About the Alberta Stewardship Network
Governance Documents
Terms of Reference and Bylaws: Click here to download (June, 2008)
Annual Reports
2007-2008 Annual Report: 8.5 x 11
2006-2007 Annual Report: 8.5 x 11 or 11 x 17
History of the Alberta Stewardship Network:
The Alberta Stewardship Network (ASN) is a provincial stewardship initiative, with partners from federal and provincial government agencies, non-government organizations, community stewardship groups, and Aboriginal communities. The need for a provincial stewardship network was identified by community-based stewards through recent workshops, surveys, and consultations. Stewards have indicated that they need better access to funding sources, technical and scientific information, and training in recruiting and keeping volunteers. Some groups have also said they feel isolated and do not have the sense that their work is appreciated by society. Thus, the Alberta Stewardship Network was established as one tool to address these needs.
Services currently offered by the ASN include a toll-free number (1-877-7-ASK-ASN) for directing stewards to existing resources, and this website (www.ab.stewardshipcanada.ca), which features stewardship organization profiles, funding resources, scientific and technical information, and group success stories. Advanced mapping tools, "build-your-own" stewardship group webpages, and searchable organization, funding, and initiatives databases are being developed.
A Board of Directors and Secretariat (i.e. Land Stewardship Centre of Canada) have been established, and our Strategic plan, Terms of Reference, and By-laws have been finalized (email us for an up-to-date copy of our Terms of Reference and/or By-laws). The ASN Board of Directors and working group members collaborate with other provincial and national networks (e.g. National Watershed Stewardship Coalition, Canada's Stewardship Communities Network) on a regular basis to keep stewards informed of activities across all sectors and in all parts of the county.
Through building partnerships and sharing resources the Alberta Stewardship Network strives to reduce the duplication of efforts and increase the efficiency of stewardship activities in Alberta.
ASN Strategic Plan (vision, mission, goals, operating principles):
Tagline
"Stewards helping stewards care for the environment"
Mission
"To provide Alberta's stewards with a network that facilitates information exchange, provides support, and recognizes the contribution of individuals, communities and organizations in advancing environmental stewardship on a watershed basis."
Vision
"Albertans are connected, informed, and working together as effective stewards of our air, land, water and biodiversity."
Goals
1. Establish and maintain a functional network for exchanging information and knowledge
Outcome: Alberta's stewards are connected and community stewardship activities are advanced
Strategy: Build and maintain an effective communications structure
Actions:
(1) Appoint an interim Secretariat, establish a permanent Secretariat/administrator
(2) Establish communications materials:website, toll-free number connected to a person/office, newsletter
(3) Establish a fund to supply and distribute information
2. Support grassroots stewardship by providing current knowledge and appropriate tools
Outcome: Practicing stewards are making informed decisions; are taking meaningful actions to protect, restore, conserve, and sustain environmental health and integrity; and have developed local expertise.
Strategy: Using a watershed approach, determine stewardship group and community needs; coordinate the development and delivery of resources; recognize and celebrate success; engage and empower involvement in stewardship activities.
Actions:
(1) Link to existing resources and coordinate the development of new educational and capacity building resources (e.g. training, leadership, adaptive management tools, toolkits, communication materials
(2) Deliver community outreach
(3) Share and showcase successes, lessons learned, and experiences.
(4) Facilitate forums to bring people together, capture collective wisdom, and enhance the local knowledge base (e.g. Internet forums, consultations, workshops, questionnaires, professional forums).
3. Build partnerships and provide linkages to other resource sector networks
Outcome: The overall effectiveness of stewardship activity delivery in Alberta is increased and duplication is minimized.
Strategy: Build and encourage cross-sector/inter-agency networking and communications.
Actions:
(1) Use media to increase the profile of stewardship in Alberta
(2) Collaborate on the development and sharing of communications materials
(3) Participate in (e.g. attend meetings) and report on other sector networks
(4) Develop a compendium of stewardship activities in Alberta
Operating Principles (Core Values)
1. We will strive to be a grassroots network that is transparent, inclusive, cooperative, respectful, and dedicated to consensus-based decision-making.
2. We will strive to ensure that member groups, stewards, and sectors are connected and provided with up-to-date information and knowledge to move their stewardship efforts forward.
3. We will strive to reduce barriers that limit the effectiveness of community-based groups and encourage more effective policy to facilitate stewardship activities.
4. We will undertake actions that build capacity, leadership and empowerment of local stewardship groups.
5. We maintain that ecological integrity is the foundation of our social and economic needs, and our quality of life.
6. We adhere to a watershed approach because the topography of the land allows us to address all aspects of stewardship effectively.
7. We will endeavor to apply an adaptive management process of evaluation.
ASN Brochure
Check out the Alberta Stewardship Network's new brochure! Please help us spread the word about our services by distributing our brochure at your local events.
Click here to download a small version of the ASN brochure for viewing on screen.
Click here to download a high quality version for in-house printing.
Logos and Logo Usage:
The need for balance across all areas of stewardship is reflected in this logo. To sustain our quality of life, we depend on healthy air, land, water, and biodiversity, which in turn requires good management of agricultural lands, forests, and water resources. This logo highlights the holistic approach required if we are to truly be good stewards of our environment. The shapes in the logo intersect and build on one another to represent the need to work together as a network. The motion of the logo reflects the dynamic nature of the organization and its adherence to an adaptive management process.
If you wish to use one of the ASN logos for a particular application, please contact us by phone or email and we can send you the most appropriate format to use. We can also send you a copy of our standards guide, which specifies how the different logos should be used.
Photo Essay:
Click here to download a photo essay that summarizes some of the exciting work the ASN did in 2005-2006.
Meeting Minutes
September 13, 2006 - Board meeting
November 22, 2006 - Board meeting
January 31, 2007 - Board meeting
March 28, 2007 - Board meeting
June 11, 2007 - Annual General Meeting (coming soon)
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Alberta Stewardship Network