Alberta’s New Environmental Monitoring Agency Open For Business
- Published: Friday, 23 May 2014
- Author: Maurice Smith
EDMONTON, Alta. -- Alberta’s new agency responsible for environmental monitoring, evaluation and reporting introduced itself to Albertans on May 22, with the launch of a new name and new identity that will soon become the recognized comprehensive source of data and information on the state of the environment in Alberta.
The Government of Alberta established the Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency – aemera.org – under the Protecting Alberta’s Environment Act in late 2013. The act was officially proclaimed on April 28 and appointed a board of directors to lead the organization.
“Today marks another step forward in Alberta’s commitment to being a steward of our environment even as we continue to be a global leader in responsible energy development,” said Robin Campbell, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development minister. “The launch of aemera.org ensures governments, business, and stakeholders will have reliable and scientifically-based data to help inform their decisions.”
Effective immediately, aemera.org is responsible for monitoring provincial air and water quality and ambient monitoring of biodiversity, previously managed by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. It is also leading the province’s involvement in the Joint Oil Sands Monitoring (JOSM) project, working with the federal government and stakeholders in the oilsands region to coordinate and enhance environmental monitoring activities in the area.
Over six months, aemera.org will expand to include additional environmental indicators for air, water, land and biodiversity in all regions of the province, and over the next year will evolve further to fulfill its mandate to provide open and transparent access to scientific data and information on the condition of Alberta’s environment, including specific indicators as well as cumulative effects, both provincially and in specific locations.
“With the launch of aemera.org today, we are beginning a exciting new chapter in the evolution of environmental management in Alberta,” said Lorne Taylor, chair of aemera.org. “While we have a lot of work ahead of us over the coming months, we are committed to creating the best system, tools and information possible to help the province solidify its reputation as responsible stewards of the environment.”
To coincide with the launch of aemera.org, the board of directors announced the appointment of Brad Pickering to serve as its interim chief executive officer to lead the transition of environmental monitoring activities from the Government of Alberta to establish operations for the agency.
The Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency is the provincial organization established to monitor, evaluate and report on key air, water, land and biodiversity indicators to better inform decision-making by policy makers, regulators, planners, researchers, communities, industries and the public. Its mandate is to provide open and transparent access to scientific data and information on the condition of Alberta’s environment, including specific indicators as well as cumulative effects, both provincially and in specific locations.
