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THE BIWEEKLY
FEBRUARY 15, 2026
Published by the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists
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Taking a Break
This mama badger was clearly enjoying the warm sun outside her den. Jason Lewis took this photo from the window of his vehicle, near Provost on April 28 (2025), with "an ancient but bulletproof" 2008 Nikon D90 with a 70-300 lens.
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CONFERENCE 2026
The ASPB 2026 Conference will be held November 4-6 at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton. This year's theme is "Supporting Biologists: in the Field and Beyond". The call for abstracts will open on March 1 and close on June 1; details will be released in the March 1 newsletter, after which they will be available on the conference website.
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This year’s conference theme was shaped through discussions recognizing the many supports that enable excellence in biological practice. Central to this is the evolving network of professional tools, technologies, collaborations, and regulatory frameworks that guide and support biologists in their work. This includes timely regulatory updates, trends, and emerging resources (such as AI-enabled tools) that are increasingly part of modern practice and decision-making.
At the same time, hosting the conference at Edmonton’s family-friendly Fantasyland Hotel prompted reflection on the personal foundations that make this work possible, including the families, communities, and wellness supports that sustain biologists behind the scenes. Together, these considerations informed a theme focused on supporting biologists in their professional practice, through tools, policy, and regulatory insight while also recognizing the personal supports that help biologists succeed today and into the future, both in the field and beyond.
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Proposed changes to SARA (Schedule 1)
On October 16, 2025, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) submitted 25 assessments of species at risk to the federal Minister of the Environment. On January 13, 2026, the Government of Canada posted the Ministerial Response Statements for these wildlife species on the Species at Risk Act (SARA) Public Registry. These documents provide information on the public consultations supporting the proposed changes to SARA’s Schedule 1 (the List).
Continue reading HERE
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Call for Judges!
Calgary Youth Science Fair 2026
Friday April 10 7AM 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.
Register at: CYSF Judging Learn More: www.cysf.org
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES
FEBRUARY
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Year in Review Sessions
Will be Held in February
Field Law's Year in Review sessions provide key legal updates on topics like off-duty conduct terminations, employee privacy, and changes to the Occupational Health + Safety Code.
This year, the complimentary courses will focus on how 2025's legal developments will shape your business in 2026. Part 1 focuses on Labour, Employment, and Privacy, and Part 2 focuses on Occupational Health and Safety, Human Rights, and Artificial Intelligence.
For full session information and dates, please go HERE.
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The role of plant-plant interactions
in vegetation communities
Join ABMI's vegetation ecologist, Emily Holden, for a webinar on February 17, 2026 hosted by the Grassland Restoration Forum, all about the role of plant-plant interactions in vegetation communities.
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES
MARCH
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Rangeland Sustainability Program
This one day, classroom-based course from the Grassland Restoration Forum presents the theory behind Alberta’s prairie and foothills Range Plant Community Guides and guided practice using them. It will take place on Thursday March 26th, 2026, 10:00 – 16:30, at the Glenbow Ranch Schoolhouse at Cochrane.
Registration $250 per person. Maximum 30 registrants. Limited student registration at $100 per person. Register on-line (via Paypal) at www.grasslandrestorationforum.ca
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Native Plants and Yards
Speakers: Liz Deleeuw and Manna Parseyan, Edmonton Native Plant Society
Wednesday March 11, 2026 at 7:00pm.
Register free!
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES
APRIL
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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
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SEMINARS, WEBINARS & COURSES
MAY
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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
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ANPC Annual Workshop
The Alberta Native Plant Council is pleased to announce that registration for the 38th Annual Workshop is now open. This year, the workshop will be held in Calgary, Alberta on May 2, 2026, at the Wild Rose Brewery. The theme this year is Grassroots Grow Deep: Local Action, Global Impact. This theme was chosen to highlight impactful works of people and organizations working at a local level all over Alberta to support native plants in the province. See details on the ANPC website.
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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/
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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
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BSc & MSc degrees in
Ecological Restoration
at the
BC Institute of Technology
Looking to advance your career in ecosystem restoration? The BSc & MSc Programs in Ecological Restoration at BCIT offer hands‑on fieldwork, applied research, and an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to prepare you for real ecological challenges. Learn more about how the program can support your career goals: https://www.bcit.ca/programs/ecological-restoration/
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This week’s banner photo:
Jason Lewis took this photo from the window of his vehicle, using "an ancient but bulletproof DSLR" (2008 Nikon D90 with a 70-300 lens).
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
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