Kamryn Heck, 3, and her father, James Heck, of Calgary prepare to release a hawk Oct. 4 near Lethbridge. It was one of two rescued by Pam Bergen on her farm near Cardston, Alta., after a July hailstorm killed the hawk’s parents.  |   Barb Glen photo

Farmers keep the spirit of flight alive

Hawks rescued | Farmers delivered babies to Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, which helped them recover

When Pam Bergen heard that personnel from the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre had released Swainsons hawks into the wild last month, she cried. They were tears of joy that came months after she had shed tears of sadness over widespread destruction she saw July 26. A storm bearing golf ball-sized hail struck Pam and […] Read more

The addition of a second fence creates the illusion of three dimensions, keeping wildlife out of the filed. Bill Wilson, of Bonanza, Alberta, has been able to return to swath grazing his cattle during the winter. | Mary MacArthur photo

Pilot project tests fencing options

BONANZA, Alberta — With a herd of 75 wild elk and a smattering of deer and moose wandering through the bush north of his farm, Bill Wilson thought his days of swath grazing and bale grazing were over. However, a new fencing technique has allowed Wilson to once again inexpensively graze his cattle without wildlife […] Read more

Beavers eat green branches in a side channel of the Bow River near Carseland, Alta. | Mike Sturk photo

Leave it to beavers

TWIN BUTTE, Alta. — Senator Nicole Eaton may not have considered the beaver’s role in mitigating the effects of climate change when she suggested last year that the polar bear replace it as one of Canada’s national symbols. But yes, to its attributes of being busy, industrious, persistent and a great swimmer, the beaver can […] Read more