SAPAA is organizing a field trip to Open Creek Natural Area on June 16, 2026. Located SW of Edmonton, pre-registration is required. Wear rubber boots and bring bug juice! Tony B., Steward extraordinaire, is the trip leader.
Continue readingCategory Archives: Site Visits
SIR-SAPAA v1.0 User Guide
SAPAA has conducted over 100 site inspections. For those granted access, SIR-SAPAA is the preferred reporting method otherwise a Google Form is available. iNaturalist will be utilized for biophysical data collection. Orientations and training sessions are available upon request.
Continue readingTesting SIR SAPAA
SAPAA has developed a user-friendly web tool set for launch. Users are invited to test the system and provide feedback by March 16, 2026. Pre-registration is essential required.
Continue reading2026-05-09 – NW Bruderheim Field Trip
Due to a late spring, the May 9, 2026 field is being moved to Northwest of Bruderheim Natural Area. Participants can pre-register. Members and those interested in becoming a member are all invited. Long time Steward, Hubert Taube will be on hand to provide 30+ years of reflections on this site.
Continue readingSIR Dragon – March 19, 2026 – 1200pm
For the Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas of Alberta (SAPAA), the Site Inspection Report (SIR) is a key activity to better understand the state of these protected areas. SAPAA took over the SIR function from the Alberta government in 2023 and created a manual process. Collaborating with the University of Alberta, SAPAA is developing an application that streamlines the reporting process. A presentation at the 2026 Dragon’s Den virtual meeting will showcase its features while inviting expert feedback.
Continue reading2026-01-31 – Student Field Trip – RL56
See you This Saturday!
A field trip organized for the University of Alberta and Grant MacEwan University students to explore Riverlot 56 Natural Area. Set for January 31, 2026, it encourages a better understanding of the Stewardship and Site Inspection Process.
Continue reading2025-AGM Site Inspection Reports Update
As of November 21, 2025, SAPAA reported over 3,100 site inspection reports (SIRs) regarding Alberta’s natural areas since 1988. With significant volunteer contributions, this effort highlights both frequently and seldom visited sites, as well as 87 locations awaiting first reports. SAPAA encourages participation in future inspections to foster biodiversity preservation.
Continue reading2025-11-01 – Student Field Trip – RL56
See you This Saturday!
A field trip organized for the University of Alberta and Grant MacEwan University students to explore Riverlot 56 Natural Area. Set for November 1, 2025, it encourages nature observation and community interaction. Pre-registration is necessary due to potential weather cancellations.
Continue readingBellis Lake NA, September 22, 2025
Patsy Cotterill and Manna Parseyan explored the Bellis area and discovered Yellow, Green and Blue: Aspen Forests, Jack Pines and Lakes. They recorded over 100 plant species amidst various ecosystems, including aspen and jack pine forests. Their trip highlights the area’s potential for future exploration, particularly regarding wetlands and diverse vegetation.
Continue readingPaddling Toward Stewardship
Alberta’s paddling community can contribute to the body of knowledge about the province’s protected areas… while stretching their legs. Many protected areas have potential for canoeing, kayaking, environmental stewardship, and creating lasting memories of past trips!
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