Celebrate biodiversity – from bugs to bears
From bugs to bears, Albertans are on their way to learning more about the 80,000 species that live in the province.
The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Program received support of $4.2 million from the Alberta government on World Biodiversity Day on May 22, 2007. The program will provide independent, scientific information about Alberta’s plants and animals, their habitats and the activities that affect them. It will also study how humans interact with Alberta’s plant and animal species.
“All Albertans benefit from protecting the health of a wide range of species,” says Kirk Andries, Managing Director of the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute.
“Biodiversity (biological diversity) provides essential goods and services, such as clean air and water. It also provides direct consumptive value to Albertans – lumber from timber, genetic material from plants for pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products from farms.”
Most people think of wildlife when they hear the term “biodiversity,” says Andries. “But it’s so much more than that. It’s really about all our living resources, everything from bugs to bears.”
What can the average Albertan do to celebrate biodiversity?
“The first thing you can do is to become more knowledgeable,” Andries advises. Read and learn all you can about Alberta’s natural world. Find out more about the biodiversity monitoring program at http://abmi.biology.ualberta.ca/ . Also check out “Biodiversity Basics,” a series of colourful and interesting fact sheets available from the Alberta government http://srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/biodiversity.aspx.
Local bookstores and libraries have many books about Alberta’s wildlife, birds, plants and insects. Also look for any special nature programs offered in your community.
“The more you learn about biodiversity, the more you’ll appreciate it and want to find ways to support it,” says Andries.
By next year, the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Program will provide reports on its monitoring activities.
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Developing a biodiversity strategy is a key action for the Alberta government under Premier Ed Stelmach’s plan to improve Albertan’s quality of life and manage growth pressures. Other priorities are to govern with integrity and transparency, build a stronger Alberta and provide safe and secure communities..
