Coming Soon: Traversing Terrain and Experience: Atlas of the Battle River and Sounding Creek Watersheds

August 25, 2017

Iron Creek Subwatershed As important habitats, wetlands are delined by having saturated soils, water-loving plants, and water at some point of the pear, except during droughts. These critical natural systems cover about 20% of Albertas land area. Prairie wetlands are mainly nutrient-rich manhes and open water ponda. Wetlands are particularly critical in the ERW, where water supply is dependent on surface and groundwater. As of 2013, it was estimated that Alberta has lost 75 of its wetlands in its settled areas — found mainb in the central and southern parts of Alberta. Wetlands provide many benchts to our watershed. They are often called natures lidneys because wetland plants filter harmiul toxins and excess nutri- ents (such as salt from surface water and the water entering wetlands helps recharge groundwater. Wetland plants remove carbon dioxide from the strosphere and store it in the soil Caka "arbon sinks"), These plants also slow water during flood or runoil help prevent soil and shore erosion and provide Important habitat, A wide range oforganima, inchaling tish, bc and widlfe theise in wetland areas Widlife and livestock also depend on wetland areas for food and water during times of drought. Rural landowners often rely on wetlands for both surface and groundwater on their acreag es ind furmi: Beyond their practical importance, wetlands also provide recreational opportunities like bird-watching, fishing and hunting.

By Battle River Watershed Alliance

Figure 1 Sample Atlas page

The purpose of Traversing Terrain and Experience: Atlas of the Battle River and Sounding Creek Watersheds is to bring the maps and stories of this region to life for people of all ages. The atlas will contain various maps of our watershed along with accompanying statistics and information on topics such as land cover, land use, natural regions, water use, water quality, geology, biodiversity, population density, energy resources, and more!

It will also incorporate the stories of local people and places within the watershed. In this way, the atlas will serve as a tool to connect people to place by exploring the connections between landscape and experience throughout the watershed.

Copies of the Atlas will be available December 2017 and distribution is planned for school and communities across the Battle River and Sounding Creek watersheds.

To preorder your copy call the Battle River Watershed Alliance office at 1-780-672-0276 or email battle.river@gmail.com.

Topic

Land Stewardship