Annual Report 2019/20 2019/20 Snapshot

• Continued improving staff access by • Trappers submitted 214 logbooks with moving to a blend of remote access, 65% of these coming through a new on-premise, and cloud-based structure, online approach. which allows staff to work across the • Along with partners, we stocked 61 province and collaborate with external ponds with three trout species, aerated resources as required. 19 lakes to improve water quality and • In 2019/20, Kids Can Catch events ensure year-round survival of stocked across Alberta welcomed 4,387 adults fish, and worked at restoring sport and children and 100 organizations, fisheries in some of Alberta’s lakes that partners, and sponsors. The flagship have become prone to algal blooms. Wabamun Lake Kids Can Catch was an • 24 rivers/creeks, 25 lakes, and 11 ponds outstanding success with over 1,000 were surveyed, generating information participants. on fish population status, distribution, • In 2019/20, we had 20,246 followers on fishing effort, spawning and rearing Facebook, 6,220 on Twitter, 3,426 on habitat, and water quality. Instagram, 532 YouTube subscribers, • Added 3 new conservation sites, and 66,714 subscribers to our totalling 599 ac (242 ha) with a land e-newsletter. value of approximately $1,558,000. • Ninety-three 4-H members participated • 2,973 calls and 402 online reports about in the sixth year of Raise and Release suspected illegal activity to Report A program, and successfully raised Poacher. As a result, 532 charges were 4,687 hens (and a few roosters too)! laid and $73,200 in rewards paid to A cornerstone of this program is individuals whose call and information education, helping kids to understand led to charges. the resource needs of wildlife. • Conservation, Community and • Our work with producers on ranchlands Education Grants supported 82 expanded greatly with well over conservation activities’ projects that 100,000 acres of new ranching contribute to wildlife, fish and habitat partnerships coming onstream. This health with $969,635 of funding. includes a new focus area in central Alberta with the SHARP project with Alberta Conservation Association 15,000 acres of ranchland entering 101 – 9 Chippewa Road into a long-term commitment to Sherwood Park, AB T8A 6J7 align ranching goals with benefits for wildlife. Tel: 780-410-1999 Toll free: 1-877-969-9091 Fax: 780-464-0990 E-mail: [email protected] This document is available online at: ab-conservation.com/publications

Charitable Registration Number: 88994 6141 RR0001 Annual Report 2019/20

Contents

Board of Directors...... 4

About ACA...... 5

Our Vision Delegated Roles and Responsibilities...... 5 An Alberta with an abundance and diversity of wildlife, fish and their Message from the Chairman...... 7 habitats; where future generations continue to use, enjoy, and value our President and CEO’s Message...... 9 rich outdoor heritage. Our People. Our Culture...... 10 Health and Safety...... 10 Our Mission Human Resources...... 10 ACA conserves, protects, and enhances fish and wildlife Information Technology...... 11 populations and their habitats for Business Development...... 13 Albertans to enjoy, value, and use. Our Conservation Programs...... 15 Information, Education, and Communications Program...... 15 Wildlife Program...... 21 Fisheries Program...... 33 Land Management Program...... 41

ACA Conservation Reports...... 47

Report A Poacher and Livestock Compensation Programs...... 49

Grants Program...... 51 ACA Conservation, Community, and Education Grants...... 52 ACA Research Grants...... 55 Grants in Biodiversity...... 56

Auditor’s Report...... 58

Financial Highlights...... 61

Corporate Partners in Conservation...... 63

Cover: Fish Trap Installation on Fall Creek, Ram River Bull Trout Assessment Photo: ACA, Mike Rodtka Board of Directors 2019/20 Executive Bill Abercrombie, Chairman – Alberta Trappers’ Association Robert Gruszecki, Vice Chair – Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association Sandra Mellon, Treasurer – Public At Large, Northwest Region Greg Shyba, Secretary – Public At Large, Central Region Directors Ken Ambrock – Northern Board Liaison Tom Bateman – Director Emeritus Dr. Mark Boyce – ACA / University of Alberta Chair in Fisheries and Wildlife Fred Calverley – Trout Unlimited Canada Randy Collins – Alberta Fish & Game Association Robert Grandjambe – Public At Large, Indigenous Board Liaison Dr. Brian Joubert – Nature Alberta Patrick Long – Director Emeritus Matthew Mellon – Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta Perry McCormick – Pheasants Forever Chuck Priestley – Public At Large, Northeast Region Travis Ripley – Minister’s Representative Jeana Schuurman – Alberta Professional Outfitters Society Richard Stamp – Public At Large, Southern Region Brent Watson – Alberta Bowhunters Association Vacant – Public At Large, Academic Representative Vacant – Public At Large, Business Representative Vacant – Treaty 8

Todd Zimmerling – ACA Administration, President and CEO

Member Groups

4 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 Abbreviations Index

Acronym/Abbreviation Definition ABMI Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute ac acre ACA Alberta Conservation Association AEP Alberta Environment and Parks About ACA AFGA Alberta Fish and Game Association Alberta Conservation Association’s AFS ACA Fish Stocking (ACA) Communications, Wildlife, AHEIA Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association Fisheries, and Land Management AJSG Alberta Justice and Solicitor General program staff work on projects AOP Annual Operating Plan around the province to ensure that wildlife, fish, and their ATA Alberta Trappers’ Association habitats flourish. ACA is a non- cm centimetre profit organization dedicated CN Canadian National Railway to conserving, protecting, and COR Certificate of Recognition enhancing these elements for CPIC Corporate Partners in Conservation Albertans to enjoy, value, and use now and for generations to come. CSM Conservation Site Management CWD chronic wasting disease DAO Delegated Administrative Organization Delegated Roles DFO Fisheries and Oceans Canada DO dissolved oxygen and Responsibilities DUC Ducks Unlimited Canada In addition to being a non-profit ECCC Environment and Climate Change Canada organization, and a registered eDNA environmental DNA charity, ACA holds special status FSI Fish Sustainability Index as a Delegated Administrative Organization (DAO), which means FWMIS Fisheries and Wildlife Information System that we deliver responsibilities as h hour outlined in the Wildlife Act and defined ha hectare in a Memorandum of Understanding HLP Habitat Legacy Partnership (MOU) with Alberta Environment HSP Habitat Stewardship Program and Parks (AEP). In our role as a DAO, results from our population studies, HUC Hydraulic Unit Code surveys and assessments feed directly IT Information Technology into AEP management plans and can km kilometre form the basis for fishing and hunting LHP Landowner Habitat Program regulation changes and evaluations MD Municipal District of new management strategies. MOU Memorandum of Understanding NCC Nature Conservancy of Canada NCNT North-Central Native Trout NSS Northern Sagebrush Steppe PCF Prairie Conservation Forum PLUZ Public Land Use Zone PVC polyvinyl chloride RAP Report A Poacher SHARP Species Habitat Assessments and Ranching Partnerships SMRID St. Mary River Irrigation District TUC Trout Unlimited Canada WIN Wildlife Identification Number WSCT westslope cutthroat trout

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 5 Project: Central Region Angler Survey Photo: ACA, Erin VanderMarel Message from the Chairman

Greetings, There is no doubt that this year the conservation community here in Alberta and globally has met with unprecedented challenges. The pain of economic downturn combined with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in this province was harsh and left many organizations reeling with devastating financial losses and a very uncertain future. As critical fundraising and revenue generating events and programs were cancelled one after the other income streams dried up overnight. Many organizations were already experiencing hardship due to the economic downturn and with subsequent staff layoffs and reorganization we were forced to find an operating bottom line quickly or face disaster. The trapping community in Alberta is what I am closest to and we were lucky in some respects. Our association was able to move quickly to stop the bleeding as we cancelled events, workshops and shut down education programs. With children out of school many trapping families took to the bush and rode out the dark days of early spring and summer on their traplines. Many other families, associations and businesses have had a very hard time of it and my heart goes out to them. I hope that they were able to take advantage of the assistance provided by the provincial and Federal governments and find a way to weather the onslaught. The ACA remains fully functional and intact. Thanks to the speedy action of our management and staff we were able to streamline operations and reduce expenditures quickly to hold the line so that we would be prepared for the worst. Thankfully Albertans took to the lakes and streams with renewed enthusiasm after a long tough winter and the subsequent levies from fishing license sales meant that ACA grants were honored and operations was able to move forward in measured capacity. When I see what has been accomplished over the past year by the ACA and our member groups it does give me confidence that much can still be done in the coming year despite our battered economy and the new social reality of COVID-19. Despite the lack of resources for many groups, the shared vision and commitment of the outdoor community and the conservation movement in Alberta remain intact. This means more than ever that we must come together, find common ground and share our ideas, passion and enthusiasm to make a difference. If we can work together then we can share the burden and continue to move forward. The other thing that I know for a certainty is that when help and support are needed ACA will be there in whatever capacity is needed. The ACA is a tremendous resource, not only for grant funding but information, logistics and management expertise as well. There may yet be some dark days ahead, in fact that is almost a certainty. Albertans are adept at weathering the storm; we are good at it because our history demanded it and its part of our culture. It is also because Albertans have always had each other’s back and that more than anything is what is required now. Nobody knows what the future will bring, all I know is that Albertans we will embrace it and move forward together. Stay safe and well, Yours truly,

Bill Abercrombie, ACA Board Chair

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 7 Todd Zimmerling Photo: ACA, Don Myhre President and CEO’s Message

I was going to start out my letter by letting you all know that 2019-20 was a bit of a tough year for ACA with respect to funding. However, by the time this letter is published we will be in month five of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and all the various issues that have come along for all of us. In hind-sight 2019-20 was not such a bad year at all. Yes, there were some funding shortfalls, but with a few budget adjustments to some of our projects we were able to deal with it relatively easily. Our staff once again performed well above expectation (which is an accomplishment given that expectations rise every year), and our member groups, corporate and community sponsors and many of you individually, all stepped up to help us out when ever we needed it. I would encourage you to take a few minutes and read through the Annual Report to get a sense of just how much was accomplished with hunter and angler dollars and the generous support of our donors. Over 100 different partners helped organize, and host Kids Can Catch events across the province. Close to 100 young people participate in the 4-H raise and release program for pheasants. Over 800 hunters show up in Taber to help celebrate the Taber Pheasant Festival and of course over 100,000 trout volunteered to leave the stocking truck and spend sometime in a few ponds so you had a chance to go fishing this past summer. All-in 2019-20 was a very successful year with many positive accomplishments After you have read through this report if you would like more details on some of the projects please take a look on our website for the annual project summaries. If you still have questions please contact me directly and I will find the right person to talk with to find the answers. Despite the COVID restrictions, I hope all of you are finding time to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors.

Sincerely,

Todd Zimmerling President and CEO Alberta Conservation Association

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 9 Project: Conservation Site Management Photo: ACA, Tyler Johns

Our People. Our Culture.

Health and Safety 2019/20 Overview Human Resources Health and safety is a key element • In 2019/2020 there were 49 incidents ACA completes many conservation in today’s workplace whether in with a rate of 28.49 incidents per 100,000 projects over considerable territory payroll hours. the office or out in the field. ACA’s each year, thanks in large part to our health and safety program was • Most incidents consisted of near misses 84 permanent staff and numerous seasonal staff. It’s not just about established, and is continually and non-injuries. hiring talent; it’s about keeping maintained and improved, to • The results of the 2020 Employee Survey people and helping them grow and provide the necessary tools for our were positive in that 95% of ACA staff stay committed over the long term. staff to work in a manner that meets are supportive of the Health and Safety Here at ACA, we recognize that and exceeds OH&S standards. The Committee’s practices. The committee our most valuable resource is our end goal is always that everyone continues to ensure that when concerns entire team of employees, who work working on ACA projects goes are brought forward, the results of the together diligently to accomplish our home healthy and safe! discussions surrounding the issue are goals each year. communicated back to the individual. This Numerous employees reached work All workers (employees, communication is important in making anniversary milestones this year. contractors, volunteers, visitors etc.) employees aware that the matter was We extend our congratulations and are required to comply with ACA’s thoughtfully considered and any actions thanks to the following individuals Health and Safety Program in order pertaining to the issue were addressed. who achieved significant Years of to protect themselves and others, • The documentation process of vehicle Service milestones: which creates a safer and healthier and equipment maintenance was work environment. 20 Years of Service enhanced by implementing procedures to address inspections and maintenance Lance Engley, Kris Kendell, requirements. All deficiencies are Andy Murphy captured and addressed accordingly in 15 Years of Service each region. Robert Anderson, Jason Blackburn, • Processes have been implemented Doug Manzer that improve the thoroughness of communication concerning corrective 10 Years of Service actions of incidents and near misses. This Stefanie Fenson, Erin Vandermarel, process includes tools created to track John van Dijk the progress of the recommended actions until those recommendations are applied 5 Years of Service and communicated appropriately. Britt Schmidt, Lisa Sembaliuk, Dil Thapa, Andrew Clough, Budd Erickson, Nikita Lebedynksi, Garret McKen

10 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 2019/20 Overview with us and is providing continue to Information provide 24/7 helpdesk support to our Employee Survey Technology staff. The team is continuing to look • 97.5% of employees agree they are for ways to find cost savings, increase The management and ease of access satisfied with ACA as a place to work—a efficiency, and improve service to to systems and databases continues tremendous accomplishment. our staff and external partners. to be a focus for Information • 95.2% of employees are satisfied with Technology (IT). IT is committed 2019/20 Overview having a good work-life balance. This is to discovering and implementing very important to our organization as ACA solutions that increase operational • Continued improving staff access by has a culture that values work-life balance. efficiencies and provide strong moving to a blend of remote access, A slight increase from last year. systems to support the work of our on-premise, and cloud-based structure, • 82.7% are satisfied with ACA’s benefit teams. which allows staff to work across the plan. This is a 10% decrease from the province and collaborate with external With changes in the workforce and previous year. ACA did a market analysis resources as required. of the plan to ensure we are receiving the in digital technology, it is essential best value for our benefits. for staff to access files from within • Accessed expertise by using targeted the office or out in the field and to consultants to increase the timing • 80.2% are satisfied with the whole work on projects in conjunction and effectiveness of IT solutions. IT staff compensation package available to them. with other researchers almost are actively involved in planning and This is a slight decreased by 2% from the delivering the systems they oversee and previous year. anywhere in the province. The IT team is committed to support this maintain, which creates an environment Employee Retention collaboration. We consult with of accountability and strong customer • Staff turnover was at 8.3%, a 3% increase staff, talk with partners, and meet support. from the previous year. with experts in the field to develop • Continued updating and improving Career Fairs systems that ensure staff can systems to provide better and more focus on their work using efficient consistent online access for staff. Our goal • Attended two career fairs at the processes. is to streamline system entry to make an University of Lethbridge and University efficient and user-friendly environment of Alberta. These fairs provided excellent Work continued this year on our for staff, whether they are entering data opportunities to introduce ourselves long-range plan for technology. or retrieving information for monitoring and inform new graduates about career Mobile access continues to be our options available at ACA. top priority as our needs change the progress of their projects. • ACA accommodated a couple co-operative over time and we require increased • Implemented a new business card work experience terms for students from access from remote field sites. We ordering system reducing the two different universities. continued with improvements requirement for HR and Communications to budgeting systems, ensuring involvement at multiple points of the Recruitment compliance with employment laws ordering process. Leveraged existing • We continue striving to hire people who and better detail for managing data to automate the process and create a are qualified and also the best fit for the our human resources allocated cohesive seamless process. organization. Finding that person who to projects. Several new reports • Upgrade of File server to enhance fits with the ACA culture is part of the give staff access to the detail they security and maintain warranty and recruitment process. need to plan more efficiently and regular updates. • Filled three permanent positions. One out monitor their projects’ progress of the three positions was a past seasonal over the year. Staff are evaluating staff member. hardware solutions that will stretch • All seasonal positions were suspended due capital investment dollars further to the emergency health orders given by for annual evergreening. The IT the province due to COVID-19 team discussed our priorities with Professional Development management to ensure alignment with all other resource and • Giving employees the tools they need to functional areas. This collaboration succeed continues to be a priority for ACA. allows the team to better anticipate We recognize that ongoing leadership, team and meet needs as they arise. building, and interpersonal training and support is vital to individual growth and Upgrading the server to ensure up success. We had three new staff members to date software and security was a receiving their professional biologist priority this year and was completed designations adding to the complement of in February. Our technology partner staff that already have the designations. continues to work collaboratively

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 11 Project: Waterfowl Warmup Photo: ACA, Charmaine Brunes Business Development

ACA partners with many Alberta corporations (big and small), municipalities and community organizations that sponsor, donate and otherwise support our conservation work and values. These partnerships are integral to helping 2019/20 Overview us achieve the annual goals of our programs including Fisheries, Wildlife, • We are pleased to recognize sixteen Land Management and Information, Education and Communication. Over companies that are either new Corporate the past few years, we have also seen a dramatic increase in support for our Partners in Conservation or have growing number of events that continue to engage and educate people about renewed/increased their ongoing support conservation in communities across Alberta. for ACA programs and projects: Many of our partnerships are formally recognized in our Corporate Partners –– AltaLink in Conservation (CPIC) program, which provides unique opportunities –– Backroad Mapbooks for businesses, municipalities and organizations to be directly plugged into ACA’s conservation work. Our CPIC participants benefit from ACA’s –– Canadian Tire Cochrane promotion of these partnerships and have the ability to promote their –– County of Cardston affiliation with us through their own communications. –– Edmonton Trout Fishing Club Business Development also generates additional revenue through advertising –– EQUS sales to support our communications activities on television, radio, online –– Foster Park Brokers Inc. and our in-house publications Conservation Magazine and the Alberta –– Korth Group Discover Guide. –– Northern Sunrise County –– Southern Alberta Bowhunters Association –– St Mary’s River Irrigation District –– Syncrude –– Tourmaline Oil –– Town of Cochrane –– West Fraser Mills –– Wolf Midstream (formerly Access Pipeline)

Project: Taber Pheasant Festival Photo: ACA, Colin Eyo

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 13 Project: ACA/4-H Pheasant Raise and Release Program Photo: ACA, Rhianna Wrubleski Our Conservation Programs

• In partnership with Hunting Advertising and Marketing Information, for Tomorrow and Alberta Advertising is key to achieving Education, and Hunter Education Instructors’ a number of long-term goals Association (AHEIA), the Communications within the Strategic Business Wildlife Identification Number Plan, primarily to increase public Program (WIN) Card Reimbursement recognition of ACA’s brand; to Program supports the Our Communications resource increase conservation awareness by recruitment of young hunters. program’s primary role is keeping creating positive profiles of hunting, Over 2,002 information packages conservation and our work fishing, and trapping; and to develop were sent to youth who completed in fisheries, wildlife and land corporate partnerships. Project management recognized and valued the hunter education course. A or event promotional advertising within Albertans’ diverse lifestyles, total of 374 youth returned the engages various audience targets and corporate sectors and communities. reimbursement form. supports ACA’s public profile. Our We engage stakeholders through • Supported the Wildlife, “It’s an Alberta Thing” campaign is multimedia platforms and events, Fisheries, and Land Management a direct approach for establishing develop hunter and angler retention Resource Programs and Business relationships with stakeholders and recruitment initiatives and Development with visual keeping conservation valued within pursue opportunities to strengthen communications, on-demand today’s varied priorities partnerships in conservation. design, and media services such and cultures. as regional advertising, site 2019/20 Overview signage, and social media. Advertising supports several ACA • 43,000 copies of the Alberta programs, projects, and events that • In 2019/20, Kids Can Catch Discover Guide were delivered include: Report A Poacher, Alberta events across Alberta welcomed in January 2020, featuring 789 Discover Guide, fish stocking, Taber 4,387 adults and children and conservation sites (including Pheasant Festival, the peregrine 100 organizations, partners, and Ducks Unlimited Canada [DUC] cameras, Corporate Partners in sponsors. The flagship Wabamun and Alberta Fish and Game Conservation Program, and the Lake Kids Can Catch was an Association [AFGA] sites). The Kids Can Catch Program. outstanding success with over guide is a free annual publication 1,000 participants. that provides outdoor enthusiasts Alberta Discover Guide app with a list and description of • In 2019/20 we ran peregrine The Alberta Discover Guide app conservation sites that can be cameras at 5 locations in was created so users of the Alberta accessed for hunting, fishing, Edmonton—the Bell Tower, the Discover Guide could have another hiking, and more. University of Alberta, Genesee way to access information about • Harvest Your Own campaign and Power Plant, the Misericordia conservation sites in pursuit of website continued to promote Hospital and Nutrien—and we hunting or angling opportunities. hunting to the locavore culture live-streamed the video through The app also provides ACA with as an alternative option to source our website. The project also a platform for advertising content food. This ongoing investment includes two ferruginous hawk from ACA’s stakeholders and other is important to maintaining nests monitored by trail cameras. organizations and businesses engagement and education In 2019/20, views of the wildlife focused on fishing, hunting, and of both non-consumers and camera section of our website conservation. A new feature was consumers of wild game. accounted for 29% of web traffic. added which provides users the • 13,000 subscribers received • In 2019/20, ACA had 20,246 ability to favourite a site so it can Conservation Magazine thanks followers on Facebook, 6,220 on be easily referenced in future to the combined efforts of writers, Twitter, 3,426 on Instagram, 532 sessions. In 2019/20, around 1,700 editors, biologists and designers. The YouTube subscribers, and 66,714 Android users and 2,810 iOS users publication is produced biannually subscribers to our e-newsletter. downloaded the app. and highlights ACA projects and topics about conservation.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 15 Alberta Discover Guide Annual Report On-site Signage (formerly The Alberta Discover Guide is Our Annual Report informs Conservation Site Signs) a free, annual publication that our stakeholders know of how Each conservation site has branded provides outdoor enthusiasts with ACA has used funding, details signage to recognize our partners, a list of conservation sites that can on the conservation outcomes provide wayfinding for users, and be accessed primarily for hunting, achieved, and how ACA has notify users of restrictions on the fishing, and hiking. The sites are performed relative to its stated site. Our Information, Education, private land owned by ACA or its goals. Our board members and Communications program conservation partners, or public received and reviewed the 2018/19 works with our Land Management, land that is managed by ACA on Annual Report for approval, Fisheries, and Wildlife programs behalf of the Crown. All sites are and it appeared on our website to produce signs for conservation available for public use and have in September 2019. Annual sites and their boundaries; to been made available through summaries also appeared on our support participating landowners; conservation efforts by ACA and website by April 30, 2019. and for fisheries access sites, its partners. pheasant release sites, recreational The publication is a major project Conservation Magazine opportunity enhancement sites, for ACA’s Information, Education, Our Conservation Magazine thin-ice areas (warnings), and and Communications Program. is a free, biannual publication interpretive trails. Advertising is coordinated available in print and digital In 2019/20, we produced five and produced for free for ACA formats that covers topical conservation site signs, seven member groups. Editorial content conservation issues, and helps ACA Fish Stocking signs, two is developed and written inhouse. bridge understanding between Riparian Conservation site signs, The communications team the hunting and angling one Landowner Habitat sign, coordinates print production stakeholders as well as the larger one Recreational Opportunity and updates and maintains conservation community. The Enhancement sign, and various the subscription database. For magazine helps increase our other signs. 2019/20, we printed 43,000 profile across Alberta and is used copies of the guide to mail out by our Resource Programs and Currie Museum/Conservation to subscribers and to distribute Business Development to reach Education Room at trade shows and hunting and out to potential donors fishing licence retailers across and partners. The Currie Museum’s Conservation Alberta. The guide is also available Education Room is an opportunity In 2019/20 we printed a combined online and as an app. to provide education outreach 30,000 copies, including articles Partnerships within an existing tourist about the important balance and education programming Advertisers, Alberta Fish & Game between conservation and destination. ACA has signed Association and affiliated clubs, agriculture, the science behind a five-year Memorandum of Ducks Unlimited Canada fish stocking, and partnerships Understanding to lease unoccupied in conservation with the oil and space and provide exhibits Annual Operating Plan gas sector. The total number of annually that profile contemporary Our Annual Operating Plan subscribers now exceeds 13,000. conservation challenges. In its (AOP) informs Albertans, our Partnerships second year, ACA secured exhibit stakeholders, and partners about Alberta Environment and Parks, partnerships and developed free- the projects we undertake within Alberta Professional Outfitters standing displays and custom the current fiscal year as well as Society, Ducks Unlimited , digital production on Alberta’s how revenue is directed to our Canada, MULTISAR, Nature species at risk. resource program areas. Our board Conservancy Canada, Shell, Partnerships members approved the 2020/21 Syncrude, Suncor, TransAlta, AOP prior to being posted on our Phillip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, Trout Unlimited Canada/ website at the beginning of the Tourmaline Oil Corp, Royal Northern Lights Fly Fishers fiscal year. Alberta Museum, Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association, Fish and Wildlife, Alberta Environment and Parks

16 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 Project: Waterfowl Warmup Photo: ACA, Charmaine Brunes

Emerging Issues they are available to the public attributed to an interest in organic and our stakeholders and partners and local food, and hunting as a The Information, Education, and through our website and the Alberta way to actively and ethically source Communications Program must be Government Library. Two Wildlife your own protein. New hunters, in able to respond to communications reports and three Fisheries reports particular men, women and youth needs that arise as ACA projects, were completed for 2019/20. from urban areas, may not have a partnerships, opportunities, or network of family and friends to help crises develop. Our communications Grants Fund Annual Report them learn to hunt. Harvest Your team provide services in design, Own aims to provide new hunters The aim of the Grants Fund copywriting, photography, with timely and relevant content that Annual Report is to document editing, print production, and will help them get started and have the grants fund procedures and digital media to ACA’s executive, success in the field and kitchen. In provide an overview of activities Business Development and Human 2019/20, Harvest your own increased and results of projects financially Resources teams, plus our member its social media audience to 2,985 supported through ACA grants groups. On-demand requests for (+320) Facebook followers, 696 (the Conservation, Community, communications support include, but (+263) Instagram followers, and 255 and Education Grants and the are not limited to, aeration updates (+63) Twitter followers. ACA Research Grants) each fiscal (social and digital media), pheasant year. ACA funnels over $1 million release site updates (social and digital into conservation work in Alberta Internal Communications media), digital presentation editing through the grants. As of our Needs and photography, drone footage 2019/20 grants round, we have Our Information, Education, and documentation, and member group received 2,212 grant applications, Communications Program provides website support. of which 1,276 projects have creative and technical services to the been awarded grants. To date, President & CEO, Human Resources, Final Report Series approximately $19.3 million has and Business Development teams, Our Fisheries and Wildlife Resource been granted to conservation-related and the Wildlife, Fisheries, and Land Programs are responsible for projects throughout the province. Management resource programs. submitting reports every year on the Working with program managers, projects they have been working on Harvest Your Own regional managers, and project leads, to describe the findings of the work. Alberta is one of the few Communications ensures ACA Communications is responsible for jurisdictions in North America programs and projects receive the editing, proofing, and formatting seeing a growth in the number media and materials needed for these reports and making sure of hunters. This increase is often their success.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 17 Project: Kids Can Catch Photo: ACA, Charmaine Brunes

Kids Can Catch Program Fund, Cabela’s North/South Lesser Slave Watershed Council , Edmonton stores, Canadian MNP, Northern Light Fly Fishers, Kids Can Catch is a province-wide Tire, Canadian Tire Slave Lake, Nutrien, Paintearth Economic program in which ACA partners Central Alberta Coop, City of Fort Partners Society, Prairie Parent with community and corporate Saskatchewan, City of Lacombe, Link, Quantum Canada, River partners to create free family CN, CN Police, Coop Community fishing events at lakes and ponds. Valley Alliance , River Runner Spaces, Coronation Community We developed Kids Can Catch as Recreation, Saddle Hills County, Support Society, Coronation Family a way to invite Albertans to fish at Service Credit Union, Shakespeare, Foods, County of Paintearth, stocked and natural waterbodies Slave Lake RCMP, Slave Lake Rod County of Grande Prairie, Dow and to hook new and young anglers and Gun Club, Smoky Trout Farm, Chemical Canada, Edmonton on fishing, fish conservation, and Stony Plain Fish and Game, Superfly, Trout Fishing Club, Edmonton Old responsible angling. In 2019/20, Kids Taber Fish and Game, Taber Kiwanis Timers’ Fishing Club, Equs, Fort Can Catch events across Alberta Club, Town of Coronation, Town of Saskatchewan Lions Club, Fort welcomed 4,387 adults and children Hinton, Town of Beaumont, Town Saskatchewan Fish and Game, Fort and 100 organizations, partners, and of Cochrane, Town of Gibbons, Saskatchewan Naturalist Society, sponsors. The flagship Wabamun Town of Taber, TransAlta , Village Foster Park Brokers, Fountain Lake Kids Can Catch was an of Wabamun, Volunteer Firefighters, Tire, Government of Alberta, Go outstanding success with over 1,000 Services Inc., Golby Hardware and Walleye Master, Wolf Midstream, participants. Sports, Greater Parkland Regional Walleye Master, West Central Heavy Partnerships Chamber of Commerce, Grimshaw Duty Repair Ltd., Wetaskiwin A1 Rentals, ACA, AHEIA, Alberta Agricultural Society, Growing Great Safety, Wolverine Guns & Tackle, Environment and Parks, Alberta Kids Coalition, Indominous Sports Yellowhead County Fish and Wildlife, Enforcement Edson, Innisfail Fish and Game Media Releases Branch, Alberta Forestry and Association, Jump Start, Lacombe Agriculture, Alberta Fish & Game Fish and Game D&M, Lamont Fish Media releases inform television, Association, Alberta Lifesaving and Game, Leduc County, Len radio, and print media sources about Society, Alberta Parks, AltaLink, Thompson lures, Lesser Slave Lake events, new conservation sites, and ATB Financial (Cochrane), Forest Education Society, Lesser other important information in Backroads Mapbooks, Barrow Slave Lake Watershed Council, hopes that they might be announced Safety, Berkley, Big Sky Flies and Lesser Slave Lake Search and Rescue, to a bigger audience. Three media Jigs, Cabela’s Canada Outdoor Lesser Slave Regional Fire Service, releases were sent out in 2019/20.

18 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 Other Publications Instagram, Constant Contact, Outdoors, Direct Horizontal, Fisher and YouTube, we can inform our Marketing/Stoeger Canada (Benelli, Through education outreach followers about our projects, share Beretta & Franchi), Kingston Ross activities and partnerships, superior news about upcoming events, and Pasnak, Maverick Inspection Ltd., products can be developed for respond to questions and comments Nature Conservancy of Canada, Yeti the end-user, and collaborative about conservation in Alberta. conservation relationships can be Roughrider Rentals Ltd. enhanced. In 2018, Nature Alberta approached ACA and Alberta Stakeholder Communications Website Maintenance and Environment and Parks to combine To foster positive business Development resources and expertise to produce relationships and partnerships ACA’s website provides an accessible a more robust riparian resource for in conservation sectors, ACA gateway to information about our the public within their Living Edge promotes projects and events for our work using current technology to program. ACA printed and delivered stakeholders and member groups 1,000 units of the publication in whenever possible. This support engage users. It is perhaps the primary December 2018. This project was to might appear as an advertisement platform we use to work toward accommodate additional printing in in Conservation Magazine, a post increasing our profile in Alberta, one 2019/20 ,which did not materialize. on social media, or a design for a of the long-term goals of ACA’s 10- conservation site sign. In addition, year Strategic Business Plan. Peregrine Cameras ACA provides member group In 2019/20, we added the following support in their media platforms The peregrine and ferruginous hawk major additions to the website: where needed and as resources allow. cameras provide a bird’s-eye view • Snow goose GPS tracking map into the daily lives of each species • Angling Opportunities on North as they fight for mates and territory, Strategic Business Plan Raven River & Raven River catch food, and raise their young. Our Strategic Business Plan provides In 2019/20 ACA ran five peregrine employees, stakeholders, and interactive map cameras in locations throughout partners with a clear understanding • Redesigned Fish and Land feature Edmonton—the Bell Tower, the of the future direction of ACA. project pages April 2019 represents the end of University of Alberta, Genesee Power • Streamlined payment gateway Plant, the Misericordia Hospital, our 2009–2019 Strategic Business system and Nutrien—and we live-streamed Plan and the beginning of our new the video to our website. The project 2019–2029 Strategic Business Plan. • Improved donation system also includes two ferruginous hawk All strategic goals and objectives are In 2019/20, the ACA website nests monitored by trail cameras. aimed at meeting our mission and achieved approximately 565,933 The still images were reviewed and vision statements and all activities page views, with the average user posted on our website. Also, an are undertaken with our core values spending 1:48 minutes per visit. online species at risk contest quiz was in mind. promoted alongside the ferruginous WIN Card Reimbursements hawk media. Both the peregrine Waterfowl Warmup and ferruginous hawk cameras In partnership with Hunting for Waterfowl Warmup is a fundraiser draw attention to these species, Tomorrow and Alberta Hunter in support of the Report A Poacher other species at risk initiatives, and Education Instructors’ Association, (RAP) Program. Proceeds from the resources available from Alberta the WIN Card Reimbursement event support efforts to educate the Environment and Parks. In 2019/20, program supports the recruitment public about responsible hunting and views of the wildlife camera section of young people into hunting. The angling and the negative impacts of of our website accounted for 29% project gives ACA and our member poaching. Twenty teams participated of web traffic and the species at risk groups a way to connect with new in Waterfowl Warmup. Last year’s contest quiz reached 28,031 people winning team successfully defended hunters when they purchase their and had 933 participants. their title. The winning team name first WIN card. In 2019/20, over Partnerships and members’ names were added to 1,905 information packages were sent to youths who had completed Aspen Properties, Capital Power, the Waterfowl Warmup plaque on Nutrien, TeraGo, TransAlta, University display at ACA’s office in Sherwood the hunter education course. A of Alberta, WiBand, AltaLink Park. Winning team members each total of 374 youths returned the received an individual trophy and reimbursement form. Social Media prize bag to take home. Partnerships Social media allows ACA to connect Partnerships Alberta Hunter Education with, inform, and grow audiences. American Bridge Canada, Beaverhill Instructors’ Association, Hunting By using Facebook, Twitter, Sporting Clays, Brad Fenson for Tomorrow

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 19 Project: Amphibian Monitoring Using Environmental DNA Photo: ACA, Amanda Rezansoff 2019/20 Highlights • The first year of field work with St. Mary Wildlife Program River Irrigation District (SMRID) went well. It was an exciting year publishing • Senior Biologist Paul Jones worked with We completed 229 range and riparian results from our pronghorn work co-authors to characterize the “Longest health assessments on lands surrounding including co-authorship on a highly terrestrial migrations and movements four reservoirs and from these developed regarded paper cited among the top around the world.” (Scientific Reports). a detailed habitat conservation strategy 10 in the field of Ecology for 2019! • We published an evaluation of fence for each reservoir what will help guide We also published a novel paper modifications designed to improve their habitat improvements going forward. from our collaring work with ATA in permeability for wildlife across the • Our work with producers on ranchlands the Birch Mountains describing the landscape (Wildlife Society Bulletin). We expanded greatly with well over 100,000 characteristics of wolverine den sites. also explored how “private lands and acres of new ranching partnerships We kicked off fieldwork on a couple public policy anchor intact pathways coming onstream. This includes a new of exciting new habitat projects that for multi-species wildlife migration.” focus area in central Alberta with the will lead to better wildlife habitat, (Biological Conservation) SHARP project with 15,000 acres of as well as provide the vegetation • When crossing a fence, pronghorn do so ranchland entering into a long-term structure to improve ecosystem by going under, but we were surprised commitment to align ranching goals with services in these areas as well. to learn that mule deer predominately benefits for wildlife. We have found that partners are applied this same approach. White-tailed interested in these bigger-picture • We searched 33 historic hibernaculum deer crossed by either going under or benefits that stretch beyond target sites for snake activity and found 33% of over, while elk went over the top. species alone. In addition to direct these still active with the observation of a benefits for wildlife, we also look for • Our work with furbearers lead to a novel least one snake. means to improve services such as publication describing the characteristics • Ninety-three 4-H members participated water quality, pollinator habitat, and of wolverine den sites in boreal forest in in the sixth year of Raise and Release nutrient buffering to name just a few. northern Alberta. program, and successfully raised Our projects geared to encourage • We continued to develop an approach to 4,687 hens (and a few roosters too)! A hunter participation and recruitment track furbearer trends in partnership with cornerstone of this program is education, continue to foster strong support. ATA. Trappers submitted 214 logbooks helping kids to understand the resource Pheasant release sites were busy with with 65% of these coming through a new needs of wildlife. old and new hunters alike, while online approach. • The pheasant release program continues Taber Pheasant Fest had 81 novice • On average, trappers set 33 marten traps to be very popular with 42 sites creating hunters participate! for about 43 days, harvesting an average hunting opportunities from Peace River to of 11 marten. The average Catch Per Unit south of Medicine Hat. We released 28,610 Effort was one marten for every 159 trap male pheasants for hunting, as well as 760 nights. roosters raised by members of the Peace • Our partnership with the Country of River Fish & Game for sites in their region. Warner continues on Ridge Reservoir, • 803 hunters, including 81 novice hunters, including participation from students at participated in the annual Taber Pheasant Raymond High School who helped plant Festival. Summed over 9 years, hunters 3,000 shrubs! Shrub and hedgerows have enjoyed more 6000 hunter days at create important habitat for game birds, the event. as well as providing key ecosystem services such as providing nesting sites for pollinators, soil retention, and buffering unwanted chemical nutrients from the reservoir itself.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 21 ACA/4-H Pheasant Raise Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Waterfowl Crop Damage and Release Program Monitoring Program Prevention Program Pheasants were first introduced Volunteers play a crucial role in The intention of the Waterfowl Crop into Alberta in 1908 by a group wildlife conservation efforts through Damage Prevention Program is of recreational enthusiasts to their involvement in biodiversity- to assist agricultural producers in provide enhanced upland hunting related citizen science projects. reducing damage to crops caused by waterfowl during fall migration. opportunities. Now, more than The Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Seven years ago, we began offering 110 years later, the tradition Monitoring Program (AVAMP) scare cannons free of charge to continues as ACA partners with invites people to engage with nature stakeholders to improve upland Counties and Municipal Districts, and to provide unique information enabling them to incorporate this hunting opportunities in Alberta. on amphibian and reptile Changes in agricultural practices equipment into their equipment distribution and life-cycle events. rental programs. This has greatly and the conversion of native prairie To streamline the way AVAMP improved efficiency, placing into cropland have dramatically participants make and report their cannons much closer to end users. modified the landscape to the point observations, we are partnering with In 2019/20, we continued to work where native game birds are nearly Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring with producers as well as counties eliminated from areas dedicated Institute and trialing their free and municipal districts to ensure to cropland. Pheasants can adapt NatureLynx mobile application. The that scare cannons were available to areas predominately used for where needed for waterfowl crop cropland provided that a suite of NatureLynx app allows AVAMP participants to complete data entry damage prevention. We updated the habitat features are also available. In ACA website to identify where scare in the field. Data are organized in an 2014, we initiated a new partnership cannons are available for loan and AVAMP community group set up with 4-H Alberta offering them suggested prevention strategies to the opportunity to raise pheasants on the app by ACA and accessible to reduce crop damage. from day-old chicks to adult birds us. In 2019/20, 41 participants from Partnerships for release. This year, we had 93 4-H AVAMP submitted 43 amphibian Alberta Environment and Parks, members who successfully raised and 16 reptile observations, including County of Athabasca, County of and released 4,687 hen pheasants locations of five snake hibernacula Camrose, County of Clearhills, into suitable upland habitat. In (dens) directly through AVAMP. County of Flagstaff, County of addition to the 4-H members, An additional seven amphibian Grande Prairie, County of Lac La other interest groups including records were submitted through Biche, County of Lacombe, County private landowners, Fish & Game the AVAMP Group on ABMI’s of McKenzie, County of Minburn, Associations, and Boy Scout groups NatureLynx platform. Combined, County of Northern Lights, County also received the opportunity to these data represented 60% of the of Northern Sunrise, County of raise pheasants from day-old chicks. amphibian and 44% of the reptile Paintearth, County of Ponoka, We did not record how many birds species native to the province. County of Smoky Lake, County of were successfully raised and released Setting appropriate conservation St. Paul, County of Stettler, County of Two Hills, County of Vermillion from these interest groups as they measures for amphibians and reptiles River, MD of Big Lakes, MD of are free to do what they want with requires a good understanding of their birds. We held a webinar for Bonnyville, MD of Fairview, MD species distributions and timing of of Greenview, MD of Peace, MD of 4-H members to discuss habitat life-cycle events, which are often features important for improving Provost, MD of Smoky River, MD of based on relatively few observation Spirit River the odds of survival for pheasants records. AVAMP is an example of in Alberta. how ACA can work with a network of Connectivity Project Partnerships enthusiastic volunteers and partners The Connectivity Project addresses 4-H Alberta, Alberta Environment to fill these data gaps and positively habitat fragmentation in southern and Parks, Cabela’s Canada Outdoor impact conservation. Alberta by working collaboratively Fund, ConocoPhillips Canada, Partnerships with irrigation districts, Innisfree & District Fish and Game municipalities, conservation groups, Association, Lethbridge Fish & Game Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring recreationists, and agricultural Association, MacFarlane Pheasants, Institute, Alberta Environment producers to improve water quality Private donations, Wheatland and Parks and re-establish or enhance existing Conservation & Wildlife Association wildlife habitat. Doing so will benefit agriculture, hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. 2019

22 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 was the second year of the project Partnerships aquatic sediment sampling methods. and the first year of extensive data Alberta Environment and Parks, In 2018, we adjusted our eDNA collection around four St. Mary Alberta Fish and Game Association sampling methods to ensure more River Irrigation District (SMRID) (Zone 1), Lethbridge Fish and Game complete coverage of study ponds reservoirs: Cross Coulee, Raymond Association, Canadian Agricultural so that target species were more Reservoir, Murray Lake and Stafford Partnership, Pheasants Forever - fully represented in the set of Lake. Thirty-one lotic riparian Chinook Chapter, Southern Alberta samples collected. This new health assessments, 71 lentic Bowhunters Association, St. Mary strategy improved our ability to riparian health assessments, 75 River Irrigation District, Taber detect certain species that occur range health assessments, 31 tame Irrigation District in either lower densities or have pasture health assessments, and tadpoles with schooling behaviour 20 visual range assessments were that may result in patchy distribution completed for use in the first Habitat Amphibian Monitoring Using of their eDNA in a pond. The Conservation Strategy for SMRID. Environmental DNA water filtration technique was Six hundred and forty-seven Environmental DNA, or eDNA, as good as field surveys for incidental wildlife observations were refers to the DNA that organisms made across the four reservoirs, confirming the presence of leave behind or shed as they of which 22% were species at risk. boreal toads, wood frogs, and pass through the environment. This data provides a baseline boreal chorus frogs at the ponds DNA technology has evolved to assessment of the plant communities sampled; whereas detection was allow researchers to detect DNA around each reservoir and the lower using aquatic sediment. These signatures from material such as wildlife species using them. It also results indicate eDNA sampling can mucus, feces, urine, or sloughed identifies priority sites where habitat be an effective alternative to more enhancements and/or grazing skin that is naturally contained traditional amphibian monitoring management recommendations will within pond water and aquatic methods. The next step is to write up improve ecosystem service provision sediment. We have worked towards what we have learned and make the (carbon sequestration, water a reliable method of detecting results available to our partners and filtration and nutrient retention, amphibians using eDNA. The first conservation community through a wildlife habitat, and biodiversity). phase of this work involved a MSc peer-reviewed publication. The recommendations put forward project developing an approach for in the report are developed to detecting three amphibians in water Partnerships improve water quality and habitat and aquatic sediment samples. The Alberta Environment and Parks, but will also increase the resilience second phase involved a partnership Shell Canada Energy, Washington of irrigation district operations and with Washington State University to State University – Dr. Caren grassland ecosystems. further refine and evaluate water and Goldberg

Project: Pronghorn – Grassland Indictor Photo: ACA, Paul Jones

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 23 Enchant Project – Strong Working with Alberta’s birds and highlight strategies to benefit pheasants and grey partridge Farmlands. Thriving Habitat. Trappers to Monitor on a working landscape. Public We have a long-term working Furbearer Population Trends engagement activities include relationship with a modern farm Alberta Conservation Association presentations at landowner advisory to evaluate approaches for re- was asked to assist Alberta workshops, stakeholder meetings, establishing vibrant upland game Environment and Parks and Alberta novice shoots, public presentations, bird densities while maintaining Trappers’ Association with a pilot and distribution of information a profitable farming operation. project to develop logbooks for booklets. In 2019, we continued We also monitor a range of non- trappers to record information about maintenance on more than 20,000 target species to assess how these their trapping activities and fur shrubs, including many berry- treatments impact biodiversity harvesting results. After revisions bearing species, to provide a reliable (amphibians and songbirds). We to the logbook from 2016/17 and a food source and create winter cover trial enhancements that focus concerted communication effort for upland game birds. Through the on improving habitat features with trappers, the number of Habitat Legacy Partnership project, important for nesting, brood logbooks submitted has increased we are gaining recognition as being rearing, and winter survival of with each season. Trappers spent an a partner for private landowners pheasants and grey partridge. This average of 414 hours on trapping- to collaborate with for habitat includes approaches within the crop, related activities during 2018/19, development. the juxtaposition of crops types and with 42% of that time dedicated Partnerships to setting and checking traps. On rotation, harvest method, field edge Alberta Environment and Parks, average, trappers set 33 marten improvements, water management Landowners and wetlands, and trialling seed traps for about 43 days, catching one mixes important for chick survival. marten for every 159 trap nights MULTISAR – Milk River In 2019, we trialled a perennial of effort. We focus on multi-species seed blend that is designed to be Partnerships conservation at the landscape self-sustaining, provide vertical Alberta Environment and Parks, level that promotes stewardship structure, and flowering plants. We Alberta Trappers’ Association through voluntary participation planted Roundup Ready Corn to of landholders on both Crown provide escape and thermal cover Habitat Legacy Partnership and private lands. The program but to also help control unwanted Upland game birds are valued is a collaborative effort among weeds. The landowner planted for their showy colours, breeding landholders, ACA, Alberta 8.5 km of additional shrub rows displays, and long history in the Environment and Parks, and Prairie (8,525 shrubs) to increase territorial hunting tradition of Alberta. Conservation Forum. Our primary space on the farm. We seeded Farming practices around the goal is to collaboratively develop approximately 2,000 willow stakes world have changed significantly plans to benefit multiple species; around wetlands and 800 giant over the past 50 years, with an these plans are then implemented wild rye plugs in patches. Winter ever-increasing economic pressure through habitat enhancement was unseasonably cold in February to maximize yield. Some of these activities that benefit both the with a prolonged period of freezing practices have altered the resources ranch operation and wildlife. We temperatures below -20ºC. The important for pheasants, grey reassessed four ranches previously density of partridge pairs decreased partridge, and sharp-tailed grouse, surveyed in 2013 and 2014, totalling slightly on the farm from 133 pairs making their outcomes less stable. 54,790 acres. We completed 176 in spring 2018 (22.4 pairs/km2) to The Habitat Legacy Partnership range health assessments, 19 tame 113 (19.0 pairs/km2) in spring 2019. works collaboratively with farmers, pasture health assessments, and five Autumn partridge totals also had a ranchers, and conservation groups riparian assessments. In total, we slight decrease from 315 in October to improve habitat and hunting had 2,605 wildlife observations. We 2018 to 288 in 2019. Pheasant opportunity for upland game birds. saw a maintenance or increase in numbers increased almost threefold We meet with private landowners range health, even after two years in 2019. to better understand their farming of dry conditions, with the average Partnerships operations and discuss habitat needs. health scores increasing by as much We work together to identify and as 13%. We also saw the number Alberta Environment and Parks, map habitat enhancements that of unhealthy range sites identified Haggins Family, Stamp Farms can be dovetailed into their long- during baseline assessments term farm plans. We also engage decrease by as much as 14%. In 2019 the public in a variety of ways to we completed seven new habitat raise the profile of upland game enhancements on four ranches

24 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 and continued work on one other On these same six properties, the desired outcome of reducing enhancement initiated in previous we also conducted 246 detailed cattle damage in sensitive zones. years. These enhancements include range transects, 308 range health We continue to foster long-term wildlife-friendly fencing, hawk pole assessments, 10 tame pasture relationships with the ranching and installation, portable fencing, upland assessments, 65 visual assessments, bordering agricultural communities watering sites, and continued work 21 HMP litter/Robel pole to benefit wildlife habitat within this on our reseeding projects. These measurements, and nine riparian municipal district. health assessments. Long-term improvements not only benefit Partnerships species at risk habitat but can also relationships built on mutual respect provide benefits to upland game and trust between conservation Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta birds and ungulates habitat that groups and landowners have Environment and Parks, Canadian many hunters and anglers have come allowed us to collaborate with more Cattlemen’s Association, Canadian to enjoy. than 90 producers and implement Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, Cows and Fish – Alberta Partnerships enhancements on close to 167,910 acres since the project started in Riparian Habitat Management Alberta Environment and 2016. Society, Government of Canada, Parks, EQUS, Government of Landholders, Prairie Conservation Canada, Landholders, Milk River Partnerships Forum Watershed Council Canada, Prairie Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Conservation Forum Environment and Parks, Canadian MULTISAR – West Cattlemen’s Association, Canadian While it is true that the majority MULTISAR – South Roundtable for Sustainable of Species at Risk (SAR) are found Saskatchewan Beef, Cows and Fish – Alberta Riparian Habitat Management in the Grasslands Natural Region Numerous species at risk occur Society, Government of Canada, of southern Alberta, the Foothills, in the southern part of Alberta, Landholders, Prairie Conservation Parkland and Rocky Mountain often overlapping with agricultural Forum Natural Regions of southwest landscapes. Existing management Alberta boast some of the province’s practices on these lands is what has MULTISAR – Taber most ecologically diverse landscapes allowed these species to persist, but and provide habitat for many SAR there are also many opportunities on Numerous species at risk occur including the little brown bat, bull these lands and adjoining lands to in the southern part of Alberta, trout, grizzly bear, limber pine, further enhance habitat quality for often overlapping with agricultural western wood pewee, and westslope these species while also benefitting landscapes. Existing management cutthroat trout. Best management agricultural operations. We work practices on these lands have practices and habitat enhancements collaboratively with multiple allowed these species to persist, occurring on farmlands within partners to maintain, increase, and but there are many opportunities this area have enabled many of improve habitat for species at risk to further enhance habitat quality these species to persist, but there while also benefiting agricultural within the Grassland Natural Region are also many opportunities to operations. This project is a part of Alberta. In 2019, we collaborated further enhance habitat quality for of the larger South Saskatchewan with ranchers and completed four these species while also benefiting MULTISAR project, where we Habitat Conservation Strategies agricultural operations. and two Habitat Management Plans work collaboratively with multiple (HMP) on 49,514 acres of land. We partners to maintain, increase, In 2019, we collaborated with private partnered with six producers on and improve habitat for species at landowners and leaseholders to nine enhancements including three risk within the Grassland Natural complete three Habitat Conservation movable electric fencing units, bio- Region of Alberta. In 2019, we Strategies on ranches, totalling control insects for leafy spurge, one continued to collaborate with approximately 14,511 acres. We wildlife-friendly fencing project, two ranchers in the Municipal District identified 140 different wildlife portable watering units, and two tire of Taber and completed two species on these three ranches, troughs at a natural spring, getting projects. This included providing a including 27 that are considered cattle out of the flowing water. We customized “Use Respect” sign to Endangered, Threatened, or Species identified 173 different species on reduce damage from off-highway of Special Concern. In total, we these six properties, including one vehicles, as well as the purchase of had 2,227 observations of wildlife species that is federally considered a portable watering unit to draw species and conducted 250 habitat Endangered, nine species that are cattle away from wetland areas. We assessments. We partnered with two Threatened, and eight that are monitored the use of watering units cattle producers to implement five Species of Special Concern. In all, we purchased in a previous year and habitat enhancements including the had 4,664 observations of species. determined that they are having removal of an old horse corral where,

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 25 for over 100 years, livestock had in 2014 and increased this number to and promote awareness of the plight direct access to a creek (a tributary 25,000 in 2015. The total increased of the piping plover. Each year, we to the Oldman River supporting bull to 26,000 in both 2016 and 2017, also conduct piping plover counts trout and westslope cutthroat trout). then to 28,173 in 2018, and 28,610 on key breeding lakes that allow Building off long-term landowner in 2019. We developed a webpage us to monitor population numbers relationships that ACA has that shows a map and directions to and distribution, and help us guide established on previous projects all the sites to make this hunting habitat improvement activities. We has enabled us to collaborate opportunity more accessible. We surveyed 33 waterbodies and found with producers and implement operated 42 release sites in the 2019 90 adults on 15 lakes, with ten or enhancements in 2019. Our goal season. We worked with five Fish & more adults on three of these lakes. is to continue building on this Game clubs in southern Alberta who We detected one breeding pair on mutual trust and respect so we can played a key role with the weekly the gravel nesting area we created collaborate on future projects that release of pheasants (6,040 total) in 2015, the third consecutive year mutually benefit habitat for wildlife, at 23 sites from Medicine Hat to breeding activity has been recorded SAR and ranching operations in Cardston. We also partnered with on this habitat. We worked with southwest Alberta. members of the Peace River Fish & our partners to improve over 5 km Game club who collectively raised of shoreline habitat through the Partnerships 760 male pheasants for release on implementation of seasonal grazing Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta the northwest sites. We contracted and chemical control to reduce the Environment and Parks, MacFarlane Pheasants to release encroachment of vegetation that Altalink, Calgary Stampede OH birds three times per week at 17 impairs this habitat for plovers. Since Ranch, Canadian Cattlemen’s sites and once a week at the Peace large-scale recovery efforts began Association, Canadian Roundtable River sites (n = 21,810 pheasants). in 2002, we have improved over 58 for Sustainable Beef, Cows and MacFarlane housed these birds in km of shoreline habitat, with the Fish – Alberta Riparian Habitat a holding facility near Strathmore. majority of “critical” piping plover Management Society, Government Birds were released at more northern habitat being protected or improved of Canada, Landholders in sites beginning September 1 for nine through fencing. Southwest Alberta, Prairie weeks, while releases at southern Partnerships Conservation Forum, Shell Canada sites corresponded with the later Alberta Environment and opening day for pheasants beginning Parks, Cooperating landowners, Pheasant Release Program October 15. The program has been Department of National Defence Upland game bird hunting has a well received with positive feedback long-standing tradition in Alberta. from hundreds of hunters annually. Pronghorn Fence Crossing Since the introduction of the Partnerships Enhancement Chinese ring-necked pheasant in Alberta Environment and Parks, the early 1900s, wild populations Capital Power, Cardston Fish Having evolved on the prairies of became established in select & Game Association, Ducks North America, pronghorn have areas of southern Alberta. To Unlimited Canada, Fort Macleod not developed an instinct to jump accommodate the high demand for Fish & Game Association, 4-H vertical obstacles. To help alleviate hunting opportunities, the Alberta Alberta, Lethbridge Fish & Game this problem, Alberta Fish & Game government started a hatchery in Association, MacFarlane Pheasants, Association (AFGA) initiated a 1945 and created the Provincial Medicine Hat Fish & Game project in 2009, which ACA has Pheasant Release Program, which Association, Peace River Fish & provided assistance with. The project saw thousands of hatchery-raised Game Association, Picture Butte works with private landowners to pheasants released onto the Fish & Game Association actively convert existing barbed-wire landscape each fall. In more recent fences to wildlife-friendly fences. We years, the hatchery was privatized Piping Plover Recovery completed four fencing projects on due to government cutbacks and six properties with AFGA in 2019, was closed in 2013. However, a Program where we modified 47 km of barbed- small group of keen hunters formed Piping plovers are small, stubby- wire fence by replacing the bottom Upland Birds of Alberta and agreed billed Endangered shorebirds that strand with double-stranded smooth to run the release program in nest and feed along gravel beaches. wire and adjusting its height to 46 2013. ACA agreed to take over the They face a number of threats cm. Additionally, we removed 2.5 release program beginning in2014, including high rates of predation km of page wire from the landscape. with the overall aim to provide and damage to their nesting and The cumulative effort of AFGA and greater hunting opportunity for all feeding habitat. We are working with ACA’s work completed since 2009 Albertans. We released 17,080 male landowners across east-central and have the potential for landscape pheasants for the fall hunting season southern Alberta to improve habitat connectivity for pronghorn.

26 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 Partnerships Science Initiative (a collaboration and making them vulnerable to Alberta Environment and Parks, between the US Fish and Wildlife infection and frostbite. Between Alberta Fish & Game Association Services and Western Association 2018 to the present, we evaluated of Fish and Wildlife Agencies), fence modifications proposed Pronghorn – Grassland Sage Grouse Initiative, The Nature for ungulates to make crossing Indicator Conservancy, University of British over a fence easier to assess the Columbia, University of Montana modifications’ potential impact on The Northern Sagebrush Steppe pronghorn and deer fence-crossing (NSS) is the northern terminus of Pronghorn Movement and behaviours. We have processed sagebrush steppe and grassland Enhancement (Fence Trials) all images from the cameras up habitats and is also the northern until February 2020. In addition, range limit for a variety of species. Having evolved on the wide- between 2016–2018 we determined Through multiple anthropogenic open prairies of North America, that sage-grouse reflectors and pressures, native prairie continues to pronghorn did not develop an white polyvinyl chloride (PVC) be converted and fragmented across instinct to jump vertical obstacles. pipe on the top wire do not act as the region and as a result, increased The proliferation of fencing that visual barriers and therefore do stress on wildlife populations and followed cattle ranching since not impact the movement across overall ecosystem function occurs. the 1880s now poses a serious fences by pronghorn, mule deer, or For wildlife species in this system, barrier to pronghorn movement. white-tailed deer. Our results from maintaining connectivity between Pronghorn may cross under fence this study will be published in the seasonal ranges and core habitats is lines in some locations, but it slows journal, Wildlife Society Bulletin. vital in mitigating environmental down their movement, making As results become available, we them susceptible to predators will disseminate our conclusions to and anthropogenic pressures. Species Habitat Assessments and Ranching Partnerships Because pronghorn are well- and in some cases strips hair off stakeholders, wildlife managers, and distributed across the landscape, their back, causing lacerations conservation groups. move and operate at large landscape scales, are sensitive to both environmental and anthropogenic pressures, and are highly regarded in public perception, we hypothesize that they can serve as an umbrella for other sagebrush steppe and grassland species at the periphery of their range. We published three papers, have an additional two papers under consideration, and have drafted another paper that will be submitted in late winter/early spring 2020. We continue to work on the assessment of pronghorn as an indicator species for a suite of grassland species. As results from our work become available, information will be disseminated to stakeholders, wildlife managers, and conservation groups to support efforts to restore and conserve movement patterns and grassland habitats. Partnerships Alberta Environment and Parks, Center for Large Landscape Conservation, Miistakis Institute, Montana Department of Transportation, National Fish and Program: Species Habitat Assessments and Ranching Partnerships Wildlife Foundation, National Photo: ACA, Sue Peters Wildlife Federation, Sagebrush

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 27 Project: Pheasant Release Program Photo: ACA, Mike Uchikura

Partnerships migration pathway, pronghorn must one observation via the smart phone Alberta Environment and navigate their way across primary app. As expected, most observations Parks, Alberta Fish & Game and secondary highways that are of pronghorn were beside the road, Association, Bushnell, Cabelas often fenced on both sides, resulting as animals pile up in key locations Canada, Canadian Forces Base in pinch points where animals pile and are selective as to when they Suffield, Montana Department of up. These pinch points along the cross the road. Ultimately, we believe Transportation, National Fish and migration pathway are a formidable the program will create support challenge for migrating pronghorn. Wildlife Foundation, National in Alberta for the construction of To address this migration challenge, Wildlife Federation, Safari Club an overpass(es) across Highway 1 a citizen science project called International – Northern Alberta and the identification of crossing Pronghorn Xing was initiated Chapter (Hunting Heritage Fund), sites along secondary highways TD Friends of the Environment, The in the spring of 2017. Pronghorn (e.g., Highway 41), where fence Nature Conservancy, University of Xing is a citizen science program modifications can be installed Montana, World Wildlife Fund developed to ground-truth seasonal movement pinch-points identified to facilitate easier movement by Pronghorn Road Crossing by connectivity modelling across pronghorn and other ungulates. Enhancement (Pronghorn highways in the Northern Sagebrush Partnerships Steppe and increase public Alberta Environment and Xing) engagement in pronghorn science Parks, Alberta Transportation, Among the diversity of prairie and conservation. Information Miistakis Institute, National wildlife, the pronghorn is the most on wildlife sightings collected by specialized and representative large the public will enable us to better Wildlife Federation, National mammal. Within the Northern understand where pronghorn Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Sagebrush Steppe of Alberta, and other wildlife are commonly Nature Conservancy of Canada, Saskatchewan, and Montana, crossing, involved in collisions, or Saskatchewan Ministry of 55% of collared pronghorn made staging next to the highway. To date, Environment and Infrastructure, seasonal migrations from summer 132 individuals have signed up for Saskatchewan Government ranges to winter ranges. Along the Pronghorn Xing and reported at least Insurance

28 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 Ridge Reservoir Habitat Club, Pheasants Forever Calgary, Provincial Snake Project Raymond Irrigation District, Hibernaculum Survey Southern Alberta Bowhunters The Milk River Ridge Reservoir Association, St. Mary River In collaboration with Alberta Water Quality Stewardship Irrigation District, Taber Irrigation Environment and Parks, ACA Initiative is a multi-year District completed the final year of a two- collaborative initiative in the year provincial snake hibernaculum County of Warner. The stewardship Species Habitat Assessments (den) survey initiated in 2018/19. initiative is overseen and managed and Ranching Partnerships We assessed snake activity at by a working group consisting of known red-sided garter snake, Alberta Environment and Parks, The Species Habitat Assessments plains garter snake, and wandering ACA, and the County of Warner. and Ranching Partnerships garter snake hibernacula using The initiative consists of nine (SHARP) project is a voluntary simple visual encounters surveys. segments around the Waterton– collaborative project designed We focussed our work on garter to aid in improving the quality St. Mary headworks inlet canal snake hibernaculum records held in and quantity of wildlife habitat and along the shorelands of the the Alberta Fisheries and Wildlife available on the landscape. ACA’s Milk River Ridge Reservoir. These Information Systems database. objective here is to make wildlife segments are predominantly All crews followed a set of survey conservation straightforward focused on provincial Crown instructions to maximize their and cost-effective for producers land—known as the “provincial chance of finding snakes and through education and cost- land corridor”—that surrounds hibernacula. We conducted surveys sharing agreements for habitat the reservoir. The overall goal of during emergence from hibernacula enhancements. We develop habitat this initiative is the improvement in the spring, prior to their dispersal of water quality through the strategies after first completing to summer habitat, and/or during restoration of the vegetation in-depth range and riparian the autumn, prior to their ingress community along shorelands and health assessments. Through these into hibernacula for the winter. In riparian areas. This restoration assessments, we evaluate range total, we assessed 33 hibernaculum translates into the creation of vital and riparian health, and look for records for potential snake activity, wildlife habitat that also filters areas that could be improved. We of which 11 (33%) were verified to nutrients and reduces erosion. balance these with the needs of be active based on the observation Approximately $2.2 million has target species and the long-term of at least one snake. We suspected been raised and invested to date. objectives of the landholder and that two hibernacula (6%) were Thus far we’ve installed 45 km of come up with mutually agreed-upon inactive as a result of habitat loss fencing to protect shoreland and solutions that benefit both wildlife or other disturbance factors. While riparian habitat. Twenty-five offsite and the producer’s operations. we did not observe snake activity water units have been installed As enhancements are made, we to move cattle away from fragile develop a monitoring plan to assess at the remaining 20 (61%) sites, riparian zones. We have planted their progress and effectiveness. there was nothing to indicate that approximately 33,000 shrubs Our first two ranches (total 15,700 snakes could not still occupy the and seeded 386 acres back into acres) were located in the North site, therefore these sites were perennial wildlife habitat. A large Saskatchewan Watershed and we recorded as unknown status. This 6.18-acre wetland was developed look forward to expanding there project has given the opportunity to on the west end of the reservoir, and into the Peace River Watershed interact with landowners and learn acting as a huge filter for nutrients in 2020. Long-term relationships the location of new hibernacula as well as a magnet for wildlife. built on mutual respect and trust as well as the history of previously Approximately 22 acres was hayed between conservation groups and known ones. In turn, we have been on the west end of the reservoir landowners are the key to effective able to provide landowners with in 2019 to reduce litter load and on-the-ground conservation additional information on snakes decrease fire hazard. efforts being undertaken through and their habitat needs, with the goal of conserving snakes. The next Partnerships initiatives like the SHARP project. Partnerships step is to write a final report on Alberta Environment and Parks, what we have learned and make the Alberta Fish & Game Association Alberta Environment and results available to the conservation Parks, ALUS Canada, Canadian Zone 1, County of Warner, David community. Bissett, Irrican Power, Landowners, Agricultural Partnerships, Lethbridge Fish & Game Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Partnerships Association, Magrath Rod and Gun Ducks Unlimited Canada, Alberta Environment and Parks, Club, New Dayton Rod and Gun Landholders Landowners

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 29 Project: MULTISAR – West Photo: ACA, Amanda MacDonald

Alberta Wildlife Status declining, factors preventing the the committee provides its Reports species from thriving in Alberta, recommendation on a species’ status and what work has been done or is to the Minister of AEP. The ultimate ACA and Alberta Environment ongoing to manage the species in decision on status designation and Parks (AEP) have produced Alberta. A committee of Alberta- (e.g., Endangered, Threatened) is Alberta Wildlife Status Reports based scientists compares the made by the Minister. In 2019/20, for wild species that are believed information in each status report we continued our work on three to be declining in Alberta. These to internationally set thresholds reports: McCown’s longspur, western reports are the essential first step (e.g., for population size) and wood-pewee, and an update of for a species to have its status recommends a status for the Canada warbler. ACA has played assessed, and they play a key role species. Using international criteria a key role in assessing the status of in identifying Endangered and and thresholds ensures the status Alberta’s species at risk through Threatened species that need legal assessment process is as unbiased as our involvement with the Alberta protection and recovery actions to possible. The status recommended Wildlife Status Report series. The keep them from becoming extinct by the scientists is subsequently 2019/20 fiscal year was the final in Alberta. Each status report scrutinized by an Alberta-based year that ACA jointly produced the summarizes the information needed multi-stakeholder committee (the Alberta Wildlife Status Report series for assessing a species’ status— Endangered Species Conservation with AEP. where it lives, the specific habitat Committee). Composed of land it requires, its population size and managers, academic institutions, Partnerships whether it is stable/increasing/ conservation groups, and industry, Alberta Environment and Parks

30 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 Taber Pheasant Festival Partnerships associated with their distribution. Alberta Fish & Game Association, Trapper local ecological knowledge Recognizing the potential economic Alberta Hunter Education demonstrated that wolverine sign is benefits and the importance Instructors’ Association, A1 more likely to be found in trapping of pheasant hunting as part of Fabrication, Beretta/Benelli/ areas with less human disturbance. Alberta’s hunting heritage, ACA Tikka/Sako, Cabela’s, Can West To investigate fine scale habitat initiated the Taber Pheasant Legacy Inc., Cycle Works, Foster use, movement, and denning Festival in 2011. This festival sets up Park Brokers, Friends of the Taber behaviour in a landscape dominated hunting opportunities by releasing Pheasant Festival, Heritage Inn by wildfires, we deployed radio 5,100 male pheasants on forty Taber/Canadian Destinations collars on animals in north-central pre-selected sites in the Municipal Group, Landowners, Lethbridge Alberta. A total of 10 wolverines District of Taber. Every year, as part College students, MacFarlane were captured and fitted with of the Pheasant Festival, Alberta Pheasants Inc. , Municipal District collars over the course of the study. Hunter Education Instructors’ of Taber, Taber & District Chamber Two of the collared females had Association (AHEIA) hosts a of Commerce, Taber Economic young during the study, providing novice hunting weekend where Development, Taber Irrigation us with valuable information about new hunters of all ages get to try District, Thiessen, Town of Taber, where wolverines den. Seven of the pheasant hunting for the first time. Taber Organizing committee, eight dens investigated were under In 2019, 81 hunters attended these Vortex Optics a partially lifted root ball created by a leaning or fallen spruce tree. novice shoots. The festival helps These were found in black spruce to make a connection with local Upland Gamebird Studies stands characterized by hummocky, landholders to discuss potential – Upland Gamebird wet, and mossy terrain subject to habitat projects to enhance Productivity Surveys windthrow. Although field data wildlife and pheasant habitat. We worked with volunteers to collection has ended, we continue This unique festival offers the conduct annual upland gamebird to work with the data to learn as opportunity to showcase hunting productivity surveys in some of much as we can about this data from a field-to-plate perspective southern Alberta’s best habitat. We deficient species. for the non-hunting population. encountered a total of 52 pheasants, Partnerships We provided educational and 56 grey partridge within 16.5 Alberta Environment and Parks, background on pheasants and hours of survey time covering 40.6 Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries hunting and demonstrated how km. This translates to 1.28 pheasants Inc., Alberta Trappers’ Association, to clean and use as much of the and 1.38 partridge for each Animal Damage Control – A pheasant meat as possible with kilometre travelled. Compared to Division of Bushman Inc., butchering demonstrations and previous survey years, this indicates Daishowa-Marubeni International how to transport meat legally. a well-below-average year for both Ltd., Crowsnest Conservation The game to gourmet culinary pheasants and grey partridge. Society, McGill University, event showcased what you can do The information acquired from Roadrunner Leasing and Sales Ltd., with your pheasant meat after it is these surveys helps us understand Shell Fueling Change, TD Friends of harvested. There is no registration population trends, brood success, as the Environment, University fee to hunt in the festival; however, well as heighten the excitement for of Alberta the area sees economic benefits as the upcoming hunting season as we the hunters spend money on travel, release survey results on our website accommodation, food, hunting and various social media venues gear, and associated costs. We host each fall. a celebration banquet to thank the Partnerships landowners who allow us to hunt Landowners, Pheasants Forever – on their land and to raise funds Calgary Chapter, Volunteers – Dog for next year’s festival. We also Handlers, Alberta Environment and showcase a scotch and wing night Parks in the local community. There was a strong showing of 803 hunters Wolverine Reporting participating in the ninth year of We worked with Alberta Trappers’ the festival with some travelling Association (ATA) to identify where from across western Canada and wolverines occur in the province the United States. and to determine the major factors

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 31 Project: Central Region Angler Survey Photo: ACA, Kevin Fitzsimmons and the potential of fish passage • Added one new lake (spring-fall aeration) Fisheries Program barriers to serve as conservation to expand aeration project. Fishing is one of Alberta’s favourite agents for native trout species. We • 5 lakes screened as potential candidates pastimes, so ACA has an entire conducted angler surveys on three for future aeration. team of biologists dedicated to rivers and four lakes, generating • 4 new financial partnerships established keeping its lakes, rivers, and their information that feed directly into in support of aeration project. fish populations healthy. Projects we AEP fisheries management plans. engage in reflect our emphasis on Angler surveys on the Clearwater • Angler surveys conducted on three river the enhancement and development and Berland rivers are of special systems and four lakes. of recreational fishing opportunities interest, as they are linked directly to • 192 anglers were counted during 49 across the province, and native fish the implementation of the provincial flights on Berland and Clearwater rivers. conservation. Native Trout Recovery Program. • Angling pressure low on the Berland River Along with partners, we stocked Overall, the success of our Fisheries and moderate on the Clearwater River. 61 ponds with three trout species, program activities in 2019/20 • 24 rivers/creeks, 25 lakes, and 11 ponds aerated 19 lakes to improve water involved the support of 36 partners quality and ensure year-round were surveyed, generating information consisting of provincial and federal on fish population status, distribution, survival of stocked fish, and worked governments, industry, watershed at restoring sport fisheries in some fishing effort, spawning and rearing groups, non-governmental habitat, and water quality. of Alberta’s lakes that have become organizations, counties/ prone to algal blooms. This year, we municipalities, and other interested • Over 4,000 km of river were surveyed, added one new waterbody to expand groups. including 280 km of electrofishing and our aeration project and screened 18 km of redd survey; logged 138,662 five as potential candidates for future 2019/20 Overview seconds of electrofishing. aeration. Our stocking and lake • Very high brown trout spawning activity • 103,255 twenty-cm long trout (95,995 aeration projects provide Albertans on North Raven River; counted over 1,600 rainbow, 6,760 brook and 2,500 brown with recreational angling in areas redds in 14 km of river. of the province where such fishing trout) were stocked into 61 ponds in opportunities would not otherwise regions of the province where trout • Developed a classification and scoring exist. angling opportunities are limited. system to rank fish barriers for their potential to protect westslope cutthroat Evaluation and inventory projects • High demand for fish in our stocked trout populations from invasive species. generated information required ponds; 50% of harvest in stocked ponds for provincial fish conservation occurred within one month of stocking. • Developed and successfully deployed an and species recovery initiatives. innovative solar-powered underwater • One fish pond dredged to improve Projects in the McLeod, Ram, Bow, video recording system to monitor bull water quality. Oldman, Livingston, Narraway and trout spawning runs. Muskeg river systems variously • 19 aerated lakes successfully determined the distribution, overwintered stocked trout with no abundance, spawning, habitat, reported mortalities.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 33 Fish Stocking Project and Municipal District of Clear Hills Partnerships for Sulphur Lake, and Saddle Hills The Fish Stocking Project provides Alberta Environment and Parks County and Weyehauser Grand anglers with increased opportunities Prairie Lumber for Spring Lake to catch and harvest rainbow trout, Angler Survey in the Berland (NW), and continue to maintain brown trout, and brook trout in River Watershed financial and in-kind partnerships regions of Alberta where angling for existing aeration projects. The Native Trout Recovery Program opportunities are limited. Recipient (NTRP) is a government-based waterbodies are prone to winterkill Partnerships initiative used to promote the and require annual stocking of fish Alberta Environment and Parks, recovery of declining native trout to maintain angling opportunities. Edmonton Trout Club, Mercer Peace and whitefish populations along We stocked 61 waterbodies. 61 River, Mountain View County, the eastern slopes of North Central waterbodies with 93,995 rainbow Municipal District of Clear Hills, Alberta. The Berland River watershed trout, 2,500 brown trout, and 6,760 Municipal District of Greenview No. is a focal system in the NTRP, as brook trout for a total of 103,255 16, Saddle Hills County, Thorhild recent fisheries sustainability index trout. Four ponds normally on our County, Trout Unlimited Canada – (FSI) analysis indicate that native stocking list were not stocked this Oldman River Chapter, West Fraser - trout and whitefish populations in year: 1) Hermitage Pond was being Edson Forest Products, Weyerhauser assessed by Alberta Environment Grand Prairie Lumber the system are at a high- to very high- and Parks for whirling disease risk; risk state compared to provincial 2) Fort Lions Community Pond at Angler Survey - NW standards. Given the Berland River West River’s Edge still had yellow is open to public recreational fishing, We conducted camera-based angler perch in it from a previous stocking; angling pressure constitutes a surveys to estimate number of 3) Kinsmen Lake was dredged in potential threat that could impact parties and trip length at Round, 2019 to improve water quality; and fish populations, yet very little recent Peerless, Vandersteen, and Graham 4) the water quality at Pro Alta data exists on it. We conducted an lakes during summer of 2019. We set Pond was deemed unsuitable for aerial type angler survey to estimate up a combination of two Reconyx trout. We installed signage at seven angling effort on the Berland PC900 HyperFire Professional IR waterbodies. trail cameras at identified access River. Results from the study will Partnerships points for each lake to capture assist in effective management and Alberta Environment and Parks, boat launch events. Cameras at contribute to species recovery as part Aquality Environmental, Canadian the Peerless Lake campground of the NTRP. Between June 1 and Tire, City of Medicine Hat, Complete boat launch and Round Lake were September 15, 2019, we completed Crossings, County of Saddle Hills, active from May 15 to October 31, 23 instantaneous aerial (rotary Nutrien Agrium Inc., SysGen 2019. Cameras were installed at wing) angler counts on the Berland Solutions Group, Town of Cochrane Vandersteen Lake on July 4 after River from the mouth, upstream an off-highway vehicle fire ban was to the convergence of the North Lake Aeration lifted, and remained until October Berland and South Berland rivers. We use aeration as a fisheries 31, 2019. Initial cameras installed at We counted 28 anglers over the study management technique to provide the Graham Lake campground boat period, averaging 1.2 ± 1.78 (±SD) Albertans with diverse recreational launch were stolen and replaced in anglers per flight; we did not observe angling opportunities in areas of the July 2019. Placement of new cameras anglers during 14 (61%) of the flights. province where such opportunities at Graham Lake to prevent further Using bootstrapping methods, we would be otherwise limited. Aerated theft resulted in few, unreliable estimated a total angling effort of waterbodies are typically shallow, capture events. At Peerless Lake 1,595 h (77–2,541, 95% CI) on the eutrophic, experience prolonged ice campground we observed 161 Berland River, and the majority of cover, and are prone to summer and angling parties who fished for an the effort occurred on weekends in winter fish kills. Using aeration, we average of 5.22 hours resulting in August and September. It is likely maintain dissolved oxygen levels an estimated 842 party hours. At that unseasonably high stream flows above 3 mg/L to promote year-round Round Lake we observed 132 parties affected angler counts in the Berland survival and availability of larger fish who fished for an average of 3.22 River in 2019. Therefore, angling hours resulting in an estimated 422 to anglers. In 2019/20, we aerated 19 effort estimates in this report may party hours. At Vandersteen Lake waterbodies across the province, all not have adequately captured the of which successfully overwintered we observed 5 parties who all spent level of effort in a typical year. fish without any reported fish between one and four nights at kills. We established new financial the lake. Partnerships partnerships with Mercer Peace River Alberta Environment and Parks

34 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 Central Region Angler Survey water and spring flood conditions on in Wildhorse Creek, the Yara Creek the Clearwater River in the first half watershed, and the Upper James The Clearwater River, Elk Creek (a of the survey. River watershed. Mountain whitefish main tributary to the Clearwater Partnerships were only captured in the Upper River), and the North Raven River James River watershed. The highest Alberta Environment and Parks are popular fishing destinations catch rates of brook trout and in west central Alberta. Alberta bull trout occurred in Wildhorse Environment and Parks (AEP) East Slopes Fisheries Creek. Our study provides land-use identifies fishing effort and fishing Inventory managers with information on fish mortality as a key threat to fish Alberta Environment and Park’s species distribution and abundance populations, yet despite their Fish Sustainability Index is a that is necessary to minimize land- popularity with anglers, the current standardized process of assessment use impacts to fish, evaluate bull level of angler use of these streams is that provides a landscape-level trout status, and otherwise balance unknown. From June 1 to September overview of fish sustainability within the diverse values of the Red Deer 30, 2019, we conducted an aerial the province and enables broad-scale River drainages. angler survey to estimate fishing evaluation of management actions Partnerships effort (hours) on the Clearwater and land-use planning. Priority Alberta Environment and Parks, River, Elk Creek, and the North species for assessment in our sample Sundre Forest Products – A Division Raven River, providing information area include bull trout and mountain of West Fraser Mills Ltd. that will aid AEP in managing whitefish. Bull trout is a native sport these fisheries. We completed 26 species classed as Threatened in Establishing Walleye instantaneous counts and observed Alberta and is particularly sensitive 94 anglers on the Clearwater River, to habitat change. In the summer Fisheries 14 on Elk Creek, and 56 on the of 2019, we used backpack and During the 2019/20 fiscal year, North Raven River. Anglers fished tote-barge electrofishing gear to ACA staff evaluated the value of for an estimated 7,214 hours on the sample 40 sites randomly distributed an ongoing project at Fox Creek Clearwater River, 1,162 hours on throughout the James River and explored the feasibility of a Elk Creek, and 4,283 hours on the watershed, a tributary to the Red future opportunity to enhance North Raven River. Angling activity Deer River. In addition, we sampled the connectivity between Haig on the Clearwater River was more 12 sites in the Yara Creek watershed and Sawn lakes. At Fox Creek, our frequent in the second half of our and five sites in Wildhorse Creek. observations of walleye spawning survey (August and September), with We captured a total of 996 fish in above removed dam locations, in only 6 of the 94 total anglers counted the study area, with brook trout conjunction with historical reports, in June and July. The low use of the being the most widely distributed signify the continued importance Clearwater River in June and July and most abundant species of Fox Creek for Iosegun Lake is very likely due to prolonged high captured. Bull trout were detected walleye recruitment. As such, we

Project: Lake Aeration Photo: ACA, Brad Hurkett

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 35 recommend that ACA continue Fish Stocking Pond Partnerships with the annual contract for spring Rehabilitation Alberta Environment and Parks, beaver dam removal within 2.5 km Alberta Fish & Game Association, Fishing pressure at ACA stocked of Iosegun Lake. For connectivity Alberta Transportation, County of ponds can exceed 2,000 h/ha in of Haig and Sawn lakes, we do not Grande Prairie, Saddle Hills County, the summer months, indicating recommend removal of beaver dams Taber Irrigation District, Town these ponds can be popular among as an effective method to increase of Taber the walleye population density in anglers. However, our recent data Sawn Lake because logistical needs suggests that some ponds, including Fish Stocking Evaluation and cost to maintain a 21.5 km Rainbow Park Pond, may not be capable of supporting trout survival In 2019, ACA stocked 103,255 stretch of barrier-free watercourse beyond mid-summer due to low catchable trout (rainbow, brown, are impractical. dissolved oxygen (DO). Rainbow and brook trout) into 61 ponds. One Partnerships Park Pond is hypereutrophic (TP pond was experimentally stocked Alberta Environment and Parks 101 ± 37 µg/L) and a good candidate with 1,200 yellow perch in 2018. for alum treatment owing to its high Using trail cameras to collect angler Fisheries Barriers in Native buffering capacity (alkalinity 132 use data allowed us to estimate Trout Drainages ± 4 mg/L) and ability to withstand angler effort at two trout ponds and large fluctuations in pH. Alum at a pond stocked experimentally To effectively safeguard against treatment will reduce bioavailable with yellow perch. Angler effort extirpation of native fish species phosphorus, thereby improving ranged from 21 hours/ha at Bow in Alberta, it is essential to protect water quality and increasing DO City East Pond to 960 hours/ha at native trout populations from concentration. Through alum jar Taber Pond. Angler effort at Fort hybridization and competition tests, we determined that a total Lions Community Fish Pond, a with invasive trout species. In of 25 mL (59.5g Al/liter solution) yellow perch pond, was 63 hours/ha. Alberta, several sub-populations of of alum per liter of pond water, Our results suggest that angler use native trout remain protected from applied over two treatments, was highly variable and despite the invasive species primarily because maintained favourable water quality introduction of a new species, can of waterfalls that impede upstream for fish and invertebrate survival remain low. Our results continue fish movement. Maintaining and (pH of 7.5, alkalinity of 72 mg/L) allowing us to better manage our isolating these populations from while significantly reducing total stocking practices and evaluate invasion is critical to the protection phosphorus (85% reduction). We site management options to serve and persistence of native trout. will use this information to develop Alberta anglers better. Cataloguing waterfalls is a necessary an alum treatment plan for Rainbow first step in determining where Park Pond. Partnerships invasion can be managed, allowing Partnerships Alberta Environment and Parks for prioritization of population Alberta Environment and Parks recovery and development of Fish Stocking Expansion – implementation strategies on New Species Evaluation a stream by stream basis. To Fish Stocking – New Lakes Annually, the ACA stocks determine where native trout refuge Stocked trout fisheries are popular waterbodies with catchable rainbow might still exist, we gathered fish in Alberta, accounting for nearly trout. In addition to rainbow trout habitat and community data for a quarter of the total number of stockings, we recently diversified the Narraway River watershed and days reported fishing at all waters angling opportunities at selected identified 110 potential fish barrier in 2005. Given the popularity of ponds by stocking brown and locations. We completed field trout-stocked fisheries in Alberta, brook trout, creating multi-species assessments at 75 of the 110 potential this project seeks to expand the fisheries. This project evaluated the barriers during high flow conditions number of stocked ponds through contribution of brook trout to our (spring spawning conditions) but identification and screening of stocked pond fisheries by the relative were unable to complete low flow ponds with potential to support a return to creel of brook and rainbow assessments due to unseasonably stocked trout fishery. We evaluated trout in selected stocked ponds. high flow conditions. Low flow nine new ponds in 2019, with Spring gill netting results indicate assessments will be completed in three being suitable for further stocking created a population of fall of 2020. investigation. Chestermere Pond, a candidate pond from 2017, both brook and rainbow trout for Partnerships remains promising and is anglers to catch. Of the 2,676 trout Alberta Environment and Parks, undergoing further evaluation prior we tagged and released, anglers Fisheries and Oceans Canada to being stocked. reported catching a total of 161 (6%)

36 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 consisting of 108 rainbow trout positive discussions with Parkland are otherwise limited. Aerated (67%) and 53 brook trout (33%). Of County and AEP, we plan to restock waterbodies are prone to fish these, 54 rainbow trout (50%) and Hasse Lake with trout by fall 2020; kills during winter and summer 15 brook trout (28%) were reported we will extend electrical powerline months due to low dissolved oxygen as harvested. Approximately half of and install aeration infrastructure (DO) but with aeration, DO levels all fish captures occurred within the on the lake by fall 2020 to enable are maintained above 3 mg/L to first month after stocking, indicating use of winter aeration to support the promote year-round survival of rapid utilization of trout from our stocked trout. stocked trout. Given the substantial ponds. Partnerships cost associated with such operations, it is essential that we carefully screen Partnerships Alberta Environment and Parks, candidate waterbodies to ensure Alberta Environment and Parks, North Saskatchewan Watershed that we address top AEP provincial- Cabela’s Canada Inc. Alliance, Northern Light Fly Fishers, level priorities. Each year we receive Parkland County Alternative Land many requests from stakeholder Hasse Lake Fisheries Use Services Program Restoration groups to aerate stocked waterbodies New Lake Aeration throughout the province. After a In recent decades, changes in preliminary review of the requests, watershed land use have resulted Development we develop a short-list of lakes in increased nutrient runoff, ACA’s Lake aeration project for further screening as potential particularly phosphorus, into Hasse promotes angling opportunities in candidates for future aeration. Lake that has led to increased stocked waterbodies across Alberta Currently we are screening five intensity and frequency of algal where such fishing opportunities candidate waterbodies by collecting blooms, especially blue-green algal blooms; poor oxygen conditions; and fish kills. Recurring summer and winter fish kills have decimated what used to be a popular stocked sport fishery; there has been no recreational fishery on the lake since 2012. In the summer of 2015, ACA initiated a project with the primary focus of working with local community groups and landowners in the watershed to reduce nutrient loading to the lake, improve water quality, and restore the recreational fishery. Each, year we monitored summer and winter water quality conditions; however, we did not conduct surveys during the summer of 2019 due to the departure from ACA of key project staff. In 2019, we also investigated the potential use of alum treatment and lake aeration as alternative approaches to improve water quality and support a year-round population of stocked fish. In the winter, much of the water column was anoxic under the ice by mid-February. Based on sediment phosphorus release rates, estimated cost for alum treatment of Hasse Lake was over US$660,000 (equivalent to over one million Canadian dollars); at this price, alum Project: Fish Stocking Expansion – New Species Evaluation treatment is not an economically Photo: ACA, Kevin Fitzsimmons viable option for ACA. Following

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 37 DO and temperature data during two decades since the observations Using eDNA to document the winter months. This is the first year and assumptions underpinning distribution of Prussian carp collecting DO and temperature beaver management along the in Alberta data at Peanut and Sauer lakes, NRR have been critically assessed. second year at Little Bear Lake, For our assessment, we reviewed Prussian carp is a recent invasive and Bullshead Reservoir, and third recent studies of beaver and fish fish species to Alberta, now believed to be widely distributed in the Bow, year at Kerbes Pond; AEP assisted interactions and completed a redd Red Deer, and South Saskatchewan with data collection at Peanut and (i.e., the gravel nest created by River drainages. Initial surveys Little Bear lakes. In 2019/20, we spawning trout) survey to document suggest their population and range began aerating Kerbes Pond during spawning activity in the NRR is expanding exponentially across the summer and will continue our upstream of Highway 761. Our the province; however, the degree screening assessment to determine literature review indicated that low- to which the range of Prussian carp if winter aeration required. Based gradient, groundwater streams like has expanded remains unclear. In on our screening results, candidate the NRR are particularly susceptible 2018, ACA used environmental waterbodies may be selected for to the negative impacts of beaver DNA (eDNA) to determine the development to expand ACA’s activity on trout productivity. We distribution of Prussian carp in aeration project. counted over 1,600 trout redds Alberta. However, lab results from 15 of the 83 sites we sampled were Partnerships during our survey; redds occurred inconclusive either due to sample in such high densities in some Alberta Environment and Parks contamination or inhibition. In reaches that it became impossible the summer of 2019, we revisited North Raven River Beaver to distinguish between individual these 15 sites to collect a second Management Project redds. Trout spawned throughout eDNA sample for lab analysis. Of much of the survey reach, including the 15 sites retested for Prussian The North Raven River (NRR) areas frequented by beaver. Current carp DNA signal, three sites tested brown trout (Salmo trutta) fishery beaver management practices positive while 11 tested negative; is widely regarded one of Alberta’s appeared to allow for unimpeded samples from one site in the Beaver best. Management of beaver (Castor trout movement throughout most of River remained inhibited as in canadensis) activity in the NRR the survey reach. Our assessment is 2018. Positive signals for Prussian began in 1973 and is considered scheduled to continue in 2020/21. carp were detected in the South necessary to maintain the trout Saskatchewan, Red Deer, and Bow fishery. Management includes Partnerships river systems but not from the North removal of beaver, beaver dams, Alberta Environment and Parks Saskatchewan River. These results and feed caches. It has been over align with currently known spatial

Project: Westslope Cutthroat Trout Population Monitoring in the Upper Oldman River Core Area Photo: ACA, Logan Redman

38 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 distributions of Prussian carp in the trout spawning run in Fall Creek, Creek and Dutch Creek watersheds. province. Overall, our data indicates obtaining over 36 days of footage We will continue monitoring these presence of Prussian carp in the during the bull trout spawning four watersheds to examine the Bow, Red Deer, Oldman, and South migration. Our study provides land- ongoing effects of the recent changes Saskatchewan River drainages but use managers with information to land use in the Livingstone PLUZ. not in the Athabasca, Battle, Beaver, on fish species distribution and Partnerships McLeod, Milk, North Saskatchewan, abundance necessary to minimize Peace, Pembina, or Smoky Rivers. land-use impacts on fish, evaluate Alberta Environment and Parks, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Partnerships bull trout status, and otherwise balance the diverse values of the University of Alberta – Dr. Mark Ram River watershed. Westslope Cutthroat Trout Poesch, Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Lab Partnerships Range Expansion Feasibility. Alberta Environment and Parks, Westslope cutthroat trout (WSCT) Ram River Bull Trout Tom Wiseman, Sundre Forest currently occupy only 5% of their Assessment Products – A Division of West Fraser historic range in Alberta. Recovery Mills Ltd. of the species requires expanding Bull trout is a native sport species their distribution and protection classed as Threatened in Alberta and Westslope Cutthroat Trout from invasive species, which are is particularly sensitive to habitat considered their greatest threat. change. A government-led initiative, Population Monitoring in the ACA has been investigating methods the North-Central Native Trout Upper Oldman River Core Area for assessing the feasibility of WSCT (NCNT) program was implemented In 2018, the Livingstone-Porcupine range expansions into streams and in 2017 to recover native trout and Hills Land Footprint Plan was lakes above waterfalls that prevent whitefish in the central and northern introduced by the Government upstream fish migration. We have east slopes of Alberta. The program of Alberta to reduce cumulative adapted components of a range involves implementation of recovery impacts on the landscape by expansion framework originally actions (e.g., trail remediation/ changing land-use patterns to developed by bull trout researchers, closure, implementing industry best- allow existing land footprints to to score and rank habitats above management practices, suppression of non-native species) in an adaptive recover. The resulting Livingstone barriers based on WSCT life history management framework. Success Public Land Use Zone (PLUZ) requirements. We will determine of this program will be measured encompasses the largest remaining range expansion feasibility for using Alberta Environment and westslope cutthroat trout (WSCT) each upstream habitat based on Park’s Fish Sustainability Index core area in Alberta. Current the sum of scores that rate habitat (FSI). The FSI is a standardized land-use restrictions and habitat quality, habitat quantity, habitat process of assessment that provides recovery activities in these critical complexity, threats to existing a landscape-level overview of fish habitats are anticipated to benefit WSCT populations, and future sustainability within the province fish populations and aid in species invasion risk. Before these habitats and enables broad-scale evaluation recovery. ACA is conducting a multi- can be comprehensively ranked, of management actions and land- year WSCT population monitoring thorough cataloguing of existing use planning. In the summer and study in four watersheds at the and new information is required to fall of 2019, we used a combination hydrologic unit code (HUC) 10 scale address the components that make of backpack electrofishing, redd in the upper Oldman River (UOM) up the range expansion scoring surveys, and underwater video watershed. The objective of the study framework. Work is ongoing to recording to assess the bull trout is to collect fish data at index sites compile the information required population in the lower Ram River for five years to determine natural to populate these components and watershed. Our sample frame for WSCT population variations within comprehensively rank available backpack electrofishing included 12 the PLUZ. These data will be used habitats for future WSCT range randomly selected sites, where we to detect population response to expansions. Final lists of both stream detected fish at five of the 12 sites, the new PLUZ restrictions. In 2019, and lake habitats will be produced catching eight different species. We study year two of five, we completed and ranked by range expansion captured 25 bull trout electrofishing, fish surveys at 39 electrofishing suitability score, providing a 20 of which were captured at a single index sites in streams of the UOM valuable resource to third party site on an unnamed tributary to the core area. Overall, WSCT catch rates agencies involved in WSCT Ram River. We counted 76 bull trout declined in 2019 realitive to 2018. reintroduction projects. redds on a survey of a 3.5 km reach Westslope cutthroat trout catches of Fall Creek. We also tested a solar- were highest in the UOM watershed, Partnerships powered underwater video recording followed by the Livingstone Alberta Environment and Parks, system for monitoring the bull watershed and lowest in the Hidden Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 39 Project: Management Plan Development Photo: ACA, Ken Kranrod private landowners, corporate • Installed project signs on 4 conservation Land Management partners, and other interested sites and continued installing boundary Program groups. These collaborative and “Foot Access Only” signs on partnerships are vital to our success. conservation sites. ACA’s Land Management Program is Moreover, they help us maximize • Provided recommendations on 105 land- all about conserving, enhancing and each levy dollar we receive, use referrals and public inquiries. restoring important wildlife and fish allowing us to achieve the many • Provided angler access at 24 fisheries habitat across Alberta. Our Alberta conservation goals within ACA’s access sites, of which 4 received site Discover Guide highlights ACA and Land Management Program. upgrades and enhancements that included partner-owned conservation sites, access road and footpath improvements, which span hundreds of thousands of 2019/20 Overview outhouse repairs, and the installation of acres across our province. Each site vehicle barriers. has its own unique characteristics • Added 3 new conservation sites, totalling • Completed 17 conservation site that provide an array of opportunities 599 ac (242 ha) with a land value of management plans. to hunt, fish, forage, or view wildlife. approximately $1,558,000. Our goal is to conserve key habitat, • Delivered 19 riparian enhancement • Suncor Energy contributed $350,000 projects, signed 3 new riparian habitat benefitting our precious wildlife and towards our CPP-Boreal Habitat lease agreements, completed 4 fish resource, and in the process, Conservation Initiative and secured riparian fencing projects, installed 5 providing an added value for outdoor 151 acres expanding our existing off-site watering systems, conducted 3 enthusiasts. MacConnachie Conservation Site to bioengineering projects, 2 erosion control Each year we add acres to the 460 acres. projects, and installed 2 fence stiles for inventory of land assets by securing • Held a dedication ceremony in memory of angler access. habitat through purchase or Peter MacConnachie at our MacConnachie • Conserved 228.1 ac (92.3 ha) of riparian donation. Thanks to our partners and Conservation Site. Peter was a valued habitat through new and existing riparian conservation-minded landowners, employee of Suncor and had a lifelong habitat lease agreements. Installed 21.4 we secured five new conservation commitment to environmental km of new wildlife friendly fencing and sites this year with the addition of conservation efforts and supported removed 1.6 km of dilapidated fence. 895 acres of habitat. Two of these ACA-Suncor partnership. • Created an interactive angler access map are an expansions of an existing showing the RHEA’s on Clear Creek, North • Currently managing 33 Landowner conservation site. We manage Raven River, and Raven River to provide Habitat Program Agreements, conserving 24 fisheries access sites that add better angler access to these corridors. 5,789 ac (2,343 ha) of wildlife and fish value by providing quality angling • Completed bank stabilization and habitat. opportunities for Albertans on restoration by dense live staking willow several stocked lakes and access sites • Renewed two Landowner Habitat (Salix) plantings on two project sites. on rivers where access is considered Agreements that expired in 2018/19, • Completed 2 riparian health assessments, challenging. We collaborate with conserving 244 acres. 10 riparian health inventories, and landowners on other habitat-based • Renewed one Landowner Habitat collected water samples from 4 sites programs such as our Landowner Agreement that expired in 2019/20, as part of baseline data collection and Habitat and Riparian Conservation conserving 635 acres. ongoing water quality monitoring. Programs, which focus on enhancing • Continued discussions with AEP on • Collaborated with over 19 groups and and conserving wildlife and fish management of Crown conservation sites organizations to enhance and facilitate habitat while improving recreational (disposition process ongoing). To date riparian conservation across Alberta. access on deeded lands. Other we received two dispositions on Crown • Conducted beaver monitoring and programs such as our Recreational conservation sites. collected redd survey data on the North Opportunity Enhancement Program Raven and Beaverlodge rivers • Spent over 12,500 hours om are aimed at easing access to management, enhancement, and • Provided 8 participating landowners privately-owned lands by facilitating maintenance of our conservation sites. with recreational user sign-in services for access management through a existing properties, totalling improved hunter/angler sign-in system. We also • Inspected 181 conservation sites, land access to approximately 91,000 ac have other projects that are focused with routine maintenance and repairs (37,190 ha). completed on 60 sites. on initiatives that provide access to • Added one new landowner to the access rivers, wetlands, and lakes to improve • Enhanced habitat on 64 conservation sign-in program in the South Region, hunting and/or angling opportunities sites, including 80 ac seeded with tame totalling 1,911 ac (773 ha) in areas where access may be limited. forage, 376 trees and shrubs planted, • Continued to meet with 5 new landowners The success of our Land Management 16-ac sorghum seeded as food plots for in the South region interested in the Program is a testament to the support upland game birds, and 2.7 km wildlife- program, totalling ~56,600 ac (~22,905 and effort of over 50 partnerships, friendly fencing installed. ha). including government, industry, • Improved access for public recreation on • Investigated opportunities to improve non-governmental organizations, 12 conservation sites including parking access at 4 waterbodies in the Central counties/municipalities, leaseholders, areas, foot-access gates, and trails. Region and one in the Northwest Region.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/202018/19 41 Project: Fisheries Access Site Management Photo: ACA, Dave Jackson

