CROWSNEST CONSERVATION EVENTS

Nothing scheduled at this time.

Events by other organizations in the region

March 2, 7pm - Women’s Hiking Webinar

Event by: The Great Divide Trail Association

Do you have questions about hiking as a woman? Here’s a webinar for women, all about preparing for your first solo backpack or first backpack, safety, gear, and hygiene. Visit GDTA website closer to the date for details. https://greatdividetrail.com/events/

March 7-8, 2023 - AGM and conference, Old College, Alberta

Event by: Alberta Invasive Species Council

A variety of sessions focused on invasive species as well as certified pesticide applicator credits will be offered. 

March 10-12, Calgary - Where the Wild Things Meet

Event by: Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society Conference

To register, visit https://www.actws.ca/conference/

March 15, 7pm - The Wonderful World of Bees (VIRTUAL)

Event by: Native Alberta Bee Council

This talk will cover the main groups of bees in Alberta, what they look like, where to find them and what you can do to help! Register to receive Zoom link, visit https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtc-qvqzIoHdQ61l9omHJmOyIDiNb-npKz

April 20, Invasive Species Prevention (Fort MacLeod)

Event by: Alberta Invasive Species Council

For more information, visit AISC

Crowsnest Pass News

What does the spread of ‘rogue trails’ in the southern Rockies mean for people and wildlife?

A new report shows at least 24% of trails on public land are not documented by government. Connie Simmons with the Outdoor Recreation Coalition of Alberta shares some thoughts on what this means for human safety and the impact on wildlife.

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-5-calgary-eyeopener/clip/15962400-rogue-mountain-trails

Provincial News

Funding for Alberta motorized vehicle trails worries some outdoor lovers

Province grants $8 million to two organizations (the Alberta Off-Highway Vehicle Association and the Alberta Snowmobile Association) to maintain and grow their trail networks over four years.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/funding-for-alberta-motorized-vehicle-trails-worries-some-outdoor-lovers-1.6754684

Changes to AB Fish & Wildlife could weaken environmental management

Critics say crucial expertise within AB Environment & Protected Areas is being broken up and dispersed, weakening fish and wildlife programs that should be working together and putting responsibility for conservation within ministries where that concern may not be central.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/changes-to-alberta-fish-and-wildlife-could-weaken-environmental-management-critics-say-1.6748667

Report warns Alberta risks losing investment if it fails to reach emissions reduction goals

Province risks falling behind in an age of emissions reductions and net zero targets, Pembina Institute says.

https://globe2go.pressreader.com/article/281947432034261

MINING

B.C. fines Tech more then $16M over Elk Valley infractions

The British Columbia government has fined Teck Coal Limited more than $16 million for exceeding pollution thresholds as well as failing to build an active water treatment facility on time at one of its operations in southeastern B.C.

https://www.albertaprimetimes.com/national-news/bc-fines-teck-coal-more-than-16-million-over-elk-valley-infractions-6513398

Yukon assessment board says no to mining exploration project in the Peel watershed

Silver47 Exploration Corp. had pitched a 5-year drilling program at its Michelle Creek property.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yesab-peel-watershed-decision-1.6727102

Caribou or coal mine?

B.C. rejected the Sukunka mine to protect one threatened herd. Nos it considers an application from Telkwa Coal.

https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/02/07/Between-Caribou-and-Coal-Mine/

LOGGING & FORESTS

The right direction: new B.C. plan could actually protect old growth forests

A shift in how the province manages forests - taking into account biodiversity, climate change and Indigenous partnership - signals a long-awaited change in what the Premier calls ‘decades of short-term and transitional thinking’.

https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-forestry-plan-old-growth/

Competition Bureau to investigate industry claims of sustainable forestry management

The federal Competition Bureau has started an inquiry into whether industry claims that vast stretches of Canadian forest are sustainably managed constitute false advertising.

https://www.albertaprimetimes.com/beyond-local/competition-bureau-to-investigate-industry-claims-of-sustainable-forestry-management-6471141

ENERGY

The sickening reality of tailings ponds

In the midst of UN climate and biodiversity conferences in late 2022, a group of scientists sent the Federal Environment Minister a letter urging him to use great caution as he considered regulations releasing oilsands toxic wastewater into the Athabasca River.

