LATEST NEWS
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Government puts hold on Alberta's Castle Parks Trail closure plan
The Alberta government has quietly paused a planned phase-out of OHV trails' use in the Castle Parks area while they meet with stakeholders.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/government-puts-hold-on-castle-parks-trail-closure-plan-1.5234811
The Alberta government has quietly paused a planned phase-out of OHV trails' use in the Castle Parks area while they meet with stakeholders.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/government-puts-hold-on-castle-parks-trail-closure-plan-1.5234811
Alberta’s water scientists team up with EPCOR for improved data collection
AB Enviro & Parks – The North Saskatchewan River is Canada’s 12thlongest river, discharging an average 210 cubic meters of water every second. To protect the source of drinking water for over 800,000 people, Alberta Environment & Parks has teamed up on a 4-year project to improve knowledge of the health and quality of the river.
albertaep.wordpress.com/2019/08/09/albertas-water-scientists-team-up-with-epcor-on-885-kilometer-quest-for-improved-data-collection-along-the-north-saskatchewan-river/
AB Enviro & Parks – The North Saskatchewan River is Canada’s 12thlongest river, discharging an average 210 cubic meters of water every second. To protect the source of drinking water for over 800,000 people, Alberta Environment & Parks has teamed up on a 4-year project to improve knowledge of the health and quality of the river.
albertaep.wordpress.com/2019/08/09/albertas-water-scientists-team-up-with-epcor-on-885-kilometer-quest-for-improved-data-collection-along-the-north-saskatchewan-river/
Second bear euthanized in Crowsnest Pass
By Crowsnest Pass BearSmart Association
A really sad day for our team and officers. After hundreds of volunteer hours and every possible effort made to keep the little yearling bear in Frank out of trouble, we lost the battle AGAIN.
Due to the extreme level of habituation caused by garbage and bird feeders in Frank, the little bear was relocated a long distance and she returned. Her homing instinct drew her right back to her food caches.
On July 6, she had to be euthanized according to policy and procedure for public safety. The safety of those who continued to leave garbage out after every possible warning and bird feeders full and hung. This has been a very busy start to the bear season and so many people are still NOT getting it. Social media posts have gone out, the local radio and newspaper has been incredibly helpful in reminding residents, and our municipal council and enforcement agencies have been 100% proactive and supportive. Fines have been issued...so what is it going to take?? We would like to thank those residents who tried so hard to help keep her out of trouble and to Goat Mountain Get-A-Way for your support, you guys are amazing!
It has been many years since a bear had to be euthanized in the Pass so what is the difference? To us, it's the absence of the Karelian Bear Dogs!! Bears never had the chance to become so habituated as the dogs made sure they could not get near that point. TWO bears have now been euthanized because of habituation and this needs to stop!! The decision rides heavily on the officer who has to make it as there’s nothing more frustrating than protecting people from their own lack of respect and responsibility. Please help us in getting the bear dogs reinstated and tell the government what a huge mistake was made in cancelling the Karelian Bear Dog Program!!! Help us keep our bears wild and safe from those who cannot seem to understand a fed bear is a dead bear!!
We are asking for as many letters as possible to be sent to our MLA to reinstate the Karelian Bear Dogs - Roger Reid, MLA, 6 Floor Federal Building, 9820 107 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 1E7
By Crowsnest Pass BearSmart Association
A really sad day for our team and officers. After hundreds of volunteer hours and every possible effort made to keep the little yearling bear in Frank out of trouble, we lost the battle AGAIN.
Due to the extreme level of habituation caused by garbage and bird feeders in Frank, the little bear was relocated a long distance and she returned. Her homing instinct drew her right back to her food caches.
On July 6, she had to be euthanized according to policy and procedure for public safety. The safety of those who continued to leave garbage out after every possible warning and bird feeders full and hung. This has been a very busy start to the bear season and so many people are still NOT getting it. Social media posts have gone out, the local radio and newspaper has been incredibly helpful in reminding residents, and our municipal council and enforcement agencies have been 100% proactive and supportive. Fines have been issued...so what is it going to take?? We would like to thank those residents who tried so hard to help keep her out of trouble and to Goat Mountain Get-A-Way for your support, you guys are amazing!
