VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Crowsnest Community Market

We are looking for volunteers to man a table at the Community Market in Gazebo Park, Blairmore on Thursdays, July 7 and 28, and August 4 and 18, 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.

Events by other organizations in the region

July 20, Twin Butte - Trek into Blind Canyon

Event by: Nature Conservancy Canada

Journey to the Waterton Park Front and enjoy a stunning hike into Blind Canyon and help battle invasive weeds while you are at it! This is a great opportunity to practice your plant identification skills and prevent the spread of invasive weeds.

https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/where-we-work/alberta/events/conservation-volunteers/trek-into-blind-canyon.html?utm_source=eblast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AB_EVENTS_0622&utm_content=plaintextlink

Provincial News

AUC approves a fine of $31M for ATCO, says in the public interest

The Alberta Utilities Commission has approved a fine of $31M for ATCO Electric’s attempts to overcharge ratepayers for costs it shouldn’t have incurred.

https://ckpgtoday.ca/2022/06/29/alberta-utilities-commission-approves-31m-atco-fine-says-in-public-interest/

Critics fear environmental impact of new Alberta anti-red-tape legislation

Critics say new Alberta legislations aimed at reducing red tape could do just the opposite while threatening parks and protected areas.

https://everythinggp.com/2022/05/31/critics-fear-environmental-impact-of-new-alberta-anti-red-tape-legislation/

MINING

Mayor wants to know where politicians stand on coal mining

Candidates looking to become the next leader of the UCP will be expected to come clean on coal.

https://highriveronline.com/articles/mayor-wants-to-know-where-politicians-stand-on-coal-mining

ENERGY

Ponds of toxic waste in Alberta’s oilsands are bigger than Vancouver - and growing

Mapping the growth of the toxic reservoirs shows just how far they’ve expanded since 1975, amid a surge in bitumen mining.

https://thenarwhal.ca/oilsands-tailings-ponds-growth/?utm_source=The+Narwhal&utm_campaign=018ab676b6-June+9+2022+—+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f6a05fddb8-018ab676b6-108504207

A reckoning for big oil in the Niger Delta

Communities impacted by crude oil spills along Nigeria’s coastline are successfully taking oil companies to task.

https://hakaimagazine.com/features/a-reckoning-for-big-oil-

in-the-niger-delta/?omhide=true&utm_source=Hakai+Magazine+Weekly&utm_campaign=0eb2231b3a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_09_06_COPY_03&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0fc1967411-0eb2231b3a-121734666

CONSERVATION

Canmore appeals approval of developments

A decision by a provincial tribunal ordering it to allow two major developments that would almost double Canmore’s population will try to be appealed by Town Council.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/canmore-alberta-development-1.6481048

Five proposed protected areas that could help Canada meet its 2030 conservation goals

It is possible to protect 30% of land and oceans in Canada by 2030, if currently proposed conservation areas are protected, CPAWS report finds.

https://thenarwhal.ca/cpaws-conservation-targets-roadmap/

PARKS & PROTECTED AREAS

One year after launch, enforcement of K-Country pass to begin

A year after it went into effect, the Kananaskis Country Conservation pass has raised $13.3M in revenue - a number that will soon increase, as visitors without a pass will now face fines.

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/one-year-after-launch-enforcement-of-kananaskis-country-pass-to-begin

Yellowstone likely closed for remainder of year

For the first time in its storied history and in a celebratory milestone year marking its 150th birthday, Yellowstone National Park has been knocked out of commission by rain flood waters, caused by torrential rain and melting mountain snow.

https://mountainjournal.org/floods-destroy-yellowstone-tourist-season-in-northern-half-of-famed-national-park

CLIMATE CHANGE

B.C. launches strategy to protect communities from climate change, critics say more work needed

The provincial government says the strategy is backed up with more than $500M in spending during the next three years.

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-launches-strategy-to-protect-communities-from-climate-change-critics-say-more-work-needed

How much can e-bikes reduce carbon emissions?

A lot more than you might think… and not necessarily where you think.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2022/06/how-much-can-e-bikes-reduce-carbon-emissions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=efforts-to-encourage-e-bike-use-are-overlooking-the-greatest-potential-for-cutting-carbon-emissions&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=efforts-to-encourage-e-bike-use-are-overlooking-the-greatest-potential-for-cutting-carbon-emissions

TECHNOLOGY

Cities need new types of pavement capable of absorbing floods. This team has a customized receipt.

