Conservation Blog
Making Citizen Science Count
BY RICHARD SCHNEIDER
As naturalists, we love to watch wildlife, but if we want wild species to remain viable we need to actively contribute to their conservation.
Chinese Mystery Snails in Alberta
Non-native Chinese mystery snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis), first introduced to North America in the 1890s through food markets in San Francisco, was officially sighted in McGregor Lake Reservoir, near the village of Milo in southern Alberta in 2019.
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Sand 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.
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Trails Act Heading in the Wrong Direction
The UCP government has proposed legislation to govern trails on public land in Alberta.
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Space: A Frontier No Longer?
BY LORNE FITCH
Outer space may still be a frontier, but the space we call wilderness is getting increasingly crowded. The refrain I hear, from people who remember the Eastern Slopes from a previous era, echoes Yogi Berra’s enigmatic statement that “No one goes there, it’s too crowded.” I know I’m reluctant to visit there now, based on my memories of a place much quieter, with less traffic and fewer people.
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What Happened to the Northern Leopard Frog?
BY LAURA SOUTHWELL
The northern leopard frog is an iconic amphibian, likely the very image that comes to mind when you hear the word “frog.” This once ubiquitous resident of prairie wetlands has faced an ongoing struggle against a changing and increasingly human-centric environment.
Deadly Highway: Road and Rail Fatalities are Decimating Jasper Park’s Wildlife
BY DICK DEKKER
Protected from hunting year-round, Jasper’s elk have lost their fear of humans, and tend to concentrate along highways and in the townsite. There are two main reasons for this: they are attracted by grassy clearings, and there are fewer wolves here than in the backcountry. However, the elk’s anti-predator strategy of staying near human habituation increases the risk of colliding with vehicles and trains.
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Wolverines and coyotes competing for space in Rocky Mountains: New research reveals how industrial disturbances contribute to at-risk wolverine declines
For every unit increase in linear features, wolverines and coyotes were 3 times more likely to co-occur.
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When Bison Fly
BY WES OLSON
Wes Olson worked as a National Park Warden for Parks Canada for over three decades, and … had the rare opportunity to see bison fly — albeit by airplane and helicopter.
Coal 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.
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