Coaldale’s conservation volunteers recognized by Nature Alberta

Sunny South News Photo Courtesy of the Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society. PRESERVING MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS: Coaldale residents Joe Michielsen and Ken Mackintosh were recently recognized by Nature Alberta for their work in helping preserve mountain bluebird populations.

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

As the country celebrates National Volunteer Week April 19-25, Coaldale’s own, Joe Michielsen and Ken Mackintosh were recently recognized for their work in helping preserve mountain bluebird populations. 

Nature Alberta, a non-profit organization in Edmonton, focused on the preservation and conservation of Alberta’s environment and natural heritage,  recently recognized Michielsen for his 25 years of data collection on mountain bluebirds, as a volunteer mountain bluebird trail monitor. During that time, he has also helped fledge more than 1,400 mountain bluebirds from nest boxes.  

Michielsen’s work was recently highlighted in the 2026 Winter edition of the Nature Alberta Magazine.  

The non-profit organization also acknowledged fellow Coaldale resident, Ken Mackintosh and his father Duncan, for their work in mountain bluebird conservation and their work in helping establish the Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society (MBTCS).   

“We put up bluebird boxes all over Southern Alberta and I have a trail north of Fort MacLeod and one north of Coaldale,” said Michielsen, noting he volunteers as a mountain bluebird trail monitor from spring to fall every year and oversees about 75 nest boxes in the two locations. 

“I clean them out in the spring and prep them for nesting in the summertime,” he said, adding he monitors the trails for the number of bluebird nests and the number of eggs there are each spring. “Then I keep track through the summer as to how many fledge.” 

Michielsen began volunteering in this role 25 years ago because he loved nature. He soon learned that the mountain bluebird habitat was being taken over by invasive bird species like English Sparrows. 

“So they’ve had a rough time keeping their population up and basically their population went down to very few in the area,” explained Michielsen, noting their population, which is dependent on habitat and food availability, has been in decline for years.  

In a recent post on social media, Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn praised the work of Michielsen and Mackintosh. He thanked them for their “countless volunteer hours they have dedicated to the success of bluebird conservation efforts in southern Alberta,” and noted their commitment continues to make a lasting difference for mountain bluebirds and the preservation of the prairie ecosystem.

“Coaldale is fortunate to have residents who quietly dedicate their time to conservation and the stewardship of our natural environment,” said Van Rijn. 

He congratulated Michielsen on reaching his 25-year milestone as a mountain bluebird trail monitor.

“Joe’s commitment to maintaining and monitoring the Skull Springs Trail has helped provide safe nesting opportunities for these beautiful native birds, resulting in more than 1,400 mountain bluebirds successfully fledging from that trail alone,” said Van Rijn, pointing out Michielsen’s dedication is “a powerful example” of the meaningful difference long-term volunteer efforts can make for wildlife conservation in southern Alberta.

“I would also like to recognize Coaldale resident Ken Mackintosh, who continues to play an important role in the bluebird program through his work monitoring the River Trail. Ken’s ongoing efforts, along with the many volunteers involved in the Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society, contribute greatly to protecting and restoring habitat for Alberta’s native cavity-nesting birds,” said Van Rijn. 

Earlier this spring, the Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society (MBTCS) received a Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta (CFLSA) grant for $3,720 to purchase materials to build another 180 bluebird nest boxes, which will be installed across Southern Alberta. 

Michielsen said he feels good about his volunteer work and data collection over the past 25 years, and how that work has helped the mountain bluebird population. He hopes it can inspire others to get involved. 

“I know how many bluebirds have fledged from my (nest) boxes so that makes me feel good. I know that I’m doing a good job and have helped the population of bluebirds in our area,” said Michielsen. “The recognition that I get (can) help find new members that are interested and helps us increase our number of nest boxes so we’re providing more habitat for the mountain bluebirds.”