The Athabasca watershed is home to over 200,000 people and makes up approximately 24% of Alberta's land mass. The Athabasca Watershed Council (AWC) acknowledges and respects the First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and original caregivers of this land who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. As one of eleven Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils in Alberta, the AWC facilitates collaborative planning, education, and stewardship, along with reporting on the health of the watershed. Since 2021, the AWC has collaborated with over 22 partners in the headwaters of the Athabasca watershed and along the Eastern Slopes to understand benthic invertebrate communities and water quality. Filling data gaps with partners and collaborating on watershed management opportunities can improve monitoring and reporting in northern, rural, and remote watersheds. Enhancing organization capabilities will include staff safety training, technical skill development for staff, procurement of equipment, and support for a part-time staff member to produce educational videos. Collecting benthic invertebrates and water quality at eight sites within the McLeod River watershed, Pembina River watershed and Hardisty Creek watershed will be completed by AWC staff and partners. These monitoring efforts contribute to identifying potential threats, enabling timely intervention and mitigation actions.