ALBERTA BIOLOGISTS' BIWEEKLY
MARCH 15, 2023
Soil: a Biological Resource:
See article in BIOS BRIEF below
ASPB Updates Values Statements
At its regular monthly meeting in January, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists approved an updated version of the Society’s Vision, Mission and Values statements. They are now posted on the website HERE.
Help shape Alberta's
Wildlife Camera Survey Guidelines
The Alberta Remote Camera Steering Committee, working with WildCAM, has spearheaded the development of provincial Wildlife Camera Survey Guidelines that can serve as a standard method for users of wildlife cameras.
ASPB 2023 AGM and Conference
TRANSITION IN THE FIELD OF BIOLOGY
The ASPB 2023 Annual Conference will be held on November 22, 23, and 24
at the
Red Deer Resort and Casino in Red Deer, Alberta.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Open: March 1
Deadline: April 30
Topics: We are looking for abstracts focused on wetlands, wildlife, aquatics, rec/rem, sustainability, renewables, and advancements in the field of biology.

Details: Abstracts ~250-500 words sent to Jessica Koehli at regulatory@aspb.ab.ca

The review of abstracts will take approximately 1-2 weeks. At that time the authors or presenters of potential abstracts will be contacted for a short online interview. 
University of Alberta hosts
R. E. Peter Biology Conference
For the first time in three years (from March 8-10, 2023) the R. E. Peter Biology Conference was held in-person at the Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science at the University of Alberta. This conference was originally organized by the Biology Graduate Students’ Association (BGSA) of the University of Alberta to honour Dr. R.E. Peter (1943-2007) and his contributions to the UofA Department of Biological Sciences. The 2023 conference consisted of both oral and poster presentations by graduate and senior undergraduate students from the University of Alberta and MacEwan University; the conference abstract book is available HERE.
Notice of Call for Workshops
The ASPB is considering hosting biology-focused workshops after the annual conference is complete on the afternoon of Friday, November 24. If you are interested in hosting a workshop or have a suggestion about a course you would like to see delivered, please send an email to Jessica Koehli at regulatory@aspb.ab.ca.
ASPB STAFF VISIT WITH STUDENTS
AT WILDLIFE SOCIETY CONFERENCE
ASPB staff members attended the student networking event at the Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society annual conference this weekend. Jessica Koehli (ASPB Regulatory Coordinator) and Janet Bauman (ASPB Assistant Registar) had a great opportunity to chat with students about what it means to be regulated and how a (free!) student membership can benefit them before graduation. Said Ms. Koehli following the event, “Thanks to everyone who came out to chat with us. If there are any follow up questions, please reach out to me at my Email address." 
Attention Student Members!
We have launched our new page for Student Members on the ASPB webpage at https://www.aspb.ab.ca/students. It is just in the early stages, but it already lists some events for students where the ASPB will be in attendance this spring.
Only
Two Weeks Left to renew your ASPB registration:
Renewal fees are payable through the member portal on the ASPB website.
Late fees now apply; registrants who have not renewed
by March 31
will be suspended.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE
OF WHAT TO DO,
PHONE OR EMAIL
THE REGISTRAR
BEFORE MARCH 31.
1-403-264-2504
BUILDING YOUR
CAREER?
See what's new on the
BIOLOGISTS'
JOB BOARD

