Abstract Titles Update
This page will be updated as Abstract Titles and Presenters are confirmed. Titles showing "blue" are linked to abstracts and biographies received to date.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Road Map To Your Future Career: Capitalize Today!
Catherine Brownlee
Embracing Reality: Perspectives on Career-Defining Times
Sandra E. Lukas-Amulung
BANQUET SPEAKER: Telling your story: How to take science and make it matter to the general public
Colette Derworiz
A Cost-effective and Systematic Approach to Restoration Work in Calgary
Jenna L. Cross
Using INFFER to Increase Accountability of Resources While Supporting Habitat Protection Decision Making in Alberta
Brian E. Ilnicki
Caribou Management: An Energy Sector Perspective
Scott Grindal
Lean Oil Sand Uncertainty - Managing Heavy Hydrocarbons in the Reclamation Landscape
Vivienne Wilson
Wetlands, Water, and Integrated Resource Management: The Story of Alberta’s Wetland Policy
Thorsten Hebben
Effective Environmental Construction Support: A Lot More than Monitoring and Auditing
Donald Harron
Informing Decision Making: A Quantitative Model to Prioritize Habitat Enhancement
Cory Kremer
Fish and Wildlife Habitat Policy: Updates and opportunities
Dave Stepnisky
Renewable Energy: The Green Machines
Gavin Berg
Professional Practice for Biologists
Greg Sim
How to Stay out of Trouble
Jordan King and Katie Fraser
The ABCs of Transition. What to Expect From the New Democrats
Keith Brownsey
Energy, Climate and Conflict on the News
Conny Davidsen
Innovative Impact Assessment Reporting for Energy and Mining Projects
Randall S. Krichbaum
Best Practice Aquatics Reclamation for Athabasca Oil Sands Mines: Collaboration and Innovation
Théo Charette
Navigating the Regulatory Process
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (speaker TBC)
ABSTRACTS & BIOGRAPHIES
Best Practice Aquatics Reclamation for Athabasca Oil Sands Mines: Collaboration and Innovation
Author & Presenter: Théo Charette
Abstract:
Collaboration and innovation is vital to any industry, but particularly during challenging economic times. It is with this spirit that regional best practices and guidance documents have been developed jointly by oil sands mine operating companies, government and stakeholders. One of these documents, the Guidelines for Wetlands Establishment on Reclaimed Oil Sands Leases (the “Wetlands Guide”), was published at the end of 2014 as a significant update from the previous version. It presents an integrated approach to the planning, design, construction, monitoring, adaptive management, and certification of wetlands. The Wetlands Guide is meant to be the definitive resource for planners, landform design teams, regulators, stakeholders and Aboriginal peoples with respect to reclaimed wetlands in the oil sands region. The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate how ecology and collaboration came together to support closure planning and design.
Biography: Théo Charette. M.Sc., P. Biol. QAES
Théo is an aquatic environmental specialist and co-founder of CPP Environmental who leads the company’s Water Group. In the past 15 years, Théo has focused on aquatic sciences and assessments, reclamation, and watershed management, particularly with the goal of maximizing ecological function in aquatic landforms and watersheds.
Using INFFER to Increase Accountability of Resources While Supporting Habitat Protection Decision Making in Alberta.
Presenter: Brian E. Ilnicki
Abstract:
INFFER is a decision support tool for assessing and prioritizing projects to address diverse environmental issues. The main goal of INFFER is to achieve the highest value for environmental and natural resource outcomes that is possible with the available resources. To learn more about INFFER please visit http://www.landstewardship.org/inffer/.
In recent years, more emphasis has been placed on environmental sustainability and conservation of natural resources. With limited available resources (financial and human) it is becoming more important to be able to prioritize our issues and how we allocate those resources. INFFER has been designed for projects that have a clear focus on protecting or enhancing targeted natural assets and it is structured to apply to issues involving the responsible allocation of public funds.
The Australian government has recognized INFFER as the only verifiable method for funding environmental benefits. LSC is leading the implementation of INFFER in Alberta and western Canada to test INFFER in a variety of applications. While approaches such as cost‐benefit analysis also offer comprehensive examinations of policy options, typically the data requirements and complex technical knowledge required to carry out these analyses means that they are rarely used. INFFER represents a major step forward as it allows all options to be examined simultaneously and realistically assesses those with the most effect on the ground.
