Annual Report 2018/19

Our People. Our Culture. 2018/19 Snapshot

• Filled four permanent positions. • Trappers provided 986 marten Two out of the four positions were skulls harvested over winter and, past seasonal staff. We also hired using a refined technique, they nine seasonal employees to work were able to accurately detect for the summer field season and juveniles from adults measuring filled two temporary positions for tooth age with similar consistency the 2019/2020 fiscal year. as laboratory results. • We are pleased to recognize 17 • 106,090 twenty-cm long trout companies that are either new (95,250 rainbow, 5,000 brown, Corporate Partners In Conservation and 5,840 brook trout) were or have renewed/increased their stocked into 63 ponds in regions ongoing support for ACA programs of the province where angling and projects. opportunities are limited. • 45,000 copies of the Alberta • 1,038 anglers were interviewed Discover Guide were delivered during angler surveys, and an in January 2019, featuring 789 additional 1,097 were counted conservation sites (including Ducks during 44 flights. Unlimited Canada and Alberta Fish • Added 3 new conservation sites, and Game Association sites). The totalling 918 ac (371 ha) with guide is a free annual publication a land value of approximately that provides outdoor enthusiasts $2,100,000. with a list and description of conservation sites that can be • Currently managing 32 Landowner accessed for hunting, fishing, Habitat Program Agreements, hiking, and more. conserving 5,737 ac (2,321 ha) of wildlife and fish habitat. • Finished the year with 18,788 Facebook followers, 5,883 • 2,876 calls about suspected Twitter followers, 460 YouTube illegal activity – reporting fish subscribers, and 67,457 subscribers and wildlife resource crimes. As to our e-newsletter. a result, 499 charges were laid and $73,100 in rewards were paid • 2,198 adults and children came to individuals whose call and out to fish at Kids Can Catch information led to charges. events, involving 100 corporate • Funded 79 and 17 projects through Alberta Conservation Association and community event partners. Communications provided event ACA Conservation, Community, 101 – 9 Chippewa Road and Education and ACA Research Sherwood Park, AB T8A 6J7 support and promotion across the province to local community grants, respectively, totalling Tel: 780-410-1999 approximately $1.3 million. Toll free: 1-877-969-9091 organizers. Fax: 780-464-0990 • 115 kids learned about needs of E-mail: [email protected] pheasants through the 4-H Raise This document is available online at: and Release Program. They raised ab-conservation.com/publications 5,950 pheasants from day-old chicks and released adult birds Charitable Registration Number: into suitable habitat. 88994 6141 RR0001 Annual Report 2018/19

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 Our Mission Health and Safety...... 10 ACA conserves, protects, and Human Resources...... 10 enhances fish and wildlife Information Technology...... 11 populations and their habitats for Albertans to enjoy, value, and use. Business Development...... 13

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 Photo: Provincial Snake Hibernaculum Survey. Photo: ACA, Mike Jokinen Board of Directors 2018/19 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 Randy Collins – Alberta Fish and Game Association Jeana Schuurman – Alberta Professional Outfitters Society Dr. Brian Joubert – Nature Alberta Michael Perkins – Pheasants Forever Fred Calverly – Trout Unlimited Canada Dr. Mark Boyce – ACA/University of Alberta Chair in Fisheries and Wildlife Dr. Lee Foote – Public At Large, Academic Representative Brian Bildson – Public At Large, Business Representative Ken Ambrock – Northern Alberta Board Liaison Richard Stamp – Public At Large, Southern Region Chuck Priestley – Public At Large, Northeast Region Travis Ripley – Minister’s Representative, Alberta Environment and Parks Matthew Mellon – Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta Tom Bateman – Director Emeritus Todd Zimmerling – ACA Administration, President and CEO

Member Groups

4 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 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) Wildlife, Fisheries, and AHEIA Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association Land Management program AJSG Alberta Justice and Solicitor General biologists work on projects around AOP Annual Operating Plan the province to ensure that wildlife, fish, and their habitats flourish. ATA Alberta Trappers’ Association ACA is a non-profit organization cm centimetre dedicated to conserving, CN Canadian National Railway protecting, and enhancing these COR Certificate of Recognition elements for Albertans to enjoy, CPIC Corporate Partners in Conservation 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 h hour as outlined in the Wildlife Act ha hectare and defined in a Memorandum HLP Habitat Legacy Partnership of Understanding (MOU) with HSP Habitat Stewardship Program Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP). In our role as a DAO, HUC Hydraulic Unit Code results from our population IT Information Technology studies, surveys and assessments km kilometre feed directly into AEP management LHP Landowner Habitat Program plans and can form the basis for MD Municipal District fishing and hunting regulation changes and evaluations of new MOU Memorandum of Understanding management strategies. 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 2018/19 5 Photo: ACA, Jason Blackburn Message from the Chairman

It gives me a great deal of pleasure and pride to endorse Alberta Conservation Association’s 2018-2019 Annual Report. When I read through and consider all that has been accomplished this year by ACA staff and partners I can confidently speak for the entire board of directors when I say, “job well done!” The breadth and scope of the conservation work undertaken and completed this year is truly impressive, and when one takes into consideration that we are currently dealing with a funding shortfall it makes this year’s effort all that more extraordinary. Much of the credit is due to ACA’s staff, and their ability to be creative and cost-effective in meeting our conservation objectives. This requires a significant buy in across the board, and I must give credit where credit is due, our President and CEO Todd Zimmerling and his management team have done an outstanding job. In this year of fiscal realities, when more must be done with less, there is another factor at play that is front and centre in every initiative. Whether it be the Information, Education, and Communications; Wildlife; Fisheries; or Land Management programs, the word that stands out is “partnership.” The ability of this organization, which includes our member groups and corporate sponsors, to pool resources provided by the outdoor community and leverage a continuous stream of efficient, cost-effective, and high-yielding conservation initiatives and research is an accomplishment the conservation community can be proud of. Moving forward, we will stay the course and strive to find new opportunities to engage the people of Alberta and expand the conservation research and management objectives forward, seeking new partnership opportunities in more remote areas northern Alberta and with our Indigenous communities. It is also our collective desire to strengthen the relationship with our government partners by moving forward with clear objectives and purpose for the benefit of all Albertans and the resources we work so hard to sustain. My congratulations to all and best of luck for the fall season. Yours in conservation,

Bill Abercrombie

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 7 Photo: ACA, Charmaine Brunes President and CEO’s Message

The 2018-19 fiscal year was yet another successful year for ACA. Yes, there were some challenges, dealing with funding shortfalls, but as per usual, ACA staff stepped up and ensured the work still got done. Once again, this year our member groups, stakeholders, and corporate partners played an integral role in ACA’s success. Because of our partnerships, we were able to complete a large number of conservation projects across the province. ACA staff are great at what they do, but they know the success of their efforts is multiplied when we partner on a project with shared resources, funding and knowledge. In addition, our staff find that working with partners significantly increases the level of understanding our stakeholders have with respect to the work we do, because our stakeholders are involved. This year’s Annual Report highlights a wide range of projects completed and what has been achieved. To name a few: almost 2,200 people participated in numerous Kids Can Catch events across the province, involving 100 corporate and community partners; approximately 28,000 pheasant roosters were released through the provincial program; over 51, 000 acres of ranch lands were assessed for habitat conservation; 1,200 yellow perch were stocked in Fort Saskatchewan’s Fort Lions Community Fish Pond; over 1,000 anglers were interviewed during creel surveys; 83 sites were sampled for eDNA to determine the presence of Prussian carp; and 918 acres of land were purchased and permanently conserved for future generations. Not only are our projects interesting, they impact and enhance Alberta’s landscape. I encourage you to take your time reading the project descriptions to better understand the allocation of your levy funds. For more details, the annual project summaries are posted and updated on our website. If you still have questions, please contact me directly; If I don’t have the answers, I will find someone who does. Open, honest and transparent is what we strive for and I believe it is what you—our stakeholder—should expect. As I finish writing this letter, I can see the clouds clearing away and what looks to be a beautiful day developing. Given our relatively short summer, I think I will set some time aside this evening to take the family on a quick trip to our favourite fishing spot and enjoy the wonderful outdoor resources we have in this province. No matter where you are and what you are doing, I encourage you to set some time aside to enjoy a summer evening with your family.

Sincerely,

Todd Zimmerling President and CEO Alberta Conservation Association

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 9 Our People. Our Culture.

Photo: ACA, Scott Seward

implemented as required. This approach thanks to the following individuals Health and Safety ensures our program meets or exceeds who achieved significant Years of Whether in the office or out in the requirements of external reviews such Service milestones: the field, health and safety is a as the Certificate of Recognition (COR) 20 Years of Service key element in today’s workplace. program, and more importantly creates ACA’s health and safety program a healthy and safe work environment for Margaret Neufeld, Paul Jones was established, and is continually everyone. 15 Years of Service maintained and improved, to • Annual ACA Employee Survey showed the provide the necessary tools for our majority of staff feel ACA’s safety forms and Corey Rasmussen, Mike Uchikura staff to work in a manner that meets documents are easy to access, understand, 10 Years of Service and exceeds Alberta Occupational and use, and that the ACA Health and Safety Colin Eyo, Don Myhre Health and Safety standards. The Committee is responsive to safety feedback end goal is always that everyone and communicates information and updates 5 Years of Service working on ACA projects goes in a timely and efficient manner. Charisma Villa, Lee Moltzahn, home safe. • Continued emphasis on ensuring all aspects Lenore Seward, Rickie Hunt, All workers (employees, contractors, of ACA’s Health and Safety program are Scott Seward volunteers, visitors, etc.) are required integrated into daily staff operations as to comply with ACA’s Health and easily and effectively as possible. 2018/19 Overview Safety program in order to protect Employee Survey themselves and others, which creates a safer and healthier work Human Resources • 97.3% of employees agree they are environment. ACA completes many conservation satisfied with ACA as a place to work—a projects over considerable territory tremendous accomplishment. 2018/19 Overview each year, thanks in large part to our • 94.5% of employees are satisfied with having a good work-life balance. This is very • Low number of overall incidents (all minor) 84 permanent staff and numerous important to our organization as ACA has a with substantial decrease in minor injuries seasonal staff. It’s not just about culture that values work-life balance. requiring first aid as compared to the hiring talent; it’s about keeping previous year. people and helping them grow and • 92% are satisfied with ACA’s benefit plan. stay committed over the long term. This is a 9% increase from the previous year. • Developed the Health and Safety Annual Here at ACA, we recognize that ACA did a market analysis of the plan to Review which summarizes the yearly our most valuable resource is our ensure we are receiving the best value for functioning of the ACA Health and Safety entire team of employees, who work our benefits. program to ensure all incidents were together diligently to accomplish our appropriately addressed and corrected. • 82.2% are satisfied with the whole goals each year. The overall system of ongoing recording, compensation package available to them. monitoring, and auditing our work Numerous employees reached work This has increased by 8.7% from the processes and practices throughout the year anniversary milestones this year. previous year. was also reviewed and improvements were We extend our congratulations and

10 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 Employee Retention efficiencies and provide strong Negotiated contracts with Internet and phone suppliers provided • Staff turnover stayed steady at 4.8%. systems to support the work of our teams. significant savings this year. Our • We had our fourth retiree this year. Len technology partner agreed to a With changes in the workforce and Peleshok was with the organization for 10 three-year funding arrangement in digital technology, it is essential years—another testament that ACA has to strengthen our partnership and for staff to access files from within worked hard to keep employees engaged and continue to provide 24/7 helpdesk the office or out in the field and to happy while working for the organization. support to our staff. The team is work on projects in conjunction continuing to look for ways to find with other researchers almost Career Fairs cost savings, increase efficiency, • Attended two career fairs at the University anywhere in the province. The IT and improve service to our staff and of Lethbridge and University of Alberta. team is committed to support this external partners. collaboration. We consult with These fairs provided excellent opportunities staff, talk with partners, and meet to introduce ourselves and inform new 2018/19 Overview with experts in the field to develop graduates about career options available systems that ensure staff can • Continued improving staff access by moving at ACA. focus on their work using efficient to a blend of remote access, on-premise, and Recruitment processes. cloud-based structure, which allows staff We continue striving to hire people who Work continued this year on our to work across the province and collaborate are qualified and also the best fit for the long-range plan for technology. with external resources as required. organization. Finding that person who fits Mobile access continues to be our • Negotiated IT support, Internet, and with the ACA culture is part of the top priority as our needs change telephone provider services for significant over time and we require increased recruitment process. cost reduction and increased partner access from remote field sites. We • Filled four permanent positions. Two out revenue. continued with improvements of the four positions were past seasonal to budgeting systems, ensuring • Accessed expertise by using targeted staff. We also hired nine seasonal compliance with employment laws consultants to increase the timing and employees to work for the summer field and better detail for managing effectiveness of IT solutions. IT staff season and filled two temporary positions our human resources allocated are actively involved in planning and for the 2019/2020 fiscal year. to projects. Several new reports delivering the systems they oversee and Professional Development give staff access to the detail they maintain, which creates an environment of need to plan more efficiently and accountability and strong customer support. Giving employees the tools they need to monitor their projects’ progress succeed continues to be a priority for ACA. over the year. Staff are evaluating • Continued updating and improving systems We recognize that ongoing leadership, team hardware solutions that will stretch to provide better and more consistent building, and interpersonal training and capital investment dollars further online access for staff. The main system support is vital to individual growth and for annual evergreening. The IT improvement was customization to the success. This year, we decided to provide team discussed our priorities with Manpower system to include overtime in-house support for training in these areas management to ensure alignment calculations based on new employment as a timely and cost-effective resource for all with all other resource and law. Our goal is to streamline system entry staff. We are developing in-house coaching functional areas. This collaboration to make an efficient and user-friendly talent to provide support in soft-skill training allows the team to better anticipate environment for staff, whether they are and coaching to help staff reach their full and meet needs as they arise. entering data or retrieving information for potential. From empowering leadership skills The Internet phone system was monitoring the progress of their projects. to conflict resolution, staff have quick access expanded to include our Rocky • Completed expansion of a new phone to the training and support they want and Mountain House office this year. system to the Rocky Mountain House office need, whether to advance their career or as a Features include the ability to have that will expand over time to remaining refresher to sharpen existing skills. voicemail emailed to staff, call locations. This Internet-based system allows forwarding to multiple devices, and for better communication company-wide, remote access through Internet or and will eliminate individual systems in Information cellular service. This phone system Technology will be expanded to include the regional offices. remaining ACA offices and will • Assisted resource staff in developing easier The management and ease of access allow calls to be moved around the data collection from Alberta trappers. The to systems and databases continues province. This advances us toward new system provides online entry of logbook to be a focus for Information our “offices without walls” goal data and gives trappers vital information on Technology (IT). IT is committed to allow consistent and company- their industry’s activities. to discovering and implementing wide access regardless of physical solutions that increase operational location.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 11 Photo: ACA, Charmaine Brunes Business Development

ACA partners with many Alberta corporations (big and small), 2018/19 Overview municipalities, and community organizations that sponsor, donate, and otherwise support our conservation work and values. These partnerships are • We are pleased to recognize 17 companies integral to helping us achieve the annual goals of our four main conservation that are either new CPICs or have renewed/increased their ongoing support programs: Fisheries; Wildlife; Land Management; and Information, for ACA programs and projects: Education, and Communications. Over the past few years, we have also seen –– Backroad Mapbooks a dramatic increase in support for our growing number of events. In 2018/19, these events continued engaging and teaching people about conservation in –– Beretta/Benelli/Tikka/Sako communities across Alberta. (Stoeger Canada Ltd.) –– Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Many of our partnerships are formally recognized in our Corporate Partners –– City of Medicine Hat in Conservation (CPIC) program, which provides unique opportunities –– ConocoPhillips Canada Resources Corp. for businesses, municipalities, and organizations to be directly connected to ACA’s conservation work. Our CPIC participants benefit from ACA’s –– County of Warner promotion of these partnerships and can directly promote their affiliation –– Covenant Health with us through their own communications as well. –– Dow Chemical Canada –– Holiday Inn Calgary MacLeod Trail South Business Development also generates additional revenue through advertising sales, which supports our communications activities on television, radio, –– HUVAN Construction online, and via our in-house publications, Conservation Magazine and the –– Municipal District of Greenview Alberta Discover Guide. –– Natura Drain Products –– Nutrien – Redwater –– Saddle Hills County –– Shell Canada Limited –– Taber Irrigation District –– Thorhild County

Kids Can Catch Event Photo: ACA, Ken Kranrod

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 13 Photo: ACA, Charmaine Brunes Our Conservation Programs

