Oldman River Chapter, TUC Hillcrest project
The chapter received a conservation/recreational lease from the Alberta Sustainalble Resources Development in July 2007 and immediately started projects to rehabiltate the land adjacent to the river. The work started with installation of a gate to keep vehicle traffic out of the area so reseeding of disturbed areas near the river could progress. Part of the area was reseeded in the fall of 2007. Work resumed in spring 2008 with the help of Department of Fisheries and Oceans Stewardship in Action funds. The photos that follow document a work day and the volunteers involved, signage attached to the site, seeding progress, and a bear-proof garbage bin. Summer 2008 work also involved weed control and construction of a parking lot as a starting point for public pedestrian traffic with TU funds and a $3,000 donation by the contractor. Scheduled for spring 2009 is a public event to coincide with the opening of fishing season June 15. The event will highlight the project and its relevance to the fishery. Detailed signage on the nature of the fishery and history of the parcel are being planned. The chapter is also considering planting trees where grass won't grow and providing an outhouse at the parking lot.

Directions map for clean-up work day
Volunteer work crew for June clean-up day check directions given by project chair, Mike Lamb, front left. June 21, 2008
Some of the debris collected, July 2008.

Gate donated and installed by Shell Canada; sign among six so far provided by Oldman River TUC chapter, June 21, 2008
Bear-proof bin, valued at $1,000 and donated by Alberta Conservation Association. Volunteers picked up the bin in the Foremost area of Southeastern Alberta and delivered it to Lethbridge, where volunteers rehabbed and painted it. Volunteers then delivered it to the site. Dec. 11, 2008
Tracks before (June 2007) and after (July 2008) seeding.
Roadway shows erosion that has made access unsafe (September 2007); at right seeding has started to take. (July 2008) Bank erosion will continue to be monitored and assessed for possible rehab.
Logs placed June 21 to keep vehicles out of area reseeded in spring 2008 beside river. Photo taken Dec. 11, 2008
July 2008
Road to river at turn June 2007 and July 2008.