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THE BIWEEKLY
MAY 15, 2025
Published by the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists
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Conference 2025:
The Evolution of Biological Practice;
Celebrating 50 Years with the ASPB
The Call for Abstracts
is now open for:
- Poster Presentations
- Conference Presentations
- Workshops
● Speed Talks (10 minute presentations)
Click here for Details
And don’t miss your chance to support this year’s conference:
Click here for
Sponsorship Packages
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ASPB Photo Contest
The ASPB is hosting its annual photo contest again in 2025, with winners to be announced at the annual conference (November 26–28). Submissions are welcome from smartphones as well as traditional cameras. Detailed rules can be found at the following link:
CONTEST RULES
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NEW ON THE
JOB
BOARD
Resource Analyst
Intermediate Environmental Planner (QAES)
Junior Forest Hydrologist
Junior/Intermediate Biologist
Assessment & Permitting Team Lead
Greenhouse Gas Engineer/Scientist
Vegetation Ecologist
Qualified Environmental Professional
Environmental Monitor
Seasonal Forest Research
Field Assistant
FIND INFORMATION
ON THESE AND
MANY OTHER POSITIONS
ON THE JOB BOARD
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https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01398-0.pdf
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UNSDSN of CANADA will get underway
May 26 and May 27 at University of Calgary
Christine Daly, P. Biol., is a Co-Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network of Canada (“SDSN Canada”) and hosting the seventh annual Together|Ensemble, Canada’s national conference for the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainability at the University of Calgary .
As a long-time ASPB member, Christine informs us that she would be happy to provide a promo code to all ASPB members for 25% discounted online or in person attendance. For more information, see an example email (attached & below), the Program schedule and Speakers, visit www.togetherensemble.ca or reach out to us at sdsncanada@ucalgary.ca
The event will take place on May 26 and May 27, 2025, between 0800 and 1615 each day. This conference is hybrid, and available in-person (University of Calgary in the MacEwan Conference & Event Centre) or online so people from across the country can connect. The University of Calgary as the host institution for SDSN Canada.
Registration: Click here to register today!
This year, as the new host for SDSN Canada and the Together|Ensemble conference, our theme is Collective Action for a Sustainable Future: Collaboration Across Generations, Sectors and Knowledge Systems. Intergenerational leaders from Indigenous communities, the private sector, academia, government, and civil society will come together from across Canada to share knowledge, forge lasting partnerships and continue to advance action critical for advancing the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. The two-day hybrid conference features a series of keynote speakers, panels, and action-oriented workshops focused on: Indigenous and western pathways for sustainability; Leadership of youth and future generations; The UN SDGs under review in 2025; and The UN Pact of the Future.
For full details, see the Program schedule and Speakers, visit www.togetherensemble.ca or reach out to us at sdsncanada@ucalgary.ca.
| | SEMINARS, WEBINARS & WORKSHOPS | |
Fishes of Alberta
Field Identification Workshops
Real preserved fish will be identified using a variety of established identification keys in a classroom setting. The workshop will be held in Calgary on Saturday, May 10, 2025 and in Edmonton on Sunday, May 18, 2025, between 13:00 and 16:30 each day. Specific details will be provided for paid participants; the cost is $175 per student, and a copy of the Alberta Field Guide is included.
This course is instructed by Shona Derlukewich, Owner: School of Fish. Payment is due BEFORE the workshop by credit card (include a 3.5% service charge) or by e-transfer to derlukew@ualberta.ca
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ANPC Annual Workshop
The Alberta Native Plant Council 2025 workshop will take place May 24, 2025 in Red Deer. (Please note that Virtual Attendance is also available at a reduced rate!) The workshop (Plants through Time) will highlight how plants, habitats, conservation and people’s knowledge have evolved through time, from decades to thousands of years. The keynote speaker will be Jenny L. McCune with the University of Lethbridge, speaking on Plants through Time: From the Distant Past to the Invisible Present. On May 25, there will be a field trip to the Morris Flewwelling Ranch at Pine Lake
Register HERE.
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Bryophyte ID course
This 2-day course is an introduction to bryophytes (mosses and liverworts), designed for natural resource professionals, to develop the skills needed to detect and identify common Alberta wetland species. The focus of the course is on key features used in field identification (e.g. leaf morphology, microhabitats), and distinguishing species from similar taxa.
