Annual Report 2016/17 2016/17 Snapshot

• Hired four full and 24 seasonal • Collected over 1,000 westslope positions; 13 of these positions cutthroat trout samples for were filled with past and current genetic analysis to aid in recovery seasonal staff. of this Threatened species. • Fourteen companies have become • Added seven new conservation new Corporate Partners In sites and four expansions, Conservation or have increased totalling 1,770 acres (716 ha) with their ongoing support for ACA an approximate land value of programs and projects. $4,735,000. • The Alberta Outdoor Adventure • Planted 118,800 trees and shrubs Guide app was redesigned for iOS on conservation sites. and Android users. • Developed and delivered the new • Finished the year with 11,594 RAP education trailer. The trailer Facebook followers, 4,343 is split into two large displays: one Twitter followers, 336 YouTube featuring hunting violations and subscribers, and 76,958 Constant the other, fishing. Contact subscribers. • Funded 90 projects through ACA • 4-H Alberta, Boy Scouts, schools, Conservation, Community, and fish and game clubs, and private Education and ACA Research grants. landowners raised 17,980 • Wabamun Lake Kids Can Catch pheasant chicks to be released was wildly successful this year throughout the province. with 1,626 kids and adults coming • The MULTISAR Program was out to give ice fishing a try. expanded to include grasslands within the South Saskatchewan Alberta Conservation Association drainage. The expansion saw new 101 – 9 Chippewa Road partnerships, four comprehensive Sherwood Park, AB T8A 6J7 long-term habitat conservation Tel: 780-410-1999 strategies on 8,000 acres, and Toll free: 1-877-969-9091 15 enhancements among ten Fax: 780-464-0990 producers including upland E-mail: [email protected] watering sites, portable watering This document is available online at: units, and fencing. ab-conservation.com/publications • Successfully overwintered stocked trout populations at Charitable Registration Number: 88994 6141 RR0001 18 aerated lakes. Annual Report 2016/17

Contents

About Us...... 5

Message from the Chairman...... 7

Our Vision President and CEO’s Message...... 9 An Alberta with an abundance and diversity of wildlife, fish and their Our People. Our Commitment...... 10 habitats; where future generations Health and Safety...... 10 continue to use, enjoy and value our rich outdoor heritage. Human Resources...... 11 Information Technology...... 11

Our Mission Business Development...... 13 ACA conserves, protects and enhances fish and wildlife Our Conservation Programs...... 15 populations and their habitats for Information, Education, and Communications...... 15 Albertans to enjoy, value and use. Wildlife...... 21 Fisheries...... 31 Land Management...... 39

Abbreviations Index ACA Conservation Reports...... 45 ac acre Report A Poacher and Livestock Compensation Programs...... 47 °C degree Celsius cm centimetre Granting Programs...... 49 h hour ACA Conservation, Community and Education Grants...... 49 ha hectare ACA Research Grants...... 49 km kilometre Grants in Biodiversity...... 49 km2 square kilometre ACA Chair in Fisheries and Wildlife at the University of Alberta...... 49 m metre mm millimetre Auditor’s Report...... 54 mg/L milligram per litre Financial Highlights...... 57

Cover Photo: Satellite collar found in the Birch Mountains. The collar was found intact near the remains of a young male wolverine thought to have been attacked by wolves. Project: Wolverine Density, Movement, and Denning along the Western Periphery of the Birch Mountains Photo: ACA, Mike Jokinen Board of Directors 2016/17 Member Groups Executive Pat Long, Chairman – Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta Alberta Fish & Game Association Brian Bildson, Vice Chairman – Public At Large, Business Representative Alberta Hunter Education Bill Abercrombie, Secretary – Alberta Trappers’ Association Instructors’ Association Robert Gruszecki, Treasurer – Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association Alberta Professional Outfitters Society Tom Bateman, Past Chairman – Southern Alberta Board Liaison Alberta Trappers’ Association Directors Nature Alberta Ken Ambrock – Northern Alberta Board Liaison Pheasants Forever, Alberta Council Dr. Mark Boyce – ACA/University of Alberta Chair in Fisheries and Wildlife Randy Collins – Alberta Fish & Game Association Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta Silvia D’Amelio – Trout Unlimited Canada Trout Unlimited Canada Rob Duncan – Public At Large, Southern Region Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta Dr. Lee Foote – Public At Large, Academic Representative Chris Fowler – Public At Large, Northeast Region Leonard Hanson – Pheasants Forever, Alberta Council Dr. Brian Joubert – Nature Alberta Adam Norris – Public At Large, Northwest Region Carla Rhyant – Alberta Professional Outfitters Society Travis Ripley – Minister’s Representative, Alberta Environment and Parks Greg Shyba – Public at Large, Central Region

4 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 About ACA Alberta Conservation Association’s (ACA) Wildlife, Fisheries, and Land Management program biologists work on projects around the province to ensure that wildlife, fish, and their habitats flourish. ACA is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving, protecting, and enhancing these elements for Albertans to enjoy, value, and use now and for generations to come. Delegated Roles and Responsibilities In addition to being a not-for-profit organization, and a registered charity, ACA holds special status as a Delegated Administrative Organization (DAO), which means that we deliver responsibilities as outlined in the Wildlife Act and defined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP). In our role as a DAO, results from our population studies, surveys and assessments feed directly into AEP management plans and can form the basis for fishing and hunting regulation changes and evaluations of new management strategies.

Project: MULTISAR – South Saskatchewan, Rachel Whitehouse installing fence reflectors Partnerships: Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Environment and Parks, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, Cows and Fish – Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society, landholders, Prairie Conservation Forum Photo: ACA, Brad Downey

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 5

Message from the Chairman

I feel a great deal of pride every time I step back and look at the wide range of conservation activities ACA achieves in a year. Pride, not for what has been accomplished, but for the way it has been accomplished. I have been associated with ACA for many years, and in the beginning it was not always smooth sailing. We did not always work as well as we could have with our member groups and we were not as good at communicating with our stakeholders as we could have been. But things have changed, and for the better! I don’t think our relationship with member groups has ever been stronger and I believe we have more interaction with our stakeholders than we have ever had. It is clear from our Annual Report that ACA does not operate in isolation. We rely heavily on partnerships to make our projects successful. Stakeholder volunteers, member groups, corporations, Alberta Environment and Parks, and municipalities all play an important role in conservation in this province, and without these partners we could not be successful. Knowing that so many partners are willing to work with us says something about our work and our people. As you are reading the Annual Report, another Alberta summer will be upon us. I will be spending as much time as possible outdoors, sharing this beautiful province with my children and grandchildren. Despite the numerous conservation issues that arise on a constant basis, I am confident that because of the collaborative attitude seen throughout the conservation community, my grandchildren will someday be able to enjoy these same natural treasures with their own grandchildren, and that is a reason to smile. Have a great summer and enjoy your time with family.

Pat Long, Chairman of the Board

Project: Pheasant Studies – Upland Game Bird Productivity Survey, Pen-reared Pheasant Hen Survival Study Partnerships: Landowners, Pheasants Forever – Calgary Chapter, various 4-H clubs across southern Alberta, 4-H family volunteers Photo: ACA, Kyle Prince

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 7

President and CEO’s Message

From grizzlies to grayling, plovers to cutthroat, ACA tackles the whole gambit of wildlife, fish, and habitat projects across this province. It amazes me every year when I review the Annual Report to see the sheer volume of work that is being achieved. Long-term projects such as MULTISAR and Riparian Conservation continue to expand, while new projects such as the Haig Lake Angler survey and the Harvest Your Own campaign have been added. Although there are a wide range of projects occurring across our various program areas, the one clear theme that permeates throughout the Annual Report is the importance of partnerships involved in these projects. Once again this year, our member groups, stakeholders, corporate partners, and of course, dedicated staff, worked tirelessly to ensure ACA was able to complete a huge number of conservation projects not only to benefit wildlife and fish, but future generations of Albertans as well. It is clear that we accomplish much more working together than we ever could working apart. Take the time to look through the project descriptions contained in this report and you will gain an understanding where your levy funds are being spent. If you are looking for more detail you can always go to our website where every project has an annual summary posted. Of course, if you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact me directly. If I don’t have an answer for you, I will find someone that does. Open, honest, and transparent is what we are striving for and I believe it is this attitude that has aided ACA is gaining the large number of supportive partners that we have. As always, I welcome your feedback. We are spending funds provided by stakeholders like you, so it is good to know that we are meeting your expectations, and if we are not, we need to know what we can do differently. Have a great summer.

Sincerely,

Todd Zimmerling President and CEO Alberta Conservation Association

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 9 Our People. Our Culture.

Photo: ACA, Colin Eyo Health and Safety 2016/17 Overview Health and safety is a key element • Maintained low number of overall incidents in today’s workplace whether in the with a minor increase in damage to office or out in the field. ACA’s health equipment/property and motor vehicles and safety program was established, compared to previous year. and is continually maintained and • Continued to conduct work according to improved, to provide the necessary requirements established by the Certificate tools for our staff to work in a of Recognition (COR) program. Last year, manner that meets and exceeds ACA completed the 2016 Internal COR Audit OH&S standards. The end goal is and achieved an overall grade of 99%; always that everyone working on scoring 100% in 12 of the 13 mandatory ACA projects goes home healthy elements. The main goal was to ensure and safe! all aspects of the ACA Health and Safety Program had the required Job Hazard All workers (employees, contractors, Assessments and maintenance schedules volunteers, visitors) are required were being met. to comply with ACA’s Health and Safety Program in order to protect • Continued emphasis on incorporating all themselves and others, which aspects of ACA’s Health and Safety Program creates a safer and healthier work into employees’ day-to-day operations. environment. • 2016 ACA Employee Survey results showed that the majority of ACA staff supported and understood how ACA’s safety program contributed to their safe work environment.

10 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 next year’s summer field season. This in the Sherwood Park office this Human Resources was a successful year for recruitment year. Features include the ability to ACA completes many conservation of staff—13 of these positions were have voicemail emailed to staff, call projects over considerable territory filled with past and current seasonal forwarding to multiple devices, and each year, thanks in large part to our staff. ACA has a strong recruitment and remote access through internet or 80 permanent staff and numerous retention program that has allowed us cellular service. This phone system seasonal staff. It’s not just about to continually hire back staff who have will be expanded in the future to hiring talent; it is about keeping worked with us in the past. include all ACA offices and will people and helping them grow and allow calls to be moved around the stay engaged over the long term. province. This advances us toward ACA’s most valuable resources is its Information our “offices without walls” goal to employees. Technology allow consistent and company-wide Congratulations and thanks are As our organization continues to access regardless of physical location. extended to the following individuals evolve, the management and ease who achieved significant Years of of access to systems and databases 2016/17 Overview Service milestones this year: becomes increasingly important. • Continued improving staff access by moving 15 Years of Service Information Technology (IT) is to a blend between remote access and committed to finding solutions, cloud-based structure, allowing staff to work Julie Landry-Deboer increasing operational efficiencies, across the province and collaborate with 10 Years of Service and saving resources in support of external resources as required. this growth. Peter Aku, Brad Hurkett, Leila Lassey • Accessed expertise by using targeted With changes in the workforce and consultants to increase the timing and 5 Years of Service in digital technology, it is essential effectiveness of IT solutions. IT staff Blair Seward for staff to access files from just are actively involved in planning and about anywhere and to work on delivering the systems they oversee and 2016/17 Overview projects in conjunction with other maintain, which creates an environment of researchers at almost any location accountability and strong customer support. Employee Survey in the province. The IT team is • 98.7% of employees agree they are committed to finding solutions by • Continued updating and improving systems satisfied with ACA as a place to work—a consulting with staff, talking with to provide better and more consistent tremendous accomplishment. partners, and meeting with experts online access for staff. The main system • 93.7% of employees are satisfied with in the field to develop a system improvement was customization and having a good work-life balance. that ensures staff are working as updates to the Project Safety Plan form to • 92.4% are satisfied with ACA’s benefit plan. efficiently and effectively as possible. allow more information to be included and • 87.3% are satisfied with the whole Work continued this year on the increase ease of use. Our goal is to streamline compensation package available to them. long-range plan and focus for system entry to make an efficient and user- technology. Mobile access continues friendly environment for staff, whether they Employee Retention to be our top priority as our needs are entering data or retrieving information • Staff turnover decreased slightly over last change over time and we require for monitoring the progress of their projects. year to 5%. We continue to concentrate on increased access from remote field • Continued to support staff with new drone professional development and employee sites. We continued with a review technology for testing in project delivery. engagement. Employee review documents of our internal systems and storage were redesigned for easier understanding, and began a review of our key • Completed implementation of a new phone giving employees freedom to contribute to applications and access, evaluating system in Sherwood Park offices that will their own career path with ACA. the benefits of cloud versus on-site expand over time to all locations. This internet Career Fairs storage. We began an audit of our based system allows for better communication existing systems much like we did company-wide and will eliminate individual • Attended career fairs at the University of with our network structure and systems in regional offices. Lethbridge and University of Alberta. These hardware with the intent to see fairs provided excellent opportunities where, if any, improvements could be • Began an evaluation of current data storage to introduce ourselves and inform new made. We are moving toward a set and access systems to determine where graduates about career options available structure that will be expandable as changes are required to standardize the at ACA. ACA work continues to grow process company-wide. Recruitment over time. • Continued work to link current systems, • Filled four permanent positions. We As an example, a new internet decreasing duplication and staff effort in also hired 24 seasonal to work for phone system was implemented planning and forecasting results.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 11 Taber Pheasant Festival Photo: ACA, Colin Eyo Business Development

ACA partners with many Alberta corporations (big and small), 2016/17 Overview municipalities, and community organizations that sponsor, donate, and otherwise support our conservation work and values. These partnerships • We are pleased to recognize fourteen are integral to helping us achieve the annual goals of our Wildlife, Fisheries, companies that are either new Corporate Land Management and the Information, Education, and Communication Partners In Conservation or have Programs. Over the past few years, we have also seen a dramatic increase increased their ongoing support for ACA in support for our growing number of events that continue to engage and programs and projects: educate people about conservation in communities across Alberta. –– Abacus Datagraphics: Internet Mapping Program Many of our partnerships are formerly recognized in our Corporate Partners –– Access Pipeline Inc.: Enhanced Fish in Conservation (CPIC) Program, which provides unique opportunities for Stocking at Gibbons and Radway Ponds businesses, municipalities, and organizations to be directly plugged into ACA’s conservation work. Our CPIC participants enjoy the ability to promote –– Cabela’s: Kids Can Catch, Archery Days, their affiliation with us through their own communications, and benefit Waterfowl Warmup, Taber Pheasant Festival, Trout Pond Survey from ACA’s promotion of these partnerships through our communications initiatives. –– Canadian Tire Cochrane: Enhanced Fish Stocking at Mitford Pond Business Development also generates additional revenue through advertising –– Capital Power: Genesee Power Plant sales to support our communications activities on television, radio, online, Peregrine Camera and our in-house publications Conservation Magazine and the Alberta –– CCI Inc.: Enhanced Fish Stocking at Discover Guide. Dewitt’s Pond –– Inter Pipeline Ltd.: Report A Poacher Education Trailer –– Martin Motor Sports: Report A Poacher Education Trailer –– MacFarlane Pheasants Inc.: 4-H Pheasant Raise and Release and Taber Pheasant Festival –– SysGen Solutions Group Ltd.: Enhanced Fish Stocking Program at Beaumont Pond, Nose Creek Pond, and Mitchell Pond –– Town of Cochrane: Enhanced Fish Stocking Program at Dewitt’s Pond –– TransAlta Generation Partnership: Peregrine Cameras Project, Wabamun Lake Kids Can Catch –– West Fraser Ltd. (Sundre Forest Products): Fishery Inventories Kids Can Catch Event, Wabamun Lake –– Wingate by Wyndham: WIN Card Photo: ACA, Colin Eyo Benefits Program

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 13 Photo: ACA, Colin Eyo Our Conservation Programs

