**Bow River Basin Council Society**  
The **Bow River Basin Council Society** (BRBC) is a Canadian nonprofit organization (Registration Number: 864321526RR0001) dedicated to watershed management and environmental stewardship in Alberta's Bow River Basin. Established as a collaborative, multi-stakeholder charity, it operates through science-based approaches to address water quality, quantity, and ecosystem health[1][3][4].

### History  
The BRBC traces its origins to a provincial Task Force in the 1980s, which recommended creating a watershed-awareness body. In **1991**, the **Bow River Water Quality Council** (BRBWC) was formed under Alberta’s Environment Ministry. By **2000**, it merged with an independent charity to operate independently. In **2004**, it became the **Watershed Planning and Advisory Council** (WPAC) under Alberta’s *Water for Life Strategy*, solidifying its role in integrated watershed governance[4].

### Mission and Activities  
The BRBC focuses on:  
- **Water stewardship**: Protecting surface and groundwater resources, wetlands, and riparian areas[3][4].  
- **Collaborative governance**: Facilitating dialogue among municipalities, Indigenous communities, industries, and the public to balance water-use needs[2][4].  
- **Science-driven initiatives**: Producing reports like the *State of the Watershed* to guide conservation efforts[1][4].  

### Membership and Governance  
Representing over 1.5 million residents, the BRBC includes stakeholders from urban and rural municipalities, agriculture, industry, academia, and federal/provincial agencies. It engages over 450 active members and 700 participants, emphasizing inclusive decision-making[3][4].  

### Legacy  
For over two decades, the BRBC has promoted sustainable water management, ensuring the Bow River Basin remains one of the world’s best-managed watersheds through education, policy advocacy, and community-driven conservation[3][4].  

[1] https://brbc.ab.ca [2] https://brbc.ab.ca/about [3] https://causes.benevity.org/causes/124-864321526RR0001?lang=en [4] https://ckc.calgaryfoundation.org/profile/bow-river-basin-council-society-brbc/ [5] https://www.instagram.com/bowriverbasincouncil/