The Alberta government has recently eliminated habitat protections for the endangered greater sage grouse. Changes to the Public Lands Act in July removed safeguards for the bird within designated protection and recovery zones, coinciding with the approval granted to Thor Resources, a helium extraction company, in the same habitat area.
The greater sage grouse, classified as an endangered species by both provincial and federal authorities, faces a critical situation in Alberta, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining, mostly in the southeastern part of the province. The population decline of 98% between 1968 and 2012 has been attributed to habitat loss and industrial activities, leaving the species with only about seven percent of its original range.
Mark Boyce, an ecology professor at the University of Alberta deeply involved in sage grouse conservation efforts since 1977, expressed concern that removing provincial protections directly endangers the remaining Alberta sage grouse population. He criticized the government’s decision, stating that it puts the most endangered vertebrate species in Canada at risk of disappearing.
In response, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas communications director Andrew Livingstone defended the changes, mentioning that the modifications aimed to simplify regulations in sage grouse ranges and provide more flexibility for activities in southeastern Alberta. He emphasized the province’s commitment to a sage grouse recovery program that aims to strike a balance between conservation efforts and the evolving needs of the economy.
Despite federal protections remaining in place for a portion of the greater sage grouse habitat in Alberta, conservationists like Joshua Killeen from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society expressed concerns about the long-term survival of the species without adequate habitat protection at the provincial level. The removal of these protections undermines years of conservation work and poses a significant threat to the species’ survival in the region.
The decision to lift habitat protections was influenced by the helium industry, with Thor Resources and the Helium Developers Association of Canada advocating for the changes due to perceived economic benefits. Critics argue that the removal of these protections prioritizes economic interests over environmental conservation, potentially jeopardizing the future of the already endangered sage grouse population in Alberta.