History of Accomplishments  


1971 to Present
  • CEI established and implemented a wildlife rehabilitation and release program. 
  • This program has resulted in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of over 8,000 injured and orphaned wildlife.

1972 
  • CEI imported the 'first-founder' swift foxes into Canada from the USA, to establish the breeding colony for re-introduction into Canada. At this time, there were no swift foxes left in Canada.

1972 to 1976
  • CEI initiated the concept of ecosystem restoration through reintroduction of an extirpated (COSEWIC 1978) indigenous species (i.e. the swift fox, Vulpes velox) in Canada.

1972 to 1986
  • In British Columbia, Canada, CEI initiated a schools Programme (initially funded by the Federal Government of Canada) to teach environmental studies matched to the requirements of the public curricula. (The Programme was reestablished in 2009).

1977
  • The CEI laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Swift Fox Recovery Team by signing a co-operative agreement with the University of Calgary.

 1983 to 1997
  • The first reintroduction program of an extirpated (extinct in Canada) indigenous species, the swift fox, was undertaken in partnership with the Provinces and the Federal government of Canada. 
  • A total of  1,000 swift fox were reintroduced to the Canadian plains during this period by the Canadian Swift Fox Reintroduction Program, 847 of which were bred and provided by the CEI.
1986 to 1999
  • CEI undertook successful otter releases in British Columbia, Canada.

1986 to 2006
  • CEI undertook orphaned bear cub rescue, rearing, release and post-release monitoring Programmes in British Colubmia and Alberta.  
  • These were the first post-release monitoring studies of reintroduced black bear cubs in Western Canada.


1986 to Present
  • CEI Initiated and implemented WHALEFORCE, an International Cetacean Survey enlisting the public help of racing and cruising yachtsman

1991 to Present
  •  In Alberta, CEI initiated a Schools Programme to teach environmental studies matched to the requirements of the curriculum.
1993
  •  CEI provided DNA samples of swift fox to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

1993 to 1997
  • CEI developed and implemented a new reintroduction method for releasing swift foxes, which resulted in substantial documented post-release survival of reintroduced individuals.


1993 to Present
  • All CEI swift foxes have their DNA registered at the Natural Resources DNA & Forensic Profiling Centre in Ontario, a first for the swift fox species.
  • CEI provides field station facilities for undergraduate, graduate, and  post-graduate research.  
  • CEI provides experiential-learning environmental Programmes for communities and community groups.


1994
  • Under permit from South Dakota Fish & Game, the CEI collected hair samples of wild swift fox from the Pine Ridge Reservation and South Dakota badlands to send to Dr. Robert Wayne (UCLA), at his request for DNA analysis, and to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for a comparative analysis of selenium levels between the South Dakota swift fox and the CEI Canadian bred swift fox.


1995
  • CEI developed the concept, and laid the groundwork, for the non-intrusive identification of the sex and individuality of wild swift fox through analysis of their mating call (lubricious bay).  This method was applied in the field and successfully demonstrated its validity as a non-intrusive survey method, a first for small Canids. 
  • The development of survey method resulted in M.Sc and Ph.D. research, which also confirmed its validity.


 1996 to Present
  • CEI began sustainable building and an ecologically sound lifestyle.
  • The CEI built a demonstration straw-bale Interpretive Cente.
  • With the help of the Federation of Alberta Naturalists, the CEI is also in the process of developing illustrative gardens containing useful, edible, medicinal, technological and beautiful indigenous plants.
1997 to 2002
  • In partnership with the Blackfeet Nation, the CEI and the Blackfeet Nation undertook the first reintroduction of the swift fox in the USA, where it was listed as a an extirpated indigenous species.

1998 
  • The Swift fox Reintroduction Program in Canada was acknowledged as a success when the species was reclassified from Extirpated in Canada (COSEWIC 1978) to Endangered in Canada (COSEWIC 1998), making this the first successful small canid reintroduction in Canada.

1999 to 2000
  • CEI developed a non-intrusive method of collecting hair for DNA analysis from wild swift foxes. 
  • This method was a proven success and was a first for non-intrusive DNA sample collection in wild canids.


2000 to 2006
  • At the instigation of the Elders of the Kainai (Blood) Tribe of Alberta, the CEI, in partnership with Blood tribe Administration implemented the first Canadian endangered species reintroduction by an Aboriginal people on Aboriginal lands.  This was the first program in Canada to incorporate traditional Aboriginal environmental knowledge and botanical knowledge.

2003
  • Dawn Locke of the CEI, sponsored by the M.D. of Rocky View, produced a centennial CD on evolution of the  Municipal District over the past 100 years, titled From Wilderness to the Alberta Advantage.

2004 to 2007
  • CEI undertook technological exchange and capacity building programmes for Blood Tribe Land Management. These programmes included GIS, endangered species, radio telemetry and water management.
2006
  • Ken Weagle, of the CEI, was a requested delegate for the initial set up of the Water for Life programme.


2007
  • CEI undertook an evaluation of the status of Horse Creek, as a part of the Water for Life programme
  • CEI published a cetacean I.D. book for WhaleForce, designed to enable cetacean identification from a boat deck.
  • CEI was invited to provide WhaleForce seminars to Class Afloat (Cartagena, Spain), 2007 Blue Water Circumnavigation Rally (Lanzarote, Spain) and the 2007 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, AEC (Las Palmas Spain.)


2007 to Present
  • CEI implemented the construction of the Landmark Wall, an educational construction project built of straw-bales which is 400m long by 2.5 m. high.  It incorporates ancient rock art illustrating the geological history of the area, types of rocks and fossils as well as tempered glass, which will enable visitors to view free, undisturbed wildlife.  When completed, the wall will enable experiential learning of the environment, wildlife, and art and culture.
  • Once completed the structure is expected to be the longest artwork in western Canada.


2008
  • Work of the CEI was acknowledged by the International SPCA.
  • A branch of the CEI was established in Campbell River, B.C. by Dawn Locke.  
  • Dawn Locke began the implementation of school programmes in B.C. and managing WhaleForce.


2008 to 2010
  • CEI designed, developed, and implemented a unique and innovative French and English language program, L’Ecologie, C'est Pour Tous (The Environment is Yours). 
  • An integral part of L’Ecologie, C'est Pour Tous is the employment of Experiential Learning methodology, which will celebrate the merging of intellectual, interpersonal and community engagement in the ecology and Cultural Heritage of Western Canada. 
2009
  • The schools Programme directed towards teaching environmental studies, was reestablished in British Columbia.