Events

Stewards of Alberta's Protected Areas (SAPAA)

6:45 PM

Online

Other, Administration and funding

SAPAA is hosting an online seminar on October 2, 2025, which will guide nonprofits through the Grant Management lifecycle, highlighting best practices and utilizing the SAPAA as a case study for effective grant management. This session will walk nonprofits through the Grant Management life cycle, identify best practices, and help the organization decide if grants are right for them. Speakers from both a grant recipient (SAPAA) and grant provider (Alberta Ecotrust Foundation) will be heard. A panel discussion will follow and an opportunity to ask questions.

https://sapaastewards.com/2025/08/28/oct-2-taking-nature-for-granted/

Athabasca Watershed Council, Town of Hinton

9:00 AM

The Bridges Society, 250 Hardisty Ave, Hinton, AB T7V 1B9

Air, Biodiversity, Water

The Athabasca Watershed Council is one of eleven Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils in Alberta, working to monitor and conserve the health of our rivers, streams and riparian landscapes. Come meet the team and learn about upcoming projects! This event will include a free breakfast sponsored by the Town of Hinton, various presentation by guest speakers from the West Central Airshed Society, Alberta Invasive Species Council, and the Foothills Stream Crossing Partnership. Try your hand at water quality sampling, learn about riparian and fish habitat health, and benthic invertebrate ID!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/athabasca-watershed-council-open-house-community-event-at-hardisty-creek-tickets-1501145690169?aff=oddtdtcreator

Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association

Select Time

Online

Biodiversity, General biodiversity

As we shift gears from summer to fall, the plants and animals around us are doing the same. So savour a few moments enjoying a beautiful time of the year in the southwestern corner of Alberta. If you are looking for a way to contribute to a community science project, wanting a new activity to do with friends or family, or just simply love being outside, consider joining the WBR WilderBlitz Fall 2025 on iNaturalist. You will be helping us learn more about the biodiversity that makes this corner of the province so important. The WBR WilderBlitz Fall 2025 runs from September 21 to 28, 2025.

https://www.watertonbiosphere.com/projects/bioblitz/

City of Edmonton

6:45 PM

Biodiversity, Climate

How does preserving Edmonton’s urban forest help with climate change? Are you interested in making your community greener? Come learn about the benefits of trees, along with some of the programs offered by the City’s community forestry team, and the urban forest canopy’s value and trees’ role in shaping healthy, connected communities.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/neighbouring-for-climate-presents-lets-talk-trees-tickets-1432234695529?aff=oddtdtcreator

Battle River Watershed Alliance

1:00 PM

Biodiversity, General biodiversity, Birds, Plants & fungi

Come celebrate the launch of the Battle River Watershed Alliances’ new citizen science programs and find out how to get involved. We will demonstrate how to use citizen science apps, eBird and iNaturalist, by walking the trails and doing a BioBlitz (aka recording a bunch of observations)! The team will meet near the 4-H Centre parking lot and then head towards the trails along Battle Lake. When: Saturday, July 12th, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM Where: Park at the Alberta 4-H Centre, 461043 Range Rd 21, Westerose, AB To register: email engagement@battleriverwatershed.ca

https://www.battleriverwatershed.ca/events/

City of Edmonton

6:30 PM

ACT Aquatic and Recreation Centre: 2909 113 Avenue Northwest Edmonton, AB T5W 4S1

Climate, Water

Join us at the Rundle Park ACT for an engaging workshop focused on climate action and flood resilience. Special guest speakers from EPCOR will discuss flood risk, and how we can tap into their RainWise rebate and flood inspection programs. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about the Neighbouring for Climate program, and how you can become a Climate Connector in your community!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/neighbouring-for-climate-presents-lets-talk-climate-flood-resilience-tickets-1269029955759?aff=oddtdtcreator

Alberta Native Plant Council

Select Time

Strathcona Wilderness Centre

Biodiversity, Plants & fungi, Land

Mark your calendars for a weekend of field trips, plant exploration, and connection with fellow nature enthusiasts! Stay tuned for more details, we can’t wait to see you there!

https://anpc.ab.ca/

Nature Alberta, Root for Trees

6:00 PM

Biodiversity, General biodiversity

Celebrate the annual Biodiversity Challenge by planting trees and contributing to citizen science with Nature Alberta and Root for Trees! Make sure to wear closed toed shoes to participate.

https://naturealberta.ca/tree-planting-for-biodiversity/

Alberta Wilderness Association

9:00 AM

Learning Center, Elkwater, Cypress Hills

Biodiversity, General biodiversity, Amphibians and reptiles, Birds, Insects, Mammals, Plants & fungi, Land, Other, Geology