May 26 (8:30 am to 5 pm):
Classroom: Introduction to bryophytes
and to the common wetland taxa in Alberta
Location: Vertex Professional Services
161-2055 Premier Way, Sherwood Park
Field: Identification methods and sampling techniques of common marsh and fen bryophytes
Location: Wagner Natural Area (~ 30 minutes west of Sherwood Park)
May 27 (8:30 am to 5 pm):
Field: Identification of common species in wetland (fen) habitats continued
Practical assessment - test of field identification skills
Location: Clyde fen (~ 1 hour north of Sherwood Park)
Instructor: Brittney Miller, P.Biol, M.Sc. Bryology
Cost: $350 per person (+GST) *Transportation responsibility of participants
Includes:
- 20x hand lens (an essential tool for bryophyte ID)
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An illustrated field guide booklet of common wetland bryophytes with detailed key features and microhabitats
(excerpt from of The Common Mosses and Liverworts of Alberta by Brittney Miller tinyurl.com/CommonBryophytesofAlberta)-
- Certificate of Completion
To register and for more information contact: bryophytes@vertex.ca
Limited space is available – Registration closes May 16th
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Boreal Wetlands Field Course
Vertex is offering a course on May 28-30, 2025 designed for natural resource professionals and ecologists looking to deepen their understanding of boreal wetland ecosystems and management. This 3-day course is designed for natural resource professionals looking to develop their expertise in wetland assessments and delineation. Segments of the course will take place at the Edmonton area, at the Vertex facility at Sherwood Park and at the Wagner and Clyde Fen Natural areas. For more information and to register please contact wetlands@vertex.ca
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SOIL230 Pedology Field School
Montrose Environmental will provide the following In-Person soil course from May 28-30, 2025. This beginner-course will enable 24 hours toward Professional Development. The cost is $600 (+GST). Previous foundational soil knowledge is recommended; more details and links to register are found here: https://go.montrose-env.com/learning-series.
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Whitebark and Limber Pine Survey Methods,
Health and Restoration
This two-day course is in Manning Park, BC July 10th & 11th (please register by July 1st).
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Day 1: Comprehensive field introduction to whitebark and limber pine ecosystems, threats, species identification, disease and pest assessment
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Day 2: Plus-tree selection, field data collection, recovery strategies, regulations, best practices and restoration approaches.
For more details please go HERE.
Registration for professionals is $620 + GST ($550 + GST for Members).
Register Now
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NATURAL RESOURCES
TRAINING GROUP
Fish Habitat Assessment – Theory (Online) May 2nd & Cochrane – May 15th – May 16th, 2025
Fish Habitat Assessment – Theory (Online) May 2nd & Cochrane – May 15th – May 16th, 2025 Natural Resources Training Group
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Prince George, May 16th, 2025
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Prince George, May 16th, 2025 Natural Resources Training Group
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Cochrane, May 16th, 2025
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Cochrane, May 16th, 2025 Natural Resources Training Group
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Kamloops, May 16th, 2025
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Kamloops, May 16th, 2025 Natural Resources Training Group
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & West Vancouver, May 16th, 2025
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & West Vancouver, May 16th, 2025 Natural Resources Training Group
Field Safety — Survival & Medical Emergency Self-Treatment – Online – May 16th & May 23rd, 2025
Field Safety — Survival & Medical Emergency Self-Treatment – Online – May 16th & May 23rd, 2025 Natural Resources Training Group
Drone Applications in Environmental Surveying – Online – May 20th, 2025
Drone Applications in Environmental Surveying – Online – May 20th, 2025 Natural Resources Training Group
Fish Habitat Assessment – Theory (Online) May 2nd & Nova Scotia (Central) – May 21st – May 22nd, 2025
Fish Habitat Assessment – Theory (Online) May 2nd & Nova Scotia (Central) – May 21st – May 22nd, 2025 Natural Resources Training Group
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Winnipeg, May 23rd 2025
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Winnipeg, May 23rd 2025 Natural Resources Training Group
Ecological Land Classification for Southern Ontario – Online & Cambridge – May 26th-30th, 2025
Ecological Land Classification for Southern Ontario – Online & Cambridge – May 26th-30th, 2025 Natural Resources Training Group
Land Guardian Program – May 26th – June 27th, 2025 – Online
Land Guardian Program – May 26th – June 27th, 2025 – Online Natural Resources Training Group
For the full calendar of upcoming courses, and course details, follow this link:
https://nrtraininggroup.com/schedule/
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KEEPING TRACK
with
FIERA BIOLOGICAL CONSULTING
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Track & Sign OnLine – Study Session, Aug. 26, 2025.
