December 2, 2025
Lecture: Coal mining contaminants in the Canadian Rockies by Dr. Colin Cooke
This Wednesday, Dr. Colin Cooke, a Senior Aquatic Scientist with the Alberta Government and Adjunct…
AWA believes that energy exploration and development must be regulated in a manner that is consistent with the maintenance of wilderness values.
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AWA’s mandate throughout its four decades has been the protection of intact, representative ecosystems across Alberta. In areas where economic development is integrated within a working landscape, AWA supports robust management, regulation, and enforcement strategies.
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We believe in a fundamental need for wilderness that is free of industrial incursion; a network of legislated protected areas is currently the only framework under which this can be ensured. Outside of such areas, exploration and development must be conducted in an environmentally responsible manner. Full-field life-cycle planning must be required for all new developments including phase-out, remediation, and reclamation. Adequate reclamation liability must be assessed on a per-project basis that accounts for all remediation and reclamation costs, and does not leave Albertans vulnerable to major financial risks.
AWA believes Alberta’s wilderness and natural capital are non-renewable resources of immeasurable value, and must be considered as such and given priority in land-use planning. An overarching land-use plan is desperately needed in Alberta to set targets for all sectors, determine thresholds and establish priorities for land use throughout the province. Conservation areas must be designated with legal protection.
When considering land disturbance impacts, the cumulative footprint of all past, present and planned developments upon the landscape must be considered. Energy development does not take place in isolation: it occurs on a landscape also impacted by forestry, residential and recreational developments. The combined footprint of all of these activities must be considered in planning decisions.
Collectively, we know that the economic value of the ecosystem services performed by natural ecosystems for humankind far exceeds that of industrial development.
AWA has been involved with Shell Canada as they work to restore landscapes once active with drilling and extraction; Waterton 12 is one such site (shown above). (N. Douglas)
Seen in the photo are AWA and Shell Canada employees discussing the process and early results of reclamation efforts at this site that has reached its full life-cycle. (C. Olson)
November 28, 2025
Joint Statement: Canada and Alberta join forces to trample Indigenous Rights and weaken environmental protections in return for fossil fuel expansion, while ignoring cleanup problem
Joint Statement: Canada and Alberta join forces to trample Indigenous Rights and weaken environmental protections…
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Joint News Release: Permission to Appeal Granted: AWA and CPAWS Northern Alberta progress in challenging Alberta Energy Regulator’s Decision to Cancel Public Hearing for a Coal Mine
The Alberta Court of Appeal has granted permission to Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) and the…
November 24, 2025
Dismissing the experts
In recent years, Dr. Colin Cooke and his colleagues… have published five articles that examine…
November 20, 2025
C4RE News Release: Supermajority of Albertans want oil and gas companies to cover costs of well cleanup, unpaid municipal taxes and landowner rents
New Poll: Supermajority of Albertans want oil and gas companies to cover costs of well…
November 5, 2025
Media Advisory: Join ENGOs in virtual court to appeal the cancellation of a public hearing for a coal mine
Tomorrow, Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) and CPAWS Northern Alberta are going to court. This is…
October 23, 2025
Civil servants must be free to speak with the public and the press
Recently, AWA reached out to Dr. Colin Cooke, a senior aquatic scientist with the Alberta…
October 15, 2025
Joint News Release: Mine 14 Approvals Granted After Public Hearings Cancelled, ENGOs Continue to Move Forward With Appeal
On September 24, 2025, the Regulatory Applications branch of the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) issued…
October 9, 2025
Joint News Release: Indigenous, environment and health groups reject inadequate industry-led recommendations for treat-and-release of tailings
For immediate release: October 8, 2025 Indigenous, environment and health groups reject inadequate industry-led recommendations…
October 3, 2025
Adventures for Wilderness, Cochrane North Field Trip; Geology, Glaciation, Oil Wells Technology, and the Impact of Gravel Mining on the Environment – September 13, 2025
Text by Pamela Narvaez-Torres and Tako Koning, photos by Pamela Narvaez-Torres Led by Tako Koning…
October 1, 2025
Clean Up Your Mess Virtual and In-Person Town Halls
AWA, as part of the Coalition for Responsible Energy (C4RE), is supporting the upcoming launch…
September 22, 2025
Joint News Release: Environmental groups turn to Alberta Court of Appeal after Alberta Energy Regulator CEO cancels public coal hearing
September 22, 2025 Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) and the Northern Alberta Chapter of the Canadian…