Pincher Creek chosen for international study on drought, flood

University of Regina press release

A major international research project has selected Pincher Creek as one of its Canadian study locations.  The project will investigate how rural and indigenous communities respond to extreme weather events such as flooding and drought. The study will provide important information to help these communities prepare for future  weather disasters.  
 
The study, which is  called “Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Extremes in the Americas” (VACEA), involves a team of researchers from Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. The innovative project will speak with community members in all five countries to understand their experiences  with extreme weather events.  This information will be combined with scientific data to help communities prepare and respond to future weather disasters.
 
 
“We chose Pincher Creek because southwestern Alberta has a variable climate with drought and flooding in recent years.  This region also has, however, prosperous communities  with the resources to respond to extreme climate and prepare for future events,” said  Dr. Dave Sauchyn, a professor at the University of Regina and co-director of the project.  “This research is very important because we intend to combine our scientific information with local knowledge, and work with the communities to evaluate best practices and policies for managing the impacts of climate extremes”.  
 
A team of doctoral students from the University of Regina will be living in Pincher Creek in late May and much of June, 2012.  The students will be interviewing community members during their stay in the area. “We are eager to learn about how people’s everyday lives are affected by flood and drought.  The project will help us understand what resources are needed to help Pincher Creek area residents withstand future floods  and droughts,” said doctoral student Erin Knuttila.  In addition to ranchers, farmers, and town residents, students will also interview  representatives of local MDs, water groups, and other institutions dealing with water and weather.

Other Canadian communities chosen for the study are Rush Lake, SK; Shaunavon, SK; Taber,AB;  and the Kainai First Nation in Alberta. The project is funded by the International Research Initiative on Adaptation to Climate Change (IRIACC).  

All community members are welcome to participate, and can contact Erin at 306-584-1497  or  erin.knuttila@me.com for more information, or to schedule a confidential interview.

 More information about VACEA can be found at www.parc.ca/vacea