• In partnership with Hunting for Alberta Discover Guide Information, Tomorrow and Alberta Hunter Education TheAlberta Discover Guide is Instructors’ Association (AHEIA), the Education, and a free, annual publication that Wildlife Identification Number (WIN) Card Communications provides outdoor enthusiasts with Reimbursement Program supports the a list of conservation sites that can Program recruitment of young hunters. Over 1,700 be accessed primarily for hunting, information packages were sent to youth fishing, and hiking. Boat launch Making sure that conservation who completed the hunter education and wheelchair accessibility icons awareness is a part of Albertans’ course. A total of 380 youth returned the have been added for the 2019 issue. diverse lifestyles—and valued by reimbursement form. The sites are private land owned by the province’s corporate sectors and ACA or its conservation partners, communities—is a cornerstone of • Supported the Wildlife, Fisheries, and or public land that is managed by ACA’s success and Alberta’s future. Land Management Resource Programs ACA on behalf of the Crown. All Our Communications resource with visual communications, on-demand sites are available for public use and program’s primary role is to do just design, and media services such as have been made available through that. Engaging the public and our regional advertising, site signage, and conservation efforts by ACA and stakeholders through multimedia social media. its partners. platforms and events creates The publication is a major project for • In total, 2,198 adults and children came ACA’s Information, Education, and awareness of conservation on out to fish at Kids Can Catch events, today’s landscape, and strengthens Communications Program and is involving 100 corporate and community designed and formatted within this partnerships and understanding. event partners. Communications program. Advertising is coordinated We tell the story of ACA’s ongoing provided event support and promotion and produced free of charge for ACA commitment not only to Albertans, across the province to local community member groups. Editorial content is but also to our magnificent province’s organizers. developed and written in house. The wildlife, fish, and habitat. communications team coordinates • In 2018/19 we ran peregrine cameras at 6 print production and updates and 2018/19 Overview locations in Edmonton—the Bell Tower, maintains the subscription database. the University of Alberta, Genesee Power For 2018/19, we printed 45,000 • 45,000 copies of the Alberta Discover Guide Plant, the Misericordia Hospital, Nutrien, copies of the guide to mail out to were delivered in January 2019, featuring and the Weber Centre—and we live- subscribers and to distribute at trade 789 conservation sites (including Ducks streamed the video through our website. shows and to hunting and fishing Unlimited Canada [DUC] and Alberta Fish licence retailers across Alberta. The and Game Association [AFGA] sites). The • The Taber Pheasant Festival celebrated guide is also available online and as guide is a free annual publication that its 8th year in 2018. The week-long an app. provides outdoor enthusiasts with a list event pursues a number of objectives: Partnerships and description of conservation sites introducing novice hunters to upland Advertisers, Alberta Fish & Game that can be accessed for hunting, fishing, game bird hunting, introducing hunting Association and affiliated clubs, hiking, and more. from a field-to-plate perspective for Ducks Unlimited Canada the non-hunting population, providing • Harvest Your Own campaign and website passionate pheasant hunters an Alberta Discover Guide App continued to promote hunting to the opportunity to hunt on 40 reserved locavore culture as an alternative option sites, showcasing how hunting has TheAlberta Discover Guide app is to source food. This ongoing investment positive impacts on local economies, another way to access information is important to maintaining engagement and connecting with local landholders about the conservation sites in the Alberta Discover Guide. It gives and education of both non-consumers to discuss potential habitat projects to outdoor enthusiasts even more and consumers of wild game. enhance wildlife and pheasant habitat. options, whether they’re pursuing • 13,000 subscribers received Conservation • In 2018/19, ACA had 18,788 followers hunting or angling opportunities or looking for an off-the-beaten- Magazine thanks to the combined on Facebook, 5,883 on Twitter, 2,572 on track hiking or foraging adventure. Instagram, 460 YouTube subscribers, and efforts of writers, editors, biologists and The app also provides ACA with designers. The publication is produced 67,457 subscribers to our e-newsletter. a platform for advertising content biannually and highlights ACA projects from ACA’s stakeholders and other and topics about conservation. organizations and businesses

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 15 focused on fishing, hunting, and In 2018/19 we printed a combined members, and staff. In its initial year, conservation. In 2018/19, around 30,000 copies, including articles ACA designed and developed free- 2,783 Android users and 2,772 iOS about the important balance standing displays and custom digital users downloaded between conservation and production to highlight the issue of the app. agriculture, how fish and wildlife snow geese overabundance. Annual Operating Plan officers benefit Alberta, the truth Partnerships about rattlesnakes, and what Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum Our Annual Operating Plan conservation looks like in urban (AOP) informs Albertans and our settings. The total number of Emerging Issues stakeholders and partners about the subscribers now exceeds 13,000. ACA must be able to provide projects we are undertaking within Partnerships the current fiscal year and how communications services in support Alberta Environment and Parks, revenue is directed to our resource of our resource programs’ planned Ducks Unlimited Canada, Nature program areas. The 2018/19 AOP was project requirements, but we also Conservancy of Canada, Shell provided to the board in a timely respond to communications needs Canada Limited, Syncrude Canada fashion for approval and posted on that arise as projects develop. Ltd., TransAlta Corporation our website at the beginning of the We provide services in design, fiscal year. copywriting, photography, editing, Conservation Site Signs print production, and digital Annual Report Each conservation site has branded media to ACA’s executive, our signage to recognize our partners, Business Development and Human Our Annual Report lets stakeholders provide wayfinding for users, Resources teams, and our member know how ACA has used funding, and notify users of restrictions groups. On-demand requests for what conservation outcomes have on the site. Our Information, communications support include, but been achieved, and how ACA has Education, and Communications are not limited to, aeration updates performed relative to its stated goals. program works with our Land (social and digital media), aeration TheAnnual Report for 2017/18 was Management, Fisheries, and signage (print media), pheasant provided to the board in a timely Wildlife programs to produce signs release site updates (social and fashion for approval, and it was for conservation sites and their digital media), digital presentation posted on our website by September boundaries, fisheries access sites, editing and photography, drone 2018. The annual summaries were pheasant release sites, recreational footage documentation, and content successfully coordinated, edited, and opportunity enhancement sites, development for donation campaigns then posted on our website by April thin-ice areas (warnings), and (print and digital media). 30, 2018. interpretive trails. In 2018/19, Conservation Magazine we produced eight conservation Final Report Series site signs, six ACA fish stocking Our Fisheries and Wildlife Resource Conservation Magazine is a free, signs, four riparian conservation Programs are responsible for biannual publication produced by site signs, two landowner habitat submitting reports every year on the ACA that highlights the projects and signs, two fisheries access signs, projects they have been working on work we and our member groups are two recreational opportunity to describe the findings of the work. doing in Alberta, discusses topical enhancement signs, and various Communications is responsible for conservation issues, and bridges other signs. editing, proofing, and formatting an understanding between the these reports and making sure hunting and angling communities Philip J. Currie Dinosaur they are available to the public and larger conservation community. Museum/Conservation and our stakeholders and partners The magazine helps increase ACA’s Education Room through our website and the Alberta profile in Alberta and is used as Government Library. Four Wildlife a tool by some of our program The Conservation Education reports and four Fisheries reports areas (Fisheries, Wildlife, Land Room at the Currie Museum is an were completed for 2018/19; at Management, and Business opportunity to provide education least five others are in progress for Development) to reach out to outreach within an existing tourist 2019/20. potential donors and partners. The and education programming magazine is delivered to subscribers destination. ACA has signed a General Advertising and distributed at trade shows and five-year MOU to lease available events. It is also available in digital space and provide annual exhibits Advertising is key to achieving format on ACA’s website. profiling contemporary conservation a number of long-term goals challenges. Expanding the outreach within the Strategic Business Plan. will be a speaker series generated Primarily these are as follows: through ACA member groups, board 1) to increase public recognition

16 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 Conservation Education Room Display Photo: ACA, Colin Eyo of the ACA brand; 2) to create over $1 million into conservation and the Wildlife, Fisheries, and Land conservation awareness by building work in Alberta through the grants. Management Resource Programs. positive profiles of hunting, fishing, Since its initiation in 2002/03, we Working with program managers, and trapping; and 3) to develop have awarded just over $18 million to regional managers, and project leads, corporate partnerships. Project/ 1,178 projects. Communications ensures ACA event promotional advertising programs and projects receive the engages various audience targets Harvest Your Own media and materials needed for their and supports ACA public brand Alberta is one of the few success. recognition while the “It’s an Alberta jurisdictions in North America Thing” campaign is a direct approach seeing a growth in the number Kids Can Catch Program for establishing relationships with of hunters. This increase is often Kids Can Catch is a province-wide stakeholders that is non-government attributed to an interest in organic program in which ACA partners and contemporary. This is significant and local food, and hunting as a with community and corporate to maintain conservation as valuable way to actively and ethically source partners to create free family to today’s varied priorities and your own protein. New hunters, in fishing events at lakes and ponds. cultures. particular men, women and youth We developed Kids Can Catch as from urban areas, may not have a Some ACA programs, projects, and a way to invite Albertans to fish at network of family and friends to help events supported by advertising stocked and natural waterbodies them learn to hunt. Harvest Your included Report A Poacher (RAP), and to hook new and young anglers Own aims to provide new hunters Alberta Discover Guide, ACA Fish on fishing, fish conservation, and with timely and relevant content Stocking project, Taber Pheasant responsible angling. In 2018/19, Kids that will help them get started and Festival, peregrine cameras, CPIC Can Catch events across Alberta have success in the field and kitchen. Program, ACA/4-H Pheasant Raise welcomed 2,198 adults and children In 2018/19, Harvest Your Own and Release Program, and Kids Can and 100 organizations, partners, Catch Program. increased its social media audience to 2,665 Facebook followers, 433 and sponsors. The program was Grants Fund Annual Report Instagram followers, and 192 Twitter expanded to new events and new followers. counties. The flagship Wabamun The aim of theGrants Fund Annual Lake Kids Can Catch event was Report is to document the grant fund Internal Communications unfortunately cancelled due to procedures and provide an overview weather. of activities and results of projects Needs Program Sponsors financially supported through Our Information, Education, and ACA grants (the Conservation, Communications Program provides AltaLink Corporation, Backroad Community, and Education Grants creative and technical services to the Mapbooks, Dow Chemical Canada and the ACA Research Grants) each President & CEO, Human Resources, fiscal year. ACA annually funnels and Business Development teams;

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 17 Kids Can Catch Event, Wabamun Photo: ACA, Rhianna Wrubleski

Event Organizers, Partners, and Edmonton Old Timers Fishing Association; Quantum Canada; Sponsors Club; Edmonton Trout Fishing Riverrunner Recreation Ltd.; Absolute Safety Management Inc.; Club; First Five Forever Coalition River Valley Alliance; Saddle Hills Alberta Agriculture and Forestry; for Early Childhood Development; County; Safari Club International Alberta Environment and Parks; Fort Saskatchewan Fish and Game – Red Deer Chapter; Servus Credit Alberta Fish and Game Association; Association; Fort Saskatchewan Union – Wabamun; Shakespeare® Alberta Fish and Wildlife Lions Club; Fort Saskatchewan – Pure Fishing Inc.; Slave Lake Enforcement Branch; ATB Financial: Naturalist Society; Fountain Tire RCMP; Slave Lake Rod & Gun Club; Cochrane and Stony Plain; Barrow – Lacombe; Golby Hardware and Slave Lake Volunteer Firefighters; Safety Services Inc. – Hinton; Bass Sports; Good Dogs Food Vending; Smoky Trout Farm Limited; Stony Pro Shops – Rocky View; Berkley; Grimshaw and District Agricultural Plain Fish & Game Association Big Sky Flies & Jigs; Brooks and Society; Hinton Fish and Game and Wabamun Gun Club; Superfly County of Newell Early Childhood Association; Hinton Growing International; Taber Fish and Game Development Coalition; Brooks Fire Great Kids Coalition; IGA – Taber; Association; Thompson-Pallister Department; Cabela’s Edmonton Indominus Sports Ltd. – Edson; Bait Co. Ltd.; Town of Beaumont; South and North Stores; Cabela’s JobSite Workwear; JumpStart™; Town of Cochrane; Town of Canada Outdoor Fund; Canadian Kiwanis Club of Taber; Lacombe Coronation; Town of Gibbons; Town National Railway; Canadian Tire: Fish and Game Association; Lamont of Hinton; Town of Provost; Town Brooks, Cochrane, Hinton, Peace Fish and Game Association; Lesser of Stettler; Town of Taber; TransAlta River, and Slave Lake; Central Slave Lake Forest Education Society; Corporation; Vibrook Vacuum Alberta Co-op Ltd.; City of Fort Lesser Slave Lake Search and Rescue; & Septic Service Ltd.; Village of Saskatchewan; City of Lacombe; Lesser Slave Watershed Council; Wabamun; Wabamun & District Cochrane Family & Community Lesser Slave Regional Fire Service; Chamber of Commerce; Walleye Support Services; Co-op Community Lifesaving Society-Alberta; Night Master Tackle & Bait Ltd.; Wolverine Spaces; Coronation Elks; Coronation Owls Citizens on Patrol Society; Guns & Tackle; Yellowhead County Family Foods; Coronation Family Northern Lights Fly Fishers; & Community Support Services; Paintearth Economic Partners Media Releases County of Grande Prairie; County Society; Parkland County; Pita Media releases inform television, of Newell; County of Paintearth; Pit – Brooks; Prairie Parent Link; radio, and print media sources about D & M Concrete Products; Provost & District Fish and Game events, new conservation sites, and

18 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 other important information in resources available from AEP. In Warmup plaque on display at ACA’s hopes that they might be announced 2018/19, views of the peregrine pages office in Sherwood Park. Winning to a bigger audience. Nine media on our website accounted for 47% of team members also received an releases were sent out in 2018/19. web traffic. individual trophy and prize bags to take home. Online Advertising The project was also expanded to include two ferruginous hawk nests Project sponsor We use online advertising to monitored by trail cameras. Roughrider International Ltd. increase public awareness of ACA Partnerships Partnerships and our initiatives. By developing Aspen Properties, Capital Power, American Bridge Canada, advertising campaigns, often based Nutrien, TeraGo, TransAlta, Beaverhill Sporting Clays, Brad on seasonal initiatives, we can University of Alberta, WiBand Fenson Outdoors, Canadian greatly increase our exposure to Tire Wetaskiwin (Winchester the public. We ran five campaigns Social Media & Browning), Delta Waterfowl, through Google Ads, resulting in Direct Horizontal Drilling Inc., 53,276 impressions and 6,310 clicks. Social media allows ACA to Ducks Unlimited Canada, Fisher We also ran 89 promotions through connect with, inform, and grow Marketing/Stoeger Canada (Benelli, Facebook advertising, resulting our audiences. By using Facebook, Beretta & Franchi), Kingston Ross in 490 additional followers, 5,722 Twitter, Instagram, Constant Pasnak LLP, Maverick Inspection clicks, and 662 comments. Contact, and YouTube, we can tell Ltd., Nature Conservancy of Canada, our followers about our projects, The Practical Goose Hunter Other Publications share news about upcoming events, Caring for Shorelines is an existing and respond to questions and Website Maintenance watershed resource that had become comments about conservation in and Development outdated and was to be rewritten Alberta. In 2018/19, we gained 2,375 and republished in 2016. Nature new Facebook followers (18,788 ACA’s website provides an accessible Alberta approached ACA and AEP total), 714 new Twitter followers gateway to information about our to combine resources and expertise (5,883 total), 885 new Instagram work using current technology to produce a more robust riparian followers (2,572 total), and 71 new to engage users. It is perhaps the resource for the public within YouTube Subscribers (460 total). primary platform we use to work their Living Edge program. ACA We also send the Constant Contact toward increasing our profile in Alberta, one of the long-term goals took the lead role in redesign and e-newsletter to 67,457 subscribers. content development. Concepts for of ACA’s ten-year Strategic Business the publication were developed and Stakeholder Communications Plan. There were about 634,644 page views of our website in 2018/19. approved, content was proofed and To foster positive business vetted through AEP resources, and relationships and partnerships WIN Card Reimbursements ACA printed and delivered 1,000 in conservation sectors, ACA In partnership with Hunting for units of the publication in December promotes projects and events for our Tomorrow and AHEIA, the WIN 2018. stakeholders and member groups Card Reimbursement Program Partnerships whenever possible. This support supports the recruitment of young Alberta Environment and Parks, might appear as an advertisement people into hunting. The project Nature Alberta in Conservation Magazine, a post gives ACA and our member groups in social media, or a design for a a way to connect with new hunters Peregrine Cameras conservation site sign. when they purchase their first The peregrine cameras provide a Waterfowl Warmup WIN card. In 2018/19, over 1,700 bird’s-eye view into the daily lives information packages were sent to of peregrine falcons as they fight Waterfowl Warmup is a fundraiser youth who completed the hunter for mates and territory, catch food, in support of the RAP Program. education course. A total of 380 and raise their young. In 2018/19 Proceeds from the event help us youth returned the reimbursement we ran cameras at six locations in share more information about form. Edmonton—the Bell Tower, the responsible hunting and angling Partnerships University of Alberta, Genesee with the public and the negative Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Power Plant, the Misericordia impacts of poaching. Twenty-one Association, Hunting for Tomorrow Hospital, Nutrien, and the Weber teams participated in Waterfowl Centre—and we live-streamed the Warmup. Last year’s winning team video to our website. The cameras successfully defended their title. The draw attention to this species and to winning team name and members’ other species at risk initiatives and names were added to the Waterfowl

