Renewable Energy: Proceed But With Caution

The Alberta government recently put a pause on renewable energy projects, exposing critical gaps in our system of land-use planning. Nature Alberta strongly supports efforts to reduce carbon emissions through increased renewable energy development. But we need to do a better job of planning renewable energy projects and where they are placed on the landscape.

Read More

Hiding in Plain Sight: The Legacy of Fossil Fuel Industry Disturbances

The soil at this chronic crude oil spill contained an astonishing 21% oil, yet numerous plants persisted, among them: foxtail barley, alsike clover, reed canary grass, common horsetail, scentless chamomile, common plantain, and smooth perennial sow-thistle (58°55’03” N, 118°56’04” W). KEVIN TIMONEY

BY KEVIN P. TIMONEY

The legacy of fossil fuel landscape disturbance is pervasive in Alberta. Municipalities and individual homeowners are finding themselves living alongside contaminated sites, which at first glance may have appeared nice and green. Learn to spot the signs of contamination…

Read More

Survival Against the Odds: Alberta’s Half-moon Hairstreak Butterfly

BY BENNY ACORN

Waterton Lakes National Park is truly one of the most remarkable areas in all of Alberta, where natural beauty is partnered with rich and unique biological diversity. Although you would not expect it, the story of one of Alberta’s rarest insects begins here, under the late-winter snow. This is a story of unexpected alliances, remarkable specialization, and perseverance in the face of catastrophic adversity, and it all takes place on the Blakiston Fan.

Read More

Freedom to Roam

BY RICHARD SCHNEIDER

What if people were allowed to walk through and explore undeveloped landscapes wherever and whenever they chose? And what if this was considered a basic human right with deep cultural roots and wide public support?

Read More

Botanical Treasures in McClelland

A collection of rare plant species, presented by the Alberta Native Plant Council have been curated, in a heightened effort to create awareness among the communities across Alberta and beyond regarding the ecological significance of the McClelland Lake watershed.

Read More

Don’t Mine McClelland

Photo Credit: C. Wearmouth

BY PHILLIP MEINTZER

The McClelland Lake Wetland Complex, dominated by peatlands, and features a beautiful and provincially significant patterned fen, is one of Alberta’s greatest, but also lesser-known natural treasures—one that’s at risk of destruction.

Read More