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ALBERTA BIOLOGISTS' BIWEEKLY
MAY 15, 2024
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The Call for Abstracts for
the ASPB Conference in November
will remain open until May 31st, 2024.
Please contact Jessica Koehli.
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Aquatic SARA Survey
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is conducting a survey on their aquatic species at risk public outreach activities. We are seeking feedback so we can better understand what aquatic species at risk information you want to see and how the Department may improve its public outreach activities. You can send your feedback through an online survey, to be completed by July 9, 2024. The survey notice can be found HERE.
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The AER penalizes firm for failure to report emissions
On May 7, 2024, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) fined Tallahassee Exploration Inc. (Tallahassee) for failure to meet its fugitive emissions and methane reporting requirements in 2021. The company has been ordered to pay $191,885.
The AER began investigating Tallahassee in 2022 and has determined that the company contravened the Methane Emission Reduction Regulation (MERR) on two counts:
- Failure to submit methane emissions reports for the 2021 reporting period.
- Failure to conduct fugitive emission surveys at any of its facilities in 2021.
The AER also found Tallahassee contravened the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act by providing false or misleading information by resubmitting information from the 2020 reporting period and representing it as data from the 2021 reporting period. For more information, please contact: media@aer.ca
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Optimising Your Sensor Data
SENSR - (Services for Environmental Sensor Research) - is the latest addition to Biodiversity Pathways, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute.
SENSR is dedicated to helping scientists get the most out of environmental sensor data, with effective and science-based solutions for everything from study design to data analysis. The SENSR team can help take a project from start to finish or help with specific challenges. SENSR information is available HERE.
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Tracey Stock takes
the APEGA helm
On April 26, 2024, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGA) held its annual general meeting and ratified the 2024 Council election results by installing Tracey Stock, KC, P.Eng., PhD, FEC, FGC (Hon.), as APEGA’s 105th president. He will lead APEGA’s executive committee of Council, which comprises president-elect Terri Steeves, P.Eng., returning Vice-President Margaret Allan, P.Eng., P.Geo., and Manon Plante, P.Eng., who transitions into the role of past-president.
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BUILDING YOUR
CAREER?
See what's new on the
BIOLOGISTS'
JOB BOARD
Aquatic Field Biologist
Vegetation Ecologist
Terrestrial Invasive Fauna Biologist
Biodiversity Program Coordinator
Intermediate Biologist/Wetland Ecologist
Intermediate Wildlife Biologist
Project Manager / Technical Advisor
Ecologist / Biologist (Seasonal Positions Available)
Senior Biologist
Native Bee Stewardship Specialist
Conservation Geneticist
Environmental Specialist
Vegetation Ecologist
Junior / Intermediate Biologist
Intermediate Environmental Scientist
Environmental Planner (Aquatic Biology Focus)
Environmental Professional / Biologist / Project Manager
Intermediate Aquatic Biologist
Electrofishing Instructor
Terrestrial Biologists
Fisheries Biologist
Junior and Intermediate Biologists
Senior Aquatic Biologist
FIND INFORMATION
ON THESE AND
MANY OTHER POSITIONS
HERE
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & CONFERENCES
MAY
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Under Pressure:
Threats to Alberta’s Native Plant Communities
On May 15, 2024, at 12:00 noon MDT, Megan Evans will close out the series with Nurturing Alberta's Native Bees, The Alberta Native Bee Council's Approach to Conservation. Learn about the status of Alberta's native bees and what the Alberta Native Bee Council has been working on to help protect them, as well as how participating in ANPC’s very own Native Plant Garden Challenge can help. Register HERE or on the ANPC website.
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Bryophytes Identification Course
This 2-day course, instructed by Brittney Miller, M.Sc and taking place on May 30-31, 2024, is designed for natural resource professionals to develop the skills needed to detect and identify common Alberta bryophytes species. The focus of the course is on key features used in field identification (e.g., leaf morphology, microhabitats), and distinguishing species from similar taxa. This course involves both classroom and field components, between 0830 and 1700 each day. The classroom location is at Vertex Professional Services, 161-2055 Premier Way in Edmonton. Field components will be at natural areas within 1 hour of Edmonton. For more information, and to register, please contact bryophytes@vertex.ca
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School of Fish Workshop:
Fishes of Alberta - Field Identification
This fish ID course will be instructed by Shona Derlukewich, B.Sc., P. Biol., at MacEwan University in Edmonton May 26, 2024 (Sunday), from 1300h to 1630h (please arrive a few minutes early to start on time). The workshop will focus on majority of Fishes of Alberta with emphasis on small body fishes. The cost per student is $150; pre-payment by etransfer/credit card to hold seat. Field guides are included in the workshop cost and will be provided to participants upon arrival. Additional details (map for parking and room number) will be supplied to registered participants. To register, email Shona Derlukewich and for more fishy details check out the WEBSITE.
