BLESS Stewardship Activities

On January 10, 2002, the Alberta Government (Community Development) appointed BLESS as "Stewards of the Big Lake Natural Area". BLESS status as steward of the newly created Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park was confirmed by Community Development in 2005.

Community Development defines volunteer stewards as "individuals and organizations committed to developing a world-class network of parks and protected areas. They assist with site management and operation of a number of protected areas throughout the province".

According to Community Development, Volunteer Stewards:

• encourage public participation in site management and operations;
• enhance public understanding of, and commitment to, conservation and protected areas programs; and
• foster communication between the public, local government and Alberta Community Development."

More information about the Alberta Government Stewardship Program.

Volunteer Steward Handbook

As part of our mandate, BLESS conducts regular inspections of Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park and reports changes in conditions to Community Development. Following are examples of the reports submitted.

BLESS is initiating a new stewardship initiative for 2006: a Water Quality Monitoring Program for Big Lake. The last water quality testing on Big Lake was conducted in 1997/1998. The lake is experiencing increased pressure from expanding urban development as well as ongoing long term industrial water extractions and upstream nutrient loading. The new BLESS program will update water quality parameters to provide a baseline for measuring future changes to water quality. Funding for field measurement equipment and test kits for the new program is being provided by a grant from Alberta Ecotrust.

BLESS will also participate in 2006 in a parallel water quality sampling project focused on laboratory testing being undertaken by the Alberta Lake Management Society (ALMS).

It's shaping up to be a busy year out on the lake. Drop a line to info@bless.ab.ca if you are interested in becoming involved in the water quality testing program or ALMS project.

L to R: Miles Constable, Louise Horstman and Alice Hendry
plan an Inspection Trip with Alberta official Wayne Holland