Category Archives: Uncategorized
One of Alberta’s Rare Landscapes: Hiking White Rock Coulee to the South Saskatchewan River
Written on July 1, 2022 at 5:59 am, by Sean Nichols
On June 25, a dozen intrepid adventurers met up with Heinz and Kris Unger in Alberta’s southeastern corner for a special treat: the opportunity to hike the coulees along the South Saskatchewan River just across the river from the Suffield National Wildlife Area. This area offers up a true treasure trove of unique landscapes, plant Continue Reading »
The Grateful Memory of a Rare Alberta Conservation Victory: Unicorn Hunt in the Whaleback with Kevin Van Tighem
Written on June 13, 2022 at 5:19 pm, by Sean Nichols
Renowned Alberta naturalist and author Kevin Van Tighem was gracious to lend us his expertise on a hike through one of AWA’s favourite wild spaces: the Whaleback Ridge. Recalling the history of how this wilderness area was famously saved from development, he relates how the day’s Adventure went: Eleven hikers joined trip leader Kevin Van Continue Reading »
A glorious day in an ever-diminishing special ecosystem: Hiking the Milk River Ridge
Written on June 3, 2022 at 6:55 pm, by Sean Nichols
AWA has had a long involvement with Southern Alberta’s Milk River Ridge, not least through board member Cliff Wallis’ membership on the Milk River Management Society. So it is always a memorable day when he is able to take us on a tour of this amazing ecosystem. On May 20 he was joined by Cheryl Continue Reading »
Finding Spring Wildflowers on the Ghost’s Lesueur Ridge
Written on June 1, 2022 at 12:14 pm, by Sean Nichols
Hike leader and longtime AWA friend (and past board member) Heinz Unger has lived in the Ghost/Waiparous area for many years, so he knows the Ghost watershed like the back of his hand. Who better, then, to lead a cool spring hike up the area’s Lesueur Ridge? Despite the poor weather forecast for Sunday May Continue Reading »
A Return to Our Roots: Climbing Stairs on Earth Day
Written on May 21, 2022 at 7:48 am, by Sean Nichols
For over 25 years, AWA’s signature Earth Day event was the Climb for Wilderness, when Calgarians would gather to climb stairs and raise money for Alberta’s Wilderness. This year we were excited to return to those roots with a “Climb Stairs and Cycle on Earth Day” Adventure! AWA board member Chris Saunders set to the Continue Reading »
Winter Hike on Waiparous Creek
Written on March 15, 2022 at 2:32 pm, by Kevin Brennan
By – Peta Stuart It’s your AWA trusty reporter, checking in after a great Alberta Wilderness Association Adventure along Waiparous Creek led by Mr Heinz Unger. Our drive west toward this area afforded snow-capped Rocky mountain views; of particular note, the curiously-shaped Devil’s Head mountain. We had a sighting of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and Continue Reading »
Recapturing the Feel of the Native Prairie: A Fall Ramble on Nose Hill
Written on February 13, 2022 at 4:08 pm, by Sean Nichols
One of Canada’s — and indeed North America’s — largest urban parks, Calgary’s Nose Hill is an incredible treasure that we are lucky to have. AWA member Wendell Koning went along on our Fall Ramble on Nose Hill Adventure in October 2021 and expresses his appreciation: On the morning of October 21st, about 15-20 of Continue Reading »
Alberta’s Unique Paleoecological History: Dinosaurs and Badlands
Written on October 22, 2021 at 6:40 pm, by Sean Nichols
For the second year, AWA was thrilled to be able to offer a special treat: an exclusive audience with Dr. François Therrien, Curator of Dinosaur Palaeoecology at the Royal Tyrrell Museum; followed by a hike to explore the bonebeds at Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park. This year’s outing on July 16 and 17 was Continue Reading »
Effects of a 2020 Forest Fire, One Year Later: Ghost Wildfire Exploration
Written on October 13, 2021 at 11:49 am, by Sean Nichols
Wendell Koning is a Limnologist / Water Quality Specialist, recently retired after 20 years with Alberta Environment and Parks. He thus provides a unique insight as he discusses his experience on the August 11 “Ghost Wildfire Exploration” Adventure coordinated by Heinz Unger: In August 2020 there was a small forest fire of about 200 ha Continue Reading »
An Amazing Adventure for a 40th Birthday! “40/40/40”
Written on October 13, 2021 at 11:22 am, by Sean Nichols
Lindsey Wallis chose a truly unique way to celebrate her 40th birthday: “Forty kilometres by bike. Forty pitches of climbing. All in forty hours.” Read on to hear how it went! Thanks to everyone’s donations my 40/40/40 adventure has raised $5,701 for the Alberta Wilderness Association in support of their conservation work here in Alberta. Continue Reading »