• Supported the Wildlife, Fish, and Land Alberta Discover Guide Information, Management Resource Programs with The Alberta Discover Guide is a visual communications and on-demand Education, and free annual publication which design and media services such as Communications features conservation sites across regional advertising, site signage, and Alberta that outdoor enthusiasts can Alberta Conservation Association angler online surveys. access for hunting, fishing, hiking, and conservation itself mean many foraging, and photography. The 2017 • Business Development successfully different things to many different edition featured 776 conservation engaged corporate funding for a new groups of people. The Information, sites. Available in both print and Report A Poacher trailer. Communications Education, and Communications digital formats, the guide provides designed and developed content for Program is key to keeping individual site details and directions digital and static displays and worked conservation relevant to Alberta’s to conservation sites, including alongside Business Development to stocked and aerated lakes and ponds. scope of lifestyles and corporate produce the trailer on time and under We printed 60,000 copies of the 2017 citizens. The program builds budget. issue—a reduction from 80,000 in relationships and creates awareness previous years as a response to lower between conservation stakeholders— • Kids Can Catch is a province-wide advertising revenue and to reduce hunters, anglers, trappers, the public, program sponsored by Dow Chemical costs and waste. Copies are mailed to corporate partners, and landowners. Canada. ACA partners with community subscribers at the beginning of each and corporate partners to create free year and distributed at trade shows 2016/17 Overview family fishing events at lakes and ponds. and hunting and fishing licence In total, 4,352 adults and children came retailers across Alberta. The Alberta • 60,000 copies of Alberta Discover Guide out to fish at 17 Kids Can Catch events, Discover Guide remains a popular were delivered in January 2017, featuring resource with hunters and anglers. involving 67 corporate and community 776 conservation sites (including DUC event partners. Partnerships and AFGA sites). The Guide is a free Advertisers, Alberta Fish & Game annual publication that provides outdoor • The peregrine cameras continued to Association and affiliated clubs, enthusiasts with a list of conservation be a popular draw and its audiences Ducks Unlimited Canada sites that can be accessed for hunting, raised funds for a new ferruginous hawk fishing, hiking, and foraging. camera— increasing awareness of Alberta Outdoor Adventure species at risk. • The Alberta Outdoor Adventure Guide app Guide App was redesigned with a focus on the end • In 2016/17, ACA had 11,594 Facebook In 2016/17, we relaunched the user and made available on Android. followers, 4,343 Twitter followers, Alberta Outdoor Adventure Guide 336 YouTube subscribers and 76,958 app to be both iOS- and Android- • The successful Harvest Your Own subscribers to Constant Contact. friendly. The app is free of charge advertising campaign and website were and provides information on designed and launched across print • The Taber Pheasant Festival celebrated conservation sites contained in and digital media including outdoor its sixth year. The week-long festival is the print and web versions of the billboards. Aimed to capitalize on the the biggest hunting festival in Canada. Alberta Discover Guide in a mobile localvore culture and the “non-hormone” Events include: dog training seminar, format. In-app notifications help us wave the concept presents hunting as novice hunt, culinary evening, and scotch communicate relevant information an alternative to where people source tasting. The celebration banquet was sold about the recreational opportunities ACA creates, such as stocked and their protein. This ongoing investment out with close to 350 attendees. aerated fishing ponds, pheasant into information and communications is release sites, and kid-friendly events. important to maintaining engagement It also provides us with a platform and education of non-consumers and for advertising content from ACA’s consumers of wild game. stakeholders and other organizations and businesses focused on fishing, • The Annual Operating Plan and Annual hunting, and conservation. The Report were completed and provided to new app was downloaded by 6,827 our Board of Directors. individual users. • Produced a combined total of 30,000 Partnerships copies of Conservation Magazine for 2016. N/A

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 15 Annual Operating Plan Archery Days Conservation Site Signs Our Annual Operating Plan informs ACA supports the efforts of local Each of our conservation sites has Albertans and our stakeholders organizers to plan and host archery branded signage to recognize our and partners about the projects we events that provide youth and first- partners, provide wayfinding for are undertaking during the fiscal time archers with an opportunity users, and inform users of any year and how we are directing to learn the basics of archery in restrictions on the site. We work revenue to our resource program a fun and accessible way. The with our Wildlife, Fisheries, and areas. The plan is produced each goal of each event is to foster an Land Management teams to produce year in both print and electronic interest in archery as a gateway to signs for these conservation sites, formats. The accuracy of the content hunting. Each event is led by a local including fisheries access sites and is our primary concern prior organization. In 2016/17, Archery their boundaries, as well as for to its release. Our Information, Days events were held in Lamont, pheasant release sites, thin-ice areas Education, and Communications Magrath, and Edmonton. Nearly 500 (warnings), and interpretive trails. Program coordinates content from people tried archery during the three Partnerships the other resource programs and events. N/A then edits the content and designs Partnerships the document. After review and Alberta Bowhunters Association, Emerging Issues approval by our Board of Directors, Alberta Hunter Education Additional requests for the plan is posted on our website Instructors’ Association, Aux Sable, communications support by the at the start of each fiscal year. In Cabela’s Edmonton North, Cabela’s executive of ACA or the resource 2016/17, the plan was provided to Edmonton South, Lamont Fish & programs (Wildlife, Fisheries, the Board in a timely fashion for Game Club, Magrath Rod and Gun and Land Management) occur approval and was posted on our Club, University of Alberta website at the beginning of the fiscal throughout the year. These requests year. Conservation Magazine include editing presentations, Partnerships relaying up-to-date information Conservation Magazine is a free on aeration and changes in N/A bi-annual publication produced by pheasant release sites, responding ACA that highlights the projects and through social media to news Annual Report work we and our member groups are events, or documenting damage doing in Alberta, discusses topical Our Annual Report is a valuable to conservation sites using drone conservation issues, and bridges an tool for ACA and our stakeholders footage. Our Information, Education, understanding between the hunting because it provides information and Communications Program team and angling communities and the about our work and the funding provides on-demand services in larger conservation community. we receive each year from levies, design, copywriting, editing, print The magazine also helps increase partnerships, and donations; it production, and digital media. also provides audited financial ACA’s profile in Alberta and is Partnerships statements. It is one of our business used as a tool by some of our reports that demonstrates that ACA program areas (Wildlife, Fisheries, N/A is accountable and transparent. Land Management, Business Our Information, Education, and Development) to reach out to Final Report Series Communications Program team potential donors and partners. The Each year, our resource programs coordinates content for the report 2016 editions included articles on (Wildlife, Fisheries, and Land carrying capacity, the ACA Enchant from the other resource programs, Management) are responsible for project, invasive species, member edits the content, and designs and submitting reports on the projects groups Trout Unlimited Canada produces the document. After they have been working on to and Alberta Trappers’ Association, the report has been reviewed and describe the findings of their work. the wolverine project, and a lengthy approved by our Board of Directors, Our Information, Education, and article on the elk hunt at Canadian it is printed and posted on our Communications Program team is Forces Base Suffield. The magazine is website. Through this process, our responsible for editing, proofing, and delivered to over 12,000 subscribers communications team also edits all formatting these reports and making and distributed at trade shows and resource program annual summaries sure they are available to the public events, and it is also available in and posts them on our website each and our stakeholders and partners digital format. April following ACA’s fiscal year- through our website, and the Alberta end. Partnerships Government Library. Partnerships Advertisers Partnerships N/A N/A

16 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 General Advertising Award-winning Yellow Fish Road adults and children came out to fish program and Nature Alberta’s Living at 17 Kids Can Catch events across Advertising helps us work toward a by Water program. These projects Alberta, involving 67 community number of long-term goals within are only a small sample of the 979 and corporate partners. The success the Strategic Business Plan, such projects funded so far. We update of this year’s events shows that as increasing public recognition of the grants section on our website the Kids Can Catch Program is a the ACA brand; creating positive as needed and promote grants and successful model in which ACA profiles of hunting, fishing, and deadlines in the fall and winter. can engage local organizations and trapping; and developing corporate businesses interested in fishing and partnerships. In addition to these Partnerships conservation, and invite families, primary goals, ongoing ACA N/A youth, and new Canadians to give program support (such as for the fishing a try and learn about fishing, Enhanced Fish Stocking project, Internal Communications conservation, and responsible Report A Poacher Program and event Needs angling. The program continues to promotions) provides recognition of Effective communication is an generate interest from community the work we do, leading to increased integral part of our operations and corporate partners. ACA brand recognition by the public and fundamental to ensuring and corporate support. We create Partnerships our stakeholders and the public consistent and contemporary visual Program sponsor: are informed about, and engaged communications using print, web, Dow Chemical Canada with, our programming. This work and social media platforms. includes proactively informing Event partners: 8th Avenue Eyecare, Brooks; Absolute Safety, Partnerships individuals and organizations Brooks; Access Pipeline; Alberta N/A about upcoming opportunities, Fish & Game Association; Alberta such as events or volunteer Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Grant Fund Annual Report opportunities, and sharing results Branch; Alberta Hunter Education The Grant Fund Annual Report and information about completed Instructors’ Association; Alberta provides stakeholders with projects or initiatives. The Internal Lifesaving Society; ATB Financial, information about our granting Communications Needs project Cochrane; ATB Financial, Stony process, the funding allocations, provides creative and technical Plain; Aux Sable; Berkley; Brooks and the activities and results of the services to the President and and County of Newell Early projects that receive funding each CEO, our Human Resources and Childhood Development Coalition; fiscal year. ACA annually funnels Business Development teams, and Brooks Fire Department; Brooks over $1 million into conservation our Wildlife, Fisheries, and Land Fish & Game Association; Cabela’s, work in Alberta through grants. Management Programs. Calgary; Cabela’s, Edmonton North; Since starting our grant programs in We work with program managers, Cabela’s, Edmonton South; Canadian 2002/03, we have awarded over $15.4 regional managers, and project Tire Jump Start; Canadian Tire, million. Since 2014/15, ACA has leads to ensure that our programs Brooks and Cochrane; City of Fort administrated two grant programs: and projects receive the Saskatchewan; CN Police Service; ACA Research Grants and ACA communications materials and Coronation Elks; Coronation Family Conservation, Community, and support needed to contribute to and Community Support Services; Education Grants. Projects that their success and recognition. Coronation Family Foods; County of Newell; County of Paintearth; have benefitted from long-term This work is accomplished by our Edmonton Old Timers’ Fishing funding cover everything from communications staff and using Club; Edmonton Trout Fishing Club; avian monitoring and education out-sourced services. Fort Saskatchewan Fish & Game programs to research on bighorn Partnerships Association; Fort Saskatchewan sheep and elk. Other recipients N/A Lions Club; Fort Saskatchewan include the Edmonton Nature Club’s Naturalist Society; Golby Hardware popular Snow Goose Chase, the Kids Can Catch Program and Sports; Grimshaw Agricultural Camrose Purple Martin Festival, Society; Handi-Can Septic; Harold and many Alberta Hunter Education Kids Can Catch is a province-wide Walters & Associates; Heartland Instructors’ Association programs, program in which ACA teams up Elks; Heritage Ranch; JobSite which engage youth and adults in with community and corporate Workwear; Lamont Fish & Game outdoor recreational activities, such partners to create free family fishing Association; Magrath Rod and as archery, fishing, and hunting. events. Sponsored by Dow Chemical Gun Club; Night Owls Citizens on The Conservation, Community, Canada, Kids Can Catch aims to Patrol; Northern Lights Fly Tyers; and Education Grants also fund “hook” new and young anglers on Parkland County; Peace Country Fly education programs, such as Trout fish conservation and responsible Fishers; Pita Pit, Brooks; Provost and Unlimited Canada’s Emerald angling. In 2016/17, nearly 4,500 District Fish & Game Association;

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 17 River Valley Alliance; Safari Club Online Advertising Riparian Publication International, Red Deer Chapter; Servus Credit Union, Wabamun; We use online advertising to increase The Caring for Shorelines booklet is Shakespeare; Slave Lake Rod and public awareness of ACA and our an existing riparian resource that Gun Club; Stony Plain Fish & Game initiatives. By developing advertising has become outdated and was to be Association; Superfly; Thompson campaigns, often based on seasonal rewritten and republished. Nature Pallister Bait Company; Town of initiatives, we can greatly increase Alberta approached ACA and Beaumont; Town of Cochrane; Town our exposure to the public. Online Alberta Environment and Parks to of Coronation; Town of Gibbons; search advertising enables the combine resources and knowledge Town of Provost; Town of Stettler; public to easily find ACA’s website to produce a more robust riparian TransAlta; Vibrook Vacuum and specific web pages by typing resource for the public within their and Septic; Village of Wabamun; keywords into the Google search Wabamun and District Chamber Living Edge program. In 2016/17, engine. Traditionally, websites of Commerce; Walleye Master; the design and content for the reach the first page of Google search Wholesale Sports, Grande Prairie; publication was ultimately rejected, results for specific keywords through Wolverine Gun and Tackle and the project was renegotiated, a variety of metrics that determine with ACA taking the lead role in the website’s quality and relevance. Marketing Campaign: redesign and content development. With online advertising, we can Concepts for the publication were Harvest Your Own force our web pages to the top, so the developed and approved. Content Hunting and angling are important top one to three results for specific development is ongoing. to ACA because licence levies help keywords will be our web pages. In support the association and our 2016/17, we launched five Google Partnerships work. Positive promotion of hunting, Adwords campaigns, generating Alberta Environment and Parks, angling, and trapping is part of our over 30,000 clicks and 770,000 Nature Alberta Strategic Business Plan and must impressions. We also launched one be undertaken with a long-term Facebook campaign, reaching over Social Media approach. This ongoing investment 150,000 people, recording nearly in information and communications One of ACA’s key goals in our is important to continue to engage 10,000 engagement actions, and 10-year Strategic Business Plan and educate non-consumers and garnering over 700 followers. is to raise awareness about our consumers of wild game. The initial Partnerships organization and the work we do. campaign launch for Harvest Your N/A Social media is a way for us to Own generated positive response connect with, inform, and grow and awareness. The campaign was Peregrine Cameras our audience. By having a medium expanded into fall 2016 and spring The peregrine cameras provide a where we can share our work and 2017 and will be ongoing. The Harvest interests with people on a daily Your Own website had 3,526 users bird’s-eye view into the daily lives basis, we can generate interest and and 31,896 page views. Users visited of peregrine falcons as they fight for conversations that would otherwise 1.91 pages per session, and the average mates and territory, catch food, and not exist. In 2016/17, we connected duration of visits was 1:12 minutes. raise their young. We have cameras at five locations in Edmonton— with the public through our four Partnerships Bell Tower, University of Alberta, primary social media mediums: N/A Genesee Power Plant, Agrium Facebook, Twitter, our e-newsletter, Media Releases Redwater, and Weber Centre—and and YouTube. Ultimately, the goal of we live-stream the video to our our social media efforts is fostering Media releases inform television, website. The cameras draw attention an interested and compassionate radio, and print media sources about to this species and to other species- audience so that we are connected events and important information in at-risk initiatives and resources with a larger scope of people hopes that they might be announced available from Alberta Environment when the time comes to deliver to a bigger audience. In 2016/17, we and Parks. Views of peregrine pages an important message or make a sent media releases announcing a on our website accounted for 34% of partnership with the Philip J. Currie request regarding conservation in web traffic in 2016/17. Dinosaur Museum, reminding Alberta. In the past year, we have new anglers of our Kids Can Catch Partnerships engaged nearly 3,300 new followers Wabamun event, reporting on new Aspen Properties, Capital Power, on Facebook, over 800 new followers grants, and publicizing our brand TeraGo, TransAlta, University of on Twitter, and nearly 30 new new Report A Poacher trailer. Alberta, WiBand subscribers on YouTube. Partnerships Partnerships N/A N/A

