The Alberta Wildlifer
Spring 2000, Vol. 11, No. 2
Editors: Troy Sorensen and Dave Hobson
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The Alberta Wildlifer |
Spring 2000, Vol. 11, No. 2 |
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Editors: Troy Sorensen and Dave Hobson |
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| Previous Newsletters |  |
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The editors are looking for "a few good men/women" to report activities from various organizations around the province. These reports were done fairly regularly in the past and we would like to re-initiate the practice. The following are examples of reports received in the past:
The reporter would hopefully comment on the organization's activities, upcoming events, correspondence, issues, etc. Hopefully the reporter would submit reports on a regular basis but no commitment is necessary. If you feel up to the challenge email Troy.Sorensen@telus.net with your report.
Do you have an old manuscript that never got submitted but is
nevertheless interesting?
Are you starting a project and would like some publicity?
Have you found a better field/lab method to conduct research?
Submit your articles to The Wildlifer and get instant publication. We could even have your
article peer reviewed, if you wish.
The highly successful fund-raising auction will be featured at our annual conference in conjunction with a FUN casino. Last years auction generated $3,964; lets see if we can top this figure in the Year 2000. Proceeds are used to support our student scholarship fund.
Paul Jones (ph. 403-382-4357 or e-mail: paul.jones@gov.ab.ca) and Linda Cerney (ph. 403-382-4360 or email: linda.cerney@gov.ab.ca) are our Y2K auction coordinators. Please assist Paul and Linda by contacting either of them prior to the meeting with your commitments or to provide auction items. Small or big-ticket items, custom-made, purchases, new or used items, are graciously appreciated. To see some of the items already donated please visit the ACTWS website: www.albertadirectory.com/actws/ (items to appear shortly). Q
This newsletter should include a brochure for the Chapter. Please find a friend that is interested in wildlife and hand it off. In addition, hand your newsletter along with the brochure to let the 'newbie' know what the Chapter is currently doing.
Expect the next newsletter May 1st. It will include an exciting summary of the March general meeting. If you would like to submit any type of article (research, stories, humor, poetry, conservation issues, etc.) for the next newsletter, email it to Troy.Sorensen@telus.net by April 15th.
The discussion paper which will form a basis for the review is available on the CEAA web site (www.ceaa.gc.ca). Public input is being sought through meetings across Canada including Edmonton and Calgary (4 Feb 2000). Please provide input to Douglas Collister by 27 January for possible inclusion in an ACTWS submission.
Douglas M Collister
A group of students and faculty has petitioned The Wildlife Society to form a student chapter at the University of Alberta. Though our official status is currently pending approval by the parent society, we expect to soon announce the formation of a university chapter. There is significant interest in TWS on campus, and it’s evident that our members hope to play a role in wildlife management in the province.
Executive officers are:
Bruce Harrison, President
Leslie McInenly, Vice-President
Tanya Hope, Treasurer
Tara Szkorupa and Sheila McKeage, Secretaries
Faculty advisors are: Mark Boyce and Fiona Schmiegelow
The Student Chapter is currently considering a number of potential activities for its members. We would like to become involved with a range of local programs, including projects involving elk relocations in the foothills, conservation in Elk Island Park and flying squirrel monitoring in the North Saskatchewan River valley. We’re also planning to offer hunter training and St. John’s First Aid certification.
We’ve planned a monthly lecture series from January through April of this year, and our next lecture will have Bill Samuel speaking on moose and ticks on February 28. In addition, a number of our members are planning to attend the March conference in Lethbridge. For those in the Alberta Chapter searching for summer employees, we encourage you to consider our members; a high proportion are experienced and knowledgeable in the field.
The Student Chapter has a website at http://www.rr.ualberta.ca/WildlifeSociety/index.html. All planned lectures and activities will be listed on the site, and anyone wishing to participate is heartily encouraged. We look forward to working with the Alberta Chapter.
Bruce Harrison, President
Name |
Position |
Phone |
Fax |
| Mike Dorrance | President | 780-467-4396 | 780-437-0631 |
| Beth MacCallum | Past President | 780-865-3390 | 780-865-4906 |
| Elston Dzus | President-Elect | 780-453-4109 | 780-453-4185 |
| Dave McKinnon | Sec.-Treas. | 780-632-8311 | 780-362-8379 |
| Steve Brechtel | Director | 780-422-9535 | 780-422-9685 |
| Doug Collister | Director | 403-246-2697 | 403-246-2697 |
| Cormack Gates | Director | 403-220-3027 | 403-284-4399 |
| George Hamilton | Director | 780-645-6402 | 780-645-7191 |
Agricultural Lease Review
200, J.G. O’Donoghue Building
7000 - 113 Street
Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6
Re: Agricultural Dispositions Statutes Amendments Act (Bill 31)
Discussion Document on Draft Regulations
The Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society is an association of wildlife professionals. We provide professional advice on issues that affect wildlife and wildlife management in Alberta. We have reviewed Bill 31 and offer the following comments and suggestions:
As a final note, we commend the Agricultural Lease Review Committee for the wide consultation that has taken place to date. Please keep us informed of progress in finalizing Bill 31 and do not hesitate to ask us for any clarification, additional advice or comments.
Yours sincerely.
Douglas M. Collister
P.Eng., M.E.Des., P.Biol.
Chairman, Conservation Committee
Mr. Richard Marz
MLA Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, and
Chairman, MLA Property Assessment Review Committee
Dear Mr. Marz,
The Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society is an association of wildlife professionals. We provide professional advice on issues that affect wildlife and wildlife management in Alberta.
We have recently become aware of the wildlife habitat and environmental conservation issues arising from the 1995 Municipal Government Act and the work of your Committee on defining how farm property should be assessed for taxation purposes. Our members are very concerned that privately-owned rural lands, which are not actively farmed but have significant conservation value, continue to receive preferential assessment and taxation (as they did prior to 1995) in recognition of the broader public benefits that accrue from them. Our understanding is that the definition your Committee has recommended for a "farming operation" would exclude such lands from the preferential assessment given to farmland. Our concern is that this will result in a disincentive to maintain their conservation value. Provincial property assessment and taxation policy should be designed to foster sustainable agriculture (productive soils, natural pest control and ground water recharge), environmental quality (clean air and water, healthy wildlife populations and maintenance of biodiversity) and quality of life (aesthetically pleasing and varied landscapes) in rural farmland areas.
We recognize that this is no easy challenge and we are pleased to see recognition given to these concerns in your most recent Farm Consultation Report (May 1999). This report indicates that your MLA Review Committee will develop proposals for addressing the conservation lands issue and that stakeholders will have an opportunity to review proposals and provide their advice. As an organization of wildlife professionals, many of whom have substantial experience in working with rural landowners and in agricultural landscapes, we would like to offer our assistance in helping to develop and review these proposals.
Please keep us informed as to the committee’s progress and, if appropriate, advise us as to how we can best assist your Committee in helping to ensure that wildlife and the environment benefit from provincial property assessment and taxation policy.
Yours sincerely.
Douglas M. Collister
P.Eng., M.E.Des., P.Biol.
Chairman, Conservation Committee
Name |
Chair |
Phone |
Fax |
Communications |
780-467-4396 |
436-9540 |
|
Programs |
780-453-4109 |
453-4185 |
|
Conservation |
403-246-2697 |
246-2697 |
|
Scholarship |
780-645-6402 |
645-7191 |
|
Awards |
403-845-8235 |
844-4216 |
|
Membership |
780-492-2842 |
492-9224 |
Conservation IssuesAre you aware of a conservation issue that the ACTWS should have input into? If so please contact Doug Collister, Conservation Committee Chairman (403-246-2697, collis@telusplanet.net) or any other member of the executive. Although your assistance would be welcome, you need not feel obligated to help formulate the society's input or position. |
TWS Communication Awards Committee is seeking volunteers to review presentations and abstracts at the upcoming Northwest Section meeting during March 6-10, 2000 in Post Falls, Idaho. While serving on the Review Panel is hard work, it is important to recognize the contributions that each speaker makes at the Section Meeting. Volunteers would review and evaluate roughly 8 to 10 30-minute professional and student papers/abstracts each day. Each reviewer would then fill out a standard evaluation form for each presentation and deliver it to the Committee Chair for the record. The more reviewers on the panel will lessen the overall workload. We would like to have each NW Chapter well represented on the Review panel. If you are planning to attend the Year 2000 Section Meeting and would like to contribute towards it's success please contact; Alan Dohmen: Committee Chair at (208) 879-5012 (home); (208) 879-4321 (work); E-mail - alandohmen@hotmail.com (home), adohmen/r4_s-c@fs.fed.us (Forest Service internet) or adohmen/r4,s-c (Forest Service IBM). Your help and support for this portion of the Section meeting will be much appreciated.