The Cypress Hills hold national environmental significance due to their high cultural value and the unique habitat they provide for many rare or endangered flora and fauna. The high ecological value is derived from the Cypress Hills’ anomalous physiography, as they tower up to 600 metres over the surrounding prairies. Join Alberta Wilderness Association and our partners for a day of exploring Cypress Hills, its history, and its many species! Learn from species experts, help record and identify species, and come along for exhibits, walks, activities and more.

https://albertawilderness.ca/product/cypress-hills-bioblitz-citizen-day/

Freshwater Friends Club, Creekwatch, Elbow River Watershed Partnership, Bragg Creek Environmental Coalition

11:30 AM

Insects, Water

Training session to get volunteers trained with Creekwatch for testing water quality in the Elbow River from June-October. Anyone who would like to be one of our volunteer water samplers is more than welcome to join. Meet at Bragg Creek Community Centre at 11:30 AM. From there, we can carpool and caravan together to Elbow Falls in vehicles that have a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. The forecast for Friday is 30 °C. Please bring lots of water to drink, sunscreen, hat, hydrating snacks, lightweight / breathable clothes, and a rain jacket. Rubber boots are needed and must be disinfected. Email

Alberta Native Plant Council

Select Time

Hybrid event: Kerry Wood Nature Centre, Red Deer

Biodiversity, Plants & fungi, Land

The 2025 Workshop is happening on May 24th in Red Deer, Alberta! Some of this year’s workshop “Plants through Time” will highlight how plants, habitats, conservation and people’s knowledge have evolved through time, from decades to thousands of years. Our Keynote Speaker will be Jenny L. McCune with the University of Lethbridge ( http://jlmccune.weebly.com/) speaking on Plants through Time: From the Distant Past to the Invisible Present. There will be a short field trip on Sunday.

https://anpc.ab.ca/?page_id=11524

Nature Alberta, Alberta Native Plant Council

Select Time

Several May Plant Counts are planned across Alberta, look for one near you!

Biodiversity, Plants & fungi

These events are part of the province-wide May Species Count and are supported by both Nature Alberta and the ANPC, with the emphasis on tracking the flowering stage of vascular plants. For more information, go here: May Plant Count 1. May 25, 2025 Clyde Fen May Plant Count 2. May 25, 2025 Kleskun Hill Provincial Park & Natural Area May Plant Count 3. May 31, 2025 Boreal Wetland Centre May Plant Count 4. May 25, 2025 Flewwelling Ranch (Part of ANPC Workshop Field Trip near Red Deer) 5. Six Mile Coulee (Lethbridge) 6. Wagner Natural Area (near Edmonton)

https://anpc.ab.ca/?p=11615

City of Edmonton

6:45 PM

Climate

Do you wonder how climate change is impacting our health and well-being? Join us for a free community workshop at Kinsmen Sports Centre on Thursday, May 8. Learn about the impacts of climate change on air quality and mental health, and explore ways to build resilience together. This interactive session will feature meaningful discussions, idea-sharing, and an opportunity to sign up as a Climate Connector. Doors open at 6:30 pm. The workshop will begin at 6:45 pm and end at 8:30 pm. Please register online through eventbrite.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/neighbouring-for-climate-presents-lets-talk-climate-health-tickets-1268976696459?aff=oddtdtcreator

SAPAA and BLESS

Online

Other, Organizational Capacity

The May 13, 2025, meeting of the Organizational Steward Community of Practice focused on technology and stewardship. Presentations included BLESS’s QR code system for reporting park issues and iNaturalist’s use for citizen science in tracking biodiversity. Participants discussed enhancing conservation efforts through technology and shared organizational insights.

https://sapaastewards.com/2025/05/18/notes-may-13-cop-of-organizational-stewards/

Land Stewardship Center, Athabasca Watershed Council, Yellowhead County

5:00 PM

Edson Lions Club Hall

Biodiversity, General biodiversity, Insects, Plants & fungi, Land, Water, Other

Do you own an acreage, hobby farm, or recreational property? Are you interested in learning about responsible land management, riparian assessments, and how to access funding for stewardship initiatives and projects? Then join the Land Stewardship Center, Athabasca Watershed Council, and Yellowhead County for this FREE Green Acreages Workshop! Please register in advance. Workshop to take place in-person at the Lions Club Hall in Edson. Please note this workshop is only available for residents and property owners in Yellowhead County.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/landstewardshipcentre/1581658

Nature Calgary, City Nature YYC

Select Time

Calgary

Biodiversity, General biodiversity, Amphibians and reptiles, Birds, Insects, Mammals, Plants & fungi

The seventh annual City Nature Challenge Calgary will take place April 25-April 28, 2025! After six years, we’ve seen the success that CNC can have for engaging Calgarians with their local environments and we hope to make this our biggest CNC yet! To date we have uploaded a nearly 50,000 observations of Calgary’s local flora and fauna. 650 cities globally have registered to take part. Help us by taking photos of plants and animals Apr 25-28 and then upload your observations to iNaturalist by May 4. If you’d like to organize a walk or bioblitz, please contact us!

