Annual Report 2011/12 Our Mission ACA conserves, protects and enhances fish, wildlife and habitat for all Albertans to enjoy, value and use. Our Vision An with an abundance and diversity of fish, wildlife and their habitat; where future generations continue to use, enjoy and value our rich outdoor heritage.

Alberta Conservation Association 101 – 9 Chippewa Road Sherwood Park, AB T8A 6J7

Tel: 780-410-1999

Toll free: 1-877-969-9091

Fax: 780-464-0990

Email: [email protected]

This document is available online at: ab-conservation.com/publications

Charitable Registration Number: 88994 6141 RR0001

Cover Photo: Trail Cam photo of wolverine (Gulo gulo). Annual Report 2011/12 Contents About Us...... 5 Chairman’s Report...... 7 President and CEO’s Message...... 9 Our People Our Culture...... 11 Health and Safety...... 11 Human Resources...... 11 Information Technology...... 11 Conservation Programs...... 13 Communications...... 13 Business Development...... 14 Wildlife...... 15 Fisheries...... 23 Land Management...... 31 Conservation Reports...... 37 Report A Poacher and Compensation Programs...... 38 Our Granting Programs...... 39 Grant Eligible Conservation Fund...... 39 ACA Grants in Biodiversity...... 41 Financial Highlights...... 43 Auditor’s Report...... 44 Summarized Financial Statements...... 46 Board of Directors Executive Member Groups: Tom Bateman, Chairman & Southern Board Liaison Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association Alberta Fish & Game Association Patrick Long, Vice Chairman Alberta Hunter Education Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta Instructors’ Association Colin Gosselin, Secretary Alberta Professional Outfitters Public At Large, Northeast Region Society Sandra Foss, Treasurer Alberta Trappers’ Association Nature Alberta Nature Alberta Randy Collins, Past Chair Pheasants Forever, Alberta Council Alberta Fish & Game Association Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta Directors Trout Unlimited Canada Brian Bildson - Public At Large, Business Representative Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta Jeff Surtees - Trout Unlimited Canada Travis Ripley - Minister’s Representative, Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Gordon Burton - Alberta Professional Outfitters Society Calvin Rakach - Public At Large, Central Region Dr. Lee Foote - Public At Large, Academic Representative Jeff Smith - Public At Large, Southern Region Dr. Mark Boyce - ACA/University of Alberta Chair in Fisheries and Wildlife Bill Abercrombie - Alberta Trappers’ Association Bob Haysom - Pheasants Forever, Alberta Council Adam Norris - Public At Large, Northwest Region Ken Ambrock - Public At Large, Northern Board Liaison Vacant - Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta

4 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 About Us Since our inception as a non-profit in 1997, Alberta ConservationAssociation (ACA) has directed hundreds of millions of dollars towards thousands of conservation efforts across Alberta, from studies on the largest species to the securement of vast tracts of precious habitat. Every dollar from fishing and hunting license sales and every partnership contributes to the conservation of Alberta’s wild heritage. Together we are securing the future of countless species of fish and wildlife and the habitat they call home while providing Albertans with access to a myriad of sustainable outdoor recreation activities. Delegated Roles and Responsibilities Alberta Conservation Association holds special status as a delegated administrative organization (DAO), which means that we deliver responsibilities as outlined in the Wildlife Act and defined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD). In our role as a DAO, results from our population studies, surveys and assessments feed directly into ESRD management plans and form the basis for fishing and hunting regulation changes and evaluations of new management strategies, such as the special walleye fishing license. Milk River Basin where MULTISAR collaborates with landowners to enhance habitat for wildlife. photo: Brad Downey, ACA

6 From the Chairman

ACA is testimony to the adage “strength in numbers.” We may not have the biggest staff or the longest history in the province, but together with our member groups we bring a rich and diverse history in fisheries and wildlife conservation to the table. Every member group, staff member, corporate partner and volunteer contributes immensely toward securing the future of wildlife and fish in our province. As you read this annual report, I hope you appreciate the scale and importance of what ACA has achieved once again this year, thanks to the dedication and commitment of everyone who works together to achieve our common goal of conservation. Given the vision, mission and passion of our Board and staff, I assure you the best is yet to come. However, we face huge challenges. Alberta is almost entirely urbanized. Our citizens come from all around the world. Some come from countries where access to wildlife is minimal and where virtually no formal wildlife management policies exist. We must recognize there is a tremendous opportunity to introduce newcomers to Alberta’s natural areas as well as educate them about responsible stewardship of wildlife and habitat. Another challenge is enabling residents of our cities to become better acquainted with wildlife and the pressures brought to bear on our rich—but non-renewable— wild resources. I joined the ACA Board in 2004 because of my lifelong interest in the well- being of our wildlife and fish. I believe ACA’s conservation model is unique in North America. Our collective vision, mission and passion create immense potential for good work, and our ability to contribute toward conservation policies is virtually unlimited. During this past year this potential unfolded as never before. The leadership of Todd Zimmerling has taken the vision to new heights and we are all excited about the future of ACA—but more importantly the health of our wildlife and fisheries. I believe our greatest challenge over the next decade will be to engage as many Albertans as possible, directly and indirectly, in conservation. All Albertans need to understand the energy, resources and expertise necessary to protect our wildlife and fish and realize how they contribute to our quality of life.

Respectfully,

Tom Bateman, Chairman of the Board

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 7 Todd Zimmerling at the 2011 Taber Pheasant Festival. photo: Darren Dorge, ACA President and CEO’s Message

This last year is one full of achievements. Our The Festival’s success was a result of partnerships among partnerships grew, and with it, our ability to conserve the the organizing groups (AHEIA, AFGA, PF, Canadian land, wildlife and water that make Alberta a naturally Pheasant Company, Upland Birds Alberta, Taber and vibrant, healthy place to live. The greatest conservation District Chamber of Commerce) and local landowners. results are achieved by working together, and the extent Another unique initiative we launched in 2011/12 was the to which we achieve them is magnified with support from half-hour “Let’s Go Outdoors” TV program with Michael others. We are grateful to the organizations that have Short. The response from stakeholders and the public has dedicated resources to various projects through 2011/12; been overwhelming. This project is heavily supported Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD), by corporate partners. It’s an excellent opportunity Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association to educate the public about conservation activities in (AHEIA), Alberta Fish & Game Association (AFGA), Alberta and connect them to the outdoors and the role Alberta Trappers’ Association (ATA), Nature Alberta hunters, anglers and trappers play in conserving fish, (NA), Pheasants Forever (PF) and a wide range of smaller wildlife and habitat. local groups. Each organization has its own operating goals, but The appreciation we have for our partners goes beyond words. Their commitment to our work and support of we proudly share one common goal: to ensure future $4.2 million in non-levy revenue mean we can focus on generations have access to the same outdoor recreational delivering results on a wide range of projects. Together activities we enjoy today. As we move into 2012/13 with we have successfully secured some 1,754 acres (710 ha) our partners, we will continue to work together so that of habitat as new Conservation Sites. Conserving these every precious conservation dollar and volunteer hour is wild spaces for outdoor recreation ensures Albertans used in the most efficient and effective manner. can continue to experience nature by hiking, hunting, Alberta has vast potential to stand out as a conservation fishing, foraging and viewing wildlife. As in previous leader, despite the immense development pressure we years, AFGA (and their affiliated clubs), PF, Nature are witnessing today. The conservation community is Conservancy of Canada (NCC), and Ducks Unlimited dedicated to achieving this—keeping Alberta wild for Canada (DUC) were instrumental in the securement of generations to come. these sites. Assistance provided by our partner groups directly benefited our Wildlife, Fisheries and Land programs; particularly from AFGA, ASRD, ATA, Delta Waterfowl, DUC, NCC, PF, Trout Unlimited Canada and various Sincerely, watershed groups. These collaborations contribute to more efficient and effective use of hunter and angler dollars in Alberta, ensuring the best overall benefit for fish, wildlife, and habitat. Among the new initiatives launched in 2011/12 was the Todd Zimmerling Taber Pheasant Festival. This is the first time ACA was directly involved and it was a huge success, with nearly President and CEO 500 hunters participating throughout the week. Alberta Conservation Association

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 9 Our People Our Culture

Mike Ranger, ACA conducts vegetation monitoring at the Upper prescribed burn. photo: Corey Rasmussen, ACA environments. This can be balance and a high of 91% are Health and Safety attributed to increased awareness satisfied with ACA’s benefit plan Program and appropriate proactive or Employee Retention preventative actions taken Workplace safety is a serious matter, • Turnover is at 5.1%, a slight by ACA staff. All incidents at particularly when a large segment increase from the previous year ACA are reviewed to reduce or of an organization’s staff are out on • We will continue to increase eliminate potential hazards the road or in remote field locations. job satisfaction by providing Our Health and Safety Program has employees the opportunity been specifically built to provide all Human Resources to maximize their abilities our staff the best possible training, while improving their working ACA accomplishes a lot of work over policies and procedures to ensure environment their safety and well-being no vast territory every year, thanks in large part to our 78 permanent staff matter where the job takes them. We and 22 temporary seasonal staff. require everyone who works with Information Human Resources not only ensures us in any capacity (be it employees, the best people are recruited for Technology contractors, volunteers, visitors, the job, but we are also integral to As we continue to grow as an etc.) to comply with ACA’s Health keeping our most valuable resource organization, the management of, and Safety related policies and – our staff – trained, safe, educated and ease of access to, systems and procedures for the protection of and satisfied with the organization. databases becomes increasingly themselves and others. important. Information Technology Year after year, it is our (IT) is committed to finding 2011/12 Overview hardworking, dedicated staff both solutions, increasing operational • We worked diligently to ensure in the office and in the field that efficiencies and saving resources in all aspects of ACA’s Health truly makes it possible to ‘Conserve support of this growth. and Safety Program met or Alberta’s Wild Side.’ Congratulations exceeded established standards and thanks are extended to the 2011/12 Overview in preparation for our application following individuals who have • Migrated to Windows 7. We to the Certificate of Recognition achieved significant Years of Service saved $12,000 in licensing fees by (COR) program. The program milestones this year. utilizing non-profit programs was reviewed to ensure policies 5 Years of Service and procedures were consistently • Implemented ArcGIS 10.0 for Peter Aku, Fisheries Program adhered to and appropriate staff that require GIS as part of Manager records maintained. Several staff their day-to-day activities Brad Hurkett, Intermediate Biologist were trained as COR auditors. • Formed a GIS staff-based Leila Lassey, Intermediate Finance ACA was then peer reviewed and committee to plan future GIS Technician during the latter part of the year environment developments was interviewed by a certified 2011/12 Overview within ACA external COR auditor. We Employee Survey • Developed an aeration database achieved an overall score of 93%, for fisheries biologists to resulting in ACA successfully We are very pleased with the results warehouse information from obtaining COR designation of our annual employee survey. lakes and ponds across the issued by Alberta Employment Highlights include: province and Immigration and co-signed • An impressive 97.4% of • Tested new web-based tools by the Certifying Partner employees have a good to assist staff with day-to-day • Reviews and updates were understanding of ACA’s identity activities, easing time and costs made to the Health and Safety and messaging thanks to tools within IT such as the internal website, Manual throughout the year, • Provided daily technical support publications and various incorporating insight, comments for issues relating to software, meetings conducted throughout and suggestions from ACA staff hardware, network and mobility the organization • We saw an overall reduction systems in the number of workplace • 93.5% of employees agree they are incidents, with no specific type satisfied with ACA as a place to of workplace hazard identified work, setting a new record high as particularly significant or • 90.9% of employees are satisfied common among ACA work with having a good work-life

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 11 Warrensville Conservation Site photo: Jennifer Straub, ACA

Map Grid C2 103 Conservation Programs

also added Hunter Tips and Safety and conservation in Alberta. We Communications (information courtesy of AHEIA), thank them for their support and We continued to expand our Ice Fishing Tips and Safety as well encouragement as well. digital reach into 2011/12, keeping as some new seasonal photos and Other internal and general newsletter subscribers, website Conservation Site Getaways. The housekeeping projects included visitors and app holders as up-to- WMU search is also available on promotion, design and webpages for the-minute as possible with the our website at ab-conservation.com/ the 2011 Taber Pheasant Festival, happenings at ACA. Several of these guide. completing posters, signage, digital media saw dramatic increases We have achieved success with the banners, brochures and other tools in traffic and use over the last 12 public relations surrounding the to help program areas achieve their months. app as well, with several online annual goals. We made several Perhaps our most significant foray newspaper editions across Canada improvements to the Corporate into new media opportunities came and the US picking up the story in Partners in Conservation (CPIC) and in the form of the Guide to Outdoor the second quarter of 2011. As of WIN Card Benefits program pages Adventure app, launched on May March 31, 2012, the app received on our website. Several additional 12. This app is available for iPhone 16,208 downloads. We have also website updates and improvements and is a complete mobile version of completed development of mobile have been scheduled to launch into our popular Discover Alberta’s Wild web pages for Blackberry and 2012. Side: Annual Outdoor Adventure Android users. Guide publication. Users can search 2011/12 Overview A surprisingly happy jump came all 700+ Conservation Sites by name, Publications proximity, or type of activity. The from our electronic newsletter, app also includes a number of useful which saw a whopping increase of • 2010/2011 Annual Report produced and interesting articles and tips on 17,700+ subscribers last year, thanks • 2011/2012 Annual Operating Plan Alberta’s big outdoors and its wild in large part to WIN card renewals. produced inhabitants. Within three months This monthly publication now goes • Discover Alberta’s Wild Side: we had received in excess of 10,000 out to some 47,000 subscribers. Annual Outdoor Adventure Guide In addition, our open and click- downloads. Our goal was not only to –– Fourth edition published through rates are approximately 15% give die-hard hunting and angling and 100,000 copies printed and enthusiasts a new, robust tool to higher than industry average. We distributed use when planning their outdoor appreciate the ongoing support of • Launched the Alberta Outdoor adventures, but also to attract a our long-term and new subscribers Adventure Guide App younger, more diverse audience as and are pleased at the confirmation well as tap into the significant tourist that the stories and information we –– 16,208 users downloaded the traffic that visits our province every publish is of interest and value to our free app off iTunes year. readers. • Conservation Magazine – Since the launch, we have also Along similar lines, the Spring/ – Published bi-annually completed our first round of Summer 2012 edition of –– Distributed hard copies to major updates to the app. Users Conservation Magazine grew by 40,000 subscribers and can now search the 500+ hunting four pages at the request of our approximately 30,000 online Conservation Sites by Wildlife Board of Directors, who urged us readers Management Unit (WMU). To to keep providing all the news and • 2012/2015 Strategic Business Plan complement this functionality, we insights we can into the outdoors Update

