Biodiversity and Wildlife

Locals and Conservationists raise concerns ahead of Grassy Mountain hearing

Ranchlands, Alberta – On October 27th, the joint Federal-Provincial review hearing will commence for the Grassy Mountain Coal project. Several groups are concerned how the mine will impact the environment and way of life. Benga Mining Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Riversdale Resources Ltd., is proposing to construct and operate an open-pit metallurgical coal mine near the Crowsnest Pass, approximately seven kilometres north of the community of the town of Blairmore. Read More

Herd of caribou in Jasper National Park declared extirpated

A herd of caribou in Jasper National Park – the Maligne herd – is now considered locally extinct. Two other caribou herds in the region may be on the same path to extirpation because they don’t have enough breeding females to grow the herds.

AEN member groups are calling for immediate action to halt the decline of caribou populations in the remaining herds. Read More

Where is Parks Canada’s Plan for Jasper’s Disappearing Caribou?

One month after Jasper National Park quietly posted news that its Maligne caribou are officially extirpated and that two other caribou populations are drastically low in numbers, Parks Canada has still not revealed to Canadians how it plans to prevent the demise of its Tonquin and Brazeau caribou populations and re-occupy the Maligne range with caribou. Today Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) is: Read More

2020-2021 Plant Study Group Webinar Series

Oct 15 2020 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Oct 29 2020 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Nov 12 2020 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Nov 26 2020 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Dec 10 2020 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm

From the Alberta Native Plant Council:

Although we will not be able to meet in person this fall and winter for Plant Study Groups, we are pleased to announce that we will be hosting an online Webinar Series. The webinars will run biweekly on Thursdays beginning with a presentation from Lorna Allen on Thursday, October 15th at 12:00 pm. When possible, the webinars will be recorded and recordings made available to registrants to watch at a later time. Read More

Issue Brief: Green Stimulus & a Just Recovery

The global COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated an economic downturn that has governments across Canada and around the world set to make huge investments in stimulus and recovery spending. Many are viewing this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in a just and sustainable green economy. Read More

Issue Brief: Closing and delisting Alberta parks

Updated: September 21, 2020

The province is planning to close 20 parks sites and delist another 164 sites, although the timing is still uncertain. Internal government documents show there was no analysis of costs, public were excluded from consultation and land sales have been considered. Despite a government announcement of investments in Alberta parks infrastructure, the government indicated its intention to move forward with the previously-announced closures.

Latest updates

Government investment in Alberta Parks infrastructure is encouraging, but 175 parks still set to be removed

Calgary – CPAWS Northern and Southern Alberta Chapters are pleased to see the government’s investment in parks infrastructure. However, we are dismayed to hear the Minister continues to move forward with removing 175 parks from the Parks System. The Premier stated in the announcement that “Albertans are a stubborn bunch” and we agree. Albertans from across the province continue to ask for a commitment from this government that all of these parks will remain protected within the parks system. Read More

Issue Brief: Oil Sands Monitoring

Updated: September 10, 2020
The budget for the joint provincial-federal Oil Sands Monitoring Program will be reduced by around 25% this year, citing less field work due to the COVID-19 outbreak. AEN members discussed the budget reduction on a call on August 26 and are seeking clarification from the Oil Sands Monitoring Program. Read More

Alberta’s habitat restoration projects a step in the right direction, but need to consider larger conservation goals

CPAWS Southern and Northern Alberta chapters are encouraged to see the government’s investment of $9.7-million in restoration projects to benefit habitat for Alberta’s threatened caribou and native trout. The focus on initiatives like restoring disturbances in caribou habitat, improving connectivity in fragmented southern landscapes, and restoring important native fish habitats are important and overdue steps towards species at risk recovery. These initiatives also benefit Albertans by providing important employment opportunities and contributing to our economic recovery. Read More

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