Nature Alberta’s member nature clubs all provide amazing opportunities for Albertans to experience and explore nature in communities across the province. Today, we’re pleased to feature Bighill Creek Preservation Society. Read about this important southern Alberta watershed and the group that helps to protect it.
In southern Alberta, amidst the bustling town of Cochrane, Bighill Creek, a small tributary of the Bow River, quietly flows. Step away from the bustling town of Cochrane on the trails that lead to and along the creek, is a 40 acre environmental reserve that provides a calm natural area where the worries of a fast-paced modern day world subside.
This important natural area is part of the Bighill Creek Watershed. In 2015, a group of concerned residents formed the Bighill Creek Preservation Society (BCPS) to help safeguard both this significant local and the broader regional ecological, historical and recreational asset from the increasing pressuring of development and the growing population in the area. At its core, the Society is a local environmental stewardship group that takes action on environmental issues and are caretakers of this reserve and the broader watershed.
For years, few people knew of or utilized the natural trail system in the reserve area. However, more recently, with the immediate area’s rapidly growing population and given its proximity to Calgary, the area has become a well-known natural spot with more frequent users. As such, the future of this landscape was at risk of harmful trail transformation and gradual habitat deterioration.
Locals began to notice increases in trail activity as well as the influences of agriculture and industry operations in the area. This was the impetus for kickstarting monitoring and establishing baseline data for the streams and surrounding ecosystem, which contains intact riparian areas and essential habitat for various birds, mammals and fish species including brown, brook and rainbow trout. Two full years of water quality assessment has now been completed within the watershed.
“There was a nucleus of people interested in the future of the valley and they kick-started these monitoring efforts,” explains Vivian Pharis the Vice President of BCPS.
Taking action in the communitySociety members jumped into action and have been actively monitoring the area for three years. The group received funding from various sources including the Watershed Stewardship Grant to support these efforts.
To assist with trail use and wildlife monitoring, Society members installed wildlife cameras in diverse spots along the creek. These cameras capture images of beavers, cougars, moose, herons, bobcats and even raccoons as well as monitoring trail use. A riparian study was completed that showed the creek’s buffer to be an impressive 85% intact. Aquatic and terrestrial insects are also being studied.
These studies become bioindicators for the area and have provided critical baseline data that will enable the Society to track changes in the environment. In addition, BCPS remains dedicated to creating a library of knowledge of their area. Vivian goes on to say that sharing this information with everyone is key, since education is an important part of their mandate.
But the Society isn’t stopping with monitoring and baseline studies. In addition to new trail signage and designing a bridge to connect the south and north sides of the creek, the Society has ambitious plans for the future.
“Our future plans include hydrological assessments, beaver habitat and suitability for native cutthroat trout assessments and ultimately developing a watershed plan,” says Vivian, “We aren’t slowing down any time soon.”
Learn more about Bighill Creek Preservation Society, participate in their annual meetings or other local events and projects.
Nature Alberta is proud to support a diverse range of naturalist organizations representing people passionate about all things nature – from mushrooms to birds and butterflies, reptiles and more. We are excited to welcome a new member club, Friends of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre Society, to our community connected by a love of nature. Read on to learn what the society does and how you can get involved.
Registered as a charitable society in 2017, Friends of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre was established with the main goal of fundraising to support Lethbridge’s truly spectacular Nature Centre, which receives ~53,000 visitors annually. These fundraising efforts help support the centre and also develop an immense amount of youth activities and engagement events that are held year-round within the facility. The Friends have been hard at work and in June 2019 they successfully reached their fundraising goal to create a new and improved outdoor learning classroom and amphitheatre.
Being able to support a nature interpretive centre that caters to all ages through exhibits, nature quests, discover walks, hands-on activities and more has helped the Friends elevate the Helen Schuler Nature Center as an important part of the community. Another interesting and important element of the Friends of Society work in 2019 was advocating the Provincial government to recognize the role of municipally-funded nature centres in Alberta. Their advocacy resulted in $1,000,000 total invested from the Climate Leadership plan towards 13 nature centres in Alberta. This provided a substantial and much-needed boost to the efforts of nature centres across Alberta.
