THE BIWEEKLY

NOVEMBER 1, 2026

Published every two weeks by

The Alberta Society of Professional Biologists

Edmonton's Fantasyland Hotel will welcome over 400 delegates to the ASPB 2026 Conference this week (Nov. 4-6), our largest conference ever! If you are still hoping to get your company logo in front of our conference attendees, please contact us for our remaining sponsorship opportunities: conf2026@aspb.ab.ca 


You can also find lots of good information on the conference website including the program, speaker abstracts and a list of companies represented at the conference. 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AGENDA

FOR THE

ALBERTA SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL BIOLOGISTS

The complete agenda, including resolutions, for Annual General Meeting #51, on Friday November 6, is now live on the ASPB homepage, conference page, and under Member Resources.

Go here to the direct link.

Scholarship Applicants

Have Things to say!

Biology students writing essays to apply for ASPB Conference Scholarships had lots to say about the future of their chosen profession. Scholarship winners will be announced during the conference this week, but in the meantime, here are three quotable quotes for your consideration:

 

(1) In order to equip the next generation of biologists, I believe that the emphasis in education needs to shift from a purely technical focus to one that also includes the humanities as a foundational part of a biologist’s degree.

 

(2) Preparing the next generation of practicing biologists requires more than providing students with academic knowledge. It requires a supportive professional environment where emerging biologists can gain meaningful field experience, access appropriate technology, develop relationships with mentors, and participate in decisions affecting the environments they study.

 

(3) Future biologists should inherit a profession that has taught them

how to make good decisions when the answers are not obvious.

Canadian Wildlife Service:

Species at Risk Recovery and Action Planning

The following document is now posted as a final document on the Public Registry: Management Plan for the Western Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium), Prairie/Boreal Population, in Canada.

At the ASPB, we gather snippets of relevant biology information from a variety of sources such as The Conversation (Canada), Nature (UK)

and Scholar Alerts (Google), which we select and share as links

in the BIWEEKLY. Here is the latest batch (the links are HOT):


WETLANDS, WATERSHEDS & FISHERIES

Parasite community structure in slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) and longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) from tributaries experiencing different levels of oil sands …

 

Environmental filtering and spatial structuring differ among body‐size and reproductive‐mode groups of microcrustacean zooplankton in hardwater lakes

 

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

 

A modelling framework for assessing the future water quality of Lake Diefenbaker under climate change

 

Canadian Literature 23866 Anamaría Fraile-Marcos “Who's going to look after the river?” Water and the Ethics of Care

 

Trout stocking in streams: a review

 

WASTEWATER

Prolonged (80-day) exposure to waste drilling fluids alters the structure and trophic networks of marine plankton communities in a microcosm study

 

How to destroy a ‘forever chemical’


AVIAN WILDLIFE

Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) preference for reduced size nest box entrance holes when in competition for nesting sites with Tree Swallows (Tachycineta …

 

Effects of urbanization on population connectivity of northern house wren (Troglodytes aedon)

 

Female Wild Turkeys Exhibit Context Dependence in Their Selection of Roads

 

Listening to the City: Evaluating BirdNET Reliability and Bias in Urban Bird Community Assessments

 

Productivity of an iconic waterbird, the Common Loon, is decreasing across the southern portion of its breeding range

 

Spatial demographic drivers differ from temporal drivers in two dabbling duck populations

 

NON-AVIAN WILDLIFE

Networking the underground: tracking social associations in burrowing mammals using proximity-light-sensor biologgers

 

Environmental chemicals cause changes in animal personality that can destabilize populations

 

Life on the edge: Industrial footprint and edge effects variably influence the distribution of a boreal small mammal

 

Functional systems integration: a framework for reconciling livestock production and wild herbivore conservation in nature-positive rangelands

 

The scope and severity of bat fatalities at US wind energy facilities

 

Sex-and age-segregation shapes the habitat selection and movement responses of mountain sheep to selective hunting activity

 

INSECTS

Lepidoptera Survey of the Peace River Parkland Subregion in Northwestern Alberta-Project Update

 

Root of the Issue: Correlation as a Tool of Proactive Pest Control

 

Trapping The Tiny Terror: Kairomone-Based Monitoring for Flea Beetles in Canola

 

Welcome to Hotel Hymenoptera: monitoring cavity-nesting bee and wasp distribution and their trophic interactions using community science and metabarcoding …

  

PROTECTED AREAS and SPECIES MANAGEMENT

Endangered species in Canada face extensive delays receiving protection

 

CWD in BC: What we've learnt from across the Rockies.