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 13 Web • Television Business Development • 117,025 unique visitors to www. –– LGO TV program aired on ab-conservation.com, up 84% CTV2 with an average of 9,000 We rely heavily upon sponsorships from last year viewers per episodes (13). The from the business community to show was also carried by Shaw achieve our annual operating goals Social Media Cable Edmonton. Shaw re-aired and leverage funding for significant • 1,689 Responded to our “Report all 13 episodes several times. milestones in conservation work and A Poacher” online survey • Vignettes habitat securement. We’re pleased to • 53,329 E-newsletter subscribers –– 10 one-minute television be a desired and welcomed partner (Wild Mail) an increase of 27,326 vignettes produced in to many Alberta corporations that (over 100%) from 2010 partnership with Let’s Go support our various projects and • 811 Facebook ‘Likes’ Outdoors align themselves with our work and values. • 594 Twitter followers –– 48 television occasions resulted (each vignette was aired ACA’s Corporate Partners in YouTube over a two week period during Conservation (CPIC) Program goes • 9,412 viewers the prime time supper news beyond most offset programs by Let’s Go Outdoors breaks) providing unique opportunities for – partnership generated: – 3 million viewers reached Alberta businesses to play a vital – – 26 feature stories produced role in conserving Alberta’s natural • Radio resulting in 10,816 occasions – heritage. Our CPIC participants – 8,320 total occasions on radio on the weekend show and 6,240 enjoy the ability to promote their produced in partnership with occasions for daily features affiliation with us through their Let’s Go Outdoors, combined –– 3 stand-alone features own communications, and benefit between radio feature stories and produced on the WIN Card also from ACA’s promotion of these the one-minute commercials benefit program that ran on the partnerships through our existing –– 1,600 additional occasions weekend show resulting in 256 communications initiatives. recorded with opening and occasions closing billboards on the Business Development is also weekend radio show responsible for generating –– 4,992 occasions of one-minute revenue through advertising sales daily radio columns, each of to offset costs associated with these aired at a minimum of Communications activities on three times per day, seven days television, radio and our in-house a week publications, Conservation Magazine and the Discover Alberta’s Wild Side: Annual Outdoor Adventure Guide. 2011/12 Overview • Six companies signed on as Corporate Partners in Conservation: 1. Cabela’s Canada 2. Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers 3. Cycle Works Motorsports 4. DOW Chemical Canada 5. Windshield Surgeons 6. Let’s Go Outdoors • Secured more than $70,000 in advertising sales in the two 2011 Lets Go Outdoors on location. issues of Conservation Magazine 2011 Taber Pheasant Festival. and the 2011-2012 Discover photo: Darren Dorge, ACA Alberta’s Wild Side: Annual Outdoor Adventure Guide – a 75% increase over last year.

14 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 pipelines and recent cut blocks. We develop habitat conservation Wildlife Program captured over 40,000 remote photos strategies on their land, and target Wildlife projects are delivered within at mineral licks to explain their daily specific enhancements that benefit four areas: 1) Ungulates, 2) Upland and seasonal use by different species. both wildlife and the landowner. In Game Birds, 3) Waterfowl, and Among the ungulates observed 2011, we seeded 680 acres back to 4) Species at Risk were mountain goats, mountain native grass, of which 320 acres is in sheep, elk, moose, mule deer and critical sage grouse habitat. We also Catch a glimpse of a white-tailed deer. Many of these planted 400 silver sage brush plugs cryptic carnivore licks are used for a long period of in a natural mosaic to both test this You’re almost as likely to catch a time beginning in late spring when procedure and provide a critical glimpse of a Sasquatch as you are the snow melts and continuing resource for sage grouse. a wolverine when out in the wild. into early fall. We’ll be adding This shy behaviour, coupled with movement corridors and other areas Big game surveys the rugged landscapes they haunt, of importance for elk in the coming Pronghorn surveys seemed to make it difficult to learn about year. confirm what many hunters wolverines and their reactions to suspected: 2011’s harsh winter led to human disturbance. As part of the Friendly farming a dramatic decline in numbers the WHILDZ project, we partnered with The prairies offer a wide tapestry of following summer. Aerial mountain the Alberta Trappers’ Association to habitat for wildlife when in its native goat surveys, normally flown in early compile information their members pristine form, but finding suitable July, had to be postponed to allow find on wolverines, beginning with habitat can be a challenge for many the heavy snow pack to recede. As testing field protocols this past species when converted to cropland. such, nanny groups were harder winter. Trail camera data from We work with landowners within to find, but we will not know until select locations provided evidence the Habitat Legacy Partnership summer 2012 whether this was the of visitation rates and times, while project to enhance their land for result of a population change or DNA results from hair samples will wildlife while sustaining a profitable simply an artifact of the extended identify individuals, enhancing our farming operation. Often we assist snow cover in the mountains. By understanding of their movements with identifying areas that are contrast, snowfall was abnormally within Alberta and outside our marginal for production but greatly low in winter 2012 which caused us borders. We also reviewed trapping benefit pheasants and other species to cancel nearly 75% of the surveys records stretching back to the early that thrive in close proximity to this past winter. Despite these 1970’s which suggest about 25% of intensive crop operations. Many abnormal weather patterns we were trap lines in Alberta have reported landowners find that 5-10% of their able to complete 13 surveys for wolverine harvests over this period, land base is marginal at best, and ungulates, including the goat and as compared to 4% recording a can easily be sequestered as wildlife pronghorn estimates mentioned harvest in 2011. habitat without hurting the bottom above. line. We planted more than 13 km Keeping it wild of shrub to create winter pheasant Dancing kings of Alberta An important step in conserving habitat in 2011, and used more than Each spring, male sharp-tailed wilderness areas is to identify 14 km of drip irrigation to foster grouse put on their dancing shoes where they are and put this early shrub growth. We assess how to impress the ladies at sites known information into a structure that our enhancement areas benefit as leks. While this showy display is easy to access and understand. other birds as well, and found more is hard to forget for anyone lucky We’re creating a mapping tool that than 50 species at both control and enough to come across a lek, it’s identifies wilderness areas and key treatment sites. quite a challenge to find these wildlife in these wild spaces. Done locations when searching over a effectively, this tool will provide Pulling together broad geographic space. In 2011, critical information that can be Much of the land base throughout as part of the Sharp-tailed Grouse used by stakeholders, industry and the Milk River basin is a mix of Habitat Inventory project we began government in land use planning cattle and farming operations. Our trialling an approach for detecting discussions and negotiations. MULTISAR program works with leks by using remote listening This past year we mapped human volunteer landowners to benefit devices (song metres). Our goal is disturbance within an area greater multiple species, in particular to evaluate how effective they are at than 5,000 km2 in southwestern those that are at risk. Working with detecting sounds made at leks, and Alberta by overlaying roads, trails, project partners, we help landowners assess how reliable they are when

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 15 units are placed at intervals from 0 – 2011/12 Overview 1000 metres from a lek. As predicted, • The largest numbers of detections decreased at greater individuals of the same species distances from a lek and increased documented at a mineral lick at when sound recordings were pooled one time was 23 mountain goats, over multiple days. 18 mule deer, 15 bighorn sheep Fleet of foot and 10 wolves (but not all at the same lick!) Pronghorn are highly-specialized • 40 new hunters harvested their prairie dwellers that thrive in open first bird by partnering with spaces. The increasing prominence of other groups to host two novice cattle ranching into southern Alberta pheasant hunts has brought a serious physical barrier to pronghorn: they have not • 53 species and over 600 developed the behaviour to jump individual birds were recorded at over obstacles like fences. Often seen Habitat Legacy Partnership sites skirting along fence lines seeking to evaluate the benefits of habitat a place to duck underneath, low enhancements to species other lying fences can impede pronghorn than pheasants movement and often scalps hair from • Heavy snow pack from winter their backs as they stoop under the 2011 delayed mountain goat bottom wire. In 2011, we mapped surveys in summer 2011, but over 25,000 km of fence line in 363 we did complete counts in the townships to highlight key areas in Crowsnest Pass and Grande need of fence modifications. Fence Cache areas density was almost two times higher • Pronghorn numbers were down in grassland townships compared substantially across their range to cultivated ones. As part of the in summer 2011 following severe Where the Pronghorn Cross project, snow storms from the previous we continued our work with Alberta winter Fish and Game volunteers to modify • $600,000+ secured from partners fences in key areas along pronghorn with our land management team migration routes. to purchase 960 acres of habitat • 42 sites received trail cameras along fence lines to observe pronghorn behaviour. The vast majority of pronghorn did not cross an unimproved fence line within camera range • 53% occupancy was noted at 59 sites known to have previously been active as a sharp-tailed grouse lek in the northwest near Grand Prairie • 10 km of trails enhanced with improved access on ACA- managed Conservation Sites for ruffed grouse hunting

Opposite: Where the Pronghorn Cross project: page wire to be removed along CP rail line, J-BAR-J Ranch. photo: Paul Jones, ACA

16 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 Abbreviations Index ac acre fish/h fish caught per hour fish kept/h fish kept per hour fish/100 m2 of net/24 h fish captured per 100 m2 of net per 24 hours h hour ha hectare h/ha hours per hectare km kilometre m metre m2 square metres mg/L milligrams per litre mm millimetre mpn/100 mL most probable number of coliforms per 100 millilitres μg/L micrograms per litre y year

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 17 Big Game Surveys involved in the delivery of strategic Development prioritize the species actions outlined in the species’ that are most in need of a detailed Big game surveys provide recovery plan. Between 2007 and status assessment. Status reports information on population sizes and 2010, we attempted to establish contain information on species trends, population demographics northern leopard frogs at 10 sites distribution, habitat, population, and reproductive output for a through egg translocations. In limiting factors and management in number of ungulate species in summer 2011, we observed frogs at Alberta and provide a basis for the Alberta. Many stakeholders are four of these reintroduction sites, Scientific Subcommittee (of Alberta’s interested in these data, including including evidence of successful Endangered Species Conservation hunters and resource managers. breeding at two of these sites. In Committee; ESCC) to complete a Alberta Sustainable Resource response to identified habitat threats formal status assessment of that Development uses these data as at select sites, we implemented species. The Subcommittee provides a source of information to assist stewardship activities to mitigate the ESCC with the formal status with setting hunting quotas and to potential negative impacts of cattle evaluation, and the stakeholder- aid land use planning efforts. We on important habitat. We monitored based ESCC concurs or withholds work in partnership with Alberta existing stewardship sites in summer concurrence of the recommended Sustainable Resource Development 2011 to ensure their operation status, which is then provided to to deliver these surveys in select continues to achieve intended the Minister of Alberta Sustainable wildlife management units across objectives. One of these stewardship Resource Development to determine the province. sites (Jenner Springs) displayed the legal designation. ACA oversees In 2011/12, we had to cancel 75% a weed problem (Canada thistle) the entire publication process of the surveys that we planned to that had colonized a discontinuous for status reports, including the deliver during the winter because of area of approximately 7,000 m2. We contracting of experts to write the below-normal snowfall. However, discussed Canada thistle control report, editing drafts, supervising we were able to conduct surveys and eradication strategies with the the external review process, for multiple ungulate species in landholder for implementation completing the final formatting, Alberta; these surveys provided 22 in summer 2012. We believe and distributing printed reports. population estimates. Additionally, landowners play an important role In 2011/12, we published one new our staff assisted with two surveys in alleviating habitat threats that status report (pygmy whitefish) funded by Alberta Sustainable impact northern leopard frogs in and initiated four others (prairie Resource Development. We Alberta. rattlesnake, hare-footed locoweed, entered all data into the provincial Partnerships western grebe, brassy minnow). Fisheries and Wildlife Management Partnerships Information System. We will upload Alberta Sustainable Resource summary information to our web Development, Alberta Tourism, Alberta Sustainable Resource page for public viewing once final Parks and Recreation, Government Development reports are completed in early of Canada Habitat Stewardship summer 2012, making it available to Program for Species at Risk, Habitat Legacy the hunters and anglers who pay for Parks Canada, TD Friends of the Partnership the majority of costs associated with Environment Foundation Upland game birds are highly valued this project. for their showy colours, breeding Alberta Wildlife Status Partnerships displays and long history in the Reports hunting tradition of Alberta. Ring- Alberta Sustainable Resource The Alberta Wildlife Status Report necked pheasants require a variety Development Series provides comprehensive of habitats that provide suitable Alberta Northern summaries of the status of selected cover for nesting, brood rearing wildlife species in Alberta. High and travel. In 2011/12, we worked in Leopard Frog Recovery priority species are those considered partnership with Pheasants Forever Program At Risk or May Be At Risk in The (Calgary, Chinook and Lethbridge The northern leopard frog has General Status of Alberta Wild chapters), private landowners, suffered dramatic population Species 2010 or considered to municipal districts, irrigation declines in many parts of its range in be at risk at a national level by districts and on ACA-managed sites Alberta and is listed as a Threatened the Committee on the Status of to support enhancement activities species in the province. ACA is a Endangered Wildlife in Canada. for upland habitat. We hosted member of the Alberta Northern Each spring, ACA and staff from landowner advisory workshops Leopard Frog Recovery Team and is Alberta Sustainable Resource that were strongly supported by

