The Special Areas Board is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, July 28 at 1:00 pm in Hanna, AB at the Special Areas Board Office – Main Boardroom (212-2nd Ave. W.). You can learn more about the proposed Bridge Closure Board Order including how it...
Community members, students from Youngstown School, and Special Areas representatives gathered at Blood Indian Park on June 17 to celebrate a major milestone: the unveiling of the Special Areas logo on a STARS air ambulance helicopter. The event celebrated over 30 years of partnership between STARS...
Let's feature White Cockle for this weeks Weed Wednesday! White Cockle is a noxious weed spreading across Alberta, commonly found in cultivated fields, pastures, and disturbed areas. Early identification is key to managing its spread. How to identify it: Upright plant growing 30–90 cm tall Narrow, lance-shaped...
The Special Areas Regional Emergency Management Partnership (SA-REMP) is strengthening how communities across the region prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. The SA-REMP brings together Special Areas and its municipal partners—including the Villages of Consort, Empress, Veteran & Youngstown, Towns of Hanna & Oyen...
This weeks Weed Wednesday feature is: Leafy Spurge! Leafy Spurge is a noxious weed that continues to spread across Alberta, especially in pastures, rangelands, and disturbed areas. Early detection is crucial to prevent large infestations. How to identify it: Bright green, narrow leaves arranged alternately along the...
Common Mullein is a noxious weed spreading across Alberta, often found in disturbed areas like roadsides, pastures, and railroads. Early detection and management are essential. How to identify it: Large, soft, gray-green, fuzzy leaves arranged in a rosette at the base Tall flowering stalks that can...
Article by Amanda Jorgensen, M.Sc., ATT Insect Management Specialist, Alberta Agriculture & Irrigation Warm conditions last fall mean that cutworms and grasshoppers had an ideal egg laying period. Even with a cool, slow spring, there still is risk from these species. Grasshoppers Grasshopper numbers were high in Special...
Effective Thursday, May 28th, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. all loading restrictions are removed, with the exception of: a specific oiled road in Special Areas 2 restricting bus, truck and trailer traffic to Ninety percent (90%) of authorized load limits except as allowed under the act or...
It's Weed Wednesday! Let's talk about Scentless Chamomile. Scentless Chamomile is a noxious weed spreading across Alberta, especially in disturbed areas like roadsides, fields, and pastures. Early detection is key! How to identify it: Daisy-like flowers with white petals and yellow centers (but unlike true chamomile, it...
Special Areas roadside grass control (cutting ditches) for local roads will begin on June 8. Requests to hay your ditch must be submitted to your local District Office as soon as possible. This will allow our road crew to plan their work accordingly. Roadside grass control...