 

Integrating land-use and climate connectivity to link protected areas at the country level

 

Multi-species Action Plan for Grasslands National Park of Canada [Final version] 2026

 

Twice-as-many-plants-and-animals-sold-in-wildlife-trade-as-previously-thought

 

FORESTRY

Assessing Future Maladaptation Risk in the Keystone Species Populus tremuloides

 

Trees are witnesses

 

The effort put into controlling even remote fires has started to baffle some veterans.

 

Abstract forest management does not emulate natural disturbance with respect to plant diversity and forest community 

 

Bridging forest history and forest ecology: Why it is important to understand the history of forests and what are the main sources and methods

 

Growth and form responses to a range of pre-commercial thinning densities in an aerially seeded jack pine stand in northwestern Ontario: 35-year results

 

Using critical loads to assess potential risks to forests from acidic and alkaline air pollution emissions in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region

 

Short-interval reburns drive shifts to early species composition at a high-elevation forest site

 

BOTANY

Floristic quality improves following restoration at two drained peatlands


Specifics of genomic DNA isolation from plants of the genus Rosa using various protocols and their modifications

 

Hot and dry summers lead to spicier mustard seeds

 

Understory diversity is positively associated with overstory carbon sequestration

 

Using a water balance approach to evaluate peatland restoration in South-Eastern Manitoba

 

Vegetation Shifts in Boreal Ombrotrophic Peatlands Following Road Construction

 

Ericoid mycorrhizae improve tolerance of velvetleaf blueberry and Labrador tea plants to two novel non-segregating oil sands tailings


MICROBIOLOGY / BIOTECHNOLOGY

6 CRISPER-Edited Urban Green Spaces: Designing Super Plants foráMaximum Air Filtration

 

SOILS AND AGROLOGY

Agri-environmental policies in Canada: implications for biodiversity as an ecological foundation for sustainable agricultural systems

 

Effects of Forest and Rangeland on Interception, Evapotranspiration, Soil Moisture and Ground water, Infiltration-a review

 

Innovative remediation technologies for brownfields

 

Increasing Rhizosphere Fungi and Improving Soil Quality with Biologically Effective Grazing Management


PRE-HISTORY

Fossil hints at ancient lizard escape tactic

 

HUMAN COMMUNITY IMPACT

Understanding social and ecological (in) justice by examining our relationship with other animals

 

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

Navigating Inuit concerns: assessing management options for expedition cruise tourism in Nunavut waters

 

Revisiting traditional knowledge systems in environmental governance: Towards a contextual and pluralistic sustainability framework

 

SCIENCE EDUCATION

China picks first group for 15-year grants

 

Canadian Literature 23866 Anamaría Fraile-Marcos “Who's going to look after the river?” Water and the Ethics of Care

 

Funders back preprint-led publishing

 

REGULATION & LEGISLATION

Scientists-sound-alarm-on-pm-carneys-bill-c-39/

CALENDAR

UPCOMING COURSES, WEBINARS, AND

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

NOVEMBER

Data Centres:
Are We Regulating Intelligently?

This Environmental Law Centre webinar will explore the regulatory framework that applies to data centres. It will touch on the various legal decisions and processes that govern data centres (and the power plants that supply them) in the province. The webinar will take place between noon and 1300 hours on November 5, 2026. Register Here

DFO announces recorded presentation

on regulatory and program changes

The presentation deck below is the same material that was delivered by the national Permitting Policies and Practices team on October 2 (English) and one on October 5 (French), to national partners and stakeholders. The recording (Regulatory and policy changes Oct 15 2026.mp4) is available until November 08, 2026.

ASPB BROWN BAG LUNCH WEBINAR

AT NOON ON NOVEMBER 20 !


Putting Wetland Data to Work


The Bow River Regional Wetland Datasets project provides four spatial datasets (wetland inventory, restorable wetland inventory, historical wetland inventory, and land cover dataset), along with an interactive data viewer, and practical resources to support wetland planning, management, and conservation across the Bow River region. 

This webinar will introduce the available datasets and highlight real-world applications, including their use in ecological connectivity and municipal planning, as well as identifying opportunities for wetland restoration and enhancement. It will also introduce a wetland condition index based on hydrological and ecological characteristics.

The webinar is intended for biologists and other practitioners working with wetlands in the Bow River region who are interested in incorporating regional wetland data into their work. TEAMs registration link

Hinton Training Centre

Forest Health Course

This course at the Hinton Training Centre, to be held on November 4-5, 2026, and led by Marc Mayhew, will lead natural resource managers and practitioners to a basic understanding of forest health issues and current best practices. For course registration information, please write an email to Marc Mayhew@gov.ab.ca

Webinar:

Alberta Watercourse

Crossing Collaborative

The Collaborative is proud to host our annual online webinar event on November 18, 2026, from 9am – 2:30pm. This event will cover important watercourse crossing topics presented by some of the provinces best subject matter experts. The event is online and registration is open now, come and join us and share your knowledge. You can register for this event here:

AWC3 Fall 2026 Online Technical Seminar Registration

Protecting Peatlands in Manitoba

Lee Fedorchuk will present A Powerfully Ponderous Primer on Protecting Peatlands in Manitoba with Provincially Significant Peatlands, a PowerPoint Presentation at noon on November 18, 2026. This free event is part of the Wetland Knowledge Exchange’s monthly webinar series. Registration can be found at: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b58da8a3-9fa9-420d-8b51-cfd76ecafe54@b2bb2713-1bbb-453d-bdd8-640c1565430e?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog

GRF Fall Information Session:

Restoration and Ranching Solutions

Grassland Restoration Forum’s annual event at the Community Hall in Claresholm Alberta will take place on November 19, 2026. Save the date... Registration will open soon!

https://grasslandrestorationforum.ca

DECEMBER

Western Canada Conference

on Soil Health & Grazing 2026

December 8-10, 2026

Edmonton, AB

Link to Soil Health & Grazing 2026

The ASPB Mentorship Program Opens in December

Registration for the 2027 Mentorship Program opens December 1, 2026, as part of the annual membership renewal process.

See the webpage for more details.

FEBRUARY 2027

From Seeds to Stewardship workshop

will be held Feb. 10 to 11 in Saskatoon

The 12th Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation Workshop will be held from February 10 to 11, 2027 in Saskatoon. The event theme is “From Seeds to Stewardship” and the Call for Abstracts is now open. Detailed information about the event, presentation categories and the Call for Abstracts can be found here: https://saskpcap.org/native-prairie-restoration-reclamation-workshop/

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


Introduction to Marine Acoustics​ – Online – November 2nd & 3rd, 2026


Introduction to Fish Habitat Measurement and Assessment - Online - November 3rd, 2026


Spill Prevention and Response on Construction Sites – Online – November 3rd, 2026


Foundations of Aquatic Restoration – Online – November 4th, 2026


Native Prairie Restoration – Online – November 4th, 2026


Ichthyology – Online – November 5th – 6th, 2026


Water Quality Assessment on Construction Sites - Online - November 6th, 2026


Introduction to Environmental Work on Construction Sites – Online – November 6th, 2026


Wetland Assessment – Online – November 9th – 10th, 2026


Applied Marine Acoustics​ – Online – November 9th & 10th, 2026


Foundations of Terrestrial and Riparian Restoration – Online – November 10th, 2026


Introduction to Forest Composition and Structure – Online – November 10th, 2026


Fish Habitat Restoration — Groyne Design and Function in Rivers - Online - November 13th, 2026


Cultural Heritage Assessment and Monitoring - Online - November 16th - 19th, 2026


Fish Habitat Restoration — Instream Techniques - Online, November 16th-17th, 2026

Interpreting Fish Habitat Assessment Information - Online - November 17th, 2026


Sampling Fuel Spills in Water - Online - November 17th, 2026


Wildlife Mitigation on Construction Sites - Online - November 18th, 2026


Water Safety for Environmental Fieldwork - Online - November 20th, 2026


⁠Organic Contaminants in the Aquatic Environment — Sampling and Laboratory Techniques - Online - November 23rd & 25th, 2026