Any of the internet links below, including those from previous newsletters, can be found on the ACTWS website at www.albertadirectory.com/actws/.
Alberta Society of Professional Biologists, is a self-regulating body committed to the promotion of excellence in the practice of biology. The Society provides opportunities for its members to keep abreast of advances in knowledge in the field by organizing both symposia and in-house seminars on topics of importance to practitioners. www.aspb.ab.ca/
Bear Tracks, a newsletter on grizzly bear studies in the
Central Arctic, NWT.
www.gov.nt.ca/RWED/wf/beartracks/index.htm
CIDA Forestry Advisers Network (CFAN) has prepared a draft paper on tropical forests and climate change. It is hoped that the paper will raise public awareness and contribute to a broader understanding of the challenges and possible solutions. It is not a scientific paper directed at the research and academic communities. We invite you to review it and send us your comments and suggestions. It can be found at:http://www.rcfa-cfan.org/English/issues.13.html. At the present time it is only in English but will be available in French and Spanish in early 2000. When finalized, the paper will also have an extensive bibliography of Internet resources on the climate change and forests. If you or your organization knows of websites that you would recommend, please forward the site address (URL) to us: trees@rcfa-cfan.org n
March 6 - 10, 2000, Post Falls, Idaho
"WILDLIFE SURVIVED Y2K: WHAT NOW?"
The Idaho Chapter will host the NW Section Meeting in Post Falls, Idaho. The NW Section includes members from Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, the Northwest Territories, Oregon, Washington, and the Yukon. The meeting will include workshops, symposia and a general paper session. For registration information, contact Michelle Commons at 208-324-4359; FAX 208-324-1160; e-mail mcommons@idfg.state.us. Visit the website (http:\\www.ictws.org) for more information and to register.
March 6 - 9, 2000, San Diego, California
The Vertebrate Pest Conference is an educational event for discussing and exchanging information on problems and solutions to wildlife damage and undesirable interactions between wildlife and people. Presentations range from practical management to more technical papers concerning research or new technology. Presentation topics include: Commensal rodent management; Field rodent and rabbit management; Bird management (urban or agricultural); Predator problems and their management; Urban wildlife (problems and solutions); Wildlife and reforestation problems; New wildlife management chemicals, materials, or techniques; Human, domestic animal, and wildlife health; Alternative management methods and materials (repellents, exclusion, etc.); Endangered species programs and vertebrate pest management; Economic, social, and political aspects of vertebrate pest problems and their management.
Contact: Dr. Desley Whisson, Program Chairperson, c/o Dept. of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, University of California, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616-8751, dawhisson@ucdavis.edu
May 2 - 5, 2000
Coos Bay, Oregon
Session topics include: research methods and techniques, management of bear-human conflicts, ecology, state and provincial status reports, social aspects, and management and conservation. For more information, contact Troy Sorensen (Troy.Sorensen@telus.net, 780-723-8556) for full registration package.
May 6-11, 2000
Salem, Oregon
The deadline for registration is quickly approaching on 15 February 2000. The conference to be held near Salem, Oregon, is open to scientists interested in tree squirrels and their ecology and conservation in the broadest sense. We encourage a diversity of biologists to attend with the common theme being the use of tree squirrels as model systems for biological research. Conference participation is limited to 80 attendees. Oral and poster presentation sessions are scheduled at the Silver Falls Conference Center in the foothills to the Cascade Mountains of western Oregon. Roundtable discussions, a whale-watching cruise and a banquet are also scheduled. Preconference festivities include an optional excursion to the High Desert country of eastern Oregon. Registration after the 15th of February will be possible but only as space permits. A web site has been created that details the conference and contains registration materials at:
May 8 - 12, 2000, Edmonton, Alberta
An international conference focusing on the current scientific understanding of forest carbon dynamics in the circumpolar boreal region. Verbal and poster presentations are invited on the following themes: boreal forest carbon budgets, monitoring carbon fluxes and stocks, forestry practices for carbon management, social and economic issues, and implications of Kyoto. Abstracts should be submitted to the Conference Coordinator (5320 - 122 St. Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 3S5, Fax: 780 - 435 - 7356, email: carbon@nofc.forestry.ca) by November 1, 1999. For more information visit the website: www.nofc.forestry.ca/carbon.
August 2000
Hosted by the Manitoba Chapter of the Wildlife Society, this 2-3 day meeting will feature several paper sessions, field trips and evening get-togethers.
