EBRT student receives Canadian Land Reclamation Association award
“When you love something, you put that much more effort into it.”
This is what second-year Environmental Biology & Reclamation Technology (EBRT) student, Alyssa Watson, attributes to her success during her diploma, ultimately leading to recognition from the Canadian Land Reclamation Association (CLRA).
CLRA Alberta represents environmental professionals from across the province and aims to advance, promote, and celebrate the reclamation profession through networking and educational opportunities.
Watson received a $1000 scholarship, sponsored by the City of Medicine Hat, for maintaining the highest grade in her class during Medicine Hat College’s (MHC) 2025-26 academic year. She was presented the award at the CLRA conference in Edmonton on March 4.
“Going to the conference, every person you talk to, they want you to succeed. Everybody in the environmental field, we all have the same goal and it doesn't feel like a competition, it feels like a team,” says Watson.
She adds that in addition to networking with representatives in the industry, she gained the opportunity to attend break out room sessions to further discover how her learning applies to the real-world.
“I had the opportunity to sit in on different sessions. I chose to sit in on the grasslands one because that's what's relevant to me here,” says Watson, who plans to continue working in southeast Alberta after her studies. “It was exciting to see how things are changing and the different techniques that are being used that maybe we haven't necessarily discussed in class.”
Building on her love of nature, she plans to continue her education after graduating from MHC this spring. Watson will enroll in the Bachelor of Environmental Science at the University of Lethbridge in Fall 2026.
“I've always liked the environment and the outdoors is where I'm happiest,” explains Watson. “I want to save it and I want to preserve it for our future.”
Explore the Environmental Biology & Reclamation Technology program at www.mhc.ab.ca.