April 9 Tofield Mercury

Local Measles Warning

Man charged for shooting incident at South Cooking Lake

On Nov. 13, 2024, just after 10 a.m., Strathcona County RCMP responded to a shooting at a residence in South Cooking Lake.

Upon arrival, Strathcona County RCMP found a 43-year-old male with serious injuries, a 38-year-old male with minor injuries, and a 37-year-old female with no physical injuries.

Strathcona County RCMP engaged additional resources in order to locate the suspects, including the Strathcona County General Investigation Section (GIS), the Strathcona County Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) and the RCMP Police Dog Services. No suspects were located.

The male with serious injuries was transported by ground ambulance to hospital and has since been discharged.

The Strathcona County RCMP GIS took carriage of the investigation with the assistance of the RCMP Forensic Identification Section.

On April 2, members of the Strathcona County GIS arrested and charged Jebediah Thomas Caswell (38), of no fixed address, Alberta with the following offences: Break and enter and commit aggravated assault, robbery, discharge firearm with intent, possession of a prohibited firearm, and forceable confinement.

Caswell was taken before a Justice of the peace and remanded in custody with their

Three young men from the Tofield area (l to r) Ethan Turnbull, Jacob Bigney and Kaylum Roberts, who started with Tofield Minor Hockey back in their Tom Thumb years, have just finished their minor hockey careers with the Strathcona Warriors U18AA team that just won Provincials this past weekend. The team beat Spruce Grove Saints 4-3 in overtime. Leading up to Provincials, their team finished 1st in the regular season, won their Regional playoffs and then beat Spruce Grove in a best of 3 series to win the North Division Championship.

and Area food bank reached

Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

The Tofield/Ryley and Area food bank held their annual general meeting on Monday, Mar. 10 at the food bank. The food bank saw 25 new clients in 2024, and Board Chair Dawn Arnold noted that the food bank has seen a higher increase in individuals using the food bank than in families.

“As you know, 2024 has been increase after increase, whether it's food, rent, utilities, it doesn't matter. And we are seeing it at the food bank. We are seeing an increase in the amount of people who are not able to make it,” she said.

Treasurer Debbie Ewert provided a breakdown of the financial report and expressed gratitude for the contributions to the food bank.

“I'm very thankful for the community that we're in. We have had a very generous community from all areas, including companies, churches, individuals, sports, and other groups. We get money from all sorts of sources,” Ewert said.

The food bank had a net income of $18,004 in 2024. Ewert said a number of grants and some outstanding fundraisers

“By the end of December 2022, which we thought was our banner year, we had provided 443 hampers for 1,157 souls. By the end of December 2023, it was down to 396 hampers and about 1,035 people that didn't go hungry. By the end of December 2024, 462 hampers, and that's 19 hampers more than we did in our banner year, for 1,138 souls. When you look at 462 hampers for 1,138 compared to 443 for 1,157, that tells you that we're getting a lot more singles or two person families, rather than big families,” Arnold said.

contributed to that.

“This last year we also have been receiving money throughout the year. Normally, we receive money all in November-December; that's where the bulk of our money has come from other years, with a few grants thrown in from food banks Alberta and Canada. But this year, there's a few people that have consistently decided to support us on a monthly basis. Plus, we're set up on something called Canada Helps, where you can donate from wherever you're at and so some people remember their home community, I think, by donating through that,” Ewert said.

Arnold said that there are two individuals who have been donating through Canada Helps every month since Covid began in March 2020.

“There's about two or three of those organiza-

tions now, where you can donate to any kind of a charitable organization, they receipt them, and then they forward the funds to us,” Ewert said. The food bank

Easter Bunny to make appearance at second annual Tofield Chamber

Easter Egg Hunt

Cassandra Lundbek Staff Reporter

The Tofield and District Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Easter Egg Hunt is set for Saturday, April 19 at Cookson Park and the children will be let loose at 1:30 p.m. and will run until all eggs are collected.

“We are pleased to announce that preparations are underway for this year's Easter Egg Hunt. We invite you to join us for an enjoyable afternoon, complete with a visit from the Easter Bunny,” the Chamber social media page says. Learning from last year’s large turnout, organizers

have implemented several changes this year. All age groups will hunt at one park rather than being split between two, in response to feedback from families who found it difficult to coordinate between sites.

Despite a low number of pre-registrants, more than 300 children participated in the hunt last

year. The organizers are preparing for a large number of participants this year by no longer requiring pre-registration and by ordering over 100 pounds of foil-covered chocolate eggs. In addition to the egg hunt, this year’s event will include an Easter egg decorating contest, free crafts and refreshments,

and prizes. Craft activities will take place from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Tofield Golden Club, which offers more space than the library was able to handle last year. With improvements made from previous years and continued support from local sponsors and volunteers, the event is sure to draw an enthu-

apply for this position please submit a resume to the following

Incumbent Damien Kurek first official candidate in Battle River-Crowfoot constituency

Leslie Cholowsky Staff Reporter

It’s official. Battle River-Crowfoot incumbent Damien Kurek has registered as a candidate in the upcoming federal election.

Elections Canada has confirmed Kurek’s candidacy, and as of April 1, he was the only registered candidate. Kurek represents the Conservative Party of Canada. He had been elected as

the region’s Member of Parliament first in 2019, and was re-elected in the 2021 federal election.

The Liberal Party, Green Party, and People’s

Party of Canada are showing Battle RiverCrowfoot candidates on their websites; as of Monday only the Liberal party candidate Brent Sutton had been officially added to the list of candidates, but with no contact information.

The official list of can-

didates will be available on Wednesday, April 9. The 2021 election saw candidates from seven parties in the Battle River-Crowfoot riding: Conservative, NDP, People’s Party, Liberal, Maverick, Green Party, and the Veterans Coalition Party.

Ryley to propose draft resolution in regards to BESC shared service agreement

Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

At the Village of Ryley’s most recent meeting of council held Tuesday, April 1, Council moved to have Mayor Stephanie Dennis present Council’s draft resolution regarding the Beaver Emergency Services Commission (BESC) Shared Services Agreement (SSA) at the next Beaver Regional Partnership (BRP) meeting, which will be held Tuesday, April 15.

Mayor Stephanie Dennis said that Ryley Council is reviewing all agreements, and right now they are looking at the SSA with BESC.

“It's important to recognize that we're looking at everything. We're not just picking on this particular commission. We're looking at all of our agreements and any place that we're spending money,” she said.

Chief Administrative Officer Glen HamiltonBrown echoed Dennis, saying the review was brought on by what he terms as the ‘black era,’ during the Village of Ryley’s tumultuous period that began in 2021 when Hamilton-Brown

was put on paid leave and then terminated in 2022.

“We really are looking across the board at everything, and we're at this position because of the black era, and the change and all that stuff that happened, that we're now looking at everything, and we just happen to be looking at this one right now,” he said.

The matter at hand is that member municipalities in the BESC SSA, Tofield, Ryley, Holden, Viking, and Beaver County, have been paying 100 per cent of the projected annual deficit as projected in BESC’s budget, where HamiltonBrown says the SSA indicates only 75 per cent is to be paid, and the remain-

der is paid when the actual deficit is determined following the yearly financial audit.

“(BESC formed) in 2010, and they write an operational budget and state they need, let's say, $1 million. Then they divide by four, $250,000, and they invoice the municipalities, prorated by population, and we paid quarterly. And that's what's happened for 15 years.

“What the agreement says is that the municipalities will pay the deficit of whatever they need in their actuals. It says here, in any year where the actual operating cost, which does not include amortization, when the operating costs to provide fire protection

and emergency services exceeds the actual revenue, then the commission may invoice municipalities for the difference. In other words, the annual deficit,” he said.

“The problem with that is that they never know what the annual deficit is until a year from now. You make your budget, but you can't invoice for that annual deficit until the financial statements come out. So, they're going to need some cash flow and this is where section four comes in, and it says the municipalities agree to advance pay

Continued on Page 16

Camrose County Agricultural Communications Committee 2025 Scholarship Scholarship Amount $1,000

Eligibility Requirements:

• Students must be in Grade 10, 11, or 12,

• Must be a resident of Camrose County,

• Previous Camrose County scholarship award winners are ineligible,

• Essay should be 1,000 to 1,500 words in length OR video presentation should be 3 to 4 minutes in length.

Selected Topics

Please select from ONE of the following:

1. What is the greatest opportunity and/or challenge facing your community that is relevant to your generation? How does this affect your plans for the future?

2. How will the U.S./Canada tariffs affect our local community, our Province, and Canada? Ex. Short and long-term impacts on the economy, impacts on your family’s livelihood.

Please reference people interviewed or research material used for your essay or video presentation. (No Power Point presentations will be accepted this year).

Submit entries to: Camrose County Essay Contest 4238 – 37th Street

Camrose, AB T4V 5B2 OR by email to: asb@county.camrose.ab.ca

Please include the following as part of your submission: Full Name, Mailing Address, Phone Number, High School being attended and Legal Land Description or Hamlet Address.

Deadline: April 25, 2025 @ 4:30pm

For further information contact: Corey Stuber (780) 672-4765

The winner will be photographed for press releases and the essay or video presentation will be posted on the Camrose County website.

JOHN’S RANT OPINION

That was an exciting week wasn’t it.

U.S. President Donald Trump unleashed his reciprocal tariffs on the world as promised … and lo and behold the sun still rose in the east the next day.

Trump didn’t unleash reciprocal tariffs on Canada as the financial pundits and Liberals had been predicting.

Still there are tariffs on steel, aluminum and the auto sector. Certainly that hurts.

Stellantis immediately shuttered a plant in Windsor, Ontario for two weeks, along with plants in Michigan and Indiana.

So it hurts, as predicted, on both sides of the border.

Out west U.S. farmers are screaming mad at the man they promoted into the White House last fall.

Potash used to fertilize soy crops in the west has been hit with tariffs as it’s exported from Canada, mostly from Saskatchewan, to the U.S. Farm implements such as seeders produced in Manitoba are being hit with tariffs as they cross the border and U.S. farmers are up in arms.

Sitting quietly on the sidelines was Alberta

Premier Danielle Smith who had lobbied the U.S. government by meeting with the president and appearing on several media outlets, including a few despised “right wing” outlets to promote diplomacy rather than retaliatory tariffs as mandated by the Liberals of Mark Carney and supported by Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

There could be more tariffs coming on Canada as this process plays out, but right now the world’s economic stock markets are crashing and U.S. economists are doing their best to have Trump change course on his one trick pony.

But this brief recess could spell a problem for the Liberals as we approach the April 28 election day.

Certainly the western provinces don’t want four more years of destructive Liberal rule.

But in Ontario and Quebec and the urban section of B.C., Liberal support has climbed based on replacing Trudeau with the economist Mark Carney.

Now depending on which British spokesperson you want to believe, Carney wasn’t the saviour he claims to be as the

head of the Bank of England.

Rather some former Prime Ministers of Britain call him an unmitigated disaster.

He has moved his Brookfield Asset head offices out of Canada to New York, albeit prior to becoming Liberal leader, but it really doesn’t show much business confidence in Canada.

And since the election was called, Carney and his Trudeau Liberal team has been running hard on the argument they are best prepared to handle the unpredictable Trump administration.

Yet, last week Trump sort of gave Canada a small reprieve in the trade wars. So let’s see the Liberal campaign for the next couple of weeks run on their record of the past ten years!

Carney claims he axed the carbon tax on consumers. Sure on April 1, there was a reduction at the gas pump. But the actual tax can’t be revoked except through an act of parliament and parliament won’t sit until a new government is elected.

Do you really believe Carney, who is further left than Trudeau on oil and gas and the environ-

Will Carney act on his own words?

ment and climate change, is really going to change that law? If so, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn.

Carney actually has said we must change the way we do business with the U.S. Canada needs to build an economy Canadians can control, Carney said, and that would include rethinking its trade relationship with other partners.

“Canada must be looking elsewhere to expand our trade,” he stated.

“We must protect our economy and maintain our sovereignty.”

“If the United States no longer wants to lead,” he said, “Canada will.”

So Mr. Carney put action where your mouth

is.

Last fall Canada moved in goose-step with the U.S. on putting 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese made EVs. And a 25 per cent tariff on Chinese steel imports.

In response, China announced it would impose its retaliatory tariff effective March 20, 2025, on Canadian canola meal and canola oil in response to finding Canada’s imposition of tariffs on its electric vehicles (EVs) at 100 per cent, and on aluminum and steel at 25 per cent, is discriminatory.

That has had a very noticeable impact on western farmers who grow canola.

So Mr. Carney, if we’re not marching in goose-

step with the U.S. any longer, ease the Chinese restrictions and make sure they ease restrictions on canola.

That would make the importation of Chinese EVs a business decision for those who want to sell them, yet it would boost western farmers by allowing them to retain their Chinese markets for canola.

Whoa! That could be doing something for the west while offering a straw to grabs for Ontario’s auto sector.

Something well outside the pages of the Liberal playbook. Could Carney make that work? Does Carney even care?

JOHN MATHER

Kerry Anderson Publisher Lisa Kuflay Manager

John Mather Reporter Jana Semeniuk Reporter

Kate Priestley Office Assistant Michelle Anderson Payroll Administrator Crystal Moren Production Kari Janzen Reporter

Photo radar now limited to schools, playgrounds, and construction zones

Vanessa Poitras Staff Reporter

The Government of Alberta has made some changes to the automated traffic enforcement (ATE) sites, allowing the devices in fewer locations.

"Effective April 1, the updated ATE Technology Guideline will prohibit photo radar on numbered provincial highways and connectors, restricting it only to school, playground, and construction zones.

“Intersection safety devices in Alberta will also be limited to red light enforcement only, ending the ‘speed-on-green’ ticketing function," as stated in the Alberta media release.

"For years, Alberta has had the most ATE sites of any jurisdiction in Canada with many serving as a ‘cash cow,’ generating millions of dollars in revenue with no clear evidence

that they were improving traffic safety. Now, following thorough consultation and review of existing ATE sites, Alberta’s government is making significant changes to restore public trust in the use of photo radar," the release said.

The Province says that the updated guideline will ensure that photo radar is used for safety only.

