Lets Go Outdoors

When it comes to conflicts between humans and bears we tend to spend a lot of time trying to figure out what's going in the bears head. Why did the bear attack, why did it come into my backyard and destroy property? While Instead of looking at the issue of a problem bear, we should be turning the attention towards ourselves. It's not a bear problem. Bears are doing what comes naturally … rather it's a people problem. Courtney Hughes has been looking at this issues for a good number of years she is currently the chair of the Grizzly Bear Task Team with Alberta Environment and Parks. I sat down with her to talk about this issue and specifically the work she and others are doing surrounding Grizzly bears in the Peace River area … yes, there are Grizzlies in that part of our province.

A record number of athletes turned out for the Canadian National Archery championships. Established only a few short years ago, it's amazing to see kids of all levels and abilities participating in this event.

New educational trailer designed to emphasize the importance of understanding hunting and fishing regulations The Alberta Conservation Association hopes this new trailer will effectively communicate the pitfalls of what can happen to a hunter or angler if they don't follow regulations. This week I take a closer look at the new trailer officially unveiled at the Edmonton Boat and Sportsmen show.

Bobby Jones takes us on a amazing trip through the Tonquin valley on cross-country ski's!

It was a record turnout of anglers of all abilities and ages, that took in the Alberta Conservation Association's Kids Can Catch event held recently out at Wabamun Lake. Organizers pegged the registration numbers at 1,626 kids and adults coming out to give ice fishing a try! This event started four years ago with about 170 people coming out. It took a lot of hands pitching in to achieve that mark the support from various organizations and all 70 volunteers on the ice made it all possible

Alberta Fish and Game moving its agenda forward Not unlike the provincial government, the Alberta Fish and Game association is attempting to become more inclusive. Newly elected president Doug Butler joins me, and talks about wanting to reach out all folks who enjoy what our province has to offer and he is passionate about providing opportunities for all Albertans to have access to public lands.

Banff gets an early birthday present As we get set to celebrate the 150 anniversary of our country, Banff our first national park and the third national park in the world, is celebrating the return of the Plain Bison to it's home range. For almost 20-years park officials have been thinking about bring the Bison back and as we hear in this interview from folks with Elk Island and Banff National Parks nothing has been left to chance in making sure these animals have a chance of thriving in their new environment.

Chronic Wasting Disease continues to plague Alberta deer populations Alberta's CWD surveillance program is well underway in conjunction with the 2016 hunting seasons. To date, the province has tested over 1600 heads of deer and elk since September 1, 2016. The news is not great, of the 1,600 heads of deer and Elk submitted for testing 25 deer are positive for CWD. There are still many more animals to be tested from the past hunting season, but what is standing out is the fact the disease continues to move westward. The tests have also revealed the first positive result to come from an Elk located in the Suffield area. I sit down to get the latest results from work Dr. Margo Pypus Alberta's Provincial Wildlife Disease Specialist and her team have completed to-date.   For more information on the CWD and specific details on how to submit an animal for CWD testing you can get additional information here: http://aep.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/fishing-hunting-trapping/hunting-alberta/chronic-wasting-disease.aspx

Within the confines of his office located in the Biological Sciences Building at the University of Alberta, Dr. Mark Boyce scans reams of data which is proving to be useful when it comes to getting a handle on just how many moose there are in Alberta.   Organizing hunters to help track moose populations is not a new concept. Norway and Sweden have been relying on hunter observations for 30 years. Aware of the success these two countries are having regarding solid moose population numbers, Dr. Boyce and an undergraduate student at the U of A developed an app in 2012 to better reflect hunting practices here in Alberta. Since then, results have been positive according to Boyce, "What has been shown is a strong correlation between the number of moose seen by hunters and those counted by biologists flying surveys." It would validate the role hunters can play in contributing to science, providing certain guidelines are met.   Moose App makes an impact:   The app will remind hunters at the end of each

Strathcona Wilderness Centre is hosting World Snow Day! From cross-country skiing, snowshoeing to understanding how wildlife gets through the tough winter months there will be something for all outdoor enthusiasts this Sunday. I have a conversation with Jean Funk, from the Wilderness Centre on what you can expect to see and do to celebrate World Snow day. Additional Information on World Snow Day is available at http://world-snow-day.com/  The UNESCO designated Beaver Hills Biosphere is celebrated at: http://www.strathcona.ca/departments/communications/news/2016/3/23/beaver-hills-designated-unesco-biosphere-reserve/ http://www.beaverhills.ca/

Surface aeration program bubbling away  The Alberta Conservation Association is targeting 15- lakes across the province for its aeration program. I sit down with Todd Zimmerling CEO and president of the ACA for a conversation about why we need a program like this.