“My favorite element of this special place is the people,” offers Annette Orich, a volunteer with the Friends for more than nine years. “We see visitors from all over Alberta and it’s a pleasure working alongside the staff at the centre.”
Guests from the local community, as well as people from all over the world, visit the Helen Schuler Nature Centre and have the opportunity to gain meaningful knowledge about the natural world and they all leave with cherished memories.
Currently, the Friends have 50 active members and they have reached over 4,200 individuals [KD1] through their events and programming. Nature Alberta is proud to call them a member club and looks forward to hearing about the continued success of their important fundraising efforts. To learn more about the Friends of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre Society, support their work, volunteer, become a member or browse their upcoming events please visit their website.
Established in 1984, the Beaverhill Bird Observatory (BBO) is the second oldest migration monitoring observatory in Canada. Recently, our Birds and Biodiversity Coordinator, Kelsie Norton, visited the BBO to learn more about their dedicated conservation efforts, current projects and the importance of the beautiful area they work in.
The BBO is situated a short drive east of Edmonton on the south edge of historical Beaverhill Lake. BBO was formed by a group of keen birders interested in banding birds and counting species. For 35 years now, they have been collecting extensive data that enables them to track changes in bird populations, migratory routes, breeding success, and survivorship.
The BBO also acts as steward/caretaker of the Beaverhill Lake Natural Area, an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) situated in the Beaver Hills Biosphere. This involves completing habitat assessments, reporting on conservation issues and publishing bird checklists.
The natural area where the BBO is situated is home to an abundance of wildlife, especially birds. When visiting, you are certain to view one or more of the 270 species of birds that have been reported there.
“As I was driving up to the BBO site, I was welcomed by a vast number of tree swallows flying above,” shares Kelsie. “These sleek, agile birds have exquisite coloration and are a delight to watch.”
The BBO has installed numerous nest boxes throughout the property to support declining populations of aerial insectivores (birds that feed by capturing insects on the wing) in Alberta. Once such bird, the Mountain Blue Bird, recently returned to the area and is nesting in the boxes.
The lakebed grasslands in the area are also a haven for species such as the Short-Eared Owl and Sprague’s Pipit (both have been identified as Species-At-Risk in Canada).
The BBO fosters a love of birds that goes beyond admiring their aesthetics. They work hard collecting data, understanding bird behavior and ecology, and addressing current conservation issues. This is critical work in a world plagued with environmental concerns.
“Humans alter the world for our own benefit, and that is often at the expense of nature,” explains Sara Pearce Meijerink, Head Biologist at the BBO. “It is our responsibility to understand, and try to preserve our natural areas and protect the wildlife we share our planet with.”
Getting Hands on at the BBOOpen to the public, the BBO offers numerous opportunities for people to not just visit, but truly experience what a working migratory bird observatory does.
“The BBO gives people a chance to get away from their day-to-day routine,” says Sara. “We provide a variety of opportunities for visitors to experience and to increase their appreciation for the natural history and the feathered friends that call this important natural area home.”
Volunteer engagement and participation is extremely important to the work of the BBO. There is no shortage of ways for people of all ages to take part in the BBO’s efforts, which include interactive environmental education programs for schools and groups, as well as an annual workshop that inspires young ornithologists. Volunteers can assist bird banders and learn how to extract and handle a live bird, and participate in ongoing songbird, owl, bat and wildlife monitoring. The BBO’s student internship program also offers post-secondary students in Alberta an opportunity to contribute to valued programs.
“We encourage individuals and families, novice or expert birders alike, to come out and experience all that the BBO has to offer,” says Sara. “Volunteers have found the experience exhilarating.”