Environmental Technologist,
 
Biologist / Environmental Professional
 
Intermediate Fisheries Biologist/Technician,
 
Junior Fisheries Biologist/Technician,
 
Environmental Technologist,
 
Intermediate/Senior Environmental Specialist,
 
Environmental Analyst,
 
Intermediate/Senior Aquatic Specialist,
 
Intermediate Vegetation Ecologist,
 
Summer Student – Biologist
 
Intermediate Reclamation Specialist,
 
Intermediate Environmental Scientist
 
Senior Wildlife Biologist,
 
Intermediate Wildlife Biologist,
 
Aquatic Biologist,
 
Wetland Specialist,
 
Project Manager, Regulatory Specialist,
 
Intermediate Environmental Scientist,

Environmental Monitor
 
Conservation Coordinator - Seasonal
 
Wildlife Discipline Lead
 
Junior Environmental Scientist
 
Junior / Intermediate Environmental Specialist
 
Senior Fisheries Biologist
 
Fish Habitat Restoration/Offsetting Specialist
 
Intermediate Aquatic Specialist
 
Terrestrial/Wildlife Lead
 
Practice Area Lead, Natural Sciences
 
FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THESE POSITIONS
AND OVER 45 MORE
SEMINARS, WEBINARS & CONFERENCES
MARCH
Workshop:
Cool-season invasive grasses
The Second Perennial Cool-Season Invasive Grasses of the Northern Great Plains Workshop will take place on March 15-17, 2023 in Fargo, North Dakota.
Online Wildlife Tracker Conference
The 2023 North American Wildlife Tracker Conference is being held online on March 18 & 19, 2023. The conference will bring together certified wildlife trackers, wildlife professionals and tracking enthusiasts for two days of virtual presentations, panel discussions, and community-building. For more information and to register, visit Tracker Certification North America
Free webinar:
Get to know the new Wetland Atlas of Alberta
On 12:00 noon (MST) on March 21, 2023, you are invited to join ABMI Wetland Ecologist Jenet Dooley, Geospatial Scientist Jen Hird, and Knowledge Translation Specialist Sydney Toni as they introduce the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute’s latest interactive online core report. The webinar will include a complete tour of the Wetland Atlas, plus outline past research contributing to its development and our vision for future iterations. The webinar is free, but the ABMI requests that you please RSVP HERE if you plant to attend.
ANPC webinar:
The Basics of Vascular Plant ID
The Alberta Native Plant Council is hosting the third lunchtime webinar in
the Back to Botany Basics series. Donna Cherniawsky will introduce the basics of vascular plant identification on March 21, 2023 at 12:00hrs MST. You can register on the ANPC website or HERE.
GRF Workshop
How to Use Range Plant Community Guides
This one-day, classroom-based course in Cochrane, AB on March 23, 2023, 10:00-16:00 will teach participants how to use the Range Plant Community Guides and introduce the Recovery Strategies for Development in Native Grassland Manuals planning process. These tools will provide valuable context to interpret results of data collected for AEP Conservation Assessments – Strategic Siting and Pre-disturbance Site Assessments for Industrial Activities on Native Grassland. Registration will be active mid-January through the Grassland Restoration Forum website HERE.
Soil Classification (SOIL410 Wi23)
March 29 and 30, 2023 (online) This one-day advanced soil science course led by Dr. Konstantin Dlusskiy focuses on: Common landforms and parent materials associated with soils on the Prairies.
SEMINARS, WEBINARS & CONFERENCES
APRIL
Soil Mapping (SOIL420 Wi23)
April 5 and 6, 2023 (online) Two-day course on soil mapping and survey procedures provided online:
ESAA to host Inaugural Summit
at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
The inaugural ESAA Summit will take place from April 12-14, 2023, at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The agenda feature will feature a number of panel discussions as well as including an Indigenous Awareness and Inclusion Workshop, a PTAC Alberta Upstream Petroleum Research Fund (AUPRF) Update Session, the ESAA Annual General Meeting, two receptions and two keynote addresses. ASPB registrants have been invited to register for the Summit at the ESAA membership price. For full conference information and to register, please go HERE.
School of Fish Workshop:
Fishes of Alberta - Field Identification
This fish ID course will be instructed by Shona Derlukewich, B.Sc., P. Biol., at MacEwan University in Edmonton April 17, 2023, from 1700h to 2030h. The cost per student is $125; pre-payment by etransfer to hold seat. Field guides are included in the workshop cost and will be provided to participants upon arrival. Additional details (map for parking and room number) will be supplied to registered participants. To register, email Shona Derlukewich and for more fishy details check out the WEBSITE.
Spring SST Training Course
Equilibrium Environmental has scheduled a full 4-day SST Version 3.0 certification course (online) for April 18 to April 21, 2023. It is not mandatory for practitioners who are already certified in a previous version of the tool to retake the full certification course / exam, though it is highly recommended to have taken at least a 2-day update course or to audit the full course as a refresher (but with no exam) if certified prior to Version 3.0. For further information, please email SSTInfo@eqm.ca or contact Equilibrium Environmental at 403-286-9374 or visit www.eqm.ca for a copy of the registration form.
ANPC Hybrid Worskhop:
How Plants Inspire Us
The Alberta Native Plant Council is hosting the “How Plants Inspire Us” Hybrid Workshop on Saturday April 22, 2023. The workshop will be held at the Cattail Crossing Golf and Winter Club north of Edmonton, with online attendance available via Zoom. The event features more than 10 speakers, artists and native plant enthusiasts to present their knowledge, culture, traditional medicines, practices and art at this event. More details and registration are available HERE.
SEMINARS, WEBINARS & CONFERENCES
MAY
School of Fish Workshop:
Fishes of Alberta - Field Identification
This fish ID course will be instructed by Shona Derlukewich, B.Sc., P. Biol., at Mount Royal University in Calgary on Saturday, May 6, 2023, from 1300h to 1630h. The cost per student is $100; pre-payment by etransfer to hold seat, non refundable after April 22, 2023. Field guides are included in the workshop cost and will be provided to participants upon arrival. Additional details (map for parking and room number) will be supplied to registered participants. To register, email Shona Derlukewich and for more fishy details check out the WEBSITE.
Responsible Recreation:
Pathways, Practices and Possibilities 
Recreation and adventure tourism opportunities and activities are expanding globally. However, empirical measures of impacts are often difficult to obtain. This two-day conference hosted by the Columbia Mountains Institute will be an excellent opportunity to network and learn about current thinking on increasing outdoor recreation activities and the effect on wildlife and ecosystems. This event on May 9 and 10, 2023 will be a hybrid event, with both in-person and online participation. The call for proposals is open until February 3, 2023; go HERE for more information.
Pedology Field School (SOIL230 Sp23)
May 29 to 31, 2023 (in-person in the Edmonton area) This 24-h introductory soil science course is fully field-based. The 3-day field school led by Dr. Konstantin Dlusskiy focuses on hands-on experience with application to industry standards.
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
CONTINUING EDUCATION

