Principle

Conserve and enhance the diversity and health of wildlife, vegetation, and landscapes within St. Albert.

Photo: Eric Schultz

Biodiversity refers to the entire variety and range of life within a geographic area and can be understood at a variety of scales, from global to local. Development can influence local biodiversity negatively or positively.

St. Albert’s consideration and management of biodiversity aims to maintain a healthy and connected ecological network that supports the co-existence of development and the natural world. The following policies maintain and enhance a healthy ecological network and habitats throughout the city.
 

Policies

5.2.1.

Assess the impacts of major transportation and utility projects on wildlife habitat and movement corridors and implement appropriate mitigation strategies and measures if these areas cannot be avoided.
 

5.2.2.

Support the protection, restoration, and enhancement of wildlife habitats and movement corridors within the natural features identified on Map 5.
 

5.2.3.

Assess decisions regarding proposed changes to the natural features identified on Map 5, based on an ecological network perspective.
 

5.2.4.

Assess the potential cumulative impacts of development on the integrity of the ecological network, including natural features, wildlife habitat and movement corridors, and green corridors.
 

5.2.5.

Support local ecological networks within the overall ecological network in new development, redevelopment, and public projects by conserving natural features and identifying opportunities to restore and enhance ecological connectivity through open space connections when planning parks, other open spaces, trails, stormwater management facilities, and major infrastructure.
 

5.2.6.

Explore acquiring ecologically sensitive lands or other lands that contribute to the ecological network and that support enhancing biodiversity for future generations.
 

5.2.7.

Support the monitoring and management of invasive species that pose a threat to native biodiversity.
 

5.2.8.

Support the use of native and locally appropriate plant species through landscape design standards and guidelines.

5.2.9.

Support naturalization where appropriate, to enhance, buffer, and complement natural features.