VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

 

June 4 - Ed Gregor Stewardship Day

Event by: Crowsnest Forest Stewardship Society

Mark your calendars for this annual event dedicated to ensuring our forests and natural areas are maintained. CCS will be doing a trail project up Allison Creek Falls and AEP will be helping out. We will be installing one or two pedestrian bridges and doing some trail restoration.rerouting work. Please volunteer and help out with this important - and fun - day. Meet at the Forestry Office in Blairmore at 8am. Breakfast and dinner provided by Coleman Lions and Blairmore Lions as well as a draw for prizes after dinner.

 

June 23, July 7, July 28 - Community Market

We are looking for volunteers to man a table at the Community Market in Gazebo Park, Blairmore on Thursdays, June 23, July 7 and 28, 2022.  Shifts will be 2-5pm and 5-8pm, including either put-up or take down. We want two people for each shift. Crowsnest Conservation Society information and pamphlets will be provided. 

CCS invites you to learn about or make a difference to the environment of the Crowsnest Pass this summer. For details or to sign up contact us by email at <office@crowsnestconservation.ca> or by phone (403) 583-5884.

June 2 at 7pm. Nature Network Speaker Series: Amphibians & Reptiles

Event by: Nature Alberta

Learn best practices and pointers to add observations of amphibians and reptiles on iNaturalist for upcoming BiodiverCity Challenge. Free via Zoom at https://naturealberta.ca/amphibians-reptiles-aca/

 

June 12, 10am-2pm - Bee the Change

Event by: Nature Conservancy Canada

Come on out for a fun-filled day for the whole family. In the morning, learn about native pollinators and pollinator habitat from expert Megan Evans, president of the Alberta Native Bee Council. After learning all you can from Megan, spend the afternoon exploring the Bowersock property and identifying pollinator plants and species, including bees and butterflies. Register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bee-the-change-registration-330774484387

 

June 23, 12pm-4pm - Summer Social & AGM, Rotary Picnic Shelter in Lethbridge Sports Park

Event by: Oldman Watershed Council

Register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/summer-social-and-annual-general-meeting-tickets-344254292857

Provincial News

 

Alberta to invest $50M in new hydrogen centre

The Alberta government will be investing $50-million to create a new Clean Hydrogen Centre of Excellence. The goal is to provide support with hydrogen research and development for both industry and small business.

https://discoverairdrie.com/articles/alberta-to-invest-50-million-in-new-hydrogen-centre

 

Alberta’s Designated River Forecasting Team

AB ENV & PARKS - Alberta is home to major river systems and it’s important to monitor these systems in order to keep Albertans safe.

https://albertaep.wordpress.com/2022/05/26/albertas-designated-river-forecasting-team/

MINING

 

Alberta town endorses community-developed policy saying no to coal mining in Rockies

High River has become the first municipality to endorse a community-developed policy that calls for no new coal exploration and no new coal mines in the Rockies.

https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/alberta-town-endorses-community-developed-policy-saying-no-to-coal-mining-in-rockies-1.5918208

 

Canada flip-flops amid calls for international investigation into B.C. coal mine pollution

Behind the scenes of a decade-long fight for the International Joint Commission to investigate pollution from coal mines in B.C.’s Elk Valley.

https://thenarwhal.ca/teck-coal-mining-ijc-ktunaxa/?utm_source=The+Narwhal&utm_campaign=380f5c9b7e-May+26+2022+—+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f6a05fddb8-380f5c9b7e-108504207

 

Environmental safeguards at BC mines are being eroded by amendments

New research says some environmental safeguards built into mine approvals in BC are being gradually whittled away without enough public or scientific oversight.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mining-environmental-concerns-1.6451326

LOGGING & FORESTS

 

B.C. wants First Nations to agree before old-growth logging deferred on shared lands

The B.C. government wants First Nations to reach consensus before logging is deferred in old-growth forest on shared Indigenous territories.

https://www.albertaprimetimes.com/national-news/bc-wants-first-nations-to-agree-before-old-growth-logging-deferred-on-shared-lands-5417277

 

Forests might not be the climate saviours we are counting on

New research suggests trees in the future won’t get a big growth spurt from Co2, and will die more in wildfires, droughts, and insect outbreaks.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2022/05/forests-might-not-be-the-climate-saviors-we-are-counting-on/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=forests-might-not-be-the-climate-saviors-we-are-counting-on&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=forests-might-not-be-the-climate-saviors-we-are-counting-on

 

ENERGY

 

Weather radar is key to bird-friendly wind energy

The granularity and broad extent of weather surveillance radar allow managers to minimize conflicts between wind energy and migrating birds.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2022/05/weather-radar-key-to-bird-friendly-wind-energy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-key-to-bird-friendly-wind-energy-the-migration-report&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-key-to-bird-friendly-wind-energy-the-migration-report

 

How a software company is microwaving Alberta’s oilsands

Plans to reduce emissions and costs are driving innovation in the oilsands, company says.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/bakx-acceleware-oilsands-emissions-rf-1.6442971

CONSERVATION

 

How to decolonize conservation

Drawing on examples from exiting conservation projects and their own experience, Indigenous researchers are unpacking what a decolonized approach to environmental protection should look like.

https://hakaimagazine.com/news/how-to-decolonize-conservation/

 

