Urban Wildlife Monitoring
Urban Wildlife Monitoring
A citizen science monitoring project to understand how wildlife responds to the urban environment, and to engage Calgarians in urban wildlife awareness
The Issue / Idea
How can municipalities learn about their urban wildlife populations while engaging residents in wildlife awareness?
The Project
Calgary Captured is a multi-year urban wildlife monitoring program that was launched in 2017 focused on medium to large mammals. Through citizen science, the program involved Calgarians in biodiversity monitoring through the classification of camera-trap images to species. The objectives of the program are to build a dataset of species presence in Calgary, engage Calgarians in urban wildlife awareness, and to improve our understanding of how wildlife responds to the urban environment.
Calgary Captured Year One Analysis: Technical Report
Calgary Captured Year Results
Calgary Captured Year One Results: Maps
I’m A Calgarian
(example of one of six wildlife awareness cards produced)
Calgary Captured Information Card
(example of one of five Calgary Captured awareness cards produced)
City of Calgary: Wildlife Camera Monitoring
Organization
This project was undertaken by
The City of Calgary
The Miistakis Institute
Alberta Environment and Parks
Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society
Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation Society
Status
Began in 2017 and is
On-going
Supporters
The Calgary Foundation
Alberta Ecotrust Foundation
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
Working with Nature
Working with Nature
Harnessing the power of natural infrastructure to increase municipalities’ flood and drought resiliency
The Issue / Idea
Every municipality has “natural infrastructure,” but what is it, where is it, and how does it relate to flood and drought risk?
The Project
The Working With Nature toolkit was created to help municipalities catalogue their natural infrastructure, and then develop a prioritized plan for better using it to mitigate flood and drought risk. A Primer document was developed to provide a starting point for municipalities to understand the type of information, data, and programs available to inform and support flood and drought mitigation planning.
This free toolkit provides the materials and directions for a municipality to self-navigate through workshops, worksheets, and ultimately a living Workbook. In the process, a municipality will address Goals and Principles, Risks and Hazards, Natural Infrastructure, Actions, and Policy Development.
Working with Nature Toolkit Website
Working with Nature Webinar Slide Deck
Municipal Flood and Drought Action Planning Primer
Adapting to Flooding: An Adapt-action Summary Report
Adapting to Water Scarcity: An Adapt-action Summary Report
Organization
This project was undertaken by
The Miistakis Institute
Status
Project was completed in
2019
Supporters
Government of Alberta’s Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program
Town of Cochrane
Urban Wetland Connectivity
Urban Wetland Connectivity
A project to help maintain amphibian diversity and increase amphibian abundance in the urban environment
The Issue / Idea
How can municipalities support urban amphibian populations?
The Project
The goal of this project was to provide information to The City of Calgary to help maintain amphibian diversity and increase amphibian abundance in the urban environment. Three amphibian species, wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus), boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata) and tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium) currently make Calgary their home. Key concerns for amphibians in Calgary are the impacts of wetland loss, wetland degradation, and fragmentation of the wetland network. We sought to understand which wetlands support amphibians and where amphibians are moving between wetlands in Calgary.
The modelling products include habitat suitability indices, connectivity models, and centrality and barrier maps designed to inform planning, management and restoration of the wetland network to support amphibians in Calgary. For this project, natural wetlands, modified wetlands and stormwater ponds were all included in modelling and are referred to in this report generically as wetlands.
Amphibians at Risk: An analysis of wetland habitat and corridors needed to secure amphibian populations in Calgary
Amphibians At Risk In Calgary: Infographic
Organization
This project was undertaken by
The Miistakis Institute
The City of Calgary
The Calgary Zoo
The University of Saskatchewan
Status
Completed in
July 2020
Supporters
Alberta Innovates
Urban Ecoroofs
Urban Ecoroofs
Exploring the impacts ecoroofs may have on climate change resilience in Alberta municipalities
The Issue / Idea
What impacts can ecoroofs have on climate change resilience in Alberta municipalities?
The Project
As cities develop, vegetation is typically replaced with non-permeable, non-vegetated surfaces. Ecoroofs are one way to provide some of the lost ecosystem services in urban centres including improved stormwater management (both quantity and quality), better regulation of building temperatures, reduced urban heat island effects, improved air quality, and increased urban wildlife habitat and biodiversity (Oberndorfer et al., 2007). Some jurisdictions refer to ecoroofs as a ‘no-regrets’ climate adaptation measure (Mees, Driessen, Runhaar, & Stamatelos, 2013) because they serve multiple societal goals.
Between 2017 and 2019, the Miistakis Institute partnered with the City of Edmonton, Environmental Strategies team to explore the impacts ecoroofs may have on climate change resilience in the city.
