INSIDE the Cross What’S up with the Future?

Nov/Dec 2003 News from the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area Volume 9 Issue 6 Habitat Management at INSIDE the Cross What’s Up with the Future?...... 3 By Donna Fleury, P.Ag.,Volunteer Calendar of Events . . . . 4 he habitat management efforts News from the ASCCA . 5 on the Cross Conservation Area Area Steward Reports . 7 T saw many accomplishments in Thanks to our Sponsors 8 2003. Reg Rempel, Habitat Manager, is The Drive to Save very pleased with the many things that Energy ...... 9 were successfully completed, and Kids Korner...... 10 thanks the many volunteers who Announcements . . . . . 11 helped in reaching the goals. One of the highlights was the safety, EDITOR Debora Senger health and wellbeing both of the habitat and the visitors to the Area.“We take LAYOUT AND DESIGN safety very seriously,and we are very Emerge Visual Design – pleased to note that this year has gone Cheryl Peddie by without any emergencies or major CONTRIBUTORS concerns.That’s priceless,”says Reg. Jacquie Gilson The second highlight was the return of Sue Hayduk the Western Meadowlark to the proper- Donna Fleury ty.It appeared last year along the east Erik Weigeldt Natalie Young end of Pine Creek, and this year Ken Webb Reg Rempel, Grazing Manager and Debora Senger Maintenance Foreman CONTACT US AT returned to the log barn area and nest- Box 20, Site 23, R.R. #8 olunteer

V ed there. Reg has sent a copy of Dick Calgary, AB T2J 2T9 , Choy’s famous photo of the mead- Tel 403.931.9001 owlark on the Area sign to Sandy Cross Fax 403.931.2042 this summer.When he visited Sandy this [email protected] fall, it was framed and hanging in www.crossconservation.org Sandy’s living room.

Photo by Dick Choy On the land management side, all of the haying was completed successfully, with higher yields this year.About Continued Next Page

The Cross Current • Volume 9 • Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2003 • 1 ‘Habitat Management at the Cross’ continued from page 1 more area covered with toadflax than we previous- ly realized. It has either spread or the size of the 330 acres of hayland did receive fertilizer this year, patches went unnoticed in previous years.A lot of which helped to increase the yields.A total of 924 hard work hand pulling and removing toadflax from round bales were made on the land, weighing the various patches by the volunteers helped to get between 1300 and 1400 pounds.A custom baling a start on control. One patch near the lookout in arrangement was made with John McKenzie for all native grass is alarmingly large in size. of the haying done on the property. The few patches of leafy spurge were hand pulled “From the grazing side, we basically stuck to the and collected. Some areas of foxtail were weed carrying capacity this year, which worked amazingly whipped to keep it from going to seed and spread- well,”says Reg.“The grazing went on schedule and ing. Burdock was collected and removed through- the rotation we had set up worked well.”Good out the summer.“Ongoing weed eradication is very moisture from last fall resulted in good pasture important to the habitat, and an issue that needs to growth this year.“The water supply did quite well be addressed continually.” except for spring #12, which dried up. However, this spring hasn’t flowed for the past two years, so A part of the weed control efforts is to mark the even though the flow was short lived, it was good exact locations where they are to make it easier for volunteers and summer students to find these loca- to see it flow again.”The approximate revenue to Photo by Mik date from grazing is about $25,300. tions again and reduce the time searching for them. To that end, people will notice various fence posts The total precipitation to date this year was down with different colored tops around the property. from last year, making it a concern going into the The top foot of the fence posts are painted red for winter.A total of just over 6 inches of rainfall, com- burdock, yellow for toadflax and green for leafy e Sturk pared to an average of 18 inches, was recorded at spurge.The locations of these posts match locations the cabin site.“The carryover from last year got us marked on the large map on the wall in the cabin. through this year, but it’s so dry now going into next season, we’re not sure what it means for With the toadflax patches for example, 4 posts are spring.”The total precipitation was recorded as fol- placed, one at each corner of the area.Toadflax is lows: May 7.1 tenths, June 29.2 tenths, July 4 tenths, very difficult to recognize when it’s not in flower, August 10.2 tenths, September 9 tenths, October 3 so by marking the outside area, and mowing to out- tenths (snow). side the posts, we should catch most of the patch. These patches may be mowed 2 or 3 times, to help The weed control efforts this year have surpassed control seed spread. anything done in the past on the land.That’s thanks to efforts of volunteers and the hiring of two sum- “These posts will remain in place until the weeds in mer students,Adam Warner and Mathew Craighton, that area are eradicated,”explains Reg.“We hope for July and August.“It’s crucial that these efforts people will adopt a patch and help us remove the continues.We need at least 5 years of concentrated posts as quickly as we can.”If anyone wants to efforts to see significant results,”says Reg. adopt a weed patch, consider joining the volunteer work days, or talk to Reg or Ken Webb and they will The key focus was on Canada thistle, with about happily point you in the right direction with the 253 acres mowed once this year.The thistles are right tools.“Hats off to the volunteers, they have mowed to prevent seed set and to reduce plant done a terrific job this year and I’ve enjoyed work- growth and root formation.There are a total of 360 ing with them to accomplish our habitat manage- acres that should be mowed. Reg was very pleased ment goals.” that the students managed to mow that many acres, and without them it would have never reached that Jacquie Gilson’s note:A big thank you to Reg for level. all his hard work and efforts on Habitat Management this year! = The other weeds of priority included toadflax, leafy spurge, burdock and foxtail. Reg noted that the toadflax really surprised us this year, as there is a lot

