Some background information for our Riverbank Makeover Project

Recognizing the importance of fresh, clean water in our rivers and the need to protect the riverbanks from erosion, the City has recently adopted a program, the Riparian Action Program, designed to improve and maintain the health of river-adjacent areas as well as the quality and quantity of water flowing through Calgary’s rivers and creeks.  Our organization, Calgary River Valleys, with funding from the City of Calgary Water Resources, as part of the implementation of the Riparian Action Program, is doing a Pilot Project this year that involves three main components:  

·         research on people’s knowledge of riverbank issues, 

·         an educational component, and 

·         field work to modify a selected river-adjacent homeowner’s riverbank area.

First, we would like to get an understanding of your knowledge of some terminology we will be using during our project.

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* 1. Have you heard the terms ‘riparian’, ‘riparian area’, or ‘riparian zone’ before?”

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* 2. What would you say are some of the functions a healthy riparian zone can have in the ecosystem, i.e. what role would it normally play? (Check those that apply)

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* 3. The next statements are opinions about riparian zones. (Please check those you agree with.)

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* 4. Please answer Questions 4-7 if your property backs onto a river or creek. If it does not, please skip to Question 8.

Here’s a list of some strategies that some homeowners who live next to a river or creek are using to help protect their land from erosion, protect the health of the river, and to maintain the health of the riparian zone. Please let us know which of these strategies, if any, you are using on your own property. (Check those applicable)

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* 5. Is there anything else you would like to do but haven’t yet been able to do in order to maintain a healthy riparian zone in your yard and to protect river health?

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* 6. How would you describe your own yard’s riparian zone (the approximately 5 metre strip of land next to the river)?
(Check those applicable)

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* 7. Does your yard's riparian zone have: (Check those that apply)

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* 8. What have you learned through this survey about Riparian areas you did not know before?

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* 9. How did you learn about Calgary Riverbank Make-over survey? (Check those that apply)

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* 10. Would you like to be added to Calgary River Valleys’ private contact list for occasional emails, or phone calls about Calgary River Valleys’ sponsored projects and events? If so please provide your name, email and/or phone number. (Your information will remain confidential and will not be shared.)

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