The focus of this presentation will be to provide an overview of the INFFER approach and to review some examples of how the tool has been applied in Canada and Australia to support natural resource management decision-making.
Presenter Biography: Brian E. Ilnicki
Brian has spent the past 25 years bringing people together to work on common priorities for achieving sustainability on the landscape and is currently the Executive Director of Nature Alberta and Land Stewardship Centre. Working throughout the diverse landscapes of Alberta, Brian has partnered with individuals, organizations and all levels of government to design and implement conservation and stewardship programs that benefit landowners, land managers and biodiversity.
Lean Oil Sand Uncertainty - Managing Heavy Hydrocarbons in the Reclamation Landscape
Authors: Vivienne R. Wilson, P. Biol., Barb Logan, P.Ag. and Steven Murchison, P.Ag.
Presenter: Vivienne R. Wilson
Abstract:
Grappling with the differences and similarities between naturally-occurring and anthropogenic contaminants has been an ongoing and often perplexing task. Amongst infamous company like toluene, benzene and heavy metals, lean oil sands has proven to be a challenge because of its varying heavy hydrocarbon (F3, F4 and F4G) fractions, that can trigger provincial and CCME limit exceedances. However, are these limits, based on site contamination concerns, appropriate for naturally-occurring heavy hydrocarbons? Although the F4 and F4G components of lean oil sands are anecdotally considered to be inert in overburden and reclamation materials, and therefore unlikely to pose a risk in reclaimed surfaces, the breakdown of long-chain hydrocarbons in LOS may result in leaching and evolution of shorter-chain and volatile products. As the pace of reclamation ramps up in the oil sands, the occurrence of heavy hydrocarbons is becoming a serious concern for suitability of reclamation materials. How this kind of material is managed has implications for the economic, environmental and regulatory context of reclamation activities. We review the behaviour, risks and possible approaches to analysing and managing heavy hydrocarbons from lean oil sands in reclamation materials, using case studies from reclamation and spill situations.
Presenter biography: Vivienne R. Wilson
Vivienne Wilson Ph.D., P.Biol., joined Paragon Soil and Environmental Consulting Inc. in July 2015 as a Principal Environmental Scientist. She has over 18 years of experience in applied reclamation and restoration projects across Canada, Australia, and the United States. As an environmental planning manager and technical specialist, this experience includes low-impact storm water management and riparian restoration, mine and large facility reclamation projects (with a specialization in extreme climate areas), and Coal Seam Gas reclamation. Vivienne has been the technical director and program manager for multi-million dollar budget projects, with a reputation for delivering on-time and on-budget. Vivienne is an expert in innovative reclamation and restoration technologies, including lake, wetland, upland, and compensatory works.
Innovative Impact Assessment Reporting for Energy and Mining Projects
Author and Presenter: Randall S. Krichbaum
Abstract:
During challenging economic times, proponents of development projects attempt to realize efficiencies in all aspects of their operations. And with increased recognition of the importance of the social license to operate, proponents are looking for innovative and efficient techniques to communicate project information to diverse stakeholders. Biologists working on these projects have an important role to play in transmitting the results of their work in succinct and understandable ways.
The methods and results of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) have traditionally been communicated to decision makers and stakeholders using massive multi-volume printed reports. These reports are often highly technical, with page counts ranging into the thousands, making it difficult for the reader to find and understand the critical information being presented. This lack of accessibility can negatively affect the quality of the decision-making process. However, practitioners are now beginning to use innovative methods and technologies to present EIA information. These include using online presentations, hypertext documents, interactive maps, social media, and other technologies to effectively communicate EIA data and increase stakeholder engagement. This presentation discusses current EIA reporting methods in the energy and mining sector, and looks at examples of some new techniques being used to present this information in more accessible formats.
Presenter biography: Randall S. Krichbaum, M.Sc., P. Biol., R.P.Bio.
Mr. Krichbaum is an environmental scientist and president of Eagle Cap Consulting Ltd, a Calgary-based environmental services company. He has over 25 years of experience working on impact assessment projects in North America, with a particular focus on rare and endangered species. His work has involved a wide array of development projects, including hydroelectric, wind power, transmission, oil & gas, mining, forestry, and land development. He holds a Master’s degree in Resources and the Environment from the University of Calgary, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology.
Application of Human and Ecological Risk Assessment Principles to Guide Economic and Environmental Health Based Decision Making at Contaminated Sites in Alberta.