For a complete list of BBO events and activities, view annual reports that summarize monitoring, research, conservation, and outreach activities, or to volunteer, visit Beaverhill Bird Observatory.
A greater short-horned lizard.
Nature Alberta is proud to support a diverse range of naturalist organizations representing people passionate about all things nature – from mushrooms, birds, butterflies, reptiles and more. We are excited to welcome a new member club, the Alberta Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy to our community connected by a love of nature. Read on to learn what the Alberta Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy offers and how you can get involved.
The unique and diverse world of reptiles and amphibians (or the study of herpetology) has sparked the interest of many a naturalist. But as most reptiles are covered in scales, and the majority are carnivorous, there are many people who feel an almost natural aversion to these creepy-crawlers. Enter the Alberta Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy (AARC). Formed in 2013, the AARC, the newest member club to join to the Nature Alberta community, helps raise awareness about the value of all herpetofauna to promote respect and enthusiasm by all.
AARC southern Alberta field trip.
Reptiles and amphibians, which includes frogs, snakes, alligators, turtles, salamanders, are fascinating creatures. These cold blooded animals come in all sorts of colours and sizes, some are related to dinosaurs and some can even live up to 100 years.
“Being with other nature lovers and educating the public is why I’m involved with the AARC,” shares Alyssa Metro, who serves on the AARC Board of Directors. “It’s rewarding knowing you can change someone’s negative opinion about snakes or other animals.”
This budding naturalist community is focused on educating people about reptiles and amphibians native to Alberta.
“We participate in citizen science projects and also provide educational opportunities for the public,” explains Alyssa. Some examples of the club’s activities include their annual toad walk, the Parkland Herpetile Bioblitz and southern Alberta field trips. In addition to education, their efforts also include projects such as the Herpetofauna of Alberta Biobank, a collaborative project developed by the Alberta Amphibian and Reptile Specialist Group and the Royal Alberta Museum.
AARC at Telus world of Science.
As the AARC looks ahead, they hope to increase their monitoring and citizen science efforts, perform road kill surveys and look to preventative measures such as under-road wildlife tunnels. This means there is ample opportunity for naturalists in Alberta to get involved. The AARC knows the value of staying connected with other naturalists throughout the province. Alyssa is excited to have AARC’s name out there and, by joining Nature Alberta, sees a lot of opportunity to reach more people who may share similar interests in amphibian and reptile conservation.
“Nature works as a whole and is highly interconnected, and I think efforts to conserve nature should mirror this,” adds Alyssa. “When we work together and stay connected, like becoming a member club of Nature Alberta, it only elevates our collective efforts.”
Leopard frog at Cypress Hills.
Looking forward, there is much to do to ensure healthy and sustainable native reptile and amphibian populations in Alberta. The AARC will continue to work to raise awareness of the importance of these fascinating creatures. Reach out to the AARC to learn more and get involved.
The Alberta Mycological Society is offering two interesting and unique events this summer:
1. Their annual City of Champignons Wild Mushroom Exposition on August 19 in Spruce Grove. This “wildly” popular event will help you identify, learn, forage, taste and enjoy wild mushrooms. View specimens of wild mushrooms and bring your own fungi for identification. Check out scientific displays, photos, field guides, cookbooks and much more. Get all the details.
2. The Great Alberta Mushroom Foray from August 31 to September 3 in Hinton. Join your fellow fungi-seekers for an amazing weekend of mushrooming with a world class faculty/experts in the field of mycology. For more information, the complete schedule and registration information visit the Society’s website.
Nature Alberta is proud to support our member naturalist clubs across the province. These clubs provide opportunities for Albertans to experience and explore nature in communities around Alberta. Individuals from these clubs serve Nature Alberta in many ways. They are members on the Nature Alberta Board of Directors, committee members on various ad hoc committees, volunteers at various Nature Alberta fundraisers, participants in Nature Alberta events and programs, and much more. In this regular feature, we introduce you to our current member clubs, giving you an opportunity to get to know more about the organizations and people who make Nature Alberta special.