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 19 Photo: ACA, Amanda MacDonald 2018/19 Overview • Assisted Alberta Trappers’ Association (ATA) Wildlife Program to develop logbooks to record fur harvest and • 600+ hunters registered to use the new The Annual Report provides a an approach to track population trends for Capital Power pheasant release site west of window into more than two dozen marten with these data. Edmonton. wildlife projects. Hunters and • Trappers spent an average of 186 hours on • 28,173 male pheasants were released on 42 trappers are important stakeholders trapping-related activities during the year. sites, increasing hunting opportunities from and much of our effort leans toward On average, trappers set 34 marten traps, Medicine Hat to Peace River. improving habitat and opportunity catching one marten for every 142 trap nights for the sustainable harvest of • 45 km of fencing was established around of effort. game and furbearing species. Even Ridge Reservoir to separate agricultural • Trappers provided 986 marten skulls habitat restoration designed to activity from riparian habitat over the past 5 harvested over winter and, using a refined benefit species at risk almost always years. 25 off-site water units were installed technique, they were able to accurately detect has direct benefits for huntable to shift cattle away from sensitive riparian species as well—after all, everyone zones. juveniles from adults measuring tooth age with similar consistency as laboratory results. shares the same land. Restoring • 386 ac have been restored and reseeded wildlife habitat involves long- to perennial wildlife habitat around Ridge • Two peer-reviewed manuscripts on wolverine term vision and finding common Reservoir. We still have an additional 200 conservation were accepted for publication. ground with custodians of the ac to go! The first describes ecological knowledge of land. We’re building relationships trappers relating to wolverines, while the • MOUs signed with 2 irrigation districts to with the agricultural community, second characterizes wolverine dens in the improve water quality and increase the municipalities, grazing reserves, lowland boreal forest of northcentral Alberta. amount of high value wildlife habitat around irrigation districts, and many 21 reservoirs. These reservoirs will become • 997 observations of pronghorn were reported stakeholder groups to find that hotspots for gamebirds and ungulates in by 136 volunteers via the Pronghorn Xing app common ground and work toward a coming years. (road crossing). 13 pronghorn were reported sustainable future for wildlife. dead along roads. • Autumn gamebird counts were lower than New this year, but stemming average and the lowest observed for grey • 45 km of wildlife-friendly fencing was from previous work, is the Species partridge (“huns”) since initiating surveys in completed together with AFGA. In total, Habitat Assessments and Ranching 2012. Spring partridge pair counts at Enchant 406 km of fencing has been enhanced and Partnerships (SHARP) habitat Farm were down as well, although they were an additional 32 km of page wire has been project in central Alberta, where still 10 times greater than counts at control removed since the partnership began. we’ll partner with ranchers and sites. • 115 kids learned about needs of pheasants mixed farms to improve wildlife • 90 ac was seeded back to native grass, and through the 4-H Raise and Release Program. habitat. This is a natural progression then hand-planted with 2,000 needle and They raised 5,950 pheasants from day-old from our work with producers thread plugs on the Silver Sage Conservation chicks and released adult birds into suitable through MULTISAR and has Site. habitat. already led to partnerships with two producers in the coming year. • 3 km of wildlife-friendly fencing was installed • We held a workshop with 4-H kids to discuss on a ranch to prevent cattle from accessing the important habitat resources for pheasants sensitive riparian areas. in Alberta. • Assessments were completed on 7 ranches to • 58 km of gravel shoreline habitat for piping identity opportunities for improving wildlife plover has been restored since 2002, with the habitat and cattle management. majority considered critical breeding habitat.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 21 ACA/4-H Pheasant Raise and Alberta Wildlife Status Partnerships Release Program Reports Alberta Environment and Parks Pheasants were first introduced ACA and AEP produce Alberta Alberta Volunteer Amphibian into Alberta in 1908 by a group Wildlife Status Reports for wild Monitoring Program of recreational enthusiasts to species that are believed to be enhance upland game bird hunting declining in our province. These Volunteers have been playing a crucial role in wildlife conservation opportunities. Now, more than reports are the essential first step for a efforts for many years. Vast datasets 100 years later, the tradition species to have its status assessed, and collected through long-established continues as ACA partners with they play a key role in identifying programs like the North American stakeholders to improve upland Endangered and Threatened species Breeding Bird Survey, or more recent hunting opportunities in Alberta. that need legal protection and programs such as eBird, would not Changes in agricultural practices recovery actions to keep them from becoming extinct or extirpated in exist without their efforts. Individuals and the conversion of native prairie who volunteer with ACA can develop Alberta. Each status report into cropland have dramatically skills and gain knowledge related to summarizes the information needed modified the landscape to the point conservation and, at the same time, for assessing a species’ status: where it where native game birds are nearly increase our capacity to deliver lives, the specific habitat it requires, eliminated from areas dedicated to conservation initiatives. In 2018/19, its population size and whether it is cropland. Provided the correct suite 36 participants from the Alberta stable/increasing/declining, factors of habitat features nearby, pheasants Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring preventing the species from thriving can adapt to areas predominately Program submitted 83 amphibian in Alberta, and what work has been used for cropland. In 2014, we and 24 reptile observations, including done or is ongoing to manage the initiated a new partnership with locations of two snake hibernacula species in Alberta. A committee of 4-H Alberta by offering them the (dens). These data represented 90% of Alberta-based scientists compares the opportunity to raise pheasants from the amphibian and 56% of the reptile information in each status report to day-old chicks to adult birds for species native to the province. Data internationally set thresholds (e.g., for release. This year, we had 115 4-H collected by volunteers provide a population size) and recommends a members who successfully raised better understanding of the status for the species. Using 5,950 hen and rooster pheasants distribution and status of Alberta’s international criteria and thresholds amphibians and reptiles and provide and released the birds into suitable ensures the status assessment process upland habitat. In addition to the valuable information for land-use is as unbiased as possible. The status planning efforts. These partnerships 4-H members, other interest groups recommended by the scientists is and volunteer relationships are including private landowners, subsequently scrutinized by an examples of how ACA can work with AFGAs, and Scouts Canada groups Alberta-based multi-stakeholder a network of enthusiastic volunteers also received the opportunity to committee (the Endangered Species to positively impact conservation. raise pheasants from day-old chicks. Conservation Committee). Composed Partnerships We did not record how many birds of land managers, academic Alberta Environment and Parks, were successfully raised and released institutions, conservation groups, and Parks Canada from these interest groups as they industry, the committee provides its are free to do what they want with recommendation on a species’ status Connectivity Project their birds. We held a workshop for to the Minister of AEP. The ultimate participants to provide guidance decision on status designation (e.g., To mitigate the effects of habitat loss on pheasant husbandry and to Endangered, Threatened) is made by and fragmentation, well-coordinated discuss habitat features important the Minister. In 2018/19, we continued partnerships with many stakeholders for improving the odds of pheasant our work on two reports: McCown’s are needed to re-establish habitat survival in Alberta. longspur (Rhynchophanes mccownii) and connectivity across the land. We meet with boards of Partnerships and western wood-pewee (Contopus sordidulus). We also published the directors for municipalities, 4-H Alberta, Alberta Environment prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus) irrigations districts, and grazing and Parks, Calgary Fish and Game update, which was reviewed by reserves to better understand Association, ConocoPhillips Canada their operations and discuss the Alberta’s Endangered Species Resources Corp., Innisfree & habitat needs of various wildlife. Conservation Committee. ACA plays District Fish and Game Association, We work together to identify and a key role in assessing the status of Lethbridge Fish and Game map habitat enhancements that Alberta’s species at risk through our Association, MacFarlane Pheasants can dovetail into their operations involvement with the Alberta Wildlife Inc., private donations, Wheatland while benefitting wildlife and also Status Report series. Conservation & Wildlife Association improving other parameters such as

22 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 water quality, vegetative stands for Amphibian Monitoring Using certain species that occur in either grazing, access to water for grazing, Environmental DNA lower densities or have tadpoles social licensing, and recreational with schooling behaviour that may access. In 2018, ACA assessed the Environmental DNA, or eDNA, result in patchy distribution of their health of the riparian zones on refers to the DNA organisms leave eDNA in a pond. The water filtration three reservoirs within the Taber behind or shed as they pass through technique was as good as field Irrigation District and developed the environment. DNA technology surveys for confirming the presence a plan to enhance areas needing has evolved to allow researchers of boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas), improvement. An early first step was to detect DNA signatures from wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus), designing and then contributing material such as mucus, feces, urine, and boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris materials toward 2.5 km of fencing or sloughed skin that is naturally maculata) at the ponds sampled; to protect a sensitive riparian zone contained within pond water and whereas detection was lower using on Fincastle Reservoir. We also aquatic sediment. We have worked aquatic sediment at 78%. These signed an MOU with St. Mary River towards a reliable method of results indicate eDNA sampling can Irrigation District (SMRID) with the detecting amphibians using eDNA. be an effective alternative to more overarching goal of improving water The first phase of this work involved traditional amphibian monitoring quality and wildlife habitat. a master’s degree project developing methods. an approach for detecting three The first phase will include Partnerships amphibians in water and aquatic developing a comprehensive habitat Alberta Environment and Parks, sediment samples. The second conservation strategy that will Shell Canada Limited, Washington phase involved partnering with State University – Caren Goldberg assess the health of the vegetation Washington State University to community around 18 reservoirs further refine and evaluate water Enchant Farm Project over the next three years. This will and aquatic sediment sampling include range, riparian, and wildlife We have a long-term working methods. In 2018, we adjusted our assessments on 10,000 acres of land relationship with Enchant Farm eDNA sampling methods to ensure spanning more than 360 km of to evaluate approaches for re- more complete coverage of study establishing vibrant upland game shoreline habitat. ponds so that target species were bird densities while maintaining Partnerships more fully represented in the set of a profitable farming operation. St. Mary River Irrigation District, samples collected. This new strategy We also monitor a range of non- Taber Irrigation District improved our ability to detect target species to assess how these

Photo: ACA, Sam Vriend

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 23 treatments impact biodiversity farm. We seeded an annual mix of number of pheasants on the farm. (amphibians and songbirds). We sorghum/millet and a perennial From our collared pheasant and trial enhancements that focus brood mix along side new shrub partridges, both species hatched eggs on improving habitat features rows. Winter was prolonged and this spring. important for nesting, brood rearing, severe with snowpack covering the Partnerships and winter survival of pheasants farm from late November 2017 to Cedarglen Homes, Stamp Seeds and grey partridge (Perdix perdix). mid-May 2018. Excessive flooding This includes approaches within from spring runoff occurred over Working with Alberta’s the crop, the juxtaposition of crop the broad landscape The density of types and rotation, harvest methods, partridge pairs decreased from 187 Trappers to Monitor field edge improvements, water pairs in spring 2017 (35.2 pairs/km2) Furbearer Population Trends management and wetlands, and to 137 (25.2 pairs/km2) in spring We were asked to assist AEP and trialling seed mixes important for 2018. Autumn densities also had ATA with a pilot project to develop chick survival. In 2018, we trialled a dramatic decrease in partridge logbooks for trappers to record a tall edge sorghum/millet mix and numbers from 1,087 in October information about their trapping brood rearing mix with a blend of 2017 to 315 in 2018. Also due to activities and fur harvesting results. flowering plants. The landowner the cumulative effects of a long, After completing revisions to the planted 6.6 km of additional shrub cold winter with heavy snowfall, logbook for 2017/18 and a concerted rows (seven rows using 7,225 shrubs) and a late, wet spring, ACA saw an communication effort, the number to increase territorial space on the approximate 80% reduction in the of logbooks submitted increased tenfold from the previous year. Trappers spent an average of 186 hours on trapping-related activities during the year, with 42% of that time dedicated to setting and checking traps. On average, trappers set 34 marten traps for about 53 days, catching one marten for every 142 trap nights of effort. We compared age class estimation provided by trappers, who used a skull muscle development method, to results provided by a laboratory based on tooth analysis. Overall, there was no difference between the trapper and laboratory age counts. However, trappers were more accurate with their male classification than female. Our results suggest that with additional training and exposure to a larger number of skulls, trappers can produce accurate counts for both sexes as well. Partnerships Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta Trappers’ Association Habitat Legacy Partnership Upland game birds are valued for their showy colours, breeding displays, and long history in Alberta’s hunting tradition. Farming practices around the world have changed significantly over the past 50 years, with an ever-increasing Project: ACA/4-H Pheasant Raise and economic pressure to maximize Release Program yield. Some of these practices have Photo: Annette Maayen altered the resources important for pheasants, grey partridge, and

24 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus and wildlife. We reassessed five of Alberta. In 2018, we collaborated phasianellus), making their ranches previously surveyed in with ranchers and completed four outcomes less stable. The Habitat 2012 and 2013, totalling 61,119 Habitat Conservation Strategies Legacy Partnership (HLP) works acres. We completed 186 range covering 51,485 acres. We partnered collaboratively with farmers, health assessments, 32 tame pasture with seven producers on eight ranchers, and conservation groups health assessments, eight detailed enhancements, including portable to improve habitat and hunting transects, and eight riparian wind breaks to be used on uplands opportunity for upland game birds. assessments. In total, we had 3,003 to prevent the need for cattle to We meet with private landowners wildlife observations. We saw an access riparian habitat, hawk-pole to better understand their farming increase in range health: 66% of sites installation, portable watering operations and discuss habitat were in the healthy categories, as unit, upland winter waterer, and needs. We work together to identify compared to 62% during the baseline fencing for riparian protection. We and map habitat enhancements assessment. We also saw a decline in identified 176 different species on that can dovetail into their long- unhealthy range sites to 5% of sites, these four ranches, including 47 term farm plans. We also engage versus 9% during original baseline that are considered Endangered, the public in a variety of ways to assessments. In 2018 we completed Threatened, or Special Concern. raise the profile of upland game nine new habitat enhancements In all, we observed 6,022 species. birds and highlight strategies to on five ranches and continued On these same four ranches, benefit pheasants and grey partridge work on one other enhancement we also conducted 248 detailed on a working landscape. Public initiated in previous years. These range transects, 296 range health engagement activities include enhancements include native grass assessments, 28 tame pasture presentations at landowner advisory restoration, wildlife-friendly fencing, assessments, three forest health workshops, stakeholder meetings, tree protection, portable watering assessments, and 21 riparian health novice shoots, public presentations, units, and upland watering sites. assessments. Long-term relationships and distribution of information These improvements not only benefit built on mutual respect and trust booklets. In 2018, we continued species at risk habitat, but also between conservation groups and maintenance on more than 20,000 provide benefits to upland game landowners is key to our success. shrubs, including many berry- birds and ungulates, maintaining the It has allowed us to collaborate bearing species, to provide a reliable recreational opportunities that these with producers and implement food source and create winter cover large ranches provide. Emphasizing enhancements on close to 123,876 for upland game birds. We planted this is the recent addition of roughly acres since the project started an additional 300 shrubs to improve 46,000 acres (from a long-time working with producers in 2016. an already existing shelterbelt. We MULTISAR participant) into the Our work has benefitted roughly 80 producers thus far, with producers cost-shared the materials of a 2 km Land Management Program’s working on another 66,140 acres fence that will be installed to protect Recreational Opportunity expressing interest for 2019. an existing habitat enhancement. Enhancement project. The HLP project is gaining Partnerships recognition as a collaborative habitat Partnerships Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta development opportunity for private Alberta Environment and Parks, Environment and Parks, Canadian landowners. Government of Canada, landholders, Cattlemen’s Association, Canadian Milk River Watershed Council Partnerships Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, Canada, Prairie Conservation Landowners Cows and Fish – Alberta Riparian Forum Habitat Management Society, MULTISAR – Milk River Government of Canada, landholders, MULTISAR – South Prairie Conservation Forum ACA and MULTISAR, focus Saskatchewan on the conservation of multiple species at risk at the landscape Numerous species at risk occur MULTISAR – Taber level that promotes stewardship in the southern part of Alberta, Habitat loss is often a key through voluntary participation often overlapping with agricultural contributor to species population of landholders on both Crown landscapes. Existing management declines. Activities such as habitat and private lands. The program practices on these lands is what has modification, road building, is a collaborative effort between allowed these species to persist, but expanding agricultural practices landholders, ACA, AEP, and Prairie there are also many opportunities and wetland/riparian alterations Conservation Forum (PCF). Our on these (and adjoining) lands to can result in habitat loss and primary goal is to collaboratively further enhance habitat quality for negatively impact wildlife species. develop plans to benefit multiple species at risk. ACA and MULTISAR As the amount of undisturbed land species; these plans are then work collaboratively with multiple continues to dwindle, it becomes implemented through habitat partners to increase, maintain, and increasingly important to consider enhancement activities that benefit improve habitat for species at risk how our practices modify the land both the farm or ranch operation within the Grassland Natural Region and what we can do to mitigate

