Watermark with Britt Standen

 I’ve lived on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River since I was 7 years old. At the time, I didn't realize how fortunate I was to grow up on such a unique property, so close to this amazing body of water that feeds the city of Edmonton.My cousins and I spent countless hours swimming and canoeing in the river. My parents bought a ski boat and along with their friends, we would waterski, swim and picnic all summer long. My parents, with their gymnastics backgrounds, were quite often asked by the city of Edmonton to come downtown and put on waterski shows during festivals and events. In the winter, my father would clear a patch of the river so we could ice skate and we would also cross country ski along the banks for hours.Now that my husband and I own the property and my kids are growing up here, we realize how lucky we are to be living on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. It has changed a lot since I was a child; now having walking trails, walking bridges, and boat launch sites for all Edmontonians to enjoy.Nine years ago, my friend Karen Percy Lowe invited me to the Waterkeeper Alliance Gala in Banff and we both decided we needed to walk the talk. We have this amazing body of water; a glacier-fed river that flows east from the Canadian Rockies and, eventually, into the Hudson Bay. That is what prompted me to get involved and protect our drinking water. So, I became one of the founding members of North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper to help keep our waters swimmable, drinkable, and fishable.Every day our family wakes up looking at the river and its surroundings and feel very blessed to live on such a beautiful body of water: The North Saskatchewan River. Britt has always been closely connected to the North Saskatchewan River. Since the inception of North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper, Britt has been an advocate for swimmable, drinkable, fishable watershed. She is currently the Vice President and Treasurer of North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper. Today, Britt is the president and owner of Physique Fitness Stores, Alberta’s premier retailer of fitness equipment. She continues to nurture her connection to the river with her husband, Craig, and two children.At tonight's Waterkeeper Gala, Britt will be introduced as one of 12 Swim Drink Fish Ambassadors, community leaders who have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to creating a future where every Canadian can swim, drink, and fish. Click here to learn more!Check out Britt's story on the Watermark Archive!