https://linktr.ee/citynatureyyc

CitSci Alberta

12:00 AM

Online

Other

Join the Alberta Citizen Science Community of Practice and three esteemed speakers to learn about tools available for citizen science! Speakers include 1) Holly Kinas – Miistakis Institute: The Cit Sci Alberta Hub – a Place to Connect, Collaborate, and Celebrate. 2) Dr. Laura Trouille – Adler Planetarium: Tools from the Zooniverse: Unlocking Data and Public Engagement. 3) Matt Wallace – Freelance Urban Ecologist: iNaturalist Projects: Strengthening Community Stewardship through Citizen Science. Please find the webinar recording linked below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VTFt64uDJE

City of Edmonton

6:45 PM

Climate

Neighbouring for Climate Presents: Let’s Talk Climate & Emergency Prep! Join us at the Central Lions Recreation Centre for a free workshop focused on climate action and emergency prep. Come together with your neighbours to learn about how to best prepare for emergencies, as well as learn more about the FireSmart program, and how your neighbourhood can get involved. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and have meaningful conversations with experts from Emergency Management and Fire Rescue Services. Let’s take steps towards climate action together!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/neighbouring-for-climate-presents-lets-talk-climate-emergency-prep-tickets-1233087811839?aff=oddtdtcreator

Wild Bird Store Calgary

6:00 PM

5901 3 St SE, Calgary, AB T2H 1K3

Biodiversity, General biodiversity, Amphibians and reptiles, Birds, Insects, Mammals, Plants & fungi

Matt Wallace is the organizer and founder of the Calgary City Nature Challenge (CNC). April 25-28, 2025 marks the 7th annual event for our city, but what’s it all about? This presentation will tell the story of how the CNC has been a catalyst for the growth of citizen science in Calgary and dive into what we have learned about our urban biodiversity and how you can help to protect it by sharing your observations. Register online.

https://www.wildbirdstore.ca/event/matt-wallace-calgary-city-nature-challenge/

Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association

Select Time

Online

Biodiversity, General biodiversity

Contribute to biodiversity science with the WBR WilderBlitz Spring 2025! This bioblitz is for everyone and all it takes to participate is your powers of observation, a keen sense of curiosity, and a device to take photos. From March 20 to March 31, grab your camera or smartphone and start observing the wildlife around you with the iNaturalist app. Wherever you find yourself in Waterton Biosphere Region (WBR), take photos or audio clips of the animals, plants, or wildlife signs you see. Everything you share will help to build a better understanding of our local biodiversity.

https://www.watertonbiosphere.com/projects/bioblitz/

CPAWS Southern Alberta, Multicultural Trail Network

3:00 PM

RiverWalk Pathway: 614 6 Ave SE Calgary, AB T2G 0G1

Biodiversity, Birds

Feeling a little cooped up this winter? Interested in trying new outdoor activities with some fellow nature-lovers? Join @cpawssab, @multiculturaltrailnetwork & friends for a free Nature & Community Day on March 15, 2025 for an afternoon of bird watching, nature activities, hot cocoa, and more! What’s happening: 🚶🏿‍♀️Guided 30-min birding walks through St. Patrick’s Island 🌎 Family-friendly booths and activities at East Village Plaza ☕ Hot chocolate and fire pits to stay warm 🌟 Prizes to be won! Bird watching, also known as birding, is a perfect first step into nature adv

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/nature-community-day-winter-birding-tickets-1245191795179?aff=oddtdtcreator

Athabasca Watershed Council

12:00 PM

Online

Water, Other, Water quality, fish conservation

The Athabasca Watershed Council presents “Water Quality in the Pembina River Watershed” Join us for this free online event featuring Charette Pell Poscente Environmental presentation on the 2-year water quality monitoring program in the Pembina watershed, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas information about the Upper Athabasca Surface Water Quality Management Framework and the Northern Lights Fly Fishers discussion on stream temperature monitoring and Arctic Grayling conservation initiatives in the Pembina River watershed.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/NvtBdwtbSCOqwcfwpkW8gA#/registration

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

Other

This video highlights some citizen science projects in Alberta that are driving change through their work! Representatives from these projects were asked the question: “How is your work driving change?”

https://youtu.be/HNviMlNiBGc?si=z1Peh8p9l3m2t7pM

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

Other

This video features Prof. Muki Haklay, Lynn Smith, Kyle Horner, and Dr. Patrick Hanington answering the question: “How is your work driving change?” Each of these individuals spoke for a webinar in the Connecting People and Science series in the Fall of 2024.

