Events / Meetings
Current Events and Meetings
2024
July 26, 2024, 9.30PM (Friday)
AUGUST WAGNER BOG TOAD AND MOTH WALK
Wagner Natural Area, Acheson AB
Our annual toad walk to survey populations and submit data to 
iNaturalist! Even with cold weather we often find dozens of toads and get interesting interactions that can provide exciting encounters. Learn ethical wildlife handling and check out what's on the moth sheets.
Wagner Natural Area to search for Boreal Toads. Numbers will be recorded and AARC board members will share information on our local amphibian species.We have also invited the
Alberta Lepidopterist Guild to set up a moth lighting sheet for us so at the end of the walk, there should be some moths and other insects to check out. The best chance to see adult toads is after sunset hence the late start time. Please meet at the parking lot (facing the Yellowhead) at 9:30 pm, we will do a bit of introductions before heading out.Make sure that any gear that you have used elsewhere (boots, etc) is disinfected to prevent transmission of chytrid and ranavirus. This is done by scrubbing and rinsing off debris, soaking for 5 min in 1 part bleach, 19 parts water solution. Then rinse.
Bring flashlights, bug spray (limit use or go without if you can- toxic to amphibians), cameras, appropriate clothing, water etc.
Please
RSVP to this event on Facebook so we have an idea of numbers. We expect to end around 11 pm but could go longer if the moths are looking good! Cost is free for members, you can purchase memberships at the event ($10 per person, $15/ family)July 31, 2024, 7:30-11:00 PM (Wednesday)
EAGLE POINT-BLUE RAPIDS PROVINCIAL PARK "MOTH BALL"
Drayton Valley, AB
Eagle Point-Blue Rapids Parks Council Website
Come enjoy a night of unapologetic nature nerd science in event featuring educational activities and enrichment by AARC as well as the Alberta Lepidopterist's Guild. Moth trapping demos, ID sessions, a moth dome and light sheet, and a toad and snake walk by representatives from AARC. We'll also have a educational display featuring some cool ambassador creatures. Open to the public but registration is suggested and walk-in availability for certain activities may be limited.
August 21, 2024 (Wednesday)
NATURE KIDS EVENT
John E. Poole Wetlands, St. Albert
AARC is planning engaging activities for the Nature Kids family event in August.
Nature Kids events promote positive learning experiences for families of all ages and abilities by fostering appreciation for nature.
Past Events
2024
June 1, 202
Bruderheim Agricultural Society WebsiteJuly 1, 2024, 11:00-4:00ELLIS BIRD FARM CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONLacombe County, AB
Ellis Bird Farm WebsiteCelebrate Canada Day at Ellis Bird farm with the whole family! AARC will have a booth and interactive hands-on table display in collaboration with Butterfly Wings N' Wishes, featuring all kinds of creatures. Open to the public! Stop in or stay the day.
AGM 2022
April 26, 2022. 7PM
The meeting will occur via Zoom
AGM 2021
May 4, 2021. 7PM
The meeting will occur via Zoom, details are below. Facebook event can be found here:
Telus World of Science
January 18, 2020
Educational display for the opening of new IMAX film- Back from the Brink
AARC Quarterly Meeting
November 5, 2019.
General meeting and presentation on hadrosaur teeth
ERAS Fall Expo
October 5-6, 2019.
Educational display
John Janzen Free Admission Day
September 29, 2019.
Educational display
Wagner Toad Walk
August 24, 2019.
Hosted this annual event, open to the public. Night walk to see boreal toads west of Edmonton at the Wagner Natural Area
Elk Island Bioblitz
July 20, 2019.
Hosted by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Used minnow traps to survey larval salamanders, and visual surveys for other species
Nature Kids
July 10, 2019. Edmonton
Hosted by Nature Alberta. Speaking about general amphibian and reptile information, and Alberta species.
Telus World of Science
June 27, 2019
Turtle themed educational display for TWOS anniversary event
Ellis Bird Farm- Father’s Day
June 16, 2019. Lacombe County
Educational display, led pond dipping
Thiel’s Greenhouse
May 26, 2019. Bruderheim
Partnered with several groups to provide hands on nature learning for families
Parkland Bioblitz
May 18-20 2019. Near Wainwright
Partnered with Lakeland College to host the annual survey trip
AARC AGM
May 7, 2019. Edmonton
ERAS Expo
April 27-28 2019. Edmonton
Educational Display
General Meeting
March 19 2019. Edmonton
General meeting and documentary viewing
Field Trip to Cypress Hills
July 20-23 2018
Camping at Cypress Hills Provincial Park. Day trips to surrounding area to find short-horned lizards, rattlesnakes, leopard frogs and more.
Quarterly Meeting
January 23, 2018, 7-9 PM
Petland South Park - 3803 Calgary Trail, Edmonton, AB
Featured Speaker - Ian Kanda RVT
International AARC member Ian Kanda reports on pursuing his career in exotic animal medicine in Oklahoma. Interesting cases will be discussed from wildlife to personally owned pet reptiles. Oklahoma is the state with the third highest herpetofauna diversity in the United States and Canada, following only Texas and Florida. Field herping in this often overlooked state will also be highlighted, as will be some tails of culture shock, and future projects.