18 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 Stakeholder Communications week; these events included dog- Website Maintenance training seminars, a scotch-tasting To foster positive business and Development evening, and a chef-led culinary relationships and partnerships evening highlighting various ways ACA’s website provides an accessible in conservation sectors, ACA to prepare pheasant. The festival has gateway to information about our promotes projects and events for our gained recognition not only for its work using current technology stakeholders and member groups hunting opportunities but also for to engage users. It is perhaps the whenever possible. This support the positive economic and cultural primary platform we use to work might appear as an advertisement toward increasing our profile in benefits it has fostered in the Taber in Conservation Magazine, a Alberta, one of the long-term goals area, and it continually receives post in social media, or a design of ACA’s 10-year Strategic Business significant media attention during for a conservation site sign. Our Plan. In 2016/17, the ACA website the event. Information, Education, and achieved approximately 479,181 Communications Program is able to Partnerships page views, with the average user provide creative services related to Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance, spending 2:10 minutes per page. visual communications and social Alberta Fish & Game Association, Partnerships media, such as design, creative Alberta Hunter Education N/A copywriting, digital design, editing, Instructors’ Association, Beretta/ social media, and industry-standard Benelli/Tikka (Stoeger Canada), print media production. WIN Card Reimbursements C&B Alberta Solar Development, Working in partnership with Partnerships Cycle Works, Heritage Inn Taber/ Hunting for Tomorrow and N/A Canadian Destinations Group, the Alberta Hunter Education landowners, MacFarlane Pheasants, Instructors’ Association, the WIN Taber Pheasant Festival Municipal District of Taber, Card Reimbursement Program In 2016, The Taber Pheasant Pheasants Forever – Calgary supports the recruitment of young Festival celebrated its sixth year. Chapter, Taber & District Chamber people into hunting. This program As in previous years, this week- of Commerce, Taber Irrigation gives ACA and its member groups long hunting event kicked off District, Town of Taber, Town of a way to connect with new hunters with a novice-focused hunting Vauxhall, Vortex when they purchase their first weekend largely run by the Alberta WIN card. Although the cost of Hunter Education Instructors’ Waterfowl Warmup reimbursing each youth for their Association. Novice hunters were ACA hosted Waterfowl Warmup first WIN card is relatively small, given the opportunity to develop on August 18, 2016, at Beaverhill the impact of this program has been their shooting skills on clay targets Sporting Clays, 45 minutes east of significant. ACA has been able to with a shooting coach and then Edmonton, to raise funds for a new enhance young hunters’ experiences guided through a pheasant hunt educational trailer for the Report A by introducing and connecting by a mentor. Following this hunt, them to programs, information, novice hunters were treated to a Poacher Program. Sporting clays is and member-group organizations. pheasant stew prepared by chefs like golf with a shotgun—rather than It is our hope that making these featured at our culinary event holes there are shooting stations connections at a young age will hosted later in the week. The six with trap machines that launch clay result in long-term relationships days that followed the novice targets. The four-person team that being formed between these hunts focused on regular hunting shoots the most clay targets wins. young stakeholders and the larger opportunities at 40 locations within But the real winner is wildlife and conservation community. In 2016/17, the Municipal District of Taber. fish in Alberta because the event Hunting for Tomorrow distributed We released 5,100 pheasants over raised funds to purchase the new over 1,800 information packages to the course of seven days. Roughly educational trailer and increased youth who had completed the hunter 760 hunters, including 73 novice awareness about the value of the education course. A total of 344 hunters, participated in the festival. Report A Poacher Program. In 2016/17, youth returned the reimbursement Of these hunters, 91% were residents 14 teams participated, including a form and asked to be included on of Alberta and 9% travelled from couple of fish and game clubs. ACA’s mailing list to receive ongoing British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Partnerships Ontario, or the United Sates. information from ACA regarding Beaverhill Sporting Clays, Cabela’s Sponsorship and support has hunting, fishing, trapping, and other Canada, Canadian Red Agencies, increased year after year, from 11 conservation activities. initial sponsors in 2011 to over 50 Evan’s Group Partnerships in 2016. Daily after-hour events Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ helped to round off a fun-filled Association, Hunting for Tomorrow

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 19

2016/17 Overview to improve pronghorn movement across Wildlife Program a fenced landscape, we’ve been trialling a • Operated 17 wolverine live traps and 14 run Partnerships remain the cornerstone few different modifications. Smooth wire pole camera traps in the Birch Mountains this of our wildlife program with these appeared to be most effective, followed past winter. We radio collared three females long-term relationships forming closely by carabineers, which were used to and four males. Two of three females were the foundation of meaningful clip the bottom wire to the wire above. White recaptures and both of these denned. The conservation. While science-based PVC pipe used to raise the bottom wire by four males were new captures with one these evidence is important for guiding clipping it to the wire above appeared to overlapping its territory into Wood Buffalo the way, it’s the common ground deter or impede movement by pronghorn. National Park. among stakeholders that moves • Collaborated with other organizations to • A final report covering the run-pole work conservation forward. survey 66 waterbodies and located 123 over the past six years is now available on our adult piping plovers as part of the 2016 ACA’s Wildlife Program works with external website. We also published a paper many stakeholders in a variety of in the Journal of Wildlife Management: “The International Piping Plover Census. This different projects, from working distribution of wolverines relative to snow count is lower than the previous four in with Alberta trappers for the cover, Alberta, Canada.” Alberta (1996 = 276 birds, 2001 = 150 birds, 2006 = 274 birds, and 2011 = 244 wolverine project to working with • Set up 922 rub objects to collect grizzly bear birds), and the lowest count since 2000. This 4-H members to raise and release DNA from hair sample in BMA 5 in south apparent decline has been occurring over pheasant hens and working with western Alberta. We completed over 3,600 the last few years and may be due to the landowners to improve shoreline visits to these rub objects over a 12 week substantial reduction in available breeding breeding habitat for piping plovers. duration with five field crews visiting each habitat since 2012, resulting from vegetation Our projects would suffer without site four times. They covered more than encroachment on some lakes (e.g., Muriel), the help of our partners and 6,000 km on the trail. We collected 1,289 bear and from flooding of nesting habitat on other stakeholders. hair samples from these rub objects on both lakes where water levels remained at their public and private land, and submitted these highest level in more than a decade (e.g., to the lab for analysis. Handhills). • Eighty-six 4-H members participated in the third year of the Raise and Release Program. • Collaborated with ranchers to update plans They raised 9,470 day-old chicks to 14-week- and reassess range health on roughly 70,000 old hen pheasants and roosters. An additional acres through the MULTISAR program within 8,510 pheasant chicks were raised by Boy the Milk River drainage. We also partnered Scout groups, schools, Fish & Game clubs, and with eight producers to implement 13 private landowners throughout Alberta. We enhancements ranging from water wells to held three workshops discussing pheasant native grass reseeding to the installation of husbandry and the habitat requirements of wildlife-friendly fence lines. pheasants once released into the wild. • Expanded the MULTISAR program to include • Tested survival of pen-reared pheasants grasslands within the South Saskatchewan released as 14-week-old poults in four sites drainage. We kicked off this expansion presumed to have high quality habitat. with new partnerships, and completed Apparent survival to 30 weeks of age ranged four comprehensive long-term habitat from 44–55% at three sites and down to 11% conservation strategies on 8,000 acres. We Project: Wolverine Density, Movement, and at the fourth site. also implemented 15 enhancements among Denning along the Western Periphery of • Released 26,000 male pheasants on 41 public ten producers including upland watering the Birch Mountains hunting release sites to increase hunting sites, portable watering units, and fencing. Partnerships: Alberta Environment and opportunities in Alberta. Five Fish & Game • Initiated a partnership with Washington Parks, Alberta Trappers’ Association, clubs played key roles with this program State University to test and refine sampling Animal Damage Control – A Division of protocols to improve amphibian detection Bushman Inc., ATB Financial, Bildson Realty by releasing pheasants at 24 of these sites Ltd., BRE-JON Enterprises Ltd., Crowsnest through the season. We added a new site using eDNA taken from pond water. Conservation Society, Daishowa-Marubeni (Whitetail North, Ducks Unlimited property) • Through our collaboration with Enchant International Ltd., Hinton Trappers near Grande Prairie, with 4-H members in Farm, we trialed 21 seed varieties in test plots Association, McGill University, Orion the region providing 1,000 male pheasants to assess their potential as brood-rearing Foundation of Calgary, Richard D. McCabe for put-and-take hunting opportunities at habitat (insect-rich) or territorial edge Professional Corporation, Roadrunner this site. MacFarlane Pheasants released Leasing and Sales Ltd., Rocky Mountain habitat (tall-structure) for pheasants and Wilderness Society, South Country Trappers, pheasants three times per week at the grey partridge. We also worked with our Stojan’s Motor Sports, TD Friends of the remaining 16 sites. partners to design four wetlands. Wetland Environment Foundation, Trapper Gord • Pronghorn continue to select historic crossing placement will reduce the amount of crop Homestead & Survival, University of Alberta sites rather than switching to locations that lost to periodic flooding and also serves as Photo: ACA, Corey Rasmussen would provide easier passage. In an effort high-value wildlife habitat.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 21 ACA/4-H Pheasant Raise and Alberta Volunteer Amphibian its population size and whether it is Release Program Monitoring Program stable, increasing, or declining; factors preventing the species from Pheasants were first introduced Volunteers have been playing a thriving in Alberta; and what work into Alberta in 1908 by a group crucial role in wildlife conservation has been done or is ongoing to of recreational enthusiasts to efforts for many years. Vast datasets manage the species in Alberta. A provide enhanced upland hunting collected through long-established committee of Alberta-based scientists opportunities. Now more than 100 programs like the North American compares the information in each years later, the tradition continues Breeding Bird Survey, or more status report to internationally set as ACA partners with many recent programs such as eBird, thresholds (for population size, for stakeholders to improve upland would not exist without their efforts. e.g.,) and recommends a status for the hunting opportunities in Alberta. Individuals who volunteer with species. Using international criteria Changes in agricultural practices ACA can develop skills and gain and thresholds ensures the status and the conversion of native prairie knowledge related to conservation assessment process is as unbiased as into cropland have dramatically and, at the same time, increase our possible. The status recommended by capacity to deliver conservation modified the landscape to the point the scientists is subsequently initiatives. In 2016/17, 15 participants where native game birds are nearly scrutinized by an Alberta-based from the Alberta Volunteer eliminated from areas dedicated multi-stakeholder committee (the Amphibian Monitoring Program to cropland. Pheasants can adapt Endangered Species Conservation (AVAMP) submitted 36 amphibian to areas predominately used for Committee). Composed of land and four reptile observations, managers, academic institutions, cropland provided that a suite of including one location of a snake conservation groups, and industry, habitat features are also available. hibernacula (den). These data the committee provides its In 2014, we initiated a partnership represented 70% of the amphibian recommendation on a species’ status with 4-H Alberta and other and 22% of the reptile species native to the Minister of AEP. The ultimate interested groups to offer them to the province. Data collected decision on status designation (e.g., the opportunity to raise pheasants by volunteers provide a better Endangered, Threatened) is made by from day-old chicks to adult birds understanding of the distribution the Minister. In 2016/17, we for release. In 2016/17, 86 kids from and status of Alberta’s amphibians completed two reports (American 4-H raised 9,470 hen pheasants and and reptiles, and provide valuable bison update, western wood-pewee) released them into suitable upland information for land-use planning for review by Alberta’s Endangered habitat. This was higher than the efforts. These partnerships and Species Conservation Committee. previous year in which participants volunteer relationships are examples ACA plays a key role in assessing the raised 5,350 pheasants. In addition to of how ACA can work with a status of Alberta’s species at risk pheasants raised by 4-H participants, network of enthusiastic volunteers to through our involvement with the 8,510 pheasants were raised by positively impact conservation. Alberta Wildlife Status Report series. other interest groups, including Partnerships Partnerships private landowners, school divisions, TD Friends of the Environment Alberta Environment and Parks fish and game clubs, and Boy Foundation Scout groups. We held workshops Amphibian Monitoring Using throughout the province to provide Alberta Wildlife Status Environmental DNA guidance on pheasant husbandry Reports and to discuss habitat features Environmental DNA, or eDNA, important for improving the odds ACA and Alberta Environment and refers to the DNA that organisms Parks (AEP) produce Alberta Wildlife of survival once the hens are released leave behind or shed as they pass Status Reports for wild species that through the environment. Genetic into the wild. are believed to be declining in techniques have evolved to allow Partnerships Alberta. These reports are the researchers to detect DNA signatures 4-H Alberta, Committed Ag, essential first step for a species to have from material such as mucus, feces, Lethbridge Fish & Game Association, its status assessed, and they play a key urine, or sloughed skin that is Red Deer Fish & Game Association, role in identifying Endangered and naturally contained within water Wheatland Conservation and Threatenedspecies that need legal and sediment. We are working Wildlife Association protection and recovery actions to toward a reliable method of detecting keep them from becoming extinct in amphibians using eDNA. In 2016/17, Alberta. Each status report the first phase of this work was summarizes the information needed completed, with the development for assessing a species’ status—where of an approach for detecting three it lives; the specific habitat it requires; amphibian species by an MSc student

22 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 from the University of Alberta. For Partnerships plots. Beginning in 2014, the initial the second phase of this work, we Shell Canada Energy; University of two years of the project focused on partnered with Washington State Alberta – David Coltman, Corey collecting baseline data to allow for University to further refine these Davis, and Cynthia Paszkowski; future comparisons of treatments. In methods and evaluate three sample Washington State University – 2016/17, we trialed 21 seed varieties collection procedures to improve Caren Goldberg in test plots to assess germination reliability of detection: 1) collecting and growth as potential components a simple water grab sample, 2) Enchant Project – Strong for a brood mix and an edge habitat mix. We trialed the edge- passing water through a cellulose Farmlands. Thriving Habitat. habitat mix (sorghum/millet/corn nitrate filter, and 3) collecting We have a long-term working varieties) in areas with and without surface material from the top of the relationship with a farm to evaluate irrigation. As expected, survival substrate on the pond floor. In the approaches for re-establishing and growth in irrigated plots was summer of 2016, we collected water vibrant upland game bird densities considerably greater. The density and sediment samples from five while maintaining a profitable of partridge pairs has increased on ponds near Edmonton and submitted farming operation. We also monitor the farm in each of the past three them to a molecular laboratory at a range of non-target species to years (10.3 pairs/km2, 22.2 pairs/ Washington State University to try assess how these treatments impact km2, and 28.4 pairs/km2 in 2014 to to detect the presence of up to five biodiversity (amphibians and 2016, respectively), although our species of amphibians: wood frog, songbirds). We trial enhancements autumn count in 2016 was lower that focus on improving habitat boreal chorus frog, western toad, than in 2015. Finding approaches features important for nesting, Canadian toad, and tiger salamander. that increase game bird densities brood rearing, and winter survival The work has allowed us to gain new while complementing or minimizing of pheasants and grey partridge. This insights into using eDNA to detect impacts to farm operations is key to includes approaches within the crop, convincing producers that both goals species and to better understand the juxtaposition of crops types and are attainable on the same farm. the limitations of eDNA detection rotation, harvest methods, field edge methods for short- and long-term improvements, water management Partnerships monitoring of amphibians in Alberta. and wetlands creation, and seed trial Haggins family, Stamp Farms

Project: Amphibian Monitoring Using Environmental DNA Photo: ACA, Amanda Rezansoff

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 23 Grizzly Bear Population 922 rub objects. During the summer Partnerships of 2016, we visited all of these rub Alberta Environment and Parks, Inventory in Bear objects four times. On the first Alberta Innovates, Alberta Parks, Management Area 5 visit we cleaned off any existing Bear Scare Limited, Benga Mining Grizzly bears are an iconic symbol hair samples, and during the three Limited operating as Riversdale of our wilderness and historically an subsequent visits we collected new Resources Limited, Cycleworks important part of Alberta’s hunting hair samples. We sent 1,289 hair Motorsports, landowners in heritage. In 2010, grizzly bears were samples to Wildlife Genetics southwestern Alberta, Municipal designated as Threatened under the International for genetic (DNA) District of Ranchlands, Parks provincial Wildlife Act, and in 2012, analysis. The DNA results will Canada, Safari Club International the western population was federally be used in combination with – Northern Alberta Chapter, Spray Lake Sawmills, Waterton Biosphere designated as a Species of Special data from the northern portion Reserve Association Concern by the Committee on the of the management area in a Status of Endangered Wildlife in spatially explicit capture-recapture Habitat Legacy Partnership Canada. The last population estimate framework to estimate grizzly bear for Bear Management Area (BMA) density and abundance in BMA 5. Upland game birds are valued for their showy colours, breeding 5 was completed in 2006. During An accurate population estimate is displays, and long history in the the summers of 2014 and 2015, we a key part of the decision process for hunting tradition of Alberta. A surveyed public and private lands understanding human-bear conflicts mix of habitat features that provide within the study area to identify bear and for proactive land use planning conditions suitable for nesting, rub objects. In total, we identified designed to reduce these conflicts. brood rearing, winter protection, and travel is crucial to the success of upland birds. ACA initiated the Habitat Legacy Partnership to work collaboratively with conservation groups, private landowners, irrigation districts, and municipal districts to facilitate enhancements that target these habitat features. In 2016/17, we planted 6,000 shrubs on land open to hunting to create escape cover and winter habitat for upland game birds and other wildlife. We also maintained and monitored more than 17 km of shrub rows planted over the past five years. These shelterbelts benefit a variety of wildlife species and are often a first step in engaging landowners in habitat enhancement activities. To improve habitat connectivity, water quality, and hunting access, we collaborated with partners on the Milk River Ridge Reservoir Water Quality Stewardship Initiative project. This initiative has opened up more than 600 acres for hunting by creating a boundary around 30 km of the reservoir and main canal to separate riparian habitat from encroaching agriculture. This new fence line distinguishes this zone from private property and has enabled us to re-establish brood rearing cover through much of this zone. With partners, we were able to construct a 2.5 ha wetland that Project: Grizzly Bear Population will provide habitat for wildlife Inventory in Bear Management Area 5 and will serve as a nutrient settling Photo: ACA, Kelly Mulligan pond to improve water quality. Most of this southern landscape is