Amphibian Survey and Collection Methods – Online – November 24th, 2026


Soil Fundamentals and Field Description – Online – November 25th & 26th, 2026


Understanding How Site Factors Shape Forests – Online – November 26th, 2026


⁠Fish Habitat Restoration — Identification of Factors Limiting Fish Productivity - Online - November 27th, 2026


Climate Leadership and Sustainability Strategy - Online - November 30th, 2026



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

https://nrtraininggroup.com/schedule/

KCM ENVIRONMENTAL

online plant ID courses

These 3-day courses (approx. 11 hours total volume) provide excellent opportunities for those seeking to expand their understanding of Alberta plants as well as those pursuing continuing competency credits for their professional designations. Unless otherwise specified, the difficulty level of these courses is intended for those with at least a moderate level of experience with plant identification.

The default delivery of courses is via Zoom. In-person delivery and field exercises can be arranged. Registration is $75 + GST per person, per course. Course info, species lists, and registration are available through the company website: https://www.kcmenvironmental.ca/courses


Weeds of Alberta

This course explores the identification, taxonomy, biology, and basics of control of non-native plant species in Alberta, with an emphasis on the 95 noxious and prohibited noxious weeds listed under the Weed Control Act, as well as the powers and functions of the WCA. Including unregulated species, up to 180 weedy species are covered. Differentiation from look-alike species is also addressed.

​November 2, 1-4:30PM, November 4, 1-4:30PM, November 6, 1-4:30PM


Aquatic Plants of Alberta

This course explores the roles of aquatic and riparian vegetation in supporting aquatic wildlife; plants for erosion control and improving water quality; and identification of up to 100 species and genera of submerged, floating, and deeper-growing emergent aquatic plants. Also covered are aquatic invasive plants and laws, regulations, and approvals associated with aquatic and shoreline vegetation. 

​November 9, 1-4:30PM, November 10, 1-4:30PM, November 13, 1-4:30PM


KCM ENVIRONMENTAL

https://www.kcmenvironmental.ca/courses

COLUMBIA MOUNTAINS INSTITUTE

Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology

Revelstoke BC

QGIS Mapping. Online, flexible dates.


Camera Trap Survey Design and Data Management. In-person course with Chris Beirne adapted with two registration options. Day 1 will focus on the basics behind camera trap survey design and data management, and an intro to a new no-code tool to explore camera data. Days 2 and 3 will introduce the use of the R statistical environment to explore and analyze camera trap data and implement common analyses (Nov 11-14).

SENS ADVANCE
School of Environment and Sustainability (UofS)


Two new courses from SENS Advance:

These professional development programs offer practical, industry-relevant training for environmental and sustainability professionals: 


Building Skills in Environmental Data Analysis with Python,

developed by Dr. Andrew Ireson and delivered in partnership with ECO Canada, and


Project Management for Natural Resource Professionals,

developed by SENS graduate Palash Sanyal, provides project management training tailored to the realities of the natural resources sector.


For more information please go to the SENS Advance website

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

KEEPING TRACK

WITH FIERA BIOLOGICAL


Snow Tracking: An Online Introduction — December 8, 2026, Online

This online introduction explores the fundamentals of snow tracking, including how snow conditions influence tracks, how animals move and leave patterns across the landscape, and how trackers use both track morphology and movement patterns to identify species.

Learn more and register here: https://www.fieraconsulting.ca/workshops/snowtracking-an-online-introduction-december-08-2026/


Snow Tracking Field Essentials — January 9-10, 2027, Edmonton area

A two-day, field-based workshop focused on identifying tracks in snow.

Learn to recognize key characteristics in track patterns, and apply your knowledge of the character and physical attributes of each species as a crucial first step to identifying the track-maker. Participants will reduce their dependence on footprint features to confidently match track makers to species.

Learn more and register here: https://www.fieraconsulting.ca/workshops/snow-tracking-field-essentials-jan-9-to-10-2027-edmonton-area/


Discovery Wildlife Tracking Workshop — January 18, 2027, Red Deer

Join the ACTWS and Fiera Biological as we discover the wildlife stories hidden in plain sight! This two-hour, field-based workshop introduces participants to the art and science of interpreting wildlife tracks and signs.

