OWC PLANNING RETREAT
On February 2 and 3, 2006, board members, team leaders and staff came together to address a number of key issues facing the OWC.

Facilitated by Deb Berg, with Alberta Community Development, the Strategic Planning session was a great success. Small group work, thoughtful discussion, and presentations helped provide focus for the coming months.

Determining a vision statement and goals was the main focus of the retreat and the Council has come up with a draft Vision Statement and goals.

The Oldman Watershed Council's draft Vision is comprised of the following term outcomes:
  • At a minimum, the watershed is managed to maintain existing conditions based on knowledge and activities in 2006.
  • The Oldman River Watershed is a well-functioning ecosystem that meets the social, economic, and healthy needs of society, now and in the future.
  • Residents and users of the Oldman River Watershed adopt the goals of the Oldman Watershed Council and are empowered to accomplish them.
  • Key reaches of the watershed have been identified for improvement and measures to restore ecological functions are underway.
  • There is a societally acceptable balance between a healthy economy and a healthy watershed.
The Oldman Watershed Council's goals are:
  1. We understand our watershed.

    2. a. We understand the state of the watershed today.
    b. We understand the trends in the watershed.
  2. Residents are well-informed and actively engaged.
  3. Basin stakeholders have defined the desired outcomes for the Oldman Watershed that will form the basis for the Integrated Watershed Plan.
  4. The Oldman Watershed Council and stakeholders put into action the capacity and commitment to achieve defined outcomes.
  5. Practices that are beneficial to the health and function of the watershed are adopted.