24 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 in private hands. We continue to 284 acres for 2017/18 to ensure we in the program in 2017/18 and two develop strong working partnerships have a clean seed bed. Producers demonstration sites. Enhancements within the agricultural community have also installed smooth bottom ranged from installing upland and recognize that farmers and wire placed 45 cm from the ground watering sites and pasture pipelines ranchers play a key role in the along about 6 km of fence line to help to prevent cattle pressure on future sustainability of upland game facilitate the movement of pronghorn riparian areas, to using fencing birds in this system. Engaging and across their land. Through open to prevent cattle from disturbing listening to our stakeholders is a communication, we continue to springs and streams. Through open fundamental guiding principle that build long-term relationships with communication, we continue to strengthens the grassroots nature of landholders and increase their build long-term relationships with this work. We will continue to work awareness of species at risk. landholders and increase their with landowners to enhance habitat Partnerships awareness of species at risk. through a network of key drainages Alberta Environment and Parks, Partnerships to improve the odds for the long- Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta term sustainability of game birds on Government of Canada, landholders, Environment and Parks, Canadian this landscape. Prairie Conservation Forum Cattlemen’s Association, Canadian Partnerships Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, Cows Alberta Environment and Parks, MULTISAR – South and Fish – Alberta Riparian Habitat David Bissett, County of Warner, Saskatchewan Management Society, landholders, Irrican Power, landowners, Prairie Conservation Forum Lethbridge Fish & Game Numerous species at risk occur Association, Magrath Rod and Gun in the southern part of Alberta, Pheasant Release Program Club, Pheasants Forever – Calgary often overlapping with agricultural Upland game bird hunting has a and Lethbridge chapters, Raymond landscapes, particularly livestock long-standing tradition in Alberta. Irrigation District, Southern Alberta grazing operations. Often it is Since the introduction of the Bowhunters Association, St. Mary the existing land management Chinese ring-necked pheasant in River Irrigation District, Taber approaches that have allowed these species at risk to persist, but there the early 1900s, wild populations Irrigation District are also many opportunities on these have become established in select lands and adjoining lands to further areas of southern Alberta. To MULTISAR – Milk River enhance habitat quality for species accommodate the high demand for Southeastern Alberta is home to the at risk. The Canadian Cattlemen’s hunting opportunities, the Alberta highest density of At Risk wildlife Association, through funding from government started a hatchery in in Alberta. MULTISAR – Milk the Species at Risk Partnerships 1945 and created the Provincial River is a multi-species stewardship on Agricultural Lands Program, is Pheasant Release Program, which program for species at risk focusing partnering with the Alberta Beef released thousands of hatchery- on the Milk River watershed. The Producers, Canadian Roundtable raised pheasants onto the landscape program is a collaborative effort for Sustainable Beef, MULTISAR, each fall. In more recent years, among landowners, ACA, Alberta and Cows and Fish for five years the hatchery was privatized due Environment and Parks, and Prairie (2015–2020) to increase, maintain, to government cutbacks and was Conservation Forum. In 2016/17, and improve habitat for species at on the brink of being lost entirely we completed wildlife and range risk within the Grassland Natural in 2013. However, a small group surveys on about 70,000 acres of land Region of Alberta. This work will of keen hunters formed Upland and completed five habitat plans for be completed through knowledge Birds of Alberta and agreed to run landowners to help them incorporate sharing, habitat assessments, the program for that year. ACA wildlife habitat needs into their development of voluntary habitat agreed to take over the program ranching practices. Federally conservation plans, and subsequent beginning with the 2014 season, Endangered greater short-horned implementation and monitoring of with the overall goal to provide lizards and little brown bats, as well beneficial management practices. In greater hunting opportunity for as Threatened ferruginous hawks, 2016/17, we completed wildlife and all Albertans. We released 17,080 chestnut-collared longspurs, and range surveys on about 8,000 acres male pheasants for the fall hunting Sprague’s pipits, are just a few of the of land and completed four habitat season in 2014 and increased this species identified on these lands. We plans for landowners to assist them number to 25,000 in 2015 and 26,000 implemented enhancements on eight with incorporating wildlife habitat in 2016. We developed a web page properties, including the continued needs into their ranching practices. that shows a map and directions to restoration of 1,300 acres back to Federally Threatened ferruginous all the sites to make this hunting native grass by spraying for brome, hawks, chestnut-collared longspurs, opportunity more accessible. We Canada thistle, and other weeds. and Sprague’s pipits were just a few of operated 41 release sites in 2016, We continued work on another two the species identified on these lands. including one new site—Whitetail enhancements initiated in previous We implemented enhancements on North—in the Grande Prairie area. years, including seeding native grass ten properties, which included four We worked with five fish and game on 160 acres and prepping another new properties that will be included clubs who played a key role in weekly

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 25 releases of pheasants (6,040 total) and we posted results to our website scale recovery efforts began in 2002, at 24 sites from Medicine Hat to for use by the hunting community. we have improved over 58 km of Cardston. We also partnered with Pheasant recruitment was higher shoreline habitat, with the majority 4-H families near Grande Prairie to than normal in 2016 but down more of “critical” piping plover habitat raise 1,000 roosters to be released than two-fold for grey partridge. protected or improved using fencing. at the Whitetail North site. We We walked 47 km during 19.25 Partnerships contracted MacFarlane Pheasants to hours of survey time and flushed 263 release birds three times per week pheasants and 159 partridge. This Alberta Environment and Parks, at the remaining 16 sites (18,960 translates to 4.2 encounters per hour. ConocoPhillips, cooperating pheasants). MacFarlane housed Survival was higher than expected landowners, Department of National these birds in a holding facility for pen-reared pheasant poults at Defence, Government of Canada near Strathmore. At northern sites, three of four release sites. Survival birds were released for nine weeks to 30 weeks ranged from 44% to Pronghorn Resource beginning in mid September. At 55% at three sites and was 11% at the Enhancement and Monitoring southern sites, releases corresponded fourth site. Pen reared pheasants with the October 15 opening day typically have low survival rates, so Having evolved on the wide- and continued for six weeks. The a better understanding of the habitat open prairies of North America, program has been well-received, conditions that improve survival pronghorn did not develop an with positive feedback from will help inform our work with the instinct to jump vertical obstacles. hundreds of hunters. Pheasant Raise and Release Program. The proliferation of barbed-wire Partnerships Partnerships fencing that followed cattle ranching 4-H Alberta, Cardston Fish & Game Landowners, Pheasants Forever – since the 1880s now poses a serious Association, Ducks Unlimited Calgary Chapter, various 4-H clubs barrier to pronghorn movement. Canada, Fort Macleod Fish & Game across southern Alberta, 4-H family Pronghorn may cross under fence Association, Lethbridge Fish & volunteers lines in some locations, but it slows Game Association, MacFarlane down their movement making them Pheasants, Medicine Hat Fish & Piping Plover Recovery susceptible to predators, and in some Game Association, Picture Butte Program cases, the barbed wire strips hair Fish & Game Association off their backs causing lacerations Piping plovers are small, stubby- billed Endangered shorebirds that and making them vulnerable to Pheasant Studies – Upland nest and feed along gravel beaches. infection and frostbite. Replacing Game Bird Productivity They face a number of threats, the bottom wire with smooth wire Survey, Pen-reared Pheasant including high rates of predation and raising it to 45 cm is effective Hen Survival Study and damage to their nesting and at facilitating movement, but it is feeding habitat. We are working costly. We are trialing approaches We conduct annual upland game with landowners across east-central to improve movement across fence bird surveys (pheasant, grey and southern Alberta to improve lines at select crossing locations. In partridge, sharp-tailed grouse) in habitat and promote awareness of 2016/17, we processed images from select locations to better understand the plight of the piping plover. Each 48 trail cameras at our study site the habitat conditions associated year, we also conduct piping plover in Canadian Forces Base Suffield with annual recruitment and counts on key breeding lakes to from our fence-modification trials survival, as well as provide a forecast monitor population numbers and of game birds to encourage hunting. distribution; this work complements in 2015/16. Images of pronghorn We also assess the survival of pen- the international census conducted were the most common, followed reared pheasants at sites assumed every five years across North by elk, coyote, and deer. To improve to be good habitat to inform our America and helps us guide habitat migration and address the question understanding of variability in improvement activities. In 2016/17, of how long it takes for pronghorn survival across sites. There has we surveyed 66 waterbodies and to adjust to using modified sites, we been a great deal of enthusiasm and found 123 adults on 17 lakes, with are collaborating on a companion support for the ACA/4-H Pheasant ten or more adults on six of these project in Montana, where the Raise and Release Program over the lakes. We improved over 6 km of modifications will be in place for past three years, with the number of shoreline habitat by working with 13 to 14 months, as opposed to four members participating growing each landowners to install a temporary to 4.5 months in Alberta. Initial year. The members released nearly electric fence at one lake and by findings suggest that smooth wire is 9,500 pheasants in 2016/17, and a implementing seasonal grazing at the most effective fence modification, better understanding of survival a second lake to reduce vegetation. in different habitats will help guide We also installed a viewing platform followed closely by carabineers that the location of future release sites. with interpretive signage and clip the bottom wire to the wire In 2016/17, we used trained dogs reduced vegetation encroachment on above. White PVC pipe used to to survey game birds along select piping plover habitat at the Junction raise the bottom wire by clipping routes in late summer and early fall, Lake Conservation Site. Since large- it to the wire above appears to be a

26 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 deterrent to pronghorn movement. merchantable timber and risks also worked on an assessment of As final results become available, to human settlements. However, the response of vegetation to a we will disseminate our findings fire suppression has had negative prescribed fire in the upper North to stakeholders, wildlife managers, consequences as well. Lack of a Saskatchewan River drainage six and conservation groups to further natural fire regime has changed years after burning; this assessment restore pronghorn movement vegetation succession, diversity, will determine if this burn met pathways that have been relied on for and structure, which provide key objectives for wildlife. And we thousands of years. habitat diversity important for the worked with our Land Management survival of many wildlife species. Program to plan disturbance Partnerships The primary focus of the Restoring regimes on ACA-managed lands. Alberta Fish & Game Association, Natural Habitat for Wildlife project The goal is to improve habitat Bushnell, Cabela’s Canada, Canadian is to restore natural ecosystem diversity, structure, and successional Forces Base Suffield, National patterns and wildlife habitat values stages that will benefit wildlife. With Fish and Wildlife Foundation, within landscape units and focal support from wildland firefighters Onefour Research Station, Safari areas that have aged beyond the from the Alberta government, we Club International – Northern natural range of variability. In initiated hand cutting of trees on Alberta Chapter (Hunting 2016/17, we worked with Alberta our Leddy Conservation Site, which Heritage Fund), TD Friends of the Environment and Parks and Alberta is intended to enhance habitat for Environment Foundation, The Agriculture and Forestry to identify wildlife by emulating more natural Nature Conservancy, University of key areas in need of prescribed disturbance patterns. Montana, World Wildlife Fund burning that support mountain Partnerships sheep and other ungulates. These Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, provincial ministries value ACA’s Restoring Natural Habitat Alberta Environment and Parks for Wildlife support in identifying and planning habitat enhancements (primarily Wildfire control began in Alberta’s prescribed burns) on Alberta public national parks in the 1930s and lands not influenced by other on provincial forested land in the disturbances (e.g., commercial 1950s. Fire suppression in Alberta logging) to restore a more natural Project: Restoring Natural Habitat for Wildlife forests has reduced the loss of state of habitat diversity. We Photo: ACA

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 27 Sharp-tailed Grouse Habitat where scare cannons were available Partnerships Inventory and Stewardship for loan and crop damage prevention Alberta Environment and Parks, strategies on the ACA website. Alberta Trappers’ Association, During the spring of 2016, we Partnerships Animal Damage Control – A worked with volunteers to conduct Alberta Environment and Parks, Division of Bushman Inc., ATB sharp-tailed grouse lek inventories Financial, Bildson Realty Ltd., BRE- at the Whitemud and Wanham County of Athabasca, County of Camrose, County of Clearhills, JON Enterprises Ltd., Crowsnest provincial grazing reserves. At Conservation Society, Daishowa- County of Flagstaff, County of the Wanham grazing reserve, Marubeni International Ltd., Hinton Grande Prairie, County of Lac La we identified eight individual lek Trappers Association, McGill Biche, County of Lacombe, County sites, including one new site, one University, Orion Foundation of McKenzie, County of Minburn, recolonized site that had previously of Calgary, Richard D. McCabe County of Northern Lights, County been abandoned, and one inactive Professional Corporation, lek site. Five active lek sites were of Northern Sunrise, County of Roadrunner Leasing and Sales Ltd., located at the Whitemud grazing Paintearth, County of Ponoka, Rocky Mountain Wilderness Society, reserve; previous to this effort, County of Smoky Lake, County South Country Trappers, Stojan’s only one lek was known to exist of St. Paul, County of Stettler, Motor Sports, TD Friends of the at this reserve. In addition to this County of Two Hills, County of Environment Foundation, Trapper inventory work, we delivered a Vermillion River, Municipal District Gord Homestead & Survival, poster presentation and multimedia of Big Lakes, Municipal District of University of Alberta presentation on sharp-tailed grouse Bonnyville, Municipal District of Individual donors to members of the public at the Greenview, Municipal District of P. Bumstead, L. Elias, L. Hommy, R. Trumpeter Swan Festival in April Peace, Municipal District of Provost, 2016 in Grande Prairie, and we Kantor, G. Kruger, G. Macmillan, L. Municipal District of Smoky River, Marciak, D. Middleton, S. Otto, D. delivered a workshop on living with Municipal District of Spirit River wildlife to landowners in February Pilon, A. Pollock, R. Reed, B. Smith, J. Sorenson, W. Sullivan, N. Tait, D. 2017 in Grimshaw. Wolverine Density, Movement, Ukeniek, S. Wilson, M. Zapach Partnerships and Denning along the Alberta Environment and Parks, Western Periphery of the Birch Working with Alberta’s Dunvegan Fish & Game Association, Mountains Trappers to Map Wolverine Peace Country Beef & Forage We are working in partnership Association, Wanham Provincial Distribution and Identify with Alberta Trappers’ Association Conservation Risks Grazing Reserve, Whitemud (ATA) to identify where wolverines Provincial Grazing Reserve occur in the province and determine Since 2012, we have been working in the major factors associated with collaboration with Alberta Trappers’ Waterfowl Crop Damage their distribution. To complement Association to identify where Prevention Program our citizen science project to wolverines occur in the province investigate wolverine abundance The Waterfowl Crop Damage and to determine the major factors and distribution using trail camera associated with their distribution. Prevention Program assists data, we initiated a partnership with To do this, bait stations with trail agricultural producers in reducing the University of Alberta to study cameras were set up within the damage to crops caused by waterfowl wolverine ecology at a finer scale. during fall migration. To improve We worked with a PhD student to Registered Fur Management Areas the effectiveness and efficiency of the radio collar wolverines to investigate of volunteer trappers. Trappers program, in 2012/13 we approached their movements and feeding checked and maintained these sites counties and municipal districts in patterns in northwestern Alberta. throughout the winter and then areas where we previously operated As that project wrapped up, we provided the photos to biologists scare cannon distribution centres shifted our focus to working with who analyzed them to determine and offered scare cannons free of ATA to investigate wolverine habits what site characteristics were in north-central Alberta, where charge for them to incorporate into associated with a higher probability there is less industrial disturbance their existing equipment rental of finding wolverines and other but more natural disturbance. We species. Sampling was focused programs. In 2016/17, we continued are interested in comparing how to work with producers as well as wolverines use the habitat, what they on Boreal regions of the province counties and municipal districts eat, and where they den between during the winters of 2013/14, to ensure that scare cannons were these two areas of Alberta. This work 2014/15, and 2015/16, within a study available where needed for waterfowl will provide a broader geographic area that roughly stretched from crop damage prevention. In support context in which to understand Cold Lake to Grande Prairie and of these efforts, we provided locations wolverine ecology in Alberta. north to the Northwest Territories

28 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 border. Camera images collected that are more common in the Arctic Project: Sharp-tailed Grouse Habitat in these years were analyzed the and along the Pacific Coast than they Inventory and Stewardship following year. At least 30 individual are in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Photo: ACA, Garret McKen wolverines were detected at 22 Similar to wolverines, lynx of the 47 sites in 2013/14. During occupancy was higher in areas with the winter of 2014/15, wolverines more conifer forest cover, greater were detected at 18 of 62 sites; snow depths, and predicted cooler we identified at least 19 different temperatures (i.e., farther north and wolverines based on unique higher in elevation). In contrast, markings. Wolverines were detected fisher occurrence was greater in at eight of the 46 sites during the areas farther south in latitude and winter of 2015/16; we identified with more deciduous forest cover. at least 23 different wolverines, Our findings from 2012 to 2016 will including seven individuals that be summarized in a final report and were detected in previous winters. published on our website in the near Wolverines were more likely to future. occur in areas that had more conifer Partnerships forest cover and were less likely to Alberta Environment and Parks, occur in areas with higher road Alberta Trappers’ Association, and well densities or areas closer Animal Damage Control – A to human population centres. We Division of Bushman Inc., approximated the relationship Daishowa-Marubeni International between elevation and latitude that Ltd., Environment and Climate influences ambient temperature and Change Canada, Harvest Operations found that the cooler the relative Corp., Shell FuellingChange theoretical temperatures within a Grant, Trapper Gord Homestead township, the more likely wolverines & Survival, United States Forest were to occupy a given area. We Service Genetics Laboratory, found genetic types in the Boreal University of Alberta, W. Sullivan

