What We Do

We envision a future where…

…the waters of the Bow River Basin are conserved and protected as a fragile and unique resource, and recognized as our lifeline.  Multiple uses are balanced, ensuring the needs of all stakeholders are met, while maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

The BRBC has a vision of the Bow Basin as one of the best-managed watersheds in the world. To meet that vision, the BRBC forges consensus, advocates focused attention, promotes partnership on creative solutions and fosters collaborative action.

The council has a broad membership base and prides itself on developing strategic alliances and partnerships with academic and research institutions, governments, businesses, individuals, First Nations, charitable and environmental organizations. It brings together experts, all stakeholders and collective community resources to formulate conservation plans and strategies. For example, it provides four Quarterly Educational and Networking Forums each year to identify, discuss and recommend priorities for issues and celebrate success of initiatives within the watershed in addition to weekly news bulletins and a quarterly newsletter.

The council supports diverse study groups, grassroots stewardship organizations and interest groups for a shared purpose of conducting research & monitoring and developing & implementing action plans

OUR MISSION | The Bow River Basin Council (BRBC) is a multi-stakeholder, charitable organization dedicated to conducting activities for the improvement and protection of the waters of the Bow River Basin, considering:

• Riparian zones
• Aquatic ecosystems
• Quality and quantity of water, and
• Effects of land use on surface and groundwater

OUR PURPOSE | In the Bow River Basin, the Bow River Basin Council will:

• Maintain a forum for all Council members to share perspectives and exchange information
• Prioritize water use management issues in the basin that may affect the quality and/or quantity of groundwater or surface water or riparian zones
• Participate in water use management and planning activities
• Develop and recommend improved water use management procedures and performance measures
• Encourage the implementation of cooperative water use management strategies
• Participate in activities that promote and demonstrate increased awareness of water use management issues to its members, the governments of Alberta and Canada, and the public
• Conduct and direct fundraising for the BRBC
• Obtain and use assets and funds entrusted to the BRBC for benevolent, cultural, ecological, educational, planning and/or recreational purposes for the improvement and protection of the Bow River Basin
• Review and decide upon requests for funds and/or resources from the Council and others on the basis of the merits of the requests, availability of funds, and sound financial and project management principles

OUR BUSINESS PLAN | Click this link for the BRBC Business Plan

How We Do It

BRBC – BUILDING VITAL CONNECTIONS

A river begins as a trickle and becomes stronger with every added drop of water.

Nourished by volunteers, donors and staff members, our list of accomplishments continues to grow.  Membership in the BRBC steadily increases each year with more and more individuals, municipalities and corporations seeing value in the work we are doing.

Award winning accomplishments through collaboration

We undertake projects that will make a lasting contribution to improved water quality and watershed health and we have a proud record of fostering collaboration and finding creative solutions. We take pride in our collaborative, non-confrontational approach to issue identification and solutions. The BRBC is living proof that a wide variety of stakeholders with varying views and opinions can, and do, work together for a common good.

Just a few of the BRBC’s accomplishments:

• Provides four Quarterly Educational and Networking Forums each year to identify, discuss and recommend priorities for issues and celebrate success of initiatives within the watershed.
• Alberta Emerald Award Winner 2012
• Grassroots Environmental Stewardship Award from the Alberta Stewardship Network.
• Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan 2012 (BBWMP)
• State of the Basin Report
• Calgary Award 2009 in recognition of the Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan

What You Can Do

You can be an important part of the solution. Consider making a gift to the BRBC so we can continue our good work.

It’s easy, simply fill out our  Stewards of the River (17.89 kB) contribution form or donate online. By supporting the Council, you will help protect our rivers…and our future.