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THE BIWEEKLY
MARCH 1, 2026
Published by the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists
| | WOODCHUCK
Photo by biologist Orsi Hamari | | |
CONFERENCE 2026
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS:
Supporting Biologists: in the Field and Beyond
The theme of the ASPB 2026 Conference (November 4-6, 2026) is Supporting Biologists: in the Field and Beyond and the call for abstracts opens today (March 1) and closes on June 1, 2026.
For details please go to 2026 Conference Abstract Info
SPONSORSHIPS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!
As in previous years,
it is our valuable sponsors who provide the power
to drive the standard of excellence
for which our conferences are known.
For full information, please go to 2026 Sponsorship Packages
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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):
State Wetland Protections after Sackett v. EPA: Lessons from the Prairie Pothole Region
Alberta Beardtongue-Penstemon albertinus
Stand dynamics and the mountain pine beetle–thirty years of forest change in Waterton Lakes National Park,
Draining wetlands produces substantial emissions in the Canadian Prairies
Assessing differences in food web metrics in freshwater ecosystems after the invasion of Northern crayfish (Faxonius virilis)
Where Dinner Roams: The Role of Feral Horses as a Resource Subsidy for Wolves and Cougars in West‐Central British Columbia
… and Protected Areas© 2026 Government of Alberta| February 2026| ISBN 978-1-4601-6460-0 Prepared by: Jenn Sheppard, Senior Wildlife Biologist, Fish and Wildlife …
Bees fan themselves to stay cool in the air
Why controlling for habitat amount is critical for resolving the fragmentation debate
Adaptive area‑wide management for suppressing spruce budworm outbreaks: effectiveness of the early intervention strategy
Permineralised Torreya (Taxaceae) leaves from the Upper Cretaceous of southern Alberta, Canada
Muscle-fin tissue stable isotope relationships for studying Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) trophic ecology
The concept of cultural keystone species, revisited through the eyes of Indigenous Peoples on northern Turtle Island
Endangered species laws and the inclusion of Indigenous knowledges and sciences in risk assessments
Quantifying and mapping tree cover in Alberta and Manitoba's prairie landscapes
Seismic line disturbances affect spatial and temporal patterns of snow accumulation in boreal forests
Free rein: Are feral horses competing with native ungulates in British Columbia?
Quantifying spatial conflicts between future renewable energy development and restoration priorities for Southern Mountain Caribou in British Columbia
The artificial biology revolution
Genetic structure in a previously extirpated population of gray wolves following reintroduction and natural recolonization
Detection and analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the grey wolf (Canis lupus) genome
Metagenomic and Genomic Analyses Reveal Prevalent Spread and Evolution of the Bat White-Nose Pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans in Western Canada
Neighbourhood composition dictates expression of soil legacy effects on plant growth
Impact of Temperature and Precipitation Shifts on Insect Life Cycles
Local Adaptation for Seasonal Cold Tolerance in a High‐Elevation Conifer Species, Subalpine Larch (Larix lyallii Parl.)
Exposing the elephant in the room? Connecting speciesism to Canadian animal welfare legislation
ELC Webinar: Parks & Protected Areas
AI-Driven Wetland Mapping Across Diverse Natural Regions of Alberta, Canada, Using Combined Airborne and Satellite Remote Sensing Data
The ELC's Biodiversity in Focus webinar
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Call for Judges!
Calgary Youth Science Fair 2026
Friday April 10 7AM to Noon,
at the University of Calgary Olympic Oval
Support Calgary’s youth and be inspired by our young scientists! Join a dynamic community of volunteer judges for this fun and rewarding opportunity. Parking and breakfast provided. You will be provided webinar training and plenty of support on Fair Day.
Register at: CYSF Judging Learn More: www.cysf.org
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SARA - Grasshopper Sparrow
planning document opens
The recovery planning documents for the Grasshopper Sparrow, pratensis subspecies (Ammodramus savannarum pratensis) in Canada is open for a 60-day comment period, and can be found on the Species at risk public registry.
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES
MARCH
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Rangeland Sustainability Program
This one day, classroom-based course from the Grassland Restoration Forum presents the theory behind Alberta’s prairie and foothills Range Plant Community Guides and guided practice using them.
It will take place on Thursday March 26th, 2026, 10:00 – 16:30, at the Glenbow Ranch Schoolhouse at Cochrane, Alberta. Registration is $250 per person. Maximum 30 registrants. Limited student registration at $100 per person. Register on-line at www.grasslandrestorationforum.ca
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Native Plants and Yards
Speakers: Liz Deleeuw and Manna Parseyan, Edmonton Native Plant Society
Wednesday March 11, 2026 at 7:00pm.
Register free!
