In the midst of a boreal forest, Ethan Denton, a Calgary-based ornithologist working in Fort McMurray, Alberta, stands by a network of nets. From a cloth bag, he delicately retrieves a small dark-eyed junco, a dark grey songbird. Denton uses pliers to affix a light aluminum band with a unique ID number onto the junco’s right leg for identification purposes. After noting its gender and measurements, he releases the bird, contributing to a collective effort by researchers in North America to track migration patterns.
Ken Foster, a co-founder of the Wood Buffalo Wildlife Research Institute (WBWRI), observes Denton’s work, emphasizing the institute’s commitment to long-term bird monitoring in the oilsands region. Foster expresses concern about declining bird populations and highlights the importance of identifying species at risk and implementing conservation measures.
Established in 2024, WBWRI is the sole non-profit organization of its kind in Fort McMurray, focusing on bird research and engaging volunteers in citizen science initiatives. Foster, along with his wife Christine Godwin, aims to ensure continuity in wildlife research while fostering community involvement.
Research conducted by Foster through Owl Moon Environmental Inc. (OMEI) reveals varying responses of bird species to environmental changes in the oilsands region. Certain songbird populations, like the least flycatcher and northern waterthrush, have plummeted by up to 90% in the past 15 years due to habitat alterations caused by wildfires, industrial activities, and shifts in food availability.
Foster acknowledges the support of energy companies towards his research and emphasizes the institute’s goal of enhancing outreach and educational opportunities through its projects. By collaborating with volunteers and industry partners, WBWRI aims to address local wildlife challenges and contribute valuable data to national conservation efforts.
Beyond bird banding initiatives, WBWRI is implementing an automated tracking tower as part of the Motus Wildlife Tracking System to monitor animal movements. The organization also plans to monitor bat populations and train volunteers in wildlife rehabilitation, reflecting its holistic approach to wildlife conservation in the Fort McMurray area.
Overall, WBWRI’s multifaceted programs aim to quantify and address ecological changes, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and data-driven conservation strategies in safeguarding local wildlife populations.