Created in 1979 by an Act of the Province of Saskatchewan, The Meewasin Valley Authority Act, Meewasin is a conservation agency dedicated to conserving the cultural and natural resources of the South Saskatchewan River Valley. It is the means by which the three participating parties (City of Saskatoon, Government of Saskatchewan, and University of Saskatchewan) have chosen to best manage the Meewasin Valley in the South Saskatchewan River Basin. The creation of Meewasin is based on the concept that the partners working together through a single agency – Meewasin – can accomplish more than they could individually.
About
Mission & Principles
Mission
The Meewasin Valley Authority exists to ensure a healthy and vibrant river valley, with a balance between human use and conservation by:
- Providing leadership in the management of its resources;
- Promoting understanding, conservation and beneficial use of the Valley; and
- Undertaking programs and projects in river valley development and conservation,
for the benefit of present and future generations.
Guiding Principles
Meewasin has and will continue to apply the following five fundamental principles in planning the Valley.
- Valley’s resources are accessible to everyone;
- Conserve natural and heritage resources;
- Recreation and development balanced with conservation;
- Diverse activities for a varied and changing demographic; and
- Public participation in decision making.
These principles will be generally common to subsequent development strategies, and will guide the formation and implementation of all plans and resource management strategies, including each Strategic Plan.
Moriyama Plan
Each year Meewasin planning is guided by Raymond Moriyama’s The Meewasin Valley Project – 100 Year Concept Plan, Moriyama 1978, the foundation document for the Meewasin overall development plan today. Meewasin initiatives strive toward the outcomes of health, fit, balance and vibrancy.
Board of Directors
Government of Saskatchewan Appointees
David Buckingham, MLA
Leanne Nyirfa
Sharon Tkachuk
Mark Feader
University of Saskatchewan Appointees
Peter Stoicheff, President, U of S
Colin Tennent, Board Chair
Ryan Walker, College of Arts and Science
Dr. Yuguang Bai, College of Agriculture and Bioresources
City of Saskatoon Appointees
Charlie Clark, Mayor
Sarina Gersher, Councillor
Zach Jeffries, Councillor
Bev Dubois, Councillor
The Meewasin Team
For opportunities to join our team click here!
Management Team
To reach any of the management team members by telephone please call 306-665-6887. To email please use the links below.
Andrea Lafond, Chief Executive Officer
Andrea Ziegler, Director of Operations
Mike Velonas, Planning and Conservation Manager
Alan Otterbein, Design and Development Manager
Amy Wall, Marketing and Fund Development Manager
Lis Mack, Manager of Public Programming and Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin
Strategy
Strategic Plan
The 2014-2024 Strategic Plan is a document that was to guide Meewasin until 2024. However, due to changes in Meewasin funding support and leadership, the new CEO appointed will be given the mandate to begin a new visioning process.
In Creating a new plan, Meewasin will encourage significant public and stakeholder input through open houses, online surveys and multiple workshop presentations. The plan will be a synthesis of what Meewasin heard from stakeholders.
We heard from residents that the Meewasin Valley is a unique and world-class feature that must be protected and supported. This report looks at how to achieve that; it identifies key directions necessary to achieve the vision and respond to growth.
Key projects outlined in the plan include:
- Ensuring significant natural areas are conserved as the city grows;
- Refreshing trail infrastructure to respond to high level of users and aging assets;
- Renewing conservation and interpretation concepts focused on hands-on experiences and participation to enable stewardship;
- Programming in the valley in all seasons to ensure the valley is a hub of activity year-round; and
- Extending the trail and including new sections to meet the growth of the city.
Read the report online, A World-Class Corridor, Naturally Beautiful, Uniquely Ours. A vision for the Meewasin Valley 2014 -2024 and begin to think now your thoughts on Meewasin and it’s future direction.
Advisory Committees
The Meewasin Board of Directors is advised on matters of policy by five committees comprised of members of the public. Public ownership in decision making is one of Meewasin’s five guiding principles. Meewasin has five advisory committees made up of individuals appointed by the board: Development Review, Conservation, Design, Education and Fund Development, which are invaluable to the work of the Meewasin.
Development Review
Development Review
The Development Review Committee is created under The Meewasin Valley Authority Act to provide professional and unbiased recommendations regarding the acceptability of proposed improvements within the Meewasin Valley.
The Act requires that the board consider the recommendation of the committee before making a decision on a development review application. The Act prescribes that the committee shall include, at least:
- Two architects;
- Two planners;
- Two geotechnical engineers; and
- A landscape architect.