“We have officially killed the photo radar cash cow and the revenuegenerating ‘fishing holes’ that made Alberta the biggest user of photo radar in Canada. The new provincial traffic safety fund will support municipalities in physical improvements at key intersections, helping to reduce traffic risks and enhance safe roads,” said Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors.

Kara Westerlund, president of Rural Municipali-

ties of Alberta (RMA) said the organization supports the Province’s approach.

“The Traffic Safety Fund is a welcome addition to the overall funding available to municipalities. The Rural Municipalities of Alberta support a dynamic approach to managing traffic safety,” she said.

Municipalities are able to request an exemption to use photo radar in prohibited areas if a certain location is prone to accidents.

"Municipalities are encouraged to use traffic calming measures instead of photo radar but may request provincial approval for an exemption to the photo radar ban in highcollision locations," the release said.

Continued from Page 2

donations and $5,557 in grants in 2024.

“Also, for Hunger Project donations, there was $1,100 that went to the Boyle Street project, and we also received $2,735 for Christmas hampers,” she said.

The food bank’s total income for 2024 was $89,922, including $1,907 of interest accrued. In total, food bank expenses amounted to $71,917 in 2024.

The food bank has been completing upgrades in order to meet the standards of excellence for Food Banks Canada, and so the organization’s capital expenses were $4,721, including the purchase of an upright freezer. Ewert said those expenses were a one-time cost to bring the food bank up to the standard.

“Hamper supplies and emergency lunches is the

JEEP RAM Toll Free 1-877-385-2331 Killam, AB www.campbellmclennan.com

HIRING!

We are seeking two dedicated and skilled First Year to Journeyman Automotive Mechanics to join our dynamic team in Killam, Alberta. Chrysler experience would be ideal but then again not essential.

✔ Are you tired of your current environment and looking for a change?

✔ Do you want to work in a tight-knit rural community?

If you possess leadership qualities, maintain a clean and organized work area, are full of energy, passion for customer service, very well organized, highly motivated individual, represent excellent communication skills to convey information clearly to

bulk of where our money goes. Kay Proctor has been making sandwiches for the various schools in Tofield, and she spent $4,271 on making sandwiches this last year. For hampers supplies, we spent $28,727 and that's just what we've spent on food, it does not include the food donations that are put into hampers,” Ewert said.

Marcia Roughley and Holly Lybbert provided the Stock Controller report, and said the food bank received a total of 35,337 pounds of food donations in 2024, which is down by about 2,500 pounds from 2023.

Individuals donated 5,577 pounds, 1,138

pounds of food came from local schools, businesses and organizations donated 21,713 pounds, churches donated 5,854 pounds, and 1,151 pounds came from Loop, an organization that picks up unsold food from grocers that is nearing its best before date.

Directors of the food bank who are returning for their second term include Brenda Friedenberg, Debbie Ewert, Marcia Roughley, Kay Proctor, and Holly Lybbert. Sandy Brolly, Chrystal Mansley, Vanita Eglauer, and Sue McNabb entered two-year terms as directors, to complete the nine-person board, plus the chair, Dawn Arnold.

CWRS - AAC Brandon - Improved Rated MR for FHB resistance

- Most widely grown CWRS variety in Western Canada for 5 years

CWRS - AAC Wheatland VB

-Wheat Midge tolerant

- Very good lodging resistance

CWSWS - AC Andrew - Great silage option

-In demand by milling and ethanol industries

Yellow Peas:

CDC Canary - Improved standability

-Early maturity

-Higher Yielding

Faba Beans:

CDC 219-16 - Zero Tannin

- Seed is smaller than Snowbird, larger than CDC Snowdrop

6-Row Feed Barley:

AB Advantage - Improved plump and bushel weight

- Smooth awned

-High grain and forage yield

2-Row Malt Barley:

CDC Copeland - Strong demand by malting companies

Seventy attend Holden spaghetti dinner and family dance

Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

The Holden Community Hall Association held a spaghetti dinner and family dance on Saturday, April 5, as a community event and to raise funds to replace the flooring in the hall kitchen.

“When we put on family events like this, we are raising money for renovations. The next renovation that we are doing is replacing the kitchen floor,” board member Shannon Harte said.

About 70 came for the meal, and many

young families also enjoyed the dance.

“We're really grateful for the turnout tonight, I think it is very supportive of the community.

“We wanted to see how a family event would go, so that we can possibly hold more of them in the future,

Please

and I think it went really well,” Harte said.

Children won stuffed animal prizes at the carnival games corner,

which included ring toss, target practice, fishing, races, among other activities.

“I think the kids had a

blast, and that's what it's all about, and it’s nice to see people at the tables still visiting,” she said.

The family of Ron Goeglein would like to express our gratitude to the community for its wonderful support. Our sincere thanks to:

The Tofield Health Centre - nurses, medical and support staff for their kindness and care;

Dr. Jallad, his colleagues and the Tofield Medical Clinic staff who cared and assisted Ron over the years;

Home Care staff and management for their TLC for Ron;

St. Mary’s Hospital - doctors and especially the nurses of Unit 2 who took time to help us navigate Ron’s final journey;

Sunshine Villa residents, staff and management for your continued support;

Tofield Golden Club members for donating sweets and for serving lunch;

Weber Funeral Home for their very professional service; All those who supported us with phone calls, text messages, accommodation, driving, food, cards and visits over the past 3 months;

Those who visited Ron…he treasured each one of you. Sincerely,

Shirley Goeglein and family, Syd & Don Sware, Bryn and Abby

Wild Rose

KARI JANZEN PHOTOS

About 70 people attended the Holden Community Hall Association's spaghetti supper and family dance on Saturday, April 5. Children won stuffed animals at the carnival games corner, which included ring toss, target practice, fishing, and races.

BEAVER COUNTY SEED CLEANING CO-OP For Sale: Common Seed Oats

BEAVER COUNTY SEED CLEANING CO-OP OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

BEAVER COUNTY SEED CLEANING CO-OP September & October Open by appointment only

BEAVER COUNTY SEED CLEANING CO-OP For Sale: Common Seed Oats, Pony Oats and Barley

Serving all the farms, ranches, acreages and towns in Beaver County Bruce, Holden, Kinsella Ryley, Tofield, Viking

Phone 780-688-3917 • Holden, AB

Phone 780-688-3917 • Holden, AB

Phone 780-688-3917 • Holden, AB November

Phone 780-688-3917 • Holden, AB

The Beaver County Chronicle

Free Weekly Publication Serving All of Beaver County

Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Volume 17, Issue 49

Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Volume 18, Issue 14

Wednesday, November , 2023, Volume 16, Issue 46

WednesdayFebruary162022Volume15Issue7

Confirmed measles cases at Two Hills, Vegreville prompts AHS alert to potential exposures

Locations in Tofield and Holden visited by infected individuals

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has been notified of 13 confirmed cases of measles in the community of Two Hills. This includes seven new cases confirmed since April 4. An additional new case has been confirmed in the Vegreville area making for 14 confirmed cases within the Central Zone at this time.

At least four of the individual cases have also been in public settings while infectious. Additional locations may be released if necessary.

Individuals who were in the following locations during the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles:

On March 31 at Two Hills Health Centre Emergency Department.

On April 1 at Two Hills Medical Clinic; Tim Horton’s Drive Thru Tofield; Costco 186 St. NW Edmonton; Chic-fil-A Drive Through 186 St. NW Edmonton; Walmart Supercentre Vegreville.

On April 2 at Two Hills Medical Clinic; Two Hills Health Centre Lab; Tim Horton’s Drive Thru Tofield.

On April 3 at Two Hills Health Centre Emergency Department; Two Hills Medical Clinic; Holden Post Office; Tim Horton’s Drive Thru Vegreville; Fas Gas Plus Vegreville.

On April 4 at Tim Horton’s Drive Thru Vegreville; St. Joseph’s General Hospital Vegreville.

On April 5 at Tofield Health Centre Emergency

Anyone who attended these locations, who was born in or after 1970 and has less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, is at risk for developing measles. They should self-monitor themselves of symptoms of measles and are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records.

Measles is an extremely contagious disease and is spread easily through the air. Symptoms of Measles include:

• Fever of 38.3° C or higher;

• Cough, runny nose and/or red eyes;

• A rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, usually beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs. The rash appears red and blotchy on lighter skin colours. On darker skin colours, it can appear purple or darker than the skin around it, or it might be hard to see.

• Complications of measles can include ear infections, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, premature delivery, and rarely death.  Persons who are pregnant, less than one year of age, or have weakened immune systems are at greatest risk.

If symptoms of measles do develop, individuals are advised to stay home and call Health Link at 811 before visiting any healthcare facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.

The measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and complications. At one time, the disease was declared eradicated due to decades of successful vaccination programs in children.

In Alberta, the measles vaccine is offered, free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program.

Following a measles exposure, vaccine given within 72 hours can prevent infection.  Immune globulin (antibodies) given within six days can also prevent infection in high-risk susceptible persons who cannot safely receive vaccine or in whom it may not be effective due to age or time from exposure, as is the case for persons who are pregnant or have weakened immune systems (immunocompromised), and some infants less than 12 months of age.

Contact Health Link at 811 for more information if these situations apply to you or your family.

Albertans can also text 'Measles' to 88111 to get measles health information texted to your mobile device.

County audio-visual upgrades approved for office building

Patricia Harcourt

Following the recent renovation of Beaver County’s council chambers, further audio-visual upgrades have been approved for this and other spaces in the building.

Council had passed a motion last June for $250,000 in upgrades to council chambers for audio-visual, furniture and flooring upgrades, stated Meagan Walsh, Legislative Services Coordinator, in a March 26 report.

In November, this renovation project was completed under budget from funds out of the Claystone reserve fund. Only $185,542 of the allocated money.

“Administration is proposing some changes to the current audio-visual setup in council chambers to allow for better camera angles and streaming video,” she said.

Currently, she said the angles of the cameras show a long shot view of the council and a shot of the podium, but says this is inadequate.

“It is difficult for the public to see who is speaking and the flow of the meeting can be distracting and unprofessional,” explained Walsh.

Administration wants to use the balance of the funds from that project to upgrade the county office’s upper boardroom.

“This meeting room is consistently overbooked with internal and external meetings, all which require audio-visual capabilities,” she states. “Unfortunately, the current video conferencing is unreliable and outdated., which places a strain on council chambers.

“Updating both rooms will enable a balance of use between the two rooms easing the burden on each system and ensuring a backup is available if neces-

sary.”

Walsh said any still usable equipment in the upper board room will be taken out and put to use in the smaller reception room and throughout the office. This will allow for internal content sharing to be done when video conferencing equipment is not needed, she said.

Administration is requesting council’s approval for an expenditure of $60,000 so that the upgrades can commence quickly, she said.

Chief Administrative Officer Kayleena Spiess said the object was to have two conferencing rooms “so we have a backup room in case something happens in this room.”

A motion by Councillor Barry Bruce (Division 4) was passed for $60,000 to be taken from the Claystone Dividend Fund to be used for the proposed audio-visual project.

Claystone Waste is pleased to once again take part in the Snow Goose

Visit our booth at the Tradeshow at the Tofield Curling Rink on April 26 and 27, and learn more about Claystone and how we support the community!

April16

April 16

IMPORTANTDATES

IMPORTANT DATES

9:30AM-4:00PM-RegularCouncilMeeting

9:30 AM - 4:00 PM - Regular Council Meeting

May7

May 7

9:30 AM - 4:00 PM - Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting

9:30AM-4:00PM-GovernanceandPrioritiesCommitteeMeeting

WHATS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY

WHATSHAPPENINGINOURCOMMUNITY

Book Club

Location: Ross Creek Community Hall, 531041 Rge Rd 191

Rural book club that meets the first Tuesday of each month Meetings run from 7PM - 8PM, all ages welcome!

Tofield AA - Thursdays, 8 - 9 PM

Basement of Bardo Lutheran Church, 4737 57 Ave, Tofield Viking AA - Wednesdays, 8 PM, Zoom option also available Golden Valley Lutheran Church, 5327 56 Ave, Viking https://area78aa org/meetings/147-3

BookClub Location:RossCreekCommunityHall,531041RgeRd191 RuralbookclubthatmeetsthefirstTuesdayofeachmonth.Meetings runfrom7PM-8PM,allageswelcome! TofieldAA -Thursdays,8-9PM BasementofBardoLutheranChurch,473757Ave,Tofield. VikingAA -Wednesdays,8PM,Zoomoptionalsoavailable. GoldenValleyLutheranChurch,532756Ave,Viking. https://area78aa.org/meetings/147-3

Submit your event/s, meetings and/or gatherings to the events calendar on the website! Just head to the website, under the Explore menu click on County Region Events Calendar We have partnered with

Submityourevent/s,meetingsand/orgatheringstotheeventscalendaronthe website!Justheadtothewebsite,undertheExploremenuclickonCountyRegion EventsCalendar.WehavepartneredwithGoEasttosharelocaleventsonourwebsite!

The County currently has two upcoming Public Hearings:

REPEALING BYLAW HEARING

BeaverCountywillbeholdinganin-personpublichearingtogiveresidents anopportunitytoprovideinputontheproposedRepealingBylaw.The purposeofthisBylawistorepealbylawsthatareeithernolongerrelevant, theCountynolongerhasjurisdictionoverthematter,theyneedupdating, theywerenotrepealedwhentheywerereplaced,etc.

Beaver County will be holding an in-person public hearing to give residents an opportunity to provide input on the proposed Repealing Bylaw The purpose of this Bylaw is to repeal bylaws that are either no longer relevant, the County no longer has jurisdiction over the matter, they need updating, they were not repealed when they were replaced, etc

Theproposedbylawandthebylawswhichmayberepealedcanbeviewed beloworobtainedattheBeaverCountyOffice(5120–50Street,Ryley)or ontheCounty’swebsiteundertheNewssectionatwww.beaver.ab.ca.