Corporate Partners Program This acquisition represents 151 and food plots for upland game acres (61.1 ha) of wildlife habitat birds, installing wildlife-friendly Our Corporate Partners Program is with an estimated land value of fencing, and removing old farming a collaboration between ACA and approximately $175,000. Our goal is equipment, garbage, buildings, and key industry partners to voluntarily to continue conserving key habitats other anthropogenic structures. offset the impact of industrial using a collaborative approach and Recreational access enhancements activity through the securement work towards expanding these were completed at 12 sites, including of ecologically important lands opportunities by maintaining our construction of foot access gates in Alberta’s boreal forest. The current corporate partnerships and and parking areas. We installed new properties that are secured through developing new ones. project signs on three conservation our Corporate Partners Program are sites and a memorial stone at the Partnerships incorporated into ACA’s network MacConnachie Conservation Site. of conservation sites and provide Alberta Environment and Parks, Staff provided recommendations on key habitat for fish and wildlife Alberta Fish & Game Association, 25 land use referrals and 80 public species while allowing for increased Suncor Energy Foundation inquiries. We also managed public recreational opportunities for all access on two high-use conservation Albertans. Our securement efforts Conservation Site sites through a reservation system. are guided by focus areas and Management Further, we continued discussions ranking criteria that are developed with Alberta Environment and ACA’s Conservation Site collaboratively between ACA and Parks representatives to determine Management (CSM) Project our corporate partners. Corporate long-term partnership roles currently manages 370 conservation partnerships and collaboration with and responsibilities at Crown sites and 11 conservation easements, other conservation organizations conservation sites that Alberta which include over 210,000 acres allow us to maximize our Conservation Association manages. (approximately 85,000 ha) of conservation impact and the overall Our success in managing and titled and Crown land in Alberta. effectiveness of our securement enhancing conservation sites is The CSM Project is responsible efforts. Through the Boreal Habitat achieved through a collaborative for ongoing management and Conservation Initiative, ACA has effort with a growing number of enhancement of these sites; been partnering with the Suncor partners and volunteers throughout Energy Foundation since 2003 to activities are guided by site-specific Alberta. secure ecologically important habitat management plans. In 2019/20, in Alberta. Despite an economic we inspected and maintained 181 Partnerships downturn in Alberta over the past sites. Our team also completed Alberta Environment and Parks, few years, we continued to partner habitat enhancement projects on Alberta Fish & Game Association, with Suncor Energy Foundation 64 conservation sites, including Bow River Irrigation District, and purchased a new conservation seeding tame forage species on 80 County of Lethbridge, County site in partnership with AFGA. acres, planting 376 trees and shrubs of Newell, County of Warner,

42 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 Ducks Unlimited Canada, Eastern commissioned 13 contracts to Rocky View, North Raven River Irrigation District, Environment maintain 20 sites in 2019/20. Working Group, Northern Sunrise and Climate Change Canada, We upgraded four sites with County, Saddle Hills County, Shell Landowners, MD of Greenview, improvements to access roads Canada , Energy, Stettler County, MULTISAR, Nature Conservancy of and a footpath, outhouse repairs, Trout Unlimited Canada – Central Canada, Pheasants Forever – Calgary and the installation of vehicle Chapter, Trout Unlimited Canada and Chinook Chapters, Shell Canada barriers. We continued to work – Yellowhead Chapter, Wetaskiwin Energy, Trout Unlimited Canada, with partners to identify next steps County Volunteer stewards for access development projects at two additional waterbodies in the Provincial Habitat Fisheries Access Site Central Region. We recognized 19 Securement Program Management partners in 2019/20 who generously contributed financially or with in- Alberta’s population growth seemed ACA’s Land Management Program kind assistance. We continued to unaffected in 2019, even with a slow encompasses activities intended strive to ensure anglers have high- economy and high unemployment to conserve, protect, and enhance quality experiences at ACA fisheries rate. Alberta’s population steadily fish and wildlife habitat and to access sites across the province. increased and reached over 4.37 increase sustainable recreational million people, up from 4.33 opportunities including angling Partnerships million in 2018. Wildlife and and hunting. One of the activities Alberta Environment and Parks, fisheries habitat loss continues to of the program is the delivery of the Alberta Fish & Game Association, be a threat to native habitat with Fisheries Access Site Management Alberta Transportation, Camrose increasing demands for urban Program, which provides angling County, Clearwater County, County sprawl, agricultural conversion, and access to key streams, rivers, and of Greenview, County of Newell, industrial expansion. Almost two- lakes throughout the province. County Northern Lights, Devon thirds of the province (62%) has been We inspected and maintained Canada Corporation, Lacombe altered by industrial or agricultural 24 fisheries access sites and County, Municipal District of development; this percentage

Corporate Partners Program and Provincial Habitat Securement Program Transactions in 2019/20

Project Name Securement Tool & Partners Size (ac) Special Features Central Baird A bequeathal from a 160.0 This site is approximately 30 km northeast of Rocky Mountain House and 85 km NE-23-041-06-W5M landowner to ACA. northwest of Red Deer in the lower foothills. It consists of mixed forest and black spruce, and a small creek flows through the property. Wildlife in the area include moose, deer, elk, black bear, ruffed grouse and waterfowl. Northeast MacConnachie Suncor and Alberta Fish & 151.0 This site is located 120 km northeast of the city of Edmonton. Habitat is primarily (Expansion) Game Association dry mixedwood forest, with a few small wetlands. Wildlife in the area include elk, NW-36-054-11-W4M moose, deer, black bear, and upland gamebirds. Northwest Funnell Lake An eco-gift land donation 118.7 This site is approximately 54 km west of Grande Prairie and is in the central SE 33-071-11-W6M from a family to ACA in mixedwood. It is within 10 km of several of our conservation sites including memory of Dorothy Ireland. Albright, Albright II and North Kamisak Lake. It consists of a mixedwood forest surrounding a 40-acre lake named Funnell Lake. Wildlife found here include deer, moose, black bear, upland game birds and a variety of songbirds and waterfowl. Black terns and trumpeter swans have also been observed on Funnell Lake. South Timber Ridge A land purchase between 320.4 This site is approximately 45 km southeast of High River and located in the (Expansion)* ACA, EC-HSP and Glen and Foothills Parkland-Montane, expanding our Timber Ridge Conservation Site to NW-04-015-29-W4M, Kelly Hall. 1,120 acres. It consists of native grassland and mixed aspen-spruce forest habitat. SW-04-015-29-W4M Wildlife found here include deer, moose, elk, black bear and ruffed grouse. *Timber Ridge land purchase closed April 2020. Monetary value will be reflected in the 2020/21 Annual Report TOTAL 750.1

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 43 increases each year. Urban and rural Partnerships this program are acknowledged with development have also contributed Alberta Environment and Parks, a project sign and provided with to habitat loss, fragmentation, and Alberta Fish & Game Association, Use Respect – Ask First signage to degradation. Environment Canada – Habitat display along the perimeter of their ACA’s Provincial Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at property. We currently manage 33 Securement Program conserves Risk, Glen and Kelly Hall LHP agreements across the province, important wildlife and fish habitat which conserves approximately through land purchases, land Landowner Habitat Program 5,789 acres (2,342.8 ha) of important donations, and leases on Crown Alberta’s ecosystems continue to wildlife and fish habitat. land. Securing habitat ensures these shrink as our human footprint grows Partnerships lands will be conserved in perpetuity with development. Biodiversity is Alberta Environment and Parks, to benefit our valued wildlife and often the first casualty of increased Landowners fish resources, and to provide and expanding development with Alberta’s outdoor enthusiasts with habitat alteration and wetland loss. year-round, sustainable recreational Management Plan The northern parts of the province opportunities. Twenty-eight priority Development have seen the most changes over the focus areas help guide securement past decade. Approximately two- ACA manages and maintains over efforts and opportunities. thirds of the province (62%) has been 210,000 acres (approximately 85,000 Collaborative partnerships with altered by industrial or agricultural ha) of habitat in collaboration with conservation groups, industry, development. Urban and rural Alberta Environment and Parks various companies, and private development have also contributed (AEP) and other conservation individuals allow us to maximize partners. In order to manage our our conservation impact and the to habitat loss, fragmentation, and conservation assets effectively, efficiency of our securement efforts. degradation. The Landowner Habitat management plans are developed Together in 2019/20, we completed Program (LHP) was initiated to help one land acquisition, one bequeathal conserve key habitat and reduce for each of these sites. Emphasis and one eco-gift donation, which habitat loss on privately owned is placed on developing detailed conserved 599 acres (242.4 ha). land. The program compensates habitat management objectives These lands have an estimated land landowners who are willing to sign a that maintain the ecological value of $1,558,000. Management legally binding agreement to retain integrity of each conservation site. plans will be prepared in 2020/21 habitat for a term of five to 20 years; ACA works with our partners to to collaboratively address roles a condition of the agreement is for develop management plans which and responsibilities between landowners to provide reasonable are used as guiding documents for managing partners. public foot access. Participants in overall site management. These

Project: Conservation Site Management Photo: ACA, Dan Sturgess

44 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 Project: Landowner Habitat Program Photo: ACA, Ed Kolodychuk plans provide specific details Riparian Conservation with landowners, industry, regarding site features, objectives Program government, watershed groups, and regarding enhancement or other stakeholders are an integral restoration, recreational and facility The ecological integrity and health component of project delivery. In enhancements, guidelines, and of Alberta’s rivers, streams, and 2019/20, we focused conservation other planned activities for the site. surrounding landscapes are often efforts in the following priority Management plans are reviewed by negatively affected by ongoing watersheds: Beaverlodge, Heart, ACA and our partners as required, human development. Riparian areas Raven, and North Raven rivers; and or on a term basis (e.g., after five or are complex ecosystems that provide Clear, Dogpound, Todd, Sharples, 10 years), to ensure we are meeting important ecological functions and and Five Mile creeks and their are critical to maintaining watershed our intended goals and objectives. associated tributaries. We delivered health. Proper management of In 2019/20, we developed 17 19 enhancement projects using this sensitive habitat is essential to management plans. a variety of management tools, maintain water quality and habitat including implementing agreements Partnerships integrity. The primary goal of ACA’s to conserve 228.1 acres (92.3 ha) Alberta Environment and Parks, Riparian Conservation Program of riparian and associated upland Alberta Fish & Game Association, is to protect and restore riparian habitat, five off-site watering systems, Ducks Unlimited Canada, habitat in priority watersheds three bioengineering projects, two Environment and Climate Change through on-the-ground habitat erosion control projects, two fence Canada, Nature Conservancy restoration projects by engaging stiles, and installing of 21.4 km of of Canada, Pheasants Forever – landowners, the public, and other wildlife-friendly fencing to protect Calgary and Chinook Chapters, stakeholders through community important riparian habitat as part Trout Unlimited Canada, Wild Elk outreach and education activities. of new and existing agreements. We Federation, Woodlands County Our collaborative partnerships also monitored water quality and

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 45 Project: Conservation Site Management Photo: ACA, Mandy Couve

riparian health on three systems Milk River Watershed Council, recreational activities that would to help evaluate the effectiveness Nature Conservancy of Canada, be beneficial to our stakeholders. of riparian enhancements, Oldman Watershed Council, Ovintiv Working with individual landowners supported landowners with Inc., Red Deer River Watershed has allowed us to improve hunter riparian enhancement activities, Alliance, Sinopec Canada, Syncrude access to approximately 91,900 and communicated our Riparian Canada Ltd., Trout Unlimited acres (37,190 ha) of private land Conservation Program to various Canada, West County Watershed across southern Alberta through a communities. Beaver activity Society sign-in access system. Increasing monitoring was conducted on two access opportunities for hunters systems to identify fish barriers Recreational Opportunity may provide AEP additional options and monitor habitat. Our efforts Enhancement to use hunters as a management have contributed to improvements tool when managing game The Recreational Opportunity in riparian habitat health and have species. Not only will increased Enhancement project was positively influenced the stewardship opportunities encourage hunter established to improve opportunities approach of many landowners and and angler recruitment, it will also for fishing and hunting, as well as leaseholders. help maintain quality outdoor other non-consumptive activities experiences by distributing hunters Partnerships such as hiking, canoeing, or and anglers across the landscape. Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension photography. Improving waterfowl Partnerships Society, Alberta Fish & Game hunter access to Crown waterbodies Association, Cenovus Energy, and improving upland and big Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta Fish & Game Association, County of Grande Prairie, Cows game hunter access to private lands Landowners, Lethbridge Fish & and Fish – Alberta Riparian Habitat is the major focus of this project. Game Association Management Society, Environment In addition, the project will focus and Climate Change Canada , on initiatives that enhance access Fisheries and Oceans Canada, to major rivers such as the Bow Huvan Construction, Landowners, and North Saskatchewan rivers for Mighty Peace Watershed Alliance, angling and other water-related

46 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 ACA Conservation Reports

The following is a list of final project Fisheries Wildlife reports published in 2019/20. All of Hurkett, B., K. Fitzsimmons, and N. Kendell, K. 2020. Garter snake these reports can be found on our Lebedynski. 2020. Angler Survey (Thamnophis spp.) surveys at website or through the Government in the Berland River Watershed, historical den sites in Alberta, of Alberta Library. 2019. Data Report, produced by 2017–2019. Data Report, produced Annual Summary reports for all Alberta Conservation Association, by Alberta Conservation ongoing projects can also be found Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. Association, Sherwood Park, on our website. 8 pp + App. Alberta, Canada. 17 pp + App. Fitzsimmons, K. 2020. Angler Kendell, K. and C.S. Goldberg. Survey on the Clearwater and 2020. Comparison of water and North Raven rivers, Alberta, 2019. sediment sampling techniques Data Report, produced by Alberta for the evaluation of amphibian Conservation Association, eDNA in lentic waterbodies in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. Alberta. Data Report, produced 9 pp + App. by Alberta Conservation Judd, C., M. Rodtka, and Z. Spence. Association, Sherwood Park, 2019. Eastern Slopes Fisheries Alberta, Canada. 16 pp + App. Inventory, 2018 – 2019. Data Report, produced by Alberta Conservation Association, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. 17 pp + App.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 47 Photo: ACA, Trail camera Report A Poacher and Livestock Compensation Programs

Report A Poacher 2019/20 Overview Livestock The Report A Poacher (RAP) • 17, 915 total calls from the public to the Compensation program encourages all Albertans— RAP toll-free hotline. Plus 435 online not just hunters and anglers—to written reports. Programs help protect our wildlife, fish, • 2973 calls about suspected illegal activity For producers, whose livestock and natural habitats. In addition – reporting fish and wildlife resource may have been killed or injured to providing education about crimes. Plus 402 of the online reports. as a result of predators (eagles, poaching, perhaps the most cougars, bears and wolves) or important RAP program tool is • 532 charges laid. careless discharge of a firearm, the toll-free phone number: 1-800- • $73,200 in rewards paid to individuals relief is provided through the 642-3800. It allows people to report whose call and information led to charges. Wildlife Predator Compensation and Shot Livestock Compensation suspected illegal activities 24 hours • Increased RAP promotion through social programs. Like Report A Poacher, a day, seven days a week. Alberta media, television, radio and print. Fish and Wildlife enforcement we are responsible for program officers often rely on information promotion and compensation fund from these calls; individuals and management, while Alberta Justice communities are RAP’s eyes and and Solicitor General is responsible ears, and the important information for incident investigations and they provide regularly leads to determining payouts. investigations and convictions. RAP is delivered jointly by ACA Wildlife Predator Claims Compensation ($) and Alberta Justice and Solicitor General. ACA is responsible for Black Bear 21 21,716 program promotion and education Grizzly Bear 49 76,540 activities to enhance public awareness and understanding of Cougar 21 17,499 poaching, and for the administration of program funds. Alberta Justice Wolf 98 133,218 and Solicitor General retains sole responsibility for liaising with Bald Eagle 1 584 informants, investigating reports Unknown 1 521 and enforcing laws. TOTAL 190 250,078

