Mission
To protect and improve Alberta 's Eastern Slopes streams, fisheries and riparian areas through educational and enforcement programs.

Overview of Stream Watch
The Alberta Stream Watch Conservation Coalition (Stream Watch) is an unincorporated group of individuals and corporations who work cooperatively with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) staff. Stream Watch raises money to pay for salaries and expenses of Seasonal Enforcement Officers who are supervised by permanent SRD Fish and Wildlife Officers.

The Seasonal Enforcement Officers are hired from the Lethbridge College Conservation Enforcement program. They are employed from May to September each summer and work closely with people and companies who use the Eastern Slopes regions of Alberta . Their role is to assist in improving knowledge of angling and land-use regulations and to enforce regulations as required.

Other conservation programs are sponsored by Stream Watch. (See Other Highlights and Programs on this site.)

Goals
The goals of Stream Watch are to:

1. Improve awareness and knowledge levels of Eastern Slopes users regarding fisheries management and habitat protection through enhanced educational programs.
2. Protect fisheries and improve the quality of fisheries in Eastern Slopes streams.
3. Reduce illegal harvest of fish in Eastern Slopes streams.
4. Ensure there are sustainable angling opportunities today and in the future.
5. Improve streambanks and streambeds in Eastern Slopes streams.
6. Improve riparian and upland habitat in the Eastern Slopes.

Objectives
To meet these goals, the Seasonal Enforcement Officers provided by Stream Watch will conduct educational activities in the Eastern Slopes that:

1. Improve knowledge of angling regulations and fisheries management in Eastern Slopes streams.
2. Contribute to increasing knowledge about Eastern Slopes fisheries by cooperating with research agencies like the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA).
3. Improve public and corporate awareness of the need for protection of streams, riparian areas and fisheries.
4. Where needed, enhance enforcement of regulations aimed at protection of streams, riparian areas and fisheries.
5. Improve knowledge of responsible off-highway vehicle (OHV) use.
6. Increase the use of Report a Poacher program.

For more information, check the Sustainable Resource Development Letter

Barry Mitchell provides a strong voice of reasoning behind the creation of
the Alberta Stream Watch Program. For more information, check Barry
Mitchell's 2002 Alberta Fishing Guide Magazine