Miistakis Institute

Caught in the act: one bear, one itch, zero shame.

The #ReconnectingtheRockies project uses remote cameras to learn more about how to best protect ecological connectivity in BC and AB for bears and other species.

Because every bear deserves a return ticket to their favorite tree in the woods. 🐻🌲

We were out in the field in early July checking our remote cameras and ARUs for the #PronghornXing project.

These tools help us monitor birds and wildlife that could benefit from improved ecological connectivity in the area.

More at: www.pronghornxing.org/index.php

#RoadEcology #Conservation

We have installed 80 wildlife cameras in SW Alberta to monitor wildlife near Highway 3! This was a big effort by our project team and we look forward to sharing project updates and results... and fun wildlife photos. 😎

@claytontlamb.bsky.social @ncccnc.bsky.social @y2y.bsky.social

Reconnecting the Rockies - BC is focused on improving motorist and wildlife safety on Highway 3 in SE BC. Already, 8.4 km of fencing has been installed and 6 underpasses have been retrofitted to allow for wildlife movement!

@ncccnc.bsky.social @biodivpathways.bsky.social
@claytontlamb.bsky.social

Partners: Alberta Conservation Association and @cwf-fcf.bsky.social

Funders: Environment and Climate Change Canada, @nfwfnews.bsky.social and Park's Canada's National Program for Ecological Corridors

What is the Pronghorn Xing project? 🦌
Check out this short video to learn how we're working to improve wildlife movement and road safety across prairie landscapes!

Visit pronghornxing.org to learn more

#PronghornXing #WildlifeCorridors #RoadEcology #PrairieConservation #Pronghorn

Miistakis Institute was thrilled to present at the Bow River Basin Council's Science Forum! We shared tools for urban wetland conservation and ways to identify and support beaver habitat—including monitoring the benefits of beaver dam analogues. 🦫🌿 #UrbanWetlands #BeaverRestoration #Miistakis

Happy International Beaver Day!
Celebrate with new resources on WorkingWithBeavers.ca?
🌱 Beavers store ~23% of total landscape carbon—learn more on our Carbon page!
🎥 New videos
🛠 How to Wrap Trees: a step-by-step guide from NatureScot! 📽️

#MiistakisMonday: We are starting a new series showing some of the NoseCreek/West NoseCreek Trail Cam pictures from the Calgary Connect Project that Miistakis Institute is championing. Starting with this rather wet Coyote from 2019. #SaveNoseCreek #SNCwildlife #yyc #Miistakis @miistakis.bsky.social

@abbiodiversity.bsky.social

It’s been a great month for wetland knowledge sharing! 🌿 Huge thanks to BRBC for hosting last week's "Wetlands and Natural Infrastructure in a Changing Climate" workshop. 👏

💧 Check out our guest blog for ABMI: ow.ly/YzEl50V5JIi

🔎 And explore the spatial data here: ow.ly/Wmfm50V5JIj

Looking for expert insights on ecological connectivity, biodiversity, and nature-based solutions?

🌿🎥 Explore Our Two New YouTube Playlists! 🎥🌿

🔹 Beavers!
🔹 External Miistakis Presentations
🔹 And more!

📢 Watch now: www.youtube.com/@Miistakis

Come learn about the past years of wildlife monitoring in the Weaselhead from the @miistakis.bsky.social Calgary Connect project & learn how dark skies can support wildlife in the Weaselhead.
Register here:
www.eventbrite.com/e/wildlife-m...

#Pronghorn #WildlifeCorridors #Conservation #RoadMitigation #WildlifeConnectivity

Together, we’re working towards safer, more connected landscapes for wildlife. 🌿

Pronghorn Xing team: Alberta Conservation Association and @cwf-fcf.bsky.social

Funders: @nfwfnews.bsky.social, Environment and Climate Change, Parks Canada

🚧 Pronghorn Xing Annual Meeting Recap! 🦌
📍 GPS tracking updates on pronghorn & mule deer
📸 Biodiversity insights from cameras & acoustic units
📢 Progress on our communications framework
🚗 Wyoming experts on road mitigation - Thanks to Hall Sawyer (WEST, Inc.) & WYDOT!

