ASPB CONVENTION: CALL FOR ABSTRACTS NOW OPEN

THE BIWEEKLY

APRIL 1, 2026

Published by the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists

WATCHER OF THE WINDSWEPT HILLS

Biologist (and drone pilot and photographer!) Franciska Hamari comments, "From field notes to flight paths... and captured using a drone (which has become a ubiquitous tool in fieldwork), this photo highlights how modern technology allows us to explore and document the living world from entirely new perspectives.

Webinar:

Alberta's Wetland Policy:

A Regulatory Evaluation

Alberta's wetlands continue to undergo significant loss despite a policy committed to their conservation. Are the regulatory frameworks governing them keeping pace? The Environmental Law Centre has evaluated regulatory decision-making under the Water Act to assess whether the current regime is meeting the goals of Alberta's Wetland Policy; Join us on March 26th at 12:00 pm MST to hear our findings ahead of the release of two forthcoming publications later this month.

AEPA Fish and Wildlife Stewardship

Has Detected PKD in Alberta Populations

of Wild Trout and Mountain Whitefish

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Fish and Wildlife Stewardship recently confirmed a detection of Proliferative Kidney Disease (PKD) in wild trout and mountain whitefish in the Bow River watershed. This is the first time this disease has been found in fish in Alberta. Evidence of the parasite, host and/or disease were detected in environmental DNA (eDNA) in Hanmore Lake, Devil's Lake, Cold Lake and in fish from the Carseland/Bow River Canal in 2025.

Continue Reading Here

University of Calgary to host eighth annual

Together | Ensemble Conference

on May 19 and 20, 2026

Together | Ensemble is Canada’s leading national conference for collaborating and accelerating progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It brings together inter-generational Indigenous Peoples, youth, academia, government, business, and community leaders to turn global goals into local action and address Canada’s toughest sustainability challenges.

For more information and registration, please HERE.

At the ASPB, we regularly receive notifications from Google Scholar and other sources, which we select and share below in the BIWEEKLY. Here is the latest batch (the links are HOT):

Beavers are turning rivers into powerful carbon sinks

Multi-species Action Plan for the Alberta At-risk Native Trout in Canada - Document search - Species at risk registry

Validation of the SNOWPACK model and reconstruction of multidecade snow climatology at Ram Mountain (Alberta , Canada) forced with NARR data

No Pedigree, No Problem: Genomic Inbreeding Tracks Genetic Rescue With High Resolution

Social and structural traits influence species gains while resources influence species losses in a native grassland

Alberta Woodland Caribou Continue to Decline: Habitat Disturbance, Predation, & Policy Failure

Conservation of threatened vascular plants in intensive agricultural landscapes in Canada

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of the Alpine Treeline Ecotone in Response to Climate Warming Across the Eastern Slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains

Effects of host community structure on parasite transmission and disease risk

Indigenous Land-based Camp as Decolonizing Forest-fire Disaster Adaptation Pathways

AI has no more rights than my laptop

Get them in with the rage baiting, then give them biology

Recreation and Human-Wildlife Coexistence on Canmore, Alberta's Recreation Trails

Testing the roles of nutrients, soil microbiome presence, and microbiome history in grassland plant community assembly

Ivy Guo (Forest Resources Management)

Mexico’s monarch butterfly population jumps 64%

Temporarily closing roads to motorized vehicles may benefit some sensitive bird species in a peri-urban park

Prey Partitioning in a Diverse Carnivore Community: Implications for Reintroduced Fishers in Washington

Regional differences in population trends and environmental drivers of population dynamics in an at-risk waterbird

Reclaimed Well Sites on Salt Affected Soils: Electrical Conductivity and Sodium Adsorption Ratio as Plant Community Response Indicators

Informing the management of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) viewing in the declared title area of the Tŝilhqot'in Nation

Canis STR‐Seq: A Universal Approach for Non‐Invasive Genetic Monitoring of Wolves and Coyotes

Don’t believe the hype of ‘AI intelligence’

Environmental scientists must refocus

Hawthorns in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Alberta Side

Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) and Genomics in the Community (MAGIC): Setting the Stage for the Co-Development of Genomics Tools in an Iconic Arctic Mammal

Assessing Conservation Through a Habitat Lens (ABMI)

Detection of Echinococcus multilocularis in coyotes in Washington State, USA highlights need for increased wildlife surveillance

Cambridge offers botany course that inspired Darwin

N ew research examines 657 watersheds and finds that forest loss fundamentally changes how water travels

Acoustic analysis shows Clark's Nutcracker seasonal and spatial habitat use during post-fire recovery of two endangered pine species

Cost of migration increased during an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

The Blues of Bats and Biologists

by Lorne Fitch, P. Biol.