Ecoroof Guide for Municipalities
Ecoroof Fact Sheet
Edmonton Ecoroof Initiative for Climate Change Resiliency: Ecoroof Function Research
Jurisdictional Review
Edmonton Ecoroof Case Studies
Edmonton Ecoroof Website
Organization
This project was undertaken by
The Miistakis Institute
City of Edmonton, Environmental Strategies
Status
This project was
completed in 2019
Supporters
City of Edmonton
Alberta Ecotrust Foundation
Edmonton Community Foundation
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Rural Residential Expansion Research
Rural Residential Expansion Research
Understanding and mapping rural residential expansion in southwestern Alberta
The Issue / Idea
What is the extent of rural residential expansion in southwestern Alberta?
The Project
In 2003, Miistakis published Spatial Analysis of Rural Residential Expansion in Southwestern Alberta. The report summarizes what we learned from analyzing half a century’s worth of municipal tax assessment data, and describes the patterns and possible drivers of exurban expansion in southwestern Alberta. The data and maps this project produced are some of our most frequently requested resources. In 2006, we revisited the original data in attempt to better understand the spatial distribution of this type of development. Our analysis suggests that rural residences are more likely to occur on sites with scenic views, and with close proximity to golf courses and urban centres. In 2011, Miistakis collaborated with Dr. Michael Quinn at the University of Calgary in an effort to update and expand the Rural Residential Data Set. Work was completed in early 2012, and we now have a complete historical record of more than a century of rural residential expansion for 12 Municipal Districts and Counties in southern and central Alberta.
Spatial Analysis of Rural Residential Expansion in Southwestern Alberta
Rural Residential Expansion in Southern Alberta
Mapping the Exurban Explosion: Rural Residential Expansion in Southwestern Alberta
Rural Residences Map Animation
Organization
This project was undertaken by
The Miistakis Institute
Status
Development of this report and dataset began in 2003 and was
updated and completed in 2012
Supporters
Alberta Ecotrust
Alberta Environment
Henry P. Kendall Foundation
University of Calgary
Alberta Summer Temporary Employment Program
Putting Beavers to Work for Watershed Resiliency and Restoration
Putting Beavers to Work for Watershed Resiliency and Restoration
A collaborative multi-year project that is focused on facilitating coexistence with beavers so their benefits as a watershed resiliency and restoration tool are realized.
The Issue / Idea
How can municipalities coexist with beavers for their watershed benefits?
The Project
Beavers, Canada’s national animal, provide many valuable ecosystem services including storage of water during droughts and flooding, creation of habitat for a variety of species, and improvement of water quality. These benefits allow for the increased watershed resiliency and restoration across the landscape. Land owners, including municipalities, can come into conflict with beavers as they can cause damage by flooding roads, plugging culverts or taking down prized trees, which can result in the removal of beavers from the landscape.
This project is a partnership between the Miistakis Institute and Cows and Fish Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society and aims to increase the coexistence of humans and beavers. By engaging with land owners and land managers this project strives to decrease conflict with beavers, foster social tolerance, and heighten understanding of the benefits that beavers provide us and the ecosystem as a whole. The project aims to achieve these goals by researching new coexistence tools, hosting hands-on coexistence workshops, and creating information materials and videos to increase awareness.
Below is a selection of resources specific to municipalities.
Webinar: Understanding Beavers as a Natural Infrastructure Solution
Slide Deck: Understanding Beavers as a Natural Infrastructure Solution
Beaver Coexistence Tools
Cost Benefit Analysis of Beaver Coexistence Tools
Putting Beavers to Work Website
Coexisting with Beavers Part 1: Municipal District of Foothills
Organization
These assessments were undertaken by
The Miistakis Institute
Cows and Fish – Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society
Status
Began in 2012
2012 – on-going
Supporters
Alberta Environment and Parks’ Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program (WRRP)
The Calgary Foundation
Alberta Ecotrust Foundation
Municipal Environmental Purpose
Municipal Environmental Purpose
A white paper to catalyze discussion on the new municipal purpose ‘to foster the well-being of the environment’, introduced in Alberta’s revised Municipal Government Act of 2017
The Issue / Idea
How do municipalities consider the revised Municipal Government Act’s (2017) added a new purpose for municipalities: to foster the well-being of the environment?
The Project
The well-being of Alberta’s natural environment is heavily dependent on decisions made at the municipal level. The overhaul of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) recognized this with a new purpose for municipalities: “ to foster the well-being of the environment.” However, there was no accompanying policy direction as had been the case with other revised elements of the Act.
Since that time, several municipalities have begun trying to interpret this new purpose in varied ways, risking the creation of isolated and inconsistent approaches. This paper is intended to be an initial step to better understanding the implications of this significant change in the MGA.
While the literature offers little insight into the concept of “well-being of the environment”, there was clearly an intent behind this phrasing, so it is therefore worthwhile understanding the three critical elements – foster, well-being, and environment – informed by definitions, common usage, and associated legislation.