https://youtu.be/UJhuktQ8Vec?si=4f7B4TphQmQQmIzG

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

9:00am to 4:00pm

Bison Lodge, 9430 Scona Rd NW, Edmonton, AB

Citizen Science & Policy: Monitoring to Driving Change is a workshop dedicated to supporting citizen science projects, creating a network of organizations and individuals committed to citizen science, and engaging the citizen science in Alberta. The workshop aims to collectively advance citizen science in Alberta. The workshop will also showcase the new Hub as a means to enhance resources and skills available to citizens, practitioners, and researchers in the citizen science community.

https://citscialberta.com/conferences/

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

12:00-1:30pm (MT)

Online

Land, Water, Other, eDNA, Partnerships

This webinar featured Dr. Patrick Hanington from the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta who discussed his work with eDNA and bringing molecular biology to communities in Alberta.

https://youtu.be/hcmQKWGrnhQ

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

Biodiversity, Birds, Other

This webinar featured Kyle Horner from Birds Canada who discussed his work with NatureCounts and the development of the State of Canada’s Birds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jIBCfmFMSw

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

Other

This webinar featured Lynn Smith from the Peavine Metis Settlement and her colleague Matthew Menzies from NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute for Technology) who discussed empowering future stewards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki593LVxmaY

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

Other

This webinar featured Prof. Muki Haklay from the University College London, who discussed the applications of citizen science in the European context.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xKPt_2aLW4

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

Water

This webinar featured three speakers representing non-government organizations and highlighted how citizen scientists are contributing to research on drought: 1. Community-based groundwater monitoring in Rocky View County using a citizen-science approach and extension into the broader Bow River Basin. Speakers: Masaki Hayashi (University of Calgary) and Wendell Koning (Bow River Basin Council Science Committee) 2. Combining Citizen Science with Satellite Data to Monitor Changing Water Levels in Alberta’s Lakes Speaker: Grant Parkins

https://youtu.be/n0DRqt6nYKw?si=e3SZfQ3ncHP417VR

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

In Person

Biodiversity, Culture, Water

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice September webinar presentations featuring Alvin First Rider, an environmental technician with Blood Tribe Land Management, and Elliot Fox, a member of the Kainai (Blood Tribe) First Nation (Blackfoot Confederacy). Following the presentations, Tracy Lee (Miistakis Institute) conducted an interview with Elliot Fox on questions arising from the webinar.

https://youtu.be/cW9AdGFw9-U?si=iWStCsLoJIXTHEha

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

Air

This April we welcome Greg Wentworth, a Senior Atmospheric Scientist with Alberta Environment and Protected Area. Greg describes a pilot project being conducted by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA) to monitor the impact of wildfire smoke on air quality throughout Alberta.

https://youtu.be/V8dovhdBaMk?si=hczDKe0NL5njqUcD

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

Water

On March 1, CitSci Alberta hosted its sixth gathering – Wading Through Aquatic Citizen Science Projects! The gathering highlighted Alberta’s water-based citizen science projects, with a focus on what is involved in the planning and designing a citizen science project. Projects featured include Stream Temperature Monitoring with Trout Unlimited Canada, LakeObserver with the Pigeon Lake Watershed Association, LakeWatch with the Alberta Lake Management Society, X-Stream Science with the Battle River Watershed Alliance and DataStream. The event included ‘Ask an Expert’ breakout sessions to discuss questions and concerns ahead of the summer field season.

https://youtu.be/gWLL5V7CejY?si=K2ffRNKpZOE3A4N1

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

Biodiversity, Climate, Water

Tales of Snow and Ice – Citizen Science in Alberta’s Winter featured a panel of citizen science researchers and practitioners highlighting winter projects and the challenges of winter citizen science in Alberta. Projects featured include Calgary Captured, IceWatch, Winter LakeKeepers, and the Christmas Bird Count. Following the panel presentations there was a facilitated discussion led by members of the CitSci Alberta Steering Committee.

https://youtu.be/HyrlDeDKwtk?si=_kkiTQJVLJPEkN2q

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

Other

The Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice hosted a regional event as part of the 2022 C*Sci Conference! On May 26 we watched keynote speaker Dr. Mónica Ramírez-Andreotta. Dr. Ramírez-Andreotta is an Associate Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Arizona. Using an environmental justice framework and participatory research methods, she investigates exposure pathways and communication strategies to translate environmental health research to action and achieve structural change. The presentation was followed by a discussion on how we can incorporate our learnings into citizen science projects across Alberta.

https://youtu.be/5JPP13HVuuQ?si=Ex4vfLYDnH-g8Nim

Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice

Water

The March 2022 gathering of the Citizen Science Alberta Community of Practice “Building community-based water research projects using participatory research and educational programming”, featured a presentation by Dr. Patrick Hanington, an associate professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. In this presentation, Patrick highlighted examples of projects that touch on ways in which community-partnered and school-partnered research is undertaken by his team.

https://youtu.be/xU3KgjGZc_M?si=CqWox4oNus7Ua9aM