Discovering the Beauty of Canada’s Diverse Landscapes: A Journey Through Ecological Regions and Watersheds

As I embark on my eight-day journey through Alberta and Saskatchewan, I am reminded of the incredible diversity of Canada’s natural landscapes and the importance of ecological regions and watershed management. From the Fraser River Canyon to the boreal forest, each day brings new wonders and opportunities to connect with the natural world, practicing sustainable travel and environmental appreciation. 

Thirty years of chasing fishes: Some considerations on designing a fish sampling program

Much of the work we do as environmental professionals, and efforts in the conservation and protection diciplines, revolve around fish. And as part of that the two most fundamental questions are: (i) what species are present in a waterbody and (ii) how abundant are they? Sounds like it should be straightforward to answer these, right? It is only two questions. To address these, however, requires robust and effective fish sampling programs. Over three decades I have seen a great variety of fish sampling programs, some achieving those metrics of robust and effective; others not meeting that bar. So how do we build a solid fish sampling program? Some suggestions are provided here. These propositions are not derived from academic or theoretical constructs of required sample numbers or optimal sampling theory – these are based on lessons learned participating in both very well-designed programs and others that appeared to have no coherent design to the process.

Describing that landscape that surrounds you

As environmental practitioners one of our common tasks is to communicate to an audience a description of the area – the environment – in which we are working. Whether we call it Project Area in an environmental assessment document, Environmental Setting in an engineering report, or Study Area in a scientific paper, this characterization of the land is a fundamental part of communicating to our audience.

Do we stay or do we go? – Making decisions in the field

In the biological and environmental field we often stress the need for observation, to be aware of what is occurring around you and for noticing the relevant while ignoring the irrelevant. But we do not teach skills to build this faculty – we tell people what they should do but are absent in providing guidance on the how of doing it. So how does one become more observant and take greater notice of the environment they are within? Two tools already within your reach to develop or sharpen observation skills are drawing and writing.

Drawing and writing – training tools for observation

In the biological and environmental field we often stress the need for observation, to be aware of what is occurring around you and for noticing the relevant while ignoring the irrelevant. But we do not teach skills to build this faculty – we tell people what they should do but are absent in providing guidance on the how of doing it. So how does one become more observant and take greater notice of the environment they are within? Two tools already within your reach to develop or sharpen observation skills are drawing and writing.

NRTG at the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists

We recently had the pleasure of attending the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists conference in Red Deer, from November 22 to 24. NRTG staff that attended had an opportunity to chat with many of the attendees and, importantly, reconnect with previous students we have not seen in several years. It is with great pride of our students that we could see so many of them doing so well professionally and know that we contributed, in some small way, to their success and their work in professional environmental biology. The reward for instructors and for NRTG is watching former students grow and master the skills we introduce them to.