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[The Alberta Environmental Policy Series highlights the many environmental challenges and related government policies in Alberta. SAGE welcomes feedback on these topics.] In 2020, the 1976 Coal Policy was rescinded without public consultation. Significant areas of the Eastern Slopes land were opened to coal leases, initiating a widespread response from concerned landowners, environmentalists, and Indigenous…
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Microplastics in the Environment Once again, Waste Reduction Week is upon us! And microplastics have probably been on (inside?) your mind. Microplastics are defined as pieces of plastic smaller than 5 mm. Microplastics much smaller than this, however, are being found in, well, everything. Imagine dividing the edge of a dime into 1000 slices –…
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Ecojustice campaign to recognize the Athabasca Basin as a legal person. Donations are being welcomed. From Ecojustice (https://ecojustice.ca/news/conservation-group-seek-legal-persohood-status-for-athabasca-river-basin/): Here’s what’s happening: Canadian Natural Upgrading Ltd (CNUL) has applied to the Alberta Energy Regulator to renew its permits for the Jackpine Mine, a massive open-pit oil sands mine 70 kilometres north of Fort McMurray. This industrial…
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Thursday, October 23rd, 5 p.m. MT – Clean Air, Healthy Kids & Communities: The Case for Strong Methane Regulations Register at For Our Kids, https://www.forourkids.ca/methane-webinar
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This week, the Municipal District (MD) of Taber council voted in favour of proceeding with a planned irrigation project that would convert six sections of municipal public native grasslands into irrigated cropland, despite previous promises to not convert this grassland. Alberta Wilderness Association, along with conservation organizations, joined the Municipal District of Taber grazing lessees,…
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SAGE Submission to Municipal District of Taber I appreciate the opportunity to address you today on the proposed conversion of 24 quarter sections of native grassland to irrigated cropland on public lands within the MD of Taber. My comments are relevant to Agenda Item 9.1 Scope Reservoir Joint Project – Bow River Irrigation District and…
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Come visit Lethbridge’s Word on the Street festival, 12 Noon on September 20th. SAGE and the Helen Schuler Nature Centre are sponsoring Kevin Van Tighem who will be sharing his latest book Understory: An Ecologist’s Memoir of Loss and Hope. For a complete schedule of the event, https://thewordonthestreet.ca/lethbridge/festival/schedule/
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Lorne Fitch is a Professional Biologist, a retired Fish and Wildlife Biologist and a past Adjunct Professor with the University of Calgary. He is the author ofStreams of Consequence, Travels Up the Creek, and Conservation Confidential. Garlands of festively coloured plastic festoon the fences, shrubs, and trees. Intricate patterns accumulate on storm drains, in window…
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Lorne Fitch is a Professional Biologist, a retired Fish and Wildlife Biologist and a past Adjunct Professor with the University of Calgary. He is the author of Streams of Consequence, Travels Up the Creek, and Conservation Confidential. In a world of climate-related disasters, mounting pollution, biodiversity loss, and loss of critical ecological functions it’s easy…
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Wondering what to do on a Friday evening in late September? Please join me for a launch of my third book, Conservation Confidential: A Biologist Investigates the Clash Between Progress and Nature. It’s a real life whodunit. Analog Books (322 6th Street South) is again hosting the event, on September 26, starting at 6:00 pm. Consider going…
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August 26, 2025 Conservation organizations, Municipal District of Taber Grazing Lessees and the Vauxhall Stock Grazing Association are concerned about current investigations by the MD into the feasibility of converting 6 sections (about 15 sq. km) of municipal public native grasslands into irrigated cropland. The Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Alberta Wilderness Association, Canadian…