Episode Details

This episode is the first of a mini-series called “Water in Southern Alberta” co-host Bob Morrison. This conversations Bob and guests discuss irrigation, environmental stewardship, and future challenges. Co-Host Bob Morrison is a retired planner with expertise in water management. Shannon Stunden Bower rejoins us (Season 1, Episode 18), an associate professor of history specializing in environmental history, and Jordan Christiansen, former chairperson of the Special Areas Board are our guests. The conversation delves into the historical and current challenges of irrigation, the role of government agencies like the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA), and the socio-economic impacts on rural communities. You receive highlights like the importance of defining public interest and efficiency in agricultural practices, considering indigenous perspectives, and balancing economic and environmental needs. The discussion underscores the need for collaborative efforts and thoughtful use of state resources to achieve sustainable development.

Introductions to Bob Morrison, Jordan Christianson, and Shannon Stunden Bower

Jenny (00:00):

Welcome to the Gravity Well Podcast. I am Jenny Ami. I host the Gravity well to celebrate and share the stories of people looking to empower others with the knowledge and skills required to reestablish stability in our communities and ecosystems. Our mission is to work through heavy issues in conversation and process in order to lighten the load. I acknowledge that I live on the traditional territories of Treaty seven, and in Metis districts five and six, the treaties in self-governance agreements established by indigenous peoples were created to honour the laws of the land, maintain balance with nature by giving back and uphold reciprocal relationships. This knowledge and intention are what guide the Gravity Well conversations. I ask for genuine dialogue, real hearts, and openness to different perspectives. This is your invitation to find common ground with me. This podcast is dedicated to the natural world, our children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and all future generations.

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Thank you all for being here. I’m very pleased to announce that I’ve got a co-host for the next series of conversations that I’m hosting on The Gravity. Well, we are talking about water in Southern Alberta over the next hopefully seven or eight weeks. Why are we talking about this? We’re hoping to reach out to the general public. We want to help people that are involved in water management, have people understand the work that you do. That’s what we have for two guests with us today, and as well as an introduction of the series of conversations. We want to cover irrigation, the environment, stewardship, and the future. Just to remind you both, it’s very nice to see you again, Shannon.

I’m a geophysicist by background. Jordan and I worked in the oil and gas industry for 22 years, and I’ve been looking out at it from the outside now for three. And water has become a central concern of mine. The way we use water with respect to resource development, the concerns around continuing that in some regards, and then also just looking at limits and where we need to start thinking differently in Southern Alberta. That’s my introduction. Bob, if you wouldn’t mind taking a little bit of time telling people a bit about yourself and what brought you to this conversation with me. Thank you.

Bob:

Sure. I’m Bob Morrison and I’m a planner now retired by profession and I’ve worked in transportation, water management, and since my retirement in municipal issues here in Calgary. And I’m still very interested in water, even though that’