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), Lakeland College
  • Murray Phillips (Vice Chair), County of Two Hills
  • Chris Elder, County of Vermilion River & Alternative Land Use Services
  • Dave Berry, Town of Vegreville
  • Barry Bruce, Beaver County
  • Al Corbett, Alberta Drainage Council
  • Tim Knudson, Holden Drainage District
  • Kevin Bentley, County of Minburn
  • Daniel Warawa, Lamont County
  • George Kuneff, County of Vermilion River
  • Robert Snow, Town of Vermilion
  • Arnold Romaniuk, Town of Two Hills
  • Milt MacGregor, Village of Holden
  • Dennis Johnson, AEPA Operations
  • Ralph Boe, Agricultural landowner
  • Bart Muusse, Ducks Unlimited Canada

Support Staff

  • Scott Millar, Executive Director, North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance
  • Erin Wassing, Community and Partnership Lead , North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance