The Alberta government has recently eliminated habitat protections for the endangered greater sage grouse, a species facing severe population decline in the province. The changes, made through amendments to the Public Lands Act in July, removed protections in designated zones aimed at safeguarding the bird’s habitat. This decision has raised concerns about the future of the remaining sage grouse population in Alberta, which is estimated to be less than 100 birds, predominantly located in the southeastern region of the province.
The greater sage grouse has experienced a drastic 98% decline in population in Alberta from 1968 to 2012, primarily due to habitat loss and industrial activities. University of Alberta ecology professor Mark Boyce, a long-time advocate for sage grouse conservation, warned that the removal of provincial protections puts the species at direct risk of extinction in Alberta.
According to Boyce, the sage grouse is highly sensitive to development and disturbances, often abandoning their habitats due to noise and human activity that attracts predatory birds. The professor criticized the government’s prioritization of industrial development over conservation efforts, expressing concern that the sage grouse population is at imminent risk of disappearing entirely.
In response to criticisms, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas communications director Andrew Livingstone defended the changes, stating that they aim to simplify regulations and provide flexibility for operations in southeastern Alberta. He emphasized the province’s commitment to a sage grouse recovery program focused on achieving a balance between conservation and economic needs, highlighting investments in various initiatives such as habitat restoration and predator management.
Despite federal protections covering a portion of the sage grouse habitat in Alberta, conservationists have raised alarms about the potential impact of lifting provincial protections. Joshua Killeen, from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, expressed concerns that the lifting of habitat protections undermines years of conservation efforts and increases the vulnerability of the species to extinction.
The decision to remove habitat protections was influenced by the helium industry, particularly by companies like Thor Resources that operate within sage grouse habitats. Thor Resources CEO Brent Jonah clarified that the company’s operations would comply with previous environmental measures but noted that specific requirements related to sage grouse protection were no longer applicable.
Richard Dunn, executive director of the Helium Developers Association of Canada, supported the removal of habitat protections, citing the need to balance environmental concerns with economic development. He highlighted the economic importance of accessing these areas year-round and argued that the previous restrictions hindered sustainable development in the region.