Author and Presenter: Mandy Lee Dumanski, P. Biol.
Abstract:
The AER is now the single regulator of ESRD Policy for energy development in Alberta. Regulation of energy resources covers the full life cycle of historically contaminated sites and proposed developments from application and exploration, to construction and development, and finally abandonment, remediation, and reclamation.
This talk will outline the policies provided by the Provincial Government against which contaminated sites are assessed and the applicability and limitations of human health and ecological risk assessment within this policy. The discussion will specifically address Alberta based risk assessment principles which include a tiered approach from simplistic pathway elimination and/ or modifications to complex site specific risk assessments which incorporate toxicity testing programs and the development of site specific remedial objectives. This dialogue will outline the decision making processes used by regulators to the evaluate recently published receptor and contaminant specific toxicity data, economic implications to site remediation, acceptable levels of risks to human and ecological receptors and how this data may be incorporated into risk assessments at specific sites as well as in the derivation of Provincial Guidelines.
Throughout the presentation case studies presenting human and ecological risk assessments conducted on contaminated sites in Alberta will be used to illustrate the following key concepts; i) defining closure affect site closure options, iii) development of an appropriate conceptual site model in the end land use or post closure scenario (i.e. single receptor exposure vs. multiple receptor exposure at a single trophic levels vs. complex food web exposure model with potential biomagnification of contaminants), iv) evaluating short and long term risk management or on-going monitoring which may be required, and v) the necessity of interpreting the results of the risk assessment with respect to environmental and human health implications.
Presenter Bio: Mandy Lee Dumanski, P. Biol.
Mandy is currently a risk assessment specialist at the Alberta Energy Regulator and Principle Toxicologist of the private consulting firm; Integrated Toxicology Solutions. Over the past decade she has practiced as an air quality specialist, environmental toxicologist, and risk assessor with respect to human and environmental health. She has conducted screening level, preliminary quantitative and detailed risk assessment projects including fate and transport modelling of contaminants in air, surface water, groundwater, soil, and sediment for numerous projects in Western Canada, Northern Canada, Australia, and Africa.
Mandy has developed and implemented risk management plans to mitigate potential human health risks and impacts related to air, soil, surface water, and groundwater impacts from coal mines, oil sands operations, metal mines, sour gas facilities, and other oil and gas infrastructure. She is familiar with Canadian and international human health and ecological risk assessment processes and has developed multimedia and cumulative risk assessment models.
Her thesis work (M.Sc) on the effects of benzene and toluene in wild birds produced an avian-specific inhalation chamber for laboratory studies, as well as contributed to our mechanistic understanding of avian biomarkers for identifying immunotoxicity, cytochrome P450 alterations, endocrine disruption, and neurotoxicity of chemicals in avian species.
Effective Environmental Construction Support: A Lot More than Monitoring and Auditing
Author and Presenter: Donald Harron, P. Biol., R.P.Bio.
Abstract:
“Under-budget and ahead of schedule” are sought after words in any construction update. Historically it is perceived that this can be achieved by compromising environmental performance. Construction managers, however, know that substandard environmental performance presents one of the highest risks to a construction schedule (second only to safety issues), with a high likelihood of resulting in large unanticipated costs regardless of any formal regulatory action. Effective environmental support is a necessary part of any construction program. Firstly, vague mitigative language and license conditions need to be reworked into contractual language involving procedures, specifications and requirements with defined thresholds. Support during contract tendering is needed to ensure that the selected contractor has the capability to implement these environmental measures. Preconstruction schedule planning needs to incorporate the timing constraints of environmental terms and any lag time to obtain any applicable permits. Environmental roles and communication protocols need to be established, not only with respect to incident response and proactive near-miss response, but how environmental status will be determined and reported to the team. Finally construction can begin and needs to expand well beyond a reactive “monitoring and auditing” function (which ensures schedule disruption) to a proactive construction support role that anticipates environmental constraints to maximize the construction schedules ability to incorporate changes a minimal cost. With deadlines measured in minutes to hours, construction environmental support is not for everyone, but it sure is fun.
