Today we and @albertawilderness.bsky.social filed an appeal to the Alberta courts to challenge the decision that was made to CANCEL a public hearing for a coal mine in Alberta. 🔗: cpawsnab.org/all-news/env... We argue that the AER's CEO, who made the call, did not have the authority to do so.

NEWS: We + @cpawsnab.bsky.social filed a case with the provincial court to argue that the energy regulator CEO overstepped his authority when he sided with Summit Coal Inc to cancel a PUBLIC hearing, Companies should not be allowed to bypass public accountability. shorturl.at/e4yeW #coal 🌏

Do Alberta’s “reclaimed” oilsands become “healthier and more resilient” lands than before industry dug them up? The premier says yes, but experts disagree. 🧵

Did the CEO have the authority to dismiss the Alberta Energy Regulator panel? If so, what's the point of having a panel if the CEO can intervene and make the final call? As @nigelb.bsky.social + Shaun Fluker point out, the answer will impact future energy project proceedings shorturl.at/JE7Nl

Here's how we got here: - A provincial regulator panel DENIED the company's request to cancel. - The (upset) company used political pressure to appeal to energy minister + regulator CEO to cancel. - CEO sidesteps the regulator panel and cancels the hearing. shorturl.at/JE7Nl @nigelb.bsky.social

Even tho' the AER's CEO overturned a decision of its hearing commissioners in Aug, another part of the AER still (sept 9) writes letters saying that decisions of such commissioners "may only be reviewed by the Court of Appeal of Alberta”. @albertawilderness.bsky.social @cpawsnab.bsky.social #abpoli

A former Alberta government biologist has a warning: Coal companies are polluting rivers and watersheds, and government isn’t stopping them. Read Lorne Fitch's opinion article here: albertawilderness.ca/lorne-fitch-... #mountainsnotmines #coal 🌎

A coal company wrote to Alberta Energy + Minerals Minister demanding a public hearing be cancelled. Then head of the province’s energy regulator Rob Morgan took the unprecedented step of overruling his own hearing commissioners to side with the company. www.theenergymix.com/alberta-regu... 🌎

What are “mature assets”? Why is the term showing up in the news more and more these days? And what do you need to know about them? Read on to find out more 🧵→

Check out retired Parks Canada caribou biologist Mark Bradley's informed critique of hound-assisted black bear hunting for caribou conservation 🧵: Opinion: www.jasperlocal.com/2025/08/21/g... Follow-up: www.jasperlocal.com/2025/09/01/r...

If you missed it: For the first time ever, the head of Alberta's energy regulator cancelled a PUBLIC hearing for a proposed coal mine affecting thousands of Albertans in the area and downstream from it. If Alberta’s regulatory process is world-class, why doesn't nature get a voice in these matters?

Hey nature lovers! 🌲 If you're headed into the wilderness this long weekend, please keep in mind that hotter weather means higher risk of wildfires. Be safe out there, remember to leave no trace, and be sure to follow fire regulations (see albertafirebans.ca for more info).

In an unprecedented move, Rob Morgan, the CEO of the Alberta Energy Regulator, has bowed to intense bullying from an Australian-based coal company and cancelled a planned public hearing on a large underground project near the town of Grande Cache. Take action: shorturl.at/PhopK shorturl.at/GgmMp

Susan Scott's "What's Your 60" goal is to write 60 letters to her representatives. She's now reached that goal, and is still going! Support Susan's challenge, or another participant, and be entered into our prize draw: albertawilderness.ca/product-cate...

UPDATE: If you disagree with the CEO’s decision to cancel the public hearing, you can now send him a letter: albertawilderness.ca/oppose-cance...

Painting 60 oil paintings of nature in a year is a lofty goal. Neil Kathol is a local artist who has committed to doing just that for AWA's What's Your 60 challenge, and he's almost halfway there! Until Aug. 31, we are entering everyone who sponsors a participant into a prize draw. $25 = 1 entry!

The CEO, a former oil and gas executive, took the reins of the AER in February. His appointment drew the skepticism of many AER critics, who believe that the regulator puts the interests of the energy sector above those of Albertans and the environment. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...

🚨NEWS: The CEO of Alberta energy regulator CEO cancelled the public hearing for a proposed coal project in the Eastern Slopes at the request of coal company Summit Coal Inc. This action is unprecedented and removes transparency. albertawilderness.ca/joint-news-r...

Missed our book sale last weekend? Don't worry—books are still being sold at the AWA office Monday and Tuesday this week! Come by anytime during office hours (9 a.m.–4 p.m.) today and tomorrow to browse our remaining selection.

A LOT of great books and a good cause!

Our used book sale is today, #Calgary!!! Come down to our little historic building in Kensington until 3 p.m. today. #yycevents #calgaryevents

This is TOMORROW!! We can't wait to see you all there:)

Investors for Paris Compliance has filed a greenwashing complaint against Enbridge & Cenovus, alleging they have misled investors with "net-zero" claims: financialpost.com/commodities/...

What if the speed of development in #Alberta were regulated by the ability and rate of restoration instead of quick profit? Long time biologist Lorne Fitch poses the question in AWA's recent Wild Lands Advocate article. Read it here: albertawilderness.ca/can-you-imag... 🌎

Did you know? Whitebark pine is an “obligate mutualist” of the Clark’s nutcracker. That means that the pine needs the nutcracker for its survival. The nutcracker’s specialized beak can extract the seeds, and seeds that aren't eaten are free to grow! 🌎 #a4w #whatsyour60 #wildalberta #hikealberta

🔥Hot take that shouldn't be a hot take: the Alberta gov't allowing dogs to be used for black bear hunting won't save Alberta's caribou. Especially if core habitat keeps getting logged. We wrote to the minister: albertawilderness.ca/alberta-mini... #abpoli#ableg

📢Our book sale is back! Swing by to browse the collection of books, most of which were donated to us! We’ll also have merch +membership deals. ✅AND: A draw for a pair of tickets to our year-end event with @corblund.bsky.social who will speak about defending the eastern slopes from coal mining.