As Lisa and Dave recently approached Cadomin Cave they were both tense and anxious about what they might find. Cadomin Cave, in Whitehorse Wildland Provincial Park east of Jasper, is a significant limestone cave system and Alberta’s largest bat hibernaculum. It has been closed to the public since 2010, to prevent the spread of white-nose syndrome, the scourge of continental bat populations. Each winter these biologists slip into the cave’s cavernous galleries to inventory sleeping bats. Given the march of white-nose syndrome there is always a sense of foreboding.

Lisa is Lisa Wilkinson, a species at risk biologist and long time bat researcher for the Alberta government. Dave is Dave Hobson, a retired provincial biologist involved with bat research since the 1980s and a self-acknowledged bat aficionado. He recalls interacting for years with a banded individual that lived to became the oldest bat in the world at an estimated 39 years. Both these biologists are irrevocably, passionately committed to the conservation of wildlife species difficult to love by the general public.

White-nose syndrome is a particularly nasty affliction to be foisted on bats. It is a fungus with an appropriate Latin name of Pseudogymnosacus destructans. It first appears as a white fuzz on the muzzles of infected bats. It spreads from bat to bat as they cluster together. Diabolically, this causes them to wake up prematurely from the sleep of hibernation, causing their metabolism to ramp up. In a wakeful state they burn through their limited store of fat reserves. This fungus-caused arousal from sleep can result in an immediate depletion of 60 days worth of stored energy. There is no winter supply of insects to restore these lost energy levels and most infected bats starve to death.

Continue Reading HERE

Updates:

DFO Projects Near Water website

DFO is pleased to announce that three new interim standards have been developed to guide project proponents in the design and implementation of mitigation measures considered critical to the protection of fish and fish habitat. The following are now published on Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Projects Near Water website and they can be accessed here.

CONFERENCE 2026

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS:

The theme of the ASPB 2026 Conference (November 4-6, 2026) is Supporting Biologists: in the Field and Beyond

and the call for abstracts is now open and will close on June 1, 2026.

For details please go to 2026 Conference Abstract Info

ASPB CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIPS

ARE NOW AVAILABLE!

As always, it is our valuable sponsors who provide the power to drive the standard of excellence

for which our conferences are known.

For full information, please go to 2026 Sponsorship Packages

Call for Judges!
Calgary Youth Science Fair 2026

Friday April 10, 0700 to noon,

at the University of Calgary Olympic Oval

Support Calgary’s youth and be inspired by our young scientists! Join a dynamic community of volunteer judges for this fun and rewarding opportunity. Parking and breakfast provided. You will be provided webinar training and plenty of support on Fair Day.

SANSC: The Southern Alberta
Native Seed Collaborative

SANSC started as an informal group of local organizations to share seed and seed collection resources in the southwest corner of the province, and has expanded to become a larger group including government and non-government organizations, environmental consultants, indigenous land managers, seed growers, wild seed harvesters, and industry representatives all with the common goal of increasing the availability of local native seed for the native grassland areas of the province. More information can be found here:

Field Law complimentary webinars:

Trends Shaping Your Workplace in 2026

These complimentary recordings are designed to help organizations stay ahead of emerging risks, refine internal policies, and maintain compliance. Gain practical guidance on recent case law and legislative changes affecting operations, governance, and workforce management in the year ahead.

For more information on Part 1 (Labour, Employment, Privacy), click here.
For more information on Part 2 (Occupational Health + Safety, Human Rights, Artificial Intelligence), click here.

SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES

APRIL

Dip your toes into wild world

of Alberta's aquatic plants

Join ANPC on April 14 at 12 PM MST for a special feature webinar! Dare to dip your toes into the wet and wild world of Alberta's aquatic plants with botanist Kallum McDonald as he presents Lost in the Reeds - Diving Deep into Alberta's Aquatic Plants and explore the basic biology and ecology of aquatic plants, including how to identify the 10 most common aquatic plant species found in Alberta's lakes and rivers. Register HERE or on the ANPC website. https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hODN4D5OQ-uY4TdiC31nHg

Amphibian Identification and Survey Techniques

Hybrid online-in-person course! Online lecture April 15-16, 2026 (recordings available if needed). And, two field session options: June 15 (Squamish), and June 18 (Revelstoke) Amphibian Identification and Survey Techniques

Fishes of Alberta

Field Identification Workshops
April 18, 2026 (Edmonton)
May 2, 2026 (Calgary)

This popular workshop is delivered by Shona Derlukewich (“School of Fish”) and guides participants through the fundamental morphological traits, geographic distribution, and habitat preferences of fish found in Alberta.

The course is designed to benefit anyone interested in fisheries, at all experience levels, from those just getting started to seasoned experts. The Alberta Field Guide is included in the workshop.

