History of the VRWA

The Vermilion River Watershed Alliance (VRWA) was established in 2015. The alliance is made up of local volunteers working side by side in the watershed. Our members come from local towns and counties,  provincial government, conservation groups, and the general public. We are also partnered with the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance (NSWA).

We are guided by the goals, directions, and actions of the 2012 Vermilion River Watershed Management Plan (VRWMP). This plan was designed with input from the public to define what the watershed means to those who live, work, and play here. We believe the watershed is the unit of management for human activities that affect the environment, including air, land, water, and wildlife. We will reach our vision of a healthy and sustainable watershed by completing this plan and balancing the social, economic, and environmental needs of the watershed community.

Our VISION: The Vermilion River Basin is a healthy and sustainable watershed.

Our MISSION: To support stakeholder engagement that fosters a collaborative approach working towards a sustainable watershed.

VRWA Goals

  1. Develop capacity and knowledge in the watershed
  2. Improve reliability of surface water supply
  3. Improve and maintain surface water quality
  4. Improve and maintain water ecosystem health
  5. Protect and sustain groundwater quality and supply

Our Logo

Set against a rolling hillside, the Vermilion River Watershed Alliance’s logo captures the meandering nature of the river as it flows through the landscape. The shades of blue and green represent the connection between the river, the land, and the transitional riparian zone.

The green shaded portion on the left of the logo represents the profile of a waterbird species, highlighting the importance of wildlife to the watershed.

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Steering Committee

  • Nicole Nadorozny (Chair), Professor, Lakeland College
  • Chris Elder (Vice Chair), ALUS Coordinator,  Alternative Land Use Services, County of Vermilion River
  • Abram Hiebert, Councilor, Town of Two Hills
  • Allen McCutcheon, Councilor, County of Minburn
  • Gerald Thorowsky, Councilor, Lamont County
  • Justin Curtis, Councilor, Town of Vegreville
  • Neal Lapaschuk, Councilor, County of Two Hills
  • Paul Conlon, Councilor, Town of Vermilion
  • Shane Smith, Councilor, County of St. Paul
  • Shawn O'Shea, Councilor, Beaver County
  • Tanner Greves, Conservation Specialist, Ducks Unlimited Canada
  • Tim Knudson, Holden Drainage District
  • Vanessa Pare, Councilor, County of Vermilion River
  • Dennis Johnson, Operations and Maintenance Team Lead, AEPA Operations

Technical Advisory Committee

  • Dennis Johnson, Operations and Maintenance Team Lead, AEPA Operations
  • Chris Elder, ALUS Coordinator,  Alternative Land Use Services, County of Vermilion River
  • Carmen Zayac, ALUS Coordinator, Alternative Land Use Services, County of Two Hills
  • Jonathan Culbert, Agricultural Fieldman, Beaver County
  • Quentin Bochar, Agricultural Fieldman, County of Minburn

Support Staff

  • Scott Millar, Executive Director, North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance
  • Michelle Gordy, Director of Watershed Science, North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance
  • Amanda Kramer, Watershed Technician, North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance
  • Erin Wassing (maternity leave), Community and Partnership Lead , North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance