Posts by Rick Schneider
Citizen Scientists Come to the Aid of the Tenacious Franklin’s Ground Squirrel
BY GILLIAN CHOW-FRASER AND RICHARD SCHNEIDER
In Alberta, the status of Franklin’s ground squirrel has still not been determined. The provincial government maintains that there is not enough information to say whether the population is stable or imperiled. In the spring of 2022, Nature Alberta initiated a citizen science project to help fill some of the data gaps. The results are presented here.
Read MoreThe View From the Water
Surprisingly for a land-locked province, much of Alberta is only easily accessible by water. Paddling offers views of wildlife, native plants, and spectacular scenery that even backcountry hikers or cyclists don’t get to see.
Read tips for nature-based paddling by well-known educator, Mark Lund.
Read MoreCommon Lichens of Edmonton
Seeing Red Over Red Tape Reduction
BY LORNE FITCH
Founded in political ideology, the provincial government’s current red tape reduction efforts have created a boondoggle of confusion, weakened protections, and, ironically, more red tape. The red tape being “reduced” hobbles land-use protection on public land, the land held in trust for Albertans.
Read MoreSand and Gravel Operations Putting Natural Ecosytems at Risk
The Red Deer River Naturalists Society are concerned that sand and gravel operations in Alberta are increasingly putting Alberta’s natural ecosystems at risk and is calling on the government to resolve deficiencies in the management of these operations.
Read MoreCoal Mining in the Eastern Slopes is not in the public interest: new report
A new report from the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy indicates that coal mining in the Eastern Slopes is not in the public interest. The researchers conclude that the government should consider banning coal mining in the Eastern Slopes.
Read MoreDancing Without a Stage – The State of the Greater Sage-Grouse
BY TIMOTHY SHAPKA
As of 2020, the Alberta population of greater sage-grouse was estimated to be 72 individuals — down from the thousands that were present when we started keeping track in 1968. Timothy Shapka reviews the causes of the decline and what is being done to recover the species.
Read MoreAlberta Environmental Policy Update – July 2021
In this post we examine the changes in Alberta environmental policies that have occurred over the past year.
Read MoreAlberta Parks Face the Loss of Park Interpreters
Alberta Parks may lose most of their park interpreters. Kate Corrigan explains why interpreters matter and why we should keep them.
Read MoreConcerns Regarding a Proposed Irrigation Expansion Project in Southern Alberta
A large-scale project to expand irrigation infrastructure in the South Saskatchewan River Basin has been announced by the government. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the impacts of this project.
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