ACTWS Webinar – Renewable Energy Development and Wildlife

Alberta is currently experiencing a “gold-rush” of renewable energy projects, particularly with new wind and solar farm developments. The ACTWS will be hosting a webinar during lunch hour on June 2nd to educate our members and the public on the impacts of renewable energy development on Alberta’s wildlife. Learn more about our guest speakers and presentations below.

Title: Bats and wind turbines: population declines and mitigation options.

Abstract: As with any source of energy for human use, there are environmental impacts from the production of wind energy. In Alberta, and elsewhere, wind turbines kill many bats. In Canada, three species of migratory bats are the main victims and recent evidence indicates that populations are declining across North America. All three have recently been listed as Endangered in Canada. There are ways to reduce bat fatalities, although increasing numbers of wind facilities and development of larger, more efficient turbines makes this more difficult. How do we minimize the costs and gain the benefits of this energy source?

Bio: Robert Barclay is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary. He and his students have studied the basic biology of bats (and other animals) in Alberta, and elsewhere, for over 40 years. He has also worked with industry and government partners to understand and mitigate the effects of wind energy and forestry on bats.

Title: Surfing the Green Wave, Surfing the White Wave, Avoiding the Renewable Wave

Abstract:  Pronghorn are an endemic North American ungulate that are solely found on the grasslands. In Alberta, pronghorn are at the northern limit of the species’ range and endure extreme environmental conditions. To compensate for the varying environmental conditions, pronghorn exhibit a wide range of movement tactics; from being resident, to migratory, to undertaking facultative migrations during the most extreme weather conditions. Survival and persistence of pronghorn in Alberta will ultimately be tied to their ability to surf the green wave and surf the white wave through the persistence of connectivity and movement corridors. However, Alberta’s grassland landscape is changing with increasing urban sprawl, road development, fencing, and renewable energy; all of which may impact a pronghorn’s ability to freely move. The potential loss of connectivity in Alberta’ changing landscape could have potential population level consequences.

Bio:  Paul Jones is a senior biologist with the Alberta Conservation Association, a not-for-profit, non-government registered charity, largely funded by Alberta’s hunters and anglers through license levies, and a growing number of corporate partners. He has been with the Alberta Conservation Association for 25 years; of which the last 20 years or so he has studied pronghorn. He has authored or coauthored 27 peer-reviewed publications, of which most are on pronghorn, has authored a book chapter on pronghorn soon to be released, coauthored 2 additional book chapters, and presented numerous times at conferences, workshops, and general public presentations to promote the conservation of pronghorn. In addition, he was a coauthor on the latest version of the Pronghorn Management Guides and the Pronghorn Bibliography that were published by WAFWA. In 2016, Paul received 2 Special Recognition awards at the Pronghorn Workshop. This past February he was awarded the Prairie Conservationist award for Alberta at the 13th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species conference for his work on pronghorn and the MULTISAR program. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Lethbridge and a Master of Science degree from the University of Alberta.

Please register for this webinar here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.