Meewasin’s mandate to conserve culture and nature has gained attention across Canada, giving several organization members the opportunity to speak at national conferences.

Meewasin CEO Andrea Lafond says the ideology, structure, and governance behind Meewasin is hard to come by in other cities, making it a topic of interest. She says finding the same amount of public waterfront space is near impossible in many other urban centres.

She adds that Meewasin’s 100-year plan, focused on balancing human use with conservation around Saskatoon’s riverbanks, is also globally unique.

Lafond will be speaking at the National Trust 50th Anniversary Conference in Ottawa, and Meewasin Manager of Planning and Conservation Mike Velonas will speak at the 2023 Livable Cities Forum in Mississauga, Ontario. The pair share details on the work that they have done in the tourism sector in an effort to help visitors to the city connect to the ecosystem and landscape.

She adds that heading into fall, Meewasin is continuing to explore becoming a national urban park. Meewasin will also be hosting two or three volunteer activities happening each week throughout the fall, and she encourages anyone wanting to help out to sign up online.