Students from the Lethbridge College Ecosystem Management class will be presenting on the following topics:
“Mapping green spaces to evaluate wildlife connectivity corridors in Lethbridge, AB” by Anna Klippenstein.
The project assessed potential wildlife green spaces within the city of Lethbridge, Alberta. This is the first step of a multi-phase partnership project between Lethbridge College and the City of Lethbridge. The project will work toward understanding wildlife connectivity, wildlife movement, and use of an extensive river coulee system and urban green spaces. Further, the project will aid with the potential enhancement of the system to improve wildlife habitat and movement. Fragmentation of natural landscapes is a result of encroaching urban development. Loss of natural habitat due to urbanization can be detrimental to wildlife. Green spaces and connectivity corridors can help re-establish coexistence between humans and wildlife habitat. Exploration of green spaces within Lethbridge was conducted using the geographical information system (GIS) program ArcMap 10.6. Two-dimensional maps of green spaces and potential wildlife corridors within Lethbridge were created. Understanding where green spaces and connectivity areas are located can help understand where wildlife are entering the city and what areas of the parks and urban habitat they are utilizing. This mapping project provides a sound starting point for the remainder of the partnership project. The mapping will show where known wildlife are most likely to be. It will also indicate that while there are various obstacles for wildlife, Lethbridge does have a park system and urban habitat that, upon study and enhancement, could become a model for urban and wildlife coexistence.
“Swallow exclusion from campground structures in Grasslands National Park’' by Ian Mahon
In response to a human wildlife conflict involving barn swallows nesting in areas regularly used by campground visitors, exclusions were installed on sections of buildings. These exclusions consisted of bird spikes on top of TENTiks (wall tent-like structures rented as a camping option) and netting over the rafters of a cook shelter. The hope was to encourage swallows to nest in areas that would experience less conflict, decreasing the stress on nesting birds and alleviating impact on park visitors.
“Implications of Habitat Type on Bird Species in an Urban Nature Preserve” by Alysia Kirby
The intent of this study is to assess the diversity of bird species within 3 different habitats of a nature preserve to see how species are influenced by urbanization. The study was conducted at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in Calgary, AB that is surrounded by human modified landscapes. Indices of bird diversity were carried out through audio-visual point count surveys over 12 days in 3 different habitats of the sanctuary. The data collected will help further advance the conservation of bird species within an urban landscape.
Each student presentation will be 15-20 minutes followed by question and answer. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with emerging research, methodologies, and interesting findings.