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 25 these changes before species become increased to 26,000 in both 2016 and and distribution, and help us guide at risk. The MULTISAR – Taber 2017, and then to 28,173 in 2018. We habitat improvement activities. We project focuses on maintaining and developed a webpage that shows a surveyed 35 waterbodies and found enhancing habitat for species outside map and directions to all the sites 75 adults on 16 lakes, with ten or of the key focal areas for species to make this hunting opportunity more adults on three of these lakes. at risk and within the Municipal more accessible. We operated 42 We detected one breeding pair on District (MD) of Taber. Our focal release sites in 2018 including one the gravel nesting area we created species include prairie rattlesnake new site, Capital Power, west of in 2015; the second consecutive year and sharp-tailed grouse, although Edmonton. We worked with five breeding activity had been recorded enhancements will benefit other AFGA clubs in southern Alberta, on this habitat. We improved over 5 species as well. In 2018, we helped whose members played a key km of shoreline habitat through the re-establish native shrubs on the role with the weekly release of implementation of seasonal grazing East Hays Conservation Site to pheasants (6,040 total) at 23 sites to reduce the encroachment of from Medicine Hat to Cardston. We enhance sharp-tailed grouse habitat, vegetation that impairs this habitat also partnered with 4-H families as well as direct cattle away from for plovers. Since large-scale recovery and the Peace Wapiti Fish and riparian zones by installing watering efforts began in 2002, we have Game Association, who collectively units. We delivered presentations to improved over 58 km of shoreline raised 1,173 male pheasants for managers and landholders within habitat, with the majority of critical release sites in the northwest. We the MD of Taber discussing habitat piping plover habitat being protected contracted MacFarlane Pheasants or improved through fencing. needs for grouse and rattlesnakes. to release birds three times per We continue to foster long-term week at the remaining 17 sites (n Partnerships relationships with the ranching and = 20,960 pheasants). MacFarlane Alberta Environment and Parks, broader agricultural community to housed these birds in a holding Department of National Defence, benefit wildlife habitat within this facility near Strathmore. Birds were Government of Canada, landowners region. released at more northern sites Partnerships beginning September 1 for nine Pronghorn – Grassland Alberta Environment and Parks, weeks, while releases at southern Indicator sites corresponded with the later Government of Canada, landholders, opening day for pheasants beginning The Northern Sagebrush Steppe Municipal District of Taber October 15. The program has been (NSS) is the northern terminus of Pheasant Release Program well received with annual positive sagebrush steppe and grassland feedback from hundreds of hunters. habitats and is also the northern Upland game bird hunting has a range limit for a variety of species. long-standing tradition in Alberta. Partnerships 4-H Alberta, Capital Power, Through multiple anthropogenic After the introduction of the pressures, native prairie continues Chinese ring-necked pheasant in Cardston Fish and Game being converted and fragmented the early 1900s, wild populations Association, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Fort Macleod Fish and across the region, resulting in established in select areas of Game Association, Lethbridge Fish southern Alberta. To accommodate increased stress on wildlife and Game Association, MacFarlane the high demand for hunting populations and overall ecosystem Pheasants, Medicine Hat Fish and opportunities, the Government function. For wildlife species in this Game Association, Peace Wapiti Fish of Alberta started a hatchery in system, maintaining connectivity and Game Association, Picture Butte 1945 and created the Provincial between seasonal ranges and Fish and Game Association Pheasant Release Sites Program, core habitats is vital in mitigating which saw thousands of hatchery- environmental and anthropogenic raised pheasants released onto the Piping Plover Recovery pressures. Because pronghorn landscape each fall. In more recent Program (Antilocapra americana) are well- years, the hatchery was privatized Piping plovers are small, stubby- distributed across the landscape, due to government cutbacks, and billed Endangered shorebirds that move and operate at large landscape finally closed in 2013. However, a nest and feed along gravel beaches. scales, are sensitive to both small group of keen hunters formed They face a number of threats, environmental and anthropogenic Upland Birds of Alberta and agreed including high rates of predation pressures, and are highly regarded to run the release program in and damage to their nesting and in public perception, we hypothesize 2013. ACA agreed to take over the feeding habitat. We work with that they can serve as an umbrella release program for the 2014 season, landowners across east-central and with the overall aim to provide southern Alberta to improve habitat for other sagebrush steppe and greater hunting opportunity for and promote awareness of the plight grassland species at the periphery all Albertans. We released 17,080 of the piping plover. Each year, we of their range. We used resource- male pheasants for the fall hunting also conduct piping plover counts selection function models to predict season in 2014 and increased this on key breeding lakes that allow multi-scale pronghorn seasonal number to 25,000 in 2015. The total us to monitor population numbers (summer/winter) range across the

26 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 Project: MULTISAR – Milk River Photo: ACA, Kandra Forbes

NSS, which provided spatial outputs information will be disseminated movements and making them of both multi-scale seasonal range to stakeholders, wildlife managers, susceptible to predation. Pronghorn habitats for pronghorn. These and conservation groups to support may cross under fences in some seasonal ranges were overlaid efforts to restore and conserve locations, but barbs located on using GIS with seasonal range and movement patterns and grassland the bottom strand of fence lines migration pathway maps for sage habitats. strip hair off their back and cause lacerations, making them vulnerable grouse, as well as core habitats for Partnerships grassland birds and waterfowl to to infection and frostbite. A Alberta Environment and assess which species or guild is the solution is to modify the fences Parks, Montana Department of most appropriate umbrella species by replacing the bottom wire with Transportation, National Fish and for the NSS. We published a paper double-stranded smooth wire and comparing the migration pathways Wildlife Foundation, National moving it up to 46 cm; however, this and proportion of pathway overlap Wildlife Federation, Sagebrush is an expensive, labour-intensive between pronghorn and sage grouse, Science Initiative (a collaboration initiative. To help alleviate this and another paper identifying the between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife problem, AFGA initiated a project hazards fences pose for wildlife and Service and Western Association in 2009, with ACA and volunteers the need for greater attention to of Fish and Wildlife Agencies), providing on-the-ground assistance. the effects fences have on wildlife Sage Grouse Initiative, The Nature In 2018/19, we completed two and ecosystems. Both papers were Conservancy, University of Montana fencing projects with AFGA, where published in Biological Conservation. we modified 26 km of barbed A draft manuscript on the effects Pronghorn Fence Crossing wire fence. Continued support of of fences on the resource selection Enhancement the program by ACA is greatly appreciated by AFGA. by pronghorn is currently under There is an extremely high density review. Lastly, we continue to work of barbed wire fences in southeast Partnerships on the assessment of pronghorn Alberta. These fence lines pose Alberta Environment and Parks, as an indicator species for a suite a serious barrier to movement Alberta Fish and Game Association, of grassland species. As results National Fish and Wildlife within the pronghorn migration from our work become available, Foundation corridor, slowing down pronghorn

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 27 Photo: ACA, Jason Headley

Pronghorn Movement and visual barriers and therefore do not Pronghorn Road Crossing Enhancement (Fence Trials) impact the movement across fences Enhancement by pronghorn, mule deer, or white- Having evolved on the wide- tailed deer. We also determined Among the diversity of prairie open prairies of North America, that when successfully crossing a wildlife, the pronghorn is the most pronghorn did not develop an fence, all three ungulates did so by specialized and representative large instinct to jump over obstacles. predominately crawling under the mammal. Within the NSS of Alberta, The proliferation of fencing that bottom wire. As results become Saskatchewan, and Montana, followed cattle ranching since the available, we will disseminate our 55% of collared pronghorn made 1880s now poses a serious barrier to conclusions to stakeholders, wildlife seasonal migrations from summer pronghorn movement. Pronghorn managers, and conservation groups. ranges to winter ranges. Along the may cross under fence lines in some migration pathway, pronghorn must locations, but it slows down their Partnerships navigate their way across primary movement, which makes them Alberta Environment and Parks, and secondary highways that are susceptible to predators and often Alberta Fish & Game Association, often fenced on both sides, resulting strips hair off their back, causing Bushnell Corporation, Cabela’s in pinch points where animals pile lacerations and making them Inc., Canadian Forces Base up. These pinch points along the vulnerable to infection and frostbite. Suffield, Montana Department of migration pathway are a formidable We evaluated fence modifications Transportation, National Fish and challenge for migrating pronghorn. proposed for sage-grouse and Wildlife Foundation, National To address this migration challenge, ungulates and the potential impact Wildlife Federation, Safari a citizen science project called these modifications might have Club International – Northern Pronghorn Xing was initiated in on pronghorn and deer fence Alberta Chapter (Hunting the spring of 2017. Pronghorn Xing crossing success. We determined Heritage Fund), TD Friends of the is an app that helps increase public that sage-grouse reflectors and Environment Foundation, The engagement in pronghorn science white polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Nature Conservancy, University of and conservation throughout pipe on the top wire do not act as Montana, World Wildlife Fund the NSS. Information on wildlife

28 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 sightings collected by the public shorelands and riparian areas. first completing in-depth range will enable us to better understand This restoration translates into the and riparian health assessments, where pronghorn and other wildlife creation of vital wildlife habitat that along with baseline wildlife surveys. are commonly crossing, involved also filters nutrients and reduces We evaluate range and riparian in collisions, or staging next to the erosion. Approximately $2.2 million health and look for areas that highway. To date, 136 individuals has been raised and invested to date. need improvement, and balance have signed up for Pronghorn Xing Thus far we’ve installed 45 km of these with the needs of targeted and reported at least one observation fencing to protect shoreland and species (e.g., sharp-tailed grouse, via the app. As expected, most riparian habitat. Twenty-five off- ruffed grouse, or species groups observations of pronghorn were site water units have been installed like amphibians and waterfowl), beside the road, as animals pile up to move cattle away from fragile while also balancing the plan in key locations and are selective riparian zones. We have planted with the long-term objectives of as to when they cross the road. approximately 30,000 shrubs and the ranching operation. Mutually Ultimately, we believe the program seeded 386 acres back into perennial agreed-upon solutions are adopted will create support in Alberta for wildlife habitat. A large 6.18-acre and integrated into these strategies the construction of an overpass(es) wetland was developed on the with priorities listed along with a across Highway 1 and the west end of the reservoir that acts monitoring plan to assess progress. identification of crossing sites along as a huge filter for nutrients as The first ranches participating in secondary highways (e.g., Highway well as an attraction for wildlife. the project are located in the North 41) where fence modifications Approximately 16 acres was hayed Saskatchewan River watershed, with can be installed to facilitate easier on the west end of the reservoir to hopes to expand into portions of movement by pronghorn and other reduce litter load and decrease fire the Athabasca and Peace regions ungulates. hazard. in future years. In 2018/19, we secured funding for the SHARP Partnerships Partnerships project until spring 2022 and signed Alberta Environment and Alberta Environment and Parks, Letters of Intent to work with Parks, Alberta Transportation, Alberta Fish & Game Association three landowners on properties Miistakis Institute, National Zone 1, County of Warner, totaling ~16,000 acres. Long-term Wildlife Federation, National David Bissett, Irrican Power, relationships built on mutual respect Fish and Wildlife Foundation, landowners, Lethbridge Fish and and trust between conservation Nature Conservancy of Canada, Game Association, Magrath Rod groups and landowners are the Saskatchewan Ministry of and Gun Club, New Dayton Rod key to effective, on-the-ground Environment, Saskatchewan and Gun Club, Pheasants Forever conservation efforts. Government Insurance – Calgary Chapter, Raymond Irrigation District, Southern Alberta Partnerships Ridge Reservoir Habitat Bowhunters Association, St. Mary Alberta Environment and Parks, Project River Irrigation District, Taber Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Irrigation District landholders The Milk River Ridge Reservoir Water Quality Stewardship Initiative Species Habitat Assessments Provincial Snake is a multi-year collaborative Hibernaculum Survey initiative in the County of Warner. and Ranching Partnerships The stewardship initiative is overseen The SHARP project is a voluntary In collaboration with AEP, we and managed by a working group— collaborative project designed initiated the first year of a two-year AEP, ACA, and the County of to help improve the quality provincial snake hibernaculum (den) survey in 2018/19. We assessed snake Warner—whose actions are guided and quantity of wildlife habitat activity at known red-side garter by terms of reference. The initiative available. The objective is to snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), plains consists of nine segments around make wildlife conservation garter snake (Thamnophis radix) and the Waterton-St. Mary headworks straightforward and cost-effective wandering garter snake (Thamnophis inlet canal and along the shorelands for producers through education elegans) hibernacula (i.e., refuge, of the Milk River Ridge Reservoir. and cost-sharing agreements for shelter), using simple visual These segments are predominantly habitat enhancements. A Habitat encounters surveys. We focused our focused on provincial Crown Conservation Strategy is a baseline work on garter snake hibernaculum land—known as the “provincial assessment and voluntary plan that records held in the Alberta Fisheries land corridor”—that surrounds the identifies beneficial management and Wildlife Information System reservoir. The overall goal of this practices and habitat improvement (FWMIS) database. All crews initiative is the improvement of recommendations to encourage followed a set of survey instructions water quality through the restoration sustainable ranching operations. to maximize their chance of of the vegetation community along We develop these strategies after

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 29 Photo: ACA, Colin Eyo

finding snakes and hibernacula. We history of previously known ones. In local landholders to discuss potential conducted surveys during snake turn, we have been able to provide habitat projects to enhance wildlife emergence from hibernacula in them with additional information on and pheasant habitat. This unique the spring, prior to their dispersal snakes and their habitat needs with festival offers the opportunity to to summer habitat, and/or during the goal of conserving native snakes. showcase hunting from a field- the autumn, prior to their ingress Partnerships to-plate perspective for the non- into hibernacula for the winter. In Alberta Environment and Park, hunting population. We provided total, we assessed 52 hibernaculum landowners non-hunters with educational records for potential snake activity, background on pheasants and of which 25 (48%) were verified to Taber Pheasant Festival hunting, and demonstrated how be active based on the observation to clean and use as much of the of at least one snake. We suspected Recognizing the potential economic meat as possible with butchering that five hibernacula (10%) were benefits and the importance of demonstrations. The Game to inactive as a result of habitat loss pheasant hunting as part of Alberta’s Gourmet culinary night showcased or other disturbance factors. While hunting heritage, ACA initiated what you can do with your pheasant we did not observe snake activity the Taber Pheasant Festival in meat after it is harvested. There is no at the remaining 22 (42%) sites, 2011. This festival creates hunting registration fee for the festival, but there was nothing to indicate that opportunities by releasing male the area sees economic benefits as snakes could not still occupy the site; pheasants on forty pre-selected sites the hunters spend money on travel, therefore, these sites were recorded in the MD of Taber. Every year, the accommodation, food, hunting gear, as unknown status. This project festival features a novice shooting etc. We host a celebration banquet has given us a great opportunity to weekend where new hunters of to thank the landowners who allow interact with landowners, and they all ages try pheasant shooting for us to hunt on their land and to raise have shared with us the location the first time. In 2018, 100 hunters funds for next year’s festival. We also of new hibernacula as well as the attended the novice shoots. The showcase a scotch and wing night festival also helps us connect with

30 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 in the local community. The festival Waterfowl Crop Damage Wolverine Reporting is in its eighth year. Including the Prevention Program ACA and ATA worked together to novice hunters, roughly 800 people identify where wolverines are located participated in the 2018 Taber The intention of the Waterfowl Crop in the province and to determine Pheasant Festival. Damage Prevention Program is the major factors associated with Partnerships to assist agricultural producers in reducing damage to crops caused their distribution. Trapper local Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance, by waterfowl during fall migration. ecological knowledge demonstrated Alberta Fish & Game Association, Six years ago, we began offering that wolverine signs are more likely Alberta Hunter Education scare cannons free of charge to to be found in trapping areas that Instructors’ Association, Black counties and MDs, enabling them contain more intact forest. To River Outfitters, Blue Sky Outfitters, to incorporate this equipment into investigate fine-scale habitat use, Beretta/Benelli/Tikka/Sako, Can their existing equipment rental movement, and denning behavior in West Legacy Inc., Cycle Works programs. This has greatly improved a landscape dominated by wildfires, Motorsports, Heritage Inn Hotel efficiency by placing cannons much we deployed radio collars on animals & Convention Centre, landowners, closer to end users. In 2018/19, we in north-central Alberta. A total of MacFarlane Pheasants Inc., continued to work with producers as 10 wolverines were captured and Municipal District of Taber, Taber well as counties and MDs to ensure fitted with collars during the study. & District Chamber of Commerce, that scare cannons were available Two of the collared females had Taber Irrigation District, Town of where needed for waterfowl crop young during the study, providing Taber, Taber organizing committee, damage prevention. On ACA’s us with valuable information about Vortex Optics, Winefred Lake Lodge website, we provided locations where wolverines den. Seven of the Upland Game Bird Studies where scare cannons were available eight dens investigated were under for loan, along with crop damage a partially lifted root ball created – Upland Game Bird prevention strategies. by a leaning or fallen spruce tree. Productivity Surveys Partnerships These were found in black spruce stands characterized by hummocky, We worked with volunteers to Alberta Environment and Parks, wet, and mossy terrain subject to conduct annual upland gamebird Athabasca County, Big Lakes windthrow. productivity surveys in some of County, Camrose County, Clear southern Alberta’s best habitat. In 29 Hills County, County of Grande Partnerships hours of survey time, we covered 67 Prairie, Lac La Biche County, Alberta Environment and Parks, km and encountered a total of 129 Lacombe County, Mackenzie Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries pheasants and 151 grey partridge. County, County of Minburn, Inc., Alberta Trappers’ Association, This translates to 1.93 pheasants and County of Northern Lights, Animal Damage Control – A 2.25 partridge for each kilometre County of Paintearth, County Division of Bushman Inc., travelled. Compared to previous of St. Paul, County of Two Hills, Daishowa-Marubeni International survey years, this indicates a below County of Vermilion River, Flagstaff Ltd., Crowsnest Conservation average year for both pheasants and County, Municipal District of Society, McGill University, grey partridge. The information Bonnyville, Municipal District of Roadrunner Leasing and Sales Ltd., acquired from these surveys helps Fairview, Municipal District of Shell Fueling Change, TD Friends us understand population trends, Greenview, Municipal District of of the Environment Foundation, brood success, as well as heighten Peace, Municipal District of Provost, University of Alberta the excitement for the upcoming Municipal District of Smoky River, hunting season as we release survey Municipal District of Spirit River, results on our website and various Northern Sunrise County, Ponoka social media venues each fall. County, Smoky Lake County, Partnerships Stettler County Alberta Environment and Parks, landowners, Pheasants Forever – Calgary Chapter, Volunteers – Dog Handlers

