Communication and Education Working Group
Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve and Light Efficient Communities Working Group
Research and Monitoring Working Group
To implement the Vision, Mission and key Objectives the BHI has:
Successfully developed The Beaver Hills Initiative_Phase I and II LMF that provides recommendations proposed to integrate the environment with social, economic and cultural factors and provide land use decision makers and managers with science based information, incorporating conservation planning strategies that will lead to the conservation of the ecological integrity of the unique landscape of the Beaver Hills.
The land management framework guides all business planning and land conservation strategies of the Beaver Hills Initiative (BHI). It promotes science based research, partnerships and collaboration, awareness building and integration of regional and provincial plans, including model development for a Transfer of Development Credit BHI TDC Pilot program and Alberta’s Beaver Hills Region Sustainable Tourism Opportunity Assessment.
The BHI is guided by a business plan, developed by all working groups and endorsed by the Board of Directors. A new business plan for the next five years is being developed.
The successful work completed to date has set the BHI on a course for international recognition as a Biosphere Reserve ( Biosphere Reserves in Canada – A Community Guide.pdf )
The partnership cooperation and coordinated efforts have also been demonstrated through the updating of management plans of the federal and provincial protected areas, the local municipal development plans and land use bylaws of the partnering municipalities and most recently through the land trust community by successfully acquiring the last working ranch, Golden Ranches in Strathcona County. The conserved sections of land not only preserve a cultural and historic element to the region but enhance a critical habitat link connecting the north and south portions of the Beaver Hills that will ultimately benefit wildlife movement through the core federal and provincial protected areas.
