May 2009 Bulletin
April 20 to May 10, 2009 2nd Annual City-Wide Coulee Clean-Up, Lethbridge, AB
The Nature Centre in Lethbridge is proud to announce the clean-up event, sponsored by BFI and Pratt & Whitney Canada. If you would like to participate in this year’s clean-up initiative, please call or email the Helen Schuler Nature Centre hscc@lethbridge.ca to get involved! New to the program this year are a number of drop-in times for you to join in. Coulee clean-up dates.
May 1 – 3, 2009 Water and Wellness: Community Connections for Water and Health. Pigeon Lake/Edmonton area
Are you interested in exploring the connection between public, personal and environmental health? Waterlution – A Water Learning Experience presents a two-day residential workshop, Water and Wellness: Community Connections for Water and Health, focused on providing a forum for interdisciplinary dialogue for young professionals and students (ages 20-35). Cost: only $40 for entire weekend. More info: www.waterlution.org.
May 2, 2009 “Picture the Wild” Calgary, AB.
Join CPAWS 5:30pm – 8:30pm as we celebrate the winners of our 10th annual Capture the Wild wilderness photography contest. We will also be honouring the recipient of the Phil Lulman Volunteer Award. Room 201, Kahanoff Centre 1202 Centre Street SE Calgary, AB Tickets $40. For more information and to order tickets please contact Lindsay Allan: lallan@cpaws.org or call (403) 232-6686. See also the attached notice. Picture the Wild.
May 4, 2009 Bow River Basin Council – Science Forum, Calgary, AB
The Science Forum will be held at the University of Calgary (ICT 122, 9am-3pm). There is no need to RSVP and everyone is welcome. There will be coffee and lunch provided. If you have any questions or would like more information please contact: Mike Murray – Phone: 403.268.4597; Fax:403.268.6931; Email: mike.murray@calgary.ca www.brbc.ab.ca. See attached agenda for details: BRBC Science Forum Agenda.
May 5, 2009 PTAC 5th Annual Spring Water Forum, Calgary, AB
Location: Telus Convention Centre, Macleod Hall A 120 – 9th Avenue SE, Calgary AB www.springwaterforum.com.
May 6-8, 2009 Applied Biology Conference, Victoria, BC.
The APB is pleased to offer on line registration at www.apbbc.bc.ca/registrations/ for anyone wanting to attend the conference. Registration will remain open until the end of the day on May 1st. All pre and post sessions will be held at the AAB Conference venue, the Delta Ocean Pointe in Victoria.
May 7 – 8, 2009 Gaining Ground: Sustainable Urban Development Leadership Summits (theme Energy and the Future of Calgary)
Any realistic conversation about the future of Calgary is really a conversation about the changing North American energy ‘landscape’—its sources, supplies and costs; and the ways in which a changing energy future may directly impact Calgary. Led by speakers who study energy in the context of urban planning and development, and thought leaders who can frame energy concerns in terms of opportunities and challenges, this conference is planned as a region-wide conversation about the Calgary future. The conference has lessons for every city, large and small. It’s a conversation that every city and urban region needs to have, and it’s relevant to a wide range of constituent interests. Please visit the Gaining Ground Summit website for more details. Please see the attached poster Gaining Ground 2009.
May 11 – 14, 2009 5th National Conference for Non Point Source & Stormwater Outreach, Portland, Oregon
Visit www.epa.gov/nps/outreach2009 for more information.
May 12, 2009 AWC Open House Edmonton, AB
I am very pleased to invite you to the Alberta Water Council office for refreshments and snacks anytime between 2:30 and 4:00 on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. Kindly RSVP (attendance only) by May 8th to Jennifer at 780-644-7376 or email: j.beepat@awchome.ca.
Please have a look at the attached invitation. AWC Open House May 12.
May 13, 2009 2nd Annual Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership AGM and Launch of LID criteria, Red Deer, AB
The ALIDP is pleased to announce their 2nd Annual General Meeting and launch of LID Criteria for Alberta. They are also seeking nominees to run for the Board of Directors. Please visit www.alidp.org for more details.
See the attachments AGM poster and
alidp nominees poster.
May 14, 2009 The Law of Environmental Impact Assessment seminar, Calgary AB
This one-day seminar is designed to provide a survey of the law of environmental impact assessment (EIA). The focus will be on the federal environmental assessment regime, while also covering the interaction between the federal, provincial, and other regimes. This seminar is open to professionals in a myriad of fields who may be interested in EIA and/or related issues. For more details on the upcoming conference and seminar visit www.law.ucalgary.ca/research/conferences to check out the respective programs. You can register online today at http://netcommunity.ucalgary.ca/law.
May 14-15, 2009 Fostering Sustainable Behaviour Workshops, Calgary AB
Doug McKenzie-Mohr will be delivering introductory and advanced Fostering Sustainable Behaviour workshops in Calgary. Please note that these sessions are the only workshops planned for this region until the spring of 2010. See link for a detailed description of the two workshops as well as an online registration form for these sessions. Registration closes on May 11th, but it is likely that the workshops will fill before that date. Online Registration: https://register.cbsm.com/workshops/?site=Calgary.
