THE BIWEEKLY

JUNE 1, 2026

Published by the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists

A DECEPTIVE FLOWER (!)

Photo taken by Jason Lewis, P. Biol.

The survey is accessible through your Member "My Dashboard"

2026 ASPB CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIPS

ARE NOW AVAILABLE!

As always, 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

What does AI say about

the practice of biology in Canada...

(today?)

According to an AI response to a Google query, Artificial Intelligence is transforming biology in Canada by accelerating drug discovery, mapping biodiversity, and advancing precision health. Powered by federal strategies, massive computational investments, and local talent, Canadian biology is shifting from manual bench experiments to data-driven, predictive, and digitally integrated science.

Canada's AI-Biology Ecosystem includes Canadian government investments in the life sciences to ensure domestic researchers have the infrastructure to scale. Federal agencies like Genome Canada and the National Research Council (NRC) drive collaborative initiatives linking machine learning with genomics to solve agricultural and clinical challenges.

Regionally, there are academic and research centers, such as the University of Toronto's Donnelly Centre and the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), leading global breakthroughs in predictive biology and bioinformatics.

At the ASPB, we gather snippets of biology information from sources like 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

Relative importance of spectral, object, and elevation drone data on vegetation community mapping accuracy for 18 high-altitude wetlands in Alberta

Prospects of in situ nano-mycorrhizo-phytoremediation (NMPR) strategy of decontaminating HM-contaminated aquatic freshwater ecosystems–A review

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

Indigenous co-produced research reveals impacts of industrial landscape change on mammal populations in a boreal foothills landscape

WILDLIFE & FISHERIES

Evaluating Mercury Deposition over Space and Time in Critical Nesting Habitat for Endangered Whooping Crane (Wood Buffalo National Park)

Polycyclic aromatic compounds in gull and tern eggs from breeding sites downstream of Athabasca oil sands mines

Population structure and reproductive ecology of wild pigs at the northern edge of the North American invasive range

Live fish highway: Uncovering the pathways that move millions of minnows across the United States

The ecological footprint of recreation: Impacts on mountain goat habitat selection

Evaluating the Conservation Regime for Boreal Caribou in Alberta and Ontario, Canada

Golden Northern Bumble Bee-Bombus fervidus

Body size range of ground beetles is associated with the structure of nearby non-crop vegetation: Implications for field margin management

Artificial egg aims to hatch extinct birds

Books of a feather reviewed together

Diverse grazing enhances abundance and diversity of obligate grassland birds in the northern Great Plains

Broad-winged Bush Katydid-Scudderia pistillata

Bright lights keep mosquitoes awake

Community-based eDNA metabarcoding for monitoring fish biodiversity and food webs in the Peace-Athabasca Delta

Habitat characteristics influence Pika Abundance in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks

Reduced predator avoidance follows ocular and lateral line pathology in minnow species after diesel exposure

Seasonal space use of gray wolves is concurrent with primary prey

No evidence of skewed or extra variable sex ratio in a Western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) conservation breeding program

PROTECTED AREAS and MANAGEMENT

Spatial and temporal land cover change trends in the Canadian Prairies region from 1984-2022

Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment: Optimization of Design and Mechanisms for Enhanced Pollutant Removal

Sustainable Ecotourism: A Catalyst for Habitat Conservation and Community Development

Ecology and Community: A Multi-Disciplinary Study of Forest, Wildlife, and Human Communities of the Intermountain West

FORESTRY

Is it a mixedwood? spatially-explicit responses to gradients in forest structure and composition in three boreal bird species

Age-matched benchmark comparisons show region-dependent forest recovery on legacy industrial sites

Using Landscape Genomics to Define Species Distributions, Delineate Seed Zones, and Predict Genomic Offset to Future Climate for the Interior Spruce Hybrid 

Artificial gaps but not thinning persistently enhance forest structural heterogeneity

BOTANY

Agriculture is driving antifungal resistance

Genomic analysis of prophages from Burkholderia gladioli exposes extensive genetic diversity

Evaluating Planting Methods for Native Seed Production and Exploring Granivory in the Northern Great Plains

Migratory Grasshopper-Melanoplus sanguinipes

ENGINEERING & DESIGN

Canada's agricultural greenhouse gas research initiatives: nature-based solutions for emissions reduction

Evaluating Acid Mine Drainage Potential in TSRU Tailings Across Weathering Stages

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Survey: AI and open-access databases

AI and Sustainability–Canada Focus

Universal guidelines for AI disclosure?

