Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Off highway vehicles (OHV) pose a unique challenge to our watershed when balancing land use for recreation, tourism, and the environment. OHVs can be an exciting way for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy public land. However, irresponsible OHV activity can upset the delicate balance of natural areas through lasting damage to the landscape including: soil compaction, contamination, and erosion; loss of vegetation; wildfires; wildlife disruption; disturbance to streambeds; disruption of ecosystems via invasive species. Off trail activity often goes unreported and causes incalculable damage. How do we reconcile the destruction caused by illegal OHV activity? The speakers will argue that more needs to be done to educate and increase awareness of the issues of OHV. Speakers: Anna Garleff & Becky Cousins Anna Garleff, Communications Specialist with the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC), will take us through a tour of the headwaters during the 2015 summer. The OWC piloted its Engaging Recreationists program, hir