The proposed bylaw and the bylaws which may be repealed can be viewed below or obtained at the Beaver County Office (5120 – 50 Street, Ryley) or on the County’s website under the News section at www beaver ab ca

Repealing Bylaw (2025) #25-1168

Bylaws which may be repealed:

Bylaw #6 - Publication and Distribution of Meeting Minutes via Newspaper: Bylaw is no longer relevant

Bylaw #83 - Appointment of Assessor: Bylaw is no longer relevant Bylaw #145 - Employee Pension Plan: County Policy replaces bylaw

RepealingBylaw(2025)#25-1168 Bylawswhichmayberepealed: Bylaw#6-PublicationandDistributionofMeetingMinutesvia Newspaper:Bylawisnolongerrelevant. Bylaw#83-AppointmentofAssessor:Bylawisnolongerrelevant. Bylaw#145-EmployeePensionPlan:CountyPolicyreplacesbylaw. Bylaw#646-CouncillorPensionPlan:Section12ofCountyPolicy #HR-006–CountyPolicyreplacesbylaw.

Bylaw #646 - Councillor Pension Plan: Section 12 of County Policy #HR-006 – County Policy replaces bylaw

Detailsofthepublichearingareasfollows:

Details of the public hearing are as follows:

Date: Wednesday,April16,2025 Time: 10:15a.m.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 10:15 a m

Beaver County Service Centre, 5120 – 50 Street, Ryley

Meagan Walsh - 780-663-3730 ext 1023 or mwalsh@beaver ab ca To Speak or submit written comments: please register/submit to Kady McKinney (kmckinney@beaver ab ca) no later than 4:30 p m , Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Written submissions will not be accepted during the public hearing

Location: BeaverCountyServiceCentre,5120–50Street,Ryley Contact: MeaganWalsh-780-663-3730ext.1023or mwalsh@beaver.ab.ca ToSpeakorsubmitwrittencomments: pleaseregister/submitto KadyMcKinney(kmckinney@beaver.ab.ca)nolaterthan4:30p.m., Wednesday,April9,2025. Writtensubmissionswillnotbeaccepted duringthepublichearing.

COMMUNITY STANDARDS BYLAW HEARING

COMMUNITYSTANDARDSBYLAWHEARING

Beaver County will be holding a public hearing to give residents an opportunity to provide input on the proposed Community Standards Bylaw The purpose of this Bylaw is to set standards for community safety, residential property maintenance and use, protect public spaces, prevent disputes between neighbours by providing guidance on issues that affect relationships between neighbours, establish fines for contraventions of the Bylaw, and enable enforcement of contraventions of the Bylaw

BeaverCountywillbeholdingapublichearingtogiveresidentsan opportunitytoprovideinputontheproposedCommunityStandards Bylaw.ThepurposeofthisBylawistosetstandardsforcommunitysafety, residentialpropertymaintenanceanduse,protectpublicspaces,prevent disputesbetweenneighboursbyprovidingguidanceonissuesthataffect relationshipsbetweenneighbours,establishfinesforcontraventionsofthe Bylaw,andenableenforcementofcontraventionsoftheBylaw.

TheproposedbylawcanbeviewedbeloworobtainedattheBeaver CountyOffice(5120–50Street,Ryley)orontheCounty’swebsiteunderthe Newssectionatwww.beaver.ab.ca.

The proposed bylaw can be viewed below or obtained at the Beaver County Office (5120 – 50 Street, Ryley) or on the County’s website under the News section at www beaver ab ca

Detailsofthepublichearingareasfollows:

Date: Wednesday,April30,2025

Details of the public hearing are as follows: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 7:00 p m

Time: 7:00p.m.

Location: RyleyCommunityCentre,5102-49St,Ryley

Ryley Community Centre, 5102-49 St, Ryley

If you submit written comments regarding the proposed bylaw, the information you provide may be made public subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act , celebrating the return of our feathered friends as they migrate through the Beaver County region.

Meagan Walsh - 780-663-3730 ext 1023 or mwalsh@beaver ab ca

Contact: MeaganWalsh-780-663-3730ext.1023or mwalsh@beaver.ab.ca

ToSpeakorsubmitwrittencomments: pleaseregister/submitto KadyMcKinney(kmckinney@beaver.ab.ca)nolaterthan4:30p.m., Tuesday,April22,2025. Writtensubmissionswillnotbeaccepted duringthepublichearing.

To Speak or submit written comments: please register/submit to Kady McKinney (kmckinney@beaver ab ca) no later than 4:30 p m , Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Written submissions will not be accepted during the public hearing

Ifyousubmitwrittencommentsregardingtheproposed bylaw,theinformationyouprovidemaybemadepublic subjecttotheprovisionsofthe FreedomofInformation andProtectionofPrivacyAct.

DEVELOPMENT PERMITS

DEVELOPMENTPERMITS

The following Development Applications have been APPROVED (except where otherwise noted) by the Development Authority under the provisions of Land Use Bylaw No 98-801, subject to the right of appeal to the relevant appeal body - Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) or Land and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT)

ThefollowingDevelopmentApplicationshavebeenAPPROVED(except whereotherwisenoted)bytheDevelopmentAuthorityundertheprovisions ofLandUseBylawNo.98-801,subjecttotherightofappealtotherelevant appealbody-SubdivisionandDevelopmentAppealBoard(SDAB)orLand andPropertyRightsTribunal(LPRT).

APPEALDEADLINE

APPEAL DEADLINE Appeal Body APRIL 30, 2025

AppealBody ApplicationNo.

APRIL30,2025 SDAB 020020-24-D0009

Application No

Applicant Landowner

Location Development

Heather Wheeliker

HeatherWheeliker

Lot 21, Block 2 Plan 190 TR in NE 35-51-20-W4 Discretionary Use – 288 ft2 Cabin (Temporary

Same Lot21,Block2Plan190TRinNE35-51-20-W4 DiscretionaryUse–288ft2Cabin(Temporary Accommodation)

Anypersonwishingtoappealanapplicationmaydosoby servingwrittennoticeontheprescribedform(stating reasonsfortheappeal)totherelevantappealbody.For informationonhowtoappealcanbefoundourourwebsite under Services>Planning&Development>Appealing PlanningDecisions

Any person wishing to appeal an application may do so by serving written notice on the prescribed form (stating reasons for the appeal) to the relevant appeal body For information on how to appeal can be found our our website Services > Planning & Development > Appealing Planning Decisions

Furtherinformationregardingtheabovedecisionsmaybe obtainedfromtheCountyOffice,Ryley,Alberta.

Further information regarding the above decisions may be obtained from the County Office, Ryley, Alberta

VILLAGE

Beaver County is currently accepting submissions for the

RFQ2025-14INFR 2025 HERBICIDE SUPPLY

Closes: April 16 @ 10 a m Local time

Please find complete information for all requests on our website > Business > RFPs, Tenders, Leases & Sales

Pleasefindcompleteinformationforall requestsonourwebsite>Business> RFPs,Tenders,Leases&Sales BeaverCountyiscurrentlyacceptingsubmissionsforthe following: RFQ2025-14INFR2025HERBICIDESUPPLY Closes:April16@10a.m.Localtime

VILLAGEOFRYLEYNoticeofDecisionoftheDevelopmentAuthority

OF RYLEYNotice of Decision of the Development Authority

This is to notify you of a decision of the Development Authority whereby a variance is being issued authorizing the following

ThisistonotifyyouofadecisionoftheDevelopmentAuthority wherebyavarianceisbeingissuedauthorizingthefollowing development:

Application No

ApplicationNo.

Applicant:

Location: Development:

The applicant or any person who claims to be affected by this decision may appeal the decision to the Development Appeal Board The appeal shall be made in writing and shall be delivered either in person or by mail to the Secretary of the Development Appeal Board not later than 14 days after the date of Issue of Notice of Decision Debbie Sych 4748-50 Avenue, Ryley AB Construction of a temporary building

Theapplicantoranypersonwhoclaimstobeaffectedbythisdecision mayappealthedecisiontotheDevelopmentAppealBoard.Theappeal shallbemadeinwritingandshallbedeliveredeitherinpersonorbymail totheSecretaryoftheDevelopmentAppealBoardnotlaterthan14days afterthedateofIssueofNoticeofDecision. 2025-0310-3356 DebbieSych 4748-50Avenue,RyleyAB Constructionofatemporarybuilding

AppealDeadline:April9,2025

Appeal Deadline: April 9, 2025

SECRETARY

SUBDIVISION AND DEVELOPMENT APPEAL BOARD

SUBDIVISIONANDDEVELOPMENTAPPEALBOARD

BEAVERCOUNTY

BEAVER COUNTY

BOX 140

BOX140

RYLEY, AB, T0B 4A0

RYLEY,AB,T0B4A0

VEGETATIONMANAGEMENT

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

FromMaythroughOctober2025,BeaverCountywillconductitsannual roadsidemaintenancetoenhanceroadsafetyandmanagevegetation.

From May through October 2025, Beaver County will conduct its annual roadside maintenance to enhance road safety and manage vegetation

Theprogramincludes:

The program includes:

Spot Herbicide Applications: Targeting tree and brush regrowth within County road allowances across all divisions, with a focus on Division 5

Blanket Spraying: Comprehensive herbicide application in Divisions 1 and 2 to control widespread vegetation

SpotHerbicideApplications:Targetingtreeandbrushregrowthwithin Countyroadallowancesacrossalldivisions,withafocusonDivision5. BlanketSpraying:ComprehensiveherbicideapplicationinDivisions1 and2tocontrolwidespreadvegetation.

MechanicalBrushControl:Removingtreesandbrushthroughoutthe Countytoimprovetrafficsafety,facilitatemachinerymovement, reducesnowtrappinginwinter,andenhancesightlinesat intersectionsandnearproperties.

Mechanical Brush Control: Removing trees and brush throughout the County to improve traffic safety, facilitate machinery movement, reduce snow trapping in winter, and enhance sightlines at intersections and near properties

WeedInspections:Conductingcounty-wideinspectionstoidentify andmanageregulatedweedspecies.

Weed Inspections: Conducting county-wide inspections to identify and manage regulated weed species

Forconcernsrelatedtoweedandbrushcontrol,orhayingalong provincialhighways,pleasecontactAlbertaTransportationandEconomic Corridorsat310-0000,orEmconServiceIncat1-800-390-2242

For concerns related to weed and brush control, or haying along provincial highways, please contact Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors at 310-0000 or Emcon Service Inc at 1-800-390-2242

SPRING DUST CONTROL PROGRAM

SPRINGDUSTCONTROLPROGRAM

Residentslookingtoreducedustoncountyroadsneartheirpropertycan nowapplyforspringdustcontrol.Thedeadlinetosubmityourapplication is April15!

Residents looking to reduce dust on county roads near their property can now apply for spring dust control The deadline to submit your application April 15!

How to Apply:

Scan the QR code to access the application form, or visit www beaver ab ca and navigate to: Services > County Roads > Dust Control

Submit your completed form by email to infrastructure@beaver ab ca, mail it in, or drop it off in person at our office Act now to secure dust control for the upcoming season!

HowtoApply: ScantheQRcodetoaccesstheapplication form,orvisit www.beaver.ab.caandnavigateto: Services>CountyRoads>DustControl. Submityourcompletedformbyemailto infrastructure@beaver.ab.ca,mailitin,or dropitoffinpersonatouroffice. Actnowtosecuredustcontrolfortheupcomingseason!

Mailinglist

Website

InformationonCountyprogramsandservicescan befoundonourwebsite,alongwiththelatestnews.

We’re looking for some motivated team membe to join our team! What’s your superpower?!

We’relookingforsomemotivatedteammembers tojoinourteam!What’syoursuperpower?! JOINOURINFRASTRUCTURE–CONSTRUCTION TEAMFORTHEUPCOMINGSEASON!

JOIN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE – CONSTRUCTION TEAM FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON!

Ifyouarelookingforanopportunitytoworkinadynamicteam environmentandcontributetoCountydevelopment,wewantto hearfromyou!

If you are looking for an opportunity to work in a dynamic team environment and contribute to County development, we want to hear from you!

Seasonal (6-8 months) Positions Available: Class 1 Driver - Equipment Operator III

Valid Class 1 Licence with a good driving record Gravel hauling/spreading experience is an asset

Ability to work in all weather conditions

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Ability to perform physical tasks and operate heavy machinery safely

Seasonal(6-8months)PositionsAvailable: Class1Driver-EquipmentOperatorIII Qualifications: ValidClass1Licencewithagooddrivingrecord Gravelhauling/spreadingexperienceisanasset Abilitytoworkindependentlyandaspartofateam Abilitytoworkinallweatherconditions Abilitytoperformphysicaltasksandoperateheavy machinerysafely

Interested applicants are requested to submit their resumes to: Human Resources, Beaver County, Box 140, Ryley, AB T0B 4A0 Or by e-mail to: careers@beaver ab ca

Interestedapplicantsarerequestedtosubmittheirresumesto: HumanResources,BeaverCounty,Box140,Ryley,ABT0B4A0 Orbye-mailto:careers@beaver.ab.ca

WE’RE ALSO LOOKING FOR Economic Development Coordinator - One Year Term

This role will drive business growth, tourism, and economic initiatives to shape the County’s future A great opportunity to make a lasting impact!

WE’REALSOLOOKINGFOR... EconomicDevelopmentCoordinator-OneYearTerm Thisrolewilldrivebusinessgrowth,tourism,andeconomic initiativestoshapetheCounty’sfuture.Agreatopportunity tomakealastingimpact!

Formoreinfovisitourwebsite.The Careerspagecanbefoundunderthe Governmentmenu.OrscantheQRcode!

For more info visit our website. The Careers page can be found under the Government menu Or scan the QR code!

Getnews,meetinghighlights,theroadconstruction schedule,theChronicle,andmore-directtoyourinbox!

Council considers review of community support grants

Patricia

Harcourt

Beaver County will review the amounts provided to community organizations from the community support program.

Every spring and fall the county receives requests from various groups and organizations in the county for a financial support.

The maximum listed in the policy is for these groups to receive $2,500 as a maximum.

At the March 26 regular county council meeting, it was noted that several requests were for more than what the policy states is the maximum.

Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) made a motion granting a maximum $2,500 to each request, stating he did not favour giving over what the policy allows.

“He said that “other groups wanting more can come to council,” with their request.

He added that he wanted there to be an adequate amount of funding left over for the fall intake of requests.

Hrabec then read out each request and changed the amount to a maximum of $2,500 if the organization had asked for more than this.

However, Councillor Lionel Williams (Division 2) noted that council was “getting more requests for higher amounts,” adding that this might be an opportunity to

review the policy on this issue.

