Paintearth County: Support for the BRAIN conference

Paintearth council reviewed a request for funding for the BRAIN conference at their regular meeting on Aug. 20.

In correspondence to council, Dr. Russ Schnell submitted a request for support for an upcoming BRAIN conference.

According to the correspondence, the BRAIN (Battle River Arts, Innovation and Neuroscience) working group is organizing a conference to raise awareness and attract resources, to establish a brain education and rehabilitation centre in the Battle River region.

The centre would enable individuals affected by brain injury to recover in familiar surroundings.

The conference would highlight recent breakthroughs and innovations in brain research, neuroscience and rehabilitation with the focus on neuroplasticity and therapeutic approaches involving the arts.

Additionally, the event will address the negative brain changes associated with addiction.

“It’s nice to see that type of conference come to Alberta,” Coun. Terry Vockeroth noted.  Coun. George Glazier agreed “they have done a lot of work.”

“Russell Schnell has been a big supporter of the community,” noted Reeve Stan Schulmeister. Council passed a motion to allocate $1,000 to support the conference.

BRWA funding

In correspondence presented to council by the Battle River Water Alliance (BRWA), it was noted that the past year has been challenging for the Battle River and Sounding Creek watershed areas.

Drought and extreme weather have taken a toll on water flows, water quality, fish populations and the availability of water for farmers.

It noted that current flow rates in the Battle River were alarmingly low, ranging from zero to 1.3 cubic metres per second, with further declines expected.  In response, emergency management and long-term resilience have become central themes.

The BRWA outlined that ongoing municipal support and funding are crucial to their efforts.

Municipal backing allows the BRWA team to keep residents informed about the state of the watershed, organize events, deliver localized watershed education programs and engage with various sectors to foster informed and collaborative efforts towards a sustainable community.

The group requested $872.30 based on recent census data of the County of Paintearth’s population, however council noted that last year the group was granted $1,000.

Council approved a motion to grant $1,000 to the Battle River Watershed Alliance.

Cheryl Bowman
Multimedia reporter
ECA Review

About the author

Cheryl Bowman

Cheryl spent most of her childhood in Stettler, growing up on a quarter section north of town. After graduating from Stettler Composite High School she moved to Calgary where she worked in various industries, attended The University of Calgary and raised a family.

She enjoyed volunteering and contributed in a variety of ways, such as writing articles for the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and covering charitable events as a photographer.

She moved back to Stettler in 2023 where she still has family.