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 29

2016/17 Overview • Identified major westslope cutthroat Fisheries Program rearing stream in the upper Oldman River • Over 120,000 twenty-cm long trout Fishing is one of Alberta’s favourite watershed for potential protection and pastimes, so ACA has an entire team (115,950 rainbow and 5,000 brown) conservation. stocked into 61 waterbodies in regions of of biologists dedicated to keeping • Collected over 1,000 westslope cutthroat the province where angling opportunities its lakes and fish healthy. This year trout samples for genetic analysis to aid in are limited. we, along with partners, stocked recovery of this Threatened species. over 61 waterbodies and considered • Screened 49 new waterbodies for fish another 49 for the fish stocking • Forged unique partnerships that enabled stocking project expansion, five of which forestry industry and government land project, conducted angler surveys, met initial criteria for further evaluation. (interviewing over 1,300 anglers), use planners to pool resources to address worked at restoring sport fisheries • Anglers are very satisfied with their fish conservation issues of mutual in some of Alberta’s lakes that have fishing experience at EFS ponds and most interest. become prone to algal blooms, and frequented these ponds because of their generated information required for proximity to home. provincial conservation and species • One new pond (Shell True North Pond) recovery initiatives. approved for trout stocking in 2017/18. Our fish stocking and lake aeration • All 18 aerated lakes successfully projects provide Albertans with overwintered stocked trout populations recreational angling in areas of with no mortalities, ensuring angling the province where such fishing opportunities that would otherwise not opportunities don’t otherwise exist. Results of our angler surveys feed exist. directly into Alberta Environment • Expanded aeration project by adding and Parks fisheries management Police Outpost Lake. plans and form the basis for fishing • Surveyed six watersheds, four regulation changes. Similarly, lakes, and 56 ponds, and generated evaluation and inventory studies information on fish population status, generate critical information on distribution, recreational harvest, habitat population structure, abundance, distribution, and life history of fragmentation, and spawning and rearing priority fish species required for habitat. provincial conservation and species • 1,328 anglers interviewed during creel recovery initiatives. surveys. Overall, the success of our • Very strong angler participation in study Fisheries program activities in comparing harvest of different strains 2016/17 involved the support of of rainbow trout in EFS ponds; anglers over 44 partners consisting of Project: North Saskatchewan River Fish returned 26% of the fish tags! Sustainability Index Data Gaps provincial and federal governments, • Over 2,100 river km surveyed. industry, watershed groups, non- Partnerships: Alberta Environment and governmental organizations, • Identified previously unknown bull trout Parks, Hinton Wood Products – A Division counties/municipalities, and other rearing stream in the headwaters of the of West Fraser Mills Ltd. interested groups. Elk River. Photo: ACA, Andrew Clough

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 31

Angler Recruitment and cold-water fish species in Alberta, County provided insight into the Retention Trends in Alberta such as Arctic grayling, bull trout, cost of these new projects. We used Athabasca rainbow trout, and a portable propane generator to Between 1985 and 2010, the number westslope cutthroat trout. Past power a surface aerator at Hansen’s of licensed anglers in Canada measurements suggest winter Reservoir to provide adequate declined by 31% despite a 30% dissolved oxygen levels fall below oxygen for fish survival. Early results increase in the population over the the federal guidelines for cold water from dissolved oxygen monitoring same time frame. Anglers were species in some Alberta streams indicated that the surface aerator increased dissolved oxygen levels found to be much older than they and approach sub-lethal levels in well above 3 mg/L, with much higher used to be, with the mean age of others. In winter 2016/17, we began monthly averages than in previous Canadian anglers increasing from 41 broad-scale monitoring across two winters. in 1975 to 50 in 2010, suggesting that watersheds to identify locations decreased popularity of angling is where winter dissolved oxygen levels Partnerships primarily due to poor recruitment of may become limiting for Arctic Alberta Environment and Parks, young anglers. Alberta trends mirror grayling in the Whitemud River Mountain View County those observed nationally; the watershed in northwestern Alberta number of licensed anglers in the and for westslope cutthroat trout Enhanced Fish Stocking province had declined by 27% while in the Willow Creek watershed Evaluation the population had grown 38%. In in southwestern Alberta. At eight In 1998, ACA assumed responsibility 2010, the average age of an angler locations on the Whitemud River for delivering the Enhanced was 45. Recent licence sales data and six locations on Willow Creek, Fish Stocking project, with the suggest the precipitous declines in we installed sensors (datasondes) objective to provide increased anglers observed in the 1990s and to monitor under-ice dissolved angling opportunities to Albertans early 2000s may be over, but oxygen levels and investigate diurnal by stocking catchable-sized fundamental questions remain. patterns along the mainstems. We (≥20 cm) rainbow trout in parts What are current rates of angler began bi-weekly measurements of the province where angling recruitment and retention in with handheld dissolved oxygen opportunities are limited. Since Alberta, and how have they changed meters at all datasonde stations and 1998, we have annually stocked from through time? Do angler retention on all major tributaries entering 59 to 81 small waterbodies with and recruitment rates vary by gender the mainstems. To date, we have approximately 131,000 catchable and age? What factors influence observed unsuitable dissolved rainbow trout. With the rising yearly angler licence sales? oxygen levels and/or ice conditions cost of stocking farm-grown fish Answering these questions is at six of 13 sampling locations in and anecdotal evidence suggesting essential for credible forecasting of the Whitemud River watershed and some of our waterbodies may future angler participation rates and six of 17 locations in the Willow not be suitable for stocking, we for developing and evaluating angler Creek watershed. We will continue began evaluating the suitability of recruitment and retention initiatives. monitoring until ice break-up in waterbodies for fish stocking and ACA continues to work with the the spring of 2017, at which time angler use by estimating angler effort provincial government to assess datasondes will be retrieved and at individual waterbodies. We found factors that influence recruitment analyzed, and methods will be that angler use varied greatly at the and retention of anglers in Alberta. refined for future assessments. 18 waterbodies surveyed in 2016/17. Partnerships Partnerships Counts of anglers ranged from 33 to N/A Alberta Environment and Parks 2,168, and estimates of the number of anglers per hectare ranged from 37 to Assessment of Winter Central Region Aeration 6,247. This information will help us Dissolved Oxygen for Priority Development manage stocking times and rates, and Cold-water Fish Species evaluate site management options With increased demand for such as amenities and infrastructure Cumulative landscape disturbances recreational angling opportunities at individual waterbodies. have resulted in widespread declines and a levy increase in 2014, Partnerships of lotic fisheries across Alberta, additional funds were allocated to Alberta Environment and Parks and the nutrient inputs from the Fisheries Program to expand surrounding land management our aeration project. We identified Enhanced Fish Stocking practices have been linked to anoxic Hansen’s Reservoir and Winchell conditions in Alberta streams. Low Lake as new aeration opportunities Project dissolved oxygen levels in winter to create or enhance angling The Enhanced Fish Stocking project can be a significant limiting factor opportunities. Discussions with provides anglers with increased for fish production, particularly for Fortis Alberta and Mountain View opportunities to catch and harvest

32 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 20-cm rainbow trout and brown Photo: ACA, Britt Keeling trout in areas of Alberta where angling opportunities are limited or do not exist. Recipient waterbodies are prone to winterkill and require annual stocking of trout to maintain angling opportunities. In 2015, we included brown trout in our stocking plan, and this was continued in 2016. Rainbow trout and brown trout stockings were completed through nine contracts: eight with private growers and one with the Government of Alberta fish hatchery. We stocked 61 waterbodies with a total of 115,950 rainbow trout and Fish Stocking Expansion – 37 waterbodies. Insufficient water depth and access issues resulted in seven waterbodies with a total of New Lakes 32 waterbodies failing ACA’s criteria 5,000 brown trout. About 60% of the With approximately 1,100 lakes for development of a recreational stockings were completed before the with sport fish and over 300,000 fishery. However, five ponds were May long weekend. We also installed anglers, Alberta has more anglers suitable for further investigation project signs at ten waterbodies but only a fraction of the number prior to being developed into EFS and two interpretive signs at one of lakes of the other Prairie ponds: two abandoned gravel waterbody. provinces. The resulting high fishing pits, one stormwater pond, one pressure puts considerable strain abandoned drinking water reservoir, Partnerships on Alberta’s recreational fisheries. and one dry trout pond. These five Access Pipeline, Agrium Redwater, Given the high fishing pressure ponds will undergo further scrutiny Alberta Environment and Parks, and relatively limited fishing and, if suitable, will be developed Aquality Environmental, Aux Sable opportunities in Alberta, ACA is into fisheries in collaboration with working to identify new lakes to Energy, City of Fort Saskatchewan, applicable ACA partners. stock with rainbow trout through Complete Crossings, Dow Chemical the Enhanced Fish Stocking (EFS) Partnerships Canada project. In 2016, we continued Alberta Environment and Parks, our investigation of potential EFS Alberta Fish & Game Association, Enhanced Fish Stocking waterbodies that were first identified County of Grande Prairie, Water Quality during a desktop study in 2015. Lafarge, Taber Irrigation District, We were able to evaluate a total of Town of Taber Since 1998, ACA has been stocking trout in Alberta waterbodies through the Enhanced Fish Stocking (EFS) project. Despite the popularity and high cost of this project, little information exists about the physical and chemical characteristics of the stocked waterbodies. To improve management of the EFS project and help inform current and future EFS projects, we collected bathymetric and water quality data to create a comprehensive database of all EFS stocked waterbodies in Alberta. EFS waterbodies span a range of physical and water quality characteristics but are typically small and shallow, and are prone to high temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels during the summer. Similarly, nutrient concentrations are high and algal growth is abundant. Partnerships Alberta Environment and Parks Project: Fish Stocking Expansion – New Lakes

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 33 Fish Stocking Expansion – Hasse Lake Fisheries recreational sport fishery. Prior to Restoration our survey in 2015, local reports from New Species and Strains Isle Lake indicated a complete loss The Alberta Government and ACA In recent decades, changes in of sport fish; however, we found a currently stock several strains of watershed land use have resulted remnant population of sport fish that rainbow trout, including Troutlodge in increased nutrient runoff, survived the kill events or may have Silver Steelhead and Lyndon strains, particularly phosphorus, into migrated in from nearby waterbodies. in waterbodies across Alberta. Both many lakes, including Hasse Lake. The primary goal of this project is to strains are bred for fast growth and Increased phosphorus in aquatic support and collaborate with local systems has led to increased intensity favourable angling qualities. To efforts to reduce nutrient loading to and frequency of algal blooms, assess these qualities in the field, Isle Lake, improving water quality especially blue-green cyanobacteria we compared condition and angler and restoring the fish community blooms, and fish kills. Recurring fish harvest of the Silver Steelhead and associated sport fishery. In kills in Hasse Lake have decimated 2016/17, we maintained numerous and Lyndon strains at three small what used to be a popular stocked partnerships with key stakeholders, put-and-take fisheries during sport fishery. The primary goal of this including the Lake Isle & Lac Ste. the summer of 2016/17. Gill nets project is to support and collaborate Anne Water Quality Management were used to assess trout relative with local efforts to reduce nutrient Society, Parkland County and Lac abundance and condition, and loading in Hasse Lake to improve Ste. Anne County Alternative Land angler reports of catches of tagged water quality and restore the stocked Use Services Program, and Sturgeon trout (corrected for reporting rate sport fishery. During surveys in River Watershed Alliance, which and tag loss) were used to assess past seasons, we have found no allowed us to support watershed angler harvest. Condition of both evidence of large fish species in improvements by helping to guide the strains was good overall, although Hasse Lake, catching only fathead delivery of on-the-ground restoration the Lyndon strain exhibited greater minnows and brook stickleback. In activities, providing technical variation in condition, and both 2016/17, we continued to maintain guidance and recommendations, and strains lost condition over the numerous partnerships in support of sharing results of our field surveys. summer. Of the 2,600 trout we the project. We provided technical guidance and recommendations to tagged, anglers reported catching 680 Partnerships Parkland County, delivering on- (26%) trout, including 278 Lyndons Alberta Environment and Parks, the-ground restoration activities in Environment and Climate Change and 402 Silvers. Of these, 142 (51%) collaboration with local agricultural Canada – Environmental Damages Lyndons and 222 (55%) Silvers producers. We will continue to Fund, Lake Isle & Lac Ste. Anne were kept. Although imprecise, our participate in local initiatives and Water Quality Management Society, estimates of angler harvest indicated provide support through data Parkland County and Lac Ste. a large proportion of both strains collection, communication, and Anne County Alternative Land Use were harvested from most ponds. coordination and delivery of on-the- Services Program, Sturgeon River Interestingly, the Silver strain was ground restoration projects. Watershed Alliance more likely to be harvested than the Partnerships Lyndon strain at any given pond, Alberta Environment and Parks, Kakwa River Watershed an observation corroborated by our North Saskatchewan Watershed Arctic Grayling Assessment gill net catch. Millions of rainbow Alliance, Parkland County (Year 1 of 2) trout are cultured in Alberta every Alternative Land Use Services Alberta’s Arctic grayling populations year, and small differences in field Program have drastically declined as a performance, like those assessed result of habitat degradation and in our study, have important Isle Lake Fisheries fragmentation, and overfishing. A implications for the quality and Restoration highly migratory species, Arctic efficiency of Alberta’s trout stocking In recent decades, changes in grayling is negatively impacted by program. In 2017/18, we will focus on watershed land use have resulted poorly installed stream crossings replicating our results and reducing in increased nutrient runoff, and the development of roads and imprecision in our estimates of particularly phosphorus, into many other linear features adjacent to angler harvest. lakes, including Isle Lake. Increased streams. Resource development Partnerships phosphorus in aquatic systems in the Kakwa River watershed has has led to increased intensity and expanded over the last two decades Alberta Environment and Parks, and is suspected of negatively Cabela’s Canada, Lacombe County, frequency of algal blooms, especially blue-green cyanobacteria blooms, impacting grayling populations; Town of Beaumont, Town of High and fish kills. Recurring fish kills however, data are outdated. ACA is River in Isle Lake have decimated what conducting a two-year study to assess used to be vibrant and popular the relative abundance, distribution,

34 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 and population structure of Arctic Lake Aeration Partnerships grayling in the Kakwa River Access Pipelines, Alberta We use aeration as a fisheries watershed. The goal of the study is Environment and Parks, Daishowa- management technique to provide to update grayling data that will feed Marubeni International Ltd., Albertans with recreational angling directly into the provincial Arctic Edmonton Trout Fishing Club, grayling Fish Sustainability Index opportunities in areas of the Edson Forest Products, Fisheries and support regulatory actions to province where such opportunities and Oceans Canada, Fisheries remediate the effects of industrial are otherwise limited. Aerated Enhancement Society of Alberta, activities on grayling populations waterbodies are typically shallow Municipal District of Greenview and their habitats in the Kakwa and eutrophic, experience prolonged No. 16, Northern Sunrise County, River watershed. In July 2016, we ice cover, and are prone to summer Radway Lions Club, Spring Lake sampled Arctic grayling throughout and winter fish kills. Using aeration, Campground, Thorhild County, the watershed using angling. A total we maintain dissolved oxygen levels Trout Unlimited Canada – Oldman of 63 sites were sampled, covering a above 3 mg/L to promote year-round River chapter, Village of Spring Lake total distance of 27.2 stream km. We survival of stocked trout. In 2016/17, captured 57 grayling in the lower we aerated 18 waterbodies across the two-thirds of the watershed but did North Saskatchewan River Fish province, all of which successfully not detect grayling at 75% of sites. overwintered sport fish. In the Sustainability Index Data Gaps No grayling were captured upstream of the South Kakwa River Falls and winter of 2016/17, we expanded our Alberta Environment and Park’s Lower Kakwa River Falls. Relative aeration activities to include Police Fish Sustainability Index is a abundance was low at most sites: Outpost Lake. We upgraded aeration standardized process of assessment catch per unit effort was <0.24 ± infrastructure at Radway Fish Pond that provides a landscape-level 0.48 fish/h. In year two of the study and Sulphur Lake, and for the first overview of fish sustainability within (2017/18), we plan to sample sites in time, deployed a propane generator the province and enables broad-scale tributary streams and the Kakwa to power aerators at Hansen’s evaluation of management actions River, downstream of the confluence Reservoir. We continued to work and land-use planning. Priority of the South Kakwa and Kakwa with Mountain View County and species for assessment include bull rivers. We will also resample sites the Municipal District of Greenview trout, mountain whitefish, and upstream of South Kakwa River Falls toward developing aeration facilities burbot. Bull trout is a native sport and Francis Peak Creek Falls at Winchell and West Dollar species classed as Threatened in to confirm that these streams are lakes. Further, we established and Alberta and is particularly sensitive non-fish bearing. maintained financial and in-kind to habitat change. In the summer Partnerships partnerships for existing and new of 2016, we used backpack and Alberta Environment and Parks aeration projects. tote-barge electrofishing gear to

