Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program (AIHP)
Preserving A Way of Life – Conserving Biodiversity
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New to TSAG is the Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program (AIHP). The objective of AIHP is to increase the capacity of First Nation communities in Alberta on awareness of fish habitat management and for participation in decision-making processes, regulatory and non-regulatory, related to fish habitat management. The program promotes various federal and regional fish habitat and wetlands programs and initiatives, and provides the necessary tools and resources for potential projects
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and programs that meet the needs of the communities. The program also provides technical training and organizes and delivers workshops on fish habitat, wetlands and riparian health management. AIHP is supported by the Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Collaboration and networking is an integral to the program to allow for better working relations between Alberta First Nations, DFO, other areas and levels of governments and NGOs (Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Cows and Fish) all for the purpose of managing Alberta’s fish habitat in a sustainable manner.
What is Fish Habitat?
Fish Habitat is defined as: "Spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply and migration areas on which fish depend directly or indirectly in order to carry out their life processes." Fish habitat management in the community can range from protecting your source water to assessing riparian health, or conducting a biophysical inventory to create a habitat management plan.
By assisting First Nations the primary goal of the AIHP is to protect, recover and manage fish habitat in Alberta.
Taking care of fish habitat is about keeping fish populations healthy so that the resource is available for use and enjoyment by future generations. Fish habitat management includes taking actions to:
- Prevent habitat damage by managing negative impacts to wetlands and water environments; and,
- PEnhance and recover fish habitat by improving or mitigating impacts on wetlands and water environments.
Through the Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program, TSAG works with First Nations in Alberta to:
- Identify regional and local fish habitat management issues;
- Assist First Nations in taking action to improve or protect fish habitat;
- Provide education and access to training opportunities related to fish habit at management; and
- Support greater involvement for First Nations in fish habitat management, policy development, and other initiatives.
If you want to become more involved in fish habitat management TSAG has two other programs that will assist with AIHP, the First Nations Watershed Program and the First Nations Conservation and Protection Stewardship Program. Both programs deal with Species at Risk, Riparian Health, and Watershed management. While each program maintains their own program titles, objectives and goals, together all will help to assure that we preserve a way of life for future generations.
For more information about the Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program please refer to SARA - AIHP Glossary of Terms,
visit our AIHP FAQ page, or visit the links on our link page to various AIHP information sites, or
e-mail or telephone Denise Hammel at 780-483-8601.
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