Based in Stettler, the Buffalo Lake Nature Club (BLNC) was formed in 1973 when a group of naturalists came together with a shared vision of conserving natural areas, native plants and wildlife. Fast forward to today and they remain a strong, membership-based organization offering dozens of workshops, nature walks and conservation programs every year. BLNC is also one of the founding members of Nature Alberta and it has remained a member club for over 40 years.
“I think it’s really important for groups and people to feel connected,” explains Chris Pfeifle, current President of the BLNC Board of Directors. “Being a member of Nature Alberta helps us stay connected to the larger nature community. This keeps us inspired and allows for the sharing of knowledge and resources with fellow naturalists.”
The club encourages people in their community to increase their knowledge and appreciation of natural history by offering a wide variety of educational and outdoor opportunities. BLNC hosts a score of activities which include monthly meetings (featuring guest speakers, authors and experts), educational nature walks and citizen science events such as the Christmas Bird Count, nocturnal owl count and grouse count. In the coming months they have several opportunities for nature enthusiasts including a spring species count, a nature walk at JJ Collett Nature Area, a presentation by the Alberta Lake Management Society and much more.
“I got involved with the Buffalo Lake Nature Club because of my interest in nature, an enjoyment of being outside – camping and canoeing,” says Chris. “By joining the BLNC, and meeting like-minded people, I discovered a keen interest in birding, which further encouraged me to get outdoors and has expanded my appreciation of Alberta’s wilderness.”
In addition to all that they currently offer, as they look to the future, the BLNC wishes to become more actively involved in the Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) Program. Nature Alberta is the provincial coordinator of this global conservation effort and provides support and resources to nature clubs and volunteers who steward these important areas.
“A designated IBA, Ewing/Erskine Lake is a beautiful place,” offers Chris. “We’d like to be more diligent caretakers of this important natural resource.”
BLNC also believes it is critical to engage youth in nature and teach them at an early age why it’s important to protect and conserve our environment. So, to foster the interest of young people in the community, they are looking at setting up a Nature Kids chapter in the area.
For a complete list of coming events and activities, to learn more and to connect with them, visit the BLNC’s website.
The current Board of Directors of the Buffalo Lake Nature Club.
BLNC members following the 2017 Christmas Bird Count.
Nature Alberta is a community connected by a love of nature. Our member clubs are a big part of that collective community. Here are the top 10 things Nature Alberta does to help support our member clubs:
Do you have feedback on ways NA can support you, our member clubs? Let us know; we’d love to hear from you; email us at communications@naturealberta.ca
Nature Alberta was formed in 1970 when the leaders of six local natural history clubs joined together to create a provincial federation of naturalists – Nature Alberta (formerly known as the Federation of Alberta Naturalists). We are grateful to those original six for their wisdom and insight which brought nature clubs from across the province together under one common umbrella and established the foundation for what we have become.
Today we are proud to call nearly 40 naturalist clubs our members. Individuals from the various clubs serve Nature Alberta in many ways. They are members on the Nature Alberta Board of Directors, committee members on various ad hoc committees, volunteers at various Nature Alberta fundraisers, participants in Nature Alberta events and programs, and much more.
In this regular feature, we introduce you to our current member clubs, giving you an opportunity to get to know more about the organizations and people who make Nature Alberta special.
If you live in YYC and area, and are interested in exploring nature, observing wildlife and advocating for conservation, we invite you to read on about all that our long-time member club, Nature Calgary, has to offer.
Calgary is Alberta’s largest city. Within this bustling urban area is an abundance of beautiful nature including mountains, wildlife and those endless Alberta-blue skies. Amidst all of this, Nature Calgary is hard at work connecting the many urbanites living in Calgary with the lovely environment that surrounds them, and advocating for the preservation of natural areas within Calgary.