Australian researchers devised an algorithm for permeable pavement tailored to local soil and rainfall conditions.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2022/05/cities-need-new-pavement-capable-of-absorbing-a-flood/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=researchers-map-how-the-success-of-permeable-pavements-depends-on-local-conditions&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=researchers-map-how-the-success-of-permeable-pavements-depends-on-local-conditions

Researchers propose turning high-rises into gravity batteries

Novel concept that relies on elevators to move heavy loads up and down could store energy for lower cost than batteries.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2022/06/researchers-propose-turning-high-rises-into-gravity-batteries/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=researchers-propose-turning-high-rises-into-gravity-batteries&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=researchers-propose-turning-high-rises-into-gravity-batteries

B.C. conservation looking for grizzly with arrow in its head

The Conservation Officer Service is hoping the public can help them find a grizzly bear who is in need of help. They received a photo showing a broken-off arrow stuck in its head.

https://globalnews.ca/news/8924235/grizzly-bear-arrow-head-photo-bc/

Why this newly identified polar bear subpopulation is so special

These genetically and geographically isolated bears survive longer without sea ice than scientists thought possible.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/why-this-newly-identified-polar-bear-subpopulation-is-so-special

Total ban on killing grizzly bears isn’t working, say cattle producers

Alberta Beef Producers wants government to issue permits to kill bears that repeatedly kill cattle and damage property.

https://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/livestock/total-ban-on-killing-grizzly-bears-isnt-working-say-cattle-producers/

In the face of climate change, beavers are engineering a resistance

Beavers create messy wetlands as safe places to live. A new study shows the positive side effects of that work could be a useful tool in reducing harm from flood, drought and wildfire - all made more frequent by climate change.

https://www.kunc.org/environment/2022-06-17/in-the-face-of-climate-change-beavers-are-engineering-a-resistance

So long to open-net-pen salmon farms?

In B.C. and Washington, legislators are simultaneously weighing whether to allow this controversial farming practice to persist.

https://hakaimagazine.com/news/so-long-to-open-net-pen-salmon-farms/?omhide=true&utm_source=Hakai+Magazine+Weekly&utm_campaign=0eb2231b3a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_09_06_COPY_03&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0fc1967411-0eb2231b3a-121734666

Wolf culls change hunting habits

In Canada’s boreal forest, wolves have to adjust to the widespread landscape changes left by petroleum extraction and forestry.

https://theconversation.com/wolf-culls-change-hunting-habits-and-help-caribou-conservation-183902

A hot ocean is a hungry ocean

Ecosystems, fisheries managers and people who rely on fishing could be in for a wild ride, as scientists find that warmer oceans make for hunger fish.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2022/06/a-hot-ocean-is-a-hungry-ocean/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-hot-ocean-is-a-hungry-ocean&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-hot-ocean-is-a-hungry-ocean

Coastal cities are already sinking

New satellite data shows that in many coastal cities around the world, land is subsiding even faster than sea level is rising.

https://hakaimagazine.com/news/coastal-cities-are-already-sinking/?omhide=true&utm_source=Hakai+Magazine+Weekly&utm_campaign=4b8da9d205-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_09_06_COPY_03&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0fc1967411-4b8da9d205-121734666

Injury or illusion? Why a bird with a broken wing may not be what it appears

Some species feign injuries to protect their nests from predators - a more common behaviour than previously thought, new research shows.

https://www.audubon.org/news/injury-or-illusion-why-bird-broken-wing-may-not-be-what-it-appears?ms=digital-eng-email-ea-newsletter-engagement_20220525_wingspan_&utm_source=ea&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=engagement_20220525_wingspan&utm_content=

How to keep your hummingbird feeder free from pests

A few small steps can protect your nectar from bears and insects.

https://www.audubon.org/news/how-keep-your-hummingbird-feeder-free-pests?ms=digital-eng-email-ea-x-engagement_20220610_engagement-burst_engaged_and_int_and_donor&utm_source=ea&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=engagement_20220610_engagement-burst&utm_content=engaged_and_int_and_donor