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 31 Photo: ACA, Scott Seward 2018/19 Overview • Developed a classification and scoring Fisheries Program system to rank fish barriers for their • 106,090 twenty-cm long trout (95,250 Fishing is one of Alberta’s favourite potential to protect westslope cutthroat rainbow, 5,000 brown, and 5,840 brook pastimes, so ACA has an entire trout populations from invasive species. trout) were stocked into 63 ponds in team of biologists dedicated to • Sampled eDNA from 83 sites distributed keeping its lakes, rivers, and their regions of the province where angling over major watersheds throughout the fish populations healthy. Along with opportunities are limited. province to determine presence of the our partners over the past year, we • 1,200 yellow perch were stocked in invasive fish species, Prussian carp. stocked 63 ponds with three trout Fort Lions Community Pond in Fort • Prussian carp eDNA detected at 12 sites species, aerated 19 lakes to improve Saskatchewan to support water quality and ensure year-round indicating the presence of this invasive Kids Can Catch event. survival of stocked fish, and worked fish species in the Red Deer, Bow, Oldman, at restoring sport fisheries in some • 2 new ponds, Taber and County and South Saskatchewan river drainages; of Alberta’s lakes that have become Sportsplex (in Grande Prairie), added to found no evidence of Prussian carp in the prone to algal blooms. We added expand fish stocking project. Athabasca, Battle, Beaver, McLeod, Milk, a new lake to expand our aeration • 1,038 anglers were interviewed during North Saskatchewan, Peace, Pembina, or project, as well as two new ponds angler surveys, and an additional 1,097 Smoky rivers. to our fish stocking project. Our were counted during 44 flights. stocking and lake aeration projects • Continued building unique partnerships provide Albertans with recreational • 19 aerated lakes were successfully that enable the forestry industry and angling in areas of the province overwintered stocked trout with no government land use planners to pool where such fishing opportunities reported mortalities. resources to address fish conservation don’t otherwise exist. • Added West Dollar Lake to expand issues of mutual interest. This year, we determined the aeration project; aerated for first time in distribution range of a recent winter 2018/19. invasive fish, Prussian carp • 2 lakes, Little Bear Lake and Kerbe’s Pond, (Carassius gibelio), across the monitored for winter dissolved oxygen province to aid in managing its and temperature to screen them as spread. The spread of Prussian potential candidates for future aeration. carp poses a serious threat to recreational fisheries in Alberta: • Reported previously unknown presence they are known to cause devastating of brown trout in Ruby Creek, largely declines to native fish populations. characterized as a bull trout creek, in We conducted angler surveys the headwaters system of the North (interviewing over 1,000 anglers), Saskatchewan River. generating information that • 24 rivers/creeks, 20 lakes, and 20 feed directly into AEP fisheries ponds were surveyed, generating management plans. In addition, our information on fish population status, evaluation and inventory studies distribution, recreational harvest, habitat generated information required for provincial fish conservation and fragmentation, overwintering habitat, species recovery initiatives. spawning and rearing habitat, and water quality. Overall, the success of our Fisheries program activities in • Over 3,000 km of river were surveyed, 2018/19 involved the support of including 24 km of electrofishing and 8 km over 40 partners consisting of of redd survey; logged 59,000 seconds of provincial and federal governments, electrofishing. industry, watershed groups, non- • 54 mountain whitefish tagged with radio governmental organizations, telemetry monitored for movement and counties/municipalities, and other overwintering habitat use in the McLeod interested groups. River; mountain whitefish migrated over 80 km to overwintering sites.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 33 ACA Fish Stocking Project 2018, but none were suitable for ACA Fish Stocking – fisheries development. However, The ACA Fish Stocking (AFS) project Project Evaluation one pond identified in 2017 remains provides anglers with increased promising and is undergoing further In Alberta, fishing opportunities opportunities to catch and harvest evaluation. are limited and stocking rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus waterbodies with trout is a tool mykiss), brown trout (Salmo Two ponds, evaluated in previous to increase opportunities for trutta), and brook trout (Salvelinus years of the AFS New Lakes project, anglers. Determining the success fontinalis) in regions of Alberta were added to the AFS project in of these fisheries can be difficult, where angling opportunities are 2018: Taber Pond was stocked with costly, and time consuming. Using limited. 4,600 rainbow trout and County trail cameras, we cost-effectively Sportsplex Pond (County of Grande Recipient waterbodies are prone determined the general use of select Prairie) was stocked with 2,320 to winterkill and require annual stocked waterbodies. Angler counts, rainbow trout. stocking of fish to maintain angling and estimated angler effort showed opportunities. By June 30, we had Partnerships considerable variation among the 15 stocked 63 waterbodies with 95,250 Alberta Environment and Parks, ponds assessed in 2018, with effort rainbow trout, 5,000 brown trout, Alberta Fish and Game Association, ranging from 12h/ha at Mirror and 5,840 brook trout for a total Alberta Transportation, County of Reservoir to 4,517h/ha at Kraft of 106,090 trout. We stocked five Grande Prairie, Taber Irrigation Wimborne Pond. Gill nets were ponds again in September. Two AFS District, Town of Taber used to sample selected waterbodies ponds, Hermitage Pond and Fort for fish presence to determine the Lions Community Pond, tested ACA Fish Stocking – success of stocking a pond. We positive for whirling disease during Pond Rehabilitation found multiple size-classes of brown trout in Mitford Pond indicating AEP screening in 2017/18. To reduce Fishing pressure at AFS ponds can the risk of spreading the disease, persistence of fish between years. exceed 2,000 h/ha in the summer AEP biologists, in consultation with This was not the case at Mirror months, indicating these ponds can ACA, stocked yellow perch (Perca Reservoir or Dewitt’s Pond. We also be popular among anglers. However, flavescens) instead of rainbow trout assessed an experimental stocking of our recent data suggests that some into the Fort Lions Community brown trout into Mirror Reservoir, a of these ponds may not be capable Pond, primarily to support the waterbody prone to avian predation of supporting trout survival beyond popular annual Kids Can Catch on stocked rainbow trout. Our mid-summer due to low dissolved event at this pond. Hermitage Pond results suggest that brown trout did oxygen (DO). We analyzed historical was not stocked with any fish. We not have an advantage over rainbow water quality data from AFS ponds installed signage at four waterbodies. trout in withstanding predation. to determine what ponds have poor Partnerships We found that brown trout do not DO concentrations during the open appear to be a suitable replacement Access Pipeline Inc., Agrium Inc. water season. We found 11 ponds for rainbow trout in ponds where –Redwater, Alberta Environment that have a mean water depth >3 avian predation is high. Our results and Parks, Aquality Environmental m with poor DO (<4 mg/L) in the allow us to better manage our Consulting Ltd., Canadian Tire, City top 3 m of the water column. To stocking practices and evaluate site of Fort Saskatchewan, Complete address poor water quality in these management options to better serve Crossings Inc., County of Saddle ponds, we chose two ponds as case Alberta anglers. Hills, Nutrien, SysGen Solutions studies to limit primary productivity Group, Town of Cochrane through nutrient reduction: Partnerships 1) we planted shrubs and willows in Alberta Environment and Parks ACA Fishing Stocking – riparian areas of Castaway Pond to New Lakes intercept nutrients; and Methodology for Assessing and Evaluating Waterfall Fish Stocked trout fisheries are popular 2) we determined that Rainbow in Alberta, accounting for nearly Park Pond (formerly Westlock Passage Barriers in Alberta a quarter of the total number of Pond) is hyper-eutrophic and a good Invasive species are potentially days reported fishing at all waters candidate for alum treatment to the greatest threat to westslope in 2005. Given the popularity of chemically inactivate phosphorus. cutthroat trout (WSCT ; trout-stocked fisheries in Alberta, Partnerships Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) in the AFS New Lakes project seeks to Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta, through hybridization, expand the number of stocked ponds Viking Sports & Wildlife Society competition, and displacement. through identification and screening To effectively safeguard against of ponds with fish stocking potential. extirpation, it is essential that We evaluated three new ponds in existing pure populations of WSCT

34 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 remain protected from invasive Establishing Walleye in collaboration with AEP, will select species, and additional populations Fisheries study lakes and develop lake-specific are established outside of areas plans to improve walleye fishing that WSCT currently occupy. We completed a review to compile opportunities for anglers. options for establishing and Several sub-populations of WSCT Partnerships remain genetically pure because improving walleye (Sander vitreus) Alberta Environment and Parks of waterfall barriers that impede fisheries in Alberta. Compiled upstream migration of invasive fish. methods include fish passage for Fisheries Barriers in Native Similarly, habitats above barriers movement between lakes, fish that are currently unoccupied by passage to spawning habitat, Trout Drainages WSCT represent opportunities improvement of spawning habitat, To effectively safeguard against to expand their range and total traditional stocking programs, lake- extirpation of native fishes in habitat area through introduction/ specific stocking, triploid walleye Alberta (particularly bull trout reintroduction of pure stocks. stocking, and adult walleye transfer. [Salvelinus confluentus], Arctic Before reintroductions can begin, Using available data, we developed grayling [Thymallus arcticus], identification and broadscale an understanding of the strengths, Athabasca rainbow trout, and inventory of barriers that isolate weaknesses, feasibility, and data WSCT), it is essential to protect WSCT populations and habitats gaps of each method. Based on the genetically pure populations from is a crucial priority to build range information we have gathered, ACA hybridization and competition with expansion strategies on a stream- by-stream basis. To date, there is no single assessment method to identify and rank barrier passibility in the context of invasion risk. Our objective was to develop a standard method for barrier assessment. In 2017, we began modifying methods to assess the ability of trout to successfully ascend barriers based on documented research of their swimming and leaping capabilities. By the summer of 2018, we had evaluated approximately 100 known barrier locations containing approximately 200 barrier features and developed a four-tiered classification system to catalogue a complex array of different barriers. We assessed barrier passibility based on the leaping and swimming ability of various sized trout, and severity of white-water turbulence. We developed a system to score barriers. A final list of scored barriers will rank the potential for each barrier to successfully protect introduced WSCT populations from invasive species downstream. This list will ultimately be used in a related scoring framework that ranks and catalogues habitats above barriers by range expansion potential and feasibility, from which agencies can select individual habitats on which to focus reintroduction efforts.

Partnerships Project: Using eDNA to Document the Distribution of Prussian Carp in Alberta Alberta Environment and Parks Photo: ACA, Britt Schmidt

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 35 invasive species such as rainbow lake health, participate in outreach Mountain Whitefish trout and brook trout. In Alberta, activities, and provide technical Overwintering Habitat several sub-populations of native guidance and recommendations for trout remain genetically pure on-the-ground restoration activities As demand continues to grow for industrial, agricultural, and primarily because of waterfalls in collaboration with Parkland County and local agricultural domestic water use, Albertans are that impede invasion. Maintaining producers. We will continue to seeking strategies to manage water and isolating these headwater participate in local initiatives, needs. One of the primary tasks in populations from invasion is critical providing support through data water management is determining to the protection and persistence of collection, communication, the habitat required to maintain genetically pure fish. Cataloguing coordination, and delivery of on-the- a healthy river ecosystem so that waterfalls is a necessary first step ground restoration projects. managers can seek to meet socio- in prioritizing population recovery economic needs, while maintaining Partnerships the ecological integrity of a and building implementation Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring strategies on a stream-by-stream watershed. In 2015, AEP completed Institute, Alberta Environment a study in the Wapiti River to basis. We collected known waterfall and Parks, North Saskatchewan determine overwintering areas and and other barrier data for the Peace, Watershed Alliance, Parkland microhabitat characteristics for Athabasca, North Saskatchewan, County Alternative Land Use mountain whitefish (Prosopium and Red Deer river basins into a Services Program williamsoni). In collaboration centralized database. We selected Lake Aeration with AEP, we seek to build our the Narraway River watershed as understanding of under-ice habitat the pilot study area. We gathered We use aeration as a fisheries use and availability for mountain fish habitat and community data for management technique to provide whitefish and validate results from Albertans with diverse recreational the Narraway River watershed and the Wapiti River using the McLeod angling opportunities in areas of the River. We conducted a telemetry identified 107 potential waterfall province where such opportunities survey on the McLeod River, where locations. We will complete valley would be otherwise limited. Aerated we tagged 53 mountain whitefish confinement modelling and future waterbodies are typically shallow, in the fall of 2017 and tracked their ground truthing exercises at these eutrophic, experience prolonged ice movement throughout the winter locations to determine what fish cover, and are prone to summer and of 2017/18. Distance travelled from passage barriers exist within the winter fish kills. Using aeration, we initial tagging locations varied Narraway River watershed that can maintain DO levels above 3 mg/L from 9 km upstream to 89 km be used for population isolation to promote year-round survival downstream, with fish moving management. and availability of larger fish to greater distances from September to anglers. In 2018/19, we aerated 19 November than from November to Partnerships waterbodies across the province. March. Additionally, we collected Alberta Environment and Parks, This included updated electrical habitat use data at fish locations Environment and Climate Change facilities at East and West Dollar and habitat availability data from Canada lakes to allow for aeration of both randomly selected sites within lakes from one central location. It our study area. Velocity and water Hasse Lake Fisheries fulfilled a long-time desire of both quality remained consistent between anglers and ACA as we aerated West habitat use and availability sites; Restoration Dollar Lake for the first time, now however, fish showed greater use of In recent decades, changes in combined with East Dollar Lake shallower habitats with substrate watershed land use have resulted and known as the “Dollar Lakes” dominated by large gravel and in increased nutrient runoff, aeration site. We actively established cobble. Our data provide valuable particularly phosphorus, into many and maintained financial and information with regards to under- lakes, including Hasse Lake. This in-kind partnerships for existing ice movement and habitat preference reality has led to increased intensity aeration projects. for mountain whitefish and can be used in future management decisions and frequency of algal blooms, Partnerships especially blue-green cyanobacteria with regards to winter instream flow Access Pipelines Inc., Alberta blooms, and fish kills. Recurring fish needs. Environment and Parks, Daishowa- kills in Hasse Lake have decimated Marubeni International Ltd., Partnerships what used to be a popular stocked Edmonton Trout Fishing Club, Alberta Environment and Parks, sport fishery. The primary goal Edson Forest Products, Fisheries Alberta Innovates, Fisheries and of this project is to support and and Oceans Canada, Mountain Oceans Canada, Millar Western collaborate with local efforts to View County, Municipal District Forest Products Ltd. – Whitecourt reduce nutrient loading in Hasse of Greenview, Northern Sunrise Pulp Lake to improve water quality and County, Radway Lions Club, Spring restore the stocked sport fishery. In Lake RV Resort, Thorhild County, 2018/19, we continued to monitor Trout Unlimited Canada – Oldman River Chapter, Village of Spring Lake

