Spring 2022

Newsletter Archive

Executive Director's Message

Happy spring everyone,

As the first crocuses of the year are bursting through the ground, we are excited to share some other ground-breaking news.

Maintaining ecological connectivity is key to ensuring the functionality of ecosystems and is key for the survival of many species - to ensure genetic diversity, access to critical habitats and adapting to climate change.

Since its inception, Miistakis has undertaken research to support ecological connectivity. That research has focused on generating awareness of the challenges that transportation infrastructure poses to wildlife; promoting workable solutions to these challenges; and generating support for implementing these solutions.

One key piece of research we undertook, in partnership with Dr. Tony Clevenger and the Western Transportation Institute was the identification of highway mitigation opportunities for the Trans-Canada Highway in the Bow River Valley. Since the release of this report in 2012, much work has been done by many conservation organizations, design firms, Indigenous groups and the Alberta government to advance the realization of mitigation on Highway 1.

Now, we are very excited to share the news that construction has begun on Alberta's first wildlife overpass on provincial lands. This overpass with fencing at Bow Valley Gap is scheduled to be complete in the fall of 2023. In addition to this mitigation, an underpass and fencing at Rock Creek in the Crowsnest Pass are currently in the formal design process to improve safety for humans and wildlife along Highway 3.

Miistakis is very proud of the role we have played on Highway 1 and Highway 3, identifying appropriate locations for highway mitigation, supporting ecological connectivity and improving wildlife and human safety on Alberta's highways.

Danah Duke, Executive Director