Project: Lake Aeration, Ironside Pond Photo: ACA

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 35 sample 40 sites randomly distributed northern pike and walleye. To these important sport fisheries. We throughout the Elk River, Rifle generate information required for estimated angler effort, trip length, Creek, and Crow Creek. We captured managing these species in Haig and and fish catch by conducting angler 3,793 fish, including 38 bull trout, 27 Moose lakes, we conducted angler interviews and instantaneous angler mountain whitefish, and 56 burbot, surveys during the summer of counts on the upper Bow River from in the sampling area. Our catch was 2016. At Haig Lake, we interviewed Banff National Park to Bearspaw dominated by white sucker, which 248 anglers who fished for 806.75 Reservoir. We also estimated angler was also the most widely distributed h, resulting in an estimated 722 effort by conducting instantaneous species. Bull trout were detected at anglers fishing for 2,415.8 h or 2.64 angler counts on the Elbow River ten sites in the headwaters of the h/ha of angling pressure during the from Canyon Creek to Glenmore Elk River, indicating the existence survey period. At Moose Lake, we Reservoir. Between May 1 and of a remnant population. Immature interviewed 711 anglers who fished October 31, 2016, we interviewed bull trout were most abundant in for 2,194 h, resulting in an estimated 369 anglers on the upper Bow River a tributary to the Elk River, likely 1,846 anglers fishing for 5,476.2 h or and estimated that anglers fished an important spawning stream for 1.35 h/ha of angling pressure. Catch for 20,904 hours, made 10,055 trips, the population. Our study provides rate was higher at Haig Lake than at and released 10,291 fish during the land-use managers with information Moose Lake, with anglers catching survey period. Brown trout was the on fish species distribution and 2.03 walleye/h and 0.26 northern most abundantly released fish species abundance that is necessary to pike/h at Haig Lake, and 0.14 at 5,343, followed by mountain minimize land use impacts to walleye/h and 0.47 northern pike/h whitefish at 3,900 and rainbow fish, evaluate bull trout status, and at Moose Lake. trout at 874. Releases of lake trout otherwise balance the diverse values Partnerships and cutthroat trout were estimated of the the North Saskatchewan River Alberta Environment and Parks, to be fairly small. Between June 16 watershed. Government of Canada – Canada and October 31, 2016, we estimated Partnerships Summer Jobs anglers fished for 9,699 hours on the Alberta Environment and Parks, Elbow River. Anglers did not report Hinton Wood Products – A Division Upper Bow River Angler Survey any harvest of fish during the survey, of West Fraser Mills Ltd. indicating that the upper Bow River Attracting both resident and non- is functioning as a catch-and-release resident anglers, the Bow River and Summer Angler Survey fishery. Urban areas of Canmore and its major tributaries are considered Cochrane accounted for the largest at Haig and Moose Lakes destination trout fishing streams in number of anglers in the survey. High fishing pressure, coupled with Alberta. The main objective of this slow-growing and late-maturing study is to provide current angler Partnerships populations, has resulted in the survey information from the upper Alberta Environment and Parks, overharvest of many of Alberta’s Bow and Elbow rivers to aid Alberta Government of Canada – Canada sport fish populations, especially Environment and Parks in managing Summer Jobs

36 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 Westslope Cutthroat Trout headwater tributaries. We measured were most prevalent in the catch at sediment quantity using a deposited White Creek. Hidden Creek had the Recovery and Watershed sediment sampler and grid-toss lowest abundance of WSCT. Linear Disturbance methods and performed pool counts disturbance may reduce scour pool Westslope cutthroat trout (WSCT) to determine pool frequency. In habitats that support WSCT, and in Alberta is considered Threatened all, we captured more than 3,800 where fine sediment is deposited. under Canada’s Species at Risk Act. cutthroat trout and collected more Vicary, White, and Daisy creeks are One major threat facing the species than 1,100 tissue samples from key watersheds supporting WSCT in is increased deposition of fine streams where genetic status was the upper Oldman River watershed. sediment into streams from human- uncertain. Streams with the lowest White Creek is crucial adult habitat, and Vicary Creek is a major juvenile caused landscape disturbances. The disturbance had significantly upper Oldman River watershed higher WSCT catch rates, fine- rearing stream. is the largest remaining core area sediment deposition, and scour- Partnerships of genetically pure WSCT in pool frequency than streams with Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta and has undergone varying higher disturbance.We estimated the City of Lethbridge – Water and degrees of landscape disturbance. highest WSCT abundances in Vicary Wastewater The objective of our study was to Creek, followed by White and Daisy document abundance, population creeks. Total WSCT and juvenile structure, and distribution of abundances in Vicary Creek were genetically pure WSCT, relative to greater than in Racehorse, South sediment and habitat measures, Racehorse, North Racehorse, Dutch, across a range of disturbance levels. and Hidden creeks combined. In the summer of 2016, we completed Similarly, adult abundance in White a two-year study to sample fish and Creek was greater than Racehorse, sediment and record pool-habitat South Racehorse, North Racehorse, measures in the upper Oldman and Dutch creeks combined. River watershed. We electrofished Juveniles accounted for the greatest Project: Westslope Cutthroat Trout 57 reaches along eight major proportion of the catch at Vicary Recovery and Watershed Disturbance waterbodies and 16 reaches on ten and Daisy creeks, whereas adults Photos: ACA

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 37

2016/17 Overview • Reviewed and began development or Land Management revisions on 33 management plans; nine of • Added seven new conservation sites and ACA’s Land Management Program is these were completed and signed. four expansions, totalling 1,770 acres (716 all about conserving important • Completed 14 on-the-ground riparian wildlife and fish habitat across ha) with an approximate land value of enhancements protecting over 8.9 km of Alberta. Our conservation sites span $4,735,000. riparian habitat and conserved over 163 hundreds of thousands of acres • Completed our ten-year agreement with acres (66 ha) of riparian and upland habitat. across Alberta, each listed in our Shell Canada Energy conserving 1,882 • Planted 1,350 trees and shrubs for bank Alberta Discover Guide. We conserve acres (761.7 ha) over the ten years with an stabilization on various riparian projects. wild places for wildlife with an estimated land value of $1,772,000. • Completed one riparian health assessment added benefit that extends to • Currently managing 35 Landowner Habitat and collected water samples from 12 sites outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. Each Program Agreements protecting 5,602 as part of baseline data collection and ongoing water quality monitoring. site has its own characteristics that acres (2,267 ha) of wildlife and fish habitat. provide an array of opportunities to • Collaborated with over 15 watershed • Conserved 320 acres with the addition hunt, fish, forage, or view wildlife. groups and other organizations across of two new landowner habitat retention Alberta. Each year, we acquire new agreements. • Provided recreational access to over 10,300 conservation sites by securing • Collaborated with AEP on management acres (4,100 ha) through access sign-in habitat through direct purchase or of Crown conservation sites (disposition services for existing and new landowners. donation. Thanks to our partners, we process ongoing). secured seven new conservation sites • Inspected 191 conservation sites with and four expansions this year. We collaborate with landowners within maintenance and repairs completed on our Riparian Conservation and 79 sites. Landowner Habitat Program to • Habitat and recreational access conserve key wildlife and fish habitat improvements/enhancements on 54 Project: Conservation Site Management, while enhancing recreational access conservation sites. Vegetation identification in permanent sample plot at North Fawcett 3 on deeded lands. • Planted 118,800 trees and shrubs on Partnerships: Alberta Environment and The success of our Land Management conservation sites. Parks, Alberta Fish & Game Association, Program is a testament to the support • Spent over 13,000 hours on conservation Alberta Sport Connection, Alberta Trail and effort of over 50 partnerships, site management and maintenance. Riding Association, Bow River Irrigation including government, industry, non- • Maintained 26 fisheries access sites of District, ConocoPhillips, County of governmental organizations, which seven received site upgrades and Lethbridge, County of Newell, County of Warner, Daishowa-Marubeni International counties/municipalities, leaseholders, enhancements, including improvements private landowners, corporate Ltd., DOW AgroSciences, Ducks Unlimited to an access road and parking lot, Canada, Eastern Irrigation District, partners, and other interested groups. construction of a shoreline foot access trail, Environment and Climate Change Canada, These vital partnerships result in an and the installation of five casting docks. landowners, MULTISAR, Myrnam River overall reduction in the amount of Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club, Nature • Installed conservation site project signs, levy dollars required to conserve and Conservancy of Canada, Pheasants Forever manage over 200,000 acres (80,937 ha) boundary, and “Foot Access Only” signs on – Calgary and Chinook chapters, Shell of habitat. 22 sites. Canada Energy, The Carbon Farmer Inc., • Provided recommendations on 128 Tree Canada, volunteer stewards, Westlock land-use referrals and public inquiries on Whitetails Junior Forest Warden Club conservation sites. Photo: ACA, Stephen Nadworny

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 39 Conservation Site sites through a reservation system. Corporate Partners Program Further, we continued discussions Management The cumulative effect of habitat loss with Alberta Environment and Parks ACA currently manages 355 and fragmentation from human to determine long-term partnership disturbance of natural ecosystems is conservation sites through our roles and responsibilities at Crown- a major concern in northern Alberta. Conservation Site Management and owned conservation sites that ACA As industrial activity continues to Fisheries Access Site Management manages. Our success in managing expand, greater emphasis is being projects. These sites comprise over and enhancing conservation sites is placed on loss and alteration of 210,000 acres (about 85,000 ha) of achieved using a collaborative effort habitat. Our Corporate Partners titled and Crown land in Alberta. with a growing number of partners Program was initiated in 2002/03 Our Conservation Site Management and volunteers throughout Alberta. with a goal to collaborate with project is responsible for stewarding industry and other organizations Partnerships these sites in accordance with site to conserve important wildlife Alberta Environment and Parks, management plans. In 2016/17, and fish habitat. Our securement we inspected and maintained 191 Alberta Fish & Game Association, efforts are guided by focus areas and ranking criteria that are developed conservation sites. Our team also Alberta Sport Connection, Alberta collaboratively between ACA and completed habitat enhancement Trail Riding Association, Bow River Irrigation District, ConocoPhillips, our corporate partners. Corporate projects on 49 conservation sites, partnerships and collaboration with County of Lethbridge, County including planting more than other conservation organizations of Newell, County of Warner, 118,805 trees and shrubs. Tree and allow us to maximize our shrub planting and other vegetation Daishowa-Marubeni International conservation impact and the overall enhancements will benefit a Ltd., DOW AgroSciences, Ducks effectiveness of our securement variety of ungulates, upland game Unlimited Canada, Eastern Irrigation efforts. Partnerships may consist birds, and waterfowl. Recreational District, Environment and Climate of short- or long-term agreements. enhancements were completed at Change Canada, landowners, Despite an economic downturn in seven sites, including establishing MULTISAR, Myrnam River Ridge 2016/17, we acquired four parcels of land, resulting in the creation of trails, access gates, parking areas, Riders Snowmobile Club, Nature three new conservation sites and and vehicular controls. We installed Conservancy of Canada, Pheasants the expansion of one existing site. Forever – Calgary and Chinook project signs on nine conservation These acquisitions represent 760 sites and provided recommendations chapters, Shell Canada Energy, The acres (308 ha) of wildlife habitat on 128 land-use referrals and public Carbon Farmer Inc., Tree Canada, with an estimated land value of inquiries. We also managed public volunteer stewards, Westlock about $560,000. We concluded our access on two high-use conservation Whitetails Junior Forest Warden Club ten-year partnership with Shell Corporate Partners Program Securement Transactions in 2016/17

Project Name Corporate Partner Size (ac) Special Features

Beaton Wetland Suncor, AFGA, and Government 320 This parcel of land is located 13 km northwest of Dixonville. Habitat NE-32-087-24-W5M of Canada Habitat Stewardship consists of mixedwood forest and large wetland complex. Wildlife in this SW-33-087-24-W5M Program area include moose, elk, deer, black bear, beaver, muskrat, mink, wolves, and a variety of migratory bird species. East Deadwood Suncor 120 This site is 40 km southeast of Manning. Habitat includes mixedwood (Expansion) forest, riparian, and agriculture land. Directly west is a 35-acre wetland NW-08-089-21-W5M that provides habitat for a variety of waterfowl species. Wildlife in the area include moose, elk, deer, black bear, upland gamebirds, and waterfowl.

Tiger Lily Shell 160 This site is located 8 km northeast of the community of Tiger Lily. Habitat SW-28-060-05-W5M is primarily dry mixedwood forest, grassy meadows, and a 17-acre wetland. Wildlife in the area include moose, deer, black bear, upland gamebirds, and waterfowl.

Musidora 4 Suncor, AFGA, and DUC 160 This site is located approximately 16 km southeast of Two Hills. Habitat NE-20-053-11-W4M is primarily deciduous forest, shrubs, and open grass areas. There are several small wetlands scattered throughout this site. Wildlife in the area include moose, deer, small furbearers, and upland gamebirds.

TOTAL 760

40 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 Canada Energy, during which we contracts in 2016/17. We upgraded Landowner Habitat Program collaboratively conserved 1,882 acres seven sites by improving parking (762 ha) of wildlife habitat with an facilities and an access road, Alberta’s population is steadily estimated land value of $1,772,000. constructing a walking path, and increasing and reached over four Our goal is to continue to conserve installing five casting docks. We million people in 2016. About 2 key habitats using a collaborative investigated the potential to develop 410,000 km of land in Alberta approach and work toward new fisheries access sites at three has now been altered from its expanding these opportunities by waterbodies; however, all proved natural state, more than in any developing additional corporate unfeasible because of the presence of other province. Almost two-thirds partnerships. sensitive wetlands, lack of sufficient of the province (62%) has been depth, or inability to secure a Crown- altered by industrial or agricultural Partnerships land disposition. We engaged 16 development. Urban and rural Alberta Fish & Game Association, partners in 2016/17, who generously development and expansion have Ducks Unlimited Canada, contributed financial or in-kind also contributed to habitat loss, Government of Canada Habitat assistance. We continued discussions fragmentation, and degradation. Stewardship Program – Prevention with Alberta Environment and Parks The Landowner Habitat Program Stream (Prairie Region), Shell to determine long-term partnership was initiated to help conserve key Canada Energy, Suncor Energy roles and responsibilities at Crown- habitat and reduce habitat loss on Foundation owned fisheries access sites across privately owned land. The program the province. compensates landowners who are Fisheries Access Site Partnerships willing to sign a legally binding agreement to retain habitat for Management Alberta Environment and Parks – a term of five to 20 years and to ACA’s Land Management Program Fish and Wildlife and Lands and provide reasonable public foot encompasses activities intended Range divisions, Alberta Fish & access. Participants in this program to conserve, protect, and enhance Game Association, Alberta Lottery are acknowledged with a project wildlife and fish habitat and to Fund – Community Facility increase sustainable recreational Enhancement Program, Clearwater sign and provided with Use Respect opportunities, including angling County, County of Newell, Devon – Ask First signage to display along and hunting. One of the activities Canada Corporation, Municipal the perimeter of their property. We of the program is the delivery of the District of Greenview, Municipal currently manage 35 agreements Fisheries Access Site Management District of Northern Lights, across the province, which conserve Program, which provides angling Municipal District of Rocky View, about 5,602 acres (2,267 ha) of opportunities to key streams, North Raven River Working Group, important wildlife and fish habitat. rivers, and lakes throughout Peace Country Fly Fishers, Shell Partnerships the province. We inspected and Canada Energy, Trout Unlimited Landowners maintained 26 fisheries access sites Canada – Yellowhead and Central and commissioned 14 maintenance chapters, Wetaskiwin County

