News
December 2011
Deadline for South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP) Comments Extended
You now have until April 30, 2012 to fill out the phase 2 SSRP workbook.You can also provide your input at stakeholder and pulbic sessions to be held throughout the region in February-March 2012. The extended workbook deadline recognizes that the government’s task force on property rights is meeting with stakeholders this month and will conduct open houses in January to listen to Albertan’s property rights concerns.
Read the news release ...
Find the workbook online....
Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association Annual General Meeting - December 6, 2011
WBRA will be holding our annual general meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. The meeting will be held at the Waterton Lakes National Park Resource Conservation Boardroom beginning at 7:00 pm. We will be providing an update on the projects we have been working on and hope that you will join us immediately following the meeting for refreshments and an opportunity for further discussion. For directions or futher information and to RSVP, contact Nora Manners. We hope to see you there.
South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP) Comments Due This Month
Just a reminder that your comments on the SSRP are due by December 19, 2011. This is your opportunity to provide feedback on the recommendations made by the Regional Advisory Council to address issues like water supply, conservation needs, and economic development in our region. For those of you in the Cardston area, the Chief Mountain Landowners Information Network will be providing some background information by presenting the results of the Chief Mountain Cumulative Effects Study on the evening of December 1, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the Tanner Senior Centre in Cardston. SSRP information and workbooks will also be available, or you can find the workbook online .... Please take this opportunity to provide your input.
November 2011
Southern Foothills Community Stewardship Initiative Report Released
Values and Voices is the report of the Southern Foothills Community Stewardship Initiative, a public engagement process led by the Pekisko Group and the Chinook Institute for Community Stewardship, to give voice to the values and priorities of local people for maintaining healthy ecosystems and watersheds in southwest Alberta.
Read the report....
International Day for Biosphere Reserves - November 3, 2011
On the occasion of its 40th birthday, the Man and Biosphere programme (MAB) and the World Network of Biosphere Reserves are happy to celebrate 3 November 2011 as the International Day for Biosphere Reserves.
Find out more...
October 2011
Foothills Restoration Forum Fall InformationSession - October 6, 2011
The Foothills Restoration Forum’s 5th Annual Fall Information Session will be held on Thursday, October 6th, 2011 at the Cowley Hall, in the Village of Cowley, AB. The Theme for this year's Fall Forum is: “Developing practical solutions to reduce industrial disturbance in native grasslands”. Incorporating local knowledge of the climate and landscape, with new technology, innovative construction and reclamation techniques to reduce industrial footprint. Cost for the day’s event is $20.00 per person which includes lunch, our ‘traditional’ cinnamon rolls and plenty of opportunity to visit while sharing information and experiences. Presentations and Discussion will be from 9:30am until 4:00pm.
Find out more about the Information Session or Visit the Foothills Restoration Forum webiste.
Nature Conservancy of Canada and Cows and Fish - Riparian Tour - October 5, 2011
NCC and Cows and Fish are co-hosting at tour of riparian fencing and off-site watering projects designed to enhance watershed and livestock management on October 5, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 pm. The tour will be followed by complimentary lunch and presentations at The Weston Family Conservation Centre (Waterton Springs Campground). Please RSVP by Friday, September 30th to Anne Stevick 403-627-5876; anne.stevick@natureconservancy.ca.
Find out more....
September 2011
Drywood Yarrow Conservation Partnership Riparian Education Day - September 20, 2011
Almost 100 local students from Matthew Halton, Livingstone, and Hillspring schools enjoyed a wonderful fall day along the shores of the Drywood Creek. Thanks to the work of Tony Bruder and the Drywood Yarrow Conservation Partnership (DYCP), the students spent the day learning about riparian ecosystems and experiencing them firsthand. Students rotated through a series of five stations staffed by knowledgeable representatives from Trout Unlimited (electro fishing & species identification), Cows and Fish (riparian plant identification), Multi SAR / Alberta Conservation Association (multiple species at risk & riparian animal identification), Parks Canada (amphibians ecology & identification), and Alberta Bear Smart (large carnivore identification, behaviour & safety). Shell Canada also contributed funds to support the cost of bussing students.
August 2011
OWC Research and Monitoring Project Directory launched.
The Oldman Watershed Science Team has announced the launch of a new Research and Monitoring Project Directory! This directory summarizes water-related research and monitoring projects currently being conducted in the Oldman watershed. It is limited to surface water at this time.
Visit the directory...
Cooperative Weed Control at Waterton Springs & Waterton Lakes National Park
We would like to invite interested volunteers to join members of the South West Alberta Cooperative Weed Management Area for a community weed pull on Thursday, August 11, 2011. We will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Weston Family Conservation Centre in the Waterton Springs Campground located just north of Waterton Lakes National Park on Highway 6. Part of the day will be spent working in the Waterton Springs Campground area and then we'll move to Waterton Lakes National Park to work in the afternoon. Lunch will be provided by the Waterton Biosphere Reserve. Bring clothing for the outdoors, water, sun screen, a hat, and garden gloves if you have them. For more information or to confirm your attendance (for lunch), please contact Nora Manners at info@watertonbiosphere.com or David Musto at 403-859-2702 or david.musto@pc.gc.ca.
July 2011
Canada will host the international meeting of the European and North American biosphere reserves in 2013.
UNESCO has selected Canada to hold the biennial EuroMAB conference in 2013. The conference will be held at the Réserve mondiale de la biosphère de Charlevoix in Quebec.
Read the press release....
Weed Pull at Westcastle Wetlands
The Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition (CCWC) and Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation will be hosting a public weed pull at the Westcastle Wetlands Ecological Reserve on July 28, 2011. Meet at 9:00 am at the Castle Mountain Ski Hill Parking Lot. Wind up at 4:30 p.m. with a prize draw and BBQ at the T-Bar Pub. For more information and to volunteer for this event contact Wendy Ryan with the CCWC at 403-627-4106 or Heidi Eijgel with Alberta Parks at 403-627-1152.
Find out more ...
A Review of Compensation Programs for Livestock in Southwestern Alberta
A report presenting a review of programs for compensating producers for livestock losses to large carnivores has been added to the Resources page. This report, completed by the Miistakis Institute, summarizes current compensation programs in Alberta and neighboring provinces, presents a literature review of programs around the world, and summarizes the results of the Carnivores and Communities in Waterton Biosphere Reserve landowner survey pertinent to compensation programs.
Read the report...
The Waterton Lakes National Park Knapweed Rodeo
Parks Canada invites volunteers to participate in the annual Knapweed Rodeo on July 22 & 23, 2011. No experience necessary, just a willingness to help pick and bag knapweed. Sign up in advance and get a FREE day entry into Waterton Lakes National Park. Volunteer for a half-day shift (or longer!). Great for families. PRIZES for Rodeo events.
For more information about the Knapweed Rodeo, email David Musto or phone (403) 859-2702.
For more information about knapweed...
January to June 2011
Click here for the January to June 2011 news archive
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| Photo by Kim Pearson |