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/02/03/opinion/sickening-reality-tailings-ponds

A 100% hydrogen community being built in AB

Canada’s first fully hydrogen-powered community is to be built and studied in a Strathcona County neighborhood.

https://hydrogen-central.com/a-100-hydrogen-fuelled-community-is-being-built-alberta/

PARKS & PROTECTED AREAS

Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern Alberta

Officials say the land provides a corridor for wildlife such as grizzly bears and elk.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/nature-conservancy-of-canada-purchases-land-for-protection-in-southern-alberta-1.6731643

Parks Canada uses winter months to design wildfire resilient forest in Banff

Work to reduce fuel in the park means felling trees, prescribes fires.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/parks-canada-banff-forest-fires-climate-change-1.6732381

Are we loving our parks to death?

The decision to close Moraine Lake parking lot to private vehicles is emblematic of the balancing act taking place in all of Canada’s national and provincial parks.

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/02/13/news/canada-parks-overcrowding-conservation

CONSERVATION

The link between conservation and climate change

“Grasslands are particularly valuable because they sequester carbon from the atmosphere and sink it into the soil where it’s going to be there for a long time”, says Mark Boyce, professor of ecology at the U. Of A, talking about NCC’s purchase of 255-hectares near Waterton.

https://www.albertaprimetimes.com/climate/the-link-between-conservation-and-climate-change-6509547

Ross River Dena propose Indigenous protected area in Yukon

The Ross River Dena Council is doubling down on work to establish an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area, according to the First Nation’s chief.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-ross-river-indigenous-protected-area-1.6748453

CLIMATE CHANGE

Are gas or electric appliances better for the climate? The answer is a moving target

When researchers assessed the break-even point between gas and electric appliances for 25 countries, they found only 5 where electricity is now clearly more climate-friendly. But that will change.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2023/02/are-gas-or-electric-appliances-better-for-the-climate-the-answer-is-a-moving-target/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-gas-or-electric-heat-better-for-the-climate-the-choice-depends-on-methane-leaks-and-the-electricity-mix

When they ran the math, researchers landed on some surprising bets for climate action

Opting for an early transition to a decarbonized society pays off - even if the probability of achieving climate targets like 1.5 degrees C is very low.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2023/02/when-they-ran-the-math-researchers-landed-on-some-surprising-bets-for-climate-action/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=researchers-find-we-should-act-against-climate-change-promptly-even-if-the-odds-of-success-are-low

How will creatures that can barely move handle climate change?

Lots of species are being forced to move to escape the heat. Some just can’t move very far.

https://hakaimagazine.com/news/how-will-creatures-that-can-barely-move-handle-climate-change/?omhide=true&utm_source=Hakai+Magazine+Weekly&utm_campaign=f4442d0fdd-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_09_06_COPY_03&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0fc1967411-f4442d0fdd-121734666

TECHNOLOGY

Got dog poop? Let this vermicomposting success story inspire you

Overwhelmed by dog waste, this business owner turned to vermicuture.

https://www.treehugger.com/dog-poop-vermiculture-compost-myles-stubblefield-7096547?hid=6fa2eb9d9415e7dacc70ca4ed3c51450dc1989f9&did=8199317-20230204&utm_source=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=treehugger-weekly_newsletter&utm_content=020423&lctg=6fa2eb9d9415e7dacc70ca4ed3c51450dc1989f9

Wood, now turbocharged with carbo-capture powers

Researchers created a novel wood composite that contains C02-absorbing materials, paving the way for carbon-negative furniture and structures.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2023/02/novel-engineered-wood-is-turbocharged-with-carbon-capture-powers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=novel-engineered-wood-is-turbocharged-with-carbon-capture-powers