Telus World of Science Edmonton
Saturday Sept 16, 2017, 10 AM - 4 PM
11211 142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5M 4A1
AARC will be presenting about native Albertan Reptiles and Amphibians at the Telus World of Science Edmonton. The special exhibit is The Science of Pixar
John Janzen Nature Centre
Sunday Sept 24 2017, 10 AM - 6 PM
Free Admission Day
7000 143 St., Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2R7
AARC will be presenting at Free Admission Day at the John Janzen Nature Centre. This is a free, family-friendly event, and there will be lots of activities and presentations through out the day
Wagner Natural Area Toad Walk:
Aug 26, 2017, 9:30 PM - 12 AM
Location: Wagner Natural Area 26519 Highway 16, Spruce Grove, Alberta T7X 3L4
Description: We will be leading members on an evening walk through the Wagner Bog. We will be searching for Boreal Toads. The best chance to see adults is after sunset hence the late start time (9:30 PM- midnight). I can pretty much guarantee we will see toads!
The Alberta Lepidopterists' Guild will also be there looking for moths, in case you are interested in seeing how that works.
Please meet at the parking lot (facing the Yellowhead)
Remember that we are a conservation group, so we take only pictures, NOT specimens on our field trips (not to mention, it is not legal to keep boreal toads as pets in Alberta).
Make sure that any herping gear that you have used elsewhere (boots, etc) is disinfected (diluted bleach solution and then rinsed) to prevent transmission of chytrid and ranavirus. Bring flashlights, bug spray, cameras etc.
Please let us know if you are coming, so that we know how many people we are waiting for.
The event was a great success! We saw at least sixteen Western/Boreal Toads and at least one wood frog. We would like to thank everyone for their help in this event as well thank you everyone who participated. Hope to see you again soon!
Annual General Meeting
Will be held May 30, 2017
Annual elections and budget review, recap of the IMPARA trip, and screening of David Attenborough's "Fabulous Frogs"
Edmonton Reptile and Amphibian Society (ERAS) Spring Show
AARC will be hosting a booth at the Spring ERAS Show. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about native Alberta herptile species, as well as tell you about exciting upcoming events and projects we are participating in. We will also be selling used books for $1 each to raise money for Alberta reptile and amphibian conservation. Please feel welcome to bring clean, gently used books to donate to our sale.
Italian Cultural Centre
14230-133 Ave
Edmonton, Alberta
Saturday May 6: 10am - 5pm
Sunday May 7: 11am - 4pm
Adults: $6
Teens (13-17): $5
Kids (4-12): $4
Kids under 4: Free
ERAS Members: Free
Spring Clean up at the Wagner Natural Area
The Wagner Natural Area is an amazing little area of land just west of Edmonton! If you have a chance May 6 they are having their annual spring cleanup. Also check out their other events to get a tour of the area and the local inhabitants.
Please meet in the parking lot between 9:30 and 10:00am for task assignments. Coffee and juice will be provided in the parking lot from 9:15 to 10:00am.
Dress for the weather, and bring work gloves and water.
Refreshments and snacks will be provided in the picnic shelter between 11:30am and 1:00pm.
Please RSVP to jenkibeth@gmail.com so we know how many people to expect.
Generally the clean-up involves picking up trash along the approach road from Atim Road to parking lot; picking up wind-blown trash in the Atim and Villeneuve fields; clearing deadfall and trash along the Marl Pond Trail; cleaning the toilets/biffies/privies; cleaning up the picnic shelter; other tasks to be determined (in past years we have painted over graffiti, hauled tires and wire out of ditches)
Quarterly Meeting
Feb 28, 2017 at 7:00PM - 8:30PM at Idylwyld Public Library - 8310 88 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB
Our featured speaker will by Brian Eaton, who will discuss the Herpatofauna of Alberta BioBank Project. The objective of this project is to develop a bank of amphibian and reptile tissue collected from Alberta that can be used in future research (genetic, disease, contaminant/toxicology). If there is extra time, we will discuss artificial hibernaculum construction for garter snakes.
Environmental Gallery at the Telus World of Science Edmonton
Time : February 18, 2017 at 9 AM - 8 PM - Environmental Gallery at the Telus World of Science Edmonton.
Alberta Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy will be presenting at the Environmental Gallery at the Telus World of Science Edmonton. Stop by and learn about Alberta's native reptiles and amphibians!
Free Admission Day at the John Janzen Nature Centre
Sunday September 25, the facility open 10am-6pm
AARC will be participating/presenting at Free Admission Day at the John Janzen Nature Centre.
Edmonton Reptile and Amphibian Society (ERAS) Spring Show
Saturday May 28, 2016 at 10 AM - 5 PM and Sunday May 29 at 11 AM - 4 PM
Edmonton Reptile and Amphibian Society (ERAS) Spring Show, May 28-29: AARC will have a booth at ERAS's Spring show at the Italian Cultural Centre (14230-133 Ave NW). We will be selling used books to raise money for amphibian and reptile conservation. If you wish to donate books, please see the Contact Us link and send us a message.
http://www.edmontonreptiles.com/
Wagner Bog Spring Clean-Up
May 14, 2016 - Day Event
Wagner Bog Spring Clean-Up, May 14, 2016: AARC will be participating in the Wagner Bog Spring Clean up. Bring clean rubber boots, gloves and your love for the environment. Directions: Wagner Natural Area is approximately 1.6 km west of the junction of Yellowhead Highway 16 and Highway 44.Turn south on to Atim Road (Rge. Rd. 270), then east on to the service road. Follow the service road east to the gravel parking area and the entrance gate to the Natural Area.
Annual General Meeting
April 26, 2016 at 7 PM
We are holding our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday April 26th at 7 PM at Western Drug Distribution Centre (WDDC) - 17611 109A Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5S 2W4. Kris Kendell will do a presentation about Amphibian Conservation. We will also hold nominations and elections for President, Secretary-Treasurer (or Secretary and Treasurer if we have enough interest), Conservation Coordinator, Education Coordinator, and Members at Large. We will present the annual budget for 2016, and nominate auditors.