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ASPB MEMBERSHIP FEES
are now due.
Late fees will apply
beginning February One.
Login to your Dashboard to pay your fees and renew your membership!
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THE BIWEEKLY
JANUARY 15, 2026
Published by the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists
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Biologist (and photographer!) Jason Lewis, P. Biol. won third place in the 2021 ASPB annual photo contest with this active entry! He writes:
A raucous mob of crows and magpies alerted me to this dramatic scene across the street in my Calgary neighbourhood. With the help of the relentless pestering of the merlin by the corvids, the flicker escaped. Its survival was undetermined; however, work curiously ceased on the cavity it was excavating in my neighbour’s siding!
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Nature Saskatchewan has recently published Saskatchewan Butterflies, a field guide covering all the species of butterflies - recorded and expected - in the province of Saskatchewan. This guide by Mike Gollop, Anna Leighton, Philip Taylor and Lorne Duczek, will cover most species that occur across Alberta (in all but the Rockies and extreme NW corner) and Manitoba (except the extreme eastern regions).
Alberta biologists will now have an easy-to-carry field guide to use in their work across their province. The first section covers salient biological facts of each species, and the second is a detailed identification guide for each species. It is intended for field use: high-quality photos of each butterfly illustrate differences between males and females and other key identification features.
For more information and availability, please go here: https://www.naturesask.ca/resources/saskatchewan-butterflies
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Happy International Year of
Rangelands and Pastoralists!
According to PCAP (the Prairie Conservation Action Plan), the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. This declaration reflects the importance of rangelands and promotes an understanding and appreciation of rangelands and the people who use and take care of them around the world.
Prairies are in the spotlight this year, with the 2026 Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference occurring May 5 - 7, 2026 in Saskatoon. The Early-bird Registration deadline is February 12; more information is available here: prairiecesc.ca.
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At the ASPB, we regularly receive notifications from Google Scholar and other sources which we select and share below in the BIWEEKLY. Here is the latest batch (the links are HOT):
Low Migratory Connectivity and Use of Multiple Non‐Breeding Sites in American Golden‐Plovers Breeding Across the Nearctic Tundra
Cougar (Puma concolor) Occupancy in Saskatchewan with Implications for Conservation and Management
Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments of Interest to Energy Lawyers
Alkaline dust deposition to foliage surfaces likely enhances the dry deposition velocity of SO 2: An investigation in the Alberta Oil-Sands Region using the GEM-MACH …
Adult Survival of Parnassius smintheus Doubleday (Papilionidae) is Unrelated to Meteorological Conditions Over the Last Decade
Moose Survival and Habitat‐Associated Risk of Endoparasites
Student-authored websites of biologists marginalized in history are associated with students' awareness of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
A tale of deadly strikes: A nearly century-long literature review of bird-window collisions
A growing anthropogenic impact on the Arctic environment affects the ecology of polar vegetation
Assessing the climate impact of large-scale reforestation through greenhouse gas flux analysis in Canada
Comparison of Predatory Capabilities of Invasive European Green Crabs (Carcinus maenas) and Native Red Rock Crabs (Cancer productus) …
Predictive Modeling in Pest Dynamics: Forecasting Infestations with Al
The policy landscape of agrivoltaics
“We’ve had conferences where we’ve had 100 kids.”
Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) behavioural responses to avian and mammalian predator mounts of varying threat levels
Changes in microhabitat structure around amphibian breeding ponds in the northern Rocky Mountains following severe wildfire
The future of microbiology
Mountain Sheep in North America: Biology, Ecology, Conservation, and Management
Strong mismatch in climate change adaptation between intentions of private forest owners in Canada and institutional support
Effect of spring green-up dynamics on body mass and growth of bighorn sheep
Groundwater and Surface Water Interactions in the Highwood River and Sheep River Watersheds: An Integrated Alpine and Non-Alpine Assessment
Comparison of historic and novel data reveals higher contemporary diversity of trematode metacercariae in freshwater fish
Lessons Learned for Using Camera Traps to Understand Human Recreation: A Case Study from the Northern Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada
At a Crossroads: Crisis, Vulnerability, and the Possibility of Transformation of Nature-Based Tourism in Canada
Alberta Pasture Nutrient Analysis
Differential impacts of human land use on native and non-native fish in mountain watersheds
Shewanella oncorhynchi isolated from a recirculatory aquaculture system (RAS) in Alberta, Canada
Initial Description of Designated Project
Direct and indirect effects of terrain, snow, and shrubs on the structure of an alpine herbaceous community in the Canadian Rocky Mountains
Long-term population fluctuations of the western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis), a rare indicator species, in semi-arid habitats in the Okanagan Valley …
Zooming Out: Methods and Future Directions in Landscape-Scale Functional Assessment of Inland Wetlands
Evidence for intraspecific variation of salinity tolerance in zooplankton collected from lakes of differing salinities on the Great Plains
Analysis of inconsistencies for the study of dominance: assessing influence of some biological traits on hierarchy in male brown bears
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Alberta’s Biology Legends:
OUR PEOPLE
AND A HALF-CENTURY OF EXCELLENCE
As we move past the ASPB's fiftieth anniversary and into 2026, we want to continue celebrating our profession and its people. Since mid-summer, we have been publishing short personal reflections from members who have served the society over many years; we will continue this series into 2026.
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Henri de Pennart
Henri de Pennart is currently the Technical Lead, Water Quality and Hydrology, and Principal Scientist at Montrose Environmental. At the ASPB, he served as a Director on the ASPB Board between 2006 and 2012, and also served for many years on the RC committee. (He notes that he may indeed be the longest-standing member on that committee!)
Henri writes with fondness of his long-standing relationship with ASPB: I am very pleased to see how the Society has matured since I joined (back in the last century!). We are now at a milestone with new legislation that will increase the reliance on professional biologists to do the work they have been trained to do and provide expertise where needed.
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Markus Thormann
Between 2009 and 2023, Markus Thormann served two 3-year terms on the ASPB Board of Directors. In addition, he has served as Chair of the Microbiology Practice Area Steering Committee, a Member of the Wetland Practice Area Committee, a Member of the Registration Committee, and Coordinator of provincial wetland regulatory document reviews towards the development of the wetland practice standards
Markus writes: I am semi-retired (2023) but am still active in select wetland projects across Alberta as a technical advisor, mentor, and Wetland Authenticating Professional. I have contracts with several environmental consulting companies and private landowners, assisting them with navigating the complex regulatory framework that governs work in and around wetlands. On a private level, my wife and I are travelling extensively throughout Africa and Europe and are enjoying a slower pace of life.
Ever since joining the ASPB in 2009, I have been amazed by the expertise and dedication of all of the ASPB board and committee members I have had the chance to work with, all with a focus to regulate the profession across the biological disciplines, fairly and more efficiently, to make the ASPB a better professional association. The most memorable event from my perspective was being selected as the representative of the ASPB to participate in the Competency Advisory Group (CAG) that met regularly for over a year and a half to develop the "Professional Responsibilities in Completion and Assurance of Wetland Science, Design and Engineering Work in Alberta" document. This seminal document was released in May 2017 and constitutes the wetland practice standards for Wetland Authenticating Professionals in Alberta.
It was an honour to be selected by ASPB to participate in the CAG, and I have very fond memories of the work that was completed at the time.
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES
JANUARY
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Save the Date:
The 73rd Great Plains
Fishery Workers Association Workshop
will be held in Billings, Montana, January 20 – 23, 2026. The Call for Abstracts is open! We are offering either an oral or poster option. Please fill out the submission form (https://forms.office.com/g/uJJmWMHTja) by January 2, 2026. Workshop Contact: Demi Blythe, Fisheries Division, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. |Office: (406) 247-2963 | Cell: (406) 594-0587. demi.blythe@mt.gov
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Wildlife Conservation Society
bat acoustics workshop
slated for June in Kamloops
To be considered for the 2026 course, please complete the form by January 16.
