Environmental concerns grow over southeast Calgary development project

As Calgary continues to build out, advocates are worried about the future of natural wetlands.

A board member with the Alberta Wilderness Association says the Ricardo Ranch development plan could devastate the area’s ecosystem.

A relentless sprawl that’s how some environmental activists are referring to development plans for new communities in Calgary. Drawing specific attention to the city’s southeast, they’re worried that three proposed developments could have devastating effects on the area’s ecosystems.

“What we see is these valuable ecosystems having to be eaten up because we just refuse to change the way we build our cities,” said Nathaniel Schmidt of the Alberta Wilderness Association.

In July, the Calgary city council approved plans for three new communities in Ricardo Ranch.

Nathaniel Schmidt, who’s a board member with the Alberta Wilderness Association, decided to check out the area himself.

“I was really surprised about the richness of the ecosystem that existed there. Where, you know, right up against where the development is proposed.”

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Included in Schmidt’s observations was the discovery of a Bank Swallow colony; a bird that is considered threatened by Canada’s species at risk act.

“We’ve lost over 98 per cent of Bank Swallows in Canada. And so the fact that there’s still some viable habitat that appeared to be recently in use is really concerning.”

On Sept. 2, the city provided an update on the Ricardo Ranch development plan. In the release, it is said that ‘a healthy and green city’ remains a priority moving forward Schmidt says it’s not enough.

“I would say that there’s nothing new in there. And so I would hope that there are future responses that take into consideration the concerns that a lot of Calgarians have raised at this point.”

The three planned communities of Seton Ridge, Logan Landing, and Nostalgia are expected to introduce some 2000 homes.
“If it can be saved it should be saved.”