Presenter Biography: Donald Harron
Don is a biologist with 30 years’ experience and is a professional biologist registered in both BC and Alberta. He has supported a number of mining construction and wind energy projects, and even got to be a “Rocket Scientist” for a while supporting that construction of a “SpacePort” facility in the Canadian sub-arctic. For the last decade Don has been involved in the environmental management of electrical power construction projects involving hydro-dams, wind turbines, substation, transmission and distribution systems. Don currently works as a Program Coordinator overseeing a specialized “Construction Support” group within Amec Foster Wheeler that involves a dozen Environmental Coordinators and over three dozen discipline specialists keeping the wheels turning on over 100 concurrent projects in various states of design/construction.
Informing Decision Making: A Quantitative Model to Prioritize Habitat Enhancement
Authors: Cory S Kremer, M.Sc., P.Biol.; Ian J Samson, BGIS.; Paul M Harper, B.Sc.
Presenter: Cory S Kremer, M.Sc., P.Biol.
Abstract:
As a result of changing economic, social and environmental conditions, biologists are being asked to justify their decisions to ever increasing levels of detail. This presentation provides an overview of a decision making model that provides a transparent and defendable basis for fish habitat enhancement recommendations for several watersheds in Southwestern Alberta. The broad applicability of the approach is then discussed within the context of other disciplines and management scenarios.
Anthropogenic disturbances on the east slopes of Southern Alberta have altered fish habitat and changed the status of fish species (e.g., bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii), etc.). Combined with natural disturbances, such as 2013 floods, Provincial mangers requested a means for identifying priority fish habitat for enhancement. Our team developed a quantitative model to evaluate, score, and rank fish habitat for habitat enhancement. This Evaluation, Scoring, and Ranking Model (ESRM) is an ArcGIS application comprised of over 4,000 lines of code, and two programing languages (R and Python) that utilizes biological, hydrological, socioeconomic and spatial data to calculate a series of metrics. These metrics, in conjunction with user priority inputs, are used to evaluate fish habitat resiliency, sensitivity, and feasibility of potential restoration at the watershed, reach, and habitat unit scales. Fish habitats with poor resiliency, contain sensitive species or habitat features, and are feasibly accessible/restorable are prioritized for enhancement.
The approach used in ESRM is broadly applicable, and can be expanded from fish habitat enhancement to inform fish habitat sampling designs, offsetting projects, or avoidance strategies for development. Furthermore, with modification, this approach could be applied to other systems, including terrestrial systems. Approaches like ESRM, can bridge the gap between value judgment, and the biophysical, spatial, and socioeconomic data available to Biologists, providing a highly transparent and defensible basis for recommendations.
Author Biographies:
Cory S Kremer, M.Sc., P. Biol.
Cory is a Calgary-based fisheries biologist with Stantec Consulting Ltd. Cory completed his M.Sc. in the 2013 on the landscape genetic patterns of Culaea inconstans at the University of Calgary. He joined the ASPB and became a PBiol 2015. Cory is interested in data management, statistical analysis, data visualization and sophisticated programming using the statistical package ‘R’. During the last couple of years, he has had the opportunity to work in fisheries biology on projects across Canada, and has continuously worked to bring more efficient and defensible methods to professional biology. Cory designed and wrote the R components of the Evaluation, Scoring, and Ranking Model (ESRM) for fish habitat enhancement prioritization.
Ian J. Samson, BGIS
Ian Samson is currently a GIS Specialist at Stantec Consulting Ltd. in Calgary. He graduated SAIT Polytechnic in 2011 with Honours from the Bachelors of Applied Technology GIS program. While at SAIT, he worked on a project to map solar potential on rooftops. Since then he has worked on a number of large projects with Stantec Consulting, with an emphasis on three dimensional data, analysis, data management, scripting, and web application development.
Paul M Harper, B.Sc.
Paul is a fisheries biologist with Stantec Consulting Ltd. in Lethbridge. He specializes in fish habitat management, fish passage, and habitat restoration and compensation projects. Prior to his consulting career, Paul assessed the effects of human activity on fish and fish habitat as a regulator at DFO. Paul has worked on numerous projects across the Arctic, Pacific, and Central regions of Canada. He is an active member of fisheries associations, and is currently the President of the Mid-Canada Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, the Publicity Chair of the Wild Trout Symposium, and a lifetime member of Trout Unlimited Canada. Paul worked closely with Cory Kremer in the development of ESRM, and provided many intellectual contributions to its development.