18 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 participants interested in finding within the complex. Our weekly help us implement stewardship ways to improve wildlife habitat on surveys also include an established activities that benefit wildlife and working farms. These workshops route over the entire complex to complement the business strategies have led to farm visits where tailor- estimate the aggregate number of of individual landowners. made enhancements are planned. We staging waterfowl observed for each Partnerships planted more than 13 km of shrub survey, which we use to assess when Alberta Sustainable Resource rows to improve winter habitat and the bulk of migration occurs. In Development, AltaLink, Canadian installed more than 14 km of drip 2011, we observed peak numbers of National Sportsmen Shows, irrigation to increase the probability waterfowl during the second survey Canadian Natural Resources of successful shrub growth. We also week in spring (May 5) and the Limited, Environment Canada – collaborated with a student at the third survey week in fall (September Environmental Damages Fund, University of Lethbridge and used 15). Waterfowl concentrations did Government of Canada Habitat point count data collected at our not exceed threshold levels at any Stewardship Program for Species enhancement and control sites to well site during the 2011 migration at Risk, landowners, Prairie develop a baseline inventory of avian periods. We also flew a single aerial Conservation Forum species present at each site. Given the survey for bald eagle nests within short period that enhancements have the complex on June 7, 2011 and been in place, we did not anticipate observed six active nests. Piping Plover Recovery Program nor find large differences in species Partnerships diversity between enhanced and The piping plover is a small, black Hay-Zama Committee, control sites. However, this early and white, stubby-billed shorebird NuVista Energy Ltd. process of evaluation has helped listed as Endangered under Alberta’s refine our protocol for ongoing Wildlife Act. We address threats evaluation of these enhancements MULTISAR facing piping plover populations and their effect on habitat and MULTISAR is a multi-species through the enhancement of habitat species diversity and abundance. stewardship program for species and the protection of nests. We at risk focusing on the Milk River Partnerships also conduct annual surveys on and associated watersheds. The core breeding lakes to monitor Alberta Hunter Education program is a collaborative effort population numbers and the success Instructors’ Association, among landowners, ACA, Alberta of our recovery actions. Our work is landowners, Municipal District of Sustainable Resource Development done with the support of the Alberta Taber, Pheasants Forever – Calgary and the Prairie Conservation Piping Plover Recovery Team, Chapter, Chinook Chapter and Forum. In 2011/12, we completed funding partners and the many Lethbridge Chapter, St. Mary River detailed wildlife and range surveys landowners throughout east-central Irrigation District, University of on 19,489 ac of land and completed and southern Alberta. Lethbridge five habitat plans. The provincially In spring 2011, ACA, Alberta Endangered ferruginous hawk and Sustainable Resource Development, Hay-Zama Wetland nationally Threatened loggerhead Alberta Tourism, Parks and Monitoring shrike, chestnut-collared longspur Recreation and the Department and Sprague’s pipit are a few of the This program was developed in of National Defence carried out species we identified on these lands. response to concerns about the population inventories on 70 We implemented enhancements potential impact of oil and gas waterbodies for piping plovers on eight properties, including the activities on waterfowl within the as part of the fifth International reseeding of 680 ac back to native Hay-Zama wetland complex. As a Piping Plover Census. In total, we grass, safeguarding three trees that condition of operation within the observed 244 adults on 24 lakes could be used by ferruginous hawks complex, Alberta’s Energy Resources and we recorded 10 or more adults for nesting, controlling leafy spurge, Conservation Board requires oil on 11 of these lakes. During the planting 600 native shrubs (silver and gas companies to monitor census, we recorded piping plovers sagebrush, thorny buffaloberry and staging waterfowl and suspend that were banded in Louisiana, chokecherry), and installing 3.6 km production of a well if waterfowl Alabama and Mississippi as part of wildlife-friendly fence. Through numbers exceed the level of 600 of a project monitoring the effects open communication, we continue individuals within 30 m of a well. of the major oil spill that occurred to build long-term relationships with To monitor waterfowl numbers, in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. We the landowners who care for our we fly weekly aerial surveys during surveyed habitat on 70 lakes and wildlife and increase their awareness spring and fall migration periods recorded contact with 34 landowners over all producing oil and gas wells of species at risk. These relationships

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 19 during the piping plover breeding reacted to the enhancement. We North Saskatchewan prescribed season. We also completed fencing recorded behaviour for 156 events burn. Preliminary analysis of enhancements on four lakes to for six species and found that the landscape-level and ecosystem improve breeding habitat and protect majority of ungulates did not cross objectives suggests the project is the area from livestock, bringing the the fence line. As results from the proceeding towards established total shoreline edge habitat protected fence modification enhancement targets. Specifically, the Upper since 2002 to over 48 km. One of study become available, we will North Saskatchewan burn appears these projects was the removal of a disseminate our findings to to have substantially improved non-wildlife-friendly fence that had stakeholders, wildlife managers and winter habitat for elk within the been knocked down and submerged conservation groups to help guide Cline River subbasin; primary by rising water levels. This fence future work aimed at removing habitat improved by 43% and had been replaced with a wildlife- barriers to pronghorn movement. secondary habitat improved by 11%. Further, we tested new protocols for friendly fence in summer 2010. Partnerships evaluating biological resources and Partnerships Alberta Fish and Game Association, habitat restoration opportunities on Alberta Sustainable Resource Bushnell, Cabelas Canada, Canadian six Conservation Sites and found Development, Alberta Tourism, Forces Base Suffield, Safari Club them to be efficient for gathering Parks and Recreation, landowners, International – baseline inventories of species and Department of National Defence, Chapter (Hunting Heritage Fund), habitat. Finally, we developed a Ducks Unlimited Canada, TD World Wildlife Fund, Writing-On- strategic plan that outlines proposed Friends of the Environment Stone Provincial Park landscape and ecosystem objectives Foundation for restoring natural disturbance Restoring Natural patterns within the Montane Pronghorn Program Habitat for Wildlife subregion of the Porcupine Hills. Phase III Mapping This project (formerly delivered as This document will help direct Fences Ungulate Winter Range Restoration) restoration activities and provide benchmarks to evaluate the success The pronghorn is the most helps restore natural ecosystem of future restoration work. specialized and representative large patterns and wildlife habitat mammal that is considered to be values within landscape units (e.g., Partnerships endemic to the Grasslands Natural watershed subbasins) and focal areas Alberta Sustainable Resource Region of Alberta. Having evolved that have aged beyond the natural Development, TD Friends of the on the prairies of North America, range of variability. To achieve this Environment Foundation pronghorn have not developed an objective, we provide planning instinct to jump vertical obstacles. and logistical support to Alberta Ruffed Grouse The increase in fencing that followed Sustainable Resource Development’s Recreational Access prescribed burn program, cattle ranching into Alberta poses ACA has a strong history of securing emulate natural disturbance using a serious barrier to pronghorn and protecting habitat to benefit mechanical clearing techniques, movement. Pronghorn may cross wildlife and the recreating public. evaluate and monitor restoration under fence lines in some locations, Ruffed grouse are highly sought activities on both public land and but crossing under slows down by upland bird hunters and offer ACA-managed land, and develop their movements making them exceptional traditional and family- landscape plans and targets for susceptible to predators and may friendly hunting experiences. This enhancement and restoration strip hair off their backs causing project provides Albertans with treatments. lacerations and making them small game hunting opportunities vulnerable to infection and frostbite. In 2011/12, we did not participate on lands secured by ACA through We mapped 25,015 km of fence line in any planned prescribed burns improvement of trails to encourage in 363 townships in southeastern due to unfavourable spring hunter access and enhance habitat Alberta. We set up 42 cameras on weather conditions delaying burn conditions for ruffed grouse. Canadian Forces Base Suffield and activities. However, we worked In 2011/12, we enhanced more monitored the existing fence lines with Alberta Sustainable Resource than 10 km of trail on five ACA for a month. After one month, we Development to develop burn plans Conservation Sites in the Peace randomly changed 21 fence lines to for our Northwest, Central and River area in northwestern Alberta. goat bars, which hold the bottom South regions. We also collected Enhancement activities included fence wire up, and monitored post-burn vegetation data within removing large debris along grown- fence lines to see how pronghorn 57 subalpine sites of the Upper in trails, mowing grass and small

20 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 woody regrowth, and providing grit crops caused by waterfowl during and found that 62 of these were for ruffed grouse. fall migration. Toward this goal, functional for nesting, with the Partnerships ACA provides waterfowl scaring remaining 23 damaged or missing equipment and advice free-of- from flooding. Of the 62 nest tunnels Alberta Fish and Game Association, charge to producers. We also available, 55% were used with 97% Weberville Community Model maintain a web page that provides successfully hatching at least one Forest scaring advice and displays areas of duckling. We maintained 35 nest potential waterfowl concentrations boxes and installed three new boxes, Sharp-tailed Grouse that hunters may use to plan their bringing the total number installed Habitat Inventory and activities. In 2011/12, we provided to 1,300 boxes since 1989. We invited Stewardship 74 landowners with 181 scare 300 landowners to participate in This project attempts to refine an cannons. Of these landowners, 34% maintaining and monitoring nest efficient approach for repeatedly allowed their contact information boxes located on their properties. We sampling lek sites to estimate to be provided to waterfowl hunters. also provided an additional 21 nest occupancy over broad spatial areas. Anecdotal evidence suggested that boxes to industry and individuals for Ultimately, occupancy measures many landowners did not want their installation. Further, we distributed could provide a suitable metric contact information shared because over 400 copies of the Nest Box to evaluate population status. In they already had other waterfowl Guide for Waterfowl, Alberta Edition 2011/12, we began testing a modified hunters wanting to hunt on their to individuals and groups, and we approach for detecting sharp-tailed lands. We updated our web page hosted two presentations and three grouse leks using remote listening weekly through the fall with areas field trips on waterfowl habitat needs devices (song metres). We focused of scare cannon use and received to approximately 166 adults and 157 our attention in the first year on requests from five waterfowl hunters youth. evaluating the utility of song meters seeking concentrations of waterfowl Partnerships to detect sounds made at lek sites as a result of the web page. Alberta Fish and Game Association, and assessing if detection decreased Partnerships Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited when units were placed at intervals Alberta Sustainable Resource Canada, Syncrude Canada, Wildlife from 0 m to 1,000 m from a lek Development Habitat Canada, Windsor Plywood site and increased when sound recordings were pooled over multiple Waterfowl Nesting Wildlife Volunteer and days. As predicted, detections using song meters decreased as Habitat Enhancement Outreach Project distance from a lek site increased This project uses artificial nesting Members of the public who volunteer (out to 500 m) and increased when structures to enhance nesting habitat with ACA develop skills and gain sound recordings were pooled over for mallards (nest tunnels) and knowledge related to conservation multiple days. We also visited 59 of common goldeneye and bufflehead and simultaneously increase ACA’s 103 historical lek sites to estimate ducks (nest boxes). Whenever capacity to deliver our projects. In occupancy and found that more possible, we engage volunteers 2011/12, we engaged 56 participants than half of these sites were active. to install, monitor and maintain from the Alberta Volunteer In addition to our lek monitoring these structures. This involvement Amphibian Monitoring Program work, we continued to develop increases our volunteers’ and Crowsnest Conservation Society partnerships with provincial grazing understanding and appreciation of in our Wildlife Program. Volunteers reserves and members of the rural waterfowl and their habitat needs submitted a total of 245 amphibian community to promote conservation and allows volunteers to participate and 18 reptile observations, and stewardship of breeding habitat. in “hands-on” conservation. including two snake hibernacula (den) locations. The data collected Partnerships In 2011/12, we provided 17 nest tunnels to volunteers for installation, represented 90% of the amphibian Alberta Sustainable Resource bringing the total number of and 67% of the reptile species native Development, High Prairie Grazing installed tunnels to 256 over the to the province and increased our Reserve, Wanham Grazing Reserve past seven years. We engaged knowledge of the distribution two conservation groups and of herpetofauna in Alberta. This Waterfowl Crop Damage information will help wildlife Prevention Program seven landowners to assist with maintaining and monitoring about managers to incorporate appropriate This program assists agricultural half of these tunnels. In winter setback distances around breeding producers in reducing damage to 2011, we monitored 85 nest tunnels ponds used by sensitive species, such as boreal toad, into forestry

