The Water Matters Society of Alberta was founded in 2007 by citizens concerned about watershed protection in Alberta. Water Matters was founded to provide strong leadership from an independent non-government organization with expertise and resources to address province-wide watershed issues. This leadership is vital as Alberta charts its course on water resources management.

We take action on watershed protection for the public interest

Water Matters provides a needed voice for watershed protection. We do this by taking concerns directly to decision makers such as the provincial government not only to draw attention to problems or concerns but also to discuss solutions.

» What are we doing?

We have provided a voice at the Alberta Water Council to represent citizens who are concerned about the protection of water resources. For example, our participation on the AWC resulted in a new water conservation plan for Alberta and strong recommendations to the Alberta government to renew the Water for Life Strategy.

We ensure the public interest and the environment are part of the decision-making process for water allocation decisions. We have worked collaboratively with other organizations to ensure the management of water is guided by the interest of the public at large.

We raise public awareness by providing information and solutions

Water Matters aims to improve public understanding of watershed issues. We gather and analyze information that is useful, relevant, and current on watershed issues and share it with the public. We do this through public presentations, media interviews, our website, and directly with people like you.

» What are we doing?

When the government released its draft plan for land use in Alberta, we partnered with other organizations to ensure thousands of Albertans were provided with up-to-date information. We developed a special website dealing exclusively with the issue of land use, Alberta by Design, and keep updated with current information.

Water Matters has brought public attention to a proposed wetlands policy currently being considered by government. We published an article in our newsletter and are responding to citizen requests for information.

We have featured new information on market-based tools to protect the environment — information that is often hard to access by the public.

We promote progressive policies and practices for watershed protection

We know that other communities have successfully protected their water resources with progressive policies and strong governance. Water Matters promotes solutions for watershed protection that are transparent, mindful, and, most importantly, protect environmental and public interests.

Because progressive solutions exist elsewhere, we take the time to research what others have done and devise recommendations for what might happen in Alberta. Some examples:

Piping Water Between Watersheds

Published by Water Matters, November 2008

This report outlines a set of recommendations to the Alberta government regarding the diversion of water between large basins but also between their sub-basins.

Download the report

Curing Environmental Dis-Integration: A Prescription for Integrating the Government of Alberta's Strategic Initiatives

Published by Pembina Institute and Water Matters, April, 2008

This report discusses how the government has advanced numerous strategic initiatives in relative isolation from one another. It concludes that multiple strategies which individually address air, land, water and the activities which affect them will ultimately prove unsuccessful unless they are integrated through a common, legislated regional planning process

Download the report

We empower people to take action in their communities and overcome challenges

Water Matters works with citizens across the province to help them build their capacity to work in their local community, provides tools to address and overcome challenges, and works collaboratively with groups and individuals to influence positive changes and proactive solutions.

» Our Water Leaders Program

Our Water Leaders Program is aimed at cultivating and harnessing the energy and talent of watershed leaders in Alberta to overcome watershed challenges in their region. As a precursor to this program Water Matters conducted a survey of water related organizations and citizens from across the province in May 2008. Lay of the Land: A survey of Alberta's watershed leaders in Alberta reports the results of the survey.

Our Mission & Vision

Water Matters envisions a future where watersheds in Alberta are conserved for ecological and human health, recreational benefit, and their aesthetic, economic, and spiritual value.

As champions for improving watershed conservation in Alberta we:

• Conduct and promote timely and leading-edge research and investigation;
• Provide and support outreach and education programs;
• Advance initiatives for watershed health;
• Work with others concerned about the protection of watersheds.