A Cost-effective and Systematic Approach to Restoration Work in Calgary
Presenter: Jenna L. Cross
Abstract:
As a Parks Ecologist with a botany background in Urban Conservation, my role is often focussed on restoration planning for Habitat Management (Operations) and assisting with the review of restoration and landscape plans for the Urban Conservation Parks Ecologists in Planning. There are many components that are often missed in restoration including site preparation and appropriate timing for native species seeding, maintenance and monitoring. In addition, sometimes the question is not asked initially regarding what the ecosystem should be and what is the reference vegetation community that supports that ecosystem. All of these questions may seem onerous but they are essential in habitat restoration work. To aid in this process, and especially for biologists working as contractors for The City of Calgary, the Habitat Restoration Project Framework (Parks 2014) was developed. Although this document is extensive, it does ask the proper questions that one should be thinking about prior to writing a restoration plan. As part of this topic, I have summarized many common mistakes made in restoration plans in order to help other biologists and provide guidance on the details that I generally expect from them.
In addition, restoration often can take many forms but I see a full restoration as covering revegetation from the lowest strata layer upwards. This includes proper soils handling to ensure that soil biota is not compromised, addition of wildflowers in non-connected urban areas and appropriate maintenance for establishment based on the biology of the various species used in the project. Working in an urban environment with biodiversity-rich parks, some of which experience significant edge effects along transportation corridors and/or do not have connectivity to other natural open spaces, was the driver for me to start working with a grower in order to grow Calgary-collected forbs and graminoids. This allows us to preserve the local genetics and harvest seed in mass quantities that is often unavailable at feasible costs. Instead of always hand collecting, we are collecting the bulk of our seed and cleaning the seed using modified agricultural equipment. This serves two purposes; firstly, it allows for proper seed handling and secondly, removal of the pappus and/or awns triggers germination. I noticed that the restoration plans often did not include a wildflower component and the graminoid list was very small so this allows me to add those components into restorations which otherwise may not be as successful and diverse based on the lack of natural succession due to fragmentation.
Presenter Biography:
Ms. Jenna Cross (P. Biol.) is one of the rare born-and-raised Calgarians. From growing up hiking around the beltline with her grandma to working as a Parks Ecologist for The City of Calgary, she has witnessed how population growth has affected Calgary’s green spaces first hand. Jenna started her career in the field performing various botanical surveys, both terrestrial and riparian, for oil and gas and non-profit agencies such as the Nature Conservancy of Canada. In 2009, Jenna started working for The City and is very pleased about being able to make a difference in the parks that initiated her love of biology. Her career has progressed from plant taxonomy work into the more holistic approach of land management, focussing on restoration aimed to conserve and/or increase ecosystem health.
Fish and Wildlife Habitat Policy: Updates and Opportunities
Author/Presenter: Dave Stepnisky, Director, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Policy, Alberta Environment and Parks
Abstract:
The Fish and Wildlife Habitat Policy Section functions within Fish and Wildlife Policy Branch, in the Policy Division of Alberta Environment and Parks. The Section is dedicated to protecting and enhancing healthy habitats to support fish and wildlife populations and biodiversity for present and future generations. In order to achieve this goal we work with many different departments within the government of Alberta and with the understanding that collaboration both internally and externally (with stakeholders) is key to creation of good policy. In this presentation, Dave Stepnisky will provide an update of work underway within the Habitat Section and discuss a new approach to engage with Alberta Society of Professional Biologists on issues of shared interest.
Author Biography:
Dave Stepnisky has been working for the Alberta Government for the past 12 years. He spent the first part of his career with the government in the field as a senior wildlife biologist, and more recently has taken his knowledge of the field to the policy setting: as the Director of Fish and Wildlife Habitat Policy. Prior to his employment with the government, Dave worked internationally with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation on island conservation projects and with the University of Alberta as a research coordinator. Dave has a Masters degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Alberta, a Diploma in Endangered Species Management from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Forest Management from the University of Alberta. Dave is an avid outdoor enthusiast, spending many weeks a year in the backcountry, either hiking into the mountains or camping with his family.
Navigating the Regulatory Process
Presenter: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Abstract:
Since November 25, 2013, there have been numerous changes to the way Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Fisheries Protection Program, applies the Fisheries Act. This includes changes to the Act, policy and review process. We will speak to these changes including: the Fisheries Act, most relevant Policies, our self-assessment website, the one-window review for Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act, and the Memorandum of Understanding between DFO and the National Energy Board. Our talk will emphasize what professional biologists need to know when helping proponents navigate the regulatory process.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Road Map To Your Future Career: Capitalize Today!
