Created in 1979 by an Act of the Province, the Meewasin Valley Authority (MVA) has served to protect and develop the South Saskatchewan River Valley and to educate people about the importance of the valley's natural, cultural and heritage resources. This rather unique organization has a fascinating and colourful history.

A report Towards A Riverbank Study in Saskatoon, was commissioned by the City of Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee in 1974. The report identified a number of environmental concerns for the valley's resources and recommended undertaking a comprehensive study of the river valley.

The federal and provincial governments then sponsored the study, South Saskatchewan River Corridor Study: Towards a River Edge Authority-Saskatoon-Corman Park, which was completed in May 1976. It recommended the establishment of an autonomous agency to plan and develop the valley's natural and heritage resources along the river edges. The area was defined by the natural system and appropriate legal boundaries as the river flows for 60 kms through the R.M. of Corman Park and the City of Saskatoon.

Two years later, the Province and the City sponsored a 100 Year Concept plan for the 60 kms of river valley. The plan prepared by architectural planner Raymond Moriyama of Moriyama and Teshima Planners of Toronto, Ontario, became known as The Meewasin Valley Project: 100 Year Conceptual Plan.

The City of Saskatoon, the R.M. of Corman Park, the University of Saskatchewan (due to its status as a major riverbank owner) and the Province of Saskatchewan came together to develop the Meewasin Valley Project. The project addressed the problems and potential of the river valley by offering some exciting and innovative ideas for conservation of the valley resources. The plan also recommended the establishment of an autonomous agency. The four participating parties decided in 1979 to create the Meewasin Valley Authority (MVA). At the same time the partners also gave their approval to the MVA Act, a provincial statute setting out Meewasin's powers and responsibilities. The Meewasin Valley Authority held its first meeting September 5, 1979.

As Meewasin emerged from its infancy and the people of the R.M. of Corman Park began to understand the implications of Meewasin's jurisdiction over private lands in the R.M., the council of the R.M. of Corman Park voted in January 1981 to cease its participation in the MVA. The MVA Act was amended in May of that year to remove Corman Park as a participating party. However, the river and its shores, provincial, university, and city land adjacent to the river, and Meewasin land remained within the jurisdiction of the MVA.

Since its creation, Meewasin has directed many conservation projects which have enhanced the river valley, beginning with a major clean-up of the river valley. This was closely followed by the development of the Meewasin Valley Trail which extends for 40 km along the east and west banks of the river. Former rubble sites have been transformed into beautiful parks such as Victoria Park, Gabriel Dumont Park, and Meewasin Park North.

Meewasin designs and delivers programs to the city's formal school systems and the public at large at sites such the Meewasin Rink, the Beaver Creek Conservation Area (which opened in 1986) and the Meewasin Valley Centre (which opened in 1988). One of Meewasin's proud accomplishments is the development of Wanuskewin Heritage Park. This international heritage site that depicts the history of First Nations people in the Northern Plains was opened with the help of various groups and all levels of local government.

Funding cutbacks lead to the formation of the Meewasin Foundation Inc., a volunteer charitable, non-profit organization which raises funds from the private and corporate sectors. The Foundation has now become part of the Authority and is responsible for many popular fund-raisers such as the Plant-A-Tree Program and the new Memorial Forest Program.

Meewasin's offices are located at 402 Third Avenue South in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, S7K 3G5, (306) 665-6887.