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THE BIWEEKLY
AUGUST 15, 2026
Published every two weeks by
The Alberta Society of Professional Biologists
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GET YOUR CAMERAS PRIMED AND READY!
In 2026, the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists will again host a photo contest, encouraging submissions (taken with either smartphones or traditional cameras) and celebrating the conference theme:
Supporting Biologists: in the Field and Beyond.
Contest rules and submission details are
ON THE WEBSITE CONFERENCE PAGE
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Supporting Biologists:
In the Field and Beyond
The ASPB Annual Conference will be held
November 4-6, 2026
at Edmonton's
FANTASYLAND HOTEL
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
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ASPB Awards Are
Now Open for Nominations
The ASPB Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements, leadership, volunteerism, and contributions of biologists across Alberta. If you know someone who has made a meaningful impact on the profession or the ASPB, we encourage you to submit a nomination.
We've recently refreshed all of our award nomination forms with a consistent, easy-to-complete format and aligned all award deadlines to a single submission date, making the nomination process simpler.
Learn more about our awards, eligibility criteria, and access the nomination forms on the ASPB Awards webpage: ASPB Scholarships and Awards. We look forward to recognizing the exceptional individuals who strengthen our profession!
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Asha Wijerathna, PhD, Joins
the ASPB’s Regulatory Staff
The Alberta Society of Professional Biologists welcomes Dr. Asha Wijerathna to the staff as Regulatory Coordinator. She writes: "I come from an ecology background with extensive experience in applied biological research, stake-holder engagement, and knowledge translation, and I have worked across Alberta’s agricultural and forest ecosystems alongside government scientists, field biologists, and academic researchers.”
Dr Wijerathna’s research has spanned prairie crop systems, forest landscapes, and invasive species ecology, providing her with a broad appreciation for the diverse disciplines practiced by ASPB members across the province. “I am passionate about connecting the Alberta biological science community with the professional standards that protect the public, and I look forward to supporting ASPB registrants, students, and partners in my new role.”
Outside of work, Asha says she enjoys exploring Alberta’s outdoors, “and as an entomologist I always keep an eye out for insects along the way!"
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SPONSORSHIPS ARE STILL AVAILABLE
FOR THE ASPB 2026 CONFERENCE!
CLICK HERE
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Next Round of the ASPB Mentorship Program
Set to Open on December 1st, 2026
Registration for the 2027 Mentorship Program opens December 1, 2026 as part of the annual membership renewal process. Mentorship pairs are matched on a first-come, first-served basis; please note that in previous years we have received significantly more mentee applications than mentor applications. To give yourself the best opportunity to participate, the committee encourages members to sign up early; see the webpage for more details.
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At the ASPB, we gather snippets of relevant biology information from a variety of sources such as The Conversation (Canada), Nature (UK) and Scholar Alerts (Google), which we select and share in the BIWEEKLY. Here is the latest batch (the links are HOT):
WETLANDS, WATERSHEDS & FISHERIES
Lake monitoring and research efforts in Alberta, Canada: an assessment of 15-years of published literature focusing on assessing research collaborations
Wetlands function as a nature-based microcystin remediation system
Developmental temperature induces consistent patterns of plasticity in lower, but not upper, critical thermal limits in threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
A Review of the Effects of Freshwater Habitat Quality on Aquatic & Semi‐Aquatic Turtles
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
Weaving Indigenous and Western Sciences to Transform Wildlife Disease Management
WILDLIFE
Puzzles-treats-and-consent-the-new-frontier-in-wildlife-studies/
allaboutbirds.org/news/ed-yong-writer-bird-immersion/
Interaction Risk Between Invasive Wild Pigs and Livestock: Implications for Potential Infectious Disease Transmission in Alberta
Species biology, morphology, and behaviour of the endangered curiously isolated hairstreak butterfly (Satyrium curiosolus; Lycaenidae)
Sarcocystis Canadensis N. SP. ARCOCYSTIS CANADENSIS N. SP.(Protozoa:Sarcocystidae) from limb muscles of the Canadian Lynx
Trump-endangered-species-protection-canadian-wildlife-9.7293137
Some tropical butterflies live surprisingly long lives. Is it their high-protein diet?
An Ecofeminist Analysis of Kate Beaton's Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands
Surveillance of zoonotic and production-limiting pathogens in invasive free-ranging wild pigs in Alberta, Canada
Environmental Determinants of Botfly Parasitism, Body Condition, and Survival in Alberta's Ord's Kangaroo Rat Population
The role of conservation bioacoustics in achieving global biodiversity goals
New research estimates around 20 million insect species on Earth — doubling those facing extinction
Native Bee Responses to Grazing Management, Drought, and Crop Resources in Working Landscapes
Causes of Mortality in Captive, Captive-Release, and Wild Vancouver Island Marmots (Marmota vancouverensis)
Conserving the World's Specialist Riverine Birds
PROTECTED AREAS and MANAGEMENT
What ecological land classification data reveal about the vegetation of six Canadian national parks
Multi-species Action Plan for Grasslands National Park of Canada [Proposed] 2026
Chapter One. A State of the Earth: Geosciences and Planetary Politics (Alberta)
Progress Towards the Implementation of the Management Plan for the Mormon Metalmark, Prairie population (2021-2025)
Multi-species Action Plan for Banff National Park of Canada
Progress Towards Implementation of the Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for the Black-tailed Prairie Dog (2021 to 2025)
FORESTRY
Harnessing Genomic Information for Identifying the Geographic Origin of Five North American Tree Species in Trade
A Critical Evaluation of Old-Growth Forest Definitions in Canada Peter B. Issekutz ENVS 4901 Supervisor Dr. Peter Duinker
How useful are streamflow-related indicators for assessing forest degradation? A Canadian forest hydrology perspective
BOTANY
Microhabitat-mediated microclimatic buffering of regional climate in a threatened montane bryophyte
Effect of Liquid Humalite on Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.)
