Plenary 1: Role of Conservation Breeding and Release of At-Risk Prairie Species – Insights from the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
Panelists
Colleen Baird, Graham Dixon-MacCallum, James Glacier, Caitlin Slade, Rebecca Stanton, Kristina Stephens, Darío Fernandez-Bellon, Patrick Thompson, Dr. Doug Whiteside
Abstract
The need for action to support the recovery of species-at-risk is growing and conservation translocations—likely in conjunction with conservation breeding programs—have been identified as a relevant tool in the recovery plans of many Canadian species. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo’s team of ecologists, veterinarians, and animal husbandry experts have been working collaboratively for over 20 years on the conservation of at-risk species in the Canadian prairies. The team’s approach involves breeding, maintaining healthy, genetically diverse populations under human care, and the release of animals into their prairie habitats. This is coupled with scientific research to understand the best strategies to support species recovery, continually improve methods and communicate learnings. This panel will be sharing our team’s current efforts on conservation initiatives focused on the burrowing owl, half-moon hairstreak butterfly, greater sage-grouse, and northern leopard frog, including progress to date, the essential role of collaborations and partnerships, key research questions and findings, and conservation impacts. This work is done in collaboration with a breadth of partners and often contributes to provincial or national recovery strategies. The team will share on how they adapt each conservation program depending on the unique needs of each species. Discussions will include head-starting, wild-to-wild translocations, conservation breeding for release to the wild, soft and hard releases, post-release monitoring, the importance of habitat assessments and long-term population data. The team will also speak about working to achieve meaningful conservation impact, while navigating challenges, so that species-at-risk have a future on the Canadian prairies.
Plenary 2: Sand Dune Habitat Restoration and Ord’s Kangaroo Rat Recovery
Panelist
Sandi Robertson (M.Sc.): has worked for Alberta Fish and Wildlife as a Wildlife Biologist for 15 years. She started in Grande Prairie working in the caribou conservation program. In 2014 she transferred to the Medicine Hat office. In her current role her work focuses on Species at Risk, and she is the recovery lead for several ‘at risk’ species, including Ord’s kangaroo rat. Her experience with the Ord’s kangaroo rat started in 2001, when she was contracted to work on distribution studies and evaluating the potential effects of pipeline construction in their habitat. During this time she recognized the knowledge gaps and continued to study this species for her masters thesis at the University of Calgary. She values the fact that she is able to spend a significant amount of time in the prairies monitoring the Alberta species she cherishes.
Abstract
The Ord’s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ordii) is an Endangered species. Recent population monitoring indicated significant population decline in Alberta. The sand dunes that kangaroo rats require are contracting because of vegetation encroachment. Several once productive habitats have low populations of kangaroo rats or have become extirpated. The need to restore sand dune habitat was presented to the Department of National Defence at CFB Suffield (DND), and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). A collaborative plan among Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA), ECCC and DND was developed. The plan included using prescribed fires and manual methods to remove stabilizing vegetation and thatch. Prescribed fires were planned and implemented by ECCC staff with collaboration and support from AEPA and DND. Habitat restoration has occurred at three sites. Prescribed fires significantly increased the amount of available habitat for kangaroo rats. Two restored sites were extirpated and were re-populated with kangaroo rats through translocation. Habitat restoration and translocations were successful at returning populations of kangaroo rats to restored sand dune habitat.
Plenary 3: Central Grasslands Roadmap Plenary-Canadian & Indigenous perspectives on the Central Grassland Roadmap
Panelists
Miles Anderson (rancher), Christian Artuso (CWS), Carolyn Callaghan (Canadian Wildlife Federation), Alvin First Rider (Blood Tribe Land Management), Kate Hewitt (Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources), Cheyenne Ironman (Sioux Valley Dakota Nation), Ruiping Lou & Cliff Wallis (Alberta Wilderness Association)
Abstract
Following a virtual summit in 2020, an in-person summit in 2022 & the formation of various working groups, the Central Grasslands Roadmap (https://grasslandsroadmap.org) has developed a plan for grassland conservation throughout the Great Plains (available here). The roadmap tries to unite the many networks and interests in the grasslands and the working groups continue to connect and engage as broad and diverse a community as possible. This panel offers diverse perspectives on the experience of being part of the roadmap and our hopes and plans for the future.
Plenary 4: The Kainai Iinnii Rematriation Project, Restoring the Plains Bison as an Ecological and Cultural Keystone
Panelist
Justin Bruised Head (“Akkamootskoonaki”) is The Kainai Iinnii Rematriation Project Coordinator at Blood Tribe Land Management. He was born and raised in Southern Alberta and is a member of the Blood Tribe First Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy. Justin received his Post-Secondary Diploma in Renewable Resource Management in 2017 and Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Ecosystem Management in 2019 from the Lethbridge College. Justin enjoys the outdoors and is an advocate for grassland conservation & restoration on the Blood Reserve.
Abstract
The Kainai Iinnii Rematriation Project (KIRP) is an eco-cultural restoration project that centers around the restoration of the land and culture of the Kainai (Blood) First Nation by re-introducing plains bison (Bison bison bison) back to the mixed-grass prairie pastures on the North End area of the Blood Reserve. Bison have been absent from these lands for ~155 years, and First-Nation-led environmental research is being undertaken to study and better understand how re-introducing plains bison can benefit mixed-grass prairie ecosystems. Bison are considered both an ecological and cultural keystone for the Blackfoot/Kainai. Bison were essential for our survival and ceremonial practices, and members of the KIRP herd will be harvested and utilized for meat distribution and ceremonial practices for tribal members once carrying capacity is reached. The herd is not being utilized for harvest yet, but some of their parts are still being utilized for ceremonial practice, and their return to the land has already had a profound effect on the community and local ecosystem.
Plenary 5: Ranchers Panel Discussion – Providing the Necessary Resources to Ranchers to Help Support Prairie Conservation
Panelists
Stratton Peake (Flying U Cattle Company), John Ross (Ross Ranch), Kim Wachtler (Burke Creek Ranch), Sheldon Atwood (Tomahawk Ranch), Roger Thomson (TR Cattle Corp.)
Abstract
Ranching is a key component of prairie conservation that is often undervalued by society. The long-term viability of ranching operations relies on the same healthy grassland ecosystems that support diverse assemblages of species at risk. This relationship establishes ranchers as the stewards of much of the remaining native prairie left in Canada. Therefore, to meet any goals pertaining to conserving grasslands and the species at risk that occupy them, it is critical that the ranching industry has an equal seat at the table and is included in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the process. This panel discussion will provide a first-hand perspective of ranchers from a variety of backgrounds who are operating throughout the western prairies where the largest tracts of grassland remain intact. Examples of some of the topics of discussion will include the vital role ranchers play in the conservation of prairie and endangered species, how have opportunities to work with government and non-profit organizations changed over the years and has the attitude towards the programs they offer changed. We will also discuss any barriers in place that prevent ranchers from fully realizing their potential for species at risk and prairie conservation, and how can we move forward as a united front to address these issues. Additional questions from conference attendees related to these subjects can also be submitted prior to the panel discussion for inclusion in the plenary.