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 21 Trappers collect wolverine hair samples from alligator clips. Wildlife Habitat Initiative in Low Disturbance Zones – Wolverine Distribution Mapping Project. photo: Mike Jokinen, ACA

22 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 harvest plans. The data collected resources and mapping tool will will also support the updating of the significantly contribute to current Fisheries Program general status of amphibians and and future land use planning in Fisheries projects are delivered reptiles in Alberta. To ensure ACA southwestern Alberta. within three categories: 1) Enhanced maintains high-quality volunteer Partnerships Sports Fisheries (Lake Aeration opportunities, we developed an and Enhanced Fish Stocking), 2) Alberta Sustainable Resource online volunteer feedback survey. Monitoring and Evaluations, and 3) Development, Fish and Wildlife Riparian Conservation. Partnerships Division, Anatum Ecological Alberta Sustainable Resource Consulting, Devon Canada More fishing ... good! Development, Crowsnest Corporation Making something really good Conservation Society, Edmonton out of almost nothing. That’s what Reptile and Amphibian Society, Wildlife Habitat Enhanced Sports Fisheries (Lake Royal Alberta Museum, TD Friends Initiative in Low Aeration and Enhanced Fish of the Environment Foundation Disturbance Zones – Stocking) are all about, providing Albertans with recreational angling Wildlife Habitat Wolverine Distribution Mapping opportunities while reducing Initiative in Low pressure on limited native fish The wolverine is an icon of the Disturbance Zones – stocks. The end result: happy anglers Canadian wilderness and is a and conservation of important fish Habitat Resources and flagship species for conservation. The species. Movement Corridors in species commonly occurs in areas Southwest Alberta where human disturbance is low; Lake aeration breathes life into lakes Many wildlife species seasonally yet, relatively little is known about that are especially prone to summer depend on localized, resource-rich how it might be affected by future or winter kills. An impressive 17 habitats during their life cycles. development and climate change. In lakes across the province benefitted Unique habitat resources, such Alberta, the wolverine is considered from this treatment last year, as mineral licks and dense berry a Data Deficient species indicating creating great angling opportunities patches, provide essential nutrients that there is insufficient information for residents of neighbouring to ungulates and carnivores for to determine whether it is at risk or communities. We also stocked growth and development during stable in the province. The wolverine some 131,000 catchable-size (i.e., periods of dietary deficiency or is classified as a furbearer in Alberta 20-cm) rainbow trout into 60 lakes increased energy demand. In and is managed for fur harvest through Enhanced Fish Stocking 2011/12, we continued monitoring with a quota. Much of the existing (EFS) creating “put-and-take” trout some of these unique habitat population information in Alberta fisheries where anglers are allowed resources (e.g., mineral licks) in has been extrapolated from trapping to harvest up to five fish per day. southwestern Alberta. We are records; however, we do not know if These sites are located close to urban creating a database of unique trapping harvest trends accurately centres, making them very popular habitat features and have compiled reflect the distribution and relative family destinations all summer long. a comprehensive spatial dataset abundance of wolverine. We are Among the anglers we surveyed, of anthropogenic disturbances to working with volunteers from the most were very satisfied with their identify areas of important wildlife Alberta Trappers’ Association fishing experience at EFS ponds and habitat with currently low levels to identify where wolverines are frequented these sites because they of human disturbance. In 2012/13, present in the province and what were close to home. we will work towards sharing this factors influence their distribution. In 2011/12, we initiated a graduate information with resource managers As the project continues, we hope to student thesis research project and users through the development understand the genetic relationships with the University of Lethbridge of an online mapping tool that among wolverines across the to investigate the suitability of will identify key wildlife habitat province and the importance of waterbodies in urban centres resources and movement corridors. these relationships in conserving the including those on public We will continue to identify the species over the long term. recreational grounds and storm- location and seasonal use of mineral Partnerships water ponds that can support put- licks, which we predict will vary and-take recreational fisheries. Alberta Trappers’ Association, Shell based on vegetation conditions FuellingChange Results from our 2010/2011 studies throughout the summer. We believe with the University of Alberta that the inventory of unique habitat indicate that aeration and trout

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 23 stocking have no significant negative effects of land-use activities on fish planted over 22,000 seedlings at 12 effects on native fish, invertebrate, communities. Conservation Sites. Together, our and amphibian communities in these projects protected approximately lakes. This gives ACA confidence Improving riparian areas 12 km of streambank and over 2,270 that these projects – while providing A healthy riparian area is acres of riparian habitat. popular recreational angling critical to a healthy water body, Overall, the success of our Fisheries opportunities to Albertans – do not particularly where located in program activities in 2011/12 compromise the ecosystem health of close proximity to agricultural involved the support from over 60 these lakes. operations. Working with partners consisting of provincial landowners, we use management and federal governments, industry, Taking stock tools such as streambank fencing, watershed groups, NGOs, counties/ We conduct numerous monitoring bank stabilization, provision of municipalities, universities, private and evaluation projects to provide off-channel watering for cattle, landowners and other interested information on the population education and outreach to enhance, groups. structure, abundance, distribution, maintain and protect riparian and life history of priority fish habitats and ecosystem health. 2011/12 Overview species. We also monitor sports In 2011/12, we initiated a special • 17 aerated waterbodies fisheries for angler use, harvest, riparian fencing project to protect successfully overwintered fish and demographics. We undertook and restore vegetation along a 40 km and prevented summerkills 10 surveys at seven rivers, five lakes segment of the Owl River to support • 130,000, 20-cm long rainbow and 36 ponds, as well as interviewed the provincial government walleye trout stocked into 60 waterbodies 1,499 anglers during creel surveys. restoration program in . In our sport fish surveys we focus • 10 fisheries surveys conducted Since 2006, more than 200 million on walleye, northern pike, Arctic on 48 waterbodies; generated walleye fry have been stocked in the grayling, bull trout, cutthroat trout, information on population status, lake, many of which are expected to rainbow trout, and brook trout. recreational harvest, distribution, begin spawning in 2011 and use the Results from these surveys assist migration, and spawning habitat Owl River as their primary spawning ESRD with fisheries management of sport fish system. However, potential plans and form the basis for fishing • Sport fish surveyed: walleye, reductions in water quality and regulation changes. They also northern pike, lake trout, bull spawning habitat in the Owl River determine the effectiveness of new trout, Arctic grayling, cutthroat resulting from riparian habitat management strategies, such as the trout, rainbow trout, and brook degradation could limit success of special walleye fishing license. trout the walleye restoration program. The Our studies also generate critical goal of this project is therefore to • 1,499 anglers interviewed during information required for the mitigate these negative impacts and creel surveys development of key provincial ensure long-term availability of • Bull trout studies in the east conservation initiatives and resource optimal walleye spawning slopes drainages have identified management policies, including the requirements in the Owl River. key spawning tributaries, Alberta Fish Sustainability Index, overwintering habitats, and sub- We also conducted several Alberta Wildlife Status Reports, and populations previously unknown community outreach activities State of the Watershed reports under • 20 on-the-ground riparian including demonstration tours, open the Alberta Water for Life Strategy. conservation enhancements houses and workshops to highlight Our bull trout studies in the east protected 12 km of streambank our projects and increase public slopes drainages have identified key and over 2,270 acres of riparian interest in the critical role riparian spawning tributaries, overwintering habitat areas play in the landscape. Over 400 habitats, and sub-populations that people, including 125 high school • 22,500 seedlings and shrubs were previously unknown. On students, participated in outreach planted the Clearwater River project, by and educational activities. In total, • 400 people, including 125 high incorporating advances in analytical we delivered 20 on-the-ground school students, participated techniques (such as occupancy riparian restoration projects, in outreach and educational modeling) we lead the development including four livestock exclusion activities of population status assessment tools fencing, three off-channel cattle for bull trout. We also continued our watering, and one bank stabilization study on the use of a fish-based index (with 500 willow cuttings). We also of biotic integrity to assess potential

24 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 Kevin Fitzsimmons, ACA, PIT tagging (passive integrated transponder) a bull trout in the . photo: Marco Fontana, ACA A Fish-based Index of and petroleum sectors in our study deferred indefinitely. Biological Integrity for area. Our IBI is a useful tool for Partnerships biological monitoring of the Beaver Alberta Sustainable Resource Assessing Ecological River watershed and could be used Development Condition of the Beaver in the future to assess the effects River of industrial development and Beaverlodge Riparian remediation strategies on the health Urban development, agriculture Conservation and industrialization over the of the aquatic ecosystem throughout last century have resulted in land the watershed. Bank-side livestock feeding and watering, vehicle fording, and in- use modifications of Alberta’s Partnerships landscape that pose serious stream alterations have degraded Alberta Environment, Alberta threats to the biological integrity riparian areas in the Beaverlodge Sustainable Resource Development, River drainage. Since 2004, ACA of aquatic ecosystems in the Alberta Tourism, Parks and has worked to rehabilitate and province, including the Beaver Recreation, Watershed conserve riparian areas within River watershed. We developed Alliance, Municipal District of the Beaverlodge River and two an index of biological integrity Bonnyville of its tributaries. We partner (IBI) for assessing the health of the with landowners, provincial Beaver River watershed, comprised Abundance of Spawning and municipal government, and of the Beaver, Amisk and Sand Walleye and Availability other conservation organizations Rivers, using data collected on to deliver a variety of projects, fish assemblages and a suite of of Spawning Habitat in including streambank fencing, physicochemical variables. We used Vandersteene Lake alternative livestock watering boat electrofishing to sample 50 sites: Vandersteene Lake, located in systems and tree planting. We 31 on the Beaver River, 17 on the northwestern Alberta east of Red identify potential project sites and Sand River and two on the Amisk Earth Creek, has been classed as approach the associated landowners River. We used physiochemical a “trophy” status walleye fishery to collaboratively plan riparian and geographic data to assess the for over a decade. However, in enhancement projects. As projects level of disturbance of each site. recent years anglers have reported are delivered, we arrange for the White suckers represented 52% of a decline in the quality of the collection of baseline vegetation and the total catch while the sport fish fishery. In 2004, ACA conducted water quality information allowing species, walleye and northern pike, surveys to identify the level of us to monitor the impact of riparian represented less than 2% of the angling pressure and determine restoration activities. In 2011/12, we catch. Interviews with long-time abundance and population structure and our partners co-ordinated the anglers in the watershed indicated of walleye in the lake. Results of planting of 22,000 trees at 12 sites, that sport fish have decreased the study identified high angling including five new project sites and in size and abundance over the pressure and a lack of recruitment two ongoing project sites. We signed past 30 years. We identified 13 as possible limiting factors of the five habitat enhancement agreements candidate metrics based on the fish walleye population. In 2011/12, our with landowners who received trees. community and screened them primary objectives were to assess In total, these agreements enhanced for responsiveness to disturbance spawning activity and habitat and 19.2 ha (47.4 ac) of riparian habitat using multiple regression and an estimate the population of mature along 4.5 km of stream. information-theoretic approach. spawning walleye. However, spring Partnerships Five metrics (percentage of forest fires restricted access into invertivorous cyprinids, percentage Vandersteene Lake during critical Alberta Agriculture and Rural of benthic invertivores, percentage of spawning periods preventing us Development, ConocoPhillips, omnivores, percentage of lithophils from conducting these surveys. County of Grande Prairie, Penn and percentage of carnivores) were Instead, we evaluated the efficacy of West Energy, Royal Bank of Canada, significantly related to human angling as a suitable capture method West County Watershed Group disturbance and were used to for marking adequate numbers calculate the IBI. The resulting of walleye for a mark-recapture Clearwater River Core multi-metric IBI was highly population size estimate to occur the Area Bull Trout Status sensitive to changes in cumulative following spring. Catch rates were The majority of Alberta’s bull trout anthropogenic disturbances, low (0.05 fish/h) and insufficient populations are classified as being particularly road density, which to mark adequate numbers of fish; At Risk or High Risk of extirpation is mainly related to agricultural therefore, the project has been according to Alberta Sustainable

26 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 Resource Development’s ranking bull trout habitat. ACA is conducting associated with their properties. We system. The Clearwater River a multi-year bull trout population measured water quality parameters core area bull trout population is and spawning habitat assessment and assessed macro-invertebrate classified as being atHigh Risk of to determine the abundance of the communities to establish baseline extirpation. The objective of this migratory bull trout population and conditions to evaluate the impact of study is to determine the area of the distribution of spawning habitat riparian enhancement activities. We occupancy of bull trout in the in the Castle River. In fall 2011, we worked with a local leaseholder to Clearwater River core area. We installed aluminum conduit fish delineate a 30 m setback for haying used a patch-based approach for traps in the South Castle River, West near riparian areas that creates a monitoring bull trout distribution Castle River, Carbondale River and vegetated buffer between hayfields modified to enable occupancy Mill Creek to capture post-spawn and the river. We also partnered with estimation and modeling. We migratory bull trout. We marked all a landowner to plan an exclusion delineated patches using stream adult bull trout (≥300 mm) with a fencing and off-site watering project order, elevation and watershed unique internal transponder tag for that will be installed in spring 2012. area resulting in 23 patches in the the purpose of tracking individuals Partnerships Clearwater River core area. We during recapture events. We Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Penn determined five sample reaches captured and tagged a total of 197 West Energy, Royal Bank of Canada per patch are necessary to achieve adult migratory bull trout in four a false absence rate of 0.2 given major spawning streams: 79 fish in an estimated bull trout detection South Castle River, six fish in West Enhanced Fish Stocking probability of 0.3. We considered Castle River, 72 fish in Carbondale Project patches to be occupied when we River, and 40 fish in Mill Creek. We This project provides anglers with captured at least one juvenile bull conducted redd counts within all increased opportunities to catch trout (<150 mm fork length). In spawning streams throughout the and harvest 20 cm rainbow trout 2011/12, we captured 122 bull trout study area and observed a total of in parts of Alberta where angling ranging in size from 61 to 302 mm 298 redds along 110 km of stream: 98 opportunities are limited or do not fork length at 57 sample reaches. We redds in South Castle River, 26 redds exist. Recipient waterbodies are detected juvenile bull trout in six in West Castle River, 68 redds in the prone to winterkill and require an of the 14 patches sampled this year. Mill Creek drainage, and 91 redds in annual rainbow trout stocking to Field work will continue in 2012/13. the Carbondale River drainage. maintain angling opportunities. Partnerships Partnerships All rainbow trout stockings are delivered through contracts with Alberta Sustainable Resource Alberta Sustainable Resource private growers. In 2011/12, we Development Development, Devon Canada stocked a total of 59 waterbodies Corporation with 131,100 rainbow trout during Distribution and 84 stocking events. We completed Abundance of the Edson River Riparian approximately 65% of these Migratory Bull Trout Conservation stockings prior to the May long Population in the Castle In 2010/11, ACA identified the Edson weekend. Since ACA assumed River Drainage River watershed as a priority for responsibility for the project in 1998, riparian conservation and initiated we have stocked over 1.8 million fish Alberta’s bull trout populations a project to improve riparian during 1,206 stocking events. have declined over the last century conditions in the watershed to due to anthropogenic disturbance. Partnerships benefit sport fish, wildlife, livestock Habitat fragmentation and Alberta Sustainable Resource and users of the waterbody. A degradation, migration barriers, Development survey of riparian health conducted introduction of non-native fish by ACA in 2010/11 showed that species, and overharvest have almost half (49%) of the Edson Inventory of Sport Fish reduced the natural range of bull River riparian areas were degraded. in the Edson River trout in southwestern Alberta to an In 2011/12, we approached local In 2010/11, ACA initiated a riparian estimated 31%. Currently, bull trout landowners to present information conservation project for the Edson occur in most headwater drainages on riparian conservation and solicit River watershed to protect and throughout the East Slopes of the interest in delivery of enhancement restore riparian areas with the Rocky Mountains, and land-use projects. We worked with co- ultimate goal of facilitating recovery development within these drainages operating landowners to create a of the sport fish community. To continues to impact bull trout and plan to enhance the riparian areas support this riparian conservation

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 27 project, we collected baseline data to maintain dissolved oxygen levels Red Deer River drainage. During on the distribution and abundance above 3 mg/L to promote year- mid-summer electrofishing in Sheep of sport fish species in the system round survival of stocked trout. In Creek, we captured a total of 41 bull for measuring responses to future 2011/12, we aerated 17 waterbodies trout ranging in size from 66 to restoration activities. During the across Alberta. All of our surface- 338 mm fork length and estimated summer of 2011, we electrofished aerated waterbodies successfully bull trout abundance for the creek 28 reaches (~27 km) of the Edson overwintered trout. Similarly, to be 949 (95% confidence interval = River using a cataraft electrofisher no summerkills were reported at 321 – 3,087). In September, we to collect baseline fisheries any of our aerated waterbodies. captured seven bull trout moving information to gauge ongoing We identified and continued upstream through our fish trap remediation activities. We stratified to develop potential aeration on Sheep Creek and 17 bull trout reaches by riparian health score opportunities to create or enhance moving downstream of the trap and encompassed the full range angling opportunities. Further, we indicating a fluvial population of of land use disturbance in the established and maintained financial bull trout in Sheep Creek. We also watershed. Mountain whitefish was and in-kind partnerships on existing counted 68 redds in Pinto Creek the dominant sport fish, followed by and new aeration projects. and 44 redds in Sheep Creek in rainbow trout and Arctic grayling. Partnerships September. Our study will help Sucker species dominated the catch resource managers make informed Alberta Sustainable Resource in terms of biomass at 44%, followed management decisions regarding Development, Fish and Wildlife by mountain whitefish at 28%, Arctic bull trout in the upper Red Deer Division, Alberta Tourism, Parks grayling at 9%, and rainbow trout River drainage. at 8%. General sport fish species and Recreation, Canadian Forest Partnerships richness was higher at sample Products Ltd., Clearwater County, reaches assigned good aerial riparian Daishowa-Marubeni International Alberta Sustainable Resource health scores than those assigned Ltd., Devon Canada Corporation, Development fair to poor health scores. Biomass Fisheries Enhancement Society of for sport fish, non-sport fish, and Alberta, Northern Sunrise County, Overwintering Habitat all species combined and total Sundance Forest Industries Ltd., and Distribution of estimated fish cover were greater TransAlta, Trout Unlimited Canada Arctic Grayling in at sites where streambanks were – Yellowhead Chapter, Village of the Christina River classified as >50% vegetated versus Spring Lake, Weyerhaeuser Watershed sites classified as <50% vegetated. Increased industrial development Mountain whitefish was the most Life History Strategies activities, particularly winter widely distributed and frequently and Spawning captured sport fish. Rainbow trout Demographics of Bull water withdrawals, road and and Arctic grayling were distributed pipeline crossings, continue to Trout in the Upper Red put pressure on Arctic grayling throughout the study area, Deer River Drainage periodically occurring in the upper populations within the Christina to lower reaches. Currently, the status of the Red River watershed. Yet, very little Deer River bull trout core area information exists on winter habitat Partnerships population is At Risk of extirpation, requirements and distribution of Alberta Sustainable Resource with the short-term trend indicating Arctic grayling within the Christina Development, Fisheries and Oceans a population in decline. Impacts River watershed, making it difficult Canada on bull trout from land use for fisheries managers to make sound and increased angling pressure decisions with respect to location Lake Aeration are concerns in this drainage. and/or timing of these disturbances, ACA uses aeration as a fisheries Describing bull trout abundance particularly with respect to winter management technique to provide and life history strategies and activities. The purpose of this project Albertans with recreational angling identifying spawning habitat in the was to undertake a winter habitat opportunities in areas of the upper Red Deer River drainage are use and distribution assessment province where such opportunities fundamental to the management of Arctic grayling to provide are otherwise limited. Aerated and conservation of the species. watershed-specific information to waterbodies are typically shallow, The 2011/12 program year was the fisheries managers with respect eutrophic, experience prolonged ice third and final year of our study on to key overwintering areas. Our cover, and are prone to both summer bull trout life history strategies and goal for 2011/12 included scoping and winter fish kills. We use aeration spawning demographics in the upper activities to identify logistic needs

28 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 and develop a robust study design concentrations were higher at staff and partner groups. Strong for implementation in 2012/13. downstream sites than at upstream partnerships have been developed Implementation of this project sites. Total coliform counts exceeded with the Southwestern Alberta was contingent upon acquisition established limits for agricultural Conservation Partnership and of partner funds that we did not use (>1,000 mpn/100 mL) at several the Oldman Watershed Council, acquire; hence, we suspended the sites. We initiated communication and planning for future projects project. with several landowners interested has been initiated. Our continued Partnerships in working with ACA to provide involvement with watershed groups long-term protection of riparian and their partners will contribute None vegetation along the river. We to riparian habitat enhancement in Owl River Riparian negotiated a verbal agreement with southern Alberta. a leaseholder, pending approval Partnerships Restoration and by Alberta Sustainable Resource Alberta Agriculture and Rural Enhancement Project Development Lands Division, to Development, Alberta Riparian Since 2006, the provincial protect approximately 9 km of Habitat Management Society (Cows government has stocked nearly riparian area along the river. and Fish), Alberta Sustainable 200 million fry and fingerlings to Partnerships Resource Development, Beaver restore walleye populations to Lac La Syncrude Canada Ltd. Creek Watershed Group, County Biche, many of which are expected of Lethbridge, Drywood/Yarrow to begin spawning between 2011 Southern Riparian Conservation Partnership, and 2013. The Owl River is the Indianfarm Creek Watershed primary spawning river for Lac La Conservation Group, LaFarge Canada, Lyndon Biche walleye. However, potential For the past decade, ACA has Creek Watershed Group, Oldman reductions in water quality and supported riparian enhancement Watershed Council, Penn West spawning habitat in the Owl River initiatives in southern Alberta. Past Energy, Pincher Creek Watershed from riparian habitat degradation projects involved working with the Group, Prairie Farm Rehabilitation could limit success of the walleye Beaver Creek Watershed Group, Administration, Royal Bank of restoration program. In 2011/12, Todd Creek Watershed Group and Canada, Southwestern Alberta we collected baseline data on individual landowners. Six more Conservation Partnership, Trout riparian health, water quality and watershed groups in southern Unlimited Canada, Todd Creek distribution of walleye spawning Alberta have been engaged, and Watershed Group, Waterton habitat to assess the effectiveness of several key conservation groups Watershed Group a long-term initiative to protect and view ACA as a valuable partner. restore riparian vegetation along a In 2011/12, we completed one Sport Fisheries Surveys: 40 km segment of the Owl River. riparian pasture fencing and spring Our health assessment indicated that development project and constructed Haig, Figure Eight and 47% of riparian areas are in good an additional 1 km of riparian Sulphur Lakes, Alberta, condition, 39% are in fair condition fencing in the Todd Creek watershed. 2011/12 and 14% are in poor condition. We We also planted approximately 500 High fishing pressure, coupled with observed several walleye in the willows and cottonwoods on Five slow-growing and late-maturing upper 10 km of the study area in Mile Creek. We participated in an populations, has resulted in the May but very few in the lower 30 km, educational school field day with overharvest of many of Alberta’s confirming previous identification of the Drywood/Yarrow Conservation sport fish populations including the upper section as suitable walleye Partnership involving over 100 high walleye and northern pike. To collect spawning grounds. Substrate in the school students and participated information that will assist with the upper section was dominated by in the Pincher Creek Watershed management of these species, we boulder, cobble and gravel suitable Group “Blueweed Blitz” weed conducted a creel survey on Haig for spawning, while the lower pull and education day involving Lake in summer 2011. In addition, section consisted mainly of fines 100 volunteers. We also provided we collected similar information and sands unsuitable for spawning. partner funding for an off-site solar to assist with the management of Dissolved oxygen levels were high watering unit on the . stocked trout fisheries on Figure (6.0 – 13.6 mg/L) throughout Further, we attended workshops Eight and Sulphur lakes. We the system from May to August. and meetings with other watershed estimated that angling pressure for Total phosphorus concentrations groups, partner conservation groups Haig Lake was 2.8 h/ha, with anglers were high (summer average: 92 – and interested parties. We also making 887 trips and fishing for 140 µg/L) throughout the system; organized a watershed tour for ACA

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 29 2,554 h. Harvest and release rates Trout Stocking majority of anglers were satisfied were higher for walleye than for Evaluation 2011/12 with their angling experience and northern pike, with associated catch they fished these lakes because they rates of 0.52 fish/h and 0.48 fish/h, Stocking trout to create put-and-take were “close to home”. Chlorophyll-a respectively. For the stocked trout fisheries is a popular management and total phosphorous increased fisheries, angling pressure was twice tool for providing recreational significantly from early season to as high at Figure Eight Lake (105.0 h/ fisheries. ACA annually stocks late season. We found no significant ha) as at Sulphur Lake (51.0 h/ha). approximately 60 lakes with 131,000 difference between early and late Anglers made 2,477 trips and fished trout. An initial evaluation of our season samples of Total Kjeldahl for 4,095 h at Figure Eight Lake stocking program conducted at nitrogen, nitrate and nitrite, and and made 1,161 trips and fished for nine stocked lakes between 2008 turbidity. Analysis of our data for 2,703 h at Sulphur Lake. Our data to 2010 indicated low survival of temperature, dissolved oxygen and will support Alberta Sustainable stocked fish produce sport fisheries pH is forthcoming. with low catch rates; however, Resource Development in the Partnerships management of these sport fisheries. anglers consistently reported high levels of satisfaction. In 2011/12, Alberta Student Temporary Partnerships we continued to collect data to Employment Program, Canada Alberta Sustainable Resource evaluate the efficacy of our stocking Summer Jobs Development program by determining angler satisfaction at six additional lakes Walleye Stock Stream Crossing and collecting physiochemical Assessment Program Remediation data from all ACA stocked lakes. 2011/12 – Moose and Arctic grayling populations in Creel surveys at Anderson, Castor, Fawcett Lakes Alberta have severely declined since Cipperly’s, Gooseberry, Pleasure Island and Two Hills lakes revealed Alberta walleye populations the 1950s primarily due to habitat experience considerable fishing fragmentation resulting from that the number of angling trips ranged between 0 to 661, the pressure due to an imbalance of high improperly installed or hanging angler densities and limited fishing culverts. To generate information number of angling-hours ranged between 0 to 849, and catch rates opportunities. In 1995, Alberta to help mitigate these declines, we Sustainable Resource Development reviewed all ACA stream crossing ranged from 0 to 0.39 fish kept/h across all lakes. We observed 13 implemented the Alberta Walleye information and developed a stream Management and Recovery Plan to crossing site prioritization process fish harvested at two lakes. The for five northern watersheds, including the Simonette, Kakwa, Notikewin, Swan and Upper Athabasca rivers. We prioritized sites for remediation based on the following criteria: stream order, fish presence at crossing, proximity to fish-bearing water and quantity Trevor Council, ACA, stocking of upstream habitat above barrier. rainbow trout at McQuillan Of the five watersheds assessed, Reservoir Conservation Site. the Swan River watershed had the photo: Brad Hurkett, ACA greatest number of stream crossings with potential fish passage barriers Discover Alberta’s Wild Side (74%, sample = 351 crossings). With Annual Outdoor Adventure Guide this information, crossing owners Map Grid F3 8 can develop remediation plans within their areas. Partnerships None

