About Us
The Lesser Slave Watershed Council is a non-profit, charitable organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.
The Council
The LSWC is an Alberta non-profit society governed by a Board of Directors, a diverse group of individuals from towns, municipalities, Indigenous & Metis communities, industry, landowners, recreational users, partner non-profit organizations, and watershed residents who have an interest in how the waters of Lesser Slave Lake and its tributaries are managed.
We first came together as a group of concerned citizens in the late 1990s. In 2006 the LSWC became a not-for-profit society, and in 2007 the LSWC was recognized by the province of Alberta as the Watershed Planning and Advisory Council (WPAC) for the Lesser Slave watershed. In 2010 were granted status as a Canadian charitable organization. The council is governed by Society Bylaws, and the Board of Directors is governed by Board Governance Policies.
Strategic Planning
Vision
A healthy resilient watershed that is valued and stewarded by engaged citizens and communities.
Goal
A healthy Lesser Slave watershed
Guiding Principals
- Be accountable to all stakeholders and citizens within the watershed.
- Work collaboratively with stakeholders and citizens to improve the health of the lake and its watershed.
- Share responsibility for the health of the lake and its watershed by involving communities and stakeholders in watershed management.
- Promote a better understanding of natural watershed processes and the interaction between land, water, ecosystem and human activities.
LSWC Strategic Goals
- Maintain Good Governance
- Be a Convener and Collaborator
- Engage in Policy and Planning
- Lead or Support Monitoring and Reporting
- Promote Education, Literacy, Stewardship
What are WPACs?
Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils in Alberta are important stewards of Alberta’s major watersheds.
They are independent, non-profit organizations that are designated by Alberta Environment and Parks to report on the health of our watersheds, lead collaborative planning, and facilitate education and stewardship activities.
WPACs engage representatives of key stakeholders in the river basin area, including municipal, provincial and federal governments; industrial sectors; conservation groups; aboriginal communities; academia; and the public. In their work, they seek consensus on land and water resource management strategies that support the achievement of shared environmental, social, and economic outcomes for the watershed.
The 11 WPAC’s in Alberta are:
- Athabasca Watershed Council
- Battle River Watershed Alliance
- Bow River Basin Council
- Lesser Slave Watershed Council
- LICA Environmental Stewards
- Mighty Peace Watershed Alliance
- Milk River Watershed Council Canada
- North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance
- Oldman Watershed Council
- Red Deer River Watershed Alliance
- South East Alberta Watershed Alliance
WPAC Resources
pdf
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The WPAC Compendium for 2020-21.
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Learn more about watershed planning in Alberta and the role of Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs).