CPAWS Northern Alberta

06/24/2026

🙌 Can we get a "woop woop" for whooping cranes? These birds are the tallest native bird species in North America and make the long 4000 km journey from Wood Buffalo National Park to Aransas, Texas twice a year. 🔁

⚠️ Whooping cranes were once on the brink of extinction with a mere 22 wild whooping cranes left in the world! Thanks to massive collaborative conservation efforts, this migratory flock is now over 500 birds.

➡️ The Wood Buffalo - Aransas flock is the last natural and wild migratory whooping crane flock. The nesting area for the flock is in remote wetlands within Wood Buffalo National Park. 🌿

ℹ️ What does this all mean?
Concerns for the deteriorating ecological conditions within Wood Buffalo National Park spells bad news for the sustainability of the whooping crane's nesting areas.

🔗 Learn more about Wood Buffalo: https://cpawsnab.org/our-work/national-parks/wood-buffalo-national-park/

06/12/2026

From the vast waters of the Peace-Athabasca Delta to the striking white salt flats, Wood Buffalo National Park contains some of the most unique landscapes in North America.

These ecosystems support extraordinary biodiversity, including one of the continent's greatest concentrations of migratory birds and iconic wildlife like free-roaming bison.

These remarkable features have earned Wood Buffalo National Park international recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance.

Yet, international recognition and federal protection have fallen shorten against worsening threats to the park's conditions. For years, the park has faced growing pressures from upstream industrial development, altered flows of the Peace River, and the accelerating impacts of climate change.

Wood Buffalo National Park needs more than recognition, it requires urgent and collaborative action from all governments.

06/09/2026

Hello volunteers! Tune in to our upcoming webinar to hear about our current projects, ask questions, and learn how to help table for CPAWS at future events.✨

📅Thursday, June 11th, 2026
⏲️12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

This webinar is open to anyone interested in helping advocate for the protection of Alberta’s public lands, waters, and wildlife! You can gain valuable experience talking with the public about pressing conservation issues.

🔗 Click here to register: 4eabc1db-4076-4ffb-8ff5-5dd31a703c57@b4e14ffc-32ca-4ef6-b021-01880a2bca72" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/4eabc1db-4076-4ffb-8ff5-5dd31a703c57@b4e14ffc-32ca-4ef6-b021-01880a2bca72

06/08/2026

ℹ️ Alberta's draft Wood Bison Recovery Plan proposed some positive steps, but significant gaps remain if the plan is to reach the goal of stabilizing and recovering populations in the province. 🌿

🚨One of our biggest concerns is the lack of clear, measurable habitat protections for individual herds. Recovery will not be successful without protecting the landscapes wood bison depend on for food, water, and shelter.

We are particularly concerned about the Wabasca herd and their dwindling population. Reinforcement measures are needed imminently to save the unique population.

At the same time, industrial pressures continue to grow. The proposed logging plan over the coming decades and recent oil and gas exploration highlight the urgent need for habitat protection within this range. 🪵

⚠️ We will be on the look out for the finalized recovery plan. 🔎

🔗 Learn more about wood bison: https://cpawsnab.org/our-work/wildlife-species-at-risk/bison-conservation/

06/01/2026

🗓️Webinar: Wednesday, June 3rd @ 12 PM 🗓️

🌧️Rainy days like these across Alberta have us thinking about curling up with our next book 📖 May we suggest “Black Bear” by ?

ℹ️To celebrate the launch of our annual summer reading list we will be in conversation with Trina, highlighting the importance of storytelling in creating connection to conservation topics! We hope you’ll join us ☺️

🔗RSVP @ the link in bio

📸: courtesy of Trina Moyles

06/01/2026

🗓️ This Week 🗓️

📚 Welcoming the launch of the CPAWS Northern Alberta's summer reading list, we are SO thrilled to host a webinar this Wednesday, June 3 @ 12 PM with author Trina Moyles. Join us as we discuss Moyles' latest release, Black Bear 🐻 Registration details below!

05/27/2026

💪Elbows up for climate 💪 Upcoming event at Art Gallery of Alberta next week, June 4.

Make sure to RSVP 🔗: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/john-vaillant-on-fire-weather-tickets-1988831243788?aff=oddtdtcreator

There’s never been a more crucial time for local elected leaders to discuss nation-building projects that protect our communities from the dual threats of climate change and U.S. economic destabilization.

Join fellow leaders from across the country who are working towards national solutions that safeguard our communities, while making them healthier and more affordable during the Elbows Up for Climate Summit on Thursday, June 4 in Edmonton.

Participants will benefit from:
🟥 A closed-door morning session with David Miller (former Toronto Mayor) and Valérie Plante (former Montréal Mayor) where municipal leaders can share their climate challenges and solutions.
🟥 An expert briefing on climate communications and latest polling data from Amber Bennett, Executive Director of Re.Climate, at Carlton University;
🟥 A keynote presentation from John Vaillant, best-selling author of Pulitzer-nominated Fire Weather;
🟥 Lunch and end-of-day reception included for all attendees.
New and current members of the Elbows Up for Climate campaign are welcome to attend! Spaces are limited – reserve your spot now.

📍 Art Gallery of Alberta
🕒 Thursday June 4 | 1:30–3:00 PM MT
RSVP: www.elbowsupforclimate.ca

05/26/2026

Come join us for our first FREE River Valley Walk of the season! Stay tuned for future dates in mid July and August.🍃

📅Thursday, June 18th, 2026: We'll travel through Gold Bar Park then cross the North Saskatchewan River into Rundle Park. Along the way, we will stop to meet some native plant species, discuss the importance of the river valley, and dive a bit into the history of the area.

Make sure to bring footwear for hiking on gravel trails, a water-bottle, a snack, and an extra layer in case of light rain or wind.

Weather permitting, we will meet at 6:30 pm beside the Gold Bar Park Pavilion, which is near the Gold Bar Parking Lot at the end of Gold Bar Park Rd NW.

Head to https://cpawsnab.org/event/ to register 🔗

05/23/2026

⚠️Mine wastewater clouded with runoff and sediment has contaminated a tributary of the Lovett River, which flows into the Pembina River and eventually the Athabasca River. Waterbodies near this incident provide critical habitat for at-risk trout.

While the Alberta Energy Regulator blames ice melt for the berm’s failure, mining companies are responsible for building infrastructure and mitigation measures that effectively contain contaminants. Spring ice melt is a regular occurrence that companies should be prepared for.

Stories like this are all too familiar and warn us of the environmental impacts that new mining developments could have on already sensitive ecosystems.🚩