30 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 facilitate the protection and recovery access on deeded lands using term of walleye fisheries. In support of Land Management agreements. We currently manage this plan, we conducted gill netting Land Management projects are 54 LHP agreements protecting 8,600 surveys at Fawcett and Moose lakes delivered within three categories: acres (3,480 ha) of habitat, including in the fall of 2011 to collect data 1) Habitat Conservation, 2) ACA two new agreements conserving on walleye abundance, population Conservation Site Management, an additional 847 acres (342 ha) structure and growth that will and 3) Recreational Opportunity this year alone. Notably, we signed help Alberta Sustainable Resource Initiatives. two additional habitat retention Development determine the status agreements along the North Raven of these walleye populations and The impact of River, which brings the total number make future management decisions. conservation: more than of agreements on the Clear Creek, Relative abundance of walleye was just numbers North Raven and Raven River to five. higher in Moose Lake (19.4 fish/100 Thousands of acres worth millions We gratefully acknowledge the m2 of net/24 h) than in Fawcett of dollars—it’s easy to lose the cooperation and support of Lake (15.3 fish/100 m2 of net/24 h). significance of habitat conservation our many partners and private Walleye populations in both lakes in the numbers. The big projects are landowners; without their exhibited wide and stable age- certainly satisfying to secure, but support and involvement these class distributions. The majority of sometimes a big difference can also accomplishments could not have Fawcett Lake walleye were 8 y in be made in the health of a species been achieved. Our partners are age and 425 to 475 mm total length, by improving a few kilometres of identified within each project on the while the majority of Moose Lake streambank or fencing. Any step following pages. walleye were 4 y in age and 450 made toward the conservation of our to 550 mm total length. Overall, natural heritage is one in the right Habitat improvements: growth rates were slow (500 mm in direction. Identifying those needs better for residents and 12 to 15 y) for Fawcett Lake walleye. and opportunities, and working with Males grew slower than females with visitors landowners and member groups to estimated average maximum sizes Habitat management is more than conserve key habitat, is what ACA’s of 486 and 520 mm total length, putting up a sign and some fencing. Land Management program is all respectively. Walleye in Fawcett It’s more like taking care of a really, about. Lake matured early, with both males really big back yard: there are and females reaching maturity at This year, we acquired 12 new weeds to control, fences and other age 6. Growth rates were moderate Conservation Sites and one infrastructure to fix, areas to inspect, (500 mm in 7 to 9 y) for Moose Conservation Easement, covering and land use and conservation Lake walleye with the average fish over 4,300 acres (1,740 ha) and worth easements to monitor—all on the reaching 500 mm total length in 7 y. in excess of $9 million. In addition, 200,000+ acres of land ACA either Males and females grew at similar we expanded the protection of two owns or manages. All in all, ACA rates, but males were estimated to existing Conservation Sites by 1,370 staff and seasonal employees spent reach an average maximum size of acres of Crown land using protective over 11,000 hours completing 538 mm total length while females notations together with Alberta inspections and maintenance can reach 631 mm total length. Sustainable Resource Development. on over 140 Conservation Sites Walleye from Moose Lake matured Most of our acquisitions have been across Alberta, covering nearly early, with males reaching maturity collaborative efforts with other 100,000 acres (40,469 ha) of habitat. by age 3 and females by age 5. conservation organizations, private Volunteers, member groups and donors and corporate partners. partners assisted us immensely in Partnerships Through our continued partnership completing our work. Alberta Sustainable Resource with Suncor Energy Foundation and All of this good management Development Shell Canada Energy, we expanded takes solid planning to guide ACA our terrestrial conservation work in and our partners in the future the boreal regions of Alberta. management of our Conservation Private landowners also play a big Sites. We developed 53 management part in our conservation efforts plans for Conservation Sites that and successes. Our Landowner we either own or manage (Crown). Habitat Program (LHP) is designed We focus on active management to conserve key wildlife and fish by enhancing and restoring habitat habitat and enhance recreational to improve the overall quality

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 31 32 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 for various wildlife and fish. (AFGA), its affiliated clubs, and Conservation Site Last year, we completed habitat Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) Management enhancements on 12 Conservation for providing over half of the Sites, including the development sites featured in the Guide. Their ACA is responsible for the annual of an eight acre wetland, reseeded involvement makes this one of the maintenance and management of native grass and cattails, enhanced most extensive outdoor guides over 200,00 ac (80,937 ha) of titled upland bird and ungulate habitat, available. Our hope is that these and Crown land in Alberta. Our planted over 120,000 trees and opportunities will connect more Conservation Site Management shrubs, maintained and installed people to the outdoors and promote Program is responsible for the waterfowl nest tunnels and nest the value of habitat conservation for majority of these conservation assets boxes, enhanced parking areas for future generations. in accordance with site management users, and completed trial weed plans. Specific objectives of this Overall, the success of our Land control projects and completed program are to deliver the program Management program activities site preparation for various in an efficient and timely manner, in 2011/12 involved the support vegetation enhancements on other complete inspections and necessary and effort of over 80 partnerships, Conservation Sites. We also installed maintenance on Conservation Sites, including government, industry, new signage at 32 Conservation Sites. and enhance or restore habitat on NGOs, counties/municipalities, Conservation Sites. Our work is done Fisheries access sites provide leaseholders, private landowners, with the participation and support of enhanced opportunities for anglers corporate partners and other our numerous partners throughout to access four rivers and 27 lakes interested groups. We look forward Alberta. across Alberta, thereby increasing to the challenges and opportunities quality recreational opportunities for in 2012/13 and we are optimistic that In 2011/12, we inspected and public use. In 2011/12 we inspected we will make huge steps forward maintained 207 Conservation and maintained 31 fisheries access again this upcoming year. Sites across the province. We sites and completed various completed routine maintenance on upgrades and enhancements at 2011/12 Overview 71 Conservation Sites, including mechanical and chemical vegetation nine sites to improve their overall • 12 new Conservation Sites control, fence repairs, nest box appearance. We maintained 25 in- secured totaling 4,300 acres repairs, and other general site and kind and financial partnerships that (1,740 ha) contributed to various enhancements trail maintenance. We installed • $9,000,000 in lands secured 30 Conservation Site signs and on these sites. Volunteer (approximate value) stewards, industry, government, provided recommendations on • 847 acres of habitat protected municipalities, various corporate 20 industrial referrals. We also using landowner habitat retention partners and other organizations managed public access on two sites agreements collaborated with ACA to provide through a reservation system. We enhanced angling opportunities. • 141 Conservation Sites inspected completed enhancement projects on • 12 Conservation Sites underwent 31 Conservation Sites, including the The great outdoors: yours habitat enhancements development of approximately 50 ac (20 ha) of wetlands, enhancement of to discover • 11,000 hours spent by ACA fish habitat along the North Raven staff on Conservation Site TheDiscover Alberta’s Wild Side: River, planting of 100,000 spruce management and maintenance Annual Outdoor Adventure Guide trees, 20,000 aspen and over 600 • 9 Fisheries Access Sites received profiles 715 Conservation Sites shrubs, and reseeding of grass/forb upgrades and enhancements covering over 285,000 acres (115,335 mixes on over 10 km of trails and ha) across Alberta. Secured by ACA • 32 Conservation Site signs over 480 ac (194 ha) of cropland to and our partners, these sites offer installed benefit ungulates, upland game birds all types of sustainable recreational • 26 Conservation Sites required and waterfowl. We also completed opportunities including hunting, recommendations on land use access enhancements at five sites to angling, photography, wildlife referrals benefit outdoor enthusiasts. viewing and hiking. The popularity • 53 management plans completed and reach of the Guide continues Partnerships to increase year after year: we Alberta Fish and Game Association, distributed over 100,000 copies in Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks 2011/12. and Wildlife Foundation, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Again, our thanks go to Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division and Fish and Game Association

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 33 Lands Division, Beaver Hills and Area Land Trust, Nature Corporate Partners Initiative, Irrigation Conservancy of Canada, Pheasants Program District, Buffalo Lake Naturalists, Forever – Calgary Chapter and Calfrac, Cameron Development Chinook Chapter, landowners, Through this program, ACA works Corporation, Clear Water Land Robert Bateman, Shell Canada with corporate partners to secure Care, Clearwater County, County Energy, Strathcona Wilderness important native habitat areas of Barrhead, County of Lethbridge, Centre, Suncor Energy Foundation, for wildlife and fish and enhance County of Newell, County of Total E&P Canada, TransCanada recreational opportunities for Strathcona, County of Warner, Pipelines, Tree Canada, Trout Albertans. The program is guided Ducks Unlimited Canada, Eastern Unlimited Canada – Central by agreements developed with Irrigation District, Edmonton Chapter corporate partners and by selected

Corporate Partner Securement Transactions in 2011/12

Name Corporate Partner Size (ac) Special Features

Warrensville Suncor Energy Foundation 320 This site is located 27 km northwest of . The majority of land to Expansion the south and northeast is a mix of forested and agricultural land. To the SE22-84-23-W5M northwest, forest dominates. Lac Cardinal, an important waterfowl lake, SW23-84-23-W5M lies 6.5 km southwest of the site and several other smaller waterbodies are scattered across the surrounding landscape.

Doe Creek Shell Canada Energy 1,780.8 This site is located 23 km from Spirit River and is a mixture of hayland, SW15-79-8-W6M logged areas, mature boreal forest and riparian habitat. Ksituan River NE3-79-8-W6M meanders through the site. SE15-79-8-W6M SW10-79-8-W6M NW10-79-8-W6M SW14-79-8-W6M NW14-79-8-W6M SE9-79-8-W6M NE9-79-8-W6M NE10-79-8-W6M NW15-79-8-W6M NW3-79-8-W6M NW4-79-8-W6M North Fawcett 6 Shell Canada 320 This site is located 52 km north of Westlock and consists primarily SE32-64-1-W5M of improved pasture. We are planning a reforestation project on the SW32-64-1-W5M lands through a three-way partnership with ACA, Trees Canada and Shell Canada. The north side of this site is adjacent to North Fawcett 2 Conservation Site.

North River Suncor Energy Foundation 155.4 This site is located 29 km southeast of St. Paul and consists of a mosaic SE3-56-8-W4M of deciduous forests, dominated by trembling aspen and balsam poplar, naturalizing meadows and shrublands. The site is in close proximity to ACA’s Stoney Lake Conservation Site and provides important linkages along the river valley corridor of the North Saskatchewan River.

North Vilna Suncor Energy Foundation 161 This site is located 10 km northeast of Vilna and consists of boreal forest, NE12-60-13-W4M which is excellent habitat for mule deer, white tail deer, moose, black bear, small fur bearers and waterfowl. The landscape to the northwest of the site is dominated by boreal forest; the landscape to the northeast is agricultural land.

Musidora 2 Suncor Energy Foundation 320 This site is located 35 km northeast of Vegreville and consists primarily NW26-53-11-W4M of mixed forest with small ephemeral wetlands and some tame pasture. NE26-53-11-W4M South Plain Lake and Musidora Conservation Sites are situated in close proximity to each other. The majority of land to the northwest and south is intact boreal forest. Agricultural land used for grain and cattle farming occurs east and north of the site.

