Galt visitors learn about roots of exhibit

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on August 6, 2022.

Herald Photo by Ry Clarke Rooted: How Trees Give Us Life teaches the importance of tree eco-systems in Southern Alberta at the Galt Museum and Archives

The Galt Museum and Archives hosted an informational discussion on woodlands and prairie ecosystems Wednesday afternoon with speaker Lori Goater, Director for the Southern Alberta Group for the Environment. Focusing on the unique ecosystems here in Southern Alberta and Lethbridge, which rests between the foothills and prairie eco regions. With a passion for cottonwoods, Goater taught those in attendance the importance of river systems in Southern Alberta and the crucial role they play in how our ecosystem is maintained.

“I invited Laurie here today to give a talk in connection with our special exhibit which is called Rooted: How Trees Give Us Life. Laurie has deep roots in Lethbridge. She was born and raised and educated in Southern Alberta. She is well informed on watershed science and has a particular interest in river health and riparian forest ecology. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master’s Science in Biology from the University of Lethbridge,” said Janae Redgrave, Community Program Coordinator at the Galt.

Goater sought to teach audience members about the eco region of our area and the science behind how the rich environment is maintained including teaching how cottonwoods in the area sustain their growth and health using water systems unseen to the eye.

“The water from the river actually disappears into the cobbles of the ground. There’s a water table underneath the river. Even when there’s not water flowing on the surface, you actually have a river still there. The water is slowly moving under the ground as a water table. So the big trees are tapped into that water table, they’ve got their drinking straws down getting moisture all year round. They’re not like the grasses that can go dormant, they have to have that water during the growing season,” said Goater.

While working on the prairies and seeing the variations with water and temperature Goater notes her work has often shed light on climate issues.

“I think that there’s a lot of people who do care. The science is complicated. It’s messy when you have to deal with politically sensitive things like water use in a dry place, and to throw climate change in top of that, it’s challenging,” said Goater. “It’s hard to give everybody what they want. Because of course we want we want to protect the environment. But we also want water for domestic use and enough irrigation to be economically feasible in our area.”

“I think it’s good for conversation. I think a lot of folks need to get outside. They need to go and have a look at what’s around them and appreciate what natural bits and pieces are actually in our backyard. Then care a little bit about whether or not those things are going to continue on in the same way,” said Goater.

“People need to be thinking more about our supply. Remembering that every tree that is in Lethbridge, or in the river valley, is watered by the river. All your trees in your backyard, our river water is growing those trees and they’re all at risk if we can’t keep our river alive.”