May 16th, 2009 Rosebud River Watershed Partners Rockyford Urban Xeriscape Site – Plant Dig, Rockyford AB
Bring a shovel, plant containers and notepad to jot down planting suggestions. Hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch! 10am – 3pm.135 3rd Ave. East, Rockyford, AB. Raspberries, yellow tea rose, mini pinks, Maltese Cross, Pincushion and more. To Pre-register: Call Claudette 403-533-0008. Call early because last time many people missed this opportunity. Watch for more info on www.umbel.ca/events.
May 20 & 21, 2009 International Water Law Conference at the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary Faculty of Law is pleased to announce an international conference entitled “Critical Intersections for Energy & Water Law: New Challenges and Opportunities”. This conference is co-hosted by Pacific McGeorge School of Law (Sacramento, California), together with their partners from the Tsinghua University (Beijing, China), and the UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy Science, University of Dundee (United Kingdom). The intent is to bring legal academics, practitioners, business leaders, and regulatory officials to a multi-national conference exploring the vital role that law plays in promoting sustainable development and use of both energy and water. For more details on the upcoming conference and seminar visit www.law.ucalgary.ca/research/conferences to check out the respective programs. You can register online today at http://netcommunity.ucalgary.ca/law.
May 20 – 22, 2009 Pathways to Sustainability 2009, Cochrane, AB
You are invited to join with Albertans from all corners of the province for a lively, interactive conference that will give you hands-on experience with municipal sustainability planning. Anchored in the Alberta Urban Municipal Associations acclaimed Municipal Sustainability Planning process, the conference has been designed to help you build the understanding, acquire the tools, and develop the relationships your community needs to create a successful pathway to sustainability. Featuring keynote speakers Preston Manning, Mark Anielski, and Don Hill, we will also have workshops in each of the five realms of sustainability – social, economic, environmental, cultural and governance – and a Pathways Marketplace, all conference events will be facilitated by people who are actively involved with, and understand, the needs of our municipalities.
For more information and to register, please visit www.pathways2sustainability.ca or contact Lisa Fox (Conference Coordinator) at 403-932-4548 or lisafox@telus.net.
May 20-22, 2009 BC Land Summit, Whistler, BC
Built around the theme “A Better Future: Adapting to Change” the conference will be of particular interest to biologists in the province. Plenary speakers such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Sherry Kafka Wagner, Thomas Berger, and Dr. Richard Hebda and 64 concurrent sessions will provide interesting and provocative professional development opportunities for all professionals in diverse land-related fields.
Take a look at the program at www.bclandsummit.com and register on line.
May 26-27, 2009 Ecological Approach to Invasive Plant Management Revelstoke BC
A two day course presenting an ecological approach to invasive plant management, where vegetation management systems are designed to work with natural successional processes. Class size is limited to 25 people. We expect the course to fill and a wait list will be created. For details and to register, visit www.cmiae.org.
May 28-29, 2009 Conserving Wetlands in British Columbia Revelstoke BC
Conference details and submission guidelines are at www.cmiae.org.
May 29, 2009 ASPB hosts an Introductory Plant ID Workshop, Cochrane, AB
This one-day workshop (9 am to 5 pm) consists of a practical and theoretical introduction to vascular plant identification. Focus is on learning morphology and terminology, and using taxonomic keys and field guides to learn species of a few main plant families in Alberta. This course is designed for people with little or no plant identification experience, and for those who want to refresh their taxonomy and terminology. Registration includes pizza, refreshments, and manuals. Sign up early as previous workshops have filled very quickly. For more information contact Laurie Hamilton at laurie@zanshinenvironmental.com. Registration is available at the On-line Store at www.aspb.ab.ca. Registration & Payment deadline May 22, 2009. See attached ad for more details. ASPB Plant ID Workshop.
May 30th, 2009 ASPB Presents a Walk in the Park, Calgary AB
Bird Walk in Bowmont Natural Environment Park Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm with Horst Grothman. Everyone is welcome to attend. Bring your lunch!
Be sure to check the ASPB website for more details www.aspb.ab.ca.
May 31, 2009 ASPB Dues payment deadline.
Please note if dues are not paid by this date, your membership will be struck. Visit www.aspb.ab.ca to renew your membership online.
May 31 – June 6, 2009 Environment Week
This year, the theme is Your Action Counts! Land: Connect, Protect, Conserve. Environment Week provides opportunities for Albertans to become better-informed stewards and to adopt more responsible actions. Make your event an official Environment Week Green Stop event that educates, empowers and engages the public. For more information, visit www.environment.gov.ab.ca/edu/eweek/index.asp.
News Releases
Sustainable Resource Development Minister Ted Morton introduced Bill 36, the Alberta Land Stewardship Act.