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES
APRIL
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Fishes of Alberta
Field Identification Workshops
April 18, 2026 (Edmonton)
May 2, 2026 (Calgary)
This popular workshop is delivered by Shona Derlukewich (“School of Fish”) and guides participants through the fundamental morphological traits, geographic distribution, and habitat preferences of fish found in Alberta.
The course is designed to benefit anyone interested in fisheries, at all experience levels, from those just getting started to seasoned experts. The Alberta Field Guide is included in the workshop.
This course will be held at MacEwan University on Saturday afternoon, April 18, 2026., and also at Mount Royal University on Saturday afternoon May 2, 2026. Specific details will be provided for paid participants; the cost is $175 per student, and payment is due BEFORE the workshop. Credit cards are subject to a 3.5% service charge; you can also E-transfer to derlukew@ualberta.ca. Cell phone: 780-722-9884. Email: derlukew@ualberta.ca
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES
MAY
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2026 Alberta Soils Tour:
Exploring Palliser's Triangle
The Alberta Soils Tour, presented on May 27 through May 29, 2026 by the Alberta Soil Science Workshop Organizing Committee, is an excellent training opportunity for those working with soils, whether the focus is soil conservation, land reclamation, or agronomy. Experts will provide background on soil formation and the various soil profiles for each of the landscapes encountered during the tour. The tour provides hands-on field opportunities for professional development, learning, and collaboration.
The 2026 Alberta Soils Tour would require two or three overnight stays in Medicine Hat, AB. To book your accommodation, or to see the tour poster, please visit http://www.soilsworkshop.ab.ca/tour.html
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 01, 2026
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ANPC Annual Workshop
The Alberta Native Plant Council is pleased to announce that registration for the 38th Annual Workshop is now open. This year, the workshop will be held in Calgary, Alberta on May 2, 2026, at the Wild Rose Brewery. The theme this year is Grassroots Grow Deep: Local Action, Global Impact. This theme was chosen to highlight impactful works of people and organizations working at a local level all over Alberta to support native plants in the province. See details on the ANPC website.
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Don't Forget!!
The 2026 Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference
takes place May 5 - 7, 2026 in Saskatoon, SK.
Make sure to check out the tours and workshops that are also available.
www.prairiecesc.ca/
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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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BSc & MSc degrees in
Ecological Restoration
at the
BC Institute of Technology
Looking to advance your career in ecosystem restoration? The BSc & MSc Programs in Ecological Restoration at BCIT offer hands‑on fieldwork, applied research, and an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to prepare you for real ecological challenges. Learn more about how the program can support your career goals: https://www.bcit.ca/programs/ecological-restoration/
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NATURAL RESOURCES
TRAINING GROUP
Fish Habitat Restoration — Primer on Stream Hydrology – Online – March 3rd, 2026
Fish Habitat Restoration — Primer on Stream Hydrology – Online – March 3rd, 2026
Fish Habitat Restoration — Stream Morphology Assessment - Online - March 4th, 2026
Fish Habitat Restoration — Stream Morphology Assessment - Online - March 4th, 2026
Marine Mammal Observation - Online - March 9th & March 16th, 2026
Marine Mammal Observation - Online - March 9th & March 16th, 2026
Fish Habitat Restoration — Identification of Factors Limiting Fish Productivity - Online - March 13th, 2026
Fish Habitat Restoration — Identification of Factors Limiting Fish Productivity - Online - March 13th, 2026
Avian Nest Sweeps and Monitoring Methods - Online - March 18th - 19th, 2026
Avian Nest Sweeps and Monitoring Methods - Online - March 18th - 19th, 2026
Fish Habitat Restoration — Groyne Design and Function in Rivers - Online - March 20th, 2026
Fish Habitat Restoration — Groyne Design and Function in Rivers - Online - March 20th, 2026
Sampling Fuel Spills in Water - Online - March 24th, 2026
Sampling Fuel Spills in Water - Online - March 24th, 2026
Construction Monitoring — Water Quality and Assessment - Online - March 27th, 2026
Construction Monitoring — Water Quality and Assessment - Online - March 27th, 2026
Electrofishing Certification - Online (self-paced) & West Vancouver, March 27th, 2026
Electrofishing Certification - Online (self-paced) & West Vancouver, March 27th, 2026
Construction Monitoring — Principles of Erosion and Sediment Control on Construction Sites - Online - March 31st, 2026
Construction Monitoring — Principles of Erosion and Sediment Control on Construction Sites – Online - March 31st, 2026
Amphibian Survey and Collection Methods - Online - March 31st, 2026
Amphibian Survey and Collection Methods - Online - March 31st, 2026
For the full calendar of upcoming courses, and course details, follow this link:
https://nrtraininggroup.com/schedule/
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This week’s banner photo:
WOODCHUCK
Photo by biologist Orsi Hamari
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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