Edmonton, Alberta, December 10, 2020 – Local grassroots non-profit Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition has filed a request for judicial review regarding the City of Edmonton’s rezoning of 99 acres of river valley parkland for an Epcor industrial solar plant. Read More
Yesterday, the Alberta government took another step towards turning Alberta’s Eastern Slopes into little more than a string of coal mines. Nearly 2,000 hectares of coal leases were offered for sale in the Rockies of southern Alberta. This offering, together with existing coal leases and applications for coal leases, confirms the government’s ambition to sacrifice the southern Alberta mountain landscape for coal. Read More
EDMONTON, AB – The ongoing precarious state of Wood Buffalo National Park was internationally recognized today by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which stated in a report assessing all of its World Heritage Sites, that its conservation outlook is of “significant concern”. This assessment came only one day after the Government of Canada was due to submit a State of Conservation update report to the UN on the federal government’s implementation of the Wood Buffalo National Park Action Plan to recover the park. The Action Plan was announced nearly two years ago, but Indigenous communities and environmental organizations have consistently expressed concerns about the need for more resources and timely actions to reflect the scope and severity of threats. Read More
Last week the Government of Alberta released “Alberta’s Crown Land Vision.” The Alberta Crown Land Vision appears to be a precursor to changes in two key areas of legislation: updating parks and public land legislation, and introducing new recreation legislation (Alberta Trails Act) focused on the creation of a recreation user-based fee framework. Read More
Canada is working to meet its commitment of 17% conserved areas by the end of 2020. New creative measures have been developed to help meet these goals. Join Kecia Kerr from CPAWS Northern Alberta and Matt Munson from the Dene Tha' First Nation as they share the relatively new concept of Indigenous Protected & Conserved Areas (IPCA) and what it takes to develop the first IPCA in Alberta. Read More
Climate Change is a problem that affects every person around the globe. One of the easiest most cost-effective strategies is to increase the quantity and quality of the conservation areas that protect critical lands and waters. We can do this right here in Canada. We already use and enjoy these areas for our recreation and relaxation, but they are also a critical component in dealing with climate change. Find out how you can help, join our Zoom conversation to find out more. Read More
The Alberta Wilderness Association, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN), David Suzuki Foundation and Ecojustice say a recent agreement between Canada and Alberta regarding boreal caribou may leave the iconic species in peril unless Alberta takes immediate protective actions. Read More
Last week, without any public consultation, the Alberta government proposed changes to the Forests Act. The amendments include a preamble that mentions forest ecological values and climate change, followed by revisions to facilitate forest commercial interests. Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) believes the proposed Forests Act changes miss the opportunity for needed reforms to support forest ecosystems and transparent, inclusive forest management. Read More