TOTAL 3,057.2

34 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 priority ‘Focus Areas’. Corporate Partnerships access as a condition of the partnerships and collaborations with Alberta Environment, Alberta Fish agreement. The program requires other conservation agencies allow and Game Association, Alberta landowners to retain and idle ACA to maximize assets and overall Sustainable Resource Development, habitat for wildlife and provide effectiveness of our securement Fish and Wildlife Division and reasonable public foot access. programs. Together in 2011/12, we Lands Division, Alberta Tourism, 2011/12 was the fourth year that secured six new Conservation Sites Parks and Recreation, Clearwater we offered these agreements to totaling 3,057.2 ac of high-quality County, County of Camrose, County landowners. Many landowners habitat with an estimated land value of Newell, County of Warner, with expiring agreements were of over $1,900,000. Daishowa-Marubeni International unwilling to provide reasonable Partnerships Ltd., Devon Canada Corporation, public foot access. Ten landowners agreed to the terms of the new Alberta Fish and Game Association, Grimshaw Agricultural Society, program and were willing to sign Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Hillcrest Fish and Game, Lamont 5 to 20-year agreements. These ten Wildlife Foundation, Environment Fish and Game, Mancal Energy agreements protect approximately Canada – Ecological Gifts Program, Inc., Municipal District of Rocky 1,462 ac of high-quality habitat Shell Canada Energy, Suncor Energy View, Municipal District of Sunrise and provide reasonable public foot Foundation County, North Raven River Working Group, RTC Services Ltd., Shell access for sustainable recreational Canada Energy, Town of Lamont, opportunities. We currently manage Fisheries Access Site 54 LHP agreements across the Management Trout Unlimited Canada – Central Chapter and Yellowhead Chapter, province protecting 8,609 ac of ACA’s Land Management Program Weyerhaeuser, Zama Lake Society wildlife and fish habitat. encompasses activities intended Partnerships to conserve, protect and enhance Landowner Habitat fish and wildlife habitat and to Landowners increase sustainable recreational Program opportunities including angling Alberta’s natural land base is under Management Plan and hunting. One activity of the intense pressure from a variety Development program is the management of of sources. Population growth ACA is dedicated to efficiently fisheries access sites across the in Alberta since 2007 averaged managing Conservation Sites that province. The Fisheries Access Site around 53,500 new people per we either hold title to or manage on Management Program provides year. Expansion of urban areas behalf of the Crown. Management enhanced opportunities for anglers contributes to habitat loss and plans provide clear direction for to access key streams, rivers and fragmentation. Land in crops the overall future management of lakes throughout the province. increased by about 500,000 ha (1.2 these sites. These plans also serve to We maintained 31 fisheries access million ac) between 1986 and 2006. streamline roles and responsibilities sites in 2011/12 and upgraded nine Industrial activities related to oil and other activities that are agreed sites with improvements to parking and gas and mining also contribute upon by our conservation partners. facilities (one site), a wheelchair- to habitat loss, fragmentation and ACA is striving to ensure that newly accessible dock (one site), a floating degradation. In 1986, Alberta Fish acquired sites have completed and dock (one site), day use facilities such and Wildlife Division launched the signed management plans within as outhouses and bear-proof garbage Landowner Habitat Program (LHP) six months of acquisition. We also disposal bins (five sites) and signage to prevent the destruction of native review the status of management (five sites). We engaged 25 partners habitat on privately owned lands. plans for other sites that we manage in 2011/12 who made financial The program was structured to make to ensure that management plans are contributions or provided in-kind annual or lump-sum payments to complete and up to date. In 2011/12, support. We met with Alberta landowners who agreed to retain we developed, revised or updated 53 Sustainable Resource Development wildlife habitat on their land by management plans. Of these plans, representatives and other potential signing a legally binding agreement. six were for sites acquired since 2010 partners to discuss developing a new While the program provided a cost- and 47 were for sites acquired prior fisheries access site in our Central effective tool for preserving habitat, to 2011. it did not guarantee recreational region and expanding an existing Partnerships fisheries access site in our Northwest access to the habitat. Alberta Fish and Game Association, region. In 2008, ACA modified the LHP Alberta Sustainable Resource agreement to include recreational Development, Beaver Hills Initiative,

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 35 Cameron Development Corporation, priority ‘Focus Areas’ that help Pheasants Forever – Calgary Chapter County of Strathcona, Ducks prioritize securement efforts and and Chinook Chapter Unlimited Canada, Edmonton opportunities. Collaborative and Area Land Trust, Glen and partnerships with conservation Streambank Fence Kelly Hall, MULTISAR, Nature groups, companies and private Renegotiation Strategy Conservancy of Canada, Pheasants individuals allow ACA to maximize The Alberta Government’s Buck Forever – Calgary Chapter and assets and the efficiency of our for Wildlife Streambank Fencing Chinook Chapter, Shell Canada habitat securements. Together in Program was initiated in the Energy, Suncor Energy Foundation, 2011/12, we conserved 1,893 ac on 1970s to protect fish and wildlife Robert Gouin, The First St. Paul three sites, including one Crown habitat, as well as provide public Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, Town of land parcel that we jointly manage access to angling streams. ACA is Canmore with Alberta Sustainable Resource currently responsible for honouring Development and two land maintenance commitments of Provincial Habitat acquisitions with an estimated land inherited landowner agreements, Securement Program value of approximately $4,092,000. which has become a significant Through this program, ACA Partnerships financial burden. Our goal for secures important wildlife and fish Alberta Fish and Game Association, the project is to reduce annual habitats through land purchases, Alberta Sustainable Resource programming costs while land donations and protective Development, Fish and Wildlife continuing to protect riparian notations on Crown lands. Division and Lands Division, habitat and provide anglers with These habitats provide Alberta’s Environment Canada Habitat access to priority streams. Building outdoor enthusiasts with year- Stewardship Program for Species at on the success of our 2010/11 pilot round sustainable recreational Risk, Wayne Glenn, Glen and Kelly project on the North Raven River, opportunities. The program is Hall, Medicine Hat Fish and Game, we expanded our focus area in guided by provincially-developed

Habitat Securement Program Transactions in 2011/12

Name Securement Tool & Partners Size (ac) Special Features

Lac Cardinal A partnership between Alberta 133 This site is located 24 km west of Peace River along the shores of Cardinal Point Uplands Conservation Association, Lake. This site provides excellent waterfowl habitat and winter habitat (expansion) Alberta Sustainable Resource for ungulates, including elk, moose and deer. The addition of these lands SE22-84-23-W5M Development and lessee expands the existing Conservation Site to 623 acres. SW23-84-23-W5M (Wayne Glenn) to protect Crown land through protective notations. Timber Ridge A partnership land acquisition 800 This 800 acre site is located approximately 20 km southwest of Nanton. E½ 18-015-23-W4M (share based) between Alberta The site was secured as a unique partnership with the Hall Family to E½ 08-015-23-W4M Conservation Association and conserve wildlife habitat and demonstrate sustainable ranching practices. NW 07-015-23-W4M Glen and Kelly Hall to conserve As such, the site continues to operate as a working ranch in the Porcupine habitat through sustainable Hills and provides native forest and grassland habitat for deer, elk, moose, ranching practices. grizzly bear, cougar and many more species native to this ecotonal habitat.

Ross Creek A partnership land acquisition 960 This 960 acre site is located approximately 19 km east of Medicine Hat W½ 09-012-03-W4M among Alberta Conserva- along the Trans Canada Highway and offers important habitat for species All 08-012-03-W4M tion Association, Alberta at risk. Habitat management and enhancement is planned for pronghorn, Fish and Game Association, deer and upland birds, such as pheasants and sharp-tailed grouse. Ross Environment Canada Habitat Creek flows through a cottonwood stand at this site. Stewardship Program for Species at Risk, Medicine Hat Fish and Game and Pheasants Forever (Calgary and Chinook chapters).

TOTAL 1,893

36 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 36 2011/12 to include Clear Creek and the Raven River. We signed five new Conservation Reports lease agreements with landowners The following Conservation Reports were completed and published in the that are being administered through 2011/12 fiscal year and are available on our website at ab-conservation.com, the Landowner Habitat Program. under publications. To facilitate new agreements, two Fisheries large fence improvement projects Blackburn, J., B. Hurkett, T. Furukawa, P. Halinowski, and M. Rodtka. were contracted to relocate 6 km 2012. Baseline Inventory of Sport Fish in the Edson River, 2011. Data of fence, and fencing materials Report, T-2011-001, produced by the Alberta Conservation Association, were contributed to a landowner Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. 27 pp + App. to perform upgrades. Red Deer County contributed $10,000 towards Buskas, M., and C. James. 2012. Northern pike and walleye summer sport improvement projects through the fishery at Haig Lake, 2011. Data Report, D-2012-001, produced by the Off the Creek Program, and Trout Alberta Conservation Association, Peace River, Alberta, Canada. 13 pp + Unlimited (Edmonton Chapter) App. contributed $5,000 towards annual Buskas, M., and C. James. 2012. Summer sport fisheries at Figure Eight and lease payments. Using habitat Sulphur lakes, Alberta 2011. Data Report, D-2012-002, produced by the lease agreements, we successfully Alberta Conservation Association, Peace River, Alberta, Canada. 10 pp + protected 215 ac of priority habitat, App. which amounts to an additional 40 ac than what was previously Cantin, A., and T. Johns. 2012. A fish-based index of biological integrity for protected under existing Buck for assessing ecological condition of the Beaver River watershed. Technical Wildlife agreements. Report, T-2012-001, produced by the Alberta Conservation Association, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. 49 pp + App. Partnerships James, C. 2012. Abundance and population structure of walleye in Fawcett Clearwater County, Dickson Fish and Moose lakes, Alberta, 2011. Data Report, D-2012-003, produced by the and Game, landowners, Red Deer Alberta Conservation Association, Peace River, Alberta, Canada. 15 pp + County, Trout Unlimited Canada App. – Central Chapter and Edmonton Chapter Fitzsimmons, K. 2012. Spawning demographics of bull trout in the upper Red Deer River drainage, 2009-2011. Data Report, D-2012-007, produced by the Alberta Conservation Association, Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. 24 pp + App. Progress Report Johns, T., and A. Cantin. 2012. Owl River riparian restoration and enhancement project. Progress Report, produced by the Alberta Conservation Association, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. 16 pp + App. Wildlife Hudson, Velma. 2012. Alberta Waterfowl Crop Damage Prevention Program, 2011. Data Report, D-2012-004, produced by the Alberta Conservation Association, St. Paul, Alberta, Canada.7 pp + App. Wright, K.D. 2012. Hay-Zama Lakes waterfowl staging and bald eagle nesting monitoring program, 2011. Data Report, D-2012-005, produced by the Alberta Conservation Association, Peace River, Alberta, Canada. 20 pp + App.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 37 Report A Poacher and Compensation Programs

There are more than 200,000 acres’ 2011/12 Overview ACA takes pride in fostering worth of hunting, fishing and hiking good working relationships with • 10,530 total calls from the public territory within ACA’s Conservation landowners. For producers whose to the RAP toll-free phone Sites alone, and millions more livestock may have been killed or number of private and crown land (in damaged as a result of predators some cases) available for outdoor • 1,545 calls related to suspected (eagles, cougars, bears and wolves) recreation. With such a vast expanse illegal activity or hunter activities, relief is provided to patrol, Alberta Fish and Wildlife • 293 offenders charged with through the Wildlife Predator officers are reliant upon the eyes poaching Compensation and Shot Livestock and ears of the community to report • $45,200 in rewards paid out Compensation programs. Like suspected illegal activity through the to individuals whose call and Report A Poacher, we are responsible Report A Poacher program. information led to an arrest or for program promotion and Report A Poacher (RAP) is a fines compensation fund management, community-based program that • Attended numerous trade shows while ASRD is responsible for enables all Albertans – not just and events throughout Alberta incident investigations and hunters and anglers – to help with the RAP trailer, distributing determination of informant payouts. protect our wildlife, fish and natural branded promotional items in habitats. With dozens of poaching order educate an raise awareness infractions unsolved each year, every about poaching and ethical piece of information can help lead to hunting and fishing practices an arrest and stop the poaching of • Increased RAP promotion our precious wildlife. RAP provides through social media, television, a toll-free phone number (1-800-642- radio and print 3800) for people to report suspected • Updated a variety of promotional illegal activity 24 hours a day, seven items days a week. The RAP program is jointly delivered Compensation Programs by ACA and Alberta Sustainable Wildlife Predator Claims Compensation Resource Development (ASRD). A Memorandum of Understanding Eagle 0 $0 defines the terms of the relationship Cougar 12 $4,199.46 between our organizations. ACA is responsible for promotional and Black Bear 16 $24,464.46 educational activities to maintain public awareness and understanding Grizzly Bear 20 $22,877.31 of poaching and the RAP program, Wolf 176 $219,365.96 as well as the administration of the program funds which are used by Unknown Predator 4 $3,165.61 ASRD as reward payments. ASRD retains sole responsibility for liaising TOTAL 228 $274,072.80 with informants, investigating reports and any enforcement actions. Shot Livestock 16 $22,773.64

