seawa
seawa

About SEAWA

Working together for healthy watersheds in South East Alberta

SEAWA is a multi-stakeholder, volunteer-based Watershed Planning & Advisory Council (WPAC) dedicated to collaborative watershed management across the South Saskatchewan River Sub-Basin.

Who We AreWhat We Do2023–2026 Goals

Acknowledgement

Land Acknowledgement

SEAWA acknowledges that we are located in Southern Alberta along the South Saskatchewan River, on the traditional territories of many Indigenous Nations. These include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut'ina Nation, the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations), as well as the Cree (Nehiyaw), Saulteaux (Nahkawininiwak), and the Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota peoples.

We are deeply grateful to the traditional caretakers of this land and water, and we honour the relationships Indigenous peoples have with the land and waterways of Southern Alberta.

Who We Are

The South East Alberta Watershed Alliance

The South East Alberta Watershed Alliance (SEAWA) is one of the eleven Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs) in Alberta. SEAWA is a multi-stakeholder, volunteer-based, not-for-profit society, incorporated in 2008 and designated as a WPAC by the Government of Alberta in 2010.

The Government of Alberta, through Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP), partners with WPACs to help achieve the three goals of the provincial policy, Water for Life Strategy – Alberta’s strategy for water sustainability.

Water for Life – Three Goals

  • Healthy aquatic ecosystems
  • Reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy
  • Safe, secure drinking water

What We Do

Collaborative watershed management & planning

SEAWA leads collaborative watershed management and planning in the South Saskatchewan River Sub-Basin of Alberta. We engage diverse stakeholders, including municipalities, Indigenous communities, industries, and residents, to protect and enhance watershed health through science-based research, education, and on-the-ground projects.

Through education programs, citizen science, and partnerships, we build local capacity to care for the land and water. By integrating traditional knowledge and modern science, SEAWA ensures that future generations can enjoy healthy watersheds and thriving ecosystems.

  • Public education

    Workshops, events, and citizen-science initiatives that cultivate local stewardship.

  • Planning & policy

    Facilitating collaborative planning aligned with the Water for Life Strategy.

  • Promote relevant research

    Supporting science that informs decisions and on-the-ground action.

2023–2026 Strategic Goals

Our priorities

  1. 1

    Enhance Organizational Capacity

    Strengthen governance, staffing, and systems to deliver on our mandate.

  2. 2

    Build and Enhance Relationships

    Deepen collaboration with municipalities, Indigenous communities, industry, and residents.

  3. 3

    Develop Water & Watershed Management Plans

    Advance plans that are practical, science-informed, and community-supported.

  4. 4

    Develop Local Knowledge & Educate

    Grow regional watershed knowledge and deliver accessible education for all stakeholders.