This is an insert that was sent out to all Operation Burrowing Owl members in Alberta along with the 1995 Newsletter and census post card that asked if their owls returned or not.

OBO - Alberta Edition

Volume 6 Issue 1July 1995

Dear Friends of the Burrowing Owl

Welcome to the seventh season for Operation Burrowing Owl (OBO) in Alberta and another year of watching for those evasive owls.
In 1994 we contacted and renewed 53 agreements with people who joined in 1989. This year Heidi Hargrove has been travelling the province this summer renewing agreements with those who joined in 1990.
The level of support that exists for those who renew their agreements is testament to the concern these people have for the burrowing owl and the grasslands.

CENSUS

The census results from last year were discouraging once again, less than 30% of you reported seeing owls in 1994. The census was used in the Status update that resulted in the uplisting of the owl to Endangered. The good news is that the weather was more amiable to burrowing owls and many large clutches were observed in Alberta.

This year we are going one step further in an attempt to encourage people to mail in the postcard, we have added the postage. The only problem is that Canada Post is raising postage August 1, so if you do spot any owls later in the season, please feel free to contact us or drop us a line.

CARBOFURAN (FuradanŽ)

Earlier this year, the responsibility for the re-registration was passed from Agriculture Canada to Health and Welfare Canada . The World Wildlife Fund has been in contact with us and there may be a new Action Alert coming out later in 1995, we will keep you updated.

Endangered Species Legislation in Canada

On May 30, 1995 a workshop was held in Edmonton as part of a cross country consultation with the public to discuss A National Approach to Endangered Species Conservation in Canada - Discussion Document (Environment Canada 1995). The workshop was well attended though not well publicized. A simplified version of the proposed legislation, that includes input from the workshops, is due out in July. The legislation could be introduced to the House of Commons in September 1995.

One item missing from the Discussion Document was any consideration for those already involved with a program like Operation Burrowing Owl. Through this program participants are part of a prairie wide network that cooperates and works with all levels of government.

Please contact Environment Canada for copies of the legislation and to let us know what you think.

PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE CENSUS CARD BY AUGUST 1 EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN ANY OWLS.
Operation Grassland Community (OGC) is one of the non government programs of the Alberta Fish and Game Association. OGC is a parent program which includes the highly successful Operation Burrowing Owl (OBO). OGC maintains the same main objectives as OBO:

OGC recognizes that habitat protected for a single species benefits many other species as well. Most rural landowners have a close tie to, and understanding of, native wildlife and habitat. With this link has grown a long tradition of care and stewardship of natural areas and wildlife on the prairie. Private stewardship programs, such as Operation Grassland Community and Operation Burrowing Owl, are a means of encouraging and giving overdue recognition to stewardship efforts by individual landowners. The importance of private stewardship in the prairies will only increase.

HOW CAN YOU CONTACT US?

Note: This information has been updated from what originally appeared in the 1995 Newsletter insert
Operation Grassland Community
Box 1644
Brooks, Alberta
Canada T1R 1C5

Phone: (403) 362-1400
Fax: (403) 362-6206
EMAIL

ASSISTANCE AND FUNDING IN 1995 GENEROUSLY SUPPLIED BY:

In cooperation with:

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