Oldman Watershed Council shortlisted for 2025 Emerald Awards

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

For the past 25 years, the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) has worked to strengthen  environmental sustainability and water conservation, and now that work is being recognized with an Emerald Award nomination in 2025. 

The Lethbridge based-organization has made the shortlist for the 34th annual  Emerald Awards, that are being handed out in a ceremony on June 5 in Edmonton. Nominations were announced in two categories earlier this spring – the Legacy category and the Project/Initiative category.  The OWC is being recognized for environmental excellence in the Legacy category under Community Group or Non-Profit. This category celebrates individuals or organizations that have made a lasting impact through sustained excellence in addressing local, regional, or global environmental issues. 

“We’re really honoured to be short-listed for the Emerald Awards. It’s the most prestigious environmental award in Alberta,” said Shannon Frank, executive director for the Oldman Watershed Council. “We were nominated in the Legacy category with two other fantastic groups. It means a lot to be recognized by our peers and to see that people really do believe we’re making a difference.”  

The OWC is a not-for-profit organization in Southern Alberta. It is one of 11 Watershed Advisory and Planning Councils in the province mandated by the Alberta government to provide an independent voice for watershed management and health under the province’s Water For Life strategy.  

“We work really hard every day to do the absolute best that we can for our watershed and being recognized for that is a really good motivation to keep at it and never slow down,” she added.  

The Emerald Awards showcase organizations, projects, and individuals across Alberta who are working to address environmental challenges and build a more resilient, sustainable future. 

This year’s shortlist, from a total of 72 nominations, represents 14 municipalities across the province and a diverse group of projects, organizations and individuals, that have demonstrated a province-wide commitment to sustainability and an increase in rural and Indigenous-led initiatives, highlighting diverse environmental leadership from grassroots groups to large corporations.

The Oldman Watershed Council has been in existence for 20 years as an official, registered non-profit, noted Frank, adding that for five years prior to that, the OWC existed as an informal union of two groups that merged together to become the OWC in 2004. 

Frank highlighted some of the organization’s achievements, including recent developments in the work that the OWC does.  

“Just this past year we were really excited to grow our team to include a restoration manager. That’s allowed us to do a lot more ‘boots on the ground’ rehabilitation projects,” said Frank, noting over the years they’ve supported ranchers, farmers and Indigenous land managers via a small grant program, that has expanded. “Now starting last year, we’ve had our own restoration manager who’s really grown that program, so now we’re doing 10 to 20 restoration sites every year.”  

Frank said since the OWC began, it has been a forum for all voices, providing information and working towards the non-profit’s mission of bringing people together to cooperate and collaborate on solutions. Going forward, that’s a role that will continue, with even more people a part of discussions.  

“Though our role hasn’t changed and I don’t think it will change, I think it’s all about navigating these very complex and difficult issues,” explained Frank, noting their neutral stance on politics and topics such as drought and the issue of coal. “When these big issues are being discussed, we’re here to offer solutions and recommendations and advice to all levels of government as the decision makers.  We’re here to help people understand what’s going on and how it might impact them and their business, their livelihood, recreational activities or their future here in southwestern Alberta,” said Frank.