By Jessica Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A lot has changed in Alberta’s parks over the last 10-plus years. The province’s population has grown over 30 per cent from 2009 to 2024, and with that visitation has increased, creating growing pressures on the landscape. It was 2009 when the first iteration of Alberta’s Plan for Parks was released as a 10-year … Read more…
By Mia Parker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta Hiking Association has received a $98,000 provincial grant to improve trails in the Crowsnest Pass area. This includes facilitating the recruitment and training of volunteers to help with the project. Jenice Smith, an Alberta Hiking Association contractor, has been brought on as the volunteer co-ordinator using these funds, and looks forward to the … Read more…
By Mia Parker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Alberta Energy Regulator has released its 2024 Alberta Energy Outlook report with interesting highlights about what the future of energy production in Alberta may look like. This report, released June 24, details data from 2023 and projects expectations for Alberta’s energy sector in the coming years. “With expected pipeline capacity improvements and reasonably … Read more…
By Scott Hayes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter An increasingly popular photography challenge, just in time for Lakes Appreciation Month in July. Living Lakes Canada (LLC) is encouraging people to enjoy their favourite waterbodies by taking pictures of them for the fourth annual Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge. LLC Lakes Program Manager Georgia Peck said the contest underscores the importance of getting the … Read more…
By: Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative ReporterSource: St. Albert Gazette A disruption of legal services for disadvataged Albertans has been narrowly avoided, as Legal Aid Alberta’s recently expired contract with the province has been extended and negotiations between the parties are set to resume. In a joint statement released on July 5, Alberta’s Minister of Justice, Legal Aid Alberta, and … Read more…
By Justin Sibbet, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Pronghorns are a staple of southern Alberta, yet the animal faces significant migration challenges every year in the region. T.J. Schwanky, wildlife projects facilitator with the Alberta Wildlife Federation, says fencing designed to keep cattle and other animals in, also doubles as a barrier to pronghorns. “The pronghorn much prefer to crawl under fences … Read more…
By Jessica Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta’s government is allowing targeted hunts on “problem” grizzly bears after a nearly 20-year ban on hunting the threatened species. The province’s forestry and parks ministry may issue what it is calling a grizzly bear management authorization for the purpose of hunting if a wildlife officer determines a grizzly is involved in a human-bear … Read more…