Presenter: Catherine Brownlee
Presenter biography:
Catherine Brownlee is a recognized expert and speaker on the subject of industry strategies and advancements. She developed and regularly presents the popular seminar, "How to get the job of your dreams.", and is the co-author of the book "Want to Work in Oil and Gas?", which reveals strategies for finding great jobs in Calgary. Her network of contacts and expertise spans all sectors, including government, finance, education, public service, health and medical, agriculture and not for profit.
Renewable Energy – The Green Machines
Presenter: Gavin Berg
Abstract:
Changing times indeed. The theme for this conference (Turning uncertainty into opportunity: Science and regulation in changing times) fits nicely with discussions occurring in Alberta regarding our sources of energy. With a focus on combating climate change by reducing our carbon footprint in Alberta, there is potential for shifts to more renewable energy development, including solar and wind power operations. As with any development, there are inherent risks to wildlife that need to be managed appropriately. This talk will focus on what Alberta Environment and Parks is doing to ensure responsible renewable energy development (solar and wind power) with regards to maintaining habitat and reducing impacts to our native wildlife populations.
Presenter Biography:
Gavin Berg is a Provincial Habitat Biologist working for Alberta Environment and Parks in the Fish and Wildlife Policy Division. He co-leads two committees responsible for the creation of Directives focused on renewable energy and wildlife. He has been a Biologist with Alberta Fish and Wildlife (and all of its iterations) for the past 11 years.
BANQUET SPEAKER: Telling your story: How to take science and make it matter to the general public
Presenter: Colette Derworiz
Abstract:
A look at how biologists can best share their research in today’s changing media and political landscape. Tips, examples and musings from a daily newspaper journalist who has covered environmental issues for the past four years.
Speaker Biography:
Colette Derworiz is a senior staff reporter for the Calgary Herald, writing stories about the environment in southern Alberta; everything from fish and grizzly bears to water and wildfires. She has worked as a journalist in Calgary for almost 17 years, covering a variety of topics including education, municipal politics, health and social issues. Derworiz won a National Newspaper Award for political reporting with a colleague in 2005 for a special investigation into a civic election scandal, and she was also part of a team that won another for breaking news after its coverage of the Alberta floods in 2013.
When she can fit it in, she does some freelance writing on the side, mostly about history, travel and the outdoors (or, if all goes well, a combination of all three). Outside of work, she spends a lot of time outside: hiking, biking and skiing. Derworiz lives in Canmore, Alberta, where she tries to make the most of the mountains every day.
How to Stay Out of Trouble
Presenters: Jordan King and Katie Fraser
Abstract:
We will be discussing the Alberta Environment and Parks Compliance Assurance Program, including the inspection and investigation. The information provided will inform on strict and vicarious liability of contravening the legislation and provide detailed information on those deemed responsible under the Acts and for the activities. Supplemental information on due diligence will educate on how to avoid contravening the legislation and how to respond accordingly in the event a contravention occurs.
Presenter Biographies:
Jordan King:
Jordan King is a Native Calgarian, Alberta Peace Officer, Investigator for Alberta Environment and Parks. He worked as a Calgary Bylaw Officer for 5 Years, a Calgary Transit Officer for 2 Years, and a Conservation Officer for 2 years. Jordan completed his Degree Enforcement and Environmental Sciences in Lethbridge.
Katie Fraser:
I am originally from Nova Scotia, specifically Cape Breton Island, where I completed my education at St. Francis Xavier University receiving a Bachelor of Science with a major in biology. After completing my degree, worked in microbiology lab before returning to school at Cape Breton University where I received a Bachelor’s of Health Sciences degree in public health. Once I had completed my second degree, I worked as a food safety specialist in Nova Scotia before obtaining employment in Windsor, Ontario as a public health inspector where I worked for three years. Currently, I work for Alberta Environment and Parks as a compliance inspector for the Water Act.