The Cross Current • Volume 9 • Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2003 • 2 News from ASCCA Executive Director and Board What’s Up with the Future?

By Jacquie Gilson

he Board of Directors met on September 10 Photo by Debora Senger to discuss future planning for the T Conservation Area. Facilitated by Dru Mohler of Alberta Community Development the session was heralded by all to be a huge success.Three new board members, Mike Going, Don Tannas and Brent Perry, jumped right into the discussions and dis- played their enthusiasm for the Area. The goal for the day was to develop a three year vision and priority programs; and create a strategy for fund raising to deliver these priority programs. Key outcomes that the Board would like to see include the following (in rough draft form): • people are more informed/aware • increased profile ASCCA Executive Director Jacquie Gilson, and Chair, Maureen Heffring • modified behavior here and at other natural areas (aligned with the guiding principles) really want.Visioning is picturing excellence and • increased funding provides a compass to guide us. It should motivate • increased utilization with minimal imprint and inspire us and it should be achievable.With this in mind we identified four key themes that should • habitat is maintained (for wildlife) be incorporated in our vision: having ecological • achieve a balance: access/profile vs. integrity (healthy land-not an island), offering effec- conservation tive education, awareness, and appreciation pro- • increased awareness of the continuing contribu- grams leading to action, becoming leaders in the tion of the Cross family community (socially connected- not an island) and • increased influence with stakeholders, especial- having organizational sustainability, i.e., sustainable ly pertaining to the buffer zone facilities, infrastructure, finances. • increased partnerships I have outlined these four themes in more detail in a • different forms of promotion (i.e.,TV) sidebar.An actual vision statement that encompasses these key points in still being developed.As you can imagine crafting a short, Visioning is picturing excellence and provides succinct vision statement is a compass to guide us. It should motivate and a time consuming and inspire us and it should be achievable. important exercise. I will keep you posted. At the planning meeting we • creation of a ‘romance’ around the area similar also had an excellent fund raising discussion and pri- to people’s perception of Africa oritized to three areas. First priority is our education • increased public appreciation of the area – ‘we programs and finding a major (i.e., $50,000 per year) are fortunate to have it’. sponsor for our Conservation Education programs including Conservation Matters.This will help with Board members began discussing the creation of a our overall operating budget. Second priority for the vision statement to describe the kind of future we Continued on Page 4

The Cross Current • Volume 9 • Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2003 • 3 CalendarWinter 2003/04 at the Cross Conservation Areaof Events

Volunteers, all Conservation Education programs are half-price for active ASCCA volunteers! To register for a Conservation Education program, please call 931-9001.