36 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 New Lake Aeration fish sustainability within the study provides land-use managers province and enables broadscale with information on fish species Development evaluation of management actions distribution and abundance that Aeration promotes year-round and land-use planning. Priority is necessary to minimize land- survival and (sometimes species for assessment in our use impacts to fish, evaluate bull considerable) growth of trout in sample area include bull trout and trout status, and otherwise balance ponds that would otherwise be mountain whitefish. Bull trout is the diverse values of the North lost to summer or winterkill. As a native sport fish species classed Saskatchewan and Red Deer river anglers value the potential to catch as Threatened in Alberta and is drainages. larger, memorable trout, there particularly sensitive to habitat Partnerships is continued interest to identify change. In the summer of 2018, Alberta Environment and Parks, additional stocked ponds that may we used backpack and tote-barge Hinton Wood Products – A Division benefit from aeration. In the 2018/19 electrofishing gear to sample 31 sites of West Fraser Mills Ltd., Sundre season, with the support of the MD randomly distributed throughout Forest Products – A Division of West of Greenview, we updated electrical the Cardinal River watershed, a Fraser Mills Ltd. facilities at East and West Dollar tributary to the Brazeau River in the lakes to allow for aeration of both upper North Saskatchewan River lakes from one central location, drainage. We also sampled ten sites Using eDNA to Document the fulfilling a long-time desire of both in the Wilson Creek watershed, Distribution of Prussian Carp anglers and ACA as we aerated part of the upper Red Deer River in Alberta West Dollar Lake for the first time. drainage. We captured 221 fish We continue to identify and screen in the Cardinal River watershed, Prussian carp is a recent invasive additional candidate waterbodies for including 98 bull trout, 22 cutthroat fish species to Alberta, now believed development and inclusion in ACA’s trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii), ten to be widely distributed in the Bow, Lake Aeration Program. brown trout, and 91 pearl dace Red Deer, and South Saskatchewan Partnerships (Semotilus margarita). In the Wilson river drainages. Initial surveys Alberta Environment and Parks, Creek watershed, we captured 208 suggest their population and Municipal District of Greenview fish, including 83 bull trout, 119 range is expanding exponentially brook trout, one longnose dace across the province and may be (Rhinichthys cataractae), and five North Saskatchewan River having a negative impact on native mountain whitefish. In the Cardinal Drainage Fish Sustainability species; however, the degree to River watershed, bull trout was the Index Data Gaps most widely distributed species with which the range of Prussian carp AEP’s Fish Sustainability Index the highest catch rates occurring in has expanded, and scope of their (FSI) is a standardized process Ruby Creek. We captured bull trout potential impacts remains unclear. of assessment that provides a in eight of the ten sites sampled in In 2018, ACA used environmental landscape-level overview of the Wilson Creek watershed. Our DNA (eDNA) to determine the

Project: WSCT Trout Population Monitoring in the Upper Oldman River Core Area Photo: ACA, Brad Hurkett

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 37 distribution of Prussian carp in Ram River Bull Trout selected sites. We detected fish at six Alberta. We detected Prussian Assessment of the sites, catching six different carp DNA at 12 of 83 sampled sites, species. We captured 48 bull trout confirming the presence of Prussian Bull trout is a native sport species electrofishing, 42 of which were carp in the Red Deer, Bow, Oldman, classed as Threatened in Alberta and captured at a single site on an is particularly sensitive to habitat and South Saskatchewan river unnamed tributary to the Ram River. change. A government-led initiative, drainages. We found no evidence We also counted 78 bull trout redds the North-Central Native Trout of Prussian carp DNA in the on a survey of a 7.5 km reach of Fall (NCNT) program, was implemented Athabasca, Battle, Beaver, McLeod, Creek. Our study provides land-use in 2017 to recover native trout and managers with information on fish Milk, North Saskatchewan, Peace, whitefish in the central and northern species distribution and abundance Pembina, or Smoky rivers. Our East Slopes of Alberta. The program necessary to minimize land-use results confirm drainages previously involves implementation of recovery impacts on fish, evaluate bull trout identified as Prussian carp positive actions (e.g., trail remediation/ status, and otherwise balance the and shows that the known range closure, implementing industry best- diverse values of the Ram River of Prussian carp is expanding. management practices, suppression watershed. Furthermore, they provide of non-native species) in an adaptive Partnerships additional evidence that Prussian management framework. Success of Alberta Environment and Parks, carp have not spread beyond known this program will be measured using Alberta Streamwatch Conservation positive drainages into other major AEP’s FSI. The FSI is a standardized Coalition, Sundre Forest Products – mainstems in the province. Our process of assessment that provides A Division of West Fraser Mills Ltd. results will help contribute to the a landscape-level overview of fish knowledge and information needed sustainability within the province Upper Oldman River to develop effective control and and enables broadscale evaluation of Watershed Angler Survey management plans for this invasive management actions and land-use species. planning. In the summer of 2018, We estimated angler effort, we used a combination of backpack number of trips, and fish catch by Partnerships electrofishing and redd surveys to conducting instantaneous angler Alberta Environment and Parks, assess the bull trout population in counts and angler interviews University of Alberta – Dr. Mark the lower Ram River watershed. Our on major streams in the Upper Poesch at the Fisheries and Aquatic sample framework for backpack Oldman River watershed. Between Conservation Laboratory electrofishing included 12 randomly June 16 and October 31, 2018, we

Photo: ACA, Diana Rung

38 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 conducted 25 instantaneous angler rates were in the Dutch Creek and displacement. The presence of counts, counted 1,052 anglers, and Hidden Creek watersheds, where we natural waterfall barriers partially interviewed 958 anglers over 87 captured few juvenile WSCT. We mediates this threat by impeding survey shifts. During the survey will continue to monitor these four invasion by non-native species period, anglers fished for 91,679 watersheds to examine the ongoing into headwater streams and lakes. hours and made 21,636 trips with the effects of the recent changes to land Several sub-populations of WSCT highest angling pressures occurring use in the Livingstone-Porcupine remain genetically pure because in the Livingstone, Middle Oldman, Hills PLUZ. of waterfall barriers. The habitats and Upper Oldman rivers. WSCT Partnerships upstream of these barriers represent was the primary species targeted by Alberta Environment and Parks opportunities for expanding the anglers with a total estimated catch range of WSCT and total critical of 80,180 fish, which equates to 88% Wapiti River Angler Survey habitat area of the species through of the overall fish catch (n = 91,228 introduction or reintroduction of We conducted an angler survey to fish all species). Westslope cutthroat pure stocks. Before reintroductions estimate angler effort, trip length, trout catch rates varied throughout can begin, a thorough examination and fish catch on the Wapiti River the study area but were highest in of upstream habitats must be between June 1 and September undertaken to catalogue and rank the Upper Oldman River. 30, 2019. We used a combination Partnerships of instantaneous counts and range expansion potential and identify those areas most suitable Alberta Environment and Parks angler interviews to derive effort estimates and angler catch data. for WSCT re-establishment. Our Westslope Cutthroat Trout During surveys, we interviewed 80 objective is to assess the feasibility Population Monitoring in the anglers and observed 45 anglers of WSCT range expansion into during flights. Of interviewed streams and lakes above barriers Upper Oldman River Core Area anglers, 66% were from Grande currently unoccupied by pure WSCT In 2018, the Livingstone-Porcupine Prairie with another 20% from the populations. We are customizing Hills Land Footprint Plan was surrounding area. We estimated an existing framework recently introduced by the Government anglers made 3,000 trips and fished developed by bull trout researchers of Alberta to reduce cumulative for 4,085 hours. Catch rates were to score and rank habitats above impacts on the landscape by 0.54 walleye/h, 0.07 northern pike waterfall barriers based on WSCT changing land-use patterns to (Esox lucius)/h, 0.06 bull trout/h, and life history requirements. We 0.003 goldeye (Hiodon alosoides)/h. allow existing land footprints to will determine range expansion Estimated total fish caught was 2,730 recover. The resulting Public Land feasibility for each habitat based on made up of walleye (2,195), northern Use Zone (PLUZ) encompasses the sum of scores that rate habitat pike (271), bull trout (251), and the largest remaining WSCT core quality, habitat quantity, habitat goldeye (13). Estimated total angler complexity, threats to existing area in Alberta. Current land-use harvest was 207 walleye. No anglers WSCT populations, and future restrictions and habitat recovery reported catching Arctic grayling or invasion risk. We will rank both activities in these critical habitats mountain whitefish. are anticipated to benefit fish stream and lake habitats by range populations and aid in species Partnerships expansion suitability score, which recovery. ACA is conducting a multi- Alberta Environment and Parks, government agencies require to year WSCT population monitoring Government of Canada: Service plan WSCT re-establishment and study in four Hydraulic Unit Code Canada, Canada Summer Jobs recovery. (HUC)10 watersheds in the Upper Westslope Cutthroat Trout Partnerships Oldman River WSCT core area. The Alberta Environment and Parks objective of the study is to collect fish Range Expansion Feasibility data at reference sites for five years WSCT currently occupy only 5% to determine natural fish population of their historical range in Alberta, variations within the Upper Oldman and recovery of the species requires River core area. These data will be expanding their distribution. used to detect population response Therefore, it is imperative to to the new PLUZ restrictions. In identify additional suitable habitats 2018, ACA completed fish surveys and determine feasibility for at 39 electrofishing sites in streams WSCT recovery outside of the of the UOM core area. Overall, current range. Invasive species WSCT catches were highest in are potentially the greatest threat the Livingstone River watershed, to WSCT in Alberta, through followed by the Upper Oldman hybridization, competition, and River watershed. The lowest catch

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 39 Photo: ACA, Ed Kolodychuk The success of our Land and “Foot Access Only” signs on Land Management Management Program is a testament conservation sites. Program to the support and effort of over 50 • Spent over 12,500 hours on conservation partnerships, including government, ACA’s Land Management Program is site management and maintenance. industry, non-governmental all about conserving important • Provided recommendations on 103 land- organizations, counties/ wildlife and fish habitat across use referrals and public inquiries. municipalities, leaseholders, private Alberta. Our Alberta Discover Guide • Provided angler access at 27 fisheries landowners, corporate partners, and highlights ACA and partner-owned access sites, of which 3 received site other interested groups. These conservation sites, which span upgrades and enhancements that included collaborative partnerships are vital hundreds of thousands of acres planting 160 trees and shrubs. to our success. Moreover, they help across our province. Each site has its us maximize each levy dollar we • Developed 1 new fisheries access site on own unique characteristics that receive, allowing us to achieve the the North Raven River (Coulsen), providing provide an array of opportunities to many conservation goals within additional angling opportunities for brown hunt, fish, forage, or view wildlife. ACA’s Land Management Program. trout. Our goal is to conserve key habitat, • Completed 23 conservation site benefitting our precious wildlife and 2018/19 Overview management plans. fish resource, and in the process, also adding value for outdoor enthusiasts. • Added 3 new conservation sites, totalling • Delivered 25 riparian enhancement 918 ac (371 ha) with a land value of projects, signed 6 new riparian habitat Each year we add new conservation approximately $2,100,000. lease agreements, completed 6 sites by securing habitat through • Conservation efforts include sharing of title riparian fencing projects, installed 9 purchase or donation. Thanks to our on 14 properties with AFGA. off-site watering systems, conducted partners and conservation-minded 2 bioengineering projects, and weir landowners, we secured three new • Currently managing 32 Landowner Habitat Program Agreements, conserving 5,737 ac removal to promote fish passage on the conservation sites this year. One of Beaverlodge River. these is an expansion of an existing (2,321 ha) of wildlife and fish habitat. conservation site. We also partnered • Signed 1 new Landowner Habitat Program • Conserved 151 ac (61 ha) of riparian with AFGA to share title on 14 Agreement, conserving 202 ac (81 ha), and habitat through new and existing riparian conservation sites, because sharing added 2 agreements that will be renewed habitat lease agreements. Installed 7.9 responsibility makes management of in 2019/20. km of new fencing, and upgraded 2 km of existing fencing to meet wildlife-friendly these sites that much more efficient. • Collaborated with AEP on management standards. We manage 27 fisheries access sites of Crown conservation sites (disposition that add value by providing quality process ongoing). To date we received two • Completed bank stabilization and angling opportunities for Albertans. dispositions on Crown conservation sites. restoration by planting dense live staking We collaborate with landowners on willow (Salix) on two project sites. • Inspected 192 conservation sites, with other habitat-based programs such maintenance and repairs completed on • Completed 5 riparian health assessments as our Landowner Habitat and 86 sites. and collected water samples from 7 sites Riparian Conservation Programs, as part of baseline data collection and • Habitat and recreational access which focuses on enhancing and ongoing water quality monitoring. improvements/enhancements were done conserving key wildlife and fish • Collaborated with over 16 groups and habitat while improving recreational on 63 conservation sites, and baseline inventories were completed on 6 sites. organizations to enhance and facilitate access on deeded lands. Other riparian conservation across Alberta. programs such as our Recreational • Seeded 304 ac with native seed mix and • Provided 6 participating landowners Opportunity Enhancement Program tame forage and planted over 8,650 trees with recreational user sign-in services for are aimed at easing access to and shrubs. existing properties, totalling improved privately-owned lands by facilitating • Seeded a 4-ac sorghum food plot for land access to approximately 91,000 ac access management through a upland game birds on our Ross Creek (36,826 ha). hunter/angler sign-in system. We Conservation Site. • Added 1 new landowners to our access also have other projects that are • Completed recreational enhancements on sign-in program in southern Alberta, focused on initiatives that provide 14 conservation sites including parking totalling approximately 40,000 ac access to rivers, wetlands, and lakes areas, foot-access gates, and trails. to improve hunting and/or angling (16,187 ha). • Installed project signs on 13 conservation opportunities in areas where access sites and continued installing boundary may be limited. Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 41 Photo: C. Kure

Conservation Site and provided recommendations on Centre, MULTISAR, Myrnam River Management 103 land-use referrals and public Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club, inquiries. We also managed public Nature Conservancy of Canada, Under ACA’s Conservation Site access on two high-use conservation Pheasants Forever – Calgary and Management (CSM) Project, we sites through a reservation system. Chinook chapters, Shell Canada currently manage 344 conservation Further, we continued discussions Limited, Strathcona County, sites, which include over 210,000 with AEP representatives to The Carbon Farmer Inc., Trout acres (approximately 85,000 ha) of determine long-term partnership Unlimited Canada, volunteer titled and Crown land in Alberta. roles and responsibilities at Crown stewards, Westlock Whitetails The CSM Project staff is responsible conservation sites that ACA Junior Forest Warden Club for ongoing management and manages. Our success in managing enhancement of these sites, and their and enhancing conservation sites Corporate Partners Program activities are guided by site-specific is achieved through collaborative The cumulative effect of habitat loss management plans. In 2018/19, efforts with a growing number of and fragmentation from human we inspected and maintained 192 partners and volunteers throughout disturbance of natural ecosystems conservation sites. Our team also Alberta. is a major concern in Alberta. As completed habitat enhancement Partnerships industrial activity continues to expand, greater emphasis is being projects on 63 conservation sites, Alberta Environment and Parks, placed on loss and alteration of including seeding of grass and Alberta Fish and Game Association, habitat. Our Corporate Partners forb species on 304 acres, planting Alberta Trail Riding Association, Program was initiated in 2002/03 food plots for upland game bird Bow River Irrigation District, with the goal of collaborating with species, and removing old farming ConocoPhillips Canada Resources industry and other organizations equipment, garbage, buildings, and Corp., County of Newell, County to conserve important wildlife other anthropogenic structures. of Warner, Ducks Unlimited and fish habitat. Our securement Recreational access enhancements Canada, Eastern Irrigation District, efforts are guided by focus areas and were completed at 14 sites, including Environment and Climate Change ranking criteria that are developed construction of foot access gates Canada, landowners, Lethbridge collaboratively between ACA and our corporate partners. Corporate and parking areas. We installed new County, Municipal District of partnerships and collaboration with project signs on 13 conservation sites Greenview, Medicine River Wildlife other conservation organizations

42 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 allow us to maximize our Fisheries Access Site access development projects at two conservation impact and the overall Management additional waterbodies. We engaged effectiveness of our securement with 15 partners in 2018/19, who efforts. Partnerships may consist ACA’s Land Management Program generously contributed financially of short- or long-term agreements. encompasses activities intended or with in-kind assistance. We Despite an economic downturn to conserve, protect, and enhance continued striving to ensure anglers in the past few years, we continue fish and wildlife habitat, while also have excellent experiences at ACA fisheries access sites across Alberta. to partner with Suncor Energy increasing sustainable recreational Foundation and in partnership with opportunities like angling and Partnerships AFGA and Suncor purchased a new hunting. One of the activities of Alberta Environment and Parks, the program staff is delivering the conservation site: MacConnachie. Alberta Fish and Game Association, Fisheries Access Site Management This acquisition represents 309 Clearwater County, County of Program, which provides angling acres (125 ha) of wildlife habitat, Newell, County of Northern Lights, opportunities to key streams, with an estimated land value of Devon Canada Corporation, rivers, and lakes throughout Municipal District of Greenview, approximately $438,000. Our goal is the province. We inspected and North Raven River Working Group, to continue conserving key habitats maintained 27 fisheries access sites Northern Sunrise County, Rocky using a collaborative approach and and commissioned 12 maintenance View County, Saddle Hills County, work towards expanding these contracts in 2018/19. We upgraded Shell Canada Limited, Trout opportunities by maintaining our three sites with improvements to Unlimited Canada – Central and current corporate partnerships and site signage and a boat launch, site Yellowhead (Wetaskiwin County) developing new partnerships. landscaping, tree planting, and chapters Partnerships the installation of a picnic table Provincial Habitat Alberta Environment and Parks, and garbage/recycling container. Securement Program Alberta Fish and Game Association, We developed one new fisheries Suncor Energy Foundation access site along the North Raven Despite a slower economy, River in the central Alberta region provincial population growth and continued working with seemed unaffected in 2018. Alberta’s partners to identify next steps for population steadily increased and

Provincial Habitat Securement Program Transactions in 2018/19

Project Name Securement Tool & Partners Size (ac) Special Features

Central Porter A land purchase between ACA, 145 This site is located on the Raven River approximately 55 km southeast Pt. SW-17-036-04-W5M AFGA, Edmonton Trout Fishing of Rocky Mountain House in the dry mixedwood region. It is adjacent Club, Environment and Climate to our Drake Conservation Site and consists of riparian habitat, mixed Change Canada (ECCC)- Habitat spruce, and aspen forest. With its diverse habitat, the site offers great Stewardship Program (HSP), berry picking for raspberries and blueberries. Wildlife in the area include Red Deer River Naturalists, Trout moose, deer, elk, black bear, ruffed grouse, and spruce grouse. Unlimited Canada (TUC) –Central and Edmonton, and public donors.