Contact: Bob Emery, ph 204-467-3238, b_emery@ducks.ca
November 1 - 3, 2000
TELUS Convention Centre
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: The purpose of CEEM 2000 is to provide participants with clear and practical solutions for the proactive and effective management of cumulative effects. This three day forum will examine processes for managing cumulative effects using examples from a variety of development projects and perspectives. Practitioners are invited to submit an abstract summarizing a paper for presentation at the symposium either orally on in a poster session. All papers are required to describe practical real-world experience that emphasis management of cumulative effects and should involve principles that are applicable to a variety of geographic regions or administrative jurisdictions. The following themes are preferred:
The deadline for abstract submission is January 30th, 2000. For more information please contact: George Hegmann - Technical Program Coordinator, Tel: (403) 750-7668 or Email: ghegmann@axys.net Full details on the symposium and instructions for submission of abstracts can be found on the symposium website at: www.aspb.ab.ca/ceem2000.html
Alberta
Chapter of The Wildlife SocietyDid you always want to contribute to ACTWS activities but find your schedule keeps you too busy? Here’s your chance!
Visit a local camera, book, outdoor equipment or any other type of store that may be interested with an ACTWS pamphlet. Describe our worthwhile student scholarship fund in order to obtain a donation for our annual auction. We publicize the names of companies that donate to our scholarship fund and the donation is a tax write-off for the organization.
Get the creative juices flowing and build a masterpiece for us to marvel over and inevitably bid against one another in order to own.
Perhaps you possess a special skill that other ‘wildlife folks’ would be interested in learning and participating in.
Remember a little time and effort goes a long way and each auction item contributes to our student scholarship fund and makes for a more amusing evening.
Please contact Paul Jones with commitments or to provide auction items (ph. 403-382-4357 or email: paul.jones@gov.ab.ca).
PLEASE POST
1830 – 2300 Welcome Evening Mixer and Registration hosted by the LCC Student Chapter TWS Cullen Residence Activity Centre, Lethbridge Community College 3000 College Drive South (Parking in Lot N-Free, Lot O-pay before 9 PM)
0630-0800 Breakfast: Renew Past Memories With Friends (Included with Registration)
0630-0830 Registration and Poster Setup (simultaneous with breakfast)
0830-0840 Opening address: Mike Dorrance, President, ACTWS
0840–1010 Plenary Session A: Overlapping Land Use Practises: Challenges in Wildlife Conservation. Chair: C.C. Gates
0840 M. Boyce, University of Alberta "Identifying Alberta's Wildlife Research Needs for the 21st Century."
0925 V. Adamowicz, University of Alberta "Overlapping Land Use Practices: Economic Implications and Potential Economic Policy Instruments".
1010-1030 Break - Refreshments and Posters
1030-1150 Session 1. Chair: Bruce Harrison
1030 Schieck, J. Variation in bird communities in relation to the number and size of tree patches retained in harvest blocks.
1050 Hurly, T.A., E.J. Saunders, and L.A. Fitch. Bird Communities and Cattle Grazing in Cottonwood Forests.
1110 Jones, P.F. ACA Sharptail Grouse Program – More Than Just Sharptails and Cows.
1130 Norton, M.R. THREE BLUE-LISTED WOOD WARBLERS IN ALBERTA: ARE THEY AT RISK?
1150-1300 Lunch (On Your Own)
1300-1420 Session 2. Chair: Leslie McInenly
1300 MacFarlane, A.K., T.J. Osko and S.M. Wasel. REVEGETATION OF SEISMIC LINES AND WELLSITES. STUDENT
1320 Kurulok, S.E., S.M. Wasel, E.H. Dzus and T.J. Osko. PERFORMANCE OF GPS ANIMAL COLLARS UNDER BOREAL FOREST CANOPY. STUDENT
1340 Osko, T.J., R.J. Hudson, S.A. Boutin, and S.M. Wasel. Interpretation of Variable Habitat Selection by Moose.
1400 Dyer, S.J., J.P. O’Neill, M.L. Smith, and S.M. Wasel. Investigating Effects of Industrial Development on the Movement and Distribution of Woodland Caribou Using GIS.
1420-1450 Break and Posters
1450-1630 Session 3. Chair: Tanya Hope
1450 Smith, M.L., S.M. Wasel, S.J. Dyer, and J.P. O’Neill. Industrial Development and the Distribution of Moose and Wolves Within Northeastern Alberta.
