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THE BIWEEKLY
DECEMBER 1, 2025
Published by the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists
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Purple Reign
This photo by Orsolya Hamari, BIT, was captured with an iPhone 14 and is the Conference Committee choice from submissions to the 2025 ASPB Annual Photo Contest. She writes:
An emblem of connection and renewal, this image captures and celebrates the way life adapts, intertwines, and evolves, just like biological practice has blossomed over the past 50 years. This symbiosis between plants and fungi reminds us that progress in plant science is rooted in understanding nature's quiet collaborations.
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Reaching out to the future
The ASPB is building a province-wide roster of professional biologists who are passionate about their choice of occupation and would delight in sharing that passion with secondary and post-secondary students who have expressed an interest in learning more about the study and practice of biology. If you are interested, please contact Jessica Koehli (the ASPB’s Regulatory Manager) at
to learn more.
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The ASPB celebrates
past and future service
of elected officials
Following the official business of the ASPB's AGM on November 28, President Nikki Copeland warmly welcomed the new Directors and thanked all members of the Board for their service to the society over the past year. This years' AGM welcomes back Jennifer Stroh, Shilo Andrews-Brauer, and new Director Charmaine Leidal, each for two-year terms.
Executive Director Dean Falkenberg has paid a special tribute to outgoing Board member Julie Oxtoby, who served as President Elect in 2017, President in 2018, and Past President in 2019, followed by terms as a Director until this 2025 election. "Julie is the longest-serving consecutive Board member in our records, and has also served as a representative on the Registration and Disciplinary Committees, and a holder of knowledge from Board term to Board term. She is part of the fabric of the ASPB, having led discussions with industry, Government and helping to form the ASPB's future. I am grateful to Julie for her time and contributions to the success of this regulatory body... thank you Julie!"
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Registration Renewals Now Open
Please note that the registration renewal period opened December 1st. As the Board has directed for 2026, there is a one year hold on increases for registration fees (being held to the 2025 level). If you have questions on registration options, please look to your dashboard under "Registration Management".
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Keynote Address Offers
Things to Think About:
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Acclaimed author and retired Alberta Provincial Fish and Wildlife Biologist Lorne Fitch, P. Biol., presented the Keynote Address at luncheon on Thursday, November 27 at the ASPB's Fiftieth Anniversary Conference.
Fitch had given his presentation the title Scar Tissue from Lorne: Thoughts on Five Decades as a Biologist, and the scar tissue was plainly evident: he pulled no punches. His closing lines sent a clear message into the future:
I’ll leave you with a question each of you need to answer: Who else can speak up for the natural world with authoritative, credible voices if it isn’t you? If a professional association like the ASPB is to survive, and if its member biologists will continue to be relevant, this is something to think deeply about. If we do, there will be an opportunity to celebrate our centenary.
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The Call for Abstracts
is now open for PCESC
The Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (SK PCAP) is hosting the 14th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference, May 5-7, 2026 in Saskatoon, SK. The event theme is “Diversity: Key to Resilience.” This event is back in Saskatchewan, for the first time in 10 years! Key features of this event include keynote speakers, break-out sessions, a trade show and a poster sessions.
A variety of pre-event workshops are also available to offer hands-on learning opportunities. A banquet celebration and a conservation awards ceremony will be a highlight. The Call for Presentation and Poster Abstracts is open; the deadline is December 10, 2025 : https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/T5WQ6R8
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Alberta’s Biology Legends:
OUR PEOPLE
AND A HALF-CENTURY OF EXCELLENCE
As we celebrate this fiftieth anniversary, we want to celebrate our profession and its people. Since mid-summer, in each edition of THE BIWEEKLY we have been publishing short personal reflections of some of those who have served the society over many years . We will continue this series into 2026.
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Ricardo Moreno
I feel very proud and grateful to have been able to serve as a member of the ASPB Board for some years. And, with over 35 years in the energy sector, I remain deicated to advocating for the seamless integration of environmental and sustainable best management practices, alongside ecological and biological sciences, within projects across Canada and Latin America.
This extraordinary journey has led me through a diverse spectrum of complex and groundbreaking projects set in breathtaking landscapes, from pipelines (gas, oil, LNG and upstream oil and gas including oil sands) to hydroelectric and thermoelectric developments, as well as power transmission lines in highly biodiverse and ecologically complex and sensitive terrestrial and aquatic habitats, including marine and coastal ecosystems. Throughout these decades, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable evolution of biological practices and regulatory frameworks, shaping the way industries interact with the natural world.