6pm MDT | 2-hours | Online via Zoom
The study session will focus on impactful tracking tips aimed at improving performance at a future Track & Sign Certification, or give you a jump start at one of our other in-person tracking workshops.
Open to anyone interested — you do not have to be signed up for a Certification or in-person workshop to participate.
Learn more and register here
Track & Sign Certification – Sep. 9 & 10, 2025, Hinton, Alberta
Hinton Area | September 9 & 10, 2025 | Ages 18+ | Register before September 1 | Limited Space
This 2-day field-based workshop in Alberta’s wildlife rich foothills offers the opportunity for participants to earn certifications in Track & Sign from Levels 1 to Professional (Level 4). This is an extremely challenging and engaging workshop designed to find the edges of your abilities and propel you past them. Participants must obtain at least 70% during the evaluation —
All abilities welcome.
Learn more and register here
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PRAIRIE CONSERVATION ACTION PLAN
June Native Prairie Speaker Series and Native Prairie Appreciation Week Celebration
"Wildlife, Landscapes, and Geology: Exploring Prairie Connections"
Speaker: Dr. Dale Leckie, Award-winning Author
Tuesday June 17th, 2025 at 12:00pm
Register Free: https://shorturl.at/tJJuBor or the full link here (for government computers)
The folks at PCAP try to record these webinars, which should be available on the PCAP YouTube Channel shortly after the live broadcast, so you can watch at your convenience!
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From: Edmonton Regional Science Fair Council
Michele Moscicki,
E.R.S.F. VP & Awards Chair
To: Alberta Society of Professional Biologists
Jessica Koehli,
Regulatory Manager
Dear ASPB Executive:
The 2025 Edmonton Regional Science Fair was held on Saturday, March 8, 2025. This year we had 148 projects register, the most we have had in 10 years! It was a busy and exciting fair for participants, judges, and the Council.
We had a public viewing event and awards ceremony on Sunday March 9, to celebrate our participants. We are very proud of all our participants for their hard work diligently preparing their projects over the last year. It was wonderful to witness the energy and enthusiasm of our participants, judges, parents, teachers, Council, and the public that came to public viewing.
The ERSF Council would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continuous support of the fair and for encouraging youth participation in project-based science. We truly could not put on the fair and provide this great science opportunity without the support of sponsors like the ASPB. The following students have been recognized with the Professional Biologists’ Award due to your sponsorship:
Award Winner: Lana Abdelhadi
Project Title: Plants vs Radiation
Project Summary: I studied how different plants absorb radiation when they are next to electronic devices. I studied this because I wanted to find a way to reduce radiation absorption in humans. I measured the amount of radiation that was emitted from the electronic devices when there was no plant and when there was. I tested three different plants - Aloe Vera, snake plant and fern. I found that the snake plant absorbed the most radiation. This is important because if people are using their electronic device near a snake plant then the radiation will be significantly reduced therefore reducing the risk of cancer.
Honourable Mention: Yusuf Abduelmula
Project Title: Does Cooking With Iron Help With Iron Deficiency?
Project Summary: I wanted to study iron deficiency and if cooking with iron, like using an iron pot or the “Lucky Iron Fish,” can help with iron deficiency. My hypothesis predicted that cooking with iron increases the iron content in food, which could help address iron deficiency anemia. The experiment maintained controlled variables such as the same amount of water (4 cups), cook time, and testing strip kit. Independent variables included the type of pot (iron vs. non-stick), while the dependent variable was the color change in water testing strips indicating iron levels in Mg/L. Results showed that the “Lucky Iron Fish” pot had the most significant color change, indicating the highest iron content at approximately 25-50 mg/L, compared to the other pots. The hypothesis was confirmed: cooking with iron increases iron in food, which should help with iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia affects 2 billion people worldwide, especially in poorer countries where iron supplements or medication are unavailable or too expensive. Iron deficiency can cause serious complications like fatigue, headaches, restless legs syndrome, heart problems, pregnancy complications, and developmental delays in children. Cooking in iron pots or using the “Lucky Iron Fish” can help solve this problem, restore health, and prevent illness.
These students work for months on their projects, and we know they greatly appreciate the opportunity to present their hard work to the judges and the public. Your sponsorship makes this opportunity possible. It has been a pleasure working with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists and I look forward to our continued partnership.
Sincerely,
Michele Moscicki,
ERSF VP & Awards Chair
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This week’s banner photo:
Judgement in the Treetops
Captured by Deanna Steckler, P. Biol. with a Sony RX10m4 camera near Snake Lake in southern AB (cropped by Editor)
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.
2025
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