We currently facilitate three Plant Study Groups at major centres in Alberta. These groups typically run indoors during the fall/winter season, however every one is unique to the membership needs of the area! We are also recruiting presenters and new leaders for study groups in additional locations. Email volunteer@anpc.ab.ca or the contacts below for more information.
For specific details (topics, presenters) on upcoming Plant Study Group sessions, please see our Events Calendar.
Central Alberta Plant Study Group (Edmonton)
Facilitator:
- Diana Tirlea
- Brittney Miller
- CentralPSG@anpc.ab.ca
Location:
University of Alberta Herbarium
5th and 6th floors
Biological Sciences Building
(East end – Botany Wing)
Saskatchewan Drive
Parking/Transit:
- Meter parking along Saskatchewan Drive
- Bike racks on campus
- Parking lots on campus and in area
- LRT/Bus station on campus
Dates:
- October through April
- Last Wednesday of the month.
Time: 6:30 – 9:00 PM
At this group, we host various speakers on topics related to plants, with a focus on Alberta’s native plants. All are welcome – novice to advanced botanists! To be notified of upcoming events, join our mailing list, present at a meeting or RSVP, please contact Diana/Brittney. Note that our study group lectures are generally held in room B521 from 6:30-7:30 PM, while herbarium specimen review occurs in room B613 from 7:30-9:00 PM (the “B” denotes Botany wing). We also try to host some spring & summer vegetation survey events in Edmonton and Area, so join the email list to find out more.
A select list of study group topics is shared below:
| Date | Presenter | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| April 24th, 2024 | Richard Caners, Royal Alberta Museum | Threatened Haller’s Apple Moss (Bartramia halleriana) in Canada |
| March 27th, 2024 | Kallum McDonald, University of Alberta | Quiet Conservation: Protecting Micro Natural Areas in the Aspen Parkland Biome |
| February 28th, 2024 | Kristen Andersen, ANPC President | Alpine Plants Please Stand Up |
| January 31st, 2024 | Manna Parseyan, Arnica Wildflowers | Showcasing Edmonton’s native plants and their vital role in addressing environmental challenges while contributing to biodiversity conservation |
| November 29th, 2023 | Kayleen Falkenstein, Edmonton and Area Land Trust | Blackburn Homestead Pollinator Garden Presentation |
| October 25th, 2023 | Ashley Hillman, University of Alberta | Vascular Plant Diversity and Conservation of Hinton’s Beaver Boardwalk |
| March 29th, 2023 | Lysandra Pyle, ABMI | Taxonomy and Ecology of Invasive Grasses in Alberta |
| March 26th, 2023 | Field trip to Chickakoo Lake Recreation Area, led by Diane Haughland (ABMI) | |
| February 22nd, 2023 | Ashley Hillman, University of Alberta | Alpine Plants in Ontario |
| January 25th, 2023 | Kristyn Mayner, ANPC Central Director | Weird and Wonderful Wetlands |
| December 14th, 2022 | Brittney Miller, University of Alberta | Testing Bryophyte Keys |
| November 30th, 2022 | Marshall McKenzie, Innotech Alberta | Discussion: Reclamation Seed Mix Design in Alberta |
| October 26th, 2022 | Dr. Jocelyn Hall, Curator of Vascular Plant Herbarium, University of Alberta | The Colonial legacy of systematics / herbaria and the decolonization of the U of A Vascular Plant Herbarium (ALTA-VP) |
| July and August 2022 | Field trips to Mill Creek Ravine, led by Diana Tirlea and Brittney Miller | |
| January 2021 | Field trip to discover winter flora of Edmonton and area, led by Diana Tirlea and Brittney Miller |
Southern Alberta Plant Study Group (Calgary)
Facilitator:
- Jane, Sandy and Teresa
- Calgarypsg@anpc.ab.ca
Location:
University of Calgary Herbarium
Room 13, Biological Sciences Building
507 Campus Drive NW
Parking/Transit:
- Disembark at the University C-Train station.
- Please enter by the lower level door on the south side of the building (see map) where an ANPC volunteer will be waiting to let you in (or call the Herbarium on 403-220-5262).
- Follow the signs to the Herbarium
Dates:
- October through March
- First or second Saturday of the month
Time: 1:00 PM
Please join us at the University of Calgary Herbarium for informative presentations, plant study opportunities and open discussions on a range of topics regarding native plants and ecosystems. All are welcome – novice to advanced botanists! For more information and to RSVP, please email and check the ANPC social media accounts for monthly presentation details. Food and drink are not allowed in the Herbarium.
A select list of study group topics is shared below:
| Date | Presenter | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| February 3rd, 2024 | Mattias Natvik, Landscape Architect and Sessional Instructor at University of Calgary | The Ecological Restoration of Grasslands |
| January 20th, 2024 | Jon Kozak, City of Calgary Urban Forester and ANPC Southern Director | Exploring Urban Forestry in Relation to Calgary and the Surrounding Region |
| December 2nd, 2023 | Blake McNeil, Alberta Native Plant Rescue | Plant salvage projects around Alberta |
| Brenna Pavan, Alberta Invasive Species Council | Alberta’s invasive species and how you – the citizen scientist – can contribute | |
| November 4th, 2023 | Teresa Lynch, Head Gardener | The History and Genesis of the Birth Place Forest and Gardens of the Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs |
| October 14th, 2023 | Christine Costello, Alberta Mycological Society | A Fantastic Foray into Fungi |
| Plant Study Group Leads | How was your Field Season? A presentation and discussion. | |
| April 29th, 2023 | Justine Doll, University of Calgary | Investigating the Relationship Between Native/Non-native Plants and Pollinators in Calgary |
| Cristopher Albor, University of Calgary | Genetics Behind Invasiveness, Rarity, and Extinction Risk in the Canadian Flora | |
| March 25th, 2023 | Natalie Zardecki, University of Calgary | Accurate Early Prediction of Leafy Spurge Invasion Using Species Distribution Models (SDM) in Alberta |
| Sandra Davis, ANPC Volunteer | Botany Alberta Events and the St Patrick Island Bioblitz | |
| Sarah Neville, ANPC Volunteer | The ANPC Pollinator Garden Challenge |
Peace River Plant Study Group
Facilitator:
- Melanie Bird
- mbird@nait.ca
Location:
NAIT Centre for Boreal Research
8102 – 99 Avenue
Peace River, AB
(Beside Northern Lakes College).
Parking/Transit:
- Free in front of the building
Dates:
- Year-round
- First Thursday of the month
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
This group meets indoors Oct – May for presentations, discussions, and hands on activities about Alberta native plants and ecosystems. Summer meetups (June – Sept) are spent outdoors exploring the beautiful Peace River area. All nature enthusiasts are welcome. Drop in or email Melanie to join our distribution list about upcoming events. Snacks and drinks are allowed in the facility.
Other Groups Requiring Volunteer Coordinators
Grande Prairie Plant Study Group
- TBA
Northern Plant and Ecology Study Group (NPESG; Fort McMurray)
- TBA
Medicine Hat Plant Study Group
- No longer active.
Interested in coordinating a Plant Study Group in your local area? Reach out to us at Volunteer@anpc.ab.ca.