“In cities it’s really easy to forget that we are part of nature. We live in buildings and we drive cars and we stare at screens and it gets harder and harder to identify with a duck or a ground squirrel,” shares John McFaul, President of Nature Calgary. “But through clubs like Nature Calgary, we reconnect people with nature and we also connect with each other through nature.”
Plan to attend Nature Calgary’s fall banquet.
There seems to be no limit to what Nature Calgary offers their community. From Speaker Series to Bird Study Groups, and Botany Groups to exciting field trips, the events and activities Nature Calgary offers are almost endless. “We always have awesome field trips with incredibly knowledgeable leaders,” explains John. “I’m personally excited about an October 29 trip that will be led by one of our gull experts, and November 4 is our , featuring guest speaker Chic Scott.”
Sandra Mills, a member of Nature Calgary, says the club’s membership is so knowledgeable and very generous with that knowledge. “Each time I go on a field trip or to a meeting I learn so much. And I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for the incredible natural areas that are right in our own backyard.”
Please visit Nature Calgary to learn more about upcoming programs and activities that you can participate in.
Why do you think Nature Calgary and other naturalist clubs are important in a community?
Sandra: Nature Calgary is a living record of our parks and natural areas. Our members spend hours upon hours in these sacred spaces in our city, paying attention to nature and this has a lot of implications. First of all, it allows other people to discover those things as well since passionate people are always happy to share what they’re passionate about. Secondly, it means that we have a lot of first-hand knowledge available to us when those things are threatened. For example, in Calgary we are currently seeing our most biodiverse area, the Weaselhead, damaged by the construction of the South West Calgary Ring Road. The river is being diverted and wetlands are being filled in. People who spend time appreciating an area like this, and the magic it represents, understand that this damage is irreversible. This is a negative example, but a club like Nature Calgary is incredibly well-equipped to provide guidance, information and even opposition when we see instances such as this.
John: Nature Calgary is dedicated to the study, appreciation and preservation of our natural world. We have spent many decades promoting the protection of Calgary’s natural areas and in 2016, the club received an honourable mention at the Calgary Awards in the category of Environmental Achievement.
Nature Alberta was formed in 1970 when the leaders of six local natural history clubs joined together to create a provincial federation of naturalists – Nature Alberta (formerly known as the Federation of Alberta Naturalists). We are grateful to those original six for their wisdom and insight which brought nature clubs from across the province together under one common umbrella and established the foundation for what we have become.
Today we are proud to call nearly 40 naturalist clubs our members. Individuals from the various clubs serve Nature Alberta in many ways. They are members on the Nature Alberta Board of Directors, committee members on various ad hoc committees, volunteers at various Nature Alberta fundraisers, participants in Nature Alberta events and programs, and much more.
In this regular feature, we introduce you to our current member clubs, giving you an opportunity to get to know more about the organizations and people who make Nature Alberta special.
The Alberta Native Plant Council (ANPC) is a dedicated group of volunteers who work to educate individuals, industry, and government about native plants, encourage appropriate use of Alberta’s native plants and preserve natural habitats and plant communities. Nature Alberta is proud to have the ANPC as a member club.
With Alberta’s large mammals and imposing mountains, it may be easy to overlook the beautiful and dazzling world of plants. But the ANPC works hard to ensure Albertans have the tools and resources available to learn more about and appreciate Alberta’s native flora.
The ANPC hosts field trips, offers small-scale grants, conducts conservation projects and is active in education via their newsletters, publications, plant study groups and workshops. All of this helps to achieve their mission of encouraging stewardship of Alberta’s native plants. Please visit their website to learn more, apply for a grant, volunteer or browse their resources.
The ANPC is in the process of updating their Rare Vascular Plants of Alberta publication. If you’re an avid botanist, naturalist or photographer and have plant photos to share, please visit the ANPC website for more information and instructions on how to participate.
Photo credit D. Schlemko.
