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ALBERTA BIOLOGISTS' BIWEEKLY
NOVEMBER 1, 2023
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ASPB Annual General Meeting #48
will take place Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 at 9:15 am
at the Red Deer Resort and Casino in Red Deer, AB
Registered members in good standing may also attend remotely. You can find the agenda and register on the ASPB website HERE.
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ASPB Fee Renewal Schedule
Is Now Posted Online
Full information about the 2024 membership fee schedule is now available on line. There is a fee increase for 2024, but December 2023 is, in effect, a fee-increase holiday this year: renewals received this December will be subject to the 2023 rates until December 31. The new 2024 rates will apply on January 01, 2024 and late fees will apply on February 01. More detailed information is available HERE.
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Streams of Consequence:
We have an obligation
to bear witness...
Lorne Fitch, P. Biol., long-serving (and recently retired) wildlife biologist with the Government of Alberta, and an early member of the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists, has written Streams of Consequence, indeed a seminal work from this professional biologist and columnist, published by Rocky Mountain Books on October 17, 2023. As Monte Hummel, President Emeritus of the World Wildlife Fund, wrote in his review, “Lorne’s book deserves a broad readership – for the lessons it holds not just for Alberta, but for our country and planet.” Read more:
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THE CONFERENCE IS SOLD OUT, BUT...
You can go to the conference page on the ASPB website
HERE
and register for a place on the conference wait list.
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BUILDING YOUR
CAREER?
See what's new on the
BIOLOGISTS'
JOB BOARD
Senior/Intermediate
Aquatic Biologist
Small Mammal and Herpetofauna Biologist
Conservation Biologist
Senior Wildlife Biologist
Environmental, Ecology and Geomatics 2024
Registrar
Wildlife Discipline Lead
Intermediate to Senior
Vegetation Ecologist
Biologist/Environmental Monitor
Regulatory Specialist
Environmental Project Coordinator
Senior Risk Assessor
Biologist and Team Lead
Environmental Planner - Team Lead
FIND INFORMATION
ON THESE AND
MANY OTHER POSITIONS
HERE
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WE NEED THREE VOLUNTEERS
The Conference Committee is looking for volunteers to assist with speaker time management and attending to the video recording device in presentation rooms during concurrent sessions. Please contact the Conference Manager, Jessica Koehli .
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AEP announces Snake River
Reservoir Expansion Project
Proposed terms of reference for the Eastern Irrigation District (EID) Snake Lake Reservoir Expansion Project are now available for public comment. The EID is proposing the Snake Lake Reservoir Expansion Project which would expand the current Snake Lake Reservoir within Sections 29, 30, 31, and 32 in Township 19, Range 16, W4M, increasing the reservoir area by 780 ha to a total area of 1,100 ha and water capacity would increase by 68 million m3 to 86 million m3. The Project would include the construction of 9 km of earthen banks up to 20 m in height, and the removal of all or a portion of the East Dam to connect the existing reservoir with the expanded reservoir.
More information about the project and the proposed terms of reference are available at: https://www.alberta.ca/environmental-impact-assessments-current-projects.aspx. Comments are due to the director by December 8, 2023.
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New results and features for
ABMI’s Biodiversity Browser
The Biodiversity Browser is the place to go to find all the data and information the ABMI has compiled for the wide variety of species it monitors. More than 3000 individual species profiles are available in this portal, for species in seven taxonomic groups: birds, mammals, amphibians, soil mites, vascular plants, lichens, and mosses. The Biodiversity Browser has been recently updated to include updated species modelling results and field data as well as a new section for six mammal species (Black Bear, Canada Lynx, Coyote, Moose, Snowshoe Hare, White-tailed Deer), summarizing preliminary monitoring results in the Oil Sands Region. Results show how the abundances of these species are predicted to change in response to energy-related human footprint. Updates to the design of the species profiles make it easier to navigate between the sections: Status in Alberta, OSR Monitoring Results, and Species Facts. Read more.
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & CONFERENCES
NOVEMBER
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NABC Banding Workshop
and Certification in Belize
Hosted by the Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society at the TREES Research Center in the Maya Mountains of Belize, these sessions will be held November 11-15, 2023 and November 17-18, 2023. For full information visit www.ecorana.ca
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Legislation and Conducting
Projects Near Water
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in Ontario, Prairie and Arctic regions are providing information sessions on DFO Legislation and Conducting Projects Near Water. To attend the November session, click here: November 21, 2023 @ 11:00-12:30 CST and allow the link to open in your web browser (please use Chrome or Edge). If you have the Teams application installed, click on “Open in Microsoft Teams” in the pop-up window or “Launch it Now”. If you do not have the Teams application installed, click “Join on the Web Instead”.
