The annual water conference is back again this month to share knowledge and keep the conversation going across the province about water management, quality and collaboration.
From Monday to Wednesday at the Lethbridge Lodge, the Alberta Irrigation Projects Association (AIPA) is hosting its annual conference with keynote speakers, awards, cocktails and a banquet.
“At the conference we want to share knowledge and facilitate discussion through networking. We have a cross section of presentations given through a number of sessions which this year include water supply, collaboration in water management and quality,” says AIPA executive director Margo Redelback.
With members across the province AIPA has been committed since 1946 to promote, develop and maintain water standards within the province’s irrigated landscapes. Through outreach, governance, partnerships, research and management the association works with more than 10 irrigation districts across the whole of Alberta to increase understanding of irrigation and water management values to the province.
“We have a number of presenters that come from within the Alberta industry itself and we also try to bring people from outside the local area to the conference as well to talk about topics that they may be facing that we may be in the midst of, too, or projects that they’re working on that could relate to Alberta,” says Redelback.
The conference kicks off Monday with wine and cheese offered while registration begins. However, Tuesday is when the presentations begin, with keynote speaker Todd Hirsch to talk about economic recovery within Alberta.
“Our keynote address will be Todd Hirsch this year and he will be speaking about ‘Alberta economy recovery – reality or illusion.’ He’s going to be talking about economic recovery in general because a lot of people in attendance at the conference are irrigation district directors and are heavily involved in agriculture and we thought it would be a little bit different and something good to offer this year.”
The conference then moves into presentations on a number of topics including water supply, water in other jurisdictions and collaboration on the remaining two days. The conference will also offer all participants an evening of cocktails and a banquet as well as the AIPA awards.
With the annual event rotating back and forth between Calgary and Lethbridge, this year will see attendees from within the industry and southern Alberta as well as individuals coming from outside the province who are involved with water management as well.
And although these yearly conferences do take some planning, months of planning in fact, it’s all worth it when partners and professionals come together over the three days. With lots to cover, Redelback added on a final note that it’s good to know that although all the irrigation districts are still collecting their data, things are looking good for water supplies going into the winter.
“It was dry this year, obviously, and so overall there has been more use of water due to the requirement what the crops needed. However, the reservoirs seem to be in good shape going into winter and we have a good start up going into the spring as far as water supplies available.”
Source : Lethbridge Herald