| Category | Not-For-Profit Association |
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| Status | Recipient |
| Year | 2009 |
| Nominee | Alberta Birds of Prey |
| Project | A Pioneering Environmental Project |
| Summary Of Activity | In 1982, there was minimal wildlife rehabilitation being done in Alberta. At the same time, the Town of Coaldale regularly experienced severe flooding from storm water runoff. Colin Weir and the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation proposed a creative solution to build a storm water retention site to be called the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, which would solve both issues. The site incorporated: • a location for Alberta's first volunteer wildlife rescue facility • restoration of a drained prairie wetland • an environmental learning facility/tourist attraction • sustainable operation without municipal or provincial subsidies The Alberta Birds of Prey Centre continues to be a sustainable environmental success since its inception 25 years ago. The flood prone field has been restored into a thriving prairie wetland housing Alberta's first volunteer wildlife rescue facility and environmental learning facility. All run-off water is contained and filtered naturally, rendering flooded neighbourhood streets a thing of the past. |
| Barriers/Challenges To Success | Barriers to overcome were numerous and varied. Legislatively, wildlife rescue was against the law. The capital costs to build a facility and a wetland would be in the millions of dollars. The thought of re-claiming a wetland for storm water retention was also not a standard engineering solution 25 years ago. Regarding operating costs, who would assume responsibility for the ongoing operation of looking after the birds? The concept of government personnel partnering with volunteers who would handle potentially dangerous wildlife was a first in 1983. Fish & Wildlife officers consequently needed to approach this new venture with caution. The combined weight of all these issues was simply enormous and fueled the doubts expressed by critics. Consequently, significant patience, dedication, perseverance and commitment were required to overcome each obstacle one by one. The primary reason improbable success was achieved and seemingly insurmountable barriers overcome, was due to acquiring participation from wide variety of cross-sector partners. Gradually cultivating relationships with a range of stakeholders and disciplines in government, corporate and non-profit sectors was instrumental. Collectively, their combined contributions created an outcome where the final product was significantly greater than the total of the individual components. Over the past 25 years participation and support includes the following: • Municipal Governments: City of Lethbridge, County of Lethbridge, Town of Coaldale. • Provincial Government Departments: Alberta Environment, Alberta Tourism, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Alberta Provincial Parks & Historic Sites, Alberta Lottery Fund, Alberta Employment & Immigration. • Federal Government: Environment Canada, Human Resources Development Canada. • Educational Institutions: University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge College, University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine, numerous individual schools from across Southern Alberta. • Non-Government Environmental Groups: Ducks Unlimited, Alberta Ecotrust, World Wildlife Fund, Lethbridge Naturalist Society. • Hunting/Fishing Organizations: Alberta Fish & Game Association, Lethbridge Fish & Game Association, Coaldale Fish & Game Association, Canadian National Sportsmen Shows. • Agriculture: St. Mary’s River Irrigation District. • Tourism: Chinook Country Tourist Association, Canadian Badlands, Alberta Tourism. • Private Sector: Fortis Alberta, Sunrise Poultry, AltaLink, Fairmont Hotels, Shell Canada, Enmax, Alvin Fritz Architects. |
| Contact |
Mr. Colin Weir Managing Director Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation |
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P. O .Box 1030 Coaldale, AB T1M 1M8 |
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| Telephone | 403-345-4262 |
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Contact through Email |
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http://www.burrowingowl.com |
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