South Chinook A land purchase between ACA, 464 This site is approximately 45 km southeast of Medicine Hat in the dry NE/SE/SW-01-011-03- AFGA, ECCC-HSP, Pheasants mixedgrass region. It consists of riparian habitat along Ross Creek, native W4M Forever (PF) – Calgary and grassland habitat, and tame pasture. Wildlife found here include deer, Chinook chapters, and Wild Elk moose, ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, grey partridge, Foundation. northern leopard frogs, ferruginous hawks, Sprague’s pipits, and chestnut-collared longspurs.

Northeast NE/SE-35-054-11-W4M Suncor 309 This site is located 120 km northeast of the city of Edmonton. Habitat is primarily dry mixedwood forest, with small wetlands scattered throughout. Wildlife in the area include elk, moose, deer, black bear, and upland game birds.

TOTAL 918

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 43 reached over 4.33 million people efficiency of our securement work. of the province (62%) has been in 2018, up from 4.31 million in Together in 2018/19, we completed altered by industrial or agricultural 2017. Habitat alteration and wetland two land acquisitions, which development. Urban and rural loss has impacted over 410,000 conserved 609 acres (246.5 ha). development have also contributed km2 of Alberta. Northern parts of These lands have an estimated land to habitat loss, fragmentation, and the province have seen the most value of approximately $1,730,000. degradation. The Landowner Habitat alterations, with the province selling Through a unique partnership, ACA Program (LHP) was initiated to help off Crown lands for agricultural and AFGA shared title on 14 existing conserve key habitat and reduce development and political pressure conservation sites. Management habitat loss on privately owned to sell off more Crown lands in the plans will be developed in 2019/20 land. The program compensates Peace River Country for agricultural to share roles and responsibilities landowners who are willing to sign a expansion. Almost two-thirds between partners. legally binding agreement to retain of the province (62%) has been Partnerships habitat for a term of five to 20 years; altered by industrial or agricultural Alberta Environment and Parks; a condition of the agreement is for development. Urban and rural Alberta Fish and Game Association; landowner to provide reasonable development have also contributed Edmonton Trout Fishing Club; public foot access. Participants in to habitat loss, fragmentation, and Environment and Climate Change this program are acknowledged with degradation. Canada – Habitat Stewardship a project sign and provided with Our Provincial Habitat Securement Program for Species at Risk, Use Respect – Ask First signage to Program conserves important Mr. Porter; Pheasants Forever – display along the perimeter of their wildlife and fish habitat through Calgary and Chinook chapters; property. We currently manage 32 land purchases, land donations, public donations; Red Deer River LHP agreements across the province, and leases on Crown land. Securing Naturalists; Trout Unlimited Canada which conserves approximately habitat ensures these lands will – Central and Edmonton; Wild Elk 5,737 acres (2,321.8 ha) of important be conserved in perpetuity to Foundation wildlife and fish habitat. benefit our valued wildlife and fish Landowner Habitat Program Partnerships resources, and to provide Alberta’s Alberta Environment and Parks, outdoor enthusiasts with year- Habitat alteration and wetland loss landowners round, sustainable recreational has continued in Alberta, currently opportunities. In all, 28 priority impacting over 410,000 km2. The Management Plan focus areas help guide securement northern parts of the province have efforts and opportunities. seen the most alterations with the Development Collaborative partnerships with province selling off Crown lands ACA manages and maintains over conservation groups, industry, for agricultural development and 210,000 acres (approximately 85,000 various companies, and private political pressure to sell more ha) of habitat in collaboration individuals allow us to maximize Crown land in the Peace River with AEP and other conservation our conservation impact and the Country. Approximately two-thirds partners. In order to manage our

Provincial Habitat Securement Program Chinook Conservation Site Photo: ACA, Tyler Johns

44 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Project Photo: ACA, Jeff Forsyth

conservation assets effectively, Partnerships individual landowners has allowed management plans are developed Alberta Environment and Parks, us to improve hunter access for each of these sites. We Alberta Fish and Game Association, to approximately 91,000 acres emphasize developing detailed Ducks Unlimited Canada, Nature (36,826 ha) of private land across habitat management objectives Conservancy of Canada southern Alberta through a sign-in that maintain the ecological access system. To reduce ungulate integrity of each conservation site. Recreational Opportunity depredation issues and improve hunter access in northwestern ACA works with our partners to Enhancement Project Alberta, we continue collaborating develop management plans that The Recreational Opportunity with partners to develop a pilot are used as guiding documents Enhancement project was program that will connect hunters for overall site management. established to improve opportunities with landowners experiencing These plans provide specific for fishing and hunting, as well as depredation issues. Not only will details regarding site features, other non-consumptive activities increased opportunities encourage objectives regarding enhancement such as hiking, canoeing, or hunter and angler recruitment, or restoration, recreational and photography. Improving waterfowl it will also help maintain quality facility enhancements, guidelines, hunter access to Crown waterbodies outdoor experiences by distributing and other planned activities for and improving upland and big hunters and anglers across the each site. Management plans are game hunter access to private lands landscape. reviewed by ACA and our partners is the major focus of this project. In addition, the project focuses on Partnerships as required, or on a term basis (e.g., Alberta Environment and Parks, after five or ten years) to ensure we initiatives that enhance access to major rivers, such as the Bow and Alberta Fish and Game Association, are meeting our intended goals and North Saskatchewan rivers, for Canadian Land Access Systems, objectives. In 2018/19, we developed angling and other water-related landowners, Lethbridge Fish and 23 management plans. recreational activities that benefit Game Association our stakeholders. Working with

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 45 Photo: ACA, Nikita Lebedynski

Riparian Conservation watersheds: Beaverlodge, Owl, Partnerships Program Raven, and North Raven rivers; and Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Clear, Todd, and Five Mile creeks Society, Alberta Fish and Game The ecological integrity and health and their associated tributaries. We Association, Cenovus Energy of Alberta’s rivers, streams, and delivered 25 enhancement projects Inc., County of Grande Prairie, surrounding landscapes are often using a variety of management Cows and Fish – Alberta Riparian negatively affected by ongoing tools, including implementing Habitat Management Society, human development. Riparian areas agreements to conserve 664 acres Environment and Climate Change are complex ecosystems that provide (269 ha) of riparian and associated Canada, Fisheries and Oceans important ecological functions and upland habitat, nine off-site watering Canada, landowners, Mighty Peace are critical to maintaining watershed systems, two bioengineering Watershed Alliance, Milk River health. Proper management of projects, and installing or repairing Watershed Council Canada, Nature this sensitive habitat is essential to 9.9 km of wildlife-friendly fencing to Conservancy of Canada, Oldman maintain water quality and habitat protect important riparian habitat as Watershed Council, Sinopec Canada integrity. The primary goal of ACA’s part of new and existing agreements. Energy Ltd., Syncrude Canada Ltd., Riparian Conservation Program We also monitored water quality Trout Unlimited Canada, West is to protect and restore riparian and riparian health on three systems County Watershed Society habitat in priority watersheds to help evaluate the effectiveness through on-the-ground habitat of riparian enhancements, restoration projects. We engage supported landowners with riparian landowners, the public, and other enhancement activities, and shared stakeholders through community information about our Riparian outreach and education activities; Conservation Program with various our collaborative partnerships communities. Our efforts have with landowners, industry, contributed to improvements in government, watershed groups, and riparian habitat health and have other stakeholders are an integral positively influenced the stewardship component of project delivery. In approach of many landowners and 2018/19, we focused conservation leaseholders. efforts in the following priority

46 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 ACA Conservation Reports

The following is a list of final project Fisheries Wildlife reports published in 2018/19. All of Hurkett, B., and K. Fitzsimmons. these reports can be found on our Ranger, M., and M. Verhage. 2019. 2019. Angler survey in the Upper website or through the Government Grizzly bear inventory project in Oldman River watershed, 2018. of Alberta Library. Bear Management Area 1. Data Data Report, produced by Alberta Report, produced by Alberta Annual Summary reports for all Conservation Association, Conservation Association, ongoing projects can also be found Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. on our website. 17 pp + App. 12 pp. Judd, C., M. Rodtka, and Z. Spence. Rasmussen C., and E. Anderson. 2019. North Saskatchewan River 2019. Notikewin River watershed drainage, fish sustainability index subbasin (07HC) ungulate winter data gaps project, 2018. Data range restoration program, 2008- Report, produced by Alberta 2010. Data Report, produced by Conservation Association, Alberta Conservation Association, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. 17 pp + App. 31 pp + App. Lebedynski, N. 2019. Angler survey Rasmussen, C., R. Anderson, and on the Wapiti River, Alberta, 2018. E. Anderson. 2019. Assessment Data Report, produced by Alberta of ungulate resource values Conservation Association, within the Cline River Subbasin Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. following the 2009 Upper North 8 pp + App. Saskatchewan River prescribed Schmidt, B., K. Fitzsimmons, fire. Data Report produced by and A. Paul. 2019. Mountain Alberta Conservation Association, whitefish overwintering habitat Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. use in the McLeod River. Data 43 pp + App. Report produced by Alberta Verhage, M. 2019. Grizzly bear Conservation Association, inventory project in Bear Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. Management Area 5. Data 19 pp + App. Report, produced by Alberta Conservation Association, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. 16 pp.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 47 Photo: ACA, Colin Eyo Photo: ACA, Sam Vriend 48 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 Report A Poacher and Livestock Compensation Programs

Report A Poacher 2018/19 Overview Livestock The Report A Poacher (RAP) Program • 14,873 total calls from the public to the Compensation encourages all Albertans—not just RAP toll-free hotline. Programs hunters and anglers—to help protect • 2,876 calls about suspected illegal our wildlife, fish, and natural habitats. activity – reporting fish and wildlife ACA takes pride in fostering In addition to providing education resource crimes. good working relationships with about poaching, perhaps the most landowners. For producers whose • 499 charges laid. important RAP Program tool is livestock may have been killed or the toll-free phone number: 1-800- • $73,100 in rewards paid to individuals damaged as a result of predator 642-3800. It allows people to report whose call and information led to (eagles, cougars, bears, and wolves) suspected illegal activities 24 hours a charges. or hunter activities, relief is provided day, seven days a week. Alberta Fish through the Wildlife Predator and Wildlife enforcement officers • Promoted RAP at numerous trade shows Compensation and Shot Livestock often rely on information from these and events throughout Alberta, and calls—individuals and communities distributed branded promotional items Compensation programs. Like RAP, we are responsible for program are RAP’s eyes and ears, and the to educate and raise awareness about promotion and compensation important information they provide poaching and ethical hunting and fishing regularly leads to investigations and fund management, while AJSG practices. convictions. is responsible for incident • Increased RAP promotion through social investigations and determining RAP is delivered jointly by ACA media, television, radio, and print. payouts. and Alberta Justice and Solicitor General (AJSG). ACA is responsible for program promotion and education Wildlife Predator Claims Compensation ($) activities to enhance public awareness and understanding of poaching, Black Bear 19 19,440.24 and also for the administration Grizzly Bear 70 110,831.41 of program funds. AJSG retains sole responsibility for liaising with Cougar 24 28,394.33 informants, investigating reports, and enforcing laws. Wolf 115 160,276.96

Bald Eagle 6 1,723.20

TOTAL 234 320,666.14

Shot Livestock 9 16,555.02

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 49 Photo: Morgan Schaufele Grants Program Alberta’s hunters and anglers contribute directly to conservation through levies on their hunting and fishing licences. The levy funds come to ACA, and one of the many things we do with that money is to support community and research efforts via our Grants Program. ACA Conservation, 2018/19 Overview ACA Chair in Fisheries Community, and • Received 29 applications requesting and Wildlife at the $689,196. Education Grants • Funded 17 research projects with a total University of Alberta This fund supports conservation of $329,724. The ACA Chair was established activities that contribute to wildlife • Over the past 3 years, funds provided through an endowment to the and fish population health and the have been leveraged 4:1. University of Alberta, providing health of their environments, and to educational initiatives to wildlife the understanding, appreciation, and professionals. By addressing issues use of those environments. Projects Grants in Biodiversity and problems relevant to Alberta’s that increase participation in, and The ACA Grants in Biodiversity biological resources, the Chair, awareness of, outdoor opportunities, Program is funded by ACA and Dr. Mark Boyce, supports ACA’s while developing knowledge and operated through the Alberta goals for long-term, sustainable respect for conservation, are also Cooperative Conservation Research wildlife and fish resources. A funded through this grant. The Unit—a partnership between the contribution to teaching is also projects ranged from youth hunter, universities of Alberta, Calgary, and an essential duty of the position. angler, and archery programs to Lethbridge. The student academic The ACA Chair is expected to local festivals to restoration and projects included studies on feral contribute to the activities of the stewardship projects. horse management, whirling disease Department of Biological Sciences hosts, and lodgepole pine (Pinus and to the university as a whole. Dr. 2018/19 Overview contorta) susceptibility to mountain Boyce’s expertise is internationally • Received 130 applications, requesting just pine beetles (Dendroctonus recognized, and he has significantly under $1.9 million. ponderosae). This year’s grants enhanced ACA’s efforts to conserve Alberta’s wildlife and fish resources. • Supported 79 projects with $969,983 of ranged from $4,650 to $14,810 and For more information and for a funding. were distributed to six doctoral degree and 14 master’s degree list of publications, visit: biology. • Over the past 3 years, funds provided candidates. ualberta.ca/faculty/mark_boyce. have been leveraged 4:1. 2018/19 Overview 2018/19 Overview ACA Research Grants • Supported 20 graduate student projects • Endowed with $20,500 as part of ACA’s The ACA Research Grants fund with a total of $206,460 of funding for commitment to science, research, and high-quality research projects on 2018/19. education. wildlife, fish, and habitat that inform • Syncrude Canada Ltd. continued to the effective management of wildlife support of the ACA Grants in Biodiversity and fish populations and habitat Program with $250,000 commitment over in Alberta. Topics ranged from five years (2014 through 2018). examining the spread of wildlife • Over the past 3 years, funds provided diseases (e.g., chronic wasting have been leveraged 3:1. disease [CWD] in deer) to trials of citizen science to help determine the distribution of species such as rock snot (Didymosphenia geminata) and enhance the collection of fisheries data.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 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 adaptive $40,050.00 (AFGA) management, habitat enhancement, and outreach AFGA Pronghorn antelope migration corridor enhancement $36,728.00 Alberta Hunter Education Instructors' Conservation Education for the Army Cadet League of Canada – AB $2,500.00 Association (AHEIA) AHEIA AHEIA's Outdoor Bound Mentorship Program $3,000.00 AHEIA AHEIA's National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) $40,000.00 AHEIA 15th Annual O.W.L. Day - "Outdoor Wildlife Learning" $3,000.00 AHEIA Outdoor Youth Seminar $3,000.00 AHEIA Provincial Hunting Day Initiatives $16,500.00 AHEIA Safety Video for AHEIA's Firearms Centres $3,000.00 AHEIA Mandarin Language Safety Video for AHEIA's Firearms Centres $2,500.00 AHEIA Bighorn Sheep Hunting Essentials Course $2,500.00 AHEIA AHEIA Teachers' Workshop $6,000.00 AHEIA Youth Hunter Education Camp (Week 1,2,3,4) $48,000.00 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 $13,175.00 System (EDDMapS) Alberta Alberta Junior Forest Warden AJFWA Pathfinder and Trailblazer North Camp 2019 - "Come to the Real North" $4,850.00 Association Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Implementing Riparian Habitat Management Improvements for Westslope $8,500.00 Society - Cows and Fish Cutthroat Trout Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Grazing Schools for Women: Promoting habitat and improved grazing $3,000.00 Society - Cows and Fish stewardship to livestock producers in south and central Alberta Alberta Trapper's Association Trapper Education in the Schools $15,600.00 Alberta Trapper's Association Youth Camp $10,000.00 Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area Outdoor Education for High Needs Schools at the ASCCA $7,250.00 Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area ASCCA Wildlife Friendly-Fencing East & North Boundary Fencing Project $34,478.00 Beaverhill Bird Observatory Public Engagement, Wildlife Conservation and Monitoring at Beaverhill Lake $23,750.00 Big Country Rod and Gun Club 2018 Annual Big Country Rod and Gun Club First Time Bird Hunt $1,500.00 Bow River Trout Foundation Bow River Policeman's Flats River Access Upgrade $27,525.00 Brazeau County Sardine Lake Dock $7,500.00 Calgary Fish and Game Association Upgrade & Expansion of Pheasant Facility $5,000.00 Calgary Fish and Game Association CFGA Pheasant Crate Update $2,948.40 Camrose and District Fish and Game Making Pleasure Island Accessible; Angler Recruitment and Retention, and $23,585.00 Association Conservation Education Camrose Wildlife Stewardship Society 2018 Camrose Purple Martin Festival $1,350.00