Learn more and register here: https://www.fieraconsulting.ca/workshops/actws-discovery-wildlife-tracking-workshop-jan-18-2027-red-deer/


Field Immersion Wildlife Tracking Workshop — January 19, 2027, Red Deer

Join the ACTWS and Fiera Biological as we take wildlfie tracking a step further with a full day of hands-on learning in the field. This six-hour workshop offers an opportunity to explore a natural area in greater depth, investigating the tracks and signs wildlife leave behind and learning to interpret what they reveal about animal behaviour and ecology.

Learn more and register here: https://www.fieraconsulting.ca/workshops/actws-field-immersion-wildlife-tracking-workshop-jan-19-2027-red-deer/


Field Immersion Wildlife Tracking Workshop — January 20, 2027, Calgary

Join the ACTWS and Fiera Biological in Fish Creek Provincal Park as we take wildlfie tracking a step further with a full day of hands-on learning in the field. This six-hour workshop offers an opportunity to explore a natural area in greater depth, investigating the tracks and signs wildlife leave behind and learning to interpret what they reveal about animal behaviour and ecology.

Learn more and register here: https://www.fieraconsulting.ca/workshops/actws-field-immersion-wildlife-tracking-workshop-jan-20-2027-calgary/


Field Immersion Wildlife Tracking Workshop — January 21, 2027, Calgary

Join the ACTWS and Fiera Biological in Weaslehead Park as we take wildlfie tracking a step further with a full day of hands-on learning in the field. This six-hour workshop offers an opportunity to explore a natural area in greater depth, investigating the tracks and signs wildlife leave behind and learning to interpret what they reveal about animal behaviour and ecology.

Learn more and register here: https://www.fieraconsulting.ca/workshops/actws-field-immersion-wildlife-tracking-workshop-jan-21-2027-calgary/


Discovery Wildlife Tracking Workshop — January 22, 2027, Edmonton

Join the ACTWS and Fiera Biological as we discover the wildlife stories hidden in plain sight! This two-hour, field-based workshop introduces participants to the art and science of interpreting wildlife tracks and signs.

Learn more and register here: https://www.fieraconsulting.ca/workshops/actws-discovery-wildlife-tracking-workshop-jan-22-2027-calgary/


Field Immersion Wildlife Tracking Workshop — February 4, 2027, Edmonton

Join the ACTWS and Fiera Biological as we take wildlfie tracking a step further with a full day of hands-on learning in the field. This six-hour workshop offers an opportunity to explore a natural area in greater depth, investigating the tracks and signs wildlife leave behind and learning to interpret what they reveal about animal behaviour and ecology.

Learn more and register here: https://www.fieraconsulting.ca/workshops/actws-field-immersion-wildlife-tracking-workshop-feb-4-2027-edmonton/


Track & Sign Certification — March 4 & 5, 2027, Edmonton area

We’ve partnered with the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society (ACTWS) to host this two-day Track & Sign Certification event that coincides wiht the ACTWS annual conference.

This field-based evaluation offers participants the opportunity to earn Track & Sign Certification through Tracker Certification North America (TCNA), at levels ranging from Level 1 to Professional (Level 4). A minimum score of 70% is required to achieve certification. 

Learn more and register here: https://www.fieraconsulting.ca/workshops/track-sign-certification-march-4-5-2027-edmonton-alberta/ 


Fiera Biological Consulting

 #301, 10359-82 Ave | Edmonton AB | T6E 1Z9

Phone: 780.466.6554 | Cell: 780.916.2967 | www.fieraconsulting.ca

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


Fisheries Biologist

Terrestrial Biologist

Environmental Scientist & Project Manager

Senior Environmental Water Scientist/Engineer

Genetics and Tree Improvement Technologist

Senior Environmental Professional

Intermediate Hydrologist

Genetics and Tree Improvement Technologist

Environmental Monitor 


   TO FIND INFORMATION

ON THESE AND OTHER POSITIONS, GO TO THE

JOB BOARD

2026 CONFERENCE SPONSORS

BANNER PHOTO

Provided courtesy of Fantasyland Hotel et al


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

Alberta Society of Professional Biologists1450, 707 7 Ave SW Calgary, AB T2P 3H6 403.264.2504403-264-1273 Calgary, AB T2P 3H6 CA