The proposed Act provides the legislative foundation for regional planning, a key priority in the Land-use Framework. In addition, it supports the use of a cumulative effects management approach and enables the development and use of a range of conservation and stewardship tools.
If you would like more information on the Alberta Land Stewardship Act or the Land-use Framework, please visit www.landuse.alberta.ca or contact Dave Bartesko at dave.bartesko@gov.ab.ca. See ALSA attachments for further information and for dates and locations for Open Houses
ALSA Backgrounder Consequential amendments,
ALSA Backgrounder Conservation Tools,
ALSA Backgrounder Consultations,
Open Houses,
ALSA Backgrounder Regional Plans, ALSA Public Questions and Answers.
Cindy Ady, Minister of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce the release of Alberta’s Plan for Parks.
The development of the Plan for Parks has been a collaborative effort with important involvement from Aboriginal communities, stakeholder organizations, park visitors, government officials and staff. The result is a plan that will change the way Alberta’s parks are managed, as Albertans will be encouraged to become more involved in the provincial parks system.
Aligned with the province’s Land-use Framework, the Plan for Parks introduces priority actions and a framework for decision-making to achieve the following vision for provincial parks over the next ten years:
Alberta’s parks inspire people to discover, value, protect and enjoy the natural world and the benefits it provides for current and future generations.
The Plan for Parks is intended to be a blueprint to guide decisions for managing parks and achieving this vision. A copy of the Plan for Parks is available online, along with additional information, at www.tpr.alberta.ca/parks/P4P.
Alberta Environment has just released the Environmental Site Assessment Repository (ESAR) web application www.esar.alberta.ca
ESAR is an online, searchable database that provides scientific and technical information about the quality of soil and groundwater on assessed sites throughout Alberta. Land developers, realtors, environmental consultants, municipalities and other stakeholders can now access files freely that were formerly available only through a Freedom of Information request. This system will provide more information and decision making capability in the hands of the individuals and companies making decisions on land transactions and land development. ESAR was built in conjunction with Service Alberta, using the Land Titles SPIN 2 system for the map search function. Questions or comments on the system can be directed to ESAR-Support@gov.ab.ca.
Alberta Water Council – Watershed Management Planning Framework Release
The Council’s final recommendations are contained in the two reports below, which are now available on online at www.awchome.ca.
- Strengthening Partnerships: A Shared Governance Framework for Water for Life Collaborative Partnerships
- Recommendations for a Watershed Management Planning Framework for Alberta
The Alberta WaterPortal
The Alberta WaterPortal enables free and open source access for the sharing of information and knowledge on ground and surface water conditions, water management innovations, best practices, news and research, and conservation programs. We believe that information and knowledge about our water resources is the foundation for engaging sustainable development and effective decision making.
Visit the site Alberta Water Portal News, Facts & Insight Links and stay informed http://albertawater.com.
The Milk River Watershed Council Canada has hired a new Administrative Coordinator.
Please welcome Gayna Welsh to her new position. One of Gayna’s first duties is to establish our new office that has opened in Milk River. We are excited to have such a presence in Town.
Alberta Ecotrust Launches New Website
On Earth Day (April 22) Alberta Ecotrust completed a “soft” launch of its new website! The new site not only better reflects current priorities and identity, but it aims to improve your experience through streamlined navigation and functionality. Visit www.albertaecotrust.com/
“We value the feedback of our stakeholders and partners, so please let us know what you think of the graphics, content and layout. The Ecotrust staff is available at any time if you have questions or comments.” Pat Letizia, Executive Director.
Looking Ahead to June
June 1 – 3, 2009-ALBERTA WATER LEARNING NETWORK
This inaugural meeting will convene senior water NGO leaders from across the province to learn, reflect and build peer networks. The theme of this Learning Network is resource capacity. The program will draw heavily on the experience and knowledge of the participants as well as provide training on fundraising (Ken Wyman), various thinking tools (facilitator Dr. Charlotte Young), an evening speaker (Andrew Nikiforuk) and panelists (RBC, Max Bell Foundation, TD, Alberta Ecotrust) to develop a collective understanding about this complex issue. The program addresses the unique circumstances and perspectives of the environmental community. A key requisite of the program is nesting the learning back into the culture and practice of participating organizations. http://sustainabilitynetwork.ca/
Please see the attached notice for more information: Alberta Water Learning Network June 1-3.
June 2, 2009 Mountain Pine Beetle and Water Management Workshop Kelowna BC
FORREX Forum for Research and Extension in Natural Resources and the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition (SIBAC) are pleased to announce that registration is now open.
- Registration Link: http://www.eplyevents.com/watershed-workshops.
- Workshop Details: http://www.forrex.org/program/water/mpb_water_management.asp.
June 5, 2009 Alberta Water Quality Awareness (AWQA) Day
To order your free water quality test kit, visit: www.awqa.ca For more information, email info@awqa.ca or call 780.702.ALMS.