The Faces of

Conservation

2012 Alberta Conservation Volunteers Report

This year over 1,500 Canadians took part in hands-on stewardship across the country through the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC) Conservation Volunteers program. Over one fifth of these volunteers were from Alberta. The strength of the Alberta Conservation Volunteers program lies with its people. Our amazing team of volunteers breathe life and enthusiasm into the work they do. Whether we are beating back invasive species or teaming up to tear out a fence, the volunteers make each task achievable, and oddly enjoyable. Working with them constantly reminds me that conservation really is something to get excited about! This year 323 Albertans volunteered their time to 43 stewardship projects across the province and even reached out to support a project in Saskatchewan. Over 7,500 acres of conservation lands were cleaned-up, restored, and positively impacted through the Conservation Volunteers program in Alberta. Looking at these numbers, it is easy to see that volunteers truly are integral members of our team. They are the faces of conservation. Kailey Setter Conservation Volunteers Coordinator - Alberta

Alberta

Achievements

“As I reflect on the 2012 CV season a whirlwind of wonderful memories come to mind. I feel honoured to have spent the summer working with our volunteers and hearing their stories.

Together we accomplished so much over what felt like such a short time. Their passion for

conservation is contagious and inspiring and will most certainly not be forgotten!”

Ivy Smith 2012 Conservation Volunteers Intern

43 Stewardship projects

completed

323 Alberta Conservation

Volunteers

7,500 Acres of conservation

lands impacted

More Than

1

2

4

8

16

32

64

128

256

512

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Conservation Volunteers

Projects Completed

Historical growth of the Alberta Conservation Volunteers program, 2006 - 2012

“In Alberta our Conservation Volunteers are as much a part of our team as the staff. They increase our capacity to steward

the lands we’ve conserved, and are powerful ambassadors for the work we do. With the number of volunteers on the rise in

Alberta, the Conservation Volunteers team is rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with.”

Bob Demulder Vice President – Alberta Region

1,245 Trees planted

21 km Fence removed

or improved

350lbs. Invasive species

removed

3,763 Volunteer hours

Over

51%

26%

21%

2%

2012 Projects

Infrastructure and Clean-up

Habitat Restoration

Property Monitoring

Biological Inventories

Sask Many Hands

Make Light Work

It costs approximately $7,000 to have a contractor pull down an old grain bin and all you get for your money is the removal of the bin. This September the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) removed a wooden grain bin from a conservation property in the Waterton Park Front. The wood was carefully pried off so it could be reused by a local salvage company. During the day the former landowner shared stories about the bin`s origins as a teacherage, and a local expert explained how replacing the bin would be a positive step towards reducing human-bear conflict in the area. All this took place and zero dollars were spent on contractor fees because the project was powered by volunteers The Conservation Volunteers program is a win-win-win for nature, NCC, and the people who donate their time to these projects. Important work is accomplished and stewardship dollars are stretched further. Individuals are not only provided the opportunity to learn more about local conservation efforts, they also have the chance to be a part of them. That is true value for money.

Photos from the grain bin removal project in the Waterton Park Front. Saturday, September 22, 2012.

“The Conservation Volunteers program is an excellent way to learn more about local landscapes and meet people who know all about the history and biology

of these awesome habitats!”.

Katie Williams Conservation Volunteer

Sask The Power Of

Perseverance

Habitat restoration isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon. It takes a dedicated team of people who are willing to persevere, even when success may be years away. When it comes to people, Alberta’s team of Conservation Volunteers are as dedicated as they come. This July many gathered together for the seventh year in a row to battle invasive thistle at Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary in partnership with Lee Nature Sanctuary Society. Success has been hard-won at this particular site. Seven years of work has seen the size and abundance of thistle decrease dramatically in targeted patches. Though the battle isn’t over, this success is a testament to the power of perseverance. NCC relies on the continued support of its Conservation Volunteers to help protect native habitats from invasive species and restore those that have been affected. Without this added capacity to remove invasives at multiple sites, many of these conservation lands would fall victim to opportunistic invaders.

Photos from the Seventh Annual Creeping Thistle Removal at Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary, near Devon Alberta. Saturday, July 21, 2012.

“Partnering with NCC is an enormous help to the Lee Nature Sanctuary Society. Working together helps us all achieve our mutual goal of protecting and stewarding the natural landscape.” Ross Hodgetts Lee Nature Sanctuary Society

Reaching Out

Beyond Borders

How far would you go to help a neighbour? This past August three Conservation Volunteers from Edmonton travelled 784km to lend a helping hand at a weekend of conservation at Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area in southwest Saskatchewan. They joined together with NCC staff and volunteers from both provinces to improve the bison-handling facility, manage invasive species and survey for nesting birds. In between projects the group swapped stories and experiences over family-style meals, strengthening interprovincial bonds in the process. Conserving Alberta’s natural landscapes is important, but volunteers recognize that those landscapes don’t end at the provincial boundary. That is why the Alberta team of Conservation Volunteers is reaching out beyond borders to help its NCC neighbours in areas where additional support and resources are needed to achieve our shared goals.

Photos from the Weekend of Conservation at Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area in Saskatchewan. August 10-13, 2012.

“Old Man on His Back is an isolated location, so it is difficult to entice volunteers to make the drive out. The support we received this year from Alberta volunteers, coupled with those from Saskatchewan, was invaluable.

This type of cross-border collaboration strengthens working relationships and

breaks down perceived regional barriers.”

Joseph Kotlar Stewardship Coordinator, Saskatchewan

Partnering for

Conservation

NCC works collaboratively with a wide spectrum of corporate and community groups in Alberta through the Conservation Volunteers program. These partner groups have volunteered their expertise and resources to NCC’s stewardship work. Their generous support has been invaluable to NCC’s success in 2012.

2012 Volunteer Partners

• Adopt-a-Plant Alberta • Alberta Fish and Game • Ducks Unlimited Canada • Friends of Elk Island Society • Grasslands Naturalists • Junior Forest Wardens • Lee Nature Sanctuary Society • Nexen Inc. • Olds College • Red Deer College • Salvage Solutions Ltd. • Shell Canada Ltd. • St. David’s United Church • TransCanada Corporation • University of Alberta • University of Lethbridge Biology Club • Waterton Biosphere Reserve Carnivore Working Group • Waterton Wildflower Festival • Waterton Wildlife Weekend

Photos of partners groups who volunteered with the Nature Conservancy of Canada on stewardship projects across the province.

Partner with us in 2013! Call (403)444-3547 to volunteer with NCC

www.conservationvolunteers.ca