Nature Alberta Magazine Nature Alberta members receive Nature Alberta Magazine. This popular quarterly magazine is published in Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Deadlines for contributions are February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30 respectively. The Editor may edit for length and format and reserves the right to accept or reject any article, to send manuscripts for external review, and to require authors to revise articles prior to their publication. Full article and photograph submission guidelines are available. Nature Alberta does not reimburse nor pay a fee to authors for their contributions. Contributors may submit electronic manuscripts by e-mail to na@naturealberta.ca (please include “Nature Alberta” in the subject line). Nature Alberta eNews Every two months, Nature Alberta releases an electronic newsletter which includes updates on NA projects as well as activities and events around the province. If you have a story or photo you would like to share with other naturalists in Alberta email communications@naturealberta.ca (please include eNews in the subject line).
Support Bird Studies Canada and raise funds for bird conservation by taking part in the Baillie Bird-a-thon! During a 24-hour period in May, sponsored individuals or teams attempt to find as many bird species as they can. Proceeds go to Bird Studies Canada and other organizations for bird research and conservation. This is one of the oldest sponsored bird count in North America: more than 7,000 people from across Canada (and from several countries around the world) participate in and/or sponsor the event every year.
The 2012 Loran L. Goulden Award was presented to Cherry Dodd on Saturday, April 27, 2013. Nature Alberta is proud to recognize her many contributions to native plant conservation and education in the Edmonton Area. Cherry helped found the Edmonton Plant Naturalization Group in the early 2000s. She uses her passion for gardening and native plants to educate the public, rescue native plants from urban development and promote the conservation of native habitat within the city. Congratulations Cherry Dodd! Nature Alberta Remembers Loran L. Golden The Loran L. Goulden Memorial Award is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to natural history in Alberta. Loran L. Goulden was an example of the important role amateurs can play in the natural sciences. Loran first gained notice when he expressed concerns about conservation of the Suffield area and national parks in Alberta. However, his main natural history focus was to develop his knowledge of birds and ornithology. Loran devoted himself to studying Alberta birds in the field and in publications. In short order, he became so knowledgeable of this topic that he was conducting bird censuses and coordinating others in the study of natural history. He wrote extensively about Alberta birds in natural history periodicals. In addition, Loran played a leadership role in nature Alberta, the Edmonton Natural History Club and the Edmonton Bird Club. His enthusiasm and his willingness to share his knowledge through talks and writing motivated fellow naturalists. Learn more about Nature Alberta’s awards and scholarships.
Congratulations Wayne Kinsella! The 2012 Frank and Alice Harper Award was presented Saturday, April 27 to Wayne Kinsella in recognition for his many contributions to the Buffalo Lake Naturalists. In addition to serving as both President and Vice-president in the 1990s, Wayne has taken a lead role in organizing and compiling bird and plant counts and supporting stewardship efforts at the Buffalo Lake Conservation site, local Important Bird Areas and the Ellis Bird Farm. We are proud to recognize his many contributions! Nature Alberta Remembers Frank and Alice Harper There are many “unsung heroes” in naturalist groups: those people who give of themselves in carrying out the duties associated with keeping the group on track, active, organized and able to provide the services that are basic to the Club’s continued existence. Frank and Alice Harper were two such naturalists for the Lethbridge Naturalists Society (LNS). In honour of Frank and Alice, and recognizing the vital role that naturalists like them fulfill in all naturalist clubs, Nature Alberta created the annual Frank and Alice Harper Memorial Award. The first Award was presented at the Nature Alberta AGM on April 26 2008. The award recognizes long-term volunteer service to a local Nature Alberta Club working towards the betterment, efficiency, administration, operation and/or fulfillment of the Club’s mandate. Learn more about Nature Alberta’s awards and scholarships.
Create waterfowl habitat by building a nestbox! The Waterfowl Nesting habitat Enhancement project, organized by the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA), engages landowners, conservation groups and other volunteers to install, monitor and maintain artificial nest structures in areas where natural nesting habitat is limited. Alberta cavity-nesters can decline if suitable habitat is not available. For more information about how to build a nestbox for waterfowl, check out ACA’s nestbox guide available at Waterfowl Nesting Habitat Enhancement Project.
Let your inner Citizen Scientist loose! Nature Alberta is pleased to announce a new resource on our website. Under What’s New, check out 100 Things You Can Do for Nature blog! Every week, a new blog will highlight one of the many Citizen Science programs available to Albertans from a variety of organizations in Alberta, Canada and elsewhere. Learn more about how you can get involved in providing valuable citizen science information about Alberta’s wildlife and wild spaces to researchers and resource managers!
Nature Alberta is currently seeking nominations for positions on our Board of Directors. All nominees must be voting members of Nature Alberta. Membership is open to all who share Nature Alberta’s vision and mission. Membership forms are available here.
Long Point Bird Observatory’s Doug Tarry Natural History Fund: Young Ornithologist’ Workshop The Long Point Bird Observatory is looking for keen teen birders to apply for the 2013 Doug Tarry Natural History Fund – Young Ornithologist Workshop to be held from Saturday August 3 to Sunday August 11. Participants will receive hands-on training in field ornithology including bird banding, monitoring, field identification, birding trips, preparing museum specimens, guest lectures, and more! Six of Canada’s most promising ornithologists between the ages of 13-17 will be selected to attend, and will receive the Doug Tarry Bird Study Award to cover all on-site expenses. For those traveling long distances, special grants may also be available to help offset air travel costs. Applications are due April 30, 2013. For more information and an application form, contact us at lpbo@birdscanada.org, or visit www.birdscanada.org/lpbo. 2013 YOW Letter – Announcement
FNN is a project designed by Nature Alberta’s Young Naturalist Club, the Edmonton Science Outreach Network and the City of Edmonton, Community Recreation Services. The purpose of FNN is to connect families with their local natural areas. In July and August of this year, six FNN will be held in natural areas throughout Edmonton. These 2 hour events include information on a specific nature topic, guided nature walk and games or activities. These free events are for everyone regardless of age and are great family events and ways to connect with your community. Take a look for yourself! What do I have to do? Training will be provided. We require site administrators, event promoters and programming assistants. This is a great opportunity to gain experience in program planning, administration and working with youth. Please email your cover letter and resume to Kelsie Sharun at kelsies@naturealberta.ca Family Nature Nights 2013 Volunteers Details.
We recently received this great photo of a rusty blackbird. Tim explains: “This rusty blackbird has been hanging around our feeder here near Michichi, Alberta. I think it might be the same bird that was here late last fall as it retreats to the same roosts when we step out into the yard. I’d be interested in comments on what appears to be the large foot of this bird. Is that typical of the species? Blackbirds in general? Or is it just a quirk in the photo?” Jocelyn Hudon, Ph.D, Curator of Ornithology at the Royal Alberta Museum weighed in with the following information, “this is a winter-plumaged first/ second year Red-winged Blackbird, not a Rusty Blackbird! The small light orange epaulet gives it away.” You can find another one here. Many thanks to both Tim and Joycelyn for sharing their information! We would love to hear your comments too. Do you have a birding experience you would like to share? Please submit photos and information to communications@naturealberta.ca
