Conservation Magazine
Spring/Summer 2010 - Volume 14

From the Editor

As Albertans, we get to enjoy diversity in a multitude of ways: from a sundry of differing landscapes to a dizzying array of flora and fauna, it’s all here in one province. At Conservation Magazine we recognize that diversity is a natural capital, and one that’s integral not only to the health of our province, but ultimately ourselves. In every issue we get to unearth the stories that connect you to the people and organizations whose work goes largely unnoticed in their attempts to keep Alberta wild, for all of us to enjoy.

Nothing struck me truer than witnessing bird bander, Rick Morse, scale up a tree to band great horned owlets. Donning a thick leather jacket and bright orange helmet outfitted with a full visor and leather flap stitched to the back to protect his neck - you have to question why someone would risk falling out of a tree or being dive-bombed by mature great horned owls. It’s not because he is an adrenalin junkie: it's because people like Rick are passionate about raptors and volunteer as licensed banders to provide valuable information on the status of this species. Read more in Avian Advocates: Dedicated to Band and Protect.

Substituting chemicals for a few hungry goats is one approach we take to maintain healthy wildlife and fish habitat, improve water quality and restore native plant diversity. Find out how 410 goats took on ridding Silverberry Conservation Site of its worst patch of toadflax to protect the integrity of this 2,100 acre property, located 12 kilometres northeast of Myrnam. Read about Goats on Trial: The New Front Line against Noxious Weeds.

You wouldn’t think an earthworm could impact the diversity of its habitat. But the changes these species have in a boreal forest environment can impact a wide variety of organisms. In Got Bait? How we’ve Spawned an Underground Invasion, find out how these worms have gone from extinction to impacting our forest and what you can do to stop the spread.

Technology is increasingly important to how we conduct studies and report on data. In The Lure of our Lakes: Trail Cams Reveal the Success of Stocked Lakes, researchers feasibly monitor the fishing patterns of anglers on 60 lakes, 14 hours a day, seven days a week, all summer long thanks to trail cam technology. Trail cams also offer a unique way to delve into the secret world of wildlife, as you will see in Spa Beneath the Soil: Making Miles for Mineral Licks.

Partnerships also play a huge role when it comes to diversity. Read about how ACA and Devon Energy have teamed up to conduct assessments on the disappearing spawning habitat of bull trout. In No More Bull? Learning to Respect Bull Trout in the Upper Oldman Watershed, we profile how a partnership is working to keep this feisty species (and our provincial fish) on the map.

You may have many reasons why you love Alberta. But I believe it’s our diversity and the people that conserve it that truly set us apart. Take the time to enjoy what we have by picking up the 2010-2011 Discover Alberta’s Wild Side: Guide to Outdoor Adventure. The guide offers a convenient and inexpensive way to explore a quarter million acres conserved for you to explore on your own or with friends or family. Visit a Conservation Site in the guide, send us your photos and enter them at “Take the Challenge, Discover Alberta’s Wild Side”. Winners will be profiled in next year’s guide.

Enjoy our natural capital and we’ll keep doing our part by telling you about ways people, technology and research plan to keep Alberta diverse for future generations.

Editor-in-Chief, Lisa Monsees
lisa.monsees@ab-conservation.com