Restoring an Area Loved by Albertans By Alyshia Pretulac
PMC volunteers gather proudly on the bridge they helped to build with Trout Unlimited.
Last month, Plains Midstream Canada (Plains) volunteers descended on the popular Waiparous area, a region normally frequented by campers, located on Alberta Crown land northwest of Calgary. But the volunteers weren’t taking part in recreational activities, they were hard at work restoring and improving stream banks by harvesting and planting live willow stakes, installing a bridge, and distributing woody debris throughout the project area.
On September 25, 13 employees from Plains partnered with Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) on this important environmental work, which will help to protect the stream and ensure it can continue to provide habitat for Westslope Cutthroat Trout, a threatened species under the Canadian federal Species at Risk Act.
Many of the Plains volunteers use this recreation area regularly. Cody Dyck, Supervisor, Technical Services for the Operations Control Centre is one of those users and believes, “we’re lucky to have the Crown land within an hour of where we live. Taking care of it and being a part of the maintenance is why I participated in this volunteer event.”
Elliot Lindsay, a Project Biologist with TUC, says it is thanks to supportive partners like Plains that the organization is able to achieve its environmental goals. “Partnership projects like this are a critical component of efforts along the eastern slopes to recover Alberta’s threatened native trout species.”
PMC volunteers hard at work, bridge building.
Through the Plains’ Community Investment Program, we look for ways to partner with organizations whose missions help to protect and conserve the environment. Through projects guided by science and research, and with help from passionate volunteers, TUC works to restore and safeguard Canada’s water. Plains is proud to be a part of that volunteer group.
“This was a great opportunity to do something positive for the area and ensure it will be there for our kids,” says John Goossens, District Manager for the Operations Control Centre at Plains and father of two teenage boys. “Thanks to Plains and all who participated. Without the company support, these things could not happen.”
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