Author: Gateway Gazette Contributor

Month of the Artist in Alberta is moving to September to align with and complement Culture Days celebrations taking place in the province and across Canada.  Alberta’s Month of the Artist was proclaimed as an annual celebration of artists and the value they bring to the province. Alberta Culture Days is an annual three-day event…

Calgary, AB – To appease a noisy minority, the Government of Alberta appears to be opening the door for motorized recreation and industry in the Castle Parks, despite the direction of public consultation on creation and management of the parks. In 2017, the Castle Parks in southwestern Alberta were officially designated. Based on the longest and…

UCalgary and frontline agencies ‘imagineer’ better palliative care for vulnerable populations Michael Wood, O’Brien Institute Ben was chronically homeless, passing in and out of Bonnie Larson’s life, and his hands were showing the wear of too many winters.  “He lost the tips of his fingers to frostbite — more than once,” says Larson, a family…

Alberta is taking another step to streamline rules for oil well service rigs to get Albertans back to work. In June 2019, Alberta and Saskatchewan cut red tape for service rigs by replacing the annual commercial vehicle inspection program with an inspection every five years, and excluding service rigs from Safety Fitness Certificate requirements that…

Alberta quilter Pat Grenier has donated 30 homemade quilts to the Innisfail Health Centre. They’ll be given to residents who may not receive any other gifts this Christmas. “Everybody I see, I try to give them a quilt,” she says.

Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jason Luan issued the following statement on supports and services over the holidays:  “The holiday season can be stressful and challenging. If you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or you just need some support, help is available. “I want to remind anyone experiencing mental health or addiction challenges that…

The open grasslands and aspen stands at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park (GRPP) provide ideal habitat for the cerulean-colored thrush Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). Harbingers of spring, these birds return to GRPP as early as mid March and into late April. Both of these bird species are secondary cavity nesters. And,…

The province is providing a $3.7-million grant to the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI) for ongoing research on biodiversity in Alberta’s ecosystems. The grant will allow the ABMI to continue its important monitoring work, which includes tracking changes in Alberta’s wildlife and habitats using scientifically credible methods. The ABMI’s monitoring program is a biodiversity safety…

Podcast Launches January 10 On What On EARTH Can We Do?, hosts Colleen (Hoopla Media) and Gregory (AEF) chat with environmental movers and shakers on how we can take inspiration from the experts to make changes as individuals to combat climate change. This season’s featured guests (in order of appearance) come from: SPUD.ca Land Reclamation International…

Traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples–Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, Vancouver BC – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) welcomes the announcement, earlier this month, from Minister George Heyman and Minister Doug Donaldson that the Silverdaisy Valley in southwest BC is now off-limits to commercial forestry. Alongside…

CALGARY, AB (December 19, 2019) – Once again the BMO Centre, Stampede Park will play host to the Motorcycle Show – Calgary, January 10-12, 2020. All the leading manufacturers will debut their new 2020 motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and side-by-sides. “The Motorcycle Show – Calgary is a true celebration of the riding lifestyle,” says Laurie Paetz,…