Webinars

Irrigation and the Future of Southern Alberta’s Rivers: Shall We Gather at the River? – Lorne Fitch

Southern Alberta’s rivers are at risk with the present levels of water diversions for irrigation agriculture. The irrigation sector has proposed a “modernization” scheme, funded by nearly a billion dollars of provincial funds, a loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank and some of their own money. While irrigation efficiency has merits, it appears none of the saved water will remain in our rivers to improve declining aquatic health. Irrigation expansion, up to 230,000 acres, is projected as one of the benefits of this modernization scheme. It is critical Albertans know what the implications and consequences are if this proceeds, especially without an environmental impact assessment with broad public participation. This presentation by Lorne Fitch, P. Biol. will provide some light on the initiative and the issues.

Lorne Fitch- Professional Biologist – Lorne has been a biologist for 50 years, working on many issues related to use of land and water. Lorne is a professional biologist, a retired provincial Fish and Wildlife biologist, was one of the co-founders of the stewardship initiative Cows and Fish, and is a former Adjunct Professor with the University of Calgary. Lethbridge is home, where he pens articles and essays on issues related to Alberta’s landscape and critters.

Mental Health in Agriculture: 7 Essential Strategies for Building Resiliency

Webinar: Join Jeff Couillard in an interactive evening presentation where you will learn strategies to set healthy boundaries, build a support system and prioritize wellness.

Testing Management Intensive Cattle Grazing as a Restorative Tool in Semi-Arid Rangelands – Kristi Gordon

Management-intensive grazing (MiG) has recently become more recognized as a land management tool. Our research tests both MiG and traditional grazing practices for their ability to restore native, semi-arid rangeland that has been invaded by the plant spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe).

Connecting Corridors Webinar

With the generous support of our Saskatchewan PCAP Partners the webinar provided an opportunity for 60 participants including workshop invitees as well as other interested parties from the PCF/PCAP networks to hear about the following projects:

• Dr. Leif Olsen, 02Planning and Design, Calgary, AB: “Connecting Habitats in the Prairies of Alberta: What Does This Mean and How Do We Manage For It?

• Dr. Andrew Jakes, National Wildlife Federation, Missoula, MT:“Pronghorn: A focal Species for Grassland Connectivity.”
  • Fences Reduce Habitat for Pronghorn in the Northern Sagebrush Steppe
    
  • A Fence Runs Through it
  • Evaluating Responses by Pronghorn to Fescue Modifications Across the Northern Great Plains
  • Classifying the Migration Behaviours of Pronghorn on Their Nothern Range
  • Beyond protected areas: Private lands and public policy anchor intact pathways for multi-species wildlife migration
    • Tracy Lee, Miistakis Institute, Calgary, AB: “Improving Highway Safety for Wildlife and People in Alberta” Results of a project undertaken with Dr, Adam Ford, UBC Okanagan, BC and Dr. Tyler Creech, Center for Large Landscape Conservation, Bozeman, MT.