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An Introduction to Mosses of Alberta
The Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta is offering a 3 day workshop in moss identification, on May 22-24, 2024. Mosses are an important component of the diversity of Alberta with approximately 525 species in the province. However, they are often overlooked because of their small size. This three-day workshop consists of a practical introduction to moss identification. You can REGISTER HERE
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Fiera Biological Workshops, Tracks and Traces:
Wildlife Track and Sign Identification
These in-person field-based workshops will take place in the Edmonton region and will be instructed by Joseph Litke, Wildlife Biologist, Certified Wildlife Track & Sign Professional. The workshops will focus on the identification and interpretation of clues left by wildlife in the form of tracks and other sign such as scats or foraging evidence. Suitable for any skill level. Limited space available.
May Workshop date: May 25, 2024; June Workshop date: June 22, 2024.
Learn more and register HERE
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Paragon Soil Science Courses:
Pedology Field School (SOIL230 Sp23)
May 29 to 31, 2023 (in-person in the Edmonton area).
Instructor: Konstantin Dlusskiy, PhD, PAg
Registration: https://SOIL230-Sp23.eventbrite.ca
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & CONFERENCES
JUNE
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A Field Law Webinar:
Understanding the Boundaries of Off-Duty Conduct
The actions of employees outside of work hours can have significant implications for their careers and their employer’s business. As employees and employer both navigate an increasingly connected world, it is vital to understand the boundaries of off-duty conduct and how an employer can address such conduct.
Join Field Laws’ Kelly Nicholson and Jason Kully for a complimentary webinar that will cover key aspects and practical guidance on managing off-duty conduct, addressing how off-duty conduct can affect the workplace, when can an employer investigate, discipline, and terminate an employee for off-duty activities, and what strategies can employers implement to proactively address off-duty conduct while respecting employee privacy. This complimentary webinar between noon and 1:00 pm on June 12, 2024 is intended for employers, HR professionals, and anyone involved in managing employee relations… If you aren't able to attend at the scheduled time, please register and you will be sent a link to the recording. Please register HERE
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ANPC Botany Field Trip on June 21-23
The Alberta Native Plant Council is hosting its annual Botany Alberta field trip, on June 21-23, 2024 at Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park. It is completely free to attend; for more information please go HERE.
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Fiera Biological Workshops, Tracks and Traces:
Wildlife Track and Sign Identification
This in-person field-based workshop will take place in the Edmonton region and will be instructed by Joseph Litke, Wildlife Biologist, Certified Wildlife Track & Sign Professional. The workshop will focus on the identification and interpretation of clues left by wildlife in the form of tracks and other sign such as scats or foraging evidence. Suitable for any skill level. Limited space available. June Workshop date: June 22, 2024. Learn more and register HERE
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & CONFERENCES
JULY
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WPEFC recovery training session
This course provides field training and reference material tailored to whitebark and limber pine recovery. Participants will gain competency and a certificate issued by WPEFC demonstrating a consistent level of knowledge and technical skills required to support endangered whitebark and limber pine recovery.
This course will be held at Porcupine Hills, Alberta on July 10/11, 2024 (register by July 3) Click here for further details.
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NATURAL RESOURCES
TRAINING GROUP
Advanced Fish Sampling – Online – May 15th, 2024
https://nrtraininggroup.com/events/advanced-fish-sampling-online-may-15th-2024/
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Cochrane, May 16th, 2024
https://nrtraininggroup.com/events/electrofishing-certification-online-self-paced-cochrane-may-16th-2024/
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Kamloops, 16th May, 2024
https://nrtraininggroup.com/events/electrofishing-certification-online-self-paced-kamloops-16th-may-2024/
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Prince George, May 17th 2024
https://nrtraininggroup.com/events/electrofishing-certification-online-self-paced-prince-george-may-17th-2024/
Bird Nest Surveys — Beyond Standard Approaches – Online – May 22nd, 2024
https://nrtraininggroup.com/events/bird-nest-surveys-beyond-standard-approaches-online-may-22nd-2024/
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & North Vancouver, May 23rd, 2024
https://nrtraininggroup.com/events/electrofishing-certification-online-self-paced-north-vancouver-may-23rd-2024/
Electrofishing Certification – Online (self-paced) & Winnipeg, May 23rd 2024
https://nrtraininggroup.com/events/electrofishing-certification-online-self-paced-winnipeg-may-23rd-2024/
Ask an Expert – Fish Habitat Restoration – May 28th, 2024
https://nrtraininggroup.com/events/ask-an-expert-fish-habitat-restoration-may-28th-2024-2/
For the full calendar of upcoming courses, and course details, follow this link:
https://nrtraininggroup.com/schedule/
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COLUMBIA MOUNTAINS INSTITUTE
of Applied Ecology
Revelstoke BC
Full course information available at each course link.