Wetlands, Water, and Integrated Resource Management: The Story of Alberta’s Wetland Policy
Presenter: Thorsten Hebben
Abstract:
In 1993, the Government of Alberta implemented an interim policy for the management of marsh ecosystems in the White (settled) Area of the Province. Since that time, the Ministry of Environment has been working to develop and implement a new wetland policy for all wetland classes (bogs, fens, swamps, marshes, and shallow open water ecosystems) across all areas of Alberta. In September of 2013, the Government of Alberta released the Alberta Wetland Policy, which enables a suite of management tools and mechanisms that support an informed, integrated, and transparent approach to wetland management in the Province. This new wetland management system was implemented in the White (settled) Area of Alberta on June 1st, 2015; Green Area (boreal and foothills) implementation will follow on June 1, 2016. The Alberta Wetland Policy represents a novel, leading edge approach to wetland management in North America. Both it and its underlying operational tools and mechanisms arose out of a number of pressures and concurrent policy initiatives, several of which will be discussed in this presentation.
Presenter Biography:
Thorsten is a Director (and former limnologist) with the Water Policy Branch of Alberta Environment and Parks. In his twelve years with the Department, Thorsten has worked on a wide range of surface water quality issues and topics, including long-term trend assessment, water quality index reporting, and organic wastewater contaminants. For the past several years, Thorsten has been leading development and implementation of various surface water policies; not the least of these has been the Alberta Wetland Policy.
Professional Practice for Biologists
Presenter: Greg Sim
Abstract:
Professional Biologists and all professionals encounter legal risks whenever they undertake to provide their professional expertise. This session will identify and discuss some of the major legal risks faced by professionals. We will identify and discuss strategies that professionals can implement themselves to minimize and manage these risks. We will also discuss strategies to ensure professionals can mount the best possible defence to any allegations of liability or unprofessional conduct.
Presenter Biography:
Greg Sim is a Partner at Field Law’s Edmonton office and the head of the firm’s Professional Regulatory Group. Greg graduated from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law with distinction in 2004 and was called to the Alberta Bar in 2005 and the Bar of the Northwest Territories in 2011. Greg’s primary areas of legal practice are professional regulation, administrative law and employment law. Greg has acted for professional regulatory organizations, sport regulatory organizations, professionals, employers and employees in respect of a broad range of issues. Greg provides advice in all areas of professional regulation such as registration, labour mobility, human rights, professional discipline, unauthorized practice, legislative development, policy and governance. He serves as independent legal counsel to several administrative tribunals. Greg has represented clients before all levels of Court in Alberta, he has taught as a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law and is a frequent presenter on legal issues in professional regulatory, administrative and employment law.
Energy, Climate and Conflict on the News
Presenter: Conny Davidsen, PhD
Abstract
While the importance and urgency of climate change has slowly found its way into broader public attention, public environmental discourses and news reporting on climate and energy-related issues are facing new challenges and possible distortions in the digital era. This talk reviews a decade of newsprint and increasing proportions of digital media narrations on key environmental issues –including the Alberta oil/tar sands, and other examples within and beyond Canada- to highlight recent changes in public discourses and media dynamics. Ongoing battle fields encompass carbon reduction strategies, energy consumption, security and hydrocarbon dependency, local ecological degradation and environmental justice, commodity markets and resource politics, indigenous rights, and ecological modernization. Based on environmental discourse research and the political economy of mass media, the talk synthesizes findings from past research for a better understanding of changing environmental news reporting and outreach in the digital age, especially opportunities and challenges for environment-related professionals.
Biography
Dr. Conny Davidsen is an Associate Professor of Environmental Policy and Governance in the Geography Department of the University of Calgary. Her research in forest and carbon governance, oil extraction, climate and energy debates focuses on local-global aspects of environmental conflict, governance strategies, public and media discourses. Past and present projects include Alberta, British Columbia, Nunavut, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Nepal, Kenya, and Bangladesh.
Caribou Management: An Energy Sector Perspective
Presenter: Scott D. Grindal, P. Biol
Abstract:
Most woodland caribou populations in Alberta are declining. The federal Species At Risk Act is driving provinces to develop and implement recovery plans for this species. Government policy supports continued development of oil and gas resources, while also requiring recovery of caribou, creating a possible conflict between balancing competing values on the same landscapes. For caribou, recovery includes use of both habitat and population management levers, to concurrently accelerate restoration of disturbed areas while also employing tools to reduce predation risk and keep caribou on the landscape while the habitat recovers. Despite the economic downturn, there is an increasing expectation for industry to continue financial support and advance initiatives to contribute towards caribou recovery. This presentation will provide an energy sector perspective, describing the business case for investing in species at risk management. Examples from recent industry-led caribou recovery projects will be highlighted, noting the opportunities and challenges of implementation in volatile economic times.