52 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 Recipient Project Funding

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Connecting with Conservation: Getting kids and new Albertans outside to $20,000.00 Society (CPAWS) Southern experience and value Alberta's wilderness Alberta Chapter Castor Fish and Game Club Evaluation of the Parr Reservoir (Castor Creek) for Fish Stocking Suitability $3,000.00 Central Alberta FGA (Zone 3) Bennett Pond Aeration Electrical Access Fees $4,300.00 Edmonton Mallards - Junior Forest Fall Wilderness Family Camp $2,125.00 Wardens Edmonton Nature Club 2018 Snow Goose Chase $3,000.00 Edmonton Water Striders - Junior Fall Wilderness Family Camp $2,125.00 Forest Wardens Elbow River Watershed Partnership Streambank restoration project on Silvester Creek $19,385.00 Ghost Watershed Alliance Society Bioengineering Workshop in the Ghost Watershed $10,000.00 Growing Great Kids Coalition; Family Kids Can Catch with Growing Great Kids $3,000.00 and Community Support Services (FCSS) Hinton H.A. Kostash School H A Kostash Youth Mentorship Program $7,700.00 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 High River Fish and Game Sheep River Fencing $2,749.00 Highway 2 Conservation County of Alberta Bat Education and Habitat Enhancement $3,000.00 Barrhead Kneehill 4-H Multi Club 4-H Club Archery Supplies $2,500.00 Lacombe County Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) $15,000.00 Lamont Fish and Game Association Trout pond dock system $8,000.00 Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory Avian Monitoring and Outreach Education Programs at Lesser Slave Lake $22,750.00 Society Lesser Slave Watershed Council Kids Can Catch Lesser Slave Lake Winter $1,090.00 Lethbridge Fish and Game Association 8th Annual AFGA/ACA Youth Fishing Recruitment Day $14,800.00 Lethbridge Fish and Game Association LFGA - Conservation Community and Education Project $14,500.00 Lethbridge Fish and Game Association Fly Tying Programs $2,000.00 Mountain View County Riparian and Ecological Enhancement Program $25,000.00 Nature Alberta Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas - Enhanced awareness and caretaker $18,500.00 support Nature Alberta Living by Water $53,500.00 Nature Alberta Nature Kids Family Nature Nights and BioBlitzes across Alberta $16,180.00 Northern Lights Fly Fishers Riparian Protection on the Raven River (2018) $31,500.00 Chapter TUC Northern Lights Fly Fishers TUC Conserving and Restoring Arctic Grayling in the Upper Pembina River $16,965.00 Edmonton Chapter Watershed - Habitat Restoration Planning

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 53 Recipient Project Funding

Onoway & District Fish and Game Salter's Lake Improvements $2,500.00 Association Onoway & District Fish and Game Bird / Bat House Project $800.00 Association Partners in Habitat Development Partners in Habitat Development $15,000.00 Red Deer County Wildlife and Native Habitat Enhancement in Red Deer County via ALUS (2018) $40,000.00 Rocky View School District - Alberta PISCES' Aquatic Project $1,772.00 Safari Club International (SCI) Red Red Deer, Kids Can Fish Event $2,100.00 Deer Chapter Safe Drinking Water Foundation Operation Water Drop, Operation Water Pollution and Operation Water Biology $3,145.00 kits to be used by students in Alberta as part of field trips/outdoor eduction Southern Alberta Sustainable Foothills Restoration Forum Outreach and Extension: Range Health $8,181.00 Community Initiative (SASCI) Assessment Training and Fall Information Session Sustainability Resources Restoration Program $22,000.00 The King's University College Faith-based organizations and conservation: engaging volunteers in recovery $4,933.00 plans of endangered pines Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) Water Edu-kit $11,000.00 TUC Yellow Fish Road $30,000.00 TUC East Slopes Strategic Watershed Action Team $30,000.00 Trout Unlimited Oldman River Chapter Fly Fishing and Conservation Program $3,000.00 TUC Bow River Chapter Legacy Island - Habitat Rehabilitation $3,500.00 Warne in the Wild American Kestrel Nest Box Program in Alberta $3,000.00 Waterton Biosphere Reserve Promoting Wetland Stewardship and Improving Wetland Habitat in Waterton $14,350.00 Biosphere Reserve Wetaskiwin County Wetaskiwin/Leduc Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) $8,750.00 Wildlife Conservation Society Canada Going to Bat for Bats:Citizen Science in Alberta $29,994.00 Yellowhead County Kids Can Catch Event $2,500.00 TOTAL FUNDING ACA RESEARCH GRANTS $969,983.40

54 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 ACA Research Grants

Receipint Project Funding

Avocet Environmental Inc. Efficacy of detecting sharp-tailed grouse leks in fall surveys $13,500.00

Goldstream Publishing Inc. Using Citizen Science to Enhance Fisheries Data Collection and Monitoring $23,000.00 St. Mary's University Evaluating possible vectors for the spread of invasive plant Thesium ramosum $9,985.00 STRIX Ecological Consulting Canada Warbler Rapid Assessment Protocol - Phase 2 $8,005.00 Trout Unlimited Canada Discovering Didymo Distribution (D3) $8,460.00 Université de Sherbrooke Evolutionarily sustainable management of bighorn sheep $9,950.00 University of Alberta Cyanobacterial Blooms and their Toxic Effects on Fish Populations $26,000.00 University of Alberta Is cougar (Puma concolor) habitat selection on a reclaimed mine based on prey $20,000.00 availability? University of Alberta Chronic Wasting Disease in deer: modeling transmission from contact rates $32,400.00 University of British Columbia Evaluating camera trap surveys as an effective means of monitoring remote $39,690.00 ungulate populations University of Calgary Wild pollinator conservation and restoration in Southern Alberta croplands IV: $22,000.00 Pollinator community responses to prairie habitat restoration University of Calgary Biogeography of Native Bumble Bee Species in Alberta: The Influence of Weather $7,473.34 University of Lethbridge Ecological epidemiology of emerging Ambystoma tigrinum virus (ATV) in a $6,096.00 population of tiger salamanders in southwestern Alberta 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 Density-Dependent Habitat Selection of Feral Horses and Competition with Other $30,000.00 Ungulates in a Changing Landscape Waterton Biosphere Reserve Optimizing Mitigation Strategies for Reducing Grizzly Bear Agriculture Conflicts $18,000.00 Association Wildlife Conservation Society Baseline Population Monitoring and Bioenergetics of Alberta Bat Populations: $25,165.00 Canada Predicting Risk of White-Nose Syndrome to Guide Conservation Actions TOTAL FUNDING ACA RESEARCH GRANTS $329,724.34

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 55 2018 ACA Grants in Biodiversity Recipients Syncrude Canada Ltd. has committed $250,000 over five years (2014 - 2018) to support the ACA Grants in Biodiversity.

Recipient Institution Supervisor(s) Project Title

Sangwook Ahn University of Cameron Goater Effects of host community structure on parasite transmission and disease (MSc) Lethbridge risk Josue Arteaga University of Kimberley How do Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapilus) respond to different (MSc) Alberta Mathot types of information about predators? Jackson Beck University of Nadir Erbilgin Impact of disturbance altered soil microbial communities on lodgepole pine (MSc) Alberta seedline performance and carbon allocation Paul Boyce (PhD) University of Phil McLoughlin Assessing the efficacy of immunocontraception to manage feral horses in Saskatchewan the Alberta Foothills Danielle Clake University of Paul Galpern and Resilience of pollinator populations to landscape changes: using genomic (PhD) Calgary Sean Rogers methods to assess montane bumble bee populations in Alberta Jenna Cook (MSc) University of Rolf Vinebrooke Phytoplankton communities as indicators of environmental change and Alberta water quality across the Canadian Rockies Melanie de University of Nadir Erbilgin Are lodgepole pine trees at higher elevations and latitudes more susceptible Kappelle (MSc) Alberta to attack by range-expanding mountain pine beetle? Melissa University of Bill Shotyk and Factors influencing trace element concentrations in the tissues of beavers Dergousoff (MSc) Alberta Glynnis Hood (Castor canadensis) from central and northern Alberta César Estevo University of Erin Bayne Run to the hills: are boreal hilly systems in Alberta potential microrefugia (MSc) Alberta for boreal bird communities in response to global warming? Angelo Filicetti University of Scott Nielsen Recovery of woody vegetation on linear disturbances (PhD) Alberta Spencer Goyette University of Toby Spribille Fungal diversity associated with hair lichens in boreal and montane forests (MSc) Alberta in Alberta Jessica Grenke University of JC Cahill Grassland plant species and functional diversity responses to intensive (MSc) Alberta grazing Adriana Guerrero University of Jeffrey Lane Intraspecific variation in the energetics of reproduction in Columbian Chacón (PhD) Saskatchewan ground squirrels (Urocitellus columbianus) Lee Hecker (PhD) University of Scott Nielsen and Trade-offs in foraging mechanisms influencing the habitat selection of Alberta Mark Edwards wood bison on a multiple-use landscape Jeremiah University of Erin Bayne Using bioacoustic methods for assessment of predator avoidance behaviour Kennedy (MSc) Alberta and improved techniques for analyzing bioacoustic data Zachary University of Felix Sperling Does gene flow within a badlands butterfly, Papilio machaon dodi, follow MacDonald (PhD) Alberta eroding riverbank corridors? Corey Smereka University of Andrew Derocher Survival of cougar kittens and maternal space use in west-central Alberta (MSc) Alberta Samantha University of Bill Shotyk Trace elements in native berries growing in the vicinity of open pit mines Stachiw (MSc) Alberta and upgraders: distinguishing root uptake from aerial deposition of dusts Nikki van University of Suzanne Tank Assessing stream functional responses across a gradient of agricultural land Klaveren (MSc) Alberta use in Alberta Colby Whelan University of Leland Jackson Occupancy and habitat preferences of Tubifex tubifex, alternate host of (MSc) Calgary Whirling disease, in Banff National Park

56 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 Auditor’s Report

Photo: ACA, Kris Kendell 58 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 59 BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Management is responsible for the preparation of the summary financial statements. The summary financial statements are comprised of the summary statement of financial position and the summary statement of operations, and do not include and other schedules, a summary of significant accounting policies or the notes to the financial statements. The summary statement of financial position and the summary statement of operations are presented with the same amounts as the audited financial statements, but all note referencing has been removed.

60 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 Financial Highlights

including individuals, corporations, Revenue by Source Summarized granting foundations, the federal Approximately 27.8% of ACA’s Financial Statements government, and other conservation total budget was generated from organizations. Total revenue of In 2018/19, ACA received non-levy sources ($5,210,873). This $18,703,369, means ACA was $13,492,496 in levy revenue from increase from the previous year was able to leverage levy dollars an hunting and angling licences, largely attributable to a planned additional 38.6% for conservation representing a decrease of $930,454 giving donation from one donor. activities. This does not include from the previous year. This result Land donations and purchases increased dollar leveraging that demonstrates the impact of the added approximately 4,167 acres to has occurred as a result of grants unplanned, mid-year reduction in ACA’s conserved lands, for future provided to third-party conservation the cost of a seniors white-tailed generations to use, value, and enjoy. organizations. deer hunting licence and seniors wildlife certificate (approximate Expenditures by Program 2018/19 Overview $430,000 reduction in levy revenue) • Total revenue of $18,703,369 implemented by AEP, and a decline Often stakeholders want to of 26,400 in the number of resident determine what funds are being • Received $13,492,496 from levies on fishing licences sold in the province directed towards their particular hunting and fishing licences. (approximate $480,000 levy passion. When examining the • Received $5.21 million in non-levy reduction). The unexpected decline Expenditures by Program, the revenue. in levy forced ACA staff to make numbers shown are somewhat • Applied 120.5% of levy value directly mid-year adjustments to projects in arbitrary and do not necessarily towards the conservation of Alberta’s an attempt to reduce expenditures represent all projects that may wildlife, fish, and habitats. and shrink the resulting operational relate to a particular program • Administration costs kept to 7.3% of total deficit. area. For instance, fisheries access expenditures. sites, which are directly related to • Current year accounting deficit is Despite the significant financial increasing angling opportunities, $(773,458), the majority of which challenges faced by ACA in 2018/19, are administered, and budgeted relates to a decline in fish licence sales our staff were still able to complete for under our Land Management and a reduction in senior licence costs, a wide range of projects and provide Program instead of the Fisheries implemented by AEP. substantial leverage to the levy funds Program. Granting is shown we received. Together, our Wildlife, separately even though it relates to The following charts summarize the Fisheries, Land Management, all three resource areas. total operating budget breakdown Communications, Grants, and RAP according to each program and As per previous years, Programs had expenditures totalling revenue area. We encourage you administration costs (7.3% of $13,528,620, plus an additional to review the entire Annual Report expenditures) continue to be $2,723,425 in land purchases and for a greater understanding of the well below the federal guideline donations (for accounting purposes, conservation projects undertaken for charitable organizations and these funds are recorded as assets, within each program and how includes areas such as Human not direct operational expenditures). they may relate to your particular Resources and regional and These numbers mean approximately interests. If you have any questions, corporate administration. 120.5% of the levy value collected please do not hesitate to contact went back into conserving Alberta’s Unlike previous years, 2018/19 ended our President and CEO, Todd resources (expenses plus increase in in an unbudgeted deficit. Despite Zimmerling. habitat assets). significant efforts by staff to reduce ACA received approximately expenditures to shrink the budget $5.21 million in non-levy revenue shortfall, expenditures still exceed (including $2,723,425 in land revenue by $773,458. donations and funds for land purchase), representing 27.8% of total revenue. These funds came from a variety of donors,

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 61 Revenue by Source

Total Percentage of Dollars Revenue 44.25% Hunting 8,275,837

27.89% Fishing 5,216,659

14.56% Land purchases/donations 2,723,425

8.39% Partner 1,568,685

4.91% Other 918,763

TOTAL 18,703,369

Expenditures by Program Levy Partner Total Percentage of Dollars Expenditures 20.71% Wildlife Program 3,228,910 805,402 4,034,312

15.18% Granting Programs 2,905,325 52,098 2,957,423

13.98% Land purchases/donations - 2,723,425 2,723,425

13.57% Land Programs 2,188,650 454,094 2,642,744

13.48% Fisheries Program 2,559,895 65,590 2,625,485

7.26% Administration 1,413,596 - 1,413,596

5.27% Communications 969,059 57,805 1,026,864

3.30% Finance 508,247 133,696 641,943

2.42% Information Technology 471,584 - 471,584

1.89% Business Development 368,425 - 368,425

1.25% Human Resources 242,706 - 242,706

1.24% Report A Poacher and Compensation 241,792 - 241,792

0.44% Health and Safety 86,527 - 86,527

TOTAL 15,184,716 4,292,110 19,476,826

62 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 Abacus Datagraphics Ltd. AltaLink Aquality Environmental Consulting Ltd. Backroad Mapbooks Beretta/Benelli/Tikka/Sako Cabela’s Canada Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows Canadian Natural Resources Limited Alberta Conservation Association Canadian Tire – Cochrane wishes to thank our Corporate Partners Can West Legacy Inc. in Conservation who have provided Capital Power multi-year financial contributions in CCI Inc. support our conservation programs City of Fort Saskatchewan and projects. Together we are City of Medicine Hat conserving Alberta`s natural heritage ConocoPhillips Canada Resources Corp. for generations to come. County of Warner Covenant Health Cycle Works Motorsports Dow Chemical Canada ULC Edmonton Trout Fishing Club Heritage Inn Hotels Holiday Inn Calgary MacLeod Trail South HUVAN Construction Inter Pipeline Ltd. JobSite Workwear Let’s Go Outdoors MacFarlane Pheasants Inc. Martin Motor Sports Matrix Solutions Inc. Municipal District of Greenview Mercer Peace River Pulp Ltd. Mountain View County Natura Drain Products Nutrien Saddle Hills County Shell Canada Limited Sinopec Canada Ltd. Suncor Energy Syncrude Canada Ltd. SysGen Solutions Group Ltd. Taber Irrigation District TeraGo Networks Thorhild County Town of Cochrane Town of Taber TransAlta Generation Partnership West Fraser Mills Ltd. WiBand Communications Wolf Midstream Yeti Roughrider Rentals Ltd.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2018/19 63 TE P RA AR O T P N R E

O R

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C O O I N T SE RVA

#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