Margaret Jones, General Manager of Legislative Services, agreed to undertake a grant review and discuss it with neighbouring municipalities.

Hrabec said he was in favour of that but wanted to leave enough funds available for the fall intake requests.

This would be brought back to council for further consideration with a report to consider.

Beaver County adopts new campground policy

Patricia Harcourt

Beaver County adopted a new campground policy at the March 26 meeting of county council.

The Campgrounds Reservations, Cancellations and Refunds policy Infr-021 was passed prior to council rescinding the previous policy.

The policy covers activities in the county’s two campgrounds, Black Nugget Lake and Camp Lake, which were described in council’s report as “highly utilized.”

The report added: “These campgrounds play a significant role in the county’s recreational offerings, attracting both residents and visitors

for camping, outdoor activities and events.”

The policy was last updated in 2020 and was reviewed again as part of a scheduled policy review.

“Administrative staff have identified areas for improvement including clarity on refund eligibility, technology upgrades and improved procedural guidance,” stated the joint report by Dan Blackie, General Manager of Infrastructure, and Kaileagh Klammer, Administrative Assistant.

“To improve accessibility and readability, the policy has been reformatted with clearer sections and paragraph structures, and redun-

dant language has been removed.”

The policy was reviewed at the last Governance and Priorities meeting on March 5, and includes listed changes.

Late arrivals at the campground must arrive by 10 p.m. now instead of the previous 11 p.m. on the date of the reservation. This is the time that the concession closes for the night.

There were also clarifications done on the definition of a long weekend, what the situations are when refunds will be provided and when a

service fee will be charged.

“The introduction of a service fee is expected to offset administrative costs associated with processing cancellations and refunds,” stated the report, under financial implications. It added: “No other significant financial impacts are anticipated.”

Motions by Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) to adopt the new campground policy and by Councillor Lionel Williams (Division 2) to rescind the old policy were both passed.

The Beaver Heritage & Ag Society

Saturday, April 26th, 2025 Doors open 5:30 pm • Dinner at 6:30 pm @ the

Wild Rose

Local greenhouse featured at recent Tofield Chamber meeting

Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

Kent and Stacey Rude of Maple Park Farm were one of the spotlights for the April 2 Tofield and District Chamber of Commerce meeting last Wednesday, to provide an overview of what their business looks like.

“This is our 21st growing season. We've come a long way from nothing, really,” Kent Rude said.

“We've always farmed, my family farmed, and then Stacey and I wanted something more on our own. We were looking at different things, and we settled on greenhouses,” he said.

The first thing Maple Park Farm starts is spring bedding plants, which they retail out of the yard.

“We wholesale to a few stores, some landscapers, and we supply a lot of material for the towns and the villages down the highway here as well,” Rude said.

About 10 years ago they started vegetables too, because the greenhouses were sitting empty for half the year.

“Spring bedding plants, it's four or five months of, go hard, and then that’s it. But now we've tried to lengthen out our season,

and we do indoor and outdoor vegetables,” said Rude.

In 2018 cut flowers were introduced, which Rude said works hand in hand with vegetables, as they can be kept in the same building at the same time.

“We still had a few square feet that weren't being used, so now Stacey’s growing cut flowers. We do some cut flowers outside, but most of them are inside,” he said.

They also do various workshops, including making wreaths and centrepieces.

“We offer seasonal workshops, and we started those up again last year now that we have a dedi-

cated space with the new entrance. We started last fall with pumpkin centrepieces, and then we did a whole range of winter workshops,” Stacey Rude said.

“There will be announcements coming out shortly, as far as events for

this spring,” she said. Maple Park Farm has a 10-week vegetable basket subscription, which runs from mid-July to the middle or end of September.

“It's called the Community Supported Agriculture program, or CSA.

Continued on Page 16

John Gustave Schmidt

July 5, 1956 to April 5, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that the family of John Schmidt announce his sudden passing on April 5 at the age of 68.

John was born at the Tofield Hospital to Mary and Gustav Schmidt on July 5, 1956. He grew up on the family farm in the Spilstead area and continued with his passion for farming with his soulmate and best friend Donna Schmidt. Together he and Donna raised three children Lisa, Lesley, and Timothy.

John had cattle - or critters as he often called them - sheep, ponies, and donkeys that kept him busy as well as spending many hours out in the field.

He was known for his spontaneous visits to his children’s houses for a cup of coffee. John loved bartending at the Spilstead Community Hall so he could talk to all his old friends, fellow farmers, and members in the community. John enjoyed going to weekly Friday Night Darts at the hall.

John loved snowmobiling with his friends and in later years his son-in-law Derick and Grandson Cody. John liked sorting cattle, having fall woodcutting days with his family, baseball, camping, fishing, and hanging out and playing with the grandkids. John would spend time with his family by watching TV shows, hockey games, and just chatting about his day.

John enjoyed telling stories about his youth and adventures on the farm. John was always willing to lend a helping hand to strangers, friends, or family.

He is survived by his three children Lisa (Derick) Kuflay, Lesley (Dan) Anderson, Timothy (Amie) Schmidt, grandchildren Kylie Kuflay (Ryan Daigle), Cody, Keifer and Colton Kuflay, Desirae, Breanna and Brooklynn Anderson, Amethyst and Garnet Schmidt, and his first Great Grandchild Wyatt Daigle. As well as his cousin Richard (Tracey) Broen, numerous nieces and nephews, in-laws, and friends.

He was predeceased by his wife Donna Schmidt, parents Mary and Gustav Schmidt, brother-in-law Al Odland, and nephew Matthew McMann.

Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be held on a later date. Memorial service will be updated on the Weber Funeral Home page. Memorial donations may be made to Spilstead Community Hall or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Weber Funeral Home 780-662-3959

www.weberfuneralhome.ca

Kent and Stacey Rude of Maple Park Farm attended the Wednesday, April 2 Tofield Chamber meeting as one of the features to describe how their business operates.

Phone:

Email:

Website:

Norm Martineau was sitting very still while being threatened by Melody Walter and Wanda Baraniuk as they wielded gardening shears and clippers. They will actually be shaving Martineauʼs head, and several others as they raise funds for Cancer Camps for Kids. For every $200 they raise, they will be shaving another head.

This photo appeared in the Tofield Mercury on April 2, 1996.

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS

Celebration of Life for Jarett Wade Ross

Saturday, April 12 at 2 p.m.

CARD OF THANKS

I would like to thank Dr. Hanton and nurses and all of the Staff at the Killam Health Care Centre for the wonderful care and kindess shown to Larraine Thompson during her brief stay. Your compassion and care was very much appreciated

COMING EVENTS

Battle River Art Club Show and Sale

Saturday, April 26

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sedgewick Community Hall Lunch and snacks available For more information Call Chris McMullan 780-384-2167

Join a registered dietitian to learn about eating to stay strong and healthy on Wednesday, April 16 @ 1:00 pm at the Tofield Golden Club. 5004 - 54 Ave, Tofield.

TM14C

Killam Health Care Hospital Reunion for all Past and Present Employees Saturday, May 24 From 2 to 5 p.m. at the Killam Catholic Church Basement Hall 5214-50 ave

Round Hill Easter Market Monday, April 14 from 5 pm - 7 pm. For a table, text or call Terry 780-678-6131

TM14C

GALAHAD LIONS CLUB HAM BINGO Monday, April 14 Galahad Agriplex 7:00 PM 15 Go-Go Bingos, 1 Bonanza, 1 Door Prize Master Card $5.00

The Viking Historical Society Annual General Meeting, followed by a regular meeting, will be held Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at the Viking Legion. New members are welcome to attend!

Not ready to let go of your freedom (but needing support)? I can help with that. Enjoy your home. Light cleaning/meals. Emotional/mental companionship. Games/Cards. Phone Jackie (780) 385-1019.

FIREARMS WANTED FOR OUR 2025 AUCTION PROGRAM: Firearms, Ammunition, Accessories, or Militaria. Collections, Estates or single items. For Auction, or Possible Purchase: Contact us: 1-800-694-2609, Email: sales@switzersauction.com or Visit us @ www.switzersauction.com for Auction Dates & Details.

FUNDRAISER

Chemo Care Hydration Packages. $55 buys one and Sonya donates one. Includes: Night Cream, Lip Balm and Foot Lotion.

The goal is 300 pkgs by June 30. See Sonya Martens at the Tofield Market, Fridays April 11th & 25th. www.MaryKay.ca/smartens 780-2404506

FOR SALE

Western Rawhide 15" Saddle - use little, new bridle, saddle carry bag, the package for $750. Squire solid body electric guitar, strap, case, small Marshall amp $325. Tandy leather hand press, still in box $325 firm. Phone 780-662-3431, Tofield. TM14-15P

Anyone who is interested in any Raspberry Plants, Blueberries, Saskatoons - This is your last chance for Ordering. Deadline is April 30. They must be gone by June 1. Contact Brian at 780-678-0053 whether they need to be potted or bare root.

2008 Dodge Ram 3500 St Quad 4x4 Auto. Positive Air shut off, power chip, 6.7 Cummins Turbo Diesel. 329,000km - approx 23/mpg. Excellent condition. Call 780-888-1666

12/13p

BUILDINGS FOR SALE

INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008 BUILT WITH CONCRETE POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and more, sales@integritybuilt.com 1-866-9747678 www.integritybuilt.com. 13P

Call 780-986-9088

Smooth AWN, High Yielding, Grain and Forage Great Lodging Resistance. 1st NITROGEN USE EFFICIENT CEREAL IN CANADA. Attracting Japanese Interest. OTHER BARLEY: Cerveza, CDC Austenson, CDC Maverick, Sundre. WHEAT – Pintail, Forage or Grain. OATS – AC Juniper, AC Morgan, AC Mustang, Derby, CDC S01 Super Oat. PEAS – Very Early Yellow Peas, Forage Peas. ALSO AVAILABLE: Polish Canola & Spring Triticale. mastinseeds.com; 403-5562609.

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS

FOR RENT

If anybody who likes country living and is looking for a place to rent, Brian has a basement available with two bedrooms. Would like a nonsmoker. The rent would be $800 per month, plus a damage deposit equal to one month's rent. Located 4 miles east of Bawlf, off Highway 13 on Range Road 172, the second place on the east side of the road. No pets allowed.

If interested, call Brian at 780-6780053 for appointment to view. Available May 1.

FARMLAND FOR RENT

West ½ of SW Qtr Sec-27-Twp-56Rge-21-W4. Strathcona County. South Bank of North Saskatchewan River. 72 Acres. 60 cultivated for grain/hay. Phone landline: 780-434-0388 11/12p

HELP WANTED

The Viking Historical Society is looking for summer staff at the Viking Museum. Duties include yard maintenance, cleaning, directing tours, and cataloguing artifacts. Students and mature applications alike may apply with resume and cover letter to Box 106, Viking, AB T0B 4N0

HEALTH

HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1-844-4535372.

SERVICES

General Contractor

Red Seal Journeyman Plumber and Gasfitter

Bathroom Renos & Tile

New to the Area

30 plus Years of Experience

Dave 403-999-8464

Medical Taxi Service

Personal Taxi Service to Edmonton and Back -$175

•Office Hours Mon-Fri 9-5

•Absolutely NO Hidden Fees

•Escort to Reception/Waiting Room

•Pick up and Drop off at your door

•Top Notch Service!

•Includes up to 4 Hour Wait

•Locally Owned and Operated 587-987-7810

CLUES ACROSS

SERVICES

Roy's Handyman Services. Flooring, trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work. Call 780-232-3097 tfnp

Painting

Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting. Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749

WANTED

APRIL SENIORS SPECIAL! 10% MORE ON ALL CASH PAYOUTS. SILVER Coins, Canadian Coins, GOLD coins, chains, rings...We buy them ALL! Silver flatware, tea sets, all things silver, Canadian Mint sets. We come to the privacy of your home, no fees! Call Joy or Ted 1-825-966-4373. Does your club have an event planned?

Advertise in the Classifieds

1. Two-person German submarine

6. 60-minute intervals (abbr.)

9. Database management system

13. Vertical position

14. American jazz singer Irene

15. Ancient Greek City

16. Former Senate Majority Leader Harry

17. Japanese seaport

18. Self-immolation by fire ritual

19. Assigns tasks

21. Beloved type of cigar

22. Discounts

23. Cambodian communist leader Pot

24. Important football position

25. Kilometers per hour

28. Lentil

29. Extremely angry

31. Yellow-flowered European plant

33. American state

CLUES DOWN

1. Not soft

2. Sharp-pointed dueling sword

3. Line a roof

4. Greek god of the underworld

5. Software

6. Large-headed elongated fishes

7. Shag rugs

8. Type of whale

9. Lacking a plan

Spill the beans

Some is “heavy”

One who has been canonized

Indicate times

Greeting

Broadway actor Josh

Seashore

Indicates before

Electrical power unit

Destitute

36. Some are made by rabbits

38. Express with a head movement

39. Affair

41. Cured

44. Youth organization

45. 18-year astronomical period

46. Automobile

48. Focus a shot

49. The NFL’s big game (abbr.)

51. Mouth

52. Infections

54. Curved pieces of a horse collar

56. Shameless

60. Assist in escaping

61. Capuchin monkey genus

62. Cold wind

63. Retired Brazilian NBAer

64. Tropical Old World tree

65. Bulgarian city

66. Speak indistinctly

67. Soviet Socialist Republic

68. Between-meal sustenance

27. Drags forcibly

Impropriety 30. Word forms

Equal to 10 meters 34. Neither

Computer language 37. Practice of aging film or TV characters (abbr.) 40. A woolen cap of Scottish origin 42. A promise

Challenges

Official

People living in Myanmar

Notable tower

Type of sword

Vaccine developer

Listing

Summertime insects

Concluding passage

Guitarist Clapton

Damp and musty

Central nervous system

Against

From Holden go 2 km east on Highway #14 to Twp. Rd. #492 & then go 0.2 km northeast. The farm is on the north side of the road.

●1997 NEW HOLLAND 9682 4WD tractor, 6,910 hours, 360 hp. Cummins, GPS, autosteer, 12F/4R, 4 hyd’s. w/ return, shedded.

