The Crooked Creek Conservancy Society of Alberta (CCCSA) reactivated the dormant Conservation Easement arm of its non-profit society and needed to build up a supply of both office and field equipment to use when doing education, baseline studies and follow-up visits to successful CE properties it secures. With one part-time contract staff, they secured office space with the Athabasca Watershed Council but needed a computer, GPS equipment, a portable water testing kit, a website upgrade, print brochures, the ability to host meetings with local landowners and to continue its existing Citizen Science programs such as regular Bio-blitzes, annual bird counts and developing a Junior Environmentalist program to teach the next generation.

The equipment they purchased, specifically the water testing kit and camera, has allowed them to complete their own baseline studies of properties, and they will continue to monitor them as land is placed into conservation easements. Since receiving the grant, they have worked with two landowners to get conservation easement grants. The Backpack Birding Kits allow a low-cost way for residents of Athabasca to enjoy getting out in nature and building a greater appreciation of why conservation efforts are needed. As they continue to build on these activities, CCCSA creates greater opportunities to work with industry, municipalities and the public to strengthen current programs and awareness as well as create new programs and awareness.

As they are able to collect data from potential and existing conservation easements, they can share the information with the Athabasca Watershed Council and other groups which contribute to monitoring climate changes like the Audubon Society and the Alberta Lepidopterist's Guild. They will also build their own data driven information they can share with the public. CCCSA's programs allow residents take part in Citizen Science projects giving them an investment into sustainable stewardship of our environment. With the creation of new programs and continued support for existing programs, they have seen an increase in membership of 40 per cent, and while we are still relatively a small group, that is an amazing increase in the number of people committed to helping us with their stewardship and conservation programs.