know if your riparian area is healthy or not?  A tool, called Riparian Health Assessment, has helped many individuals and communities understand the health of their riparian areas.

FLOOD – The Other “F” Word?

Spring rain used to fill our prairie souls with joy; now the same rain, especially when it persists for days, fills us with a sense of angst.  Is there a reason for concern this spring, or are we over these ‘floods of the century’?  Why do we have these large floods and is there anything we can do about them?

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Oil painting of an aerial view of a riparian area