Watershed planning consultations

Lesser Slave Watershed Council

Photo Credit: Alan Dolan

Over several years, Alan worked with the Lesser Slave Watershed Council in the development of its Integrated Watershed Management Plan. Alan wrote a communications and engagement plan that included a detailed understanding of potential engagement models for stakeholders, local government, Indigenous groups and technical experts.

Alan helped the Watershed Council migrate its stakeholder and audience spreadsheet to an interactive constituent relationship management system using Nation Builder.

Alan planned, facilitated and documented stakeholder workshops, developed and facilitated a Municipal Working Group, created and analyzed several online response forms (surveys) at different stages in the planning and engagement process. Alan also facilitated a Technical Advisory Committee with membership from academia, governments, conservation and industry sectors.

Alan engaged with and organized meetings with five First Nations and three Métis Settlements. The work with indigenous communities was particularly challenging because the Watershed Council had not previously had a relationship with these groups. Alan helped the staff and board of this organization better understand the cultural, ecological and legal importance of building a relationship with First Nations.

Alan provided strategic advice (issues management, messaging) and other communications support (websites, social media, targeted emails, etc.) related to the engagement process.