Understanding Statistics and Decision-Making for Natural Resource Managers
May 8 - June 26, 2024. Online
Field Soil Description & Classification Course
June 26-28, 2024. Revelstoke BC.
Wetland Classification: An introduction
July 3-5, 2024. Revelstoke BC.
Data Manipulation and Visualization in R
October 1-4, 2024. Online
Introduction to `R` software
October 15-18, 2024. Online
QGIS Level I & II – Online
Dates scheduled according to student schedules.
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A Case Review from Field Law:
Reasonable Non-Solicitation Covenants
Usually Considered Enforceable
Non-solicitation covenants are clauses that prohibit employees from soliciting clients or employees from their former employer after leaving the company. The courts have generally upheld these covenants when they are reasonable in scope, duration, and geographic limitation. However, enforcing such covenants can be challenging. Employers should carefully draft non-solicitation clauses to ensure they are enforceable and seek legal advice when dealing with potential breaches.
Read More HERE
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We regularly receive notifications from Google Scholar Alerts and other sources which we select and share below in the BIWEEKLY. Here is the latest batch (the links are HOT):
Wolverine density, survival, and population trends in the Canadian boreal forest
Evaluating trade-offs in spatial versus temporal replication when estimating avian community composition and predicting species distributions
Greener leaves from northern trees: Latitudinal compensation in riparian cottonwoods
Spatial overlap of gray wolves and ungulate prey changes seasonally corresponding to prey migration
An individual-based movement model for contacts between mule deer
Becoming Soil
Environmental Impact Assessments Should Include Rigorous Scientific Peer Review
Use of space by urban Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus) as a window into habitat suitability
A 10-year Study of Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens) Reproduction in East-central Nevada, USA
Keeping their secrets: Conflicting evidence on the status and trajectory of long-toed salamanders, Ambystoma macrodactylum, breeding in the Bow and Kananaskis …
Investigation of the Population Dynamics of Endangered Whooping Cranes In The Breeding Ground Wood Buffalo National Park: An Agent-Based Modelling …
Local Hydrologic Conditions Associated with Seismic Line Disturbance in the Boreal Forest of Northern Alberta
Discrimination among similarly colored goose species in federal harvest surveys
Spatial variation in grizzly bear diet across British Columbia
Assessing the Interpretability–Performance Trade-Off of Artificial Neural Networks Using Sentinel Fish Health Data
Maintaining age diversity in urban forests through continuous tree planting: The potential of the Miyawaki method for urban forestry in Edmonton, AB.
Smallmouth Bass and Walleye predation on stocked age‐0 Walleye in Lake Oahe, South Dakota
Recent advances in studying vegetation at forest edges
Migration, movements, and survival in a partially migratory elk (Cervus canadensis) population
Navigating cross-cultural confluences: ethical space engagements on human-water relations in the Okanagan
“We’re living in the golden age of birding, and like any good cult member, I’m recruiting people to the cause.”
Ecological and anthropogenic drivers of waterfowl productivity are synchronous across species, space, and time
Mixing trembling aspen and white spruce increases the understory vegetation cover and improves soil properties but effects vary with broadleaf density
To Consult or Not to Consult? A Tale of Two Provinces
Do wolves control their own numbers? Understanding and updating the long debate
Development of a UAV-borne sorbent tube sampler and its application on the vertical profile measurement of volatile organic compounds
Composition of stream dissolved organic matter across Canadian forested ecozones varies in three dimensions linked to landscape and climate
Using winter diet composition and forage plant availability to determine browse selection and importance for moose (Alces alces) in a landscape modified by industrial …
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This week’s banner photo:
“Summer Plans”
Photo from ASPB archive.
PROFESSIONAL BIOLOGISTS PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST
In Alberta, Professional Biologists are registrants of the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (ASPB), and are subject to a code of ethics, continuing competency requirements, and a disciplinary process. The ASPB is a self-regulated organization under legislation in the Province of Alberta, meaning its purpose is to protect the public of Alberta by ensuring biologists are qualified to practice biology in accordance with that legislation. The society is governed by a Board of Directors elected by its registrants.
You are probably receiving this newsletter because you are an ASPB Registrant. This newsletter provides relevant information and professional development opportunities for our members, as well as essential member-related society business; if you are registered with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists, please DO NOT unsubscribe.
For more information about the Society or to contact the administration, please visit the website: https://www.aspb.ab.ca
Opinions and general news published in this e-newsletter
do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Society or its Board of Directors.
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