CLOSING CEREMONY FOR THE SOUTHERN ALBERTA WATER CHARTER IS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17th at 10:00 at CITY HALL, LETHBRIDGE. OF THE 42 SIGNATORIES, WHO WILL BE RECEIVING AWARDS? (Hint: only completers get the prizes!)
Back in March we had a guest post submitted by Leila Armstrong from Backyard Wilderness (Read here) who also decided to join the Southern Alberta Water Charter movement. She has been working on an ongoing research project and we were happy to get a brief update on her findings so far and future plans.
Backyard Wilderness' commitment was to place no fewer than a dozen trail cameras in Lethbridge yards to capture images of animals such as deer, rabbits, hares, raccoons, porcupines, skunks (and other nocturnal explorers) from May 15 to September long weekend, 2017.
The goal is to turn Lethbridgians into citizen scientists involved in mapping the variety of species with which we share our city. What animals are thriving is close proximity to us? Where are the densest populations of these urban dwellers? And what do their movements through our backyards, parks, and alleys tell us about not only them, but also ourselves?
Backyard Wilderness is concerned with making citizens not only aware of local biodiversity, but also, with helping focus attention on how we can better understand, and advocate for, the well-being of the urban wildlife. The health of the watershed is key to the health of the animals that reside alongside us, and with whom we share our environment.
The study is on-going and the results will be published in a dissertation and become part of an art exhibit due in 2020.
Leila believes there is a disconnect between people’s day-to-day lived realities and their conception of nature as something external and removed.
This leads to a concern that people will have no inclination toward protecting the biodiversity with which they engage every day. Given that 81% of Canadians reside in urban centres (Statistics Canada, 2011), it’s important to understand how city dwellers define and interact with urban wildlife.
People’s responses to the project have been very positive and, over all, they seem to appreciate having a diverse range of animals visit their properties.
However, over the course of the summer, one animal in particular stands out as being the target of extermination efforts. People don’t seem to understand the benefits of skunks or know that skunks will eat pests such as slugs, wasps, and small rodents. In short, an education campaign would be of immense value.
Backyard Wilderness is concerned with making citizens not only aware of local biodiversity, but also, with helping focus attention on how we can better understand, and advocate for, the well-being of the urban wildlife. The health of the watershed is key to the health of the animals that reside alongside us, and with whom we share our environment.
Here are some more images collected over the past few months.
The Oldman Watershed Council is a not-for-profit, registered charity. Our Board consists of a large group of sector representatives - 23 voices united together behind policies, research, education, and projects for the betterment of watershed management and health. We welcome all efforts made to make a difference in our watershed. Volunteer. Donate. Make a Change.
