Email: buffalolakenc@gmail.com
Buffalo Lake Nature Club
Caring for Stettler & Surrounding Nature Areas
Since 1973
Celebrating 51 years of nature advocating, educating, learning, and exploring!
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We welcome all interested in nature to our monthly meetings and nature walks.
Other Nature News & Events: June 2025
Nature Alberta
Nature Alberta is celebrating its 55th year of operation in 2025!
Celebrate in Edmonton on September 21st with nature folks from across the province by registering here:
55th Anniversary Nature Alberta
Visit Nature Alberta’s Conservation Blog to learn about Environmental Concerns in Alberta:
https://naturealberta.ca/conservation_priorities/
Free Lifetime Membership
If you are a Buffalo Lake Nature Club member, you may apply for a free lifetime membership with Nature Alberta. Free Lifetime Membership
Nature Alberta offers volunteer and job positions:
https://naturealberta.ca/volunteer/
View Nature Alberta Magazines at Nature Alberta Magazine
Conserving Caribou
Share your concerns in the online survey by June 25!
Speak up for caribou! The draft Upper Smoky Sub-regional Plan released by the Government of Alberta in March would severely affect two of Alberta's remaining southern mountain caribou populations.
We urge all Albertans to voice their concerns about the future of our caribou by completing the Government of Alberta's public survey by June 25, 2025.
CPAWS Northern Alberta, Nature Alberta, and Alberta Wilderness Association have also published an Engagement Guide to help inform your answers on the survey. You can access the survey, engagement guide, and more resources to get informed at naturealberta.ca/statement-on-the-upper-smoky-sub-regional-plan.
Finding Franklin's Groundsquirrels
This summer, MacEwan University researchers are collecting genetic samples from Franklin's ground squirrel populations that have been located through citizen science!
You can help guide their field work by documenting Franklin's ground squirrel observations, either on iNaturalist or by emailing details to exec@naturealberta.ca.
In fact, documenting any and all squirrels you spot—of any species—across the province in iNaturalist helps too, allowing us to determine where people are observing squirrels of other species but not finding Franklin's.​
Keep an eye on our socials this summer for posts you can share with your followers detailing how they can get involved. You can dig up lots of resources, including a Squirrels of Alberta ID Guide, Franklin's ground squirrel ringtone, and shareable infographics at naturealberta.ca/ground-squirrel.
Alberta Biodiversity Challenge
Thursday, June 12 through Sunday, June 15
Location: Across Alberta!
Participate in (and spread the word about) the Alberta Biodiversity Challenge! June 12–15, take photos of your nature finds and add them as observations on iNaturalist. If you are anywhere in Alberta, it will automatically be added to the Alberta Biodiversity Challenge results.
Results compare participation from several cities and parks, adding some friendly competition across the province. In 2024, there were over 700 participants! You can help make this year the Challenge's biggest yet — share this link with your network and make sure you're out there the second weekend of June, adding your observations!
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Mission Monarch
Mission Monarch has launched, with training dates scheduled for early June. The program is part of an international research and education effort aimed at saving the migratory populations of this endangered species. Mission Monarch aims to identify potential monarch habitats and assess their reproductive success in Canada, utilizing a straightforward four-step protocol.
You can join a one-hour training session, where they explain the Mission Monarch survey protocol and share information about this beautiful butterfly. Click here to sign up for a one-hour training session (in English) on June 5 at 12 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. (sessions in French are available on June 4).
Monarch photo by Gerald Romanchuk
Nature Kids Events
Fish Fin-atics
Thursday, June 5 at 6 p.m.
Heritage Park, Edmonton
Nature Alberta invites you to an unforgettable evening surrounded by slippery fish! We'll explore the fascinating world of fish and their habitats, get hands-on with trout, go pond dipping, and enjoy engaging games. For the grand finale, we'll release the remaining rainbow trout from the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery into the pond!
More Info: naturealberta.ca/fish-finatics
Tree Planting for Biodiversity
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Thursday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m.
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Rundle Park, Edmonton
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Celebrate the annual Alberta Biodiversity Challenge by planting trees and going on guided walks with Root for Trees, Nature Alberta, and experts from MacEwan University! You'll rotate through three activities that'll help re-naturalize this park for wildlife — and also document species to contribute to Edmonton's observations on iNaturalist for the Alberta Biodiversity Challenge. You'll need to wear closed-toed shoes for tree planting activities. And bring your smartphone with iNaturalist downloaded and your account set up so you can add observations during the event! Not sure how? Visit our Citizen Science page to get started with this fun and easy-to-use app.
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Noteworthy News
Proposed Amendments to the Water Act to Improve Availability
You have until June 30 to provide input on the Alberta government's proposed amendments.
Click here to answer the survey
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Battle River Watershed Alliance AGM
The Battle River Watershed Alliance is holding their AGM in Camrose. BRWA Members and the general public are welcome to attend. The OTIS Awards will be presented following the business meeting.
Details
Date: June 19, 2025
Doors open at 9:00 am. Coffee and muffins provided
Meeting and Otis Award Ceremony: 9:30 am to Noon
Location: 5415 49 Ave, Camrose, AB T4V 0N6 (lower level)
Spring Citizen Science Initiatives
Western and Clark's Grebe Nesting Survey
Location: Throughout their western breeding range!
You can help biologists gain a better understanding of exactly where Western and Clark's grebes are breeding within their ranges. Both are found within Alberta. The Western Grebe specifically is threatened within the province. Your data will help determine where these grebes are nesting and raising chicks. Just be sure not to disturb them when you spot them!
More Info: Visit naturealberta.ca/citizen-science and scroll down to Western & Clark's Grebe Nesting Survey under the 'Bird Projects' category. Email Adonia at adonia_henry@fws.gov to learn more about the survey.