The 2022 Miistakis Report evaluated Alberta’s lapsed Volunteer Steward Program, revealing significant weaknesses like insufficient support and lack of data on conservation impacts. It recommends reintroducing citizen science, enhancing government capacity, and employing modern technology for data management. This Post provides notes on from the Miistakis Report – January 30 Debrief.]
Continue readingThe Alberta Government commissioned the Miistakis Institute to evaluate the Volunteer Steward Program, resulting in the ‘Miistakis Report’. SAPAA is hosting a private debriefing for members and guests to discuss the findings. Registration is needed for the meeting link, but not for report access.
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/zra-moma-kms.
January 30, 2025 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
Continue readingSAPAA partners with the UofA CSL program and runs student projects. For the winter semester, we are welcoming about 7 individuals from the Sustainability 202 course. For students unfamiliar with SAPAA, see the Annex at the end of this post.
Continue readingThe University of Alberta’s Community Service-Learning program connects students with local community groups. A fall field trip involved snowshoeing and learning about volunteering from experienced stewards, fostering enthusiasm and new perspectives among participants.
Continue readingThe Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas Association (SAPAA) appreciates CBC’s coverage of volunteer stewardship efforts in Alberta. SAPAA is collaborating with the government to revive stewardship initiatives and encourages public support through donations and volunteering. Plans for 2025 include enhancing partnerships and improving site inspection processes for natural area protection.
Continue readingNestow’s inspection on October 7, 2024, revealed moderate disturbances primarily from invasive species and OHV tracks in the northern region, while the southern area exhibited tree cutting and legacy-dumping near. There is a need for cleanup, fencing, and public awareness to protect the site’s natural beauty.
Continue readingOn September 30, 2024, SAPAA Field Trip partricipants conducted an inspection at Lloyd Creek Natural Area. The rolling terrain supports aspen forest with a diverse understory giving the Natural Area a high naturalness score (3/4). Invasives are confined to the trails, created and still used by ATV riders. Recommendations are for weed control and improved signage.
Google Workspace (GWS) is a powerful tool generously provided for free to nonprofits by Google. This is the anticipate strategy for using GWS to support SAPAA’s program efforts.
Continue readingA quick reference guide for those interested in the Alberta Volunteer Stewardship and our organization, the Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas Association (SAPAA).
Continue readingThis is an interim report of Site Inspections for the SAPAA Annual General Meeting. It will be updated and finalized in January, 2025 and represents cumulative inspections conducted since June 2023.
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