1510 Kehoe, P. and R. Alisauskas. Declines in White-winged Scoters (Melanitta fusca).
1530 Cerney, L.D. An Investigation of Abandoned Farmsteads as Valuable Avian Habitat Within The Agricultural Landscapes of Southern Alberta.
1550 Michaud, I.M., and D.R. Prescott. The Alberta Piping Plover Predator Exclosure Project.
1610 Gibbins, H.M.T. A Proactive Alternative to Crisis-Dependent Aboriginal Resource Co-Management in Canada. STUDENT
1630 -1900 Break - Dinner (On Your Own)
1900-2300+ Social Casino and Auction (Cash Bar) The fun casino will run from 7-8:30 PM, break for the live auction, and will reopen from 9:30-11:00 PM. The silent auction will go on throughout the evening. Student dealers will facilitate the entertainment and players will win (and lose) draw tickets for door prizes at the end of the evening.
Breakfast (On Your Own)
0830-1015 Plenary Session B. Overlapping Land Use Practises: Challenges in Wildlife Conservation. Chair: E. Merrill
0830 L. Fitch, Alberta Environment. Cumulative Effects Challenges for the Prairie Landscapes.
0915 B. Stelfox, Forem Consulting. Current and Future Footprints of Human Landuses on Alberta's Forests: Priorities for Wildlife Ecologists and Resource Managers.
1015-1045 Break and Posters
1045 - 12:00 ACTWS Business Meeting
12:00-1345 ACTWS Luncheon and Awards Presentation
1345-1400 Stretch Break …… no refreshments (as we’ve just had lunch)
1400-1540 Session 4. Chair: Sheila McKeage
1400 Takats, D.L., S. Brechtel, and B. Treichel. Managing snake hibernacula: red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) relocation near stony Plain, Alberta.
1420 Jalkotzy, M.G., P.I. Ross and J. Wierzchowski. Cougar habitat use in southwestern Alberta.
1440 Scobie, D.L., J.R. Taggart and C. Faminow. Standardized for Developments that Affect Prairie Ecosystem Species-at-Risk.
1500 Lee, P. and Herbut, M. ALBERTA’S PROTECTED AREAS AS ECOLOGICAL BENCHMARKS AND CONTROLS FOR LANDSCAPE Development.
1520 Farr, D.R. IT'S ABOUT TIME: MONITORING FOREST BIODIVERSITY IN ALBERTA.
1540–1600 Wrap Up
Anderson, R.B. and D. Kmet. INCORPORATING WOODLAND CARIBOU HABITAT INTO FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING IN NORTHWESTERN ALBERTA.
Gates, C.C., G. Wagner, K. Hull, D. Eslinger and W. Harris. Elk, Cattle and Biodiversity Management in the Cypress Hills: Integrating Social and Economic Values and Ecological Information
Hornung, J. P. and C.L. Rice. Odonates (dragonflies & damselflies) as indicators of wetland integrity in Southern Alberta: A preliminary study. STUDENT
Kendell, K. and S. Brechtel. Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens) Reintroduction Program.
Leach A.L. and J. Mills. REINTRODUCING TRUMPETER SWANS AT ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK.
O’Neill, J.P., S.J. Dyer, S.M.Wasel, and P. Koning. INTEGRATED LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT IN NORTHEASTERN ALBERTA: THE GULF CANADA RESOURCES AND ALBERTA-PACIFIC FOREST INDUSTRIES SURMONT PILOT PROJECT.
Shieck, J., S. Bradbury, S. Crites, L. Marinelli, T. Sorensen, and C. Gray. BIODIVERSITY IN HARVESTED AREAS IN RELATION TO THE DISPERSION OF STANDING LIVE TREES AND SNAGS.
Takats, D.L., and G.L. Holroyd. A standardized nocturnal owl monitoring program for North America.
Students and Wildlife Professionals are invited to get to know each other in this exciting and worthwhile program at the ACTWS Annual Meeting. The Student/ Mentor Program brings together those who have a career in wildlife with those who wish to have one.
As a Mentor, you have the opportunity to inform and share your experiences, and possibly find that prized graduate student, research assistant, or employee.
As a Student, you have the opportunity to meet professionals in the field that interests you. You will get valuable knowledge and counsel from people who have experienced your future, and perhaps take a significant step towards reaching your goal.
Potential Mentors: please contact M. Pybus, C. Gates, or B. Samuel for further information.
Potential Student Participants: you do not need to notify us ahead of time. Please check the notice board in the Registration Area at the upcoming ACTWS Annual Meeting in Lethbridge......... and go from there.
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