PARKS & PROTECTED AREAS

 

Changes to Alberta public lands management will weaken environmental protections

Critics say Bill 21 will create a patchwork of rules and weaken environmental protections. The Bill would allow the province to develop site-specific rules for recreational use on Crown land.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/changes-to-alberta-public-lands-management-will-weaken-environmental-protections-critics-say-1.6439067

CLIMATE CHANGE

 

Satellite images show disappearance of Banff glacier

The Pesto Glacier in Banff has shrunk by around 70% over the last half-century, a dramatic change highlighted in newly released satellite imagery from NASA.

https://e360.yale.edu/digest/satellite-images-show-disappearance-of-iconic-canadian-glacier

 

How artists are transforming climate-related storytelling

From short videos to influencing Hollywood storylines, a new climate-related project is empowering BIPOC artists to take the lead on storytelling.

https://www.yesmagazine.org/environment/2022/05/11/artists-climate-movement

 

It’s easier to break a bog than to repair it, but it’s still a carbon bargain

These soggy places can hold carbon at ten times the density of a forest.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2022/05/its-easier-to-break-a-bog-than-to-repair-it-but-its-a-carbon-bargain/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=its-easier-to-break-a-bog-than-to-repair-it-but-its-a-carbon-bargain&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=its-easier-to-break-a-bog-than-to-repair-it-but-its-a-carbon-bargain

TECHNOLOGY

 

To decarbonize the grid, we need extraordinary power storage. This new device gets us closer.

With no moving parts, the solar cell-like device generates heat from electricity with a record breaking efficiency higher than steam turbines.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2022/04/new-device-generates-electricity-from-heat-at-record-breaking-efficiency/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-device-generates-electricity-from-heat-at-record-breaking-efficiency&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-device-generates-electricity-from-heat-at-record-breaking-efficiency

 

AI-designed enzyme devours plastic trash in days

The new enzyme works at lower temperatures than previous ones, which would make it greener, faster and cheaper.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2022/05/ai-designed-enzyme-devours-plastic-waste-in-hours/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ai-designed-enzyme-devours-plastic-waste-in-hours&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ai-designed-enzyme-devours-plastic-waste-in-hours

 

Jet fuel from paper industry waste could make airplanes cleaner

Why burn lignin when you could use it to fly an airplane? Research shows lignin-based jet fuel performs better with lower emissions than petrol-fuels.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2022/05/jet-fuel-from-paper-industry-waste-could-make-airplanes-cleaner/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jet-fuel-from-paper-industry-waste-could-make-airplanes-cleaner&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jet-fuel-from-paper-industry-waste-could-make-airplanes-cleaner

BEARS

 

A polar bear has never been seen here before

Police shot and killed a 650-pound bear who had wandered onto the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. The bear may have travelled on sea ice from the South Labrador Sea, where polar bear food is abundant this time of year.

https://www.newser.com/story/320107/a-polar-bear-has-never-been-seen-here-before.html

 

New polar bear cubs a good sign, but species still in danger

On Norway’s second largest island, there was a precious sign this week - a female bear with her two cubs, just days out of hibernation.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/climate-and-environment/new-polar-bear-cubs-a-good-sign-but-species-still-in-danger-experts-say-1.5894379

 

Think like a bear: how humans and bears are learning to coexist

Human and bears sharing more landscapes now than ever before. As we continue to invade their world, will we be able to coexist?

https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/think-like-a-bear-learning-to-coexist/

 

 

Human disturbance is pitting wolverines against an unlikely competitor: coyotes

Human impacts are pushing both of these predators into closer contact, harming the rarer wolverines.

https://news.mongabay.com/2022/05/human-disturbance-is-pitting-wolverines-against-an-unlikely-competitor-coyotes/

 

WILDLIFE CROSSINGS

 

An urban wildlife bridge is coming to CA

The crossing will span Route 101, providing safe passage for mountain lions and other animals hemmed in by freeways surrounding the Santa Monica Mountains.

https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-los-angeles/an-urban-wildlife-bridge-is-coming-to-california

WATER

 

Origins of water dispute remain vague

Despite previous agreements, water wasn’t available to the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District for abut two weeks until a new separate agreement was made between the Alberta government and Piikani National to form a table to discuss issues.

https://www.producer.com/news/origins-of-water-dispute-in-southern-alberta-remain-vague/

BIRDS

 

Habitat protection alone doesn’t guarantee species protection

In a wide-ranging study, scientists tracked how 27,000 waterbird populations fared in 1,500 protected areas, compared to similar unprotected areas. Their results are instructive.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2022/04/habitat-protection-alone-doesnt-guarantee-species-protection/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=habitat-protection-alone-doesnt-guarantee-species-protection&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=habitat-protection-alone-doesnt-guarantee-species-protection

 

Expert unsure of impact of removing feeders in avian flu fight

The threat of a highly contagious strain of avian influenza impacting birds across North America has farmers, zoos and wildlife conservation groups on high alert.

https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2022/05/10/expert-unsure-of-impact-of-removing-bird-feeders-in-avian-flu-fight/

 

Burrowing owls released onto Alberta prairie to bolster endangered species

Canadian populations of the owls have declined more than 90% over the last 40 years.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-zoo-wilder-burrowing-owls-graham-dixon-maccallum-1.6463232