Minister Shannon Phillips of Alberta Environment and Parks has appointed Banff-Cochrane NDP MLA Cam Westhead as the Chair for the Endangered Species Conservation Committee (ESCC).
Minister Shannon Phillips of Alberta Environment and Parks has appointed Banff-Cochrane NDP MLA Cam Westhead as the Chair for the Endangered Species Conservation Committee (ESCC).
"I'm really honoured by the appointment," said Westhead, adding that he is looking forward to getting to work later this spring when the committee resumes.
The committee has taken a three-year hiatus, as the province undertook a comprehensive review of agencies, boards and committees; it was created in 1998 through the Wildlife Act.
With a growing list of stakeholders, Westhead said the committee will consult with a scientific sub-committee and make recommendations to the ministry on the identification, management and recovery of species at-risk in Alberta.
"There is a significant number of stakeholders around the table, including Indigenous voices - so we will have a well-rounded perspective."
Species identified as either endangered or at-risk in the Cochrane region (Ghost-Waiparous watershed region) include bison, grizzly bear, west slope cutthroat trout and the trumpeter swan.
His appointment acknowledges his experience co-chairing a roundtable discussion with stakeholders in the Kananaskis region on issues arising from human-wildlife co-existence. Westhead has also been working with stakeholders on land-management and its effects on native trout populations.
"I've heard from constituents that they want to see their government take meaningful action to protect species at risk. I look forward to working with the ESCC, Minister Phillips, and our government to ensure policies reflect Albertan's values, and that robust recovery plans are in place to safeguard our province's natural heritage," said Westhead in a recent press release.
Later this year, the Kananaskis region will also see the implementation of a draft recreation management plan - much like what is being done in the Livingstone-Porcupine Hills region.
Westhead said as the province works to toward better management of public lands, including areas that include OHV trails, the goal is to "strike a good balance between recreation and conservation."