This course will be held at MacEwan University on Saturday afternoon, April 18, 2026., and also at Mount Royal University on Saturday afternoon May 2, 2026. Specific details will be provided for paid participants; the cost is $175 per student, and payment is due BEFORE the workshop. Credit cards are subject to a 3.5% service charge; you can also E-transfer to derlukew@ualberta.ca. Cell phone: 780-722-9884. Email: derlukew@ualberta.ca

SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES

MAY

2026 Alberta Soils Tour:

Exploring Palliser's Triangle

The Alberta Soils Tour, presented on May 27 through May 29, 2026 by the Alberta Soil Science Workshop Organizing Committee, is an excellent training opportunity for those working with soils, whether the focus is soil conservation, land reclamation, or agronomy. Experts will provide background on soil formation and the various soil profiles for each of the landscapes encountered during the tour. The tour provides hands-on field opportunities for professional development, learning, and collaboration.

The 2026 Alberta Soils Tour would require two or three overnight stays in Medicine Hat, AB. To book your accommodation, or to see the tour poster, please visit http://www.soilsworkshop.ab.ca/tour.html

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 01, 2026

ANPC Annual Workshop

Join us on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the Wild Rose Brewery in Calgary, Alberta as we highlight the works of inspiring people and organizations making a difference for native plants and their habitat in our province. Register on the ANPC website or using the QR code. The Early Bird rate ends April 4!

Our presentation schedule is jam packed with four speaker sessions with topics ranging from plant rescues to rough fescue restoration to citizen-led seed collection projects and so much more! Attendees can also expect vendor tables including ALCLA Native Plants, CPAWS and Grassland Restoration Forum, a book sale, silent auction and door prizes. On Sunday May 3rd, we are organizing a morning walk in a nearby nature reserve to learn about local native plants.

Don't Forget!!
The 2026 Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference

takes place May 5 - 7, 2026 in Saskatoon, SK.

Make sure to check out the tours and workshops that are also available.

www.prairiecesc.ca/

Track & Sign Specialist Certification
May 23 & 24, 2026, Lardeau Valley, British Columbia

This 2-day field-based workshop offers participants the opportunity to earn a Track & Sign Specialist Certification, the highest level of Track & Sign certification available within the CyberTracker system.

Sage Raymond and David Moskowitz will lead the workshop.

(This workshop is meant for expert trackers)

Learn more here

Vertex Professional Training

Bryophyte and Wetlands Courses

COURSE 1 May 25 -26 – Wetland Bryophyte Identification

COURSE 2 May 27-28 – Upland Bryophyte Identification

Details and links to register: Vertex - Professional Training 2026

SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES

JUNE

Vertex Professional Training

Bryophyte and Wetlands Courses

COURSE 3 June 1-2 – Wetland Bryophyte Identification

COURSE 4 June 3-5 – Boreal Wetlands Field Course

Details and links to register: Vertex - Professional Training 2026

Amphibian Identification and Survey Techniques

Two field session options: June 15 (Squamish), and June 18 (Revelstoke).

Hybrid online-in-person course! Online lecture April 15-16, 2026 (recordings available if needed). Amphibian Identification and Survey Techniques

TRAINING PROVIDERS

for professional biologists

BSc & MSc degrees in

Ecological Restoration

at the

BC Institute of Technology

If you’re passionate about helping ecosystems recover and thrive, the BSc & MSc Programs in Ecological Restoration at BCIT are worth exploring. The programs blend scientific knowledge with practical, field-based experience and offer both part-time and full-time options. Learn more about how the programs can support your career goals:

https://www.bcit.ca/programs/ecological-restoration/

NATURAL RESOURCES

TRAINING GROUP

Electrofishing Certification - Online (self-paced) & Kelowna, April 1st, 2026

Plant Identification — Level 1 - Online - April 1st, 2026

Planning and Designing Fish Habitat Assessments – Online – April 2nd, 2026

Land Guardian Program - April 6th - May 8th, 2026

Designing a Robust and Successful Water Quality Study – Online – April 6th, 2026

Cultural Heritage Assessment and Monitoring - Online - April 7th - 10th, 2026

Electrofishing Certification - Online (self-paced) & Kamloops, April 7th, 2026

Applied Tree Identification – Online – April 9th, 2026

Sampling Fish in Lakes — Methods to Increase Your Catch - Online - April 10th, 2026

Electrofishing Certification - Online (self-paced) & Lethbridge, April 11th - 12th, 2026

Introduction to Forest Composition and Structure – Online – April 14th & 16th, 2026

Plant Identification — Level 2 - Online - April 15th, 2026

Introduction to Fish Habitat Measurement and Assessment - Online - April 17th, 2026

Habitat Restoration Technician Program — Foundations of Ecological Restoration – April 20th – 22nd & April 27th – 28th, 2026 – Online

