Collaborators & Contributors

For the ABMI’s bird analyses, ABMI data are combined with data from the Boreal Avian Modelling Project (BAM). Within Alberta, the BAM database is a compilation of data from the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), Breeding Bird Atlases, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the Bioacoustic Unit at the University of Alberta, other monitoring projects, and short-term research projects. In particular, the ABMI, BAM, and ECCC have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship during which both data and ideas have been shared. The data and information reported here substantially benefited from the aggregate dataset of these organizations, as well as the efforts and expertise of the collaborating scientists.

ABMI human footprint data are enhanced by a longstanding partnership with the Government of Alberta / Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) through the Alberta Human Footprint Monitoring Program (AHFMP). This partnership allows, for example, additional geospatial layers produced or maintained by the Government of Alberta to be incorporated into the ABMI's Human Footprint Inventory.

Environment and Climate Change Canada supports the ABMI's work in a variety of ways. In 2019, acoustic experts from ECCC, the ABMI, the Bioacoustic Unit, and BAM came together to develop the next phase of acoustic data management for Canada, which has come to be called the Open Data Initiative (ODI). This initiative, funded by ECCC, involves further functional development of the ABMI's WildTrax platform, and increased standardization and data sharing across data management platforms like WildTrax and NatureCounts.

The ABMI’s Caribou Monitoring Unit (CMU) was developed to support Woodland Caribou recovery in Canada. The CMU works with academics, industry, and government to facilitate applied research and provide scientific expertise to evaluate and monitor caribou recovery options. Al-Pac has supported efforts of the CMU to understand issues facing Woodland Caribou in their FMA area and surrounding landscape.

The Bioacoustic Unit (BU) is a collaboration between the ABMI and the Bayne Lab at the University of Alberta. The BU is the authority on best practices for using acoustic technology in Alberta and offers a range of services to support the application of acoustic technology. Leaders in the application of wildlife acoustic data to environmental management and research needs, the BU team is actively engaged in research to enhance methodologies and better understand the natural acoustic environment.