Not unlike the recent elections held in the the United States this past year, the selection of Canada's new national bird has sparked some debate. Canada's National Geographic Society is holding up the Grey Jay as it's primary candidate, while others are leaning towards more common or maybe better known winged wonders like the Loon, Canada Goose or Snowy Owl. I sit down with Alberta based ecologist and author Chris Fisher to discuss.

One of the biggest threats to Alberta's water resources comes from a tiny freshwater mussel. Aquatic invasive species, such as these zebra mussels, are known to 'hitchhike' on boats and other equipment from infested waters.  Zebra mussels are native to the lakes of southern Russia but have hitchhiked in ballast tanks of large ships resulting in them spreading to locations throughout the U.S. and Canada including the Great Lakes and now Lake Winnipeg.  In order to catch these invasive hitchhikers a total of 11 watercraft inspection stations are open at key entry points to the province for a total of 9 highway stations and two provincial park roving crews. Watercraft inspections are mandatory for all passing watercraft, including non-motorized, motorized and commercially hauled

For the past 15-years the Alberta Conservation Association has been stocking small ponds and lakes across the province. Add it up and the total number of trout that have been made avalible for fishing opportunities tallies well over one-and-a-half million! Todd Zimmerling is the CEO and President of the ACA and joins me on this episode to chat about the fish stoking program.

The transfer involved a team of biologists from Alberta Environment and Parks, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The birds were captured in Montana and have been released at three mating sites in southeastern Alberta. Joel Nicholson is a species-at-risk biologist with Alberta Environment and Parks. He is my special guest on this week’s podcast.  

Edmonton’s annual National Conservation Dinner in support of Trout Unlimited Canada will celebrate 31 years in support of coldwater conservation. I sat down with Phil Rowley with Trout Unlimited Canada to get an idea of just how important the 2016 Water Conservation Dinner and Auction is to allow TUC to continue with the critical conservation work it provide to protect fish habitat but all our fresh water resources.

 With the present demands on energy and commitments to look at renewable energy sources in part to help the transition away from coal-fired pollution, it is anticipated that there will be more wind turbines established in Alberta. While there is little argument wind turbines offer a cleaner energy source there are issues associated with these giant machines … the fact they can have devestating effects on Birds and Bats. To help us better understand what effect wind turbines our having on our wildlife we are joined by Dr. Robert Barclay, Head of Biological sciences at the University of Calgary.

Currently the Alberta Government collects $54 from the registration of an off-highway vehicle, and puts that money into general revenue. The Alberta Off-Highway Vehicle Association (AOHVA) would like to see that money go towards a safety and trail enhancement fee. With an annual registration of 118,000 off-highway vehicles it’s expected that $7 million could be generated towards the stated goals of the AOHVA. Seems like a good idea. After all, why should Alberta taxpayers be expected to pay for a recreational trail system? The OHVA started the process back in 2009 by submitting a formal business plan to the provincial government requesting the establishment of a Delegated Administrative Organization (DAO). Despite moving its way through the bureaucratic maze, it has not yet been formally introduced in the legislature. This week I sit down with Cal Rakish, Secretary Treasurer of the AOHVA, to talk about what it would mean for the protection of the backcountry if his organization was granted this new mand

Tough choices are ahead for the provincial government when it comes to what activities will be allowed on public land. The Oldman Watershed Council is calling for a collaborative approach.  Shannon Frank is the Executive Director of the Oldman Watershed Council, and as you will hear in this feature podcast she is optimistic a consensus can be found when it comes to sharing the backcountry with multiple users.

The 2016 wildfire season will officially start on March 1st. An early start to the wildfire season ensures firefighters are recruited, trained and positioned to respond quickly to any wildfires that happen in the early spring. Barry Shellian a Wildfire Information Officer for the Rocky Forest area tells us there have already been Winter fires due to low snow fall and dry fall conditions.