Dear Reader,
As we greet November with open arms, it has been an incredibly busy month within the Northern Alberta Chapter. We have been working hard locally and with the international community to ensure Alberta’s impending nature strategy addresses biodiversity loss, ecosystem function and water security. The nature strategy marks a hopeful trajectory for the province’s future, and you too have an opportunity to take part in the change.
The Government of Alberta’s survey for the nature strategy is open until Thursday, November 7. If you are unsure where to start or what to highlight, we have created a CPAWS survey guide.
* We are aware that in our last newsletter there was an existing glitch in the survey, we have been assured by the Government of Alberta that it has since been fixed.
Below, you’ll find updates from our chapter and some exciting events including our Nature Trivia Night with Elements Outfitters!
Defining Forestry
Forestry, as listed on the Government of Alberta website is defined as “sustainable forest management, wildfire prevention and management, and forest tenure, trade and market access.” Alberta’s current definition of forestry includes the privatization of forests through tenure and the management of forests for economic profit. The sector, although a fraction of the province’s GDP, holds an important role within many Albertan communities providing employment, mitigating wildfire risk through implementing FireSmart practices around communities, and facilitating research in the field.
However, the primary focus of commercial forestry of maximizing timber harvest is at odds with the wider public interest and with international movements to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
We want to be clear: the forestry industry can, and should, be an ally in managing forests to protect communities from wildfire risk and to promote biodiversity, but this is not the current reality of widespread practices.
We went to Nature COP in Cali, Colombia!
Our Executive Director, Kecia Kerr attended the Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP16 or “Nature COP”) at the end of October. The stakes have never been higher for our planet’s biodiversity and people from around the world gathered to focus on putting to action the commitments made by countries who have signed the Convention on Biological Diversity and have now committed to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Why is it so important for Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs), who are not signatories to the convention, nor representatives of a state party, to be present at COP16? Read more about our role at COP16.
Field notes from Colombia
CPAWS was represented by many regional chapters, offering up their local perespective to challenges and opportunities to protect nature from across the country. CPAWS National published a blog outlining some highlights and notes from our CPAWS COP16 delegation.
Observations from our Executive Director, Dr. Kecia Kerr:
There is an impact for us to take home the enthusiasm and the learnings on how so many jurisdictions around the world, who are also heavily reliant on resource extraction, are recognizing the need for real change in protecting nature and are finding innovative ways to get citizens involved.
Alberta’s Nature Strategy Needs Your Voice!
This Thursday, November 7th is the last day to complete the Government of Alberta’s survey for its provincial nature strategy.
To protect our most valued natural heritage, Alberta needs a nature strategy that aims to address biodiversity loss, ecosystem function and water security. Your survey response has the power to stress the importance of this direction for the strategy and its implementation. Take the survey here.
CPAWS has reviewed the survey extensively and we have a survey guide available if you’d like to see how we would answer the survey to stress the importance of an actual plan for nature in Alberta. For further reading, we also published a vision for Alberta’s nature strategy with many other Alberta organizations which you can read here.
Casino Volunteers Needed
We are in need of 35 volunteers to cover shifts over a two-day period. Casinos are a vital fundraising opportunity for charitable organizations across Alberta – these two-day events provide most of our core operating costs as an organization that would otherwise go unfunded!
What: CPAWS Northern Alberta Casino
Where: Pure Edmonton Casino – 7055 Argyll Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T6C 4A5
When: Tuesday December 10th 9:30 AM – Thursday, December 12th 4:00 AM
Come spend some time with CPAWS staff, board and other volunteers and enjoy a free meal. All training will be provided on-the-job.
To indicate your interest, please fill out this form.
In the News
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Opinion: Alberta must step up to protect our natural heritage
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The fight for life downstream of Alberta’s tailings ponds — full of arsenic, mercury and lead
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5 questions rural Albertans have about oilsands companies’ huge new carbon capture plan
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Company fined $1 million for depositing toxic wastewater into the Peace River
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Albertans seek more accessible, affordable provincial parks: government survey
Take Action
Share your support for National Urban Parks
Email your MLA to let them know you support National Urban Parks and would like to see Alberta be a part of a national network of urban parks.
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