Love Your Headwaters

Check out this informative series of infographics and explanations all about the Alberta Energy Regulator's process related to coal mines in Alberta. If it seems complex, it is, and certainly not easy for Albertans to see where, when and how coal mining happens in the province. Don't forget: April 19th is the deadline to take the province's survey on coal development: https://your.alberta.ca/coal-policy-en//coal-policy-survey

A very important project and update. Read below for more information and watch the video: "Iinnii is returning to the Kainai / Blood Tribe Reserve to restore land and heal community. The last time Niisitapii reigned over the Prairie landscape, it was side by side with bison. The hump-backed animals fed entire economies and civilizations of human society; as well, they played ecological keystone roles in animal and plant biodiversity native grasslands birds, amphibians, in...sects, plants and soil depended on bison in one form or another." "The Kainai Iinnii Rematriation project will also restore Iinnii as the cultural keystone species to carve space in current life for our relatives to walk among us again, protected and managed as a nation. ‘Rematriation’ is the act of restoring balance to Ksaahkomm, the Earth we stand on, with focusing on the spirit of the land and people." Blood Tribe Land Management | Kainai Ecosystem Protection Association - KEPA

The recently-released Alberta Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan highlights some encouraging trends in bear population increases in certain regions. The report also stresses the need to mitigate ongoing threats of human-caused mortality, such as poaching and vehicle collisions, and the expansion of roads and trails on the landscape, that pose significant risks to the continued recovery of grizzly bears in Alberta. Learn more: Tweet from FRI Research with some cool infographics on the research process here: https://twitter.com/fRIresearch/status/1377295929477193729 Check out the full Recovery Plan: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/9781460147917

Southern Alberta's Crowsnest Pass region supports a diversity of plant and animal species and is loved by Albertans for it's abundance of recreational opportunities. Turtle mountain, an iconic hike in the region, could have a completely different view from the summit - one that includes widespread coal mining. Let's not lose our special places to coal mining. Now is the time to make your voice heard! On Monday the government released details on the initial phase of a consultation process on a modern coal policy. Please fill out the survey at http://alberta.ca/CoalEngagement by April 19th.

"This tiny little constriction through the Bow Valley, where it's already quite developed, (would) be pushing wildlife even further up the slope and risking that they won’t move through the valley anymore," says Hilary Young, senior Alberta program manager with Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.

Bow Valley Engage is a citizen platform for important issues affecting the future of the town of Canmore, Alberta. In a recent update to folks interested in engaging on the Three Sisters Mountain Village (TSMV) development proposals, they noted they had received "almost 300 notes of concern" through their website about TSMV’s proposal to double the size of the town. You can help. Learn more: http://bowvalleyengage.com/issues/tmsv/ Attend the first online hearing tomorrow, Feb. 9, beginning at 9 a.m. MST: https://canmore.ca/tow/town-council/council-minutes-agendas

And a statement from CPAWS Northern Alberta regarding today's announcement.

By now you may have heard the news that Alberta’s Energy Minister reinstated the 1976 coal development policy. Albertans made it clear they want to be involved in major decisions such as this. They have show they want more protections for our precious headwaters and mountains not less. This announcement addresses the sudden decision in May 2020 to rescind the coal policy, a move widely criticized by people across the province. Recreationists, hunters, anglers, Indigenous ...governments, mayors, musicians, business owners and others ranging the political spectrum were heard. Today's action is thanks to you and people like you who spoke out. The government responded to the massive outcry from folks who wrote letters, made phone calls, signed petitions, and loudly and clearly demanded for reinstatement of the coal policy. Read this statement from our parent organization Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative for more details, including how we will continue to hold the government accountable for comprehensive consultation and land-use planning and for no surface mining exploration or development in our headwaters.

The science of watershed processes can be complex. That's why this new education campaign from our friends CPAWS Southern Alberta is a fantastic resource! Follow along throughout February to build your knowledge on the processes that deliver drinking and irrigation water, sustain ecosystems from the Rockies to Hudson Bay, and shape the landscape. https://cpaws-southernalberta.org/alberta-watershed-ed/ #AlbertaWatershedEd