Personally, I have a wonderful family, including two amazing children who are happily married and embracing life, making me a proud grandpa. One of my key professional milestones has been my role as an environmental supervisor for a 750 km LNG pipeline traversing the magnificent Andes, from the Peruvian Amazon jungle to the Pacific Ocean. This ambitious project reached elevations of 4,400 meters above sea level and crossed a stunning array of landscapes, including lush jungles, flowing rivers, steep slopes, foothill habitats, unique high-altitude ecosystems, coastal deserts, and even marine environments.
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Gary Ash
I semi-retired from Golder Associates at the end of December, 2014, and then worked on an hourly basis for several years before fully retiring. I am currently on the Board of the Edmonton Nature Centrus Foundation, and longtime Board member of the Canadian Athletic Club. My wife and I have two daughters and four grandchildren. We purchased a condo in Palm Springs over a year ago, and spend part of our winters in the sun.
The thing I valued most about my several years on the ASPB Board was meeting and working with the many biologists who stepped up over the years to volunteer on the Board, dedicating countless hours promoting the profession of biology in Alberta.
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Bruce Greenfield
My first exposure to the machinery of the ASPB was when I became involved with the Practice Review Committee to contribute to developing a Continuing Competency Program. It was revealing to look at the CCPs of other professional organizations and understand how the incorporated values can influence the Society. I was honored to be asked to fill a vacant Director position on the Board in fall 2012. I recall my first Board meeting. Baptism by fire. The proceedings and decisions happened rapidly, so I needed to learn to keep up.
When I joined the Board, I was assigned to be liaison to the Practice Review Committee. When I met with the PRC Chair I found that we were woefully below our target for audits of member compliance with Continuing Competency requirements. It quickly became obvious that the problem was the slow, labour intensive manual audit process. An automated CCP system was the solution. This led to being able to work with the PRC to develop the current system used annually during membership renewal, providing a 100% high-level audit of all members annually.
I continued to serve on the Board until spring 2015. It was an exciting time because we were going through a transition from a management focused Board towards a policy governance Board. Near the end of my tenure I was involved in a small working group tasked with designing a new ASPB logo. We wanted to get away from the bugs and bunnies image and develop something that represented the entire scope of biological science. That is why the current logo represents DNA, common to all life on earth. I secretly smile and feel a twinge of pride every time I see it!
After my time on the Board, I continued to be involved through participation on the PRC. It is interesting that one of the most challenging issues that we seemed to debate endlessly was “What are the boundaries of Professional Biology?” For what it is worth, I always advocated for broad acceptance of anybody with appropriate education and experience in any life science field. I congratulate the ASPB on its growth and development over the last 50 years, and, with a vibrant membership, I am sure this will continue long into the future. I encourage members to get involved. It is your Society!
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES
DECEMBER
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The Association of Alberta
Forest Management Professionals
presents PD events for natural resource professionals:
An AAFMP Free PD Webinar: Taking Control: How time management can reduce stress and improve your professional practice and life, with Paavo Montandon on December 9, 2025 (12:00 - 1:00 pm MST)
Register
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES
JANUARY
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Save the Date:
The 73rd Great Plains
Fishery Workers Association Workshop
will be held in Billings, Montana, January 20 – 23, 2026. The Call for Abstracts is open! We are offering either an oral or poster option. Please fill out the submission form (https://forms.office.com/g/uJJmWMHTja) by January 2, 2026. Workshop Contact: Demi Blythe, Fisheries Division, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. |Office: (406) 247-2963 | Cell: (406) 594-0587. demi.blythe@mt.gov
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KEEPING TRACK
with
FIERA BIOLOGICAL CONSULTING
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Track & Sign Certification — Feb. 7 & 8, 2026, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan
Ages 18+ | Register by Jan. 18 | Limited space
Join us for this exploration of Saskatchewan’s boreal forests, frozen lakes, and snow-covered wetlands through the lens of wildlife track & sign identification and interpretation. This 2-day field-based workshop offers participants the opportunity to earn certifications in Track & Sign, ranging from Level 1 to Professional (Level 4). All abilities welcome.
Learn more and register here
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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RECENT
EMPLOYMENT POSTINGS
- Weed Inspector II
- Biologist – various levels
- Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control
- Intermediate Biologist
- Intermediate Vegetation Ecologist
- Environmental Specialist
- Senior Hydrogeologist
- Senior Vegetation Ecologist
- Senior or Intermediate Wildlife Biologist
- Wetland Specialist
FIND INFORMATION ON
THESE AND OTHER POSITIONS ON THE
JOB BOARD
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This week’s banner photo:
PURPLE REIGN
A Contest Winner from the
Annual ASPB Photo Content, 2025 edition!
(photo by Orsolya Hamari, BIT)
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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