Mingling at the Alberta Native Trout Science Workshop and Gathering. Photo: Matthew Wallace.
By Katelyn Grado
Thanks to the collaboration and funding from various NGOs, government, academia, Indigenous communities and industry partners, the second Alberta Native Trout Science Workshop and Gathering was hosted February 26–28th, 2025. This workshop took place in Calgary, Alberta on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina, the Stoney Nakoda Nations, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
Each morning of this three-day event started with a pipe ceremony facilitated by Roddy and Dusty Twin of Swan River First Nation, followed by opening statements from Elder Eldon Weasel Child from Blackfoot Confederacy.
The workshop provided a collaborative approach to share information and research advances about Alberta native trout through an assortment of presentations and breakout sessions. People from across Alberta and North America came together and dove deep into topics such as non-native species interactions, cumulative effects, climate change, angling, genetics, habitat, forest hydrology, communication, and outreach.
Attendees were given the opportunity to choose between four breakout sessions. Subjects discussed were presented in an interactive engaging manner, to encourage the exchange of ideas to develop practical solutions. The topics presented included: Understanding and managing cumulative effects on fishes, a Nehiyaw (Cree) Understanding of Natural Law, Improved mapping and characterizing of riverine landscapes in Alberta, and Working with trout critical habitat: perspectives from DFO and Alberta forestry sector.
Dr. Ben Kissinger, the Water and Fish Program Lead at fRI Research reiterated the importance the workshop plays in giving an opportunity to connect people and organizations interested in the recovery of native fish with a focus on native trout within Alberta.
“With the federal listing of three of our Alberta native trout as endangered or threatened under the Species at Risk Act, it should be a wake up call for us as stewards of the land to work together to create and implement collaborative and innovative solutions to recover our native fish. It is also a reminder that impacts are cumulative in nature and may require multiple initiatives and subsequently organizations to work together to implement these actions. These trout species act as important indicators of ecosystem health, and their loss suggest we need to be better stewards.”
The Alberta Native Trout Science Workshop created a valuable platform where information was received and exchanged by individuals working towards the shared goal of trout conservation in Alberta. It is vital that organizations engage in partnership and collaboration to continue to move towards a shared objective, as every party can bring unique and diverse perspectives to the table.
Find more information about the themes and presentations in the extended program.