Current Committee Members are:
- Mitch Strocen – Chair
- Terry Werbovetski
- Ian Judd-Henrey
- Rob Crosby – Vice Chair
- Paul Koopman
- Twyla Bergstrom
- Victoria Yong-Hing
Conservation Advisory
Conservation Advisory
The Conservation Advisory Committee advises the Meewasin board in its work to ensure the health of the Meewasin Valley and the conservation of the natural and cultural assets.
The committee will assist the Board in its work to ensure the health of the Meewasin Valley as follows:
a) advise the Board on policies related to conservation (meaning the identification, assessment, protection and appropriate sustainable use of natural and heritage resources);
b) advise the Board on systems to monitor performance in the area of resource management; and
c) advise the Board on public needs in the area of resource conservation.
Current Committee Members are:
- Board Represenative – TBA
- Peter Goode – Chair
- Bert Weichel
- Luc Delanoy
- Amber Weckworth
- Nadia Mori
Design Advisory
Design Advisory
The Design Advisory Committee advises the Meewasin board in its work by providing recommendations regarding design policies, standards and art placements.
The Design Advisory Commitee assists the Meewasin Board in its work to ensure “fit” as defined in the “100 Year Conceptual Plan,” of the built environment in the context of the nature valley environment. It can advise the Board on proactive design policies for improvements on public land in accordance with the Meewasin Development Plan; on public needs relative to design standards; and assess the artistic merit of proposed cultural art.
The committee has between 5 and 10 members and consists of one board member and professionals from design fields such as landscape architecture, architecture, urban and environmental design, recreation planning and visual arts.
Current Committee Members are:
- Board Representative – Vacant
- Chair – Marilyn Gould
- Vice-Chair – Tyson McShane
- Luc Delanoy
- Bertrand Bartake
- Jeff Howlett
- Kendra Fisher
Education Advisory
Education
The Education Advisory Committee advises the Meewasin board on policy development in education.
Meewasin offers a number of educational programs that focus on conservation of the heritage resources of the valley, facilitate the appropriate use and enjoyment of those resources and allow the public to experience and learn about them. These programs include stewardship and celebration, river festivals, in-services, interpretive canoe tours and partnering with other organizations who have similar goals. Meewasin accomplishes this through our interpretive centre at Beaver Creek Conservation Area, off-site programs, publications, audio-visual resources, a website, media commercials, public service announcements, and appearances at special functions.
Beaver Creek Conservation Area (BCCA) is a microcosm of the Meewasin Valley and contains one of the few remaining Moist-mixed Grass Prairie sites in the Saskatoon region. Visitors can explore any, or all four nature trails and visit the interpretive centre where friendly staff facilitate public programming. Beaver Creek Conservation Area is a four-season destination ideal for a nature hike year round.
Current Committee Members are:
- Board Representative – Sharon Tkachuk
- Vacant – Chair
- Vacant – Vice Chair
- Melanie Elliott
- Janet McVittie
- Angie Caron
- Matt Wolsfield
- Terri Fradette
- Michael Voralia
- Dean Newton
- Courtney Tuck-Goetz
- Bill Delainey
Fund Development
Fund Development
The Fund Development Cabinet actively participates in delivering a fund development plan to generate philanthropic revenue in support of the mission and mandate of the Meewasin Valley Authority.
Conserve, Develop and Educate in the Meewasin Valley
Meewasin reaches out for support from the public and private sector to accomplish its goals around conservation, trail development and education projects. Approximately 35% of Meewasin’s annual revenue comes from generous donors, sponsors from the business community and granting agencies. On average, for every dollar spent by Meewasin over the past 38 years, just 18 cents has come from our founding partners (tax dollars). This means Meewasin attracts 82 cents of every dollar it spends from private or business sources! Not a bad return on investment!
Another way the citizens and business leaders of Saskatoon and area have shown their support for Meewasin is to help attract funding by sharing their time, expertise and community connections with Meewasin.
We thank our current Fund Development Cabinet which is working hard to help Meewasin find supporters for future projects and programs. They are:
- Evan Howlett, Cabinet Chairperson and Individual Gifts committee;
- Trevor Forrest, Business committee;
- Robin Chapman, Green Circle/Planned Gifts/Business committee;
- Peter Goode, Individual Gifts committee;
- Doug Hodson, Business committee;
- John Hyshka, Business committee;
- Susan Lamb, Green Circle/Planned Gifts committee;
- Robin Lumsdon, Business committee;
- Clay Sparks, Business committee; and
- Colin Tennent, Board representative.
- Bev Dubois, Board representative