38 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 Our Granting Programs

Grant Eligible GECF Part A: Association: Radomske’s Pond, Conservation Fund Conservation Support $3,000 (grant not used) and Enhancement Stony Plain Fish and Game Funded by Alberta’s hunters and Small Grants Awarded Association: Bird Nesting Box anglers through license levies, the ($3,000 and under) Program, $1,200 Grant Eligible Conservation Fund University of Alberta Student (GECF) supports a variety of projects Beaverhill Bird Observatory: Bat Chapter of The Wildlife Society: each year which benefit our wildlife monitoring and appreciation in Urban deer project, $2,000 and fish populations as well as the central Alberta, $3,000 habitat they depend on. Calgary Bird Banding Society: Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation Society: Weaselhead The fund is administered in two Cypress Hills migratory and Invasive Plant Program, $3,000 parts: breeding landbird monitoring, $3,000 Part A: Conservation Support and GECF Part A: Enhancement Camrose Wildlife and Stewardship Conservation Support Society: Camrose purple martin Funds conservation activities festival, $3,000 and Enhancement in Alberta by individuals, Large Grants (over $3,000) organizations, and communities Cows and Fish (Alberta Riparian Alberta Fish and Game Association: that contribute to: healthy fish Habitat Management Society): properties habitat and wildlife populations, healthy Southern Alberta Grazing School protection, $10,940 environment for fish and wildlife for Women - bringing habitat and and the understanding, appreciation fisheries stewardship to livestock Alberta Fish and Game Association: and use of that environment. producers, $3,000 Pronghorn antelope migration corridor enhancement, $37,100 Part B: Research Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Funds high-quality research projects Park: Watershed stewardship Alberta Fish and Game Association: on wildlife, fish and habitat which project: Amphibian monitoring and Operation Grassland Community inform the effective management awareness program in Fish Creek habitat enhancement projects, of wildlife, fish populations, and Provincial Park, $1,500 $40,000 habitat in Alberta. Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Park: Watershed stewardship Area: Wildlife friendly fencing 2011/12 Overview project: Invasive species strategy in project, $10,000 Conservation Support and Fish Creek Provincial Park, $1,500 Beaverhill Bird Observatory: Enhancement (Part A) Lac La Biche County: Lac La Biche stewardship and • Received 66 applications wetland inventory and classification monitoring, $16,950 requesting just over $1.35 million plan, $1,500 Cows and Fish (Alberta Riparian • 32 projects were funded for a Lac La Biche County: Lac La Biche Habitat Management Society): total of $492,762 watershed project, $3,000 Westslope cutthroat trout riparian Research (Part B) Nose Creek Watershed Partnership/ habitat improvement action plans, • Received 32 applications Trout Unlimited Canada: Nose $24,000 requesting just over $736,000 Creek rehabilitation project, $3,000 Crowsnest Conservation Society: • 20 research projects were funded Red Deer Fish and Game Maintaining and restoring for a total of $350,136

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 39 riparian areas, Keyano College: Impacts of oil sands University of Calgary: Assessment $30,000 mining on amphibian health in the of the distribution and hybridization boreal forest: Are infection disease of white-tailed and mule deer in Delta Waterfowl Foundation: ALUS dynamics and malformation rates relation to forest fragmentation using demonstration project in the County correlated with oil sands mining genetic markers, $14,296 of Vermilion River, $32,500 activities? $19,000 University of Calgary: Novel Ghost Watershed Alliance Society: Laval University: Population methods to evaluate exposure to, and Riparian and wetlands health dynamics of mountain goats in effects of oil and gas emissions on assessment and inventory by Cows Alberta, $9,000 wild birds, $10,000 and Fish of critical areas in the Ghost watershed, $35,880 University of Alberta: Ecological University of Lethbridge: Examining effects of sport fish stocking and resiliency of bull trout populations to Bird Observatory: aeration in Boreal Foothill lakes (the brook trout invasiveness, $20,000 Avian monitoring and stewardship FIESTA project), $14,980 at Lesser Slave Lake, $23,500 University of Regina/ Canadian University of Alberta: Development Wildlife Service: The effects of Mountain View County: Riparian of a cost-effective tool for monitoring oil and gas development on the area management improvements, grizzly bear population size and reproductive success and density of $20,000 trend in support of their recovery grassland songbirds, $23,000 Nature Alberta: Public and and management, $35,000.00 University of Saskatchewan/ volunteer engagement with Alberta’s University of Alberta: Effects of Environment Canada: Identifying Important Bird Areas, $25,000 hunting pressure and recreational risks, impacts, origins and movement Nature Alberta: Riparian water access on behaviour of elk in patterns of infectious pathogens in quality improvement project, southwestern Alberta, $21,500 blue-winged teal (Anas discors) in $33,000 the Canadian Prairies, $27,960 University of Alberta: Identifying Northern Alberta Institute of critical habitat for ferruginous hawks University of Sherbrooke: Technology (NAIT): Sturgeon River in Alberta, $24,640 Experimental management of watershed habitat enhancement bighorn sheep, $9,500 University of Alberta: Examining study, $24,192 trumpeter swan productivity and Partners in Habitat Development: population in Alberta; survey Partners in Habitat Development, methods and swan response to $15,000 disturbance, $20,700 Red Deer County: Off the Creek University of Alberta: Effects of Program 2011, $30,000 native plant reproductive strategies Trout Unlimited Canada: East Slopes on reclamation success, as measured Creek Conservation Initiative, by ecosystem function and services, $20,000 $23,000 West Central Forage Association: University of Alberta: Eco- Paddle River enhancement project - evolutionary dynamics of phenology Phase II, $13,000 in resident mammals, $10,000 Willmore Wilderness Foundation: University of Alberta: Beaver-created Willmore Wilderness Park wetlands and biodiversity, $6,250 Stewardship & Youth Mentoring University of Alberta: Using Initiative, $20,000 wetland-dependent wildlife to monitor climate and landscape GECF Part B: Research change, $6,250 Alberta Innovates: Technology University of Calgary: Assessing Futures, Northern leopard frog pre-historic distribution, abundance overwintering habitat - identifying and genetic diversity of elk (Cervus suitable hibernation sites, $15,000 elaphus) in Alberta through Calgary Zoo: Using metapopulation archaeological and ancient DNA modelling to insure the effective analysis, $19,060 conservation of northern leopard frogs, $21,000

40 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 Grants in Biodiversity The Alberta Conservation Association Grants in Biodiversity program awarded 22 graduate student projects for a total of $206,616. The projects include studies on aggressive crickets, ferruginous hawks, Alberta shallow lakes, mountain pine beetles, elk behaviour, forest development, the sex life of flowers, and the effects of metals on songbirds in the oil sands. Although Alberta based universities took the majority of the awards, this year the body of knowledge about Alberta’s biodiversity will also benefit from projects being conducted out of Queen’s University and the University of Northern British Columbia. The Grants in Biodiversity program is funded by the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) and operated through the Alberta Cooperative Conservation Research Unit – a partnership between the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge. With this year’s awards, the 18 year old ACA Grants in Biodiversity has now awarded over $3.8 million dollars to 383 researchers. The research supported by the ACA Grants in Biodiversity ultimately aims to conserve, protect and enhance Alberta’s fish, wildlife and natural habitats.

Cow elk. photo: Shevenell Webb, ACA

41 2012 ACA Grants in Biodiversity Recipients

Recipient Supervisor(s) Institution Project Title

Heather Bird Felix Sperling University of Alberta Alberta-wide species survey of a key herbivore, Choristoneura spp., the spruce budworm

Susan Bury Robert Laird University of Intransitivity in male dominance hierarchies augmented by memory effects on Lethbridge aggressive behaviour in crickets, Gtyllus veletis Jobran Chebib Sean Rogers University of Calgary Measuring signatures of fishing selection on Lake whiefishCoregonus ( clupeaformis) in Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta Paul Cigan Nadir Erbilgin and University of Alberta Mountain pine beetle attacks to ectomychorrizal-seedling feedbacks: Player and JC Cahill processes that govern regeneration in post-outbreak forests Alana Clason Phil Burton University of Resilience and dynamics of whitebark pine at the northern edge of its range under a Northern British changing climate Columbia Gregory Earle Ralph Cartar University of Calgary The influence of wing wear on energetics and niche breadth, as a mediator of tongue length and body size, in structuring of bumblebee community Erick Elgin Leland Jackson University of Calgary Relationships between timing of macrophyte growth and lake turbidity with an emphasis on zooplankton grazing in Alberta shallow lakes Robert Found Colleen Cassady University of Alberta Individual variation in elk behavioural types, stress, nutrition, and life-history strategies St. Clair Benoît Gendreau- Ellen Macdonald University of Alberta The process of canopy break-up in lodgepole pine ecosystems of west-central Alberta: Berthiaume Implications for understory plant biodiversity James Glasier Scott Nielsen University of Alberta Climate and latitude as determinants of ant species distributions and faunal turnover

Christine Godwin- Robert Barclay and University of Calgary Effects of metals on songbirds in the oil sands region of Alberta Sheppard Judit Smits Anna Hargreaves Christopher Eckert Queen's University Ecology and evolution of altitudinal range limits in a montane herb

Lisa Hensel Lawrence Harder University of Calgary Sexual selection in Delphinium glaucum: Selection on floral and inflorescence traits and the effects of pollen dispersal patterns Hyejin Hwang Vic Lieffers and University of Alberta Comparison of understory burning and mechanical site preparation to regenerate Soung Ryoul Ryu lodgepole pine stands killed by mountain pine beetle Melynda Johnson Erin Bayne University of Alberta The effects of landscape ecology on post fledging ferruginous hawk movements and survivorship Mathias Kaiser Mary Reid University of Calgary Acoustic ecology of mountain pine beetles

Cory Kremer Sean Rogers University of Calgary Landscape genetics of brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans)

Kevin Kwok Robert Laird University of Inducible anti-herbivore defenses of the annual sunflower Helianthus( annuus) against a Lethbridge specialist sunflower beetle (Zygogramma exclamationis) Guadalupe Peralta- Mary Reid University of Calgary Ecology and fitness effects of phoretic mite fauna on bark beetle hosts Vázquez Jesika Reimer Robert Barclay University of Calgary Adaptations of Myotis lucifugus at northern latitudes in the face of climate change and whitenose syndrome Haley Tunna Leland Jackson and University of Calgary Population genetics of skewed ratios in longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) Sean Rogers Bradley van Paridon Cameron Goater and University of Invasion pathway and population genetics of introduced lancet liver fluke in ungulates John Gilleard Lethbridge in Cypress Hills Park, Alberta

42 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 Financial Highlights

Big game Surveys project. photo: MIke Ranger, ACA 44 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 45 Financial Highlights

Recorded administrative costs have were delayed until the start of the Summarized risen slightly this year to 14.4%; up new fiscal and as such do are not Financial Statements from 12.7% in the previous year. recorded in 2011/12. In 2011/12, ACA received Analysis of the increase shows $10,377,407 in levy revenue from that the majority of the percentage 2011/12 Overview hunting and angling licenses, increase is a result of decreased • $10,377,407 received from levies which is a $24,632 increase from revenue, as opposed to increased on hunting and fishing licenses costs. the previous year. The increase in • $4.2 million received in non-levy levy revenue is attributed to an revenue increase in hunting license revenue Expenditures By • $12,791,590 in value directly of $51,286, offset partially by a Program applied towards the conservation decrease in angling license revenue Often stakeholders want to of Alberta’s wildlife, fisheries and of $26,654. Again this year, a poor determine what funds are being habitat spring and early summer with directed towards their particular respect to weather was likely the passion. When examining the • Administration costs kept to key contributor to the decrease in Expenditures by Program, please 14.4% of revenue angling license sales. keep in mind that the numbers The pie charts provide a summary shown are somewhat arbitrary Cumulatively, our Wildlife, of the total operating budget in each and do not necessarily represent Fisheries, Land Management and program area. We encourage you to all projects that may relate to Communications programs had review the entire Annual Report to a particular program area. For expenditures totaling $10,561,565 gain a greater understanding of the example, the Fisheries program had plus an additional $2,230,025 in land conservation projects undertaken expenditures of approximately $2.47 purchases and donations (owing to within each program, and how million (approximately 24% of levy changes in our financial reporting they may relate to your particular revenue), but this does not include this value is no longer recorded as a passion. If you have any questions our riparian fencing or fisheries direct operational expenditure and is please do hesitate to contact our access site maintenance projects; instead booked directly as an asset), President & CEO, Todd Zimmerling. these have been budgeted within the meaning that approximately 123% of Land Management program. levy value collected went back into conservation of Alberta’s resources Revenue By Source (expenses plus increase in habitat assets). 27% of ACA’s total operating budget was generated from non-levy sources ACA received approximately ($4,190,885). This represents a $4.2 million in non-levy revenue decrease of approximately $636,000 (including $2,230,025 in land in non-levy revenue over 2011/12 donations and funds for land which is attributed directly to a delay purchase). These funds came from in several large land donations that a variety of donors, including closed after fiscal year end. Land individuals, corporations, donations and purchases in 2011/12 granting foundations, the Federal resulted in an additional 1,754 acres Government, and other conservation conserved for future generations. organizations. Closing on an additional 1,939 acres

46 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 Expenditures by Program

Wildlife 3,741,890 Health and Safety 1.2% Land 2,273,350 Finance 3.6% Wildlife 23.6% Land Purchases/ Communications 13.1% Donations 2,230,025

Fisheries 2,470,954 Land Purchases/Donations Administration 14.4% Administration 2,276,585 14.1% Health and Safety 1.2% Communications 2,075,371 Finance 3.6% Wildlife 23.6% Finance 578,461 Fisheries 15.6% Land 14.4% Communications 13.1% Health and Safety 187,545

Land Purchases/Donations TOTAL 15,834,181 Administration 14.4% Other 5.5% 14.1%

Partner 10.4%

Fisheries 15.6% Land 14.4% Hunting 49.9% Revenue by Source Other 5.5% Fishing 34.2% Hunting 6,162,630 Partner 10.4% Fishing 4,214,777

Partner 1,282,576 Hunting 49.9% Other 678,284

TOTAL 12,338,267* Fishing 34.2%

*Not including unrealized gains on investments.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2011/2012 47 www.reportapoacher.com

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