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Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program (AIHP)
Preserving Our Way of Life – Conserving Biodiversity
The Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program (AIHP) is a program supported by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to assist First Nation communities in Alberta with the protection, recovery, and management of Fish Habitat. This objective is pursued through the identification of regional and local issues related to fish habitat management, technical and administrative capacity building initiatives, fish habitat assessment projects at the community level, and youth engagement initiatives.
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
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management in the community can range from source water protection, to assessing riparian health, creating a community chemical management plan, or conducting a biophysical inventory to create a habitat management plan. Fish habitat management also includes incorporating Best Management Agricultural Practices to reduce the impacts of agriculture and livestock on watersheds. Collaboration and networking between Alberta First Nations, DFO, other levels of government and NGOs is essential for the sustainable management of Alberta’s fish habitat.
 Protecting fish habitat means healthy fish populations will be available for the 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 as well as the enhancement and recovery of fish habitat by improving or mitigating impacts.
Below are the upcoming capacity building initiatives within the AIHP program.
Technical Training Initiatives:
Stream Assessment training: date and location TBA
- Fish inventory capture techniques
- Habitat assessment inventories
- Stream survey methods
- Macro-invertebrate studies
- Classroom and field exercises
Environmental Assessment and Referral Review training: Date and Location TBA
- Environmental Assessment process
- Related legislation
- Referral review process and risk management framework
- Case studies and field exercises
Youth Engagement Initiatives
2nd Annual Youth Environmental Stewardship Camp
 TSAG is hosting the 2nd Annual Youth Environmental Stewardship Camp for First Nations Students Grades 9-12. The camp will be held July 17-24 at the Centre for Outdoor Education (COE) located 10km West of Nordegg on Highway 11. The focus of the camp is to raise awareness about the Environment and to encourage students to continue in Math and Science Education routes.
- Topics discussed include:
- Conservation and Protection
- Math and Science related careers
- Fish Habitat awareness
- Water and Wastewater management
- Activities include:
- Rock Climbing
- White Water rafting
- Caving
- Glacier Hike
- Classroom Presentations
- Waste management and composting
- Wetlands and fish habitat awareness
- Source water protection
For more information about the Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program please contact Amy Cairns at 780-483-8601 or acairns@tsag.net.
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