Athabasca 2012

Between July 25th and 31, 2012 the Canadian Canoe Foundation in partnership with Haskin Canoe, Natures Window and Paddle Alberta, lead a seven-day environmental education canoe trip program down Alberta’s Clearwater and Athabasca Rivers. The 10 youth participants who hailed from across Alberta received canoe and camping instruction from certified instructors while learning about the ecology of the Athabasca River watershed. Environmental education lessons during the trip focused on a) the ecological challenges facing the Athabasca River, b) the important work that is being done by environmental organizations, companies and governments in order to manage the long-term health of the region, and c) what ordinary citizens can do to promote the sustainable management of Canada’s waterways. Educational visits and activities included: A presentation by EPCOR regarding the company’s environmental management practices; a visit to the Fort McMurray Historical Society’s new Marine Park; a presentation by Suncor regarding the oil sand industry’s water conservation intiatives; and a presentation regarding the history of the Fort McMurray area at the Peden Homestead on the Clearwater River. Funding and support for this environmental education adventure was generously provided by EPCOR, JACOS, Nexen, Pembina Pipeline Corporation, Haskin Canoe, Natures Window and Paddle Alberta.