Opportunities for Promoting Hunting, Angling and Conservation in Strathcona County Dr. Todd Zimmerling, M.Sc., PhD., P.Biol.

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1 Opportunities for Promoting Hunting, Angling and Conservation in Strathcona County Dr. Todd Zimmerling, M.Sc., PhD., P.Biol. April 2015

2 Background Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) is a not-for-profit conservation organization. Although we are independent of Government we are a Delegated Administrative Organization (DAO) under the Alberta Wildlife Act. MISSION STATEMENT Conserve, protect and enhance fish and wildlife populations, and their habitats for Albertans to enjoy value and use.

3 Alberta Fish and Game Association Trout Unlimited Canada Alberta Hunter Education Instructors Association Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta Alberta Professional Outfitters Society Member Groups Pheasants Forever Alberta Council Alberta Trappers Association Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta Nature Alberta

4 Mr. Pat Long Mr. Ken Ambrock Mr. Brian Bildson Mr. Adam Norris Mr. Tom Bateman Mr. Randy Collins Mr. Robert Gruszecki Mr. Gordon Burton Mr. Bill Abercrombie Ms. Sandra Foss Mr. Vince Aiello Mr. Jeff Surtees Mr. Travis Ripley Mr. Chris Folwler Mr. John Pattison Mr. Jarrno Van der Wielen Mr. Ken Ambrock Dr. Mark Boyce Dr. Lee Foote Vacant - Chairman(WSFA) - Vice Chair (Northern Board Liason) - Secretary (Public at Large, Business Rep) - Treasurer (Public at Large Northwest) - Past Chair (Southern Board Liaison) - Director (AFGA) - Director (AHEIA) - Director (APOS) - Director (ATA) - Director (NA) - Director (Pheasants Forever) - Director (TUC) - Director (Minister s Representative ESRD) - Director (Public at Large Northeast) - Director (Public at Large Central) - Director (Public at Large Southern) - Director (Northern Board Liaison) - Director (ACA/UofA Chair in Fisheries & Wildlife) - Director (Public at Large, Academic Rep) - Director (Treaty 8 First Nations)

5 ACA Program Areas Information, Education and Communications Land Management Wildlife Fisheries Report a poacher Grants Hunters and anglers provide approximately $12 million/yr to support these programs.

6 Golden Ranches Conservation Site

7 Kids Can Catch Events Ft. Saskatchewan June Lacombe June Magrath June Lamont July Settler July Calgary July Slave Lake - summer St. Albert - summer Airdrie - summer Wabamum February

8 Archery Days

9 Taber Pheasant Festival

10 Wolverine Research

11 Enhanced Sport Fisheries Lake Aeration Rainbow trout stocking

12 Fisheries Studies 12

13 Create hunting and angling opportunities

14 Support for hunting and angling is growing In the last 10 years resident angler numbers have increased more than 30% and resident hunters more than 40%. Sherwood Park Fish and Game Association has over 4000 members and is the largest in the province. Societal values are shifting in favour of harvesting your own food (free range, no added hormones, no antibiotics, low in fat, locally grown, minimal carbon footprint, etc.).

15 2014 Survey by Trend Research (1200 Albertans age 18+) 83% of survey participants supported catch and release fishing (85% in Edmonton CMA). 76% of survey participants supported catch and keep fishing (75% in Edmonton CMA). 59% of survey participants supported game bird hunting (54% in Edmonton CMA). 59% of survey participants supported big game hunting (52% in Edmonton CMA).

16 Benefits of hunting and angling Economic Econometric Research Limited, June 2009 Total expenditures (direct and capital) related to hunting and fishing activities in Alberta was $801 million. Social Last Child in the Woods Richard Louv Fishing for Answers Brown et al.

17 If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there d be a shortage of fishing poles. Doug Larson Questions?