It is significant that the inclusion of ‘well-being of the environment’ in the Municipal Government Act was codified as a municipal purpose inserted immediately after the “good government” purpose, suggesting it should be interpreted more pervasively than the specific ‘service, facility, safety, and viability’ purposes.
Even with definitional clarity, municipalities are still challenged with understanding how decision-making processes would be affected. The authors suggest a common set of process characteristics be clearly reflected in municipal policy or decision rationale: Due Consideration, ‘Two Roads’ Assessment, Proactive Approach, Measured and Evaluated, and Liability Mitigation. Undertaking this approach would have the benefits of reinforcing current efforts, supporting regulatory alignment, enabling innovation, and increasing clarity and accountability.
Recognizing it would not be possible to comprehensively describe all discrete decision making circumstances, but that greater direction is needed, the authors suggest ‘categories’ based on the wellbeing of the environment powers in the Big City Charters.
Implementation of the well-being of the environment purpose will need to be embedded in municipal governance and regulatory frameworks, including bylaws, plans, policies, strategies, and measurements, with tool choice dependent on the specific environmental application or media.
More work is now needed to clarify the environmental decision-making areas affected (or created) by this new purpose, and to offer pragmatic direction for municipalities with regard to implementation. That work prerequires a broader conversation amongst municipalities to come to some consensus, and high level policy direction from Municipal Affairs.
BRIEF: ‘TO FOSTER THE WELL-BEING OF
THE ENVIRONMENT’:
INTERPRETING ALBERTA
MUNICIPALITIES’ NEW PURPOSE
‘TO FOSTER THE WELL-BEING OF
THE ENVIRONMENT’:
INTERPRETING ALBERTA
MUNICIPALITIES’ NEW PURPOSE
Organization
These assessments were undertaken by
The Miistakis Institute
The Environmental Law Centre
Status
Completed in
2019
Supporters
The Miistakis Institute
Municipal EcoToolkit: Tools for Maintaining your Natural Systems
Municipal EcoToolkit: Tools for Maintaining your Natural Systems
A resource for Alberta municipalities seeking to maintain their natural infrastructure systems
The Issue / Idea
How can a municipality maintain their natural infrastructure?
The Project
The Municipal EcoToolkit was created by the Miistakis Institute as a resource for Alberta municipalities seeking to maintain their natural infrastructure systems. It is not intended to be a prescriptive statement on what must be done. It is intended to help generate awareness, creativity, collaboration, and questions, and assist those people doing the challenging work of maintaining our natural systems.
To make this toolkit, we focused in such things as law/bylaws, policy directives, inventories or datasets, protective designations, maps, management constraints, proactive strategies, staff positions, guidelines, legal designations, education/communication resources, workshops, case studies, financial analyses, technologies, restorative actions, etc., etc. ..!
Municipal EcoToolkit Website
Organization
This project was undertaken by
The Miistakis Institute
Status
This research was completed in
2020
Supporters
Alberta Innovates
Environmental Law Centre
Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership
Informing Urban Ecosystem Management
Informing Urban Ecosystem Management
A literature review and case studies to inform urban ecosystem management, prepared for the City of Calgary, Urban Conservation
The Issue / Idea
How are cities using an urban ecosystem management approach?
The Project
The goal of this research is to support the revision of the City of Calgary’s Natural
Areas Management Plan (NAMP) with findings from relevant literature and case studies, based on the evolving nature of urban ecosystem management. Because the mandate of the Urban Conservation portfolio is city-wide, this research is also intended to support the development of an urban ecosystem management approach for the City of Calgary.
The authors identified two key goals and associated research objectives:
- Ensuring a scientific rationale exists to support an ‘urban ecosystem management’ approach for the City of Calgary; and
- Ensuring a basis exists for translating ecological management principles into asset management approaches.
For both, the research approach included reviews of peer-reviewed and grey literature, relevant case studies, analogous jurisdictions, and relevant organizations and resources. There was no intent at this stage to deeply analyze the research nor provide management recommendations.
Informing Urban Ecosystem Management: Literature Review and Case Studies
Organization
This project was undertaken by
The Miistakis Institute
Status
This research was completed in
December 2016
Supporters
City of Calgary
Engaging with Local Governments for Conservation and Stewardship
Engaging with Local Governments for Conservation and Stewardship
Insights on how stewardship groups and WPACs can collaborate with municipalities
The Issue / Idea
How can stewardship groups and WPACs collaborate with municipalities?
The Project
Between 2012 and 2013 the Land Stewardship Centre hosted Stewards in Motion: Connecting with municipalities to advance grassroots change. The Miistakis Institute was asked to be the keynote speaker at these events, and travelled across Alberta presenting on the reason for and path towards stewardship groups working with municipalities to advance conservation.
Engaging with Local Governments for Conservation and Stewardship: Slide Deck
Organization
This project was undertaken by
The Miistakis Institute
Status
Stewards in Motion regional events occurred in
2012-2013
Supporters
Land Stewardship Centre
Alberta Ecotrust