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Biodiversity refers to the variety of living things in an area. Parkland County values biodiversity and recognizes its importance. The County acknowledges the state of its biodiversity in our State of the Environment Report.
Biodiversity:
- Makes ecosystems more resilient
- Provides economic and social opportunities such as bird watching, game hunting, nature photography, recreational activities and ecotourism
- Maintains a healthy environment for all generations
More information about protecting biodiversity in Canada is available at biodivcanada.
Enhancing wildlife corridors
Parkland County hosts many large wildlife corridors that act as a habitat for important species, including species at risk. These corridors are mapped in the Environmental Conservation Master Plan. If you are a private landowner and would like to help restore or enhance wildlife corridors in the County, check out our ALUS program.
Species at risk
Species at risk are the most vulnerable component of our biodiversity. They risk disappearing from our lands altogether. Our goal is to prevent their extinction by limiting local threats to them and the habitats they live in, such as:
- climate change
- invasive species
- development, and
- resource extraction
In Parkland County, development pressures exist that can intensify pressures on local species.
Ecozones are used to identify species at risk. Parkland County falls within the Boreal Plains and Prairies ecozones. You might find the following at risk species in our borders:
Endangered species
- sage grouse
- ord's kangaroo rat
- short-horned lizard (eastern)
- burrowing owl
- ferruginous hawk
- tiny cryptanthe
- soapweed
- western spiderwort
- bison
- piping plover
Threatened species
- peregrine falcon
- woodland caribou
- shortjaw cisco
- grizzly bear
- western silvery minnow
Species of concern
- logerhead shrike
- western blue flag
- harlequin duck
For more information about species at risk in Alberta or Canada, visit SARA and Alberta Fish & Wildlife.
Invasive species
Invasive species are plants and organisms that aren't native to an area, but came as a result of human activities. Invasive species can:
- Become more competitive than native species
- Push out native species to the point of local extinction
- Damage ecosystems
Parkland County has 39% of the invasive plants named in Alberta's Weed Control Act 2010. For more information, visit the Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Department or read our State of the Environment Report.
Although they pose a large threat, reducing the spread of invasive species can be easy. Visit the noxious weeds section for tips on limiting their spread.
Sustainable pest control
Did you know that companion planting can help with pest control? By pairing certain plants together pests can be discouraged from approaching. For example, planting tomatoes alongside marigolds can deter some insects. You can also pair plants to encourage useful insects, like bees, to visit your garden.
For more information, visit wildlife.