EDMONTON - Butterflies studied, amphibians monitored, bats inventoried and owl pellets collected: just some of the steps leading to progress in many areas of Alberta's Species at Risk program.

Details are contained in a report entitled Alberta Species at Risk - Program and Projects 2001-2002. The report profiles actions taken by diverse groups of Albertans to protect vulnerable wildlife species in the province - everything from assessing populations to recovery and prevention.

Produced by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, the report summarizes 55 projects that were carried out to conserve mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates and plants.

The projects reflect Alberta's cooperative, multi-stakeholder approach to conservation. Participants included academics, conservation groups, provincial government specialists, stakeholders, industry and individual Albertans such as landowners.

Developments highlighted in the report include recovery plans created during the past fiscal year for the western blue flag and piping plover.

Some initiatives described also support more recent recovery planning, such as the woodland caribou and grizzly bear recovery teams that held inaugural meetings lately. Formed at the request of Mike Cardinal, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development, the teams will provide him with advice on continuing management of these two species.

To access the report, visit the Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Web site at http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/. Click on the Fish and Wildlife heading, then select Species at Risk.

Specialists working on species at risk projects are identified in the document and can be contacted for additional information on individual species.

Contacts:

John Lear
Public Affairs Officer, Communications
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Edmonton
(780) 427-8636

Sue Cotterill
Species at Risk Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Division
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Edmonton
(780) 422-3400

Steve Brechtel
Provincial Endangered Species Specialist
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Edmonton
(780) 422-9535