Abrupt changes in grassland productivity induced by shrub encroachment
Managing the Environmental Impacts of Outdoor Winter Grazing by Livestock
From Canopy to Rhizosphere: Aboveground and Belowground Interactions Between Invasive Kentucky Bluegrass and Native Species in the Northern Great Plains
Linking biosurface reactivity and photosynthesis to investigate Sphagnum mosses as ecosystem engineers
Soil Health in the Northern Great Plains: A Meta-Analysis and Long-Term Field Trial Perspective
An assessment of biodiversity data shortfalls
Engineered Yarrowia lipolytica inducing gene silencing confers control ability against gray mold in plants
GEAR
Evaluating Culverts Using Photogrammetry Data Captured With Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Impacts of Kermit Conveyor Belt on Mule Deer Habitat Selection, Space Use, and Movement
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Science can champion open-weight models
AI claims to pick cream of the preprint crop
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CALENDAR
UPCOMING COURSES
AND WEBINARS
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Track & Sign Certification (FIERA)
September 12 & 13, 2026 at Hinton, Alberta
This 2-day field-based workshop is open to all skill levels and offers the opportunity for participants to earn certifications in Track & Sign from Levels 1 to Professional (Level 4).
Learn more here
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Grassland Assessment Training
The Grassland Restoration Forum is hosting a one day, hands-on Grassland Assessment Training workshop September 10th, 2026, at the Antelope Creek Ranch at Brooks, Alberta. For more information and to register please go here: www.grasslandrestorationforum.ca.
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Explore the Science
Behind Healthy Forests
The 2026 CIF-IFC National Conference & Annual General Meeting will be held September 27-29, 2026 in Edmonton, Alberta. Professional biologists are invited to join hundreds of researchers and natural resource professionals from across Canada, where they can discover the latest science and practical approaches in forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, wildlife habitat, ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, Indigenous stewardship, and sustainable land management. The conference features technical presentations, workshops, networking opportunities, and discussions that connect biological science with real-world management and policy.
Students and early-career professionals will also benefit from interactive workshops focused on science communication, career development, job-search strategies, and building professional networks, providing practical skills that complement a career in biology and natural resource management. Learn more and register here: https://conference.cif-ifc.org/
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Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation Events
The Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada has upcoming events that are relevant to Alberta Society of Professional Biologists. Please get in touch if you require more details.
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DFO Amendments Published
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is pleased to announce that the Amendments to the Authorizations Concerning Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Regulations (‘the Regulations’) have now been published in the Canada Gazette Part II. These amendments will come into force on October 15, 2026.
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BSc & MSc degrees in Ecological Restoration
at
THE BC INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
If you’re passionate about helping ecosystems recover and thrive, the BSc & MSc Programs in Ecological Restoration at BCIT are worth exploring. The programs blend scientific knowledge with practical, field-based experience and offer both part-time and full-time options. Learn more about how the programs can support your career goals:
https://www.bcit.ca/programs/ecological-restoration/
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NATURAL RESOURCES
TRAINING GROUP
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Prince George, September 4th, 2026
Construction Monitoring — Wildlife Mitigation - Online - September 8th, 2026
Avenza Maps for Planning, Navigating & Collecting Data for Environmental Use Online - September 11th, 2026
Birding 101 — Foundations of Field Bird Identification - Online - September 16th, 2026
Ecological Land Classification for Southern Ontario - Online & Cambridge - September 21st-25th, 2026
Winning Proposals — Writing to Secure Funding - Online - September 25th, 2026
Wetland Assessment - Online - September 29th - 30th, 2026
For the ongoing calendar of upcoming courses and details, follow this link:
https://nrtraininggroup.com/schedule/
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COLUMBIA MOUNTAINS INSTITUTE
Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology
Revelstoke BC
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QGIS Mapping. Online, flexible dates.
Statistics Introduction for Ecologists in R. Fantastic refresher for basic stats, adapted to an online format and delivered over 5 half-days between Sept 28 - Oct 13.
eDNA: Environmental DNA Theory and Implementation. Back by popular request - this in-person course takes place in Revelstoke BC Oct 1-3.
Annual Researchers Forum. This year we'll be in Rossland BC! Call for proposals is open until Sept 4th, any ecological project goes! Event takes place Oct 22-23.
Data Manipulation and Visualization in R. Popular second-level R Software course delivered online over 3 mornings Oct 26-29.
Camera Trap Survey Design and Data Management. Fantastic in-person course with Chris Beirne adapted with two registration options. Day 1 will focus on the basics behind camera trap survey design and data management, and an intro to a new no-code tool to explore camera data. Days 2 and 3 will introduce the use of the R statistical environment to explore and analyze camera trap data and implement common analyses (Nov 11-14).
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RECENT
EMPLOYMENT POSTINGS
TO FIND INFORMATION
ON THESE AND OTHER POSITIONS, GO TO THE
JOB BOARD
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Banner Photo: Waxwings from the ASPB Collection
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.
PROFESSIONAL BIOLOGISTS PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST
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.
ASPB may use AI-assisted tools in the development of communications, administrative correspondence, website content, and other documentation.
2026
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