Urban planning for wildlife connectivity: A multispecies assessment of urban sprawl and SLOSS renaturalization strategies Notably, smaller but widely distributed natural areas can serve as a practical and effective management strategy for balancing the trade-offs among economic costs, urban expansion and habitat conserv...

Just published today! We analyzed the SLOS dilemma for maintaining connectivity through urban sprawl besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

We installed cameras to study wildlife movement before + after construction of Rock Creek underpass on Alberta's Hwy 3. Stay tuned for more updates on the Reconnecting the Rockies - Alberta collaborative project!

@adamtford.bsky.social @claytontlamb.bsky.social @ncccnc.bsky.social @y2y.bsky.social

Thank you to The Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society for supporting a native species conservation project! This spring, we will monitor use of road tunnels that were purpose-built in to improve habitat connectivity of long-toed salamander.

❄️ The Miistakis Winter 2025 Newsletter is Here! ❄️

This issue features:
🦌 Updates on ecological connectivity
🔥 Beavers: Architects of Change for Climate Action
🌾 Stories showcasing the power of private land conservation in Alberta, and more!

👉 Read it here: mailchi.mp/c84f423f255b...

🌟 Wildlife Connectivity in Focus 🌟
We’re using remote cameras to monitor pronghorn activity at potential road mitigation sites 🦌 and discovering what other species might benefit from enhanced connectivity in the area! 🌿

🎥 Check out our latest video to see who we caught on camera 📸

Objects in photo are closer than they appear! Did you know that black bears often visit the Weaselhead? Staying on designated trails helps give them space to survive and thrive.
#CalgaryConnect #yyc #weaselheadpark @miistakis.bsky.social

New paper alert!!! We worked with @cityofcalgary.bsky.social and 3 amazing wetland specialists - Dr. Irena Creed and Dr. Kevin Erratt from @utsc.bsky.social and Dr. Felix Nwaishi from @mountroyalu.bsky.social We developed a model to predict urban wetland health. doi.org/10.1016/j.ec...

Bears and berries: Researchers highlight critical role of grizzlies in huckleberry health - UBC Okanagan News UBC study says bears eating the fruit then eliminating the seeds aids germination and dispersal

news.ok.ubc.ca/2024/12/10/b...

#CalgaryConnect has shown in areas where there is lots of human activity, most animals avoid the area altogether or shift their use to nighttime. Staying on designated human use trails and staying out of natural areas at night, we can all help wildlife stay comfortable and safe.

📢 Calling all remote communities & experts with experience in #CleanEnergy 🔆💨

This spring, we’re hosting #RiRC2025 & we’re inviting attendees to help shape the discussion through sessions, presentations & workshops.

Submit your ideas by Dec. 13: https://buff.ly/4iuSI3G

Roads can be a big barrier & cause of death for wildlife moving between habitats. Weaselhead values the lengthening of the bridge on the SW Calgary Ring Road to accommodate wildlife movement, maintaining ecological connectivity on either side of the road.
📷 Cougar using the underpass
#CalgaryConnect

Excited to team up with Alberta Conservation Association and the Canadian Wildlife Federation on the Pronghorn Xing project, funded by Parks Canada's $6M investment in ecological corridors 🌾🦌

This work will enhance pronghorn movement and biodiversity across the landscape.

Read more bit.ly/49rMM7x

Weaselhead is a popular park for wildlife and people. Dark skies help support a sanctuary for wildlife that use natural areas at night.
#yyc #calgaryconnect
@miistakis.bsky.social

Urban wildlife use fantastic strategies to avoid conflict with humans! Our research confirms that in areas where more people are using trails during the day, many wildlife species in Calgary are shifting their behavior to use the area at night.

Learn more: www.rockies.ca/files/report...