BMC252 - Environmental Issues in Indigenous Communities
Start Date: April 18, 2023

BMC265 - Environmental Impact Assessments
Start Date: June 30 2023
COLUMBIA MOUNTAINS INSTITUTE

Thanks to the generous support of the Columbia Basin Trust and KCP, we are able to offer this series free of charge. For full details and registration please go
NATURAL RESOURCES
TRAINING GROUP
Fish Habitat Restoration – Instream Techniques – Online, March 15-16, 2023
Avian Nest Sweeps and Monitoring Methods – Online – March 16-17, 2023
Wetland Assessment – Online, March 28-29, 2023
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & North Vancouver, April 4, 2023
Amphibian and Reptile Salvage Methods (Online) April 11-12, 2023
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Courtenay, April 11, 2023
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Cochrane, April 12, 2023
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Kamloops, 12th April 2023
Technical Writing for Professionals – Resumes and Cover Letters – Online, April 12, 2023
Technical Writing for Professionals – Online, April 13-14, 2023
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Kelowna, 14th April 2023
Land Guardian Program – April 17 – May 19, 2023 – Fully Online

For the full calendar of upcoming courses the link is here:
SALMTEC
 COURSES AND TRAINING PROGRAMS
 
Winter 2023 Registration Now Open!, Blended Course: Alberta Wetland Rapid Evaluation Tool – Actual (ABWRET-A), Online Content + Live Streaming Class (April 28, 2023)
 
Winter 2023 Registration Now Open! Blended Course: Biophysical Foundations Online Content+Live Streaming Class.Field Course near Bragg Creek, AB

Winter 2023 Registration Now Open!, Blended Course: Grassland Vegetation Inventory (GVI): A User’s Guide , Online Content + Live Streaming Class (April 14, 2023)
 
Spring 2023 Registration Now Open! Biophysical Bootcamp Field Course, Bragg Creek, Alberta, May 30, 2023 https://www.salmtec.com/courses/biophysical-bootcamp
 
Understanding ACIMS Tools Online Course
 
Alberta Soil Information Viewer Online Course
 
Alberta Wetland Policy Basics Online Course
 
Navigating the Alberta Soil Information Viewer Video Short (free)
Registration Link: https://salmtec.myshopify.com/
 
Wetland Water Cycle Video Short (free)
Registration Link: https://salmtec.myshopify.com/ 

THE SALMTEC CONNECTOR is a compilation of applied science and land management event listings, across a variety of sectors and disciplines, published monthly.
You can find the SALMTEC website HERE.
ANNUAL
ASPB CONFERENCE SPONSORS
Soil: a Biological Resource
The study of soil, and the practice of biology in the context of soil biology, is the study and practice of [habitat] ecology: “Soil is a complex habitat consisting of mineral and organic particles; living organisms, including plant roots, microbes and larger animals; and pores filled with air or water.” Quoted from page 49, “Know Soil, Know Life” published by the Soil Science Society of America.

By way of clarifying that soil is considered a biological resource in the Province of Alberta, at its regular meeting in February the Board of Directors of the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists passed the following motions:
Motion 1 –
Soil is both recognized as a biological resource as referenced in Biology Regulations 1.(l)(ii) and as an Ecosystem within Environmental Biology 1.(d).
Motion 2 –
That all practical and working experience relevant to the practice of biology consider soil ecology as included in biological sciences 1.(d) and subsequently under 1. (l),(i)(iii)(iv).

Note: the motion references are drawn from the Professional Biologists Regulation, Alta Reg 120/2002.                                   
Western Sandpiper at work in soil, by Jean Iron
We regularly receive notifications from Google Scholar Alerts and other sources which we share below in the BIWEEKLY. Here is the latest batch (the links are HOT):
 
 
 
 
 
How to stop bird flu becoming a pandemic (Tracking spread in wild birds will help)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Banner Image:
Mule Deer caught by wildlife camera trap
Photo courtesy Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute

The ASPB regulates the professional practice of biology in the disciplines of Botany, Zoology, Environmental Biology and Microbiology, and all sub-disciplines below them. The ASPB is the only organization for biologists in Alberta that is registered under Provincial Legislation with a mandate to protect the interests of the public of Alberta. 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 about professional development opportunities for our members and essential member-related society business; if you are a registered member of 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.