Project: Fisheries Access Site Management Photo: ACA, Tyler Johns

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 41 Management Plan integrity of each site. ACA works Partnerships Development with our partners to develop Alberta Environment and Parks, management plans that identify Alberta Fish & Game Association, ACA currently manages and the site history and features; our Ducks Unlimited Canada, Pheasants maintains 355 conservation sites, plan to manage, enhance, or restore Forever – Calgary and Chinook which comprise over 210,000 habitat; recreational and facility chapters, Shell Canada Energy acres (about 85,000 ha). These enhancements; guidelines; and conservation sites provide planned activities for the site. important habitat for a variety of Management plans are reviewed by wildlife and fish species and were ACA and our partners as required conserved collaboratively with a or on a term basis (e.g., after five variety of partners. To manage years) to ensure we are meeting our conservation assets effectively, our intended goals and objectives. management plans are developed In 2016/17, we developed 33 new for each of these sites. Emphasis management plans. is placed on developing detailed Project: Management Plan habitat management objectives Development Program that maintain the ecological Photo: ACA, Garret McKen

42 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/2017 Provincial Habitat Securement Program conserves us to maximize our conservation Securement Program important wildlife and fish habitat impact and the efficiency of our through land purchases, land securement efforts. Together in Alberta’s population reached 4.27 donations, and leases on Crown 2016/17, we completed seven land million in 2016, with a growth land. Securing habitat ensures these acquisitions, which conserved 1,010 of 1.6% from 2015 despite an lands will be conserved in perpetuity acres (408.8 ha). These acquisitions economic downturn. Alberta’s to benefit our valued wildlife and included five donations, one partial natural land base is under intense fish resources, and to provide ecogift donation, and one purchase. pressure from a variety of sources These lands have an estimated land related to its population growth, Alberta’s outdoor enthusiasts with value of approximately $4,175,000. including agricultural, municipal, year-round, sustainable recreational and industrial development. The opportunities. We use 28 priority Partnerships Institute of Wetlands and Waterfowl focus areas to help guide securement Alberta Fish & Game Association; Research estimates that about 64% efforts and opportunities. Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks of the slough/marsh wetlands in Collaborative partnerships with and Wildlife Foundation; Ducks the settled areas of Alberta no conservation groups, industry, Unlimited Canada; Francis and longer exist. Our Provincial Habitat companies, and individuals allow Lillian Coulson; Golden family

Habitat Securement Program Transactions in 2016/17

Securement Tool Size Project Name Special Features & Partners (ac) Coulson A private land donation 12 This site is located on the North Raven River approximately 53 km west of Red Deer and Pt. NE-35-036-05-W5M to ACA. 33 km southeast of Rocky Mountain House and is located in the dry mixedwood. The river supports excellent angling opportunities for brown trout, northern pike, mountain whitefish, and brook trout. This unique property provides spawning habitat and a travel corridor for wildlife including deer, elk, moose, black bear, furbearers, ruffed grouse, and waterfowl.

Birch Coulee A land donation from 319 This site is approximately 2 km east of Innisfree and 118 km east of Edmonton and is NW-07-051-10-W4M ASRPWF to ACA and located in the central parkland. It consists of mixed forest, riparian, and wetland habitat. SW-07-051-10-W4M AFGA. A Ducks Unlimited Canada conservation site (7D Coulee) is adjacent to this property. Wildlife found here include deer, moose, furbearers, ruffed grouse, and waterfowl.

Golden Ranches A collaborative split 309.5 Area 8 is the final purchase of the Golden Ranches homestead and is located in the dry (Expansion - Area 8) purchase and Eco-gift mixedwood. The acquired lands are located in the center of Golden Ranches Conservation SW-36-051-21-W4M donation partnership Site; this parcel will be the hub where infrastructure will provide facilities for hunting SE-36-051-21-W4M between ACA and the and nature-related businesses and conservation partners to operate in. This expands the Golden Ranches Conservation Site to 1,659.5 acres. Wildlife in the area include deer, Golden family. moose, furbearers, and a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds Lac Emelien A land donation from 151 This site is approximately 42 km northwest of Vermilion and 150 km east of Sherwood NW-29-052-08-W4M ASRPWF to ACA and Park and is located in the dry mixedwood. It consists mostly of mixed forest with AFGA. scattered wetland and riparian habitat throughout the property. Wildlife found here include deer, moose, small furbearers, ruffed grouse, and waterfowl. Black bear may be observed on this site as well. Musidora A land donation from 110 This site is approximately 17 km southeast of Two Hills and 105 km east of Fort (Expansion) ASRPWF to ACA and Saskatchewan and is located in the dry mixedwood. It consists of mixedwood forest, SE-20-053-11-W4M AFGA. riparian, and grassland habitat. It expands the Musidora Conservation Site to 750 acres and creates greater connectivity across the landscape. Wildlife found here include deer, moose, black bear, furbearers, ruffed grouse, and waterfowl. North Cornerstone A collaborative 68.5 This site is approximately 20 km north of Innisfree and is located in the dry mixedwood. Pt. SE-04-053-11-W4M acquisition between It consists of mixed forest, tame pasture, riparian, and several wetlands scattered ACA, AFGA, and DUC. throughout the property. There is several conservation sites in the immediate area which increases connectivity and overall wildlife value in the area. Wildlife found here include deer, moose, and waterfowl. Silverberry A land donation from 40 This site is approximately 50 km south of Elk Point and 170 km east of Ft. Saskatchewan (Expansion) ASRPWF to ACA and and is located in the central parkland. It expands the Silverberry Conservation Site to Pt. NW-30-054-07-W4M AFGA. 2,100 acres protecting a diverse community of habitats including mixed forest, grassland Pt. SW-31-054-07-W4M meadows, and wetland habitat. Wildlife found here and in the immediate area include deer, moose, black bear, furbearers, ruffed grouse, and waterfowl.

TOTAL 1,010

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 43 Recreational Opportunity Riparian Conservation riparian enhancement activities, and communicated our Riparian Enhancement The ecological integrity and health Conservation Program to various Despite an economic downturn, of Alberta’s rivers, streams, and communities. Our efforts have Alberta’s population grew by 1.6% in surrounding landscapes are often contributed to improvements in 2015 to reach 4.27 million in 2016; negatively affected by ongoing riparian habitat health and have human development. Aquatic this growth rate is slightly higher positively influenced the stewardship and terrestrial habitats have than the national average and the approach of many landowners and been degraded by activities such second highest in the country. As leaseholders. as agriculture, land conversion, a result of continued population forestry, oil and gas exploration, Partnerships growth, demands on Alberta’s and urban and rural community Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension natural land base also continue to development. Riparian areas are Society, Alberta Fish & Game increase from a variety of sources, complex ecosystems that provide Association, ConocoPhillips, including agricultural, municipal, important ecological functions and County of Grande Prairie, Cows and industrial development. are critical to maintaining watershed and Fish – Alberta Riparian Habitat The Recreational Opportunity health. Proper management of Management Society, Enerplus, Enhancement project was this sensitive habitat is essential to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, established to increase public access maintain water quality and habitat Government of Canada, landowners, to fishing and hunting opportunities, integrity. The primary goal of our Milk River Watershed Council, as well as non-consumptive activities Riparian Conservation Program Oldman Watershed Council, such as hiking, canoeing, and is to protect and restore riparian Syncrude Canada Ltd., Treecycler, photography. A major focus of this areas in priority watersheds through Trout Unlimited Canada, West project is to improve access to Crown on-the-ground habitat restoration County Watershed Society waterbodies for waterfowl hunting projects. We do this work by and to private lands for upland and engaging landowners, the public, big game hunting. In addition, the and other stakeholders through project will focus on improving community outreach and education access to major rivers such as the activities. Our collaborative Bow and North Saskatchewan rivers partnerships with landowners, for angling and other water-related industry, government, watershed groups, and other stakeholders are recreational activities. Working with an integral component of project individual landowners has allowed delivery. In 2016/17, we focused our us to improve hunter access to 10,361 conservation efforts in the following acres (4,193 ha) of private land priority watersheds: Beaverlodge, across southern Alberta through a Edson, Owl, Raven, North Raven, sign-in access system. In an effort and Oldman rivers; and Clear, Todd, to reduce ungulate depredation Beaver, Drywood, Yarrow, Lyndon, issues and improve hunter access in Pincher, and Indianfarm creeks northwestern Alberta, we continue and their associated tributaries. to collaborate with partners to We delivered 14 enhancement develop a pilot program that will projects using a variety of connect hunters with landowners management tools, including experiencing depredation issues. implementing landowner habitat Increased recreational opportunities lease agreements to conserve will not only encourage hunter 163 acres (66 ha) of riparian and angler recruitment but will and associated upland habitat; also help maintain quality outdoor planting 1,350 white spruce, experiences by distributing hunters balsam poplar, and willow trees; and anglers across the landscape. and installing 8.89 km of mainly wildlife-friendly fencing to protect Partnerships important riparian habitat. We Alberta Environment and Parks, also monitored water quality and Alberta Fish & Game Association, riparian health on two systems landowners, Lethbridge Fish & to help evaluate the effectiveness Game Association, Municipal of riparian enhancements, District of Greenview supported landowners with

44 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 ACA Conservation Reports

The following is a list of final project Fisheries Wildlife reports published in 2016/17. All of Fitzsimmons, K. 2017. A Creel-Based these reports can be found on our Webb, S., B. Abercrombie, R. Assessment of the Upper Bow and website or through the Government Anderson, B. Bildson, M. Jokinen, Elbow River Sport Fisheries. 2016. of Alberta Library. N. Kimmy, and D. Manzer. Data Report, produced by Alberta 2017. Wolverine distribution Annual Summary reports for all Conservation Association, and habitat associations on on-going projects can also be found Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. 12 registered traplines in Alberta, on our website. pp. + App. winters 2011/12 – 2015/16. Data Judd, C., M. Rodtka, and A. Clough. Report, produced by Alberta 2017. North Saskatchewan River Conservation Association and Drainage, Fish Sustainability Alberta Trappers’ Association, Index Data Gaps Project, 2016. Blairmore and Lethbridge, Data Report, produced by Alberta Alberta, Canada. 41 pp. + App. Conservation Association, Downey, B. 2017. Greater Sage Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Grouse Project 2014 – 2017. Data Canada. 20 pp. + App. Report, produced by Alberta Lebedynski, N. 2017. Summer Sport Conservation Association, Fishery Angler Survey at Haig Lethbridge, Alberta. 5 pp. and Moose Lakes, Alberta, 2016. Data Report, produced by Alberta Conservation Association, Peace River, Alberta, Canada. 17 pp. + App. Blackburn, J., K. Fitzsimmons, B. Hurkett, and L. Redman. 2017. Trends in distribution and abundance of westslope cutthroat trout and sedimentation in the upper Oldman River watershed, 2015 – 2016. Data Report, produced by Alberta Conservation Association, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. 32 pp. + App.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 45 Photo: ACA, Colin Eyo

46 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 Report A Poacher and Livestock Compensation Programs

Report A Poacher 2016/17 Overview Livestock The Report A Poacher (RAP) • 14,894 total calls from the public to the Compensation Program encourages all Albertans— RAP toll-free hotline. not just hunters and anglers—to help • 3,097 calls about suspected illegal Programs protect our wildlife, fish, and natural activity – reporting wildlife and fish ACA takes pride in fostering habitats. In addition to providing resource crimes. good working relationships education about poaching, perhaps • 806 charges laid. with landowners. For producers the most important RAP program • $108,600 in rewards paid to individuals whose livestock may have been tool is the toll-free phone number: whose call and information led to killed or injured as a result of 1-800-642-3800. It allows people to charges. predators (eagles, cougars, bears, report suspected illegal activities and wolves) or hunter activities, • Promoted RAP at numerous trade shows 24 hours a day, seven days a week. relief is provided through the and events throughout Alberta, and Alberta Fish & Wildlife enforcement Wildlife Predator Compensation distributed branded promotional items officers often rely on information and Shot Livestock Compensation to educate and raise awareness about from these calls; individuals and Programs. Like Report A Poacher, poaching and ethical hunting and fishing communities are RAP’s eyes and ACA is responsible for program practices. ears, and the important information promotion and compensation fund they provide regularly leads to • Increased RAP promotion through social management, while Alberta Justice investigations and convictions. media, television, radio, and print. and Solicitor General is responsible • Developed and delivered the new RAP for incident investigations and RAP is delivered jointly by ACA and education trailer. Alberta Justice and Solicitor General. determining payouts. ACA is responsible for program promotion and education activities Wildlife Predator Claims Compensation ($) to enhance public awareness and understanding of poaching, and also Black Bear 25 23,527.17 for the administration of program Cougar 13 91,410.68 funds. Alberta Justice and Solicitor General retains sole responsibility for Grizzly Bear 64 6,004.12 liaising with informants, investigating reports, and enforcing laws. Wolf 138 138,094.27

TOTAL 240 259,036.24

Shot Livestock 14 $39,975.86

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 47 Ashley Jensen (MSc), ACA Grants in Biodiversity, Plumage Polymorphism in Ruffed Grouse Bonasa( umbellus): Genetics and behaviour Photo: Nick O’Neil Granting Programs Alberta’s hunters and anglers contribute directly to conservation through levies on their hunting and fishing licences. A portion comes to ACA, and one of the many things we do, is support conservation efforts via our Granting Programs.

