Birds of Prey unveils new feature

The FortisAlberta Wetlands Viewpoint was unveiled at the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre recently. It has been two years in the making with support from the electricity distribution utility.

The new feature is located near the main entrance and includes a large picnic shelter with eating area, spotting scopes, benches, numerous interpretive signs and walking trail making it a wetlands environmental learning mecca.

Colin Weir, Alberta Birds of Prey Managing Director had a surprise for FortisAlberta employees who also asked to place a memorial bench along the trail to honour their late Community Investment Advisor, Debbie Bowering, who passed away in 2022.

She had worked closely with Colin on various projects that FortisAlberta has supported on site such as the Hawk Walk, Mosquito Terminator, Owl Amphitheatre and Demonstration Power Line area.

In a bittersweet addition to the project reveal, Colin asked Debbie’s children to help release a rehabilitated hawk and owl as part of the ceremony. He also presented FortisAlberta with a bird house, a miniature version of the picnic shelter.

Lisa Reis, Councillor spoke on behalf of the Town of Coaldale saying that the Centre is a source of pride for the town and Alberta. She congratulated FortisAlberta for their long-standing commitment to the environment, avian protection and the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation. Mayor Jack Van Rijn and Councillors Jacen Abrey, Bill Chapman and Dale Pickering we also on hand.

With 129,000 kilometers of mostly overhead power lines, FortisAlberta developed an Avian Protection Plan to keep birds safe as they find their perfect perch on power poles and lines. Colin served as an advisor to FortisAlberta and is key in rehabilitating injured birds.

FortisAlberta serves over half a million customers in 240 communities. In 2023, FortisAlberta opened a net-zero operations facility in Coaldale to better serve the community.