●1980 VERSATILE 555 4WD tractor, 10,746 hrs., 210 hp. Cummins, big 1000 pto., 3 hyd’s.

●1989 FORD TW-35 MFWD tractor, 5,631 hrs., 187 hp. eng., 3 hyd’s., 16 spd. , 1000 pto., shedded.

●1989 FORD TW-15 MFWD tractor, approx. 7,000 hrs., 140 hp., 3 pt. hitch, (blade sells separate).

●LEON M7750 10 ft. 6 way blade w/ mounts.

●1979 FORD TW-10 MFWD tractor w/ Ezee-On FEL & 7 ft. bucket, 5,074 hrs., 128 hp., 1 owner.

●1979 FORD 1700 MFWD tractor w/ 770 FEL & 5’ bucket, 3,473 hrs., 25 hp. eng., 3 pt. hitch, 540 pto., 12F/4R, rebuilt eng. & front end, shedded.

●1990 DEUTZ ALLIS 9150 MFWD tractor, 7,252 hrs., 166 hp. engine, 3 pt. hitch, 1 owner.

SPRAYER

●2010 FAST 90 ft. p/t sprayer, 1800 gal. tank, Raven SCS 450, monitor, shedded.

●1954 CATERPILLAR D6 crawler, 11 ft. blade, 379 hours (owner believes these are original),1 hyd., shedded, excellent condition.

●Homemade t/a 24’ dozer transport trailer w/ hoist.

●1979 SELLICK 6000 rough terrain forklift, 6,000 lb. lift, 2,038 hrs., 42” forks, diesel, shedded.

AUCTIONEERS NOTE:

Garth is retiring and he has a very nice selection of well maintained, mostly shedded equipment UP4BIDS!

&

●1997 BOURGAULT 5710 -52 ft. air drill w/ 1995 Bourgault 4350 TBH tank, 591 monitor, double shoot, shedded, + MORE OPTIONS!

●1996 DEGELMAN Strawmaster 7000 heavy harrow w/ Valmar 3055, 70 ft., 9/16” tines.

●ALTEEN 18 ft. tandem disc, 20” notched front & smooth rear blades, 9” spacing.

●MORRIS 29 ft. cultivator , 3 bar harrows.

SWATHING & HARVEST

●2011 CASE IH 8120 combine w/ 2011 Case 3016 15 ft. p/u header, 2,113 sep. hrs., 2,675 eng. hrs., GPS, shedded, + MORE OPTIONS!

●2005 JOHN DEERE 4895 swather w/ Honeybee 25 ft. header, 1,557 eng. hrs., 1,228 header hrs., shedded, + MORE OPTIONS!

●1999 NEW HOLLAND Honeybee 994 draper header w/ 30 ft. pickup reel, transport. TRUCKS & GRAIN TRAILER

All trucks shedded & in excellent condition.

●2004 FREIGHTLINER highway tractor, 2,357,869 km, new rear brakes, shedded.

●1994 WILSON 40 ft. grain trailer, new brakes, drums, shoes, S cams, seals, & roll tarp, shedded.

●1985 INTERNATIONAL t/a grain truck, 20’ steel box & hoist, new roll tarp, Cummins, shedded.

●1981 FORD 700 s/a cabover grain truck, onpropane, 15 ft. wood box & hoist, 351 gas.

●1979 FORD F600 s/a grain truck, 14’wood box & hoist, 54,938 km, 370 eng., shedded.

●1951 CHEVROLET 1500 flatdeck truck, 11’ deck & hoist, 1400 gal. water tank, shedded.

GRAIN CLEANER

●2014 FARM KING Y482 grain cleaner, shedded.

●2018 DEMCO 1050 s/a grain cart, digital scale, 1050 bushels, roll tarp, big 1000 pto.

●2017 REM VRX grain vac w/ hoses, only32 hours, 1000 pto., shedded, excellent condition.

●2015 SAKUNDIAK HD8-53 auger w/ hyd. mover, 8”, 53 ft., 35 hp. motor.

●2021 MERIDIAN SLMD 12-85 electric swing auger, 12”, 85 ft., dual auger hopper flighting.

●BRANDT 745 auger w/ hyd. mover, 7”, 45 ft., 16 hp. motor, shedded.

●SAKUNDIAK HD10-1800 mech. swing auger, dual auger hopper flighting, 540 pto.

GRAIN BINS

●(2) CHIEF WESTLAND ±3450 bu. 4 ring hopper bottom grain bins w/ double skids.

●(2) TWISTER ±2150 bu. 4 ring hopper bottom grain bins w/ double skids.

●(2) WHEATLAND 1212E ±1450 bu. hopper bottom epoxy lined fertilizer bins, single skids.

●(9) WESTEEL ROSCO ±1850 bushel 5 ring hopper bottom grain bins, single & double skids, (3) have Flaman 3 hp. bin aeration fans.

●WESTEEL ROSCO ±2150 bushel 6 ring hopper bottom grain bin w/ double skid.

●MERIDIAN ±4000 bushel hopper bottom grain bin w/ double skid, aeration.

●±8500 Bushel 5 ring hopper bottom grain bin w/ double skid.

MISCELLANEOUS

●RICHARDSON 4 ½ cu. yard scraper, shedded.

●2011 SCHULTE SDX-840 3 pt. hitch snowblower, 84” wide, 540 pto. ●LEON 3000 rock picker, shedded. ●BALE KING Vortex 2000 bale processor. ●JSL 10’ land leveler.

●2002 MGS 35 KVA portable generator on t/a trailer, 2,703 hrs., Cummins diesel, 1 or 3 phase.

●SHINDAIWA DGK25B generator on skid.

●2007 ALLMAND Bros. light tower, 1,135 hrs.

●FLAGRO 390,000 btu. indirect fired diesel portable heater. ●JD 450 sickle mower, 7 ft., 540 pto. ● Howse 3 pt. hitch trail type mower, 6 ft. wide. ●Chem Handler II w/ hoses & Honda motor, like new. ●Westeel 500 gal. fuel tank on trailer, 12V pump, hose, & nozzle. ●1400 Gal. poly tank on poly stand. ●1250 Gal. poly tank. ●Livestock shelter on skids, 16 ft. L x 8 ft. W x 8 ft. H. ●Watermaster floating water pump. ●Honda WMP20X water pump. ●(6) Ford 100 lb. tractor weights. ●(2) 20’ seacans.

Call Owner –Garth: (780) 688-3514 Dunkle Auctions: 1-877-UP4BIDS (874-2437) -Office

GRAIN HANDLING

Kelsey Witham Staff Reporter

The Tofield Arena hosted a sentimental U9 hockey tournament on the weekend of March 22-23, in memory of Conrad Wilgenbusch, a veterinarian from Sherwood Park. Teams from Gibbons, Leduc, Edmonton, and the Strathcona Warriors took to the ice for the tournament.

The event was an opportunity for young athletes to showcase their skills, but it also served as a heartfelt fundraiser in memory of Wilgenbusch, a beloved community member and devoted father.

“The tournament was formatted a little differently; we also included a skills competition.

“It took place over two days; it was a single-elimination knockout.

“The tournament was a huge success, and everyone had so much

fun,” tournament organizer and head coach Steven Plamondon shared.

Wilgenbusch, who was described as a kindhearted man in the community and a passionate supporter of youth hockey, was remembered throughout the tournament for his contributions to the community.

His love for the game and unwavering support for local kids, both on and off the ice, made him a cherished figure.

He passed away on January 20, 2025 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma in December 2022.

The Wilgenbusch family chose to donate the funds raised, over $5,000, to KidSport, an organization dedicated to helping young athletes overcome financial barriers to participate in sports.

Funds were raised through a series of raffle

baskets, which were generously donated by local businesses, and a 50/50 draw.

“The entry fees went to-

wards the fundraising initiative; we also had awesome sponsors who helped by funding certain ticket items, a huge thank

you to those sponsors who contributed so much.”

“I would like to thank the Strathcona Warriors

OFFICE HOURS

MONDAY (NODENTIST) 10 AM - 2 PM

TUESDAY 9 AM - 6 PM WEDNESDAY 9 AM - 6 PM THURSDAY 9 AM - 4 PM

CLOSED

Minor Hockey Association, as well as the teams who came out to participate in the tournament,” Plamondon said.

the commission based on its current year budget.

“This is where we got in this practice. They make the budget and then they come out with a quarterly payment, and we pay the quarterly pay-

ment.

“However, the agreement says, and this is where we started to go south, it says that we shall remit 75 per cent in three equal payments of the projected annual deficit. And that's it. Not four quarterly payments, just three quarters of the budget, which is known as the projected annual deficit.

“Then it says, 5b, the final payment to the commission shall be made following the audited financial statements for confirmation of what the annual deficit is,” Hamilton-Brown said.

As Hamilton-Brown had mentioned, originally it was intended that Council pass the resolution prior to the BRP meeting, but as it was de-

layed, Councillor Kimberly Murphy said that Council should defer the request for decision to the next meeting.

“I think we should take Administration's lead and postpone this to our next meeting, which is after the BRP meeting,” she said.

It was decided that Mayor Dennis will present at the BRP meet-

ing to discuss the cost sharing contribution agreements of all municipalities. Murphy moved that Council for the Village of Ryley direct the

mayor to present the draft resolution to Beaver Regional Partnership at the April 15, 2025 regional meeting, which was passed.

Every week everybody gets whatever's ready, so it changes throughout the season,” Kent Rude said.

This year their first day of bedding plant season begins Sunday, April 27, and will end the day before Father’s Day, Saturday, June 14.

The farm store opens in July once some of the vegetables are ready, so people can stop by to buy vegetables if they do not have the basket subscription.

“Our weekly baskets go out on Thursdays and some people pick up their basket at the farm, but we also have a drop off location in Ryley, Tofield, and Sherwood Park.

“The farm store is open Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays

from 9 a.m. to noon. If you wanted to come and just grab a few things for the weekend, if you're going camping and you need shell peas or whatever, that's the idea behind being open those days,” Rude said.

Chamber treasurer Serena Statler-Dorey shared her appreciation of the availability of local produce.

“It’s such a blessing to have providers so close by with great product and to know that you can get quality produce right here in our back door. I'm grateful to you guys,” she said.

Calvin Andringa of Tofield Alliance Church asked how many seasonal employees they have within a year, and Rude said about six.

“About half a dozen. Their age ranges vary; we've got a couple ladies that are awesome. They just want to work two, three days a week, and then, of course, we've al-

ways got our kids’ friends; high school kids that need money. We usually have a pretty good crew and we have a lot of fun,” Rude said.

Rude said they are at the point where they are not looking to expand any more, but are focusing on making improvements to their operation.

“Earlier on, we focused on getting our structures up and all of our gas and everything, the utility stuff. But the last couple years, we've really focused on just making improvements.

“Accessibility was always something that we had trouble with. We’ve made our parking lot better and we have incorporated sidewalks that are nice and level, because not everybody can get around as good as they did at one time. We used to heat with coal, and we've transitioned out of

that. Everything has been switched over to natural gas boilers,” he said.

“It's just the progression like every other farm or business; you always want to try to improve and make things better. Stacey always says, we're not getting younger, we need to make things less labour intensive, and the people that work for us, they like that too.”

PHOTO KARI JANZEN

The Tofield Golden Club hosted a Perogies, Sausage, and Sweets lunch on Thursday, April 3. Over 120 people either stopped by to enjoy the meal, or had takeout delivered by Golden Club members.

Committee excited to repeat successful festival

Organizers are a gathering of eleven local organizations

Welcome to the 2025 Snow Goose Festival on April 26 and 27, 2025 in Tofield, Beaver County, Alberta.

A committee of 11 organizations has been meeting regularly to repeat the successful festival held in April 2023 and 2024. Last year over 1,500 people took bus tours to see the migrating snow geese and other birds, and enjoyed hikes in the Beaverhill Natural Area to the Beaverhill Bird Observatory to watch migrant songbirds being banded.

The festival was established as a celebration of spring bird migration, an opportunity for everyone to view the many species of birds that pass through central Alberta on their migration northward.

The festival will include guided bus tours, hiking tours, a trade show, speakers, and other associated activities based out of the Tofield Arena, and an evening banquet at the Tofield

Community Hall with a guest speaker. Organizations that are represented in the organizing committee include; Town of Tofield Beaverhill Bird Observatory, Beaver County, County of Strathcona, North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Canadian Wildlife Service, Nature Alberta, Edmonton

Nature Club, Beaver Hills Biosphere, Alberta Conservation Association, and WILD North.

On behalf of the committee, we thank you for participating in the Festival and supporting the trade fair in the Tofield Curling Rink. We thank the Tofield Mercury for facilitating and producing this souvenir edition.

Thank you for your interest.

Yours truly Geoff Holroyd and Vanita Eglauer On behalf of the 2025 Snow Goose Festival Organizing Committee.

The 2024 Snow Goose Festival – The Best Day Ever

BY GEOFF HOLROYD, co-chair, Snow Goose Festival Organizing Committee

The white colour of the fields in Beaver County on April 27-28, 2024 wasn’t snow drifts left over from the last flurry of winter. Rather, large flocks of Snow Geese were scattered throughout the county sometimes in huge flocks on cultivated fields and adjacent ponds.

Pleasant temperatures and sometimes calmer winds greeted the public that attended this second consecutive Snow Goose Festival, the 12th counting those from 1993 to 2002.

Before the festival, the Tofield Mercury produced a 16-page newspaper souvenir issue with interesting articles about spring, geese, flu, among other topics. Over 6,000 copies were distributed throughout the region along with radio and TV interviews to promote the festival to the public.

A total of 1,504 people bought tickets for the various events. The headquarters of the Festival was the Tofield Arena which had over 20 vendors and environmental groups with educational and interactive displays for the visitors.

Kids could enjoy activities at the Nature Alberta and Backyard Birds Nature Shop booths, hold a Burrowing Owl and Red-tailed Hawk at the Beaverhill Bird Observatory booth, and learn from the many other stores and displays in the arena.

Before and after the tours, the public could get food and refreshments at the Tofield Curling Club concession in the arena.

Four speakers made presentations during the day on topics including Avian Flu, Snow Goose Management, Bird Trends and Trumpeter Swan recovery.