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ASPB 2023 AGM and Conference
The ASPB 2023 Annual Conference will be on November 22, 23, and 24 at the Red Deer Resort and Casino in Red Deer, Alberta.
For More Information Go
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & CONFERENCES
DECEMBER
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Snow-tracking Field Essentials
With Joseph Litke, December 2, 2023 at Elk Island National Park. Snow Tracking Field Essentials is a one-day, field-based practical workshop on identifying tracks in snow. Suitable as a crash course for beginners, this course is frequently a “breakthrough” experience even for experienced trackers. Ideal for ecology students, wildlife researchers, and environmental consultants with any level of tracking knowledge or experience. Find more information and register HERE.
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Workshop:
Transboundary Grassland Partnership
The theme for this year (December 6-7) is ‘Native Grasslands: Culture, Carbon and Conservation’. The event will be held at Living Sky Casino in Swift Current, SK. You can find more information, and register, HERE.
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & CONFERENCES
FEBRUARY
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10th Annual Native Prairie
Restoration/Reclamation Workshop
The 10th Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation Workshop will take place in February, 2024, in Saskatoon. Details will be posted HERE.
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Standard Track & Sign Evaluation
With David Moskowitz, on February 24 & 25, 2024 in the Edmonton Area (details disclosed at a later date). This 2-day field-based workshop is an unparalleled opportunity to learn from one of North America’s top wildlife trackers. It offers an opportunity for naturalists, field biologists, and outdoor enthusiasts of any skill-level to advance their abilities in wildlife track and sign identification and interpretation, and potentially earn an internationally recognised Track and Sign Certification from Tracker Certification North America. Find more information and register HERE.
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GRASSLAND RESTORATION FORUM
FALL EVENTS
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Grassland Restoration Forum Fall Information Session GRF Fall Information Session, Claresholm, Alberta, November 16th, 2023. The theme this year is SEEDS. A meeting of the Southern Alberta Native Seed Collaborative (SANSC) is planned for the following day.
Register online for the above events HERE. For more information, contact [email protected] or call Donna Watt at 403-563-8925.
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SALMTEC
COURSES AND TRAINING PROGRAMS
Join SALMTEC Tuesday November 28 12:00 to 1:00 for a free Alberta Wetland Policy Professional Practice Standard Webinar. SALMTEC is pleased to host a panel of professionals who co-authored the Wetland Professional Practice Standard, as they discuss how it was created, their experiences on how it is being used by Authenticating Wetland Professionals, as well as answers to audience questions. Spaces are limited, so Register early to reserve your spot.
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Fall 2023 Registration Now Open!
SALMTEC Blended Course: Alberta Wetland Rapid Evaluation Tool – Actual (ABWRET-A)
Online Content + Live Streaming Class (December 8, 2023)
Fall 2023 Registration Now Open!
SALMTEC Blended Course: Grassland Vegetation Inventory (GVI): A User’s Guide
Online Content + Live Streaming Class (December 1, 2023)
Ongoing
SALMTEC Online Course: Wetland Policy Basics
Online
Ongoing
SALMTEC Snackable Learning Course: Understanding ACIMS Tools (Alberta Conservation Information Management System)
Online
Ongoing
SALMTEC Snackable Learning Course: Alberta Soil Information Viewer
Online
VISIT THE SALMTEC CONNECTOR
THE 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.
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Everett Hanna, P. Biol., heads up
new wildlife analytics laboratory
at Lethbridge College
Canada’s first Wildlife Analytics Lab using cementum analysis opened its doors at Lethbridge College on September 6, 2023, offering fee-for-service cementum analysis of wildlife teeth. Cementum analysis is a technique that involves examining the layers of cementum to determine the age, reproductive history, and even migratory patterns of wildlife species.
“We look forward to the opportunities the WAL will create for students and employees at Lethbridge College, growing our presence on the national and international research stages,” says Dr. Everett Hanna, leader on the WAL team along with Rhys Hakstol (chemical manager), Jonathan Friesen (logistics manager), and Kelsey Gourlie, (lab technician).
The new facility has already completed a preliminary comparative analysis for Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, and is receiving tooth analysis contracts from agencies and researchers across the country to improve wildlife management decisions and conservation efforts.
Corey Jarvis, President of the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society, which contributed substantial funding to support the new analytics lab, says the APOS is proud to help support the lab, for the benefit of all who use and appreciate wildlife in Alberta: “Strong and reliable data needs to be the foundation for wildlife management in our province.”
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Banner Image:
Photo from ASPB Files
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.
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