First bear sighting of the season
Jasper had its first bear sighting of the season, March 16.
Sheila and Peter Steer of the United Kingdom were driving to Mount Robson that morning, when they saw a black bear about 15 km from town.
According to Parks Canada, the sighting is 鈥渃onsidered just a little earlier than normal.鈥� Banff National Park saw its first bear earlier this month, when grizzly No. 122 came out of hibernation.
Parks advises residents and visitors to be aware of bears and to limit exposure to bears by putting all garbage in bear-proof bins, using official trails, respecting closures, paying attention to warnings and driving past roadside bears, rather than stopping.
New funding for Saskatchewan River Crossing
The federal government promised $2.1 million to upgrade and restore the Saskatchewan River Crossing and Waterfowl Campground, located about 150 km south of Jasper on Highway 93.
The funding is part of $39 million earmarked for Banff National Park to improve the park鈥檚 roads, campgrounds and infrastructure.
Catherine McKenna, the minister of environment and climate change, made the announcement in Banff, March 17.聽
According to a press release, the government will use the money to consolidate and restore the Saskatchewan River Crossing and Waterfowl Campground operations into one area at the Saskatchewan River Crossing. The project will include the replacement of failed septic fields, replace a failed generator with a new, energy-efficient one, rehabilitate staff accommodation, fix the water filtration system and repair the site鈥檚 roads.
The government also promised $493,000 to create a national recovery strategy for whitebark pine, considered a species at risk.
Onesie party at the Legion
Grab your pyjamas for one last event to raise awareness about autoimmune disease. On March 31, the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion is hosting a onesie party to wrap up a month-long initiative organized by the Find the Common Thread Foundation, a local organization created by Jasperite Marta Rode to help find the thread that links all 150 autoimmune diseases.
The event includes live music, appetizers, drinks and, of course, prizes for the best onesie.
Habitat for the Arts info night
Habitat for the Arts is hosting a membership drive and information night at the SnowDome Coffee Bar, March 29.
Stop by between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. to learn more about what the non-profit arts group has in store for the spring.
Members of the organization will be on hand to answer questions about workshops, memberships, after school programs and summer camps. Those who purchase a membership could also win a prize.