Species at Risk - Online, April 21st - 22nd, 2026

Understanding How Site Factors Shape Forests - Online - April 21st & 23rd, 2026

Electrofishing Certification - Online (self-paced) & Cranbrook, April 23rd, 2026

Water Safety for Environmental Fieldwork - Online - April 24th, 2026

Electrofishing Certification - Online (self-paced) & West Vancouver, April 24th, 2026

Ichthyology – Online, April 27th – 28th, 2026

Birding 101 — Foundations of Field Bird Identification - Online - April 28th, 2026

Assessing Tree & Forest Health - Online - April 30th, 2026

For the full calendar of upcoming courses, and course details, follow this link:

https://nrtraininggroup.com/schedule/

COLUMBIA MOUNTAINS INSTITUTE

Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology

Revelstoke BC

Amphibian Identification and Survey Techniques. Online lecture April 15 - 15, with in-person field session options June 15 (Squamish) and June 18 (Revelstoke)

Introduction to `R` Software. Online course April 28 - May 1.

Intro to Coding in Bayesian Models. Online course, Wed mornings, May 6 - June 10

Field Ornithology: Improving Bird ID and Survey Skills through Sound. In-person course, Revelstoke BC. May 25-28.

Field Soil Description & Classification Course. In-person course, Revelstoke BC. May 25-28.

Introduction to Describing Wetlands in the Field. In-person course June 15-17.

QGIS Mapping. Online, flexible dates.

Plant Families from an Alpine Wildflower Perspective. Intro-level plant family ID, but in the Alpine! July 27-28, Revelstoke BC

Willow Identification, an Introduction. Willows can be tricky, this course will certainly help! July 29-30, Revelstoke BC

ESTI

The Environmental Sciences Training Institute

Please contact efishing@esticanada.com with any questions or to book a custom delivery. Learn about our Efishing program here.

View our in-person course calendar at

https://esticanada.com/shop/

Nest Sweep Protocol: Online – Self-Paced

Online Courses

SALMTEC

COURSES AND TRAINING PROGRAMS

******

April 10

SALMTEC's Grassland Vegetation Inventory (GVI) Blended Course (W26) Live Interactive Class, Online

April 15

SALMTEC's Imagery Interpretation and Analysis Course (W26) Live Interactive Class

Online

April 24

SALMTEC's ABWRET-A Blended Course (W26) Live Interactive Class

Online

May 25

SALMTEC's ABRWRET-A Field Course (S26)

Calgary, AB

SALMTEC offers several self-paced online courses:

Wetland Policy Basics

Understanding ACIMS Tools

Alberta Soil Information Viewer

SALMTEC offers OnDemand seminars:

Catchment Delineation

Land Use Assessment

Technical Report Review

Landscape Analysis

Hydrology & Wetland Design

Wetland Delineation

VISIT THE SALMTEC CONNECTOR

THE SALMTEC CONNECTOR is a compilation of applied science and land management event listings, across a variety of sectors and disciplines, published monthly.

You can find the SALMTEC CONNECTOR HERE.

RECENT

EMPLOYMENT POSTINGS

Environmental Coordinator

Intermediate Vegetation Ecologist

Intermediate Wildlife Biologist

Field Biologist (Contract) .

Natural Areas Field Technician -

Fieldwork/Research Assistant -

Junior Aquatic Biologist -

Environment Field Advisor

Intermediate Reclamation Specialist/Soil Scientist

Wetland Specialist

Intermediate/Senior Environmental Professional

FIND INFORMATION ON

THESE AND OTHER POSITIONS, GO TO THE

JOB BOARD

This week’s banner photo:

WATCHER OF THE WINDSWEPT HILLS

Photo by Franciska Hamari

PROFESSIONAL BIOLOGISTS PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST

In Alberta, Professional Biologists are registrants of the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (ASPB), and are subject to a code of ethics, continuing competency requirements, and a disciplinary process. The ASPB is a self-regulated organization under legislation in the Province of Alberta, meaning its purpose is to protect the public of Alberta by ensuring biologists are qualified to practice biology in accordance with that legislation. The society is governed by a Board of Directors elected by its registrants.

You are probably receiving this newsletter because you are an ASPB Registrant. This newsletter provides relevant information and professional development opportunities for our members, as well as essential member-related society business; if you are registered with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists, please DO NOT unsubscribe.

For more information about the Society or to contact the administration, please visit the website: https://www.aspb.ab.ca

Opinions and general news published in this e-newsletter

do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Society or its Board of Directors.

2026

Alberta Society of Professional Biologists1450, 707 7 Ave SW Calgary, AB T2P 3H6 403.264.2504403-264-1273 Calgary, AB T2P 3H6 CA