Summer 2026

Newsletter Archive

Executive Director's Message

A few weeks ago board members and staff spent a day together at our annual retreat reflecting on where Miistakis is today and where we want to go next. Our conversations focused on three ideas: relevance, risk, and resilience. We challenged ourselves to think about what these concepts mean for Miistakis as the world around us continues to change. Conservation today is more complex than ever. Communities are facing new pressures, environmental challenges are becoming increasingly interconnected, and expectations for science to inform decisions continue to grow. These realities require us to continually ask ourselves whether we are focusing our energy where it can make the greatest difference.

What struck me throughout the retreat was how much optimism there was around the table. Rather than seeing change as something to react to, our discussions centred on the opportunities ahead, how we can continue to build trusted partnerships and apply science in practical ways. We talked about the importance of being innovative and focusing on the collaborative approach that has defined Miistakis for nearly three decades.

The conversations also reinforced something I have known for a long time: our greatest asset is our people. The strength of Miistakis has never been found solely in the projects we deliver or the science we produce. It is found in the passion, expertise and creativity of the people who commit to Miistakis every day and the partners we work with. Time and again, our experience has shown that conservation is ultimately about people.

As we move into the second half of the year, I am excited by the direction that emerged from our retreat. The ideas we discussed will help sharpen our priorities and strengthen our ability to connect science with action—supporting resilient landscapes, healthy ecosystems, and thriving communities across Alberta and beyond.

I want to sincerely thank our Board members and staff for bringing their ideas, thoughtful questions, and diverse perspectives to these conversations…and sharing lots of laughs along the way.

Danah Duke, Executive Director