ACA Conservation, Grants in Biodiversity ACA Chair in Fisheries Community, and The ACA Grants in Biodiversity and Wildlife at the Program is funded by ACA and Education Grants operated through the Alberta University of Alberta This fund supports conservation Cooperative Conservation Research The ACA Chair was established activities that contribute to wildlife Unit—a partnership between the through an endowment to the and fish population health and the Universities of Alberta, Calgary, University of Alberta, providing health of their habitats, and to the and Lethbridge. The ACA Grants educational initiatives to wildlife understanding, appreciation, and in Biodiversity program supported professionals. By addressing issues use of the environment. Projects 23 graduate student projects with and problems relevant to Alberta’s that increase participation in, and a total of $222,090 of funding for biological resources, the Chair, awareness of, outdoor opportunities, 2016/17. Projects ranged from Dr. Mark Boyce, supports ACA’s while developing knowledge and genetics of caribou to the effects of goals for long-term, sustainable respect for conservation, are also industrialization on songbirds and wildlife and fish resources. A funded through this grant. The hawks. This year’s grants ranged contribution to teaching is also projects ranged from youth hunter, from $4,660 to $17,200 and were an essential duty of the position. angler, and archery programs and distributed to seven PhD and 16 The ACA Chair is expected to local festivals such as the annual Masters candidates. Although the contribute to the activities of the Snow Goose Chase, to restoration study must be in Alberta, four of the Department of Biological Sciences and stewardship projects, like the projects were conducted by students and to the university as a whole. Dr. Weaselhead Invasive Plant Program. from universities outside of the Boyce’s expertise is internationally province. recognized, and he has significantly 2016/17 Overview enhanced ACA’s efforts to conserve • Received 118 applications requesting 2016/17 Overview Alberta’s wildlife and fish resources. just under $1.7 million. • 23 graduate students supported with For more information and for a list of publications, visit biology. • Supported 75 projects with $969,644 $222,090 in funding. ualberta.ca/faculty/mark_boyce. of funding. • Syncrude Canada Ltd. has signed a $250,000 commitment over five years 2016/17 Overview (2014 through 2018) in support of the ACA Research Grants ACA Grants in Biodiversity Program. • Endowed with $20,500 as part of ACA’s The ACA Research Grants fund commitment to science, research, high-quality research projects on and education. wildlife, fish, and habitat which inform the effective management of wildlife and fish populations and habitat in Alberta. Topics ranged from estimating ungulate populations, using trail cameras, to long-term population studies on big horn sheep and the elk in Ya Ha Tinda. 2016/17 Overview • Received 23 applications requesting $625,403. • Funded 15 research projects with a total of $312,584.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 49 ACA Conservation, Southern Alberta Bible Camp, Pelletry Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), Wetland Community and Education Program, $1,500.00 Discovery Days, $20,000.00 Grants Trout Unlimited Canada – Bow River Chpt, Friends of Elk Island Society, Beaver Hills Dark Legacy Island annual maintenance, $3,000.00 Sky Preserve Bat Nights, $5,814.00 Small Grants Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation, 2016 ($3,000 and under) Society, Weaselhead Invasive Plant Program, Vegetation management at Glenbow Ranch Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ $3,000.00 Provincial Park, $5,900.00 Association, 13th Annual OWL Day – “Outdoor Willingdon and District Fish & Game Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation, Wildlife Learning,” $3,000.00 Association, Willingdon Fish Pond and Park, Environmental and conservation education at Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ $1,900.00 Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, $10,000.00 Association, AHEIA’s Teachers’ Workshop, Large Grants (over $3,000) H.A. Kostash School, H.A. Kostash Youth $3,000.00 Mentorship Programs, $15,000.00 Alberta Fish & Game Association, Increasing Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Highway Two Conservation, Alberta habitat for species at risk in Alberta’s Association, Alford Lake camp expansion, bat education and habitat protection: grassland region through adaptive $3,000.00 Establishment of the Cache Park Bat Reserve management, habitat enhancement, and and the “Save a Barn, Save a Bat Program,” Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ outreach, $35,800.00 Association, Conservation education for the $8,300.00 Alberta Fish & Game Association, North Raven Army Cadet league of Canada AB, $3,000.00 Highway Two Conservation, Riparian riparian conservation project, $25,000.00 Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Education Program, $8,550.00 Alberta Fish & Game Association, Pronghorn Association, Outdoor youth seminar, Hillcrest Fish & Game Protective Association, $3,000.00 antelope migration corridor enhancement, $42,525.00 Coleman Fish and Game dam access upgrade, Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ $7,240.00 Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association, Youth fishing initiatives, Inside Education, Wildlife education field $3,000.00 Association, 23rd Annual Outdoor Women’s Program, $25,000.00 trips, $10,250.00 Big Country Rod and Gun Club, Annual first Lakeland Catholic School District No. 150 time upland bird hunt, $1,000.00 Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association, AHEIA’s National Archery in the (Notre Dame High School), Enhancing outdoor Calgary Fish & Game Association, Boat & Schools Program (NASP), $40,000.00 education and wildlife pathway, $5,000.00 Sportsmen’s Show trout pond gifts, $1,185.00 Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Lamont Fish & Game Association, Archery/ Edmonton Valley Zoo, Edmonton Valley Zoo Association, Outdoor Bound Mentorship Youth Development Programs, $6,845.49 wander fascination station, $2,914.46 Program, $12,000.00 Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory, Avian Helen Schuler Nature Centre, “Extreme by Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Monitoring and Education Programs at Lesser Nature” Environmental education for 11 to 15 Association, Provincial Hunting Day initiatives, Slave Lake, $21,500.00 year olds, $3,000.00 $20,000.00 Lesser Slave Watershed Council, Living on the Lacombe Fish & Game Association, Len Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Edge awareness campaign, $5,115.00 Thompson fishing pond upgrades – signage Association, Youth hunter education camps Lethbridge Fish & Game, 6th Annual LFGA/ and education portion, $2,707.92 (Weeks 1-4), $48,000.00 ACA Youth Fishing Recruitment Day, Manning Jr & Sr Gun Club, Novice pheasant Alberta Invasive Species Council, PlayCleanGo; $10,800.00 shoot, $3,000.00 engaging recreationists, $20,000.00 Lethbridge Fish & Game, LFGA - Conservation Northern Lights Fly Fishers/TUC Edmonton Alberta Trappers Association, Youth Trapper Community, and Education Program, Chpt, Kids’ fly tying, $1,429.00 Camp, $8,225.00 $18,000.00 Onoway & District Fish & Game Association, Beaverhill Bird Observatory, Public MD of Bonnyville, Crane Lake Riparian Bluebird/bat house project, $800.00 engagement, wildlife conservation, and Restoration and Preservation Program, Safari Club International Red Deer Chapter, monitoring at Beaverhill Lake, $19,550.00 $5,791.00 Red Deer, Kids Can Fish Event, $2,900.00 Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Milk River Watershed Council Canada, Safe Drinking Water Foundation, Operation (CPAWS) Southern Alberta Chapter, Kids Promoting Youth Engagement Program Water Drop, Operation Water Pollution, and for Conservation: getting youth outside to within the MRWCC, $10,000.00 Operation Water Biology kits to be used by experience Alberta’s Wilderness, $9,250.00 Mountain View County, Riparian and students in Alberta as part of field trips/ Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition, Education ecological enhancement program, $20,000.00 outdoor education, $1,275.00 and reclamation in the Castle, $14,700.00 Nature Alberta, Implementing action to Southern Alberta Bible Camp, Archery CW Perry School, Fisher Education Program, protect priority bird species in Alberta’s IBAs, Program, $2,500.00 $5,095.00 $11,500.00

50 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 Nature Alberta, Living by Water, $20,125.00 Zone 3 Fish & Game, Abandoned barbed wire ACA Research Grants Nature Alberta, Nature Kids in a Backpack, hazard elimination at Buffalo and Bigelow pheasant sites, $4,450.00 fRI Research (Dr. Larsen), Linkages between $31,000.00 habitat, ungulates, and the habitat use and Northern Lights Fly Fishers/TUC Edmonton, Zone 4&5 Alberta Fish & Game, Narrow Lake performance of grizzly bears in west-central Conserving and restoring Arctic grayling in conservation centre, $25,380.00 Alberta, $16,500.00 the Upper Pembina River Watershed – Habitat fRI Research (Dr. MacNearney), Can forestry restoration planning, $10,450.00 and silviculture practices help increase caribou Northern Lights Fly Fishers/TUC Edmonton, functional habitat in west-central Alberta?, Raven Riparian fencing project, $29,085.00 $25,000.00 Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation (Dr. Tannas), Oldman Watershed Council, Engaging Native grasslands ecosystem restoration, recreationists in the Dutch Creek restoration $20,750.00 (not completed) and education project, $25,750.00 St. Mary’s University (Dr. Lovell), Vocal, Parkland County, County Lands shoreline morphological, molecular, and ecological naturalization project, $12,500.00 interactions between white-crowned Partners in Habitat Development, Partners in sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) subspecies in Habitat Development, $15,000.00 secondary contact, $22,580.00 Pheasants Forever Calgary, 15th Annual PF The Friends of Elk Island Society (Dr. Roy), Calgary/AHEIA youth/novice hunt, $6,000.00 Estimating known ungulate populations using trail cameras in Elk Island National Park, Red Deer County, Conservation Partners $18,000.00 (a.k.a. ALUS) 2016, $40,000.00 The King’s University (Dr. Janzen), Enhanced Red Deer FGA, Alberta Youth Pheasant camera trap image processing program, Program, $8,550.00 $9,700.00 SARDA, SARDA Summer Field School: Trout Unlimited Canada (Dr. Peterson), Retention of Wetlands on Croplands, Using citizen science to understand Didymo, $4,200.00 $10,577.00 Sustainability Resources Ltd, Watershed Université de Sherbrooke (Dr. Festa-Bianchet), Resources: Riparian Restoration Program, Experimental management of bighorn sheep, $4,940.00 $9,560.00 The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) University of Alberta (Dr. Boyce), Black bear Alberta Region, Wildlife-friendly fencing: abundance, human-wildlife conflict, and implementing habitat management interactions with grizzly bears on a multi-use enhancements and improving wildlife landscape, $11,300.00 movement in a key site in the Cypress Hills University of Alberta (Dr. Macdonald), Tools area, $16,200.00 to guide management of invasive species in Town of Okotoks, Storm pond goldfish control grassland ecosystems, $19,820.00 and public education, $10,000.00 University of Alberta (Dr. Merrill), Persistence Trout Unlimited Canada, Evaluation of of the Ya Ha Tinda elk population: the role of Prairie Creek culvert retrofit and riparian calf survival, $34,197.00 enhancement and education project, University of Alberta (Dr. Poesch), The effects $28,012.00 of introduced fishes on potential aquatic insect prey subsidies to alpine birds, $20,000.00 Trout Unlimited Canada, Southern Alberta riparian improvement and awareness project, University of Alberta (Dr. Vinebrooke), $23,140.00 Bioremediation of eutrophic lakes through fisheries management in Alberta, $38,500.00 Trout Unlimited Canada, Yellow Fish Road in a Box, $40,000.00 University of Calgary (Dr. Galpern), Wild pollinator conservation and restoration in Trout Unlimited Canada – Bow River Chpt, Southern Alberta croplands II: wetlands and Bow River – Legacy Island spawning landscape heterogeneity, $23,800.00 enhancement and access study, $24,000.00 University of Saskatchewan (Dr. Soos), Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association, Relationship between health, habitat use, Building wetland stewardship and improving and migration of juvenile whooping cranes wetland habitat in Waterton Biosphere in relation to the oil sands region of northern Reserve, $10,000.00 Alberta, $32,300.00

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 51 2016 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

Susan Anderson University of Leland Jackson Implications of nitrogen limitation in cyanobacteria in shallow lakes (MSc) Calgary Charlotte Brown University of JC Cahill Causes and consequences of size-asymmetric competition in a native grassland (MSc) Alberta Erin Campbell University of Felix Sperling Characterizing Alberta species of silverspot butterflies to support ecological (MSc) Alberta assessments Emma Carroll (MSc) University of Steven Vamosi Population genetics of Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) Calgary Maria Cavedon University of Marco Musiani Determining genomic characteristics of caribou in Alberta for management and (PhD) Calgary conservation practices Craig DeMaere University of Cameron Carlyle Does heterogeneity in rangeland health predict biodiversity in Alberta's southern (MSc) Alberta and Edward Bork grasslands? Jacqueline Dennett University of Scott Nielsen Search and rescue: Detection and translocation of rare plant species in the Lower (PhD) Alberta Athabasca Luiz Drummond University of Mike Flannigan Prescribed fire and whitebark pine recovery strategies: Natural regeneration in Salvador (MSc) Alberta relation to fire severity David Ensing (PhD) Queen's University Christopher Eckert Phenological and genomic determinants of elevational range limits in Rhinanthus minor L. Caroline Franklin University of Ellen Macdonald Responses of furbearers to variable green-tree retention harvesting in conifer- (PhD) Alberta dominated boreal forest Haley Glass (MSc) University of Steven Vamosi Monitoring of amphibian populations in Jasper National Park using environmental Calgary DNA Jocelyn Gregoire University of Erin Bayne Habitat utilization of boreal songbirds in response to linear feature width and (MSc) Alberta vegetative recovery Jori Harrison (MSc) University of Sean Rogers Using environmental DNA to detect and assess species abundance of At Risk Alberta Calgary fishes Alexandra University of Nicola Koper Investigating the effects of oil and gas infrastructure on the stress physiology and Heathcote (MSc) Manitoba body condition of nestlings of two species of grassland songbirds Ashley Jensen University of Theresa Burg and Plumage polymorphism in Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus): Genetics and (MSc) Lethbridge Andrew Iwaniuk behaviour Elly Knight (PhD) University of Erin Bayne Linking hierarchical habitat relationships of common nighthawks in a dynamic Alberta landscape Natalia Lifshitz University of Colleen Cassady Evaluating the potential of using ornamental coloration of tree swallows as a non- (PhD) Alberta St. Clair invasive indicator of aquatic pollution Nicholas Parayko University of Erin Bayne Response of ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis) to transmission line construction and (MSc) Alberta decommissioning Angela Phung University of Jessamyn Manson Density dependent effects of an invasive legume on pollinator visitation rates to a (MSc) Alberta and Cameron Carlyle rare native congener Danielle Rivet University of Jeffrey Lane Overwinter torpor profiles of Columbian ground squirrels subject to natural and (PhD) Saskatchewan manipulated environmental conditions Kelsey Saboraki University of Susan Lingle Behavioural transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease in mule deer and white-tailed (MSc) Winnipeg deer Julie Steinke (MSc) University of Ellen Macdonald Effects of mountain pine beetle on understory vegetation in lodgepole pine forests Alberta in western Alberta Emily Upham-Mills University of Erin Bayne The use of migratory bird spring arrival timing and song phenology to inform (MSc) Alberta habitat preference and quality

52 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 Auditor’s Report

Photo: ACA, Kyle Prince 54 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 55 BASIS OF PRESENTATION Management is responsible for the preparation of the summary consolidated financial statements. The summary consolidated financial statements are comprised of the summary consolidated statement of financial position and the summary consolidated statement of operations, and do not include and other schedules, a summary of significant accounting policies or the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The summary consolidated statement of financial position and the summary consolidated statement of operations are presented with the same amounts as the audited consolidated financial statements, but all note referencing has been removed.

56 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 Financial Highlights

Summarized Expenditures by Program Revenue by Source Financial Statements Often stakeholders want to Approximately 30.1% of ACA’s total determine what funds are being budget was generated from non-levy In 2016/17, ACA received directed towards their particular sources ($6,522,934). This decrease $14,570,386 in levy revenue from passion. When examining the from the previous year was largely hunting and angling licences, Expenditures by Program, please attributable to decreased corporate representing a slight decrease of keep in mind that the numbers donations as a result of unfavourable $55,220 from the previous year. This shown are somewhat arbitrary economic conditions. Land result demonstrates that despite and do not necessarily represent donations and purchases conserved the continued downturn in the all projects that may relate to approximately 1,523 acres for future economy, interest in hunting and a particular program area. For generations. angling in Alberta remains stable, instance, fisheries access sites, as the majority of this decrease which are directly related to 2016/17 Overview can be easily explain as a result of increasing angling opportunities, • Received $14,570,386 from levies on poor weather during key fishing are administered, and budgeted hunting and fishing licences. weekends. for, under our Land Management • Received $6.5 million in non-levy Program instead of the Fisheries Together, our Wildlife, revenue. Program. Granting is shown Fisheries, Land Management, • Applied $15,220,486 in value directly Communications, and Grants separately even though it relates to all three resource areas. towards the conservation of Alberta’s Programs had expenditures totalling wildlife, fish, and habitats. $11,004,061, plus an additional Administration costs continue to • Administration costs kept to 9.94% of $4,216,425 in land purchases and be well below the federal guideline total expenditures. donations (for accounting purposes, for charitable organizations and these funds are recorded as assets, includes areas such as Human • Current year surplus is $1,873,025 (11.10% not direct operational expenditures). Resources and regional and of budgeted revenue), of which $518,412 These numbers mean approximately corporate administration. are gains generated within our long-term 104.5% of the levy value collected investment accounts (not in management went back into conserving Alberta’s control). The remainder was budgeted resources (expenses plus increase in for land purchases through the Habitat habitat assets). Securement Fund ($600,000) leaving an operational surplus in management ACA received approximately control of $754,613, which is 4.5% of $6.5 million in non-levy revenue budgeted revenue. (including $4,216,425 in land donations and funds for land The following charts summarize the purchase). These funds came from total operating budget breakdown a variety of donors, including according to each program and individuals, corporations, revenue area. We encourage you granting foundations, the federal to review the entire annual report government, and other conservation for a greater understanding of the organizations. Administrative costs conservation projects undertaken were held to 9.94% of total revenue within each program and how they (including funds for land purchase may relate to your particular interests. and donations). If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our President and CEO, Todd Zimmerling.

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 57 Revenue by Source

Total Percentage of Dollars Revenue 42.5% Hunting 8,967,061

26.6% Fishing 5,603,325

20.0% Land purchases/donations 4,216,425

7.6% Partner 1,606,470

3.3% Other 700,039

TOTAL 21,093,320

*Not including unrealized gains on investments, but including $326,969 in investment income (outside of Management’s control).

Expenditures by Program Levy Partner Total Percentage of Dollars Expenditures 21.43% Wildlife Program 2,950,671 1,281,083 4,231,754

21.36% Land purchases/donations - 4,216,425 4,216,425

11.31% Fisheries Program 2,184,060 48,176 2,232,236

11.12% Land Programs 1,837,009 359,310 2,196,319

9.94% Administration 1,962,193 - 1,962,193

8.18% Granting Programs 1,516,362 99,490 1,615,852

4.35% Finance 859,525 - 859,525

3.69% Communications 661,113 66,787 727,900

3.29% Information Technology 648,875 25 648,900

1.91% Business Development 372,258 4,995 377,253

1.57% Report A Poacher and Compensation 309,494 - 309,494

1.15% Human Resources 226,231 - 226,231

0.70% Health and Safety 139,064 - 139,064

TOTAL 13,666,855 6,079,291 19,743,146

58 Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 Abacus Datagraphics Access Pipeline Inc. Agrium Inc. Aquality Environmental Consulting Ltd. Aux Sable Cabela’s Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. Alberta Conservation Association Canadian Tire Cochrane wishes to thank our Corporate Partners Capital Power in Conservation who have provided CCI Inc. multi-year financial contributions in City of Fort Saskatchewan support our conservation programs Cycle Works Motorsports and projects. Together we are conserving Alberta`s natural heritage Daishowa Marubeni International for generations to come. Dow Chemical Canada Edmonton Trout Fishing Club Inter Pipeline Ltd. Jobsite Workwear Let’s Go Outdoors MacFarlane Pheasants Inc. Martin Motor Sports Matrix Solutions Inc. Shell Canada Suncor Energy Foundation Superior Propane Syncrude Canada SysGen Solutions Group Ltd. TeraGo Networks Thompson-Pallister Bait Company Ltd. Town of Cochrane TransAlta West Fraser Mills Wheaton Toyota On The Trail WiBand Wingate by Wyndham

Alberta Conservation Association – Annual Report 2016/17 59 TE P RA AR O T P N R E

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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