Shot Livestock Total 1 2,801

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 49 ACA Conservation, Community, and Education Grants Recipient: “Extreme by Nature” Environmental Education for 11 to 15-year-olds Photo: Environment Lethbridge Grants Program

Alberta’s hunters and anglers 2019/20 Overview contribute directly to conservation ACA Research Grants through levies on their hunting and The ACA Research Grants fund • Supported 24 graduate student projects fishing licences. The levy funds come high-quality research projects on with a total of $206,810 of funding for to ACA, and one of the many things wildlife, fish, and habitat that inform 2019/20. we do with that money is to support the effective management of wildlife • Syncrude Canada Ltd. continued to community and research efforts via and fish populations and habitat support of the ACA Grants in Biodiversity our Grants Program. in Alberta. Topics ranged from Program with $250,000 commitment over examining the spread of wildlife five fiscal years (2019/20 to 2023/24). diseases (e.g., chronic wasting • Over the past 3 years, funds provided ACA Conservation, disease [CWD] in deer) to assessing have been leveraged 3:1. Community, and the effectiveness of Alberta’s walleye regulations and looking at Arctic Education Grants grayling distribution and habitat ACA Chair in Fisheries This fund supports conservation preferences using environmental and Wildlife at the activities that contribute to wildlife DNA. and fish population health and the University of Alberta 2019/20 Overview health of their environments, and to The ACA Chair was established the understanding, appreciation, and • Received 38 applications requesting through an endowment to the use of those environments. Projects almost $1.9 million. University of Alberta, providing that increase participation in, and • Funded 16 research projects with a total educational initiatives to wildlife awareness of, outdoor opportunities, of $329,388. professionals. By addressing issues while developing knowledge and and problems relevant to Alberta’s respect for conservation, are also • Leveraged an estimated $4 for every biological resources, the Chair, funded through this grant. The $1 spent by ACA Research Grants. Dr. Mark Boyce, supports ACA’s projects ranged from youth hunter, goals for long-term, sustainable angler, and archery programs to Grants in Biodiversity wildlife and fish resources. A local festivals to restoration and contribution to teaching is also stewardship projects. The ACA Grants in Biodiversity an essential duty of the position. Program is funded by ACA and The ACA Chair is expected to 2019/20 Overview operated through the Alberta contribute to the activities of the • Received 115 applications, requesting Cooperative Conservation Research Department of Biological Sciences just over $1.6 million. Unit—a partnership between the and to the university as a whole. Dr. universities of Alberta, Calgary, and Boyce’s expertise is internationally • Supported 82 projects with $969,635 Lethbridge. The student academic recognized, and he has significantly of funding. projects included studies on the enhanced ACA’s efforts to conserve • Leveraged an estimated $5 for every consequences of sulfur emissions Alberta’s wildlife and fish resources. $1 spent by ACA CCEG. on conifer growth, effects of forest For more information and for a list fires on bat communities, and the of publications, visit: apps.ualberta. impact of urban honey bees on the ca/directory/person/boyce. success of native bees. This year’s grants ranged from $1,595 to $15,900 2019/20 Overview and were distributed to six doctoral degree and 18 master’s degree • Endowed with $20,500 as part of candidates. ACA’s commitment to science, research, and education.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 51 ACA Conservation, Community, and Education Grants

Recipient Project Funding

Alberta Fish and Game Association Increasing Habitat for Species At Risk in Alberta's Grassland Region through $25,100.00 (AFGA) Adaptive Management, Habitat Enhancement, Assessment and Outreach AFGA Pronghorn Antelope Migration Corridor Enhancement $40,698.00 Alberta Hunter Education Instructors' Conservation Education for the Army Cadet League of Canada - AB $3,000.00 Association (AHEIA) AHEIA AHEIA's Outdoor Bound Mentorship Program $3,000.00 AHEIA 16th Annual O.W.L. Day - "Outdoor Wildlife Learning" $3,000.00 AHEIA 26th Annual Outdoor Women's Program $15,000.00 AHEIA Outdoor Youth Seminar $3,000.00 AHEIA Provincial Hunting Day Initiatives $20,000.00 AHEIA AHEIA Teachers' Workshop $6,000.00 AHEIA AHEIA's Wildlife Workbook Rewrite for Children $3,000.00 AHEIA AHEIA's Youth Hunter Education Camps (Week 1,2,3,4) $48,000.00 AHEIA AHEIA's National Archery in the School Program $40,000.00 Alberta Hunters Sharing the Harvest Wild Game for the Food Bank Program $8,000.00 Alberta Invasive Species Council Expansion and Promotion of the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping $15,000.00 System (EDDMapS) Alberta Alberta Junior Forest Wardens "AC Conference" (Alberta Youth Outdoor Skills Conference) $2,510.00 Association Alberta Mycological Society Fungal Biodiversity Survey, West Castle - Mushroom Identification $3,000.00 Alberta Riparian Habitat Grazing Schools for Women: Promoting habitat and improved livestock grazing $3,000.00 Management Society - Cows and Fish stewardship in south and central Alberta Alberta Riparian Habitat Implementing Riparian Habitat Management Improvements for Westslope $11,150.00 Management Society - Cows and Fish Cutthroat Trout Alberta Trapper's Association (ATA) Trapper Education in Schools $21,100.00 ATA Youth Camp $19,480.00 ATA Helping to education future trappers and en-sure long-term sustainable $20,248.00 harvest using the best available science Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation Lake Isle Flowering Rush Project $30,000.00 Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area Outdoor Conservation Education for High Needs Schools $6,250.00 (ASCCA) Aquality Environmental Consulting Ltd. Alberta Wetlands 101 Online Experience $13,000.00 Aquarium Society of Alberta Water on Wheels $12,075.00 Battle River Research Group A Complex Relationship Between Agricultural Practices and Wildlife Habitat in $2,950.00 Central-East Alberta Beaverhill Bird Observatory Public Engagement, Wildlife Conservation and Monitoring at Beaverhill Lake $23,250.00 Bow River Trout Foundation Bow River Policeman's Flats River Access Upgrade 2019 $6,304.00* Calgary Chapter Pheasants Forever Post-Secondary First Pheasant Mentor Hunt Program $4,850.00 Canada Society

52 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 Recipient Project Funding

Calgary Fish and Game Association Pop Up Archery Range for Youth Education $2,500.00 Calgary FGA CFGA Pheasant Crate Upgrade for Remaining Crates $4,095.00 Camrose County Enhancing Conservation Areas within Camrose County $36,652.56 Camrose Wildlife Stewardship 2019 Camrose Purple Martin Festival $1,350.00 Society Canadian Parks and Wilderness Healthy Habitats: Getting Albertans Outside to Enjoy, Value and Use Alberta $20,000.00 Society - Southern Alberta Chapter Wilderness Carbon and District Agricultural Creation of Archery Club and Range $3,000.00 Society and Curling Club Castor Fish and Game Club Evaluation of Parr Reservoir (Castor Creek) for Fish Stocking Suitability $3,000.00 Chinook Pheasants Forever Ross Creek Conservation Site Food Plots Planting $3,250.00 Chinook Pheasants Forever Sauder Reservoir Habitat Project $26,970.00 Ducks Unlimited Canada Marshkeeper's - Conservation through Volunteer Empowerment $5,500.00 Edmonton and Area Land Trust Land Stewardship and Monitoring of New Natural Areas in Beaverhills $7,650.00 Biosphere Reserve Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation 2019 Invasive Species Management at Glenbow Ranch $12,400.00 Growing Great Kids Coalition; Family Kids Can Catch with Growing Great Kids $3,000.00 and Community Support Services (FCSS) Town of Hinton H.A. Kostash School H A Kostash School Youth Mentorship Program $8,000.00 Helen Schuler Nature Centre "Extreme by Nature" Environmental Education for 11 to 15-year-olds $3,000.00 Helen Schuler Nature Centre Community Engagement in River Valley Conservation $3,000.00 J.T. Foster School J.T. Foster School Wildlife Education and Recruitment $3,000.00 Legacy Land Trust Society Conservation Community $3,000.00 Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory Avian Monitoring and Outreach Education Programs at Lesser Slave Lake $24,500.00 Society Mountain View County Riparian and Ecological Enhancement Program $25,000.00 Nature Alberta Nature Kids Family Nature Nights and Field Trips Across Alberta $10,400.00 Nature Conservancy of Canada An Integrated Pest Management Strategy for Tackling Non-Native, Noxious $35,000.00 Weeds Across Alberta NE AFGA Fish Habitat Restoration in NE and Central Alberta Lakes $15,000.00 Northern Lights Fly Fishers/ TUC Conserving and Restoring Arctic Grayling in the Upper Pembina River $8,997.00 Edmonton Chapter Watershed - Habitat Restoration Planning Northern Lights Fly Fishers/ TUC Fishery Enhancement - Beaumont $9,250.00 Edmonton Chapter Onoway & District Fish and Game Birdhouses $2,500.00 Association Red Deer County Wildlife and Native Habitat Enhancement in Red Deer County via ALUS (2019) $40,000.00 Red Deer Fish and Game Association Pheasant Pen Replacement Program $14,412.00

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 53 Recipient Project Funding

River of Death and Discovery Junior Palaeontologist II Day Camp $1,980.76 Dinosaur Museum Society (operating as Philip J Currie Dinosaur Museum) River of Death and Discovery Summer Day Camps $1,763.62 Dinosaur Museum Society Safe Drinking Water Foundation Operation Water Drop, Operation Water Pollution and Operation Water Biology $3,825.00 kits to be used by students in Alberta as part of field trips/outdoor education Southern Alberta Bible Camp Archery Program $2,500.00 Southern Alberta Bible Camp Pelletry Program $1,500.00 Spruce Grove Fish and Game Bird/Bat Box Project $2,000.00 Association St. Paul Fish and Game Association Lac Delorme (George's Lake) Access Improvement $5,000.00 Sturgeon School District Environmental Opportunities Enhancement $15,000.00 Taber Fish and Game Association Winter Family Fun Fishing Day $9,528.13 Taber FGA Taber Fish and Game Outdoor Day and Antler Measure $2,500.00 Taber FGA Taber Fish and Game & ACA Youth Fishing Recruitment Day $18,900.00 The Botha School Society Botha School Wildlife Education Program $2,625.00 Town of Cochrane Kids Can Catch 2019 $3,000.00 Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) Stream Rehabilitation Training (SRT) Program $11,900.00 TUC Yellow Fish Road (YFR) and Water Edu-Kit (WEK) $22,310.00 TUC Bringing Back Bull Trout $30,000.00 Waterton Biosphere Reserve Promoting Wetland Stewardship and Improving Wetland Habitat in Waterton $10,856.00 Association Biosphere Reserve Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Weaselhead Invasive Plant Program 2019 $2,500.00 Preservation Society West County Watershed Society 10 Years Later - A Closer Look at Riparian Enhancement Projects in the $22,926.69 Beaverlodge River Watershed Wetaskiwin County Wetaskiwin/Leduc Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) $4,500.00 Wildlife Conservation Society Canada Going to Bat for Bats: Citizen Science in Alberta $29,500.00 Wildlife Preservation Canada Conserving Species-At-Risk Bumble Bees, Associated Bee Communities, and $20,032.00 their Habitats in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park Yellowhead County Kids Can Catch Event $1,700.00 Yellowhead Junior Forest Wardens JFW Regional Camp 2019 $1,200.00 Regional Council Yellowhead Junior Forest Wardens Trailblazer Advanced Camp $2,000.00 Regional Council TOTAL FUNDING ACA CONSERVATION, COMMUNITY, AND $969,634.76 EDUCATION GRANTS

54 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 ACA Research Grants

Recipient Project Funding

Athabasca University Characterizing Arctic grayling distribution and habitat preferences using $15,000.00 environmental DNA Ducks Unlimited Canada Understanding the importance of migratory and breeding habitat selection for $14,600.00 northern Pintails Fiera Biological Consulting Ltd. Quantifying yield impacts and the profitability of wetlands in agricultural cropland $16,800.00 Goldstream Publishing Inc. Using citizen science to enhance fisheries data collection and monitoring $15,000.00 Université de Sherbrooke Evolutionarily sustainable management of bighorn sheep $9,950.00 University of Alberta Chronic Wasting Disease in deer: modeling transmission from contact rates $32,400.00 University of Calgary Assessing the effectiveness of Alberta's walleye regulations to sustain high-quality $14,100.00 fishing opportunities University of Calgary Assessing the capacity of urban wetlands to support biodiversity using amphibian $14,500.00 sentinels University of Lethbridge Ecological epidemiology of emerging Ambystoma tigrinum virus (ATV) in a $6,338.00 population of tiger salamanders in southwestern Alberta University of Lethbridge Contribution of pesticides and climate change to the decline of freshwater mussel $27,000.00 populations in Alberta University of Lethbridge Biodiversity and distribution of cryptic duckweed in species in Alberta $25,000.00 University of Lethbridge Assessing translocation success and implications of greater sage grouse in Alberta $35,000.00 using genetic assignment methods University of Manitoba Effects of oil infrastructure and noise on nest predators in Alberta's grasslands $25,000.00 University of Montana Bull elk recruitment, survival, and harvest in a partially migratory elk herd in the Ya $30,000.00 Ha Tinda University of Saskatchewan Sex-specific responses to climate change in a wild hibernator $22,700.00 Wildlife Conservation Society Evaluating the efficacy of bat boxes for the conservation and recovery of bats $26,000.00 Canada TOTAL FUNDING ACA RESEARCH GRANTS $329,388.00

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 55 2018 ACA Grants in Biodiversity Recipients Syncrude Canada Ltd. continued to support of the ACA Grants in Biodiversity Program with $250,000 commitment over five fiscal years (2019/20 to 2023/24).

Recipient Institution Supervisor(s) Project Title

Carrie Ann Adams University of Erin Bayne and The effects of artificial light at night on habitat use by aerial (PhD) Alberta Colleen Cassady insectivores in Alberta St. Clair Jared Anderson- University of Marko Spasojevic Adapt, move, or go extinct: Will species on the tops of mountains Huxley (PhD) California, Riverside survive climate change? Monica Ayala-Diaz University of Heather Proctor and Division of labour in trematode parasites and its effects on trematode (PhD) Alberta Clement Lagrue ecology Charity Blaney University of Steven Vamosi Impacts on long-toed salamander habitat in southwestern Alberta (MSc) Calgary Lindsey Dewart University of Scott Nielsen and Influence of wolf (Canis lupus) predation on wood bison (Bison bison (MSc) Alberta Mark Edwards athabascae) in the Alberta oilsands Raiany Dias de University of Barb Thomas Patterns and mechanisms driving clone size and gender performance Andrade Silva (PhD) Alberta in trembling aspen in Alberta Justin Dubiel (MSc) University of Steve Wiseman Characterization of the sensitivity of three fish species inhabiting the Lethbridge Alberta Oil Sands Region to PAHs and alkyl PAHs Elène Haave Audet University of Kimberley Mathot Individual differences in information sampling and its correlation with (MSc) Alberta survival in the Blackcapped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) Gabriela Heyer University of Jeffrey Lane Local adaptation in hibernation phenotypes of Columbian Ground (MSc) Saskatchewan Squirrels (Urocitellus columbianus) Sarah Hirtle (MSc) University of Cameron Goater Causes and consequences of multiparasitism in wild and experimental Lethbridge populations of fathead minnows Emily Holden (MSc) University of J.C. Cahill Trait similarity's impacts on plant establishment: General effects Alberta among communities German Lagunas- University of Alan Brelsford Environmental, genetic, and social influences on sex ratio in the Robles (PhD) California, River-side boreal ant Formica podzolica Keon Park (MSc) Western Univer-sity Nusha Keyghobadi The genetic basis of dispersal and recolonization in a butterfly metapopulation Emily Purvis (MSc) University of Paul Galpern The reassembly of plant-pollinator interaction networks following Calgary wetland habitat restoration in Alberta croplands Garrett Rawleigh University of Scott Nielsen Winter responses in wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) to seasonal (MSc) Alberta dynamics in water and factors influencing forage availability in wetlands Jessica Serbu (PhD) University of Vince St. Louis Impacts of rapid glacial melt on downstream river freshwater quality Alberta and food webs in Banff and Jasper National Parks Lee Sutcliffe (MSc) University of Nicola Koper Effects of oil well drilling noise on parental breeding behavior of Manitoba chestnut-collared longspurs (Calcarius ornatus) Molly Tilley (MSc) University of Cameron Goater Life cycle, intra-host development and cons-quences of an emerging Lethbridge new pathogen of minnows in southern Alberta Zoey Zapisocki University of Viktoria Wagner Local adaptation of plains rough fescue (Festuca hallii) to Kentucky (MSc) Alberta bluegrass (Poa pratensis) invasion

56 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 Auditor’s Report

Project: Connectivity Project Photo: ACA, Kelsey Cartwright June 12, 2020 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT Edmonton, Alberta INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT Edmonton, AlbertaJune 12, 2020 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT Edmonton, Alberta To the Members of Alberta Conservation Association To the Members of Alberta Conservation Association Opinion The summaryOpinion financial statements, which compromise the summarized statement of financial position as at March 31, 2020, and the summary statement of operations are derived from the The summary financial statements, which compromise the summarized statement of financial audited financial statements of Alberta Conservation Association for the year ended March 31. position as at March 31, 2020, and the summary statement of operations are derived from the 2020, We expressed a qualified audit opinion on those financial statements in our report dated audited financial statements of Alberta Conservation Association for the year ended March 31. June 12, 2020. 2020, We expressed a qualified audit opinion on those financial statements in our report dated In our opinion,June the 12, accompanying 2020. summarized financial statements are a fair summary of the audited financial statements, on the basis described in Note 1. However, the summary financial In our opinion, the accompanying summarized financial statements are a fair summary of the statements are subject to conditions equivalent to those of the audited financial statements of the audited financial statements, on the basis described in Note 1. However, the summary financial Alberta Conservation Association for the year ended March 31, 2020, upon which we issued a statements are subject to conditions equivalent to those of the audited financial statements of the qualified audit opinion. Alberta Conservation Association for the year ended March 31, 2020, upon which we issued a qualified audit opinion. Summary Financial Statements The summarySummary financial Financial statements Statements do not contain all the disclosures required by Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations. Reading the summary financial statements The summary financial statements do not contain all the disclosures required by Canadian and the auditors reports thereon, therefore is not a substitute for reading the audited financial accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations. Reading the summary financial statements statements and the auditor's report thereon. and the auditors reports thereon, therefore is not a substitute for reading the audited financial statements and the auditor's report thereon. The Audited Financial Statements and Our Report Thereon We expressedThe a Auditedqualified Financialaudit opinion Statements on the auditedand Our financial Report statementsThereon in our report dated June 12, 2020. The basis for our qualified opinion was that, in common with many charitable We expressed a qualified audit opinion on the audited financial statements in our report dated organizations, the Association derives some of its revenue from donations, the completeness of June 12, 2020. The basis for our qualified opinion was that, in common with many charitable which is not susceptible to satisfactory audit verification. Accordingly, our verification of these organizations, the Association derives some of its revenue from donations, the completeness of revenues was limited to the amount recorded in the records of the Association and we were not which is not susceptible to satisfactory audit verification. Accordingly, our verification of these able to determine whether any adjustments might be necessary to contributions, excess of revenues was limited to the amount recorded in the records of the Association and we were not revenue over expenses, current assets and net assets. able to determine whether any adjustments might be necessary to contributions, excess of revenue over expenses, current assets and net assets. Responsibilities of Management for the Summary Financial Statements Management Responsibilitiesis responsible for of theManagement preparation for and the fair Summary presentation Financial of the Statements summary financial statements on the basis described in Note 1. Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the summary financial statements on the basis described in Note 1. Auditor's Responsibilities Our responsibiltyAuditor's is to express Responsibilities an opinion on whether the summary financial statements are a fair summary of the audited financial statements based on our procedures, which were conducted in Our responsibilty is to express an opinion on whether the summary financial statements are a fair accordance with Canadian Auditing Standards (CAS 810), Engagements to Report on Summary summary of the audited financial statements based on our procedures, which were conducted in Financial Statements. accordance with Canadian Auditing Standards (CAS 810), Engagements to Report on Summary Financial Statements.

Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP Chartered Professional Accountants Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP Chartered Professional Accountants 58 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 ALBERTAALBERTA CONSERVA CONSERVATION ATIONSSOCIA ASSOCIATION TION SummarizedSummarized Statement Statement of Operations of Operations Year EndedYear EndedMarch March31, 2020 31, 2020

2020 2020 2019 2019

REVENUEREVENUE Levy, feesLevy and, fees assessments and assessments $ 13,198,056$ 13,198,056$ 13,492,496$ 13,492,496 Partner Partnercontributions contributions 1,985,9751,985,9751,568,6851,568,685 MiscellaneousMiscellaneous 271,940271,940 336,159336,159 June 12, 2020 DonationsDonations 89,646 89,646 103,763103,763 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT Edmonton, Alberta Interest InterestIncome Income 22,537 22,537 14,196 14,196

To the Members of Alberta Conservation Association 15,568,15415,568,15415,515,29915,515,299 Opinion EXPENDITURESEXPENDITURES The summary financial statements, which compromise the summarized statement of financial SalariesSalaries and benefits and benefits 7,639,8237,639,8237,304,5617,304,561 position as at March 31, 2020, and the summary statement of operations are derived from the MaterialsMaterials and supplies and supplies 1,746,9631,746,9631,767,2901,767,290 audited financial statements of Alberta Conservation Association for the year ended March 31. Grants Grants 1,525,4071,525,4072,905,3252,905,325 2020, We expressed a qualified audit opinion on those financial statements in our report dated ContractedContracted services services 1,359,2611,359,2611,719,7591,719,759 June 12, 2020. Rentals Rentals 591,119591,119 496,704496,704 In our opinion, the accompanying summarized financial statements are a fair summary of the AmortizationAmortization 305,124305,124 404,327404,327 audited financial statements, on the basis described in Note 1. However, the summary financial Office Office 299,591299,591 280,597280,597 statements are subject to conditions equivalent to those of the audited financial statements of the Repairs Repairsand maintenance and maintenance 284,474284,474 260,261260,261 Alberta Conservation Association for the year ended March 31, 2020, upon which we issued a AdvertisingAdvertising 233,990233,990 230,649230,649 qualified audit opinion. Travel Travel 231,905231,905 245,098245,098 LandownerLandowner agreements agreements 219,078219,078 199,671199,671 Summary Financial Statements InsuranceInsurance 168,427168,427 157,269157,269 The summary financial statements do not contain all the disclosures required by Canadian Fuel andFuel lubricants and lubricants 166,823166,823 202,847202,847 accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations. Reading the summary financial statements TelephoneTelephone and communications and communications 161,383161,383 169,062169,062 and the auditors reports thereon, therefore is not a substitute for reading the audited financial Utilities Utilities 82,846 82,846 99,197 99,197 statements and the auditor's report thereon. Freight andFreight postage and postage 71,915 71,915 63,638 63,638 Hosting Hostingand conferences and conferences 46,062 46,062 51,109 51,109 The Audited Financial Statements and Our Report Thereon Bank chargesBank charges and interest and interest 40,730 40,730 47,436 47,436 We expressed a qualified audit opinion on the audited financial statements in our report dated TrainingTraining and membership and membership 31,470 31,470 26,269 26,269 June 12, 2020. The basis for our qualified opinion was that, in common with many charitable Fees, licensesFees, licenses and permits and permits 19,500 19,500 26,649 26,649 organizations, the Association derives some of its revenue from donations, the completeness of Interest Intereston loans on loans 7,185 7,185 127,346127,346 which is not susceptible to satisfactory audit verification. Accordingly, our verification of these Bad debtsBad debts - - 41 41 revenues was limited to the amount recorded in the records of the Association and we were not able to determine whether any adjustments might be necessary to contributions, excess of 16,785,10516,785,105 revenue over expenses, current assets and net assets. 15,233,07615,233,076

Responsibilities of Management for the Summary Financial Statements EXCESSEXCESS (DEFICIENCY) (DEFICIENCY) OF REVENUE OF REVENUE OVER EXPENDITURES OVER EXPENDITURES FROM OPERAFROM OPERATIONS TIONS 335,078335,078(1,269,806)(1,269,806) Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the summary financial statements on the basis described in Note 1. OTHER OTHERINCOME INCOME (EXPENDITURES) (EXPENDITURES) InvestmentInvestment Income Income 452,211452,211 464,646464,646 Auditor's Responsibilities Gain on Gainsale ofon investments sale of investments 138,345138,345 241,760241,760 Our responsibilty is to express an opinion on whether the summary financial statements are a fair (Loss) gain(Loss) on gaindisposal on disposal of property of property and equipm and entequipment (13,059)(13,059) 653,571653,571 summary of the audited financial statements based on our procedures, which were conducted in UnrealizedUnrealized loss on investmloss on entsinvestments (917,145)(917,145) (466,273)(466,273) accordance with Canadian Auditing Standards (CAS 810), Engagements to Report on Summary Financial Statements. (339,648)(339,648) 893,704893,704

DEFICIENCYDEFICIENCY OF REVENUE OF REVENUE OVER EXPENDITURES OVER EXPENDITURES $ (4,570)$ (4,570)$ (376,102)$ (376,102)

Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP Chartered Professional Accountants Alberta ConservationAlberta Conservation Association Association Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 page59 2 page 2 ALALBERTABERTA CONSERVACONSERVATIONTION AASSOCIASSOCIATIONTION SummarizedSummarized StatementStatement ofof FinancialFinancial PositionPosition ALBERTAMarchMarchALBERTA CONSERVA 31,31, 20202020 CONSERVATION ATIONSSOCIA ASSOCIATION TION SummarizedALSummarizedBERTA Statement CONSERVA Statement of FinancialTION of A FinancialSSOCIA PositionTION Position March Summarized31,March 2020 31, 2020 Statement of Financial Position 20202020 20192019 March 31, 2020 ASASSETSSETS 2020 2020 2019 2019 CURRENTCURRENT 2020 2019 CashCash $$ 696,851696,851 $$ 714,416714,416 ASSETSASShortShortSETS termterm investmentsinvestments 10,96210,962 10,13210,132 CURRENTASCURRENTSETSAccountsAccounts receivablereceivable 424,347424,347 476,755476,755 CashCURRENT InventoryInventoryCash $ 696,851$ 1,0711,071696,851$ 714,416$ 3,2923,292714,416 Short termCashGoodsGoodsShort investments termandand Services Servicesinvestments TaxTax recoverablerecoverable $ 10,962696,85141,32441,32410,962$ 10,132714,41629,50129,50110,132 AccountsShortPrepaidPrepaidAccounts receivable term expensesexpenses investmentsreceivable 424,347660,476660,47610,962424,347 476,75510,13270,49370,493476,755 InventoryAccountsInventory receivable 1,071424,3471,071 476,7553,292 3,292 1,835,0311,835,031 1,304,5891,304,589 Goods andInventoryGoods Services and Services Tax recoverable Tax recoverable 41,3241,07141,324 29,5013,29229,501 Goods and Services Tax recoverable 41,324 29,501 PrepaidLONGLONG Prepaidexpenses TERMTERM expenses INVESTMENTSINVESTMENTS 660,4765,308,7015,308,701660,476 5,174,3775,174,37770,493 70,493 Prepaid expenses 660,476 70,493 PROPERTYPROPERTY ANDAND EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENT 1,835,03133,337,79433,337,7941,835,0311,304,58932,914,27032,914,2701,304,589 1,835,031 1,304,589 LONG TERMFILMFILMLONG COLLECTION COLLECTIONINVESTMENTS TERM INVESTMENTS 1,549,5771,549,577 5,174,3771,549,5771,549,5775,174,377 LONG TERM INVESTMENTS 5,308,7015,308,7015,308,701 5,174,377 $$ 42,031,10342,031,103 $$ 40,942,81340,942,813 PROPERTYPROPERTYPROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT AND AND EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT 33,337,79433,337,79433,337,79432,914,27032,914,27032,914,270 FILM COLLECTIONFILM COLLECTION 1,549,5771,549,5771,549,5771,549,577 LIAFILMLIABILITIESBILITIES COLLECTION AANDND NETNET AASSETSSSETS 1,549,577 1,549,577 CURRENTCURRENT $ 42,031,103$ 42,031,103$ 42,031,103$ $40,942,81340,942,813$ 40,942,813 BankBank indebtednessindebtedness $$ 20,00020,000 $$ 355,000355,000 AccountsAccounts paypayableable andand accruedaccrued liabilitiesliabilities 1,704,6021,704,602 1,521,6971,521,697 LIABILITIESLIALIASourceBILITIESSourceBILITIES AND deductions deductionsNET A ANDND A NETSSETS NET paypay A SSETSableAableSSETS 82,00382,003 83,16083,160 CURRENTCURRENTCURRENTDeferredDeferred contributionscontributions 4,139,7334,139,733 3,616,3653,616,365 Bank indebtednessBankDepositsDepositsBank indebtedness indebtedness $ $ 20,000$ 20,00033,69033,69020,000$ $ 355,000355,000$13,94613,946355,000 AccountsAccountsAccounts payable pay payandableable accrued and and accrued accruedliabilities liabilities liabilities 1,704,6021,704,6021,704,6021,521,6971,521,6971,521,697 5,980,0285,980,028 5,590,1685,590,168 Source SourcedeductionsSource deductions deductions payable pay payableable 82,00382,00382,003 83,16083,16083,160 DeferredDeferredDeferred contributions contributions contributions 4,139,7334,139,7334,139,7333,616,3653,616,3653,616,365 NETNETDeposits ASSETSASSETS 33,690 13,946 DepositsInvestedInvestedDeposits inin propertyproperty andand equipmequipmentent 34,887,37134,887,37133,690 33,690 34,463,84734,463,84713,946 13,946 InternallyInternally restrictedrestricted 5,980,028443,349443,349 5,590,168243,349243,349 UnrestrictedUnrestricted 5,980,028720,355720,3555,980,0285,590,168645,449645,4495,590,168 NET ASSETS NET ASSETSNETInvested ASSETS in property and equipment 36,051,07534,887,37136,051,075 34,463,84735,352,64535,352,645 InvestedInternallyInvested in property restricted in property and equipm andent equipment 34,887,371443,34934,887,37134,463,847243,34934,463,847 InternallyUnrestrictedInternally restricted restricted $$ 42,031,103443,34942,031,103720,355443,349$$ 40,942,81340,942,813243,349645,449243,349 UnrestrictedUnrestricted 720,355720,355 645,449645,449 36,051,075 35,352,645 36,051,07536,051,07535,352,64535,352,645 $ 42,031,103 $ 40,942,813 $ 42,031,103$ 42,031,103$ 40,942,813$ 40,942,813

ONON BEHABEHALFLF OFOF THETHE BOABOARDRD BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Note 1) ______DirectorDirector Management is responsible for the preparation of the summary financial statements. The summary financial statements are comprised ON______BEHALF OF THE BOARD DirectorDirector of the summary statement of financial position and the summary statement of operations, and do not include any other schedules, a ON BEHAONLF BEHA OF THELF OF BOA THERD BOARD ______Director summary of significant accounting policies or the notes to the financial AlbertaAlberta ConservationConservation AssociationAssociation pagepage 33 statements. The summary statement of financial position and the ______Director Director ______Director summary statement of operations are presented with the same amounts as the audited financial statements, but all note referencing ______Director Director Alberta Conservation Association has been removed. page 3

Alberta ConservationAlberta60 ConservationAlberta Association Conservation Association Association – Annual Report 2019/20 page 3 page 3 Financial Highlights

of total revenue. These funds effort by staff to reduce expenditures, Summarized came from a variety of donors, 2019/20 ended in an operational Financial Statements including individuals, corporations, surplus of $335,078 (revenue minus granting foundations, the federal expenses); however, the addition of In 2019/20, ACA received government, and other conservation realized and unrealized losses and $13,198,056 in levy revenue from organizations. Total revenue of gain from investments resulted in an hunting and angling licences, $16,271,154, means ACA was accounting deficit $4,570 at year end. representing a decrease of $294,440 able to leverage levy dollars an from the previous year. In 2019/20 additional 23.3% for conservation fishing license sales decreased Revenue by Source activities. This does not include 8,700 contributing $160,000 of the Approximately 18.9% of ACA’s total increased dollar leveraging that decrease in levy revenue. In addition revenue was generated from non-levy has occurred as a result of grants to the decline in fishing licenses, sources ($3,073,098). This decrease provided to third-party conservation hunting licenses, specifically wildlife from the previous year is largely organizations. certificates and deer licenses, due to the lower land purchases contributed to the decline in levy and donations. Miscellaneous and revenue. The overall decrease in Expenditures by Program Interest Income are made up of a levy funds forced management Often stakeholders want to variety of revenue sources, these and all ACA staff to review project determine what funds are being include, reimbursement by AEP expenditures and engage in cost directed towards their particular for Predator Compensation, Raffle reduction and spend management passion. When examining the Ticket Sales for various ACA events, wherever possible in an effort to Expenditures by Program, the registration for Waterfowl Warmup mitigate an operational deficit. numbers shown are somewhat and Taber Pheasant Festival. Interest arbitrary and do not necessarily Income is a result of the bank Despite the financial challenges represent all projects that may balances and is directly available for faced by ACA in 2019/20, our staff relate to a particular program operating activities. Land donations were still able to complete a wide area. For instance, fisheries access and purchases added approximately range of projects and provide sites, which are directly related to 429.70 acres (excludes Timber Ridge substantial leverage to the levy funds increasing angling opportunities, land purchase completed April 2020) we received. Together, our Wildlife, are administered, and budgeted to ACA’s conserved lands, for future Fisheries, Land Management, for under our Land Management generations to use, value, and enjoy. Communications, Grants, Program instead of the Fisheries Predator Compensation, Shot Program. Granting is shown Livestock and RAP Programs had 2019/20 Overview separately even though it relates to expenditures totalling $12,320,141, • Total revenue of $16,271,154 all four resource areas. plus an additional $703,000 in • Received $13,198,056 from levies on 2019/20 Wildlife program land purchases and donations (for hunting and fishing licences. accounting purposes, these funds expenditures include the AEP are recorded as assets, not direct Chronic Wasting Disease project, • Received $3,073,098 in non-levy revenue. operational expenditures). Total where ACA paid all employees on • Applied 98.7% of levy value directly expenditures for the year (includes behalf of AEP. The project cost towards the conservation of Alberta’s Land Purchases and Donations) included under Wildlife is $326,954, wildlife, fish, and habitats. were $13,023,141 resulting in with a resulting full partner • Administration costs kept to 7.0%% of approximately 98.7% of the levy contribution of the same value. total expenditures. value collected being directly Administration costs (7.0% of invested back into conserving expenditures) continue to be • Current year operational surplus is Alberta’s resources. well below the federal guideline $335,078, which is a direct reflection of cost restraint and an innovative approach ACA received approximately for charitable organizations and to project management by all ACA staff. $3,073,098 in non-levy revenue includes areas such as regional and (including $703,000 in land corporate administration. donations and funds for land 2019/20 ended in an unbudgeted purchase), representing 18.9% surplus. As a result of significant

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 61 Revenue by Source

Total Percentage of Revenue Dollars 50.10% Hunting 8,152,790

31.00% Fishing 5,045,266

12.20% Partner 1,981,164

4.30% Land purchases/donations 703,000

2.40% Other 388,934

TOTAL 16,271,154

Expenditures by Program Levy Partner Total Percentage of Dollars Expenditures 26.70% Wildlife Program 3,081,411 1,169,312 4,250,723

15.60% Fisheries Program 2,131,390 361,946 2,493,336

14.30% Land Program 1,974,102 298,899 2,273,000

9.50% Grant Program 1,470,258 50,000 1,520,258

8.30% Communications 1,229,109 100,306 1,329,414

7.00% Administration 1,112,300 ‐ 1,112,300

4.40% Land purchases/donations - 703,000 703,000

3.60% Finance 566,818 701 567,520

3.20% Information Technology 504,489 ‐ 504,489

2.20% Business Development 343,059 ‐ 343,059

1.90% Human Resources 98,430 ‐ 298,430

1.60% Livestock Compensation Programs 132,856 120,039 252,894

1.30% Report A Poacher 200,514 - 200,514

0.50% Health and Safety 87,136 ‐ 87,136

TOTAL 13,131,873 2,804,203 15,936,075

62 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 Corporate Partners in Conservation

Alberta Conservation Association wishes to thank our Corporate Partners in Conservation who have provided multi-year financial contributions in support our conservation programs and projects. Together we are conserving Alberta’s natural heritage for generations to come.

Abacus Datagraphics Ltd. Mercer Peace River Pulp Ltd. AltaLink Mountain View County Aquality Environmental Consulting Ltd. Northern Sunrise County Backroad Mapbooks Natura Drain Products Beretta/Benelli/Tikka/Sako Nutrien Cabela’s Canada Outdoor Fund Saddle Hills County Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Shell Canada Limited Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows Sinopec Canada Ltd. Canadian Natural Resources Limited Southern Alberta Bowhunters Association Canadian Tire – Cochrane St. Mary’s River Irrigation District Can West Legacy Inc. Suncor Energy Capital Power Syncrude Canada Ltd. CCI Inc. SysGen Solutions Group Ltd. City of Fort Saskatchewan Taber Irrigation District City of Medicine Hat TeraGo Networks ConocoPhillips Canada Resources Corp. Thompson-Pallister Bait Company Ltd. County of Cardston Thorhild County County of Warner Tourmaline Oil Cycle Works Motorsports Town of Cochrane Dow Chemical Canada ULC Town of Taber Edmonton Trout Fishing Club TransAlta Generation Partnership EQUS West Fraser Mills Ltd. Foster Park Brokers WiBand Communications Holiday Inn Calgary MacLeod Trail South Wolf Midstream HUVAN Construction Yeti Roughrider Rentals Ltd. Inter Pipeline Ltd. Korth Group MacFarlane Pheasants Inc. Martin Motor Sports Matrix Solutions Inc. Municipal District of Greenview

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2019/20 63 TE P RA AR O T P N R E

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#101, 9 Chippewa Road, Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 6J7 Tel: 780-410-1999 • Fax: 780-464-0990 • Toll Free: 1-877-969-9091 ab-conservation.com reportapoacher.com