It has been many years since a bear had to be euthanized in the Pass so what is the difference? To us, it's the absence of the Karelian Bear Dogs!! Bears never had the chance to become so habituated as the dogs made sure they could not get near that point. TWO bears have now been euthanized because of habituation and this needs to stop!! The decision rides heavily on the officer who has to make it as there’s nothing more frustrating than protecting people from their own lack of respect and responsibility. Please help us in getting the bear dogs reinstated and tell the government what a huge mistake was made in cancelling the Karelian Bear Dog Program!!! Help us keep our bears wild and safe from those who cannot seem to understand a fed bear is a dead bear!!
We are asking for as many letters as possible to be sent to our MLA to reinstate the Karelian Bear Dogs - Roger Reid, MLA, 6 Floor Federal Building, 9820 107 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 1E7
North Coal’s plans in Elk Valley
Members of North Coal made a presentation to Chamber members to discuss plans for a project in the Elk Valley.
passherald.ca/archives/190710/index1.htm
How we can fix the bear problems
Fish & Wildlife Officers say this spring has been very busy with bears and are asking the public to help protect the community.
passherald.ca/archives/190619/index2.htm
Members of North Coal made a presentation to Chamber members to discuss plans for a project in the Elk Valley.
passherald.ca/archives/190710/index1.htm
How we can fix the bear problems
Fish & Wildlife Officers say this spring has been very busy with bears and are asking the public to help protect the community.
passherald.ca/archives/190619/index2.htm
14-Year-Old Wildlife Photographer is Impressing the Pros & Winning Awards
Young Josiah Launstein is continuing to sharpen his skills and win awards with his stunning images of animals in the wild.
mymodernmet.com/josiah-launstein-teenage-wildlife-photographer/
Young Josiah Launstein is continuing to sharpen his skills and win awards with his stunning images of animals in the wild.
mymodernmet.com/josiah-launstein-teenage-wildlife-photographer/
Ed Gregor Day a huge success
About ten CCS volunteers joined forces on Saturday, June 1 for the 25th Annual Ed Gregor Foret Stewardship Day, the longest-running volunteer stewardship day in Canada. They pulled 15 bags of noxious weed from Saskatoon Mountain Trail (at the trailhead mostly). Great job everyone!
About ten CCS volunteers joined forces on Saturday, June 1 for the 25th Annual Ed Gregor Foret Stewardship Day, the longest-running volunteer stewardship day in Canada. They pulled 15 bags of noxious weed from Saskatoon Mountain Trail (at the trailhead mostly). Great job everyone!
Conservation agreement to protect 1,600-acre ranch along Castle River
A 1,600-hectare ranch along the Castle River, that has been in the Zoratti family for more than a century, will be protected under a conservation agreement announced by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).
calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/conservation-agreement-to-protect-1600-hectare-ranch-along-castle-river
A 1,600-hectare ranch along the Castle River, that has been in the Zoratti family for more than a century, will be protected under a conservation agreement announced by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).
calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/conservation-agreement-to-protect-1600-hectare-ranch-along-castle-river
13th Annual Crowsnest Pass Christmas Bird Count a Success
On January 2, 2019 Crowsnest Conservation Society held its 13thannual Christmas Bird Count. Despite powerful winds, volunteers turned out in good numbers and were able to cover all count areas. The birds also turned out. We found the second highest number of species in the 13-year history of our count.
The table below notes the species we counted this year, the number of each species found, and the number of years in the 13 years of the count that we have observed that species on count day, giving an idea about how likely that bird will be found in Crowsnest Pass at this time of year.
Birds common in winter months that we did find were Wild Turkey, Rock Pigeon, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Woodpecker (Downy, Hairy, Northern Flicker & Pileated), Merlin, Jay (Canada, Steller’s & Blue), Magpie, Clark’s Nutcracker, Crow, Raven, Chickadee (Mountain & Black-capped), Nuthatch (Red-breasted & White-breasted) and Waxwing. Also found were Townsend’s Solitaire, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, House Finch, Redpoll, Pine Siskin, Junco and House Sparrow.
Of special note are Wild Turkeys, which seem to be spread very generously around the Pass. We rarely find Killdeer, but this year spotted a whopping five of them. We also have very high numbers of Waxwings and Juncos. And the intriguing American Dipper totalled 51 this year, not our highest total but still a very generous number and most likely the highest in Alberta. In the winter they seem to concentrate on the unfrozen sections of the Crowsnest River when the smaller tributaries upstream are frozen.
