Check out the summer edition of Growing and Grazing with Special Areas! In this interactive newsletter, you will read about nitrate poisoning, downy brome, funding opportunities and more! Happy reading! To read previous newsletters, visit: Agriculture Services – Special Areas Board...
It’s Fire Prevention Week (October 6-12, 2024) and our Special Areas Fire Chief Rob Palmer has some tips on staying safe. This Fire Prevention Week, we’re focusing on one of the most crucial tools in fire safety: Smoke Detectors. A working smoke detector can mean the...
GOVERNMENT OF THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA PUBLIC SALE OF LAND (In accordance with Section 421 of the M.G.A.) Notice is hereby given that under the provisions of the Municipal Government Act, Alberta Municipal Affairs will offer for sale, by public auction in the: Special Areas Office No. 2, 212...
Three-flowered Avens (Geum trilorum) Native to the Special Areas and also known as Old Man’s Whiskers or Prairie Smoke, this attractive perennial is known for its reddish-purple, bell-shaped flowers that hang in groups of three. The 6 to 18-inch-tall plant has foot-wide, basal clumps of ferny, blue-green...
Broom-Rape (Orobanche ludoviciana) Broom-rape species are parasitic plants that grow on sage (Artemisia) plants. They have a white-ish colouring because they obtain their energy from the sage instead of producing their own via photosynthesis. Three broom-rape species are present in Alberta all characterized by their small...
Prairie Sage (Artemisia ludoviciana and frigida) This aromatic, silvery-white perennial is found throughout the Special Areas. Easily identified with its distinctive scent and silvery leaves, fringed sage is lower growing with fine, hair-like leaves. Prairie sage is taller with long oval leaves but has the same...
Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis) Blue Grama grass is a very distinct grass found across the prairies - particularly on drier sites. Blue grama can be identified by its comb-like seed head when it’s in flower, or by the blueish tinge to its narrow (1-2 mm...
Effective Friday, July 26th the Special Areas Board is imposing a fire restriction to extend throughout all Special Areas. The restriction is imposed on all outdoor fires but does not include gas or propane barbeques, or fires contained in campfire facilities in designated camping areas unless...
Yellow Toadflax (Linara vulgaris) This noxious (MUST be controlled) weed can flower much earlier in the year but is often noticed in Special Areas around this time of year. While sometimes mistaken for a snap dragon (check your “wildflower mixes”), this perennial is a fierce competitor...
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) Despite its name, Showy Milkweed is not a weed, but it is very showy. A common sight along Highway 555, showy milkweed is a showstopper when in bloom. A robust plant growing 1m or more in height with large 15 cm succulent green-blue...