Have you noticed the profusion of red berries on some of the bushes in our mountains and foothills? The buffaloberry crop is a great one this year, and that is great news for our bears! Carry bear spray, make noise, and be extra vigilant on the trails 🐻🌎 #whatsyour60 #bearsmart #wildalberta #nature

Have you seen this native butterfly while out exploring Alberta’s alpine meadows? This Sunday you can try to spot one as we adventure through their preferred habitat with plant ecologist Isaac Peetoom Heida. 🌎 Register: albertawilderness.ca/product/adve... #whatsyour60 #wildalberta #hikealberta

@ctvnewscalgary.bsky.social Joined us for our weekend adventure with geologist Tako Koning to learn about fossils right here in #yyc. www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/arti...

📢Alberta quietly changed hunting rules to allow dogs to assist in hunting black bears. We oppose the minister's changes made recently, and previously, which fail to use current science and are not aligned with many best practices. Full statement: albertawilderness.ca/awa-statemen...

🚩Old Alberta coal mines are polluting rivers and endangering wildlife, says a new study by government scientists. The study is "a warning flag" for future coal projects in the province, says a former Alberta government scientist in charge of environmental monitoring. www.cbc.ca/1.7599449🌎#abpolili

As part of our What's Your 60 year-long event to celebrate 60 Years of AWA, our executive director has challenged herself to write 60 haikus about nature! Check out her latest below🌸 Learn about + register for What's Your 60 here: albertawilderness.ca/product/what...

🪨This Sunday: Discover a huge variety of extraordinary, fossilized creatures in the walls of inner-city #Calgary buildings! These fossilized creatures, found in 450 million-year-old rocks, are examples of early life forms. Sign up: albertawilderness.ca/product/adve... #yycevents #science

"The Oldman River is well overallocated, with 66% of its flow set aside for human use. The Alberta gov't has licensed out more water than is sustainable for the river in the long term." AWA's Kennedy Halvorson article on water was republished in Nature Alberta's Summer mag! -> shorturl.at/2a08R 🌎

🦋Have you ever wandered around the Town of Okotoks and noticed its pollinator and water-friendly initiatives?! We did recently during our pollinator-powered adventure in the town as part of Okotoks’ annual #PollinatorWeek. Like all parts of the environment, water + pollinators are linked.🌎

"Broad discussion among an informed public is crucial in environmental issues. Decisions about the health of a river or a forest or the abundance of wildlife last for generations ... a law that allows the removal of a mountaintop alters #Alberta forever." albertaviews.ca/ground-truths/

This Sunday, join one of our Conservation Specialists to check out the views and wildflowers of Kananaskis while discussing the history and future of cumulative effects on our Eastern Slopes 🌄 Register on our website!

This Saturday, enjoy gorgeous scenery, ecological diversity, a rich Indigenous and archaeological presence, and an opportunity to see and dive deeply into the Oldman’s treasured and threatened headwaters. Commercial logging, off-road abuses, & proposed coal mining will be hot topics for discussion.

"The author reminds us through a view of the past that our connection with nature has generally been eroded." We had our book club meeting earlier this week. This time, we discussed The Once and Future World. Check out AWA executive director's thoughts on the read and consider joining us next time!

📣 ICYMI: The survey for the Alberta's Draft Plan for Parks closes in less than two weeks! Don't miss this chance to help shape the future of our parks. Need help getting started? We've got a survey guide for you: cpaws-southernalberta.org/wp-content/u... #defendABparks #DefendAlbertaParks

📢 #Alberta justified lifting the #coal ban in the mountains, to protect Albertans from pricey lawsuits. Yet, 5 coal companies have claimed over $15 billion in damages. Behind closed doors, settlements of unknown value have been reached with 2 companies already. albertawilderness.ca/joint-news-r...

👏The Siksika and Kainai Nations are pushing back on the Alberta government's move to allow coal in the foothills and Rocky Mountains. AWA fully supports this challenge! The moratorium on coal should never have been lifted. jfklaw.ca/siksika-and-... #MountainsNotMines #Rockies #abpoli #ableg 🌎

Another idea we simply CANNOT get behind. The risks of strychnine to humans and nature far outweigh any benefits. Other provinces control ground squirrel pops without using strychnine. And, at lower populations, gophers can even improve soil productivity. www.cbc.ca/1.7575688 🌎 #abpoli #alberta

🌿📢Alberta seems to have recorded a new species! It was discovered during our bioblitz in early June, but at the time, the observer didn't know it had not been recorded here yet. “Corallorhiza wisteriana” is a type of orchid found in the U.S. #Alberta has recorded similar ones.🌎

Great grey owl dad patiently hunting for last nights supper. #owl #owls #birds #canada #nature #wildlife #photography #birding #nikon #greatgreyowl #mcoupephotography

Don't let the politicians tell you otherwise, folks! Protecting and conserving nature is a mainstream value in Alberta, and one that needs to be listened to.

Just a few days left to respond to the Alberta gov't's water availability survey! Water must be allocated wisely to ensure healthy ecosystems and healthy communities. Proposed changes to intensify water use is likely to be harmful. Speak up with the help of our guide: shorturl.at/dqOHO #abpoli 🌎

Haikus for Nature VI June sees blossoms and wildlife… Here is my report for the month for my #WhatsYour60 challenge. I have completed my ’60 new observations on iNaturalist’ section following the bioblitz at Cypress Hills. www.debborahdonnelly.ca/blog/haikus-...