Winter waterfowl are minimal in the Pass. We find Mallards every year and maybe a few birds of another species, but this year there were no others.
Common winter birds that we did not find this year are Common Goldeneye, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Starling, and Evening and Pine Grosbeak.
Brand new for this year is White-winged Crossbill.
In count week, three days before and after the January 2ndcount day, we also found Northern Pygmy-Owl, Northern Shrike, Pine Grosbeak and Rough-legged Hawk. (Report compiled by Pat Lucas)
christmas_bird_count_table.pdf
On January 2, 2019 Crowsnest Conservation Society held its 13thannual Christmas Bird Count. Despite powerful winds, volunteers turned out in good numbers and were able to cover all count areas. The birds also turned out. We found the second highest number of species in the 13-year history of our count.
The table below notes the species we counted this year, the number of each species found, and the number of years in the 13 years of the count that we have observed that species on count day, giving an idea about how likely that bird will be found in Crowsnest Pass at this time of year.
Birds common in winter months that we did find were Wild Turkey, Rock Pigeon, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Woodpecker (Downy, Hairy, Northern Flicker & Pileated), Merlin, Jay (Canada, Steller’s & Blue), Magpie, Clark’s Nutcracker, Crow, Raven, Chickadee (Mountain & Black-capped), Nuthatch (Red-breasted & White-breasted) and Waxwing. Also found were Townsend’s Solitaire, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, House Finch, Redpoll, Pine Siskin, Junco and House Sparrow.
Of special note are Wild Turkeys, which seem to be spread very generously around the Pass. We rarely find Killdeer, but this year spotted a whopping five of them. We also have very high numbers of Waxwings and Juncos. And the intriguing American Dipper totalled 51 this year, not our highest total but still a very generous number and most likely the highest in Alberta. In the winter they seem to concentrate on the unfrozen sections of the Crowsnest River when the smaller tributaries upstream are frozen.
Winter waterfowl are minimal in the Pass. We find Mallards every year and maybe a few birds of another species, but this year there were no others.
Common winter birds that we did not find this year are Common Goldeneye, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Starling, and Evening and Pine Grosbeak.
Brand new for this year is White-winged Crossbill.
In count week, three days before and after the January 2ndcount day, we also found Northern Pygmy-Owl, Northern Shrike, Pine Grosbeak and Rough-legged Hawk. (Report compiled by Pat Lucas)
christmas_bird_count_table.pdf
AltaLink unveils route for Chapel Rock
AltaLink unveiled the proposed routes and substation locations for the Chapel Rock to Pincher Creek Area Transmission Development at recent open houses.
passherald.ca/archives/181031/index1.htm
AltaLink unveiled the proposed routes and substation locations for the Chapel Rock to Pincher Creek Area Transmission Development at recent open houses.
passherald.ca/archives/181031/index1.htm
Southwest Alberta wildlife corridor named after former premiere Jim Prentice
Nature Conservancy of Canada announced a swatch of land roughly five kilometers wide from east to west will connect Crown forest reserve land in the north to Castle Park as well as Waterton Lakes National Park in the south. The province contributed $1M to help leverage further fundraising toward the campaign.
globalnews.ca/news/4599435/alberta-premier-jim-prentice-land/
Nature Conservancy of Canada announced a swatch of land roughly five kilometers wide from east to west will connect Crown forest reserve land in the north to Castle Park as well as Waterton Lakes National Park in the south. The province contributed $1M to help leverage further fundraising toward the campaign.
globalnews.ca/news/4599435/alberta-premier-jim-prentice-land/
Crowsnest Pass bear numbers decrease by half
Each year between spring and fall, Crowsnest Pass sees on average 30 black bears and three to five grizzlies enter the community. In 2018, however, the Crowsnest Pass Bearsmart Association observed a significant drop in bear occurrences, recording only 12 black bears and no grizzly bears.
passherald.ca/archives/181212/index1.htm
Each year between spring and fall, Crowsnest Pass sees on average 30 black bears and three to five grizzlies enter the community. In 2018, however, the Crowsnest Pass Bearsmart Association observed a significant drop in bear occurrences, recording only 12 black bears and no grizzly bears.
passherald.ca/archives/181212/index1.htm