Nature wants to hear what you think about AI.

MICROBIOLOGY/BIOTECHNOLOGY

Some lab mice aren’t what it says on the tin

Agriculture is driving antifungal resistance

Invasive species team up to wreak havoc

Microbes eat pollution — if we let them

Drops let mouse eyes ‘photosynthesize’

wearing-deet-might-be-like-ringing-the-mosquito-dinner-bell-1281444

Four Seasons of Indigenous Learning

This Indigenous-led course is open to everyone. It starts in the autumn, goes until the spring, and includes: 

• 5 hours of self-paced online learning (interactive, with videos)
• 7 x 1 hour virtual presentations by an incredible group of Indigenous presenters
• Recordings of the presentations, if you can’t join live
• Upon completion, we provide a Certificate of Completion (12 learning hours) and $25 to access excellent Indigenous resources.

Early bird registration closes June 30. Learn more & sign-up.

LakeWatch Scholarship

Open for Applications

The annual ALMS Dr. Ron Zurawell LakeWatch Scholarship ($2,000) is open for applications until July 31st. You can find all scholarship details here: www.alms.ca/scholarship.

CONFERENCE 2026

LAST CALL FOR ABSTRACTS!

THEY CLOSE TODAY - JUNE 1st !

The theme of the ASPB 2026 Conference (November 4-6, 2026) is Supporting Biologists: in the Field and Beyond

For details please go to 2026 Conference Abstract Info

17^th Annual Richard E. Peter Conference

The Richard E. Peter 17th Annual Biology Conference was organized by the Biology Graduate Students’ Association at the Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science at the University of Alberta. The event was a multi-day, interdisciplinary, student-run conference on March 17-20, 2026, that showcased research conducted by graduate and senior undergraduate students in the biological sciences.

In alignment with the conference theme (Sustainability), presentations explored innovative research that addresses environmental challenges and conservation, as well as fostering sustainable practices. This conference serves as a platform for students to present their findings in various fields, including Molecular Biology and Genetics, Paleontology, Microbiology, Plant Biology, Physiology and Development, Marine Biology, Immunology and Infection, Entomology, and Health Sciences.

The Abstract Book can be found HERE:

https://repeterconference.weebly.com/abstract-book.html

Court Upholds Just Cause

for Resumé Misrepresentation

According to a Field Law Workwise Newsletter (May 2026), an Alberta court has upheld dismissal for cause where a senior executive falsely claimed to be pursuing an MBA. The Court found the misrepresentation was intentional, material to the role, and undermined the trust essential to an executive position; employers are entitled to rely on resume representations and need not independently verify credentials before acting on dishonesty, particularly for senior hires. 

Exploring Bathroom Access During Fieldwork

Lethbridge Polytechnic, led by Dr. Everett Hanna, PBiol, CWB® (Environmental Sciences) and Josh Hill (General Arts and Sciences), has

launched a survey exploring bathroom access during fieldwork and how it relates to health, safety, well-being, and professional experience in field-based work. The research team understands this topic will resonate with the many field work practitioners in the ASPB’s membership and has requested that the ASPB share the attached poster and survey link (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CYDVB5H), aiming to capture a wide range of perspectives across career stages and sectors. They consider support from organizations like the ASPB to be extremely valuable in helping reach that goal; the study is sanctioned by the Lethbridge Polytechnic Research Ethics Board.

SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES

JUNE

Vertex Professional Training

Bryophyte and Wetlands Courses

 COURSE 3 June 1-2 – Wetland Bryophyte Identification

COURSE 4 June 3-5 – Boreal Wetlands Field Course

 Details and links to register: Vertex - Professional Training 2026

Amphibian Identification and Survey Techniques

Two field session options: June 15 (Squamish), and June 18 (Revelstoke).

Amphibian Identification and Survey Techniques

SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES

JULY

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.

• 2-day field competency - Survey Methods and Health Training July 8-9, 2026, at Golden, BC. https://whitebarkpine.ca/our-work/training/
• Science and management conference - Collaboration for Recovery: Active Management in a Changing Climate October 14-15, 2026, Radium, BC. https://whitebarkpine.ca/conferences/

SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES

SEPTEMBER

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 

TRAINING PROVIDERS

for professional biologists

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/ 

NATURAL RESOURCES

TRAINING GROUP

Fish Habitat Restoration — Prescription Development - Online, June 1st, 2026

Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Cranbrook, June 4th, 2026

Fish Habitat Restoration — Stream Morphology Assessment - Online - June 8th, 2026

Species at Risk - Online - June 9th - 10th, 2026

⁠Fish Habitat Restoration — Identification of Factors Limiting Fish Productivity - Online - June 9th, 2026

Advanced Electrofishing – Online – June 12th, 2026

Construction Monitoring — Principles of Erosion and Sediment Control on Construction Sites - Online - June 16th, 2026

Electrofishing Certification - Online (self-paced) & West Vancouver - June 19th, 2026

Bat Habitat Assessment – Online – June 23rd – 24th, 2026

Electrofishing Certification - Online (self-paced) & Cochrane - June 23rd, 2026

Amphibian Survey and Collection Methods - Online - June 23rd, 2026

Introduction to Environmental Work on Construction Sites - Online - June 29th, 2026

For the full calendar of upcoming courses, and course details, follow this link:

https://nrtraininggroup.com/schedule/

COLUMBIA MOUNTAINS INSTITUTE

Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology

Revelstoke BC

Introduction to Describing Wetlands in the Field. In-person course June 15-17.

QGIS Mapping. Online, flexible dates.

Plant Families from an Alpine Wildflower Perspective. Intro-level plant family ID, but in the Alpine! July 27-28, Revelstoke BC

Willow Identification, an Introduction. Willows can be tricky, this course will certainly help! July 29-30, Revelstoke BC

ESTI

The Environmental Sciences Training Institute

Please contact efishing@esticanada.com with any questions or to book a custom delivery. Learn about our Efishing program here. 

View our in-person course calendar at

https://esticanada.com/shop/

Nest Sweep Protocol: Online – Self-Paced

Online Courses

SALMTEC

 COURSES AND TRAINING PROGRAMS

******

SALMTEC offers several self-paced online courses:

Imagery Interpretation and Analysis Course (W26)

ABWRET-A Blended Course (W26)

Wetland Policy Basics

Understanding ACIMS Tools Alberta Soil Information Viewer Land Use Assessment Landscape Analysis

SALMTEC offers OnDemand seminars:

Catchment Delineation

Technical Report Review 

Hydrology & Wetland Design 

Wetland Delineation  

VISIT THE SALMTEC CONNECTOR 

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 CONNECTOR HERE.

RECENT

EMPLOYMENT POSTINGS

Intermediate Aquatic Biologist

Qualified Aquatic Environment Specialist (QAES)

Junior Biologist

Fisheries Biologist

Junior/Intermediate Agrologist

Junior/Intermediate Biologist

Regulatory Coordinator

Water Resource Coordinator 

   FIND INFORMATION ON

THESE AND OTHER POSITIONS, GO TO THE

JOB BOARD

This week’s banner photo:

Deceptive Flower !

Photo taken by Jason Lewis, P. Biol.

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