May Newsletter
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Northern Alberta (CPAWSNAB)
It feels like we’ve had a long month. From an election to an aggressive start to the wildfire season, we hope that June will hold some time for some rest and relaxation. Without further ado, read on for the latest news from the CPAWS Northern Alberta Chapter.?
What you need to know about Mine 14??
Tens of thousands of Albertans gave a resounding “NO” to new coal exploration and development in their Eastern Slopes and yet, Summit Mine 14 will move forward in Grande Cache. The project is one of the four projects allowed to proceed despite?the Government of Alberta’s moratorium from March 2022. The mine has been making its way through the approvals process since 2007, but small portions of their project have continued to quietly receive approvals to this day.??
?Here are some quick facts about the project:??
Mine 14 places environmental and social values of the area in jeopardy (water, wildlife habitat, recreation and tourism opportunity and land which First Nations can exercise their asserted rights to name a few) The area has seen a budding tourism and recreation economy, Mine 14 would undoubtedly put that at risk and reinforce the boom and bust cycle the region has seen for decades. Adding more mines in this sensitive region is especially concerning given the questionable ability of coal mine operators to keep the environment and water safe. Recent spills from nearby mines shows the industry is not equipped to suitably manage its environmental risks, including CST coal’s two spills into the Smoky River in Grande cache in late 2022, and early 2023, and Coal Spur’s recent unidentified spill in April 2023.??
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Observing 1 year since the release of our tailings report??
It’s been one year since we released our tailings report titled “50 Years of Sprawling Tailings: mapping decades of destruction by oilsands tailings.” Since then, we’ve seen in real-time the devasting impacts of tailings mismanagement on communities and the environment (a key example being the Imperial Oil year-long leak.)?On the heels of the House of Commons hearing (we have a summary you can?read here) we hope firm action is taken to address existing risks and improve tailings management. Read the report?here.?
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Meet Jocelyn, our newest team member?
We’d like to introduce the newest addition to the team, Jocelyn Portillo. Jocelyn is joining our chapter as the Nature Positive Outreach Coordinator. She is a recent graduate from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in psychology with a passion for Alberta's diverse wildlife and landscapes. If you are out and about attending community events and local markets, keep an eye out for Jocelyn, and please, come say hi!?
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If you have an outreach or event opportunity for our chapter, please reach out to Jocelyn at?[email protected]??
CPAWS NAB Summer Reading List is OUT!?
?We’re pleased to share our THIRD annual summer reading list with you - just a few weeks ahead of the summer solstice.??
This year we are so excited to partner with local Edmonton bookstore, the?glass bookshop, where they will be making it easy breezy for you to get your hands on your most coveted titles from the reading list. Join us and the glass bookshop for our launch of the list June 27th from 7-8:30 PM. Come to mix and mingle with fellow readers and nature enthusiasts for an evening centering conservation, Indigenous-led initiatives, environmentalism and which books you are looking forward to reading the most!???
Join us for a BioBlitz??
We will be co-hosting a BioBlitz in the Cardinal Divide and Whitehorse Wildland Provincial Park region in July! BioBlitzes are a great excuse for naturalists, scientists, and curious folks to meet in person in the great outdoors and, they are a lot of fun!?Sunday July 16th is open to anyone to join the BioBlitz?(with limited spots) please?RSVP here. We will have guided plant, bird, and insect walks as well as the opportunity to try your hand at species ID in the region!?
?This event is supported by the Alberta Conservation Association and is co-hosted with the Alberta Native Plant Council, Whitehorse Wildland Provincial Park Stewards, PlantWatch Alberta, Alberta Wilderness Association, and CPAWS Northern Alberta.?
Find out more about the event here:?https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cardinal-divide-conservation-coalition-bioblitz-tickets-646457741507?
In the News:??