Biography:
Scott Grindal is a senior environmental coordinator with ConocoPhillips Canada and focuses on biodiversity issues across the company. He has 25 years experience as a professional wildlife biologist across Canada and internationally, and holds degrees in ecology (B.Sc.), biology (M.Sc.), and endangered species management (Dipl.). Relevant to caribou, Scott has acted as an energy sector representative on various multi-stakeholder groups, including the Alberta Caribou Committee, BC Caribou Research Effectiveness Monitoring Board, Alberta Caribou Range Planning Committees, and the Oil Sands Sustainable Ecosystems Working Group. Scott is a Professional Biologist (Alberta) and has served as Director on the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists.
The ABCs of Transition. What to Expect From the New Democrats
Presenter: Keith Brownsey
Abstract:
On 5 May 2015 the almost 44-year-old Progressive Conservative government of Alberta came to an end. The New Democratic Party, led by Rachel Notley won a substantial majority of seats in the provincial legislature. Within a few days of the election the far-right opposition Wildrose claimed that the New Democrats had failed and should be replaced. The New Democratic agenda, their spokesman claimed, would ruin the province. The proposed review of oil and gas royalties, tighter environmental regulations, and support for education and health care would send the province into some sort of economic death spiral. The new government also promised a review of the over 250 agencies, boards, and commissions which, since the 1940s, have governed the province. There are ongoing assessments of these agencies, boards, and commissions (or ABCs) in terms of policy and personnel. The likely outcome is that many individuals appointed by the Conservatives to these bodies will be replaced (it should be noted that Alison Redford introduced term limits for them) when an individual’s term expires. It has also been made clear that regulations will be enforced. It might be that for the first time in generations individuals will be appointed to these agencies, boards, and commissions, for what they know and not who they know. This review will take some time, but the transition to a new regulatory regime is well under way.
Biography:
Keith Brownsey is Professor of Political Science at Mount Royal University. He has written on oil and gas policy and regulation as well as water policy. His most recent work has included a report on the efficacy of performance reviews in the Alberta Government. He is currently engaged in a study of the transition of government in Alberta after forty-four years of one-party rule. He is especially fond of Bordeaux.
Embracing Reality: Perspectives on Career-Defining Times
Presenter: Sandra E. Lukas-Amulung, B.Sc., MA, P. Biol.
Abstract:
Pressure is mounting on professional biologists, and all Albertans, as our province continues to be gripped by this economic downturn. After acknowledging the brutal truths we face during these challenging times, this talk provides refuge to focus and re-group for the year ahead. In her presentation, Sandra offers insights on how we might find these times to be ‘career-defining’. She shares her story, describing how she found that a lay-off early in her career clarified her next steps. Perspectives are shared on the way that the ‘people part’ of being a professional biologist has become her uncrowded niche – addressing the messy overlaps and tensions that exist between the environmental, social, and economic elements of projects. This talk invites all conference participants to reflect on our personal and professional aspirations and experiences to help us learn and grow, and to maintain our sense of humour, and foster connections with others - starting today.
Biography:
Sandra Lukas-Amulung is a senior regulatory consultant with a focus on environmental assessment and public engagement, and a background in ecology. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Ecology from the University of Calgary and a Master of Arts in Environment and Management from Royal Roads University. In 18 years of involvement in western and northern Canadian oil and gas, mining, electrical utility, and transportation projects, Sandra has honed her technical and managerial capabilities to support the thoughtful integration of proposed developments into their environmental, cultural, and socio-economic context. Her team-oriented approach envisions a project, in all its elements, from initiation through to delivery.
Sandra considers successful projects to be those that incorporate environmental impact assessment (EIA)-based planning, effective public and Aboriginal engagement, early and on-going regulatory dialogue, and close collaboration between scientists, engineers, and other contributors. Sandra’s deep curiosity with pre-development activities led her to prepare a master’s thesis exploring the problematic overlap between the EIA process and negotiated agreements between industry and Aboriginal communities.
Sandra has been a member of the ASPB since 2004. This is her first year serving as Program Committee Chair for the conference. Sandra lives with her family in Calgary and enjoys scientific pursuits and outdoor adventures of all sorts, especially when they involve her husband and her preschool aged son.