AWA lauds Castle Parks management plan

Castle River. (Alberta Wilderness Association photo)

Alberta Wilderness Association - The provincial government has released a final management plan for the Castle Parks. Along with the establishment of Public Land Use Zones in the Livingstone-Porcupine, Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) recognizes the significant progress that has been made to protect the headwaters of the Oldman River.  "The Castle wilderness is truly a one-of-a-kind treasure in Alberta that will be enjoyed by all for generations to come," said Joanna Skrajny, AWA Conservation Specialist. "The Castle Parks hold cultural significance and will protect grizzly bears and native trout, while providing spectacular recreation opportunities." The government's plan acknowledges the overwhelming body of science that shows off-highway vehicles are not compatible with conservation goals and headwaters protection.

Alberta Government releases Livingstone-Porcupine plan

Porcupine Hills overlooking Livingstone (Sam Wirzba photo)

Government of Alberta - New land management plans for the Livingstone-Porcupine Hills areas will help conserve and protect sensitive ecosystems while improving economic and recreation opportunities.

Albertans deliver 'Quarters for Caribou' to Premier

Alberta Wilderness Association - Supporters of Alberta’s endangered caribou delivered hundreds of postcards to the steps of the Alberta Legislature today, asking Premier Notley to protect the habitat that these iconic wildlife need. The “Quarters for Caribou” event, organized by Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA), comes after Alberta missed its 5-year deadline for producing caribou range plans in October 2017.

AWA: Alberta's oil sands, coal mines security not keeping pace with risks

Alberta Wilderness Association, - The Alberta Energy Regulator has reported that oil sands and coal mine cleanup liabilities in 2016 rose to 17 times greater than the dollars held in trust by the regulator to help pay for cleanup, compared to 13 times greater in 2014. Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) requests that Alberta’s Mine Financial Security Program be reformed, and the Auditor General’s 2015 recommendations be adopted, to reduce Albertans’ risk of major environmental liabilities from these projects.

More enforcement needed on public lands - AWA

W. Howse photo

Alberta Wilderness Association - As of August 6, 2016, enforcement officials have been able to issue tickets for some violations of the Public Lands Administration Regulation. While this is a step toward providing much-needed enforcement to protect Alberta’s public land and waters, the fines are too low and the tickets only apply to a minority of public lands. Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) believes the Government of Alberta needs to take the next step and increase fines for serious offenses and apply violation tickets to all public lands. Specified penalties allow enforcement officials to issue on-the-spot fines.