A Model Endangered Species Act for Alberta: An opportunity to move Alberta’s Nature Strategy to the next level

09 Dec A Model Endangered Species Act for Alberta: An opportunity to move Alberta’s Nature Strategy to the next level

Join the Environmental Law Centre for a webinar on species at risk management as the Centre rolls out its Model Endangered Species Act (ESA) for Alberta. The Model ESA seeks to generate certainty and fairness in approaching species at risk management in the province.

To date, Alberta has relied on limited provisions within its Wildlife Act to manage and regulate species at risk in the province. For federal focal species, there is reliance on the federal Species at Risk Act. In both cases, there are deficiencies in how we address species at risk, as well as in the habitat and ecological communities.

The forthcoming report and Model ESA seek to address both provincial and federal deficiencies by striking an innovative path for habitat and species management for the province’s most at-risk species. This includes reconciling past impacts and vested rights with the need for species protection.

Some key challenges are addressed in the law including:

· Regulating habitat in a way that creates certainty and is enforceable;

· Managing legacy legal rights;

· Creating a compensatory approach to deal with grandfathered activities in critical habitat;

· Recognition of ecological communities at risk.

Jason Unger will guide us through the regulatory approach proposed to deal with current challenges in habitat management.

When: December 17, 2024 – 12:00 – 1:15 MST Register today https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_evhlm6EsTkyrbsd_nnMeEA

Visit the ELC blog for more resources on species at risk management – www.elc.ab.ca/blog.