March Newsletter - Spring has sprung

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Albertans need certainty on no more coal development?

If you’ve been itching to speak your mind about coal development in the province, you are in luck! We’ve launched our new?action?letter to send your MLA,?the ministry of Energy, Environment and Protected Areas, and Forestry, Parks and Tourism, and the?opposition. Alberta needs a policy that will prioritize healthy communities, wildlife, and our headwaters.?Take Action Here

As it stands, there is NO policy or set of laws that protect Alberta’s sensitive landscapes from coal development. Many of the leases that were purchased due to the 1976 Coal Policy’s rescission, remain in place to this day.?

?May 2023 will mark 3 years since the original announcement that the policy would be removed. For a refresher on the timeline of events since?the removal of the policy on coal development in the Eastern Slopes, we’ve written an abbreviated timeline?to read on our?blog.?

?Get your spring 50/50 Tickets!?

Our chapter is running our semi-annual 50/50 cash raffle fundraiser! Ticket sales are open until April 30th, and we will draw the winner?on?May 1st. If you are an Alberta resident and over the age of 18, please consider purchasing raffle tickets to support our work! Funds raised from the raffle allow?our team?to?nimbly?respond to urgent conservation issues?for which we do not yet have dedicated funding!

?Ticket prices are as follows: 1 for $10, 4 for $20, 20 for $50 and 100 for $100?

?Get Your Tickets

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Elk Island National Park’s Draft Management Receives Mass Support?

?A huge THANK YOU to everyone who sent in a letter or filled out the survey on the Elk Island National Park Draft Management Plan!?Parks?Canada?received over 2000 letters?via our letter writing tool?on?the?plan. We’re hoping that this collective call for the expansion of the park, added resources for species-at-risk management, improved park connectivity,?and?improved Indigenous relations will be reflected in the final version of the park’s management plan.??

?While public engagement is closed for now, you can further inform yourself on the park’s direction through our?blog.

Governments hold positions of power to solve the biodiversity crisis: Here are points to consider when engaging with candidates and parties

• Albertans have expressed their?strong opposition to?coal development?in our Eastern Slopes. What changes will you make to protect communities, wildlife,?and our headwaters from the risks of coal development?
• Many of Alberta’s native species are in steep decline. How will?you ensure that?necessary habitat protections?will?be prioritized?over?competing interests for the recovery of these species?
• Canada has committed to reaching 30% of protected land and water by 2030 as part of an international agreement to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. What is Alberta’s path forward to contributing to these targets??Under your party’s government, what would?conservation targets look like in Alberta?
• Protection of nature is a proven way to take climate action, and stem biodiversity loss.?How will Alberta implement nature-based climate solutions to protect?human and non-human?communities from changing climate conditions?
• There have been many structural changes to the?former Ministry of Environment and Parks,?including that it?is now split into two different ministries. How will your party?ensure?that?ecological integrity of our natural areas and parks is the top priority in the management of these areas,?while also creating recreational opportunities for Albertans?
• Indigenous?Peoples have always acted as stewards of the environment. Elevation of Indigenous-led conservation is an important part of reconciliation, and essential to manage and protect areas rich in biodiversity. How will you and your party prioritize Indigenous-led conservation initiatives and work towards true co-management?

Upcoming Events?

Estate Planning Week with the Edmonton Community Foundation?

This free series of events connects you with experts to help navigate the complicated process of estate planning. The series runs next month, from April 17-21.?

https://www.ecfoundation.org/estate-administration-week/?

The Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF) is a great partner of CPAWS Northern Alberta and home to our Endowment Funds!??

If you would like to learn more about the CPAWS Endowment Funds?and how you can support?our work by contributing to these funds?it, please reach out at?[email protected]?to schedule a call.?

Jasper National Park Land Use Planning & Development Feedback

Jasper National Park is seeking public feedback on Land Use Planing and Development in the Town of Jasper, exploring the proposal to share land use planning responsibilities with the local municipal government. Have your say by?April 3, 2023!?

Learn more here

In the News:??

• An Imperial Oil tailings pond has been leaking for nine months?
• ‘Seemingly minor changes’ to Alberta’s parks could create big impacts. Here’s what you need to know?
• Opinion: Imperial Oil's tailings spill shows communities need more protection?
• 630 CHED Interview | Elk Island | March 16 @ 6:36AM?
• Looking to our eastern CPAWS colleagues: Caribou protection in Ontario

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