Scientists dissect 3,500-year-old bear discovered in Siberian permafrost

A brown bear that lay almost perfectly preserved in the frozen wilds of eastern Siberia for 3,500 years has undergone a necropsy by a team of scientists after it was discovered by reindeer herders on a desolate island in the Arctic.

https://calgaryherald.com/news/world/scientists-dissect-3500-year-old-bear-discovered-in-siberian-permafrost/wcm/6475e055-b738-4f6a-a08e-b26ebba5ca1d

Bears may self-medicate against ticks by rubbing against trees

Brown bears often scratch their backs on trees, leaving behind chemical signals to other bears. Now it seems the act also helps protect them from ticks.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2356814-bears-may-self-medicate-against-ticks-by-rubbing-against-trees/

U.S. moves to end grizzly bear protections in Yellowstone, northern Rockies

State officials have insisted any future hunts would be limited and not endanger the overall population.

https://calgaryherald.com/news/world/us-may-lift-protections-for-yellowstone-glacier-grizzlies?r

Hiking humans impact large mammal habits

New study shows how animals changed their behavior around hiking trails on the east side of Glacier National Park during and after Covid-closures.

https://flatheadbeacon.com/2023/01/26/hiking-humans-impact-large-mammal-habits/

Tracing fishing gear to protect North Atlantic right whales is positive step

Much can be learned about the evolving habits of endangered North Atlantic right whales by tracing pieces of fishing gear from which the animals are freed, researchers say.

https://www.albertaprimetimes.com/national-news/tracing-fishing-gear-to-protect-north-atlantic-right-whales-is-positive-step-experts-6492394

What’s happening to honey bees?

What’s behind the widespread loss of honey bee colonies? A new study has some answers.

https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-happening-to-us-honey-bees-7100962?hid=6fa2eb9d9415e7dacc70ca4ed3c51450dc1989f9&did=8274970-20230211&utm_source=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=treehugger-weekly_newsletter&utm_content=021123&lctg=6fa2eb9d9415e7dacc70ca4ed3c51450dc1989f9

Where have all our insects gone?

There is a crisis in the countryside - and a massive decline in insect numbers could have significant consequences for the environment.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/17/where-have-insects-gone-climate-change-population-decline?CMP=twt_a-environment_b-gdneco&fbclid=IwAR3oBHy9sHN2eCUnaz35O8lKXYugPEALO4HzQHZr7soG9pVIwKqPbVsh_oQ

Keepers of the Water concerned tailing pond leak will end up in Athabasca River

The executive director of the Keepers of the Water in northern AB says there are concerns that leaks from a tailings pond attached to an Imperial Oil project will leak into the Athabasca River.

https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/keepers-of-the-water-tailings-pond-leak-imperial-oil-athabasca-river/

Southern AB ranchers conserve land to protect drinking water for cities

Three new projects by the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society, a rancher-led conservation organization, will protect about 27-square kilometres of land in Rocky View County.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2023/02/14/southern-alberta-ranchers-conserve-land-to-help-protect-drinking-water-for-cities.html

Dereliction of doodie: Ontario’s plans for sewage could hurt Great Lakes - and U.S. relations

To provinces and eight states agreed to limit water transfers around the Great Lakes basin. But Ontario’s plans for development include moving a lot more wastewater south.

https://thenarwhal.ca/great-lakes-agreement-poop/?utm_source=The+Narwhal&utm_campaign=742e84184f-Feb.+2,+2023+—+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f6a05fddb8-742e84184f-108504207

How to take care of backyard birds in winter

Chilly weather makes many of us seek refuge indoors. But what about the birds?

https://www.treehugger.com/how-to-take-care-of-birds-this-winter-4862917?hid=6fa2eb9d9415e7dacc70ca4ed3c51450dc1989f9&did=8274970-20230211&utm_source=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=treehugger-weekly_newsletter&utm_content=021123&lctg=6fa2eb9d9415e7dacc70ca4ed3c51450dc1989f9