April 26-27, 2025 Tofield, Alberta

Geoff HolroydVanita Englauer

One young boy, while holding the Red-tailed Hawk said, “this is the best day ever.” Continued on Page 19

Helen Trefry putting Keith the Red-tailed Hawk on a young boy’s hand as the boy says “this is the best day, ever.”

Photo by Geoff Holroyd

April 26-27, 2025

Avian influenza 2025: more and more interesting

BY M.J. PYBUS Fish and Wildlife Stewardship, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas

Waterfowl managers and wildlife disease specialists have tracked Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) for many decades. This ancient virus has a longstanding but ever-changing relationship with wild waterfowl, particularly ducks, geese, and shorebirds around the world.

New forms of the virus constantly appear, wild waterfowl populations generate protective immunity to the new forms, and life goes on.

But a new form of AIV that appeared in North America in late 2021/early 2022 caused quite a ripple in the relationship between the virus and the birds. It was a new highly pathogenic (=deadly) form of H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus that was associated with mortality of wild waterfowl as well as other species of wild birds and mammals that ate waterfowl that were sick or died with the virus.

In Alberta the mortality was most noticeable in snow geese, great horned owls (adults & owlets), red-tailed hawks, magpies, crows, cormorants, grebes, ravens, and peregrine falcons.

In addition, a few young red fox and a large number of sick or dead adult and young striped skunks that ate sick or dead birds also succumbed to the virus. Mortality was particularly concentrated in central Alberta during spring migration in April and May 2022. At the same time, many poultry operations in the province detected the same virus in domestic chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys. Poultry at these sites either died or were depopulated in order to prevent further spread of the disease.

Over the next year, the highly pathogenic form of H5N1 expanded its geographic range and systematically spread south through Central and South America and all the way to Antarctica. In conjunction with evidence of the original H5N1 source in

How many of these bird species can you find?

How many of these bird species can you find?

☐American Avocet

☐American Coot

☐American Crow

☐American Kestrel

☐American Robin

☐Bald Eagle

☐Barn Swallow

☐Black-capped Chickadee

☐Black-necked Stilt

☐Blue Jay

☐Blue-winged Teal

☐California Gull

☐Canada Goose

☐Canvasback

☐Cinnamon Teal

☐Common Grackle

☐Cooper’s Hawk

☐Dark-eyed Junco

☐Downy Woodpecker

☐Eurasian Wigeon

☐European Starling

☐Franklin’s Gull

☐Gadwall

☐Great Blue Heron

☐Greater Scaup

☐Greater White-fronted Goose

☐Greater Yellowlegs

☐Green-winged Teal

☐Hairy Woodpecker

☐Hermit Thrush

☐Horned Lark

☐House Finch

☐House Sparrow

☐Hudsonian Godwit

☐Killdeer

Europe, Asia, and Africa, the HPAI H5N1 had established a worldwide presence in wild waterfowl – the very definition of a pandemic.

However, as with all things relating to influenza viruses, the situation did not remain the same in subsequent years. We did not see similar AIV mortality in 2023 or 2024. And quite the opposite, there was more HPAI activity in fall (Oct, Nov) than in spring. As an example, in 2024, in October and November we detected a few cases in southern Alberta where Canada geese and a few mallards overwinter on open waters. And an interesting cluster of cases in winter 2024/25 involving a few ravens and magpies as well as a

☐Lapland Longspur

☐Lesser Scaup

☐Lincoln’s Sparrow

☐Mallard

☐Marbled Godwit

☐Merlin

☐Northern Flicker

☐Northern Harrier

☐Northern Pintail

☐Northern Saw-whet Owl

☐Northern Shoveler

☐Orange-crowned Warbler

☐Pied-billed Grebe

☐Pileated Woodpecker

☐Purple Martin

☐Redhead

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-winged Blackbird

☐Ring-billed Gull

☐Rock Pigeon

☐Ross’s Goose

☐Rough-legged Hawk

☐Ruddy Duck

☐Ruffed Grouse

☐Sandhill Crane

☐Savannah Sparrow

☐Say’s Phoebe

☐Sharp-shinned Hawk

☐Snow Bunting

☐Snow Goose

☐Solitary Sandpiper

☐Song Sparrow

☐Swainson’s Hawk

skunk and a bobcat near open stretches of the Bow River near Calgary.

It seems the ‘hot’ form of the virus that circulated in 2021/22 changed and became less virulent. At the same time, global waterfowl populations developed protective immunity that restricted the virus success and largely eliminated influenza-related mortality in ducks and geese. As a result, the number of infections in predatory or scavenging birds and mammals also declined.

While the number of infections dramatically decreased since 2022, H5N1 did take on a broader ability to infect some mammals, a feature not normally associated with avian influenza viruses. The list of species in which HPAI H5N1 has been detected continues to slowly increase – cumulatively, over 20 different species of marine or terrestrial mammals in North America.

Most noticeably, AIV was able to infect some dairy cattle in the US and as cattle moved from one location or one state to another, they took H5N1 with them. The virus also was present in their milk and subsequently passed on.

Continued on Page 18

☐Tree Swallow

☐Tundra Swan

☐Turkey Vulture

☐Western Meadowlark

☐White-crowned Sparrow

☐White-faced Ibis

☐Willet

☐Yellow-headed Blackbird

☐Yellow-rumped Warbler

☐________________________

CODE OF ETHICS for Birdwatchers

CODE OF ETHICS for Birdwatchers

DO NOT TRESPASS on private land without the landowner’s permission.

Avoid repeated disturbance or flushing of birds. Keep your distance and ensure that your presence does not disrupt the normal resting, feeding, breeding and nesting behaviour of birds. Repeated disturbance can reduce energy levels needed by migrating birds as well as those raising young. It can also increase their vulnerability to predation.

On public land, such as the natural area, use established access points and stay on developed trails to avoid unnecessary trampling of vegetation.

Ensure that you take back with you everything that you brought. Leave no litter. Most bird-watching access areas around Beaverhill Lake are user-maintained.

Show courtesy towards fellow birdwatchers, other recreationists and landowners. Don’t interfere with their activities and show a friendly disposition in sharing observations and providing directions.

Tofield, Alberta

Avian Influenza in a Canada Goose, weak neck, clouded eyes, swims in circles.

Photo: C. Shaupmeyer

Something Special in Your Backyard

If you live in or have spent time in Tofield or in the surrounding areas of Beaver County, you’re probably familiar with the local geography that surrounds you – the boreal mixed wood forest and the hummocky “knob and kettle” terrain of the Beaver Hills (or Cooking Lake Moraine, another term for the area) that forms a patchwork of depressional areas, many of which support wetlands, small lakes and streams.

The Beaver Hills, known as amiskwaciy in Cree, is an important place that provides a diversity of productive, critical habitat to many species of wildlife and migratory bird species. But the importance of the region extends beyond its exceptional landscape and biodiversity.

From its millennia long and rich heritage as an important place for Indigenous Peoples, to subsequent fur trade era and colonial settlement, the region is home to many people, past and present.

It is a region unlike others. In fact, the geographical and biodiversity uniqueness and the historical and cultural significance of the Beaver Hills, coupled with the active conservation that has taken place here since the end of the 19th century, has earned it a

place as a priority natural area in the greater Edmonton region and well beyond. This is why the Beaver Hills was designated as a biosphere on March 19, 2016, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), joining the worldwide network of 738 biospheres in 134 countries.

You’re probably wondering, what are UNESCO-designated biospheres? Simply put, they are distinct regions in

which people live and work in harmony with nature. This means that local communities and interested stakeholders collaborate on:

• conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity,

• economic development that is culturally and environmentally sustainable, and

• research, monitoring, education and training.

The Beaver Hills Biosphere isn’t just

one organization.

The Biosphere represents the coming together of many partners focused on researching, understanding, building capacity and implementing innovative efforts that conserve biodiversity, support communities, facilitate sustainable development, and mitigate environmental change in this resilient Alberta landscape.

But it isn’t all work and no play. The distinctive character, ecology and history, and the designated parks and protected areas that account for a quarter of the region, make it an incredible place to experience nature. There are numerous and diverse recreational activities and tourism opportunities in the Beaver Hills. From hiking to wildlife watching to camping and stargazing and more, the possibilities are endless.

So, the next time you are travelling west from Tofield, along Highway 14 passing South Cooking Lake, or going south to visit Miquelon Lake or heading north towards Elk Island National Park, remember you’re seeing and experiencing the Biosphere in your backyard.

Learn and experience more at beaverhills.ca.

Bird Watching at Elk Island National Park. Photo c/o Beaver Hills Biosphere

Analysis of forest bird population trends and habitat use in the Beaverhill Natural Area

BY: JON VAN ARRAGON

In the last 50 years, populations of migratory forest birds in Canada have declined by roughly 17%.

Using historical data collected during BBO’s forest breeding bird census program, I have analyzed how populations of forest songbirds are changing in the Beaverhill Natural Area, as well as what kind of habitat the birds seem to prefer.

The forest breeding bird census involves surveying the same area at least 6 times throughout the summer breeding season, and designating areas where a bird is consistently seen or calls on multiple surveys as breeding territories.

elling, clusters of bird sightings can be identified mathematically instead of relying on human interpretation.

I also used the sightings data to create heat maps of the study area so I could evaluate which areas of the forest were most commonly used by breeding birds. These maps show that most species prefer the aspen dominated forest, except the Red-eyed Vireo which shows little preference. Least Flycatcher was the most abundant species followed by Yellow Warbler, Northern House Wren and Warbling Vireo. Baltimore Oriole and Red-eyed Vireo were less common.

I took this a step further and added some mathematical modelling to the process: using a technique called nearest neighbour spatial hierarchical mod-

Over the past 8 years, the populations of forest birds like Warbling Vireo, House Wren, and Red-eyed Vireo seem to be relatively stable within the natural area.

Another encouraging observation was that populations of Yellow Warbler and Baltimore Oriole seem to have

increased locally in the natural area. The only species that seems to be declining is one of the most common species in the natural area: the Least Flycatcher.

If you’ve ever visited BBO during the spring, the Least Flycatcher’s ‘cheBEK’ song is one of the most plentiful ones all throughout the forest.

This study and others have found that Least Flycatchers are more plentiful in the natural area than other sites, but the local population declines seem to be similar to those observed across the province. By continuing research on this species and others, we hope to aid the conservation of this species and the preservation of its critical habitats.

Wetlands

give them a reason to keep coming back.

Since 1986, the Alberta North American Waterfowl Management Plan Partnership (Alberta NAWMP) and its supporters have been conserving and protecting the province’s wetlands. Because of these efforts, some bird populations, especially waterfowl, are making a comeback and, in some cases, thriving again.

Witness the marvel of spring migration at the Snow Goose Festival in Tofield on April 26 & 27, 2025.

Least Flycatcher

Local Falcons Tracked Across the Continent

BY CHUCK PRIESTLEY AND LISA PRIESTLEY

The American Kestrel is North America’s smallest and most colourful falcon. Long-term monitoring efforts have shown that Kestrel populations have been declining across the continent for decades. The causes of this negative trend are unclear.

In 2012 STRIX Ecological Consulting with support from Lafarge Company started a monitoring effort to track local breeding Kestrels in central Alberta. The project quickly grew as new partnerships were established with local landowners, Alberta Conservation Association with financial support from hunters and anglers, and the Town of Tofield. Each year the team monitors three study areas containing 25 nestboxes around the communities of Tofield, Tomahawk, and Camrose. In 2020 the team first attempted to

track the movements of local Kestrels beyond their breeding sites. The goal was to learn where our Kestrels migrated and wintered. Technological innovations at the time produced smaller GPS trackers which made it possible to use them on Kestrels for the first time. Previous trackers were too heavy.

GPS trackers were deployed on Kestrels during the period 2020 – 2022. Those trackers required that Kestrels be retrapped to recover their location information. Unfortunately, none of those birds were found in a subsequent year so no information was obtained. In 2023, tracking technology took another leap forward with innovations in cellular tracking. The new trackers used cell towers to provide location information, so we would no longer have to wait to re-trap birds to learn about their movements. When birds carrying trackers

were within a couple kilometres of cell towers, they could communicate their locations daily. When not in cell coverage, location information is stored on the trackers and downloaded when the bird is ‘back in coverage’. This advancement was like going from being able to walk to being able to fly to the moon!

In 2024, a pair of Kestrels used a nestbox east of Tofield, and the team was able to trap both the female and male. Both birds were measured and

Thanks for coming to visit our area for the Snow Goose Festival. If

please

fitted with bird bands and cell trackers. The pair was named Ernie and Sharon in honour of two local ranchers, Ernie and Sharon Boese, who were first to invite the team to install Kestrel nestboxes on their land in the Tofield area.

Ernie was trapped on July 14. Since that time, the tracker has provided 467 locations across 7,796 km of travel.

Continued on Page 7

THE BEAVERHILL BIRD OBSERVATORY WELCOMES YOU TO THE 2025 SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL

As a proud member of the Beaver County and Tofield community, we thank our many supporters and funders that are shown below plus donations made in memory of Mary Hughes Weir, John Honsaker, and the Wainwright Wildlife Society. Visit www.beaverhillbirds.com for more information. and Tofield many supporters of Weir, John Honsaker, and the Wildlife Society

Sam Priestley holds an adult female American Kestrels. The hood helps to keep the bird calm when we are working with her.

Tracking falcons

He spent the winter in the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico. The team is looking forward to following Ernie’s spring migration which should start any day.

Sharon was trapped on July 17. To date 301 locations have been received but we do not yet know where she spent the winter. Sharon’s last location was obtained on October 21 in the department of La Libertad in southwestern El Salvador. It is hoped that she spent the winter without cell cover-

age and will re-emerge during spring migration. Sharon travelled 8,730km since she was trapped!

During the next few years this tracking technology will provide valuable information for the conservation of Kestrels and the year-round habitats that they depend on.

We will gain insights about where Kestrels migrate and stop-over during migration and where they spend the winter. Also, we will learn how tied Kestrels are to the locations where they

breed, migrate, and winter.

The team is happy to share information about this project and regularly visits groups to do presentations and share information.

Also, groups are welcome to join the team in the field when young Kestrels are being banded at nestboxes. If you are interested, please send an email to info@STRIXeco.ca.

