Author: Candace Gutsche

DYK? June 16-22, 2024 is Native Prairie Appreciation Week! Grassland ecosystems cover between 42-56 million km2 (31-43%) of the earth’s surface! They are also one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems. Here are some fascinating facts about prairie grass adaptations from the Alberta Prairie Conservation Forum...

Scentless Chamomile  (Tripleurospermum perforatum) This is one smart plant! While it does look ornamental, it is certainly not a plant you want in your flower garden - even though we often find it there! This NOXIOUS (which means it must be controlled) plant can act as an...

Check out the spring edition of Growing and Grazing with Special Areas! In this interactive newsletter, you will read about gopher controls, drones, greenhouses, Pronghorns and more! Happy reading! To read previous newsletters, visit: Agriculture Services – Special Areas Board...

Beginning Monday, June 10, access to Special Areas offices in Hanna will be impacted due to the closure of 2nd Ave W. This road closure will impact access to the Hanna office for approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Offices remain open to the public with normal...

Death Camas (Zigadenus venenosus) Death camas is an early blooming native perennial found in dry to moist areas across the Special Areas. Succulent grass-like leaves originate from a single bulb and are followed by a rounded stalk on which several cream-white flowers with yellow centers are...

Effective Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. all loading restrictions are removed, with the exception of: a specified oiled road in Special Area No. 2 restricting bus, truck and trailer traffic to ninety percent (90%) of authorized load limits except as allowed under the...

The 2024 Spring edition of the Special Areas Ratepayer Newsletter is now available online and at your local District Office. In this edition, you will find: Update from the Chair of the Special Areas Board 2023 Financial Review and 2024 Budget Financial Trends and Assessment Drought and Water...

The Town of Oyen and the Special Areas Board were excited to host a Community Emergency Preparedness Day on May 6, 2023, in Oyen, AB. Emergency management partners from across the region joined the event to help raise awareness of what people can do in...

White Cockle (Silene latifolia Poir ssp. alba) This NOXIOUS weed must be controlled, and commonly creeps into hay crops. What makes white cockle troublesome? Its many seeds are difficult to separate from alfalfa and some grasses, making it a perfect invader of hay land. Stem and root...