2024 March Newsletter Dear Reader, March is a time of year where we feel like we are sitting on the edge of our seats as the Government of Alberta’s budget is released, we anticipate the spring sitting of the Legislature, and we get to work planning our gardens and our summer camping trips. Much of the public conversation this month has centered around the buffer zones that will be implemented by the Government of Alberta to protect pristine viewscapes across the province from renewable energy projects. We’ve included our statement on that issue and relevant news pieces at the end of this ne ..read more

On April 8th 2024, Private Member’s Bill 204, the Municipal Government (National Urban Parks) Amendment Act, 2023 was given its third reading and passed in the Alberta Legislature. CPAWS Nothern Alberta closely followed the Bill’s progress and was present during the Bill’s debate due to its potential impact on the National Urban Park initiative the City of Edmonton is exploring with the Federal Government, and any other future initiative in Alberta.       The intent of the Bill is to prevent a municipality from entering into any agreement to develop a National Urban Park, except u ..read more

Edmonton | Amiskwaciwâskahikan / Calgary | Mohkinstsis Alberta’s recently released budget for 2024 is concerning for CPAWS Northern and Southern Alberta chapters. Amidst impending drought, wildfire risk, and substantive biodiversity loss, there is more need than ever for preventative conversation measures.  The lack of commitment to increasing protected areas, including Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, and the ambiguity around addressing sorely needed water and land management demonstrates an ongoing failure to fund meaningful long-term conservation measures that are in th ..read more

2024 February Newsletter Dear Reader, Alarm bells have sounded as regions across Alberta experienced water use restrictions promptly followed by the Government of Alberta announcing an early start to the fire season. While we see it as a hopeful sign that the government is reacting to changing conditions, protecting the long-lasting health of Alberta’s lands and waters will require a wholistic approach to how we manage them. This means rethinking current practices and, for example, adopting land management practices that have been used for millennia by Indigenous peoples. This month, we ..read more

Yesterday, the Government of Alberta released policy changes from the Alberta Utilities Commission related to the development of renewable energy infrastructure in the province. A key restriction outlined in this new policy direction is that “Buffer zones of a minimum of 35 kilometres will be established around protected areas and other ‘pristine viewscapes’ as designated by the province. New wind projects will no longer be permitted within those buffer zones and other proposed developments located within the buffer zone may be subject to a visual impact assessment before approval.”&nbs ..read more

No Update to Action Plan for Wood Buffalo National Park Despite Recommendations – Environmental Groups Disappointed Edmonton, AB/Calgary, AB – Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Northern Alberta Chapter (CPAWS Northern Alberta) and Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) are disappointed in Canada’s failure to submit an updated Action Plan implementing the crucial recommendations from the 2022 Reactive Monitoring Mission Report.  This past September, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee gave Canada three years to follow through on implementing necessary changes to save the park from fu ..read more

Peace Hills Insurance Announces New Partner for Charity Partnership Program with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society  Edmonton, AB, January 29 2024 –  Peace Hills General Insurance Company, a home, auto, and commercial insurer headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, is proud to announce a renewal of their Charity Partnership Program with a new partnering organization: the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). This collaboration supports Peace Hills’ mission of being a unique insurance company that truly cares, which includes contributing to the well-being of the communi ..read more

The disappointing weakening of a strong management plan for Elk Island National Park  In early 2023, a draft version of the Elk Island National Park Management Plan was released for public feedback. We were very supportive of the plan, and in particular we applauded reference to the need for the small, but ecologically important National Park to expand and the development of a land acquisition plan. We also celebrated improving relationships with Indigenous Peoples, adapting to climate change, improving conditions for species at risk, managing visitation for the ecological integrity of ..read more

CPAWS Northern Alberta Expresses Deep Concerns Over Delayed Progress Reports on Alberta’s Woodland Caribou Recovery  Edmonton, AB – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Northern Alberta Chapter (CPAWS NAB) is concerned over prolonged delay in receiving Alberta’s first progress report on caribou recovery. The Agreement, “Section 11 Agreement for the recovery of Woodland Caribou”, signed by the Governments of Alberta and Canada in October 2020 under the Species At Risk Act (SARA), aims to provide a comprehensive framework for range plans crucial to the long-term recovery of caribou ..read more

Government of Alberta adds 1,400 hectares of new protected areas, delists 12 other sites  CPAWS Northern and Southern Alberta Chapters welcome the Government of Alberta’s announcement of two new and three expanded provincial parks and recreation areas adding approximately 1,400 hectares (ha) of new protection to the province. These new and expanded areas will protect sensitive plants and animals and facilitate Albertans’ access and connection to nature.   “Albertans have made it clear that they want more parks, so these additions and expansions are welcome news. We hope that ..read more