Technicians from Watershed Districts across Manitoba came together in late June for a hands-on, two-day field tour designed to build collaboration, share knowledge, and showcase best practices in watershed management.
Organized by the Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) through its Watershed District Capacity Fund, the event brought together GROW and PWCP coordinators, including participants from the Redboine Watershed District, for site visits in southern Manitoba.
The tour followed up on a more design-focused technical meeting held in March, where attendees discussed mapping and planning strategies. This latest gathering allowed participants to see those concepts in action through on-site demonstrations and peer-to-peer learning.
Gerrit Maxwell, watershed technician with the Pembina Valley Watershed District, and Rob Nichol, technician with Redboine, led the group through a variety of active project sites. Stops included shelterbelt installations, a tree planter demonstration, and more than eight sites featuring erosion control, low-level crossings, and water retention infrastructure.
“Seeing how these projects play out in real conditions gives us valuable insight,” said Nichol. “We can talk through what’s working, what might be improved, and how landowner collaboration plays into success.”
Such in-person exchanges are essential for professional development, according to organizers, providing a platform to troubleshoot design challenges and refine approaches collectively.
The second day included a demonstration by Lewis Instruments of a Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Survey Drone, which can collect precise geographic data in real time. The tool enhances technician safety, reduces post-processing workload, and helps streamline planning work in the field.
“Events like this not only keep us current with technology, but also build relationships across districts,” said Maxwell. “We’re stronger when we share knowledge.”
MAW continues to support watershed staff across Manitoba through training opportunities and funding initiatives aimed at enhancing service delivery and conservation outcomes.
The Watershed District Capacity Fund is part of MAW’s broader mission to protect Manitoba’s soil and water resources while helping districts provide top-tier support to landowners.
