The Red Deer River Watershed Alliance (RDRWA) held its 2025 Annual General Meeting on June 20th, 2025, at Pioneer’s Lodge in Red Deer. This meeting gathered nearly 50 participants including members, partners, and stakeholders.
2024-2025 Board Chair Bob Mills opened the meeting with acknowledgments and reflections on a successful year, which saw over 850 in-kind hours supporting governance, outreach, and the State of the Watershed report. A ceremonial blessing was offered by Elder Theresa Corky Larsen Jonasson (“Elder Corky”).
The afternoon was filled with activity updates from Executive Director Francine Forrest, along with other AGM business including budget approvals and board announcements. Dr. Masaki Hayashi, our guest speaker gave an insightful presentation on important groundwater and surface water interactions.
The following board meeting elected Mayor Richard Warnock (Town of Sundre) as the Chair of the Board with Karen Fahrlander, Helge Nome and Bob Mills returning to other executive positions.
RDRWA welcomed a new chair and several new board members who are passionate about watershed health. More on new chair and new board members:
Municipal
- Mayor Richard Warnock (Town of Sundre) – Our newly appointed RDRWA Board Chair brings 50 years of experience in business and management from his career in the transportation industry. After retiring and returning to his hometown of Sundre in 2015, Mayor Warnock has remained committed to public service, serving as Councillor and currently as Mayor, with ongoing and active involvement in municipal planning and regional initiatives. He also brings valuable work to the Alliance through his roles on the Red Deer River Municipal Users Group Board and as a long-term and active member of the RDRWA.
Environmental and Stewardship
- Kelsey Kure – past RDRWA collaborator returning to board with knowledge of fisheries management and watershed stewardship.
Agriculture, Business, and Industry
- Tom Parker – brings industry insight from oil, gas, with a strong focus on sustainable water use.
- Tim Ainscough – a water and wastewater engineer overseeing regional operations, with over 30 years in the sector.
Federal, Provincial, and Academic
- Arin MacFarlane-Dyer – represents ARP with expertise in environmental and land-use planning.
Ex-Officio
- Ryan Hallett – an agricultural fieldman and producer who brings firsthand knowledge of land and water management.
- Trent Caskey – offers experience in drought mitigation and irrigation from his role with the Special Areas Board.
Thanks also to returning board directors:
- Helge Nome- Environmental and Stewardship- treasurer
- Jessica Hayes -Environmental and Stewardship
- Kraymer Barnstable -Municipal Government City of Red Deer
- Peggy Johnson – Municipal Government Mountain View County
- Phillip Massier – Municipal Government Red Deer County
- Richard Warnock – Municipal Government Sundre
- Dara Kudras – Agriculture & Business/Industry
- Amy Mendenhall – Indigenous
- Robert Mills – Federal, Provincial, and Academic- past chair
- Adam Minke- Individual
- Karen Fahrlander- Individual- vice chair
- Trent Caskey – Ex Officio Special Areas
Thanks to everyone for attending and their continued support towards a healthy watershed.