My Watermark is the North Saskatchewan River, Alberta.

I grew up just north of the river, near a town called Devon, west and south of Edmonton. The river is really important to the town of Devon: the golf course is there, the campground is right there along the river, (and) great walking trails.

My greatest memory and experience with the river in that area is under the bridge, back in the day when the bridge was old, and watching the gold panners. We would always be able to chat with the gold miners, see what they were able to find from the rocks, collect for that. I just think it's a great analogy for our river valley that it's golden – literally, figuratively. We have a duty to protect it and keep it healthy and clean for future generations.

Certainly through the city of Edmonton we're known for our river valley. Having experienced a couple floods – I don't remember, I think 1986 – the river did flood in Devon and the camp ground was completely underwater. It's such a habitat for a lot of wildlife, but it's also a place that we can be proud of what our city has to offer, the greenery around it, the walking trails, and recreation. The reasons are numerous.