This workshop is for individuals involved in bat research and conservation in Canada (including participants from Alberta). The Bat Conservation Program, led by Dr. Cori Lausen, is offering an in-person Bat Acoustic Analysis Training Course in Kamloops, BC, June 15–19, 2026.
The training will provide hands-on experience with detector deployment, acoustic workflows, and species identification for all Canadian bat species, using Kaleidoscope, SonoBat, and Anabat Insight. Participants will work with real acoustic datasets and gain familiarity with commonly used detectors. Evening field sessions will offer practical experience in active and passive monitoring. The fee is $2,500 CAD (with potential scaling by participant category). Please complete the attached form by January 16, 2026: https://tinyurl.com/WCSBatAcousticCourse.
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES
FEBRUARY
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Year in Review Sessions
Will be Held in February
Field Law's Year in Review sessions provide key legal updates on topics like off-duty conduct terminations, employee privacy, and changes to the Occupational Health + Safety Code.
This year, the complimentary courses will focus on how 2025's legal developments will shape your business in 2026. Part 1 focuses on Labour, Employment, and Privacy, and Part 2 focuses on Occupational Health and Safety, Human Rights, and Artificial Intelligence.
For full session information and dates, please go HERE.
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KEEPING TRACK
with
FIERA BIOLOGICAL CONSULTING
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Track & Sign Certification — Feb. 7 & 8, 2026, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan
Ages 18+ | Register by Jan. 18 | Limited space
Join us for this exploration of Saskatchewan’s boreal forests, frozen lakes, and snow-covered wetlands through the lens of wildlife track & sign identification and interpretation. This 2-day field-based workshop offers participants the opportunity to earn certifications in Track & Sign, ranging from Level 1 to Professional (Level 4). All abilities welcome.
Learn more and register here
Track & Sign Specialist Certification — May 23 & 24, 2026, Lardeau Valley, British Columbia
This 2-day field-based workshop offers participants the opportunity to earn a Track & Sign Specialist Certification, the highest level of Track & Sign certification available within the CyberTracker system. Sage Raymond and David Moskowitz will lead the Workshop. This workshop is meant for expert trackers.
Learn more here
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RECENT
EMPLOYMENT POSTINGS
Wildlife Biologist
Summer Field Technician
Intermediate Biologists
Intermediate/Senior Environmental Professional.
LakeWatch Technician (seasonal)
Recreational Water Technician (seasonal)
Senior Environmental Professional
Intermediate Environmental Professional
Wetland Specialist
Intermediate Fisheries Specialist
Environmental Field Technologist
Conservation Coordinator
FIND INFORMATION ON
THESE AND OTHER POSITIONS ON THE
JOB BOARD
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This week’s banner photo:
THE URBAN MERLIN
Biologist (and photographer!) Jason Lewis, P. Biol. won third place in the 2021 ASPB annual photo contest with this active entry! The photo was taken in May, 2025, with a DSLR (2008 Nikon D90 with 70-300 lens).
PROFESSIONAL BIOLOGISTS PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST
In Alberta, Professional Biologists are registrants of the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (ASPB), and are subject to a code of ethics, continuing competency requirements, and a disciplinary process. The ASPB is a self-regulated organization under legislation in the Province of Alberta, meaning its purpose is to protect the public of Alberta by ensuring biologists are qualified to practice biology in accordance with that legislation. The society is governed by a Board of Directors elected by its registrants.
You are probably receiving this newsletter because you are an ASPB Registrant. This newsletter provides relevant information and professional development opportunities for our members, as well as essential member-related society business; if you are registered with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists, please DO NOT unsubscribe.
For more information about the Society or to contact the administration, please visit the website: https://www.aspb.ab.ca
Opinions and general news published in this e-newsletter
do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Society or its Board of Directors.
2026
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