Hi everybody!
July came with a lot of important events, and SEAWA participated in reaching the community and helping other NGOs organize their events focusing on sustainable management and protection of our ecosystem.
However, before reporting the events let's explain a little about U.N Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). According to the United Nations “A sustainable world is one where people can escape poverty and enjoy decent work without harming the earth’s essential ecosystems and resources; where people can stay healthy and get the food and water they need; where everyone can access clean energy that doesn’t contribute to climate change; where women and girls are afforded equal rights and equal opportunities.”
In 2015 the world came together to figure out how to make a healthier, safer, peaceful, and more prosperous planet by 2030. The result was 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), intertwining environmental, economic, and social needs, knowing that one can’t thrive without the other.
SEAWA is directly connected with SDG#6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, and indirectly connected with all other goals, that is the reason why SEAWA is participating in all sustainable programs reaching the community with an educational approach encouraging citizens to support and preserve the environment, avoiding wastewater, and protecting our watersheds and the health of our rivers.
Population Growth x Water consumption.
This relation is directly proportional and obvious, as the population grows the consumption of water will increase, and life does not exist without water. Do you know how much water we need to produce our food? It takes a surprising amount of water to grow and process food because crops cannot grow without water, especially not without irrigation water.
Water Footprint of Eight Common Food Items
Food Item Serving Size Water Footprint
Steak (beef) 6 ounces 674 gallons
Hamburger 1 (includes bread, meat, lettuce, tomato) 660 gallons
Ham (pork) 3 ounces 135 gallons
Eggs 1 egg 52 gallons
Soda 17 ounces 46 gallons
Coffee 1 cup 34 gallons
Wine 1 glass 34 gallons
Salad 1 (includes tomato, lettuce, cucumbers) 21 gallons
I believe most of you never stopped to analyze the quantity of water needed to produce our daily meal. SEAWA encourages you to avoid wasting this precious liquid and, if possible, Refuse to do things like wastewater, Reuse water to clean common areas or lawn grass, Recycle as much as you can by building a system to capture water from rain and snow, and the last but not least Rethink what is our role in this and how can we contribute to change the mindset of future generation to avoid scarcity of water.
Summer Events – July 2024
July 1st, 2024 – Canada Day.
All those who celebrate Canada as their home and native land celebrate Canada Day on July 1st. The day commemorates the anniversary of the Constitution Act, which consolidated three territories into the single nation of Canada, way back in 1867.
The idea behind National Respect Canada Day was to create a specific time to reflect on the significance of treating everyone with dignity, regardless of their background. The day emphasizes the importance of mutual respect, tolerance, and understanding among all Canadians.
July 10th, 2024 – SAAMIS 40th Anniversary.
Saamis 40th anniversary celebration, the Southeastern Alberta Archaeological Society invited residents out to a special event at Kin Coulee Park on July 10.
“We invited everyone to bring their artifacts and collections to the event, where two professional archaeologists were on site to help identify and provide information about the items, shedding light on their origins and significance,” said Cathy Linowski from the Southeast Alberta Archaeology Society (SEAAS).
SEAWA was present in this event which serves as an opportunity to learn about the history of the area.
“This event is a fantastic opportunity for landowners and community members to contribute to the understanding of our region’s rich history,” said Linowski.
July 11th, 2024 - Riparian Health Assessment and Plant ID training (Cows and Fish)
The purpose of riparian health assessment and inventory is to provide better information on riparian health or function to assist landowners and land managers make the best decisions to manage their riparian resources effectively. The training day was made by the Cows and Fish organization from Lethbridge at Magrath Pondfish.
July 16,17, and 18th, 2024 – Youth Range Days
The Southern Alberta Youth Range Days is an interactive event for youth and families interested in learning about ‘working agricultural landscapes’ crucial to environmental sustainability. Youth Range Days celebrate our rural heritage by providing a mentoring environment for youth ages 13 to 18, learning in a fun, outdoor setting.
The three-day camp highlights learning about:
- local wildlife
- working ranches
- plant identification
- range health field sessions
- riparian health
Youth Range Days emphasized the interconnectivity of our watershed resources and how it applies to ranch management. Camp attendees were presented with a workbook that was completed during the camp.
July 24,25,26, and 27th,2024 - Medicine Hat Stampede.
It's a celebration of Western culture and heritage with exciting rodeos, a pop-up amusement park, and a range of ticket-entry and free entertainment.
The first Medicine Hat Exhibition was held on Friday and Saturday, October 14 and 15, 1887 “with livestock exhibits displayed at the CPR stockyards and all other exhibits, including poultry, grains, garden vegetables, roots, field crops, fruit, baking, preserves and ladies fancy work all being displayed”. (Willcocks, p. 3) The Exhibition was a huge success in bringing the urban and rural communities together as one homogeneous group, which resulted in what was to foreshadow an annual event. This tradition continues to the present which gives rise to the current vision statement of the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Company, “A Tradition since 1887-A Legacy for the Future”.
These were the events in July a busy summer month and magnificent at the same time.
SEAWA is already preparing the schedule for August, and I hope you keep reading this blog to update our next adventures.
See you all folks!!!