The team is on Instagram @alberta_kestrel_project and the Facebook page is Alberta Kestrel Project.

Sharon’s (red) and Ernie’s (green) track across the continent during the autumn of 2024.

Ryley Will Kaps holds an American Kestrel during a nest visit to band the young.

Advances in landscape conservation planning

A new planning tool, called Where to Work, is effective, fast and userfriendly. This tool played a key role in in the development of a new landscape conservation plan for Alberta’s Aspen Parkland/Boreal Fringe, a key region for conservation of waterfowl and other wildlife species.

This Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) project is part of NCC’s current initiative to update its conservation planning process. “Conservation plans are an important foundation of our work at NCC. They help us to focus our resources on where we can make tangible impacts for conservation,” explains Katelyn Ceh, NCC’s lead for the project.

Where to Work is one of a suite of open access conservation planning tools that NCC has recently developed in partnership with Carleton University. The tool’s purpose is to prioritize where in a landscape to deploy conservation efforts for maximum effect. Guided by user specified criteria, the tool draws on various datasets about climate, soils, vegetation, water, and more, to rapidly generate a conservation priority map.

“Once you get all the data and make

some decisions about what is important on the landscape and how much you want to protect, the tool can usually run the analysis in a minute or so,” says Ceh. Previously, that analysis was done manually, requiring days of staff time.

“I really like that the tool allows you to test a lot of different scenarios. If you have a question about how changing a scenario impacts the output, you can just run the scenario and answer your question right away.”

The Aspen Parkland/Boreal Fringe region in Alberta was chosen as a pilot to test the tool on a landscape much larger than the natural areas that have traditionally been the focus of NCC’s conservation plans. The new plan encompasses three pre-existing Natural Area Conservation Plans.

“Zooming out to the larger landscape scale helps us think more holistically about the landscape, what is important here, what do we want to achieve, who could we be partnering with, and so on,” Ceh notes.

Another reason for using this region for the pilot was to evaluate the tool’s effectiveness in an impacted landscape. This region, which includes the

Edmonton’s metropolitan area, has been considerably altered by human activities, and much of the connectivity between the remaining intact habitat areas has been lost. But the region is also part of North America’s Prairie Pothole Region, known for its remarkable diversity and density of ponds, or ‘potholes’, and its highly productive

habitat for waterfowl, other waterbirds and shorebirds.

According to Ceh, the tool was seen as a real bonus in NCC’s multiple sessions with stakeholders and partners across the region during the plan’s development. Continued on Page 9

Photo: Dylan Reade, Maggie’s Hill Heritage Log House, near Hastings Lake

Advances

The tool and its map output enabled NCC to more easily share information about its planning process, gather input on the draft plan, foster interest and collaboration, and provide real-time results on how different ideas from the participants would affect the map.

“Collaboration is key to our work. It is really important to include others’

values, knowledge and perspectives in these conservation plans,” she says. “I think it gives you a much better plan at the end of the day and a much higher chance of successfully implementing the plan.”

The map formed the basis for developing the written part of the Aspen Parkland/ Boreal Fringe conservation

plan. The document explains the region’s significance, describes the plan’s goal to foster healthy, connected, resilient habitat, and explains how that goal will be achieved.

Given the tool’s benefits, Ceh is pleased that Where to Work is freely available at www.ncc.carleton.ca.

“Sharing the tool open source hopefully will be helpful to others who could use the tool for their own conservation planning work. I’m interested to see how it will be used and where it all goes.”

The project’s funders included the Alberta NAWMP Partnership, the Government of Canada, NCC private donors, and Carleton University private donors.

The American Kestrel is North America’s smallest and most colourful falcon. This beautiful little raptor is found in grassland and agricultural areas, especially pasture-type habitats, where it mainly feeds on grasshoppers, mice and voles. Unfortunately, Kestrel populations are declining across the continent. To investigate why this is happening, we have been monitoring Kestrels using nestboxes in central Alberta for the past decade. Cameras have been used to learn what our local Kestrels eat, and we have deployed trackers to learn about their movements. Some of our Kestrels travelled more than 10,000 km annually!!!

How you can get involved:

Please share your Kestrel sightings with us. You could host a Kestrel family with a nestbox. To hear about how you can attend and participate in our events, such as banding young at nestboxes, please email info@STRIXeco.ca. We are on Instagram @alberta_kestrel_project and our Facebook page is Alberta Kestrel Project.

SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL: April 26 - 27, 2025

Schedule of Events

(Same for both days unless otherwise noted)

Purchase advance tour tickets and find more details at: www.snowgoosefestival.ca

7:30 am - 5:00 pm Tour Registration & information Centre – Tofield Curling Rink Concession open

8 am – 3:30 pm

Tour Departures from Tofield Arena

Tour cost: Adults: $25, Youth (12 & under): $10, Family (2a/2c): $60

Visit website to purchase advance tickets. Tickets may be limited on site.

Bring your camera, bird ID book, and binoculars. As spring weather can be unpredictable, waterproof footwear and layered clothing are recommended.

9:30 am – 5 pm Trade Show Hours - Free admission

Several vendors, nature interpretation, kid’s activities, educational exhibits with live birds and more!

9:30 am – 5 pm

FREE Kids Activities - Located in Trade Show area

Hosted by Nature Alberta and Nature Kids

Visit the Nature Alberta booth where families can try out a variety of different activities.

- Kids can make their own mini Snow Goose to take home,

- Test their wildlife knowledge with interactive quizzes

- Visitors can also "glue the feather on the owl" as they contribute to Nature Alberta's community art project.

12 Noon & 2:00 pm FREE Speaker Series: Tofield Arena Meeting Room

Saturday, April 26 at 12 Noon

From Grasslands to Canals to Mountaintops: A Year of Birding Adventures

Sandy Van Dijk, Wildlife Instructor, Lakeland College

Saturday, April 26 at 2:00 pm

BISON, BUGS & BIRDS: Linking the recovery of endangered species

Wes Olson, Author, painter and wood bison specialist.

Sunday, April 27 at 12 Noon

New Tracking Technology Helps Biologists Understand Raptor Movements

Lisa Takats-Priestley, Co-owner, STRIX Ecological

Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 PM

Saw-whet Owls: residents, migrants or vagrants; an avian enigma explored with MOTUS and climate change

Geoff Holroyd, Sara Pearce Meijerink, Myrthe Van Brempt, Jana Teefy–Beaverhill Bird Observatory

6:30 pm

Banquet & Silent Auction at Tofield Community Hall

Saturday Only Doors open at 5:30 pm, supper at 6:30 pm.

Tickets: $50/person (purchase in advance by April 17)

Meal catered by: Sandy Lusk

- Guest Speaker: Wes Olson

Topic - The Ecological Buffalo: On The Trail of a Keystone Species

- Silent Auction at banquet with proceeds supporting to the Snow Goose Festival.

Book your free shuttle on the website: www.snowgoosefestival.ca

on the website: www snowgoosefestival ca Free shuttle DOES NOT include tickets for the bus tours from the Festival. TICKETS FOR THOSE

Free shuttle DOES NOT include tickets for the guided bus tours departing from the Festival. TICKETS FOR THOSE

A Sneak Peek into the 2025 Season of Beaverhill Bird Observatory

BY JANA TEEFY, Head Biologist

As the warmth of spring settles in, we can’t help but feel the excitement building for the upcoming field season at BBO, and you are invited. There’s always something about the fresh air and the promise of outdoor adventures that has us eager to get out to the station and catch some birds! As many of you may already know,

BBO is currently blanketed in snow! We're eagerly watching to see how much will melt into the ground versus run off into the lake.

We are hopeful that the snowmelt will help keep the lake levels rising, bringing new life and biodiversity to the landscape.

We’re counting down the days until we kick off our annual projects — including our Migration Monitoring and MAPS monitoring projects — to see which birds are passing through our natural area and which ones are staying to breed. The team will also continue our important work on projects like monitoring Least Flycatchers, Marsh Monitoring, Shorebird Surveys, and the Forest Breeding Bird Census.

The 2025 season will feature some incredible events you won’t want to miss! We’ll be celebrating World Migratory

Bird Day, hosting our famous Big Birding Breakfast, and offering up some up-close and personal fun with songbird banding.

In addition, we’re planning to introduce new group activities in the natural area — from a thrilling BioBlitz to a nature journaling workshop — there’s something for everyone!

Are you as excited as we are? Whether you want to join us for an event, become a member, or volunteer, there are plenty of ways you can get

Yellow Rail, Photo by Gerald Romanchuk

Long-eared Owl, Photo by Emelie Dykstra

Concerns of local lake levels - citizens formed BHWSS

KEN QUACKENBUSH, Chair

BHWSS, taking water samples from Ministik Lake

Two years ago a group of citizens including Ken Quackenbush, decided to hold a community meeting at the South Cooking Lake Community Hall to discuss the concerning rate of water decline within our local lakes.

To their surprise over 100 people showed up that day. This initial meeting became the basis of a grass roots organization called the Beaver Hills Watershed Stewardship Society

(BHWSS).

Today the BHWSS is a not-for-profit organization comprised of volunteers and governed by a 10 member Board of local citizens representing many of our local lakes including Half Moon Lake, South Cooking Lake, Ministik Lake and Hastings Lake.

The mission of the BHWSS is to educate, advocate and collaborate with stakeholders on initiatives that help conserve and restore the Beaver Hills Watershed.

Continued on Page 15

New naturalists exploring the Strathcona Wilderness Centre in 2024. Photo c/o Nature Alberta

2025 Speakers for Snow Goose Festival

Saturday 12 noon

Sandy Van Dijk

From Grasslands to Canals to Mountaintops: A Year of Birding Adventures

Join Sandy on a journey through a year of birdwatching across diverse landscapes—from the windswept prairies of Grasslands National Park to the rugged Yukon wilderness, the forests of Alberta, and the rich wetlands of Holland.

Through personal stories and photographs, she will share some of her most memorable birding experiences, including encounters with the elusive burrowing owl, the striking red-backed shrike, and the hardy white-tailed ptarmigan. This presentation highlights the beauty and wonder of birdwatching, blending travel, adventure, and the thrill of spotting incredible species in their natural habitats. Whether you’re a lifelong birder or just bird-curious, you might find yourself inspired to embark on your own birding adventure.

Sandy Van Dijk has worked in many sectors of the environment, including consulting, non-profit, and government roles. Now a wildlife instructor at Lakeland College, she enjoys educating people about wildlife and nature. Passionate about birds and their habitats, Sandy enjoys exploring diverse landscapes and inspiring others to connect with nature through birdwatching.

Saturday 2:00 pm

Wes Olson BISON, BUGS & BIRDS: Linking the recovery of endangered species

Not that long ago the plains and forests of North America teemed with wildlife, including more than 30,000,000 plains bison and hundreds of thousands of their northern relative, the wood bison. By the late 1800s both were extirpated from their ancestral lands. This depopulation of a keystone species had significant implications for the other species that depended upon them for their very survival.

This presentation takes the viewer from the time when prehistoric species roamed the continent, through to the present, and discusses modern threats to grassland insects and birds that depend on bison and healthy ecosystems today.

This presentation takes the viewer from the time when prehistoric species roamed the continent, through to the present, and discusses modern threats to grassland insects and birds that depend on bison and healthy ecosystems today. With the magical photography of Johane Janelle, this talk brings these keystone connections into brilliant clarity.

Sunday 12 noon

Lisa Takats-Priestley

New Tracking Technology Helps Biologists Understand Raptor Movements

Lisa Takats-Priestley from STRIX Ecological Consulting will talk about three projects (two local) studying movement patterns of birds of prey.

New technology has allowed biologists to gain new insights into where Northern Saw-whet Owls and American Kestrels migrate and overwinter. It is also helping us understand the year-round movements of our Barred owls, a species of management concern in Alberta.

Lisa has been a biologist in Alberta for over 17 years. She co-owns a consulting company, STRIX Ecological with her husband Chuck based in the Tofield area. She received a MSc. In Wildlife Ecology and Management from the University of Alberta studying the ecology of Barred Owls, which lead to the development of Nocturnal Owl Survey Guidelines for North America.

Sunday 2:00 pm

Geoff Holroyd Saw-whet Owls: residents, migrants or vagrants; an avian enigma explored with MOTUS and climate change

The Beaverhill Bird Observatory has been banding saw-whets in the autumn every year since 2002. And Geoff banded saw-whets at Long Point in the 1960s.

In this presentation we will talk about the first papers describing sawwhets as migrants in eastern North America, then explore the BBO data to learn more about their movements.

BBO has banded over 5,000 owls. Sara has summarized what we have learned about their migration timing and population fluctuations. Jana and Geoff attached 97 MOTUS tags that show a different migration pattern than that shown by dozens of band

recoveries. Myrthe applied complex statistics to analyze changes in migration timing in relation to climate change to compare the timing of eastern populations’ migrations to that found out west at the BBO. Everything that you need to know about these adorable little owls but didn’t know “Whooo” to ask.

Authors on this project: Geoff Holroyd, Sara Pearce Meijerink, Myrthe Van Brempt, Jana Teefy–Beaverhill Bird Observatory

Dr. Geoff Holroyd’s interest in birds developed as a teenager when he was an active volunteer starting in 1961 and later as chairman of the Long Point Bird Observatory. He retired in 2012 after 36 years with the Canadian Wildlife Service including conservaton of peregrine falcons and burrowing owls. He is now chair of the Beaverhill Bird Observatory. He coauthored the new book ‘Wildlife of the North’ in August 2023.

Sunday 6:30 pm

Banquet Guest Speaker Wes Olson

THE ECOLOGICAL BUFFALO; ON THE TRAIL OF A KEYSTONE SPECIES

Once numbering in the tens of millions, these magnificent creatures played a significant role in the varied ecosystems they occupied, and North American Indigenous Peoples depend-

ed upon them. With the arrival of Europeans, the buffalo were all but exterminated, along with their millennia-old intricate food webs and innerspecies relationships.

Despite a brush with extinction, the buffalo survived, and are slowly recovering. Alongside this recovery, the relationships once shared with thousands of species is being re-established in a remarkable process of ecological healing.

