Beaver Hills Initiative

Introduction

Presented by Brenda Wispinski

Beaver Hills Initiative Executive Director

International Experts Workshop on Transfer of Development

CreditsDecember 1, 2010

Beaver Hills Initiative Presentation Overview

The Beaver Hills, a unique landscape Who is the Beaver Hills Initiative How we do business Key Projects

Beaver Hills Initiative Target area

location

Beaver Hills Initiative The Beaver Hills/Cooking Lake

Moraine

Created by glacial retreat Knob & kettle topography, 1600km2 in extent; Dry Mixedwood Boreal Forest sub-region Higher elevation, cooler, wetter climate; Rich in wetlands; Extensively treed upland; High biodiversity Designated protected areas over 25%

Landscape character & sense of place

Elk Island

Cooking Lake -Blackfoot

MinistikMiquelon

6

Landscape under pressure

Beaver Hills Initiative Collaborative Partnership• Early 2000: Proposed

development in proximity to Elk Island National Park [EINP];

• September 9th 2002: Stakeholder workshop drafts a vision and operating principles

• November 7th 2002:Initial meeting of the BHI Committee

Beaver Hills Initiative Partnership

Local Governments: Beaver County, Lamont County, Leduc County, Strathcona County, Camrose County;

Government of Alberta: Agriculture and Rural Development, Environment, Sustainable Resource Development, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Municipal Affairs;

Government of Canada: Parks Canada Agency (Elk Island National Park), Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada ;

Academia: University of Alberta, Augustana University Campus, Alberta Innovates Technology Futures, Miistakis Institute

Industrial Partners: Alberta Industrial Heartland Association

Non-Government Organizations: Alberta Fish & Game Association, Alberta Conservation Association, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Edmonton and Area Land Trust, Alberta Land Trust Alliance, North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, Cosmic Journey, Alberta Lake Management Society, Alberta Invasive Plants Council, and Land Stewardship Centre of Canada.

Beaver Hills Initiative Vision and Mission

Vision• The Beaver Hills

Initiative values the region for its natural beauty, quality of life, and supports co- operative efforts to sustain the quality of water, land, air, natural resources, and community development.

Mission• Working together for a

sustainable region, through shared initiatives and coordinated action.

Beaver Hills Initiative Working together

Authority for decision making rests with each municipality.

BHI does NOT make decisions for the municipalities.

BHI acts in a supporting role by providing information to decision makers.

Cooperation and teamwork is key.

Benefits each partner from the varied skill sets and expertise of the members.

Avenue for collaboration

Leverage resources

W o r k i n g G r o u p s

Board of Directors

BoD

Strathcona CountyFiscalAgentSCFA

ExecutiveTeamET

Executive Director

ED

PlannersPWG

GISGISWG

Parks &

ProtectedAreas

PAWG

Research &

MonitoringRMWG

Communic.&

EducationCEWG

CouncillorsCWG

Beaver Hills Initiative Organization Chart

Beaver Hills Initiative Land Management Framework

Landscape Management Principles

Land Water Air Biodiversity Quality of Life

Green Green –– Existing Protected Areas

Blue Blue – Natural Water & Wildlife Linkage

Yellow Yellow – Country

White White – Multiple Use

Beaver Hills Initiative Land Management

Areas Map

Beaver Hills Initiative Land Management Framework

BH Moraine:Ecological network

BH Moraine:Functional connectivity

BH Moraine:Key segments

BH Moraine:Landscape connectivity Surface

Water Risk –Parcels Only

GroundwaterContaminationWater Risk

Beaver Hills Initiative Working Group Projects

Planners Working Group (PWG)• Time to review the BHI Land Management Framework• Link to Capital Region, Provincial Land Use Framework

and North Saskatchewan Regional Plan• New Legislation; Alberta Land Stewardship Act;

Understand the opportunities, challenges and impacts• Add new project layers including Transfer of

Development Credits Model and other projects

Beaver Hills Initiative Projects

• Wetland Health and Monitoring.• Woodlot Management Planning.• Ag Capture Study • Tourism Opportunity Assessment and Implementation plan• Biosphere Reserve Nomination• Golden Ranch _ Building a Legacy• TDC Project

Beaver Hills Initiative Questions ?

Additional information:• BHI Website: www.beaverhills.ab.ca

• Contact person:Brenda Wispinski, Executive Director BHIStrathcona County ph: (780) 464-8280wispinsk@strathcona.ab.ca

Thank you!!