Based on Wes Olson’s 35 years of working intimately with bison — and featuring Johane Janelle’s stunning photography — The Ecological Buffalo takes a journey through the myriad connections this keystone species has with the Great Plains.

Wes Olson combines art, and science with more than 40 years working with bison to help people understand how significant bison were in shaping the ecosystems of North America.

The headquarters of the 2024 Festival was the Tofield Arena which had over 20 vendors and environmental groups with educational and interactive displays for the visitors. Geoff Holroyd photo.

Lake levels

Continued from Page 13

Through this work we hope for a healthy and thriving watershed that supports the diverse and unique ecosystem of the Beaver Hills.

A primary focus of our organization has been to collect scientific data around the water levels and water quality of the lakes within the watershed.

This volunteer driven activity serves to involve community members in stewardship activities and raise awareness on issues related to wetlands and water. The data also provides us with clear markers on the health of our watershed and serves as a foundation for much of the conservation efforts within the watershed.

In continuation of that work, in 2025 we are excited to receive funding from the Government of Alberta to conduct extensive mapping of the watershed within the Beaver Hills.

The watershed map will include topographical features in addition to showing the location of the many lakes, rivers and streams that flow within our watershed. The maps will serve as educational materials for both landowners and government officials and will enhance our understanding of the challenges we face within the watershed that has contributed to our declining water levels.

We have many other exciting initiatives planned for 2025 that include Species at Risk and Riparian Zone

restoration.

On May 10, we will be hosting our 2nd annual Public Engagement Open House at Birch Bay Ranch. During the day we will be sharing news about past projects, upcoming projects and landowner opportunities for funding within the watershed. There will also be a BBQ and interactive activities for the whole family.

As a community based organization run by volunteers, we value our connections with our community members. We hope you will join us to learn more about our organization including exciting volunteer opportunities.

For more information about our organization or to become a member please visit us at www.beaverhillswatershed.com

5116 46 Ave #102, Tofield, AB

Ken Quackenbush, Chair of BHWSS, taking water samples from Ministik Lake.

Northern Saw-whet Owls on the move

BY GEOFF HOLROYD, Chair

Beaverhill Bird Observatory

One sure sign of spring in the forests of central Alberta is the call of

the Northern Saw-whet Owl. By the time the Snow Geese are passing through, many Saw-whets are on eggs or even feeding young. Large numbers pass through the Beaverhill Natural Area in the autumn. Where are they headed?

To learn more the Beaverhill Bird Observatory attached nanotags to 97 owls in the autumn of 2023 and 2024. The nanotags are part of the MOTUS global wildlife tracking system. All the tags transmit on the same frequency and imbedded in the ‘pings’ are the individual serial numbers. When a bird with a tag flies past a MOTUS tower the antennae detect the pings and the serial numbers are sent to a central computer at Birds Canada. BBO

has a MOTUS tower at their field station in the Beaverhill Natural Area.

Each tower can detect a nanotag within about 15 km unless blocked by forest or other objects.

What did our tags tell us about the owls? First, half of the owls kept moving within 2 days of being caught. A few of those were detected again within 15 km up to a month later, but most kept away.

However, the other half stuck around the natural area (within 15km) for a while. A quarter of them (23) stayed for up to ten days, 6 stayed up to three weeks and 6 stayed for a month. The record was 166 days, and that record ended when our solar power lost power in cold snowy weather and the MOTUS station ceased to function. Continued on 17

Northern Saw-whet Owl, Geoff Holroyd photo.

Saw-whets owls’ travel patterns in winter

Some migrated quickly and some stayed!

We know from the local Christmas Bird Counts, especially Edmonton’s that some Saw-whets stay all winter. Some are on eggs in March, and even

February in central Alberta, while others are far away.

Where did the owls go? From the map you can see that many went south into the northwest states. But not a

long way south. None reached Oregon nor Wyoming, except the one that went to Nebraska!

Two were detected by a MOTUS station on the Richmond, BC, seawall just south of Vancouver, and three went to Saskatchewan. Curiously none were detected in eastern North America where we had banded owls caught, even though there are numerous MOTUS towers in the east.

A couple of flights are noteworthy. One owl went to central Montana and passed 4 MOTUS stations in one night.

The owl covered 120 km in 2 hours! A check of the local weather showed a chinook wind was blowing, and the clever owl was making full use of it.

The second record is an owl that went from Beaverhill to Vancouver in 39 hours and 14 minutes, a steady 22 kph over two nights. Likely the owl took a break in the daytime and flew even faster in the dark nights.

The tags should last for 2 years, so stand by for more exciting news from the Beaverhill Bird Observatory project.

WILDNorth has cared for over 180 species

BY: JILLIAN VANKOOTEN

Helpline and Social Media Manager & Wildlife Technician

at WILDNorth

Alberta is known for its amazing wildlife, from the prolific White-tailed Prairie Hares and the intelligent Blackbilled Magpies to the iconic Canada Goose, our wildlife is unmatched.

WILDNorth:

Northern Alberta Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, located in Edmonton, Alberta, is one of Alberta’s foremost wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres. Since WILDNorth’s creation in 1989, we have cared for over 40,000 animals spanning more than 180 different species, from American Robins to Bald Eagles and from Red Squirrels to North American Porcupines, we do our best to help them all.

Migratory season brings the return of hundreds of different bird species and marks the beginning of baby season, WILDNorth’s busiest time of the year. Large migratory events, like the migration of Snow Geese through Tofield, bring excitement and joy as they signal the true beginning of the summer season.

Just like the animals, we at

WILDNorth are kept on our toes from April through September. During this time, we are known to field hundreds of calls a day on our wildlife helpline and admit up to one hundred animals daily into our care. To provide the best rehabilitative treatment to the wildlife receiving rehabilitative treatment, it is important to have a solid understanding of the natural history of these dynamic animals. For example, it’s not only important where we release an animal but also when — both the time of year and even the time of day — to set them up for the best chance of success. We cannot release a migratory bird, like a warbler, before or after its migratory period.

It is also important to consider the developmental stage of young wildlife. Migratory season increases our patient load substantially, and a significant ratio of those patients are orphaned young. These ‘baby’ wildlife require much different care than their adult counterparts, and WILDNorth plays a significant role in their future success in the wild.

A very common species we admit in the spring or early summer are

orphaned goslings. One unique and heartwarming fact about Canada Geese is that they are willing to adopt goslings that are not biologically their own. This means that when we admit orphaned goslings, we are often able to foster them out to another family of Canada Geese so that these babies can be raised in the wild where they

belong, giving them a higher chance of survival.

Spring is a busy time for all, and this spring, we encourage you to take a moment to admire the beauty, resilience, work ethic, and craftsmanship of Alberta’s wildlife, both migratory and year-round residents.

tle, or contaminated raw milk.

Infected were some farmyard cats and people that drank unpasteurized milk or ate raw pet food made with poultry or cheese made with unpasteurized milk.

In another situation, AIV was found in a few domestic goats on one farm experiencing an outbreak of AIV in poultry. Authorities continue to monitor this aspect of AIV transmission and particularly any changes in H5N1 genetic makeup that might increase the chances of further mammalian infections. To date, the number of mammalian cases remains low and there is little definitive evidence that infected mammals pass the infection to other mammals. Human health authorities state that the infection risk to people remains low, and largely involves close contact with infected poultry, dairy cat-

Alberta began avian influenza surveillance in wildlife in 2006. We continue to work closely with provincial agriculture and public health officials as we monitor the virus in wild birds or mammals.

Additional information about the Alberta AIV wildlife surveillance program can be found at alberta.ca/avian-influenzain-wild-birds. Or the national wild bird AIV surveillance program at http://www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/avian_influenza.php

We may never know the impact that the festival, with its many components, has on the public, old and young.

At the arena, the Town of Tofield greeted visitors who had purchased tickets to take bus tours to see the geese and other birds. Every 30 minutes a bus left on a two or three-hour tour with two volunteers, and bird knowledgeable guides on board to direct the bus driver and to show the passengers the many species of birds on the route.

The guides received their directions from Jim Lange who stayed at his desk in the arena for both full days. He received regular updates from the birding scouts who were patrolling the rural roads tracking the mobile flocks of birds. Organized by Gerald Romanchuk and led by Garnet Raven, the scouts had to coordinate their travels to ensure each bus had up to date information every half hour.

Other buses with guides on board took the short ride to the Beaverhill Natural Area where they hiked a loop trail in the natural area, watched bird banding at the Beaverhill Bird Observatory, and heard about the many

Cont. from Page 2

long-term studies of Tree Swallows, Least Flycatchers, Saw-whet Owls, and other species. One highlight was a Say’s Phoebe, a bird of southern Alberta, that was perched on the natural area fence.

Nature Alberta with funding from the Edmonton Community Foundation hosted 6 buses for Edmonton-based new Canadians and inner-city families.

After a hike at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre they arrived at the Tofield Arena, the headquarters of the event. After their lunch they headed out to see geese before returning to the city with a full day of new adventures to remember.

On Saturday evening, a delicious banquet was enjoyed by 100 participants while they listened to musician, Jenn Guiton before supper, and learned about Swallows, the 21st Century’s Canary in a Coal Mine from Dr. Geoff Holroyd, chair of BBO. The silent auction organized by Ruth Ball allowed participants to out-bid each other for specialty, donated items which raised additional funds for the festival. Ron Ball not only MC-ed the banquet, he organized 4 speakers in the arena dur-

Interested in nature?

The Edmonton Nature Club offers city walks and out of town field trips, a speaker series, and study group presentations about bugs, plants and birds. Spring 2025 special offer for new members! Purchase a $40 annual family membership through our website and have it extended through 2026. edmontonnatureclub.org Join us for birding, botany and bugs!

ing the two days.

We thank the members of the steering committee: Town of Tofield (cochair Vanita Eglauer, Cindy Neufeld), Beaverhill Bird Observatory (Geoff Holroyd co-chair, Jana Teefy), Beaver County (Kevin Smook), Strathcona County (Glen Lawrence, Sharon Sisson), Alberta Conservation Association (Chuck Priestley), Claystone Waste Ltd (Anne Ruzicka), North America Waterfowl Management Plan (Greg Hale), Nature Alberta (Kethu Mendis), Edmonton Nature Club (Brian Stevens, Gerald Romanchuk, Jim Lange), Beaverhills Biosphere (Brian Ilnicki), WildNorth

(Kim Blomme, and Canadian Wildlife Service (Garnet Raven), Alberta Environment (Nathalie Olson). And we thank the funders: Alberta Conservation Association, Edmonton Community Foundation, Beaver County, Strathcona County, Claystone Waste Ltd, Home-Time Realty, Tofield Mercury, North America Waterfowl Management Plan, Beaverhill Bird Observatory, and Town of Tofield. We also thank the organizations and vendors who had displays in the Tofield Arena. A special thank you to the many volunteers who scouted for geese, those who were guides on the busses and the speakers.

Glen Lawrence

y Lawr ou to the ence

2025 Tofield, Alberta

Nature Alberta’s kids activities, 2024 Festival. Photo by Stephanie Weizenbach

2025 Snow Goose Festival - a brief history

GLEN LAWRENCE, Ward 7 councillor for Strathcona County

In 1993, the Canadian Wildlife Service had a vision: “Why not capitalize on a natural resource that happens every spring?”

They wanted to establish a celebration of spring bird migration, which is an opportunity for nature enthusiasts, bird watchers and interested members of the public to view the many species of birds that stop near and on Beaverhill Lake as they migrate northward.

They approached the Town of Tofield and Ducks Unlimited to initiate an annual event. Thus, the Beaverhill Lake Snow Goose Festival was born. This family-oriented celebration provides transportation, tours and hikes around Beaverhill Lake and Beaver County which are led by naturalist volunteers. In the Town of Tofield, a trade fair and numerous activities provide additional options for visitors.

At the time, the Snow Goose Festival was one of the most popular and successful events of its kind in Canada, if not all of North America. An estimated 3,400 people attended the first festival, and more than 6,000 people participated in its last year (April 20-21, 2002). The festival ran rain or shine, but generally participants were rewarded with the sight of thousands of Snow Geese and other migratory bird species.

Local leaders and partner organizations involved in establishing the festival included the Town of Tofield, Ducks Unlimited, Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada, Edmonton Natural History Club/Edmonton Bird Club, Alberta Environmental Protection/Fish and Wildlife, Beaverhill Bird Observatory, Beaver County and Strathcona County to name a few.

Local businesses, schools, artisans, non-governmental organizations, and the general community provided on-

site volunteers, concessions, art shows and displays, activities, and financial support for the event. Held in the Tofield Arena and curling rink, the trade show featured 40 displays and live music through the weekend.

Sixty bus tours carried 2,200 people on tours to look for Snow Geese, waterfowl, and other spring birds. Sometimes a brilliant male Western Bluebird was the highlight if spotters could not keep track of moving flocks of geese. Some bus tours started and ended in Edmonton, several of them catering to inner-city youth and families that did not have private vehicles to drive to Tofield. Despite the best efforts of drivers, a few busses even became stuck on the soft spring roads.

In 1993, when the festival began, there were 10 such wildlife festivals in North America, and the Snow Goose Festival arguably attracted the largest audience. By 2002, 240 festivals were held across the continent. In 2010, 90 festivals were held in Canada, 22 of them in the three prairie provinces. These festivals offer many benefits to participants, who learn about wildlife biology, conservation, habitat, climate change, and a myriad of other issues.

Years of drought led to reduced water levels in Beaverhill Lake, which in turn resulted in a declining number of birds in the area, longer bus rides to reach them, and fewer accessible viewing sites for this spectacular event. Some major sponsors withdrew their support of the festival as staff and managers changed. Tofield alone was unable to replace the expertise, which led to the decision to suspend the festival after 2002.

Here we are 23 years later and Beaverhill Lake is full of water and the spring return of huge flocks of snow geese is upon is. It was agreed by organizations and individuals to work toward renewing the Snow Goose Festival in April of 2023. Keep your cal-

endar open for the weekend of April 26 - 27 and be prepared to have fun.

For more information on the Beaverhill Lake Snow Goose Festival or how you can get involved, please contact myself at 780-257-3882.

Glen Lawrence is the Ward 7 councillor for Strathcona County. He can be reached by calling 780-464-8003 or by emailing glen.lawrence@strathcona.ca.