Wed., Nov 5 Conserving Private Land in the Foothills: 7:00 - 9:00 pm Conservation Education Programs and Possibilities Adults only Wed., Nov. 12 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Conservation Education Winter is for the Birds! Families and adults Tues., Nov 18 9:30 am - 3:00 pm Educator Training Program Revisions and Story Telling Educator Volunteers Thurs., Jan 8 9:30 am - 3:00 pm Educator Training Winter Walkabout Educator Volunteers

‘What’s Up With the Future’ Continued from Page 3 • leadership immediate future is habitat management, especially • preserve principles caring for the native grassland. Lastly, we have initiat- • increased presence in community ed plans for a new sustainable education and office • redefine the community re ASCCA facility.We will develop our plans and fund raising • poll of visitors/volunteers/staff/local neighbours strategy in 2004 and seek partners to help us with • advocacy for conservation this major undertaking. • connectivity re neighbors and other stakehold- I think the planning session was a great success and ers – ‘not an island’ I am pleased that we have so much board support • potential for ‘MD working group’ for these priority projects and future planning. 4. ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY Individual Vision Elements A. Facilities/Infrastructure Sorted by Main Themes •state of the art infrastructure (fencing etc.) •showpiece facility (education/staff 1. ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY (healthy landscape) headquarters) • healthy habitat •sustainable award winning facility • native species flourish B. Fiscal Sustainability • not an island (physically) •fiscal sustainability • connectivity for wildlife •sustainable i.e. funding facilities, staff, resources 2. EFFECTIVE EDUCATION/ AWARENESS / •secure long-term funding (25 years secure) APPRECIATION / ACTION •list of competing funders • education leads to public awareness C. Internal Boundary Defined/Secure • wonderful education programs •road allowances closed • many TV / Film Board specials / a series •mineral rights closed • preserve history •Provincial Park not an option • appreciation •boundaries not an issue • celebrate anniversaries •perpetuity •preserve no access areas 3. LEADERS IN COMMUNITY(human element) •access increased and controlled as needed • broad range partnerships (but planned). = • involve special groups i.e.,Alberta Native Plant Council etc. The Cross Current • Volume 9 • Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2003 • 4

News from the ASCCA

Donna raves about Olga Droppo’s Research Hiking Communications Volunteer group.“It is a fabulous opportunity to learn so in Profile – much about the flora and fauna of the Area, from the tiniest bug to the biggest animal that crosses Donna Fleury our path. Olga is so knowledgeable and is extremely By Debora Senger, patient with helping to learn plant names, including Communications, Development and Volunteer Coordinator the sometimes difficult ‘Latin’names.” ‘volunteer of special distinction’.The phrase Donna currently resides in the MD of Foothills west aptly describes Donna Fleury and was used of Millarville with her partner, gardener Edzard A on a certificate Teubert (Fuzei Gardens and Tree Service Ltd.), two awarded to her by the cats, two horses and various wildlife. She grew up Ann & Sandy Cross on a mixed farm in south-eastern Saskatchewan Conservation Area near Weyburn. In her efforts to move west, she says (ASCCA) in 2002. she “got stopped on this side of the mountains and loves it.” Donna Fleury has volunteered at the ASCCA We, at the Cross, love that Donna “got stopped” too. since 1999. She has Her dedication and expertise continue to make all volunteered primarily the difference! = in the communications area, lending her invaluable experience and expertise. Her vol- Happy Birthday Wishes for unteer contributions Donna Fleury, M.Sc., P.Ag., September & October include: assisting with Volunteer the writing and submit- Best wishes for a Happy Birthday are extended to – ting of the ASCCA application for the 2002 Alberta Emerald Awards; writing a wide array of articles for November the Conservation Matters newsletter, the Cross Bob Anderson - Nov 3 Current newsletter, and other local community Kirk Davis - Nov 4 newspapers; and lending her photographic expert- Barbara Simpkins - Nov 7 ise to naturalist Olga Droppo’s Research hikes on Caireen Hanert - Nov 8 Wednesdays. Bill Campbell - Nov 8 Teresa McLaren - Nov 25 “It is a privilege to be a small part of the effort to Jill Howton - Nov 29 carry out the extraordinary vision of Sandy and Ann Maureen Watson - Nov 30 December Cross.ASCCA is a critically important environmental Kristina Groves - Dec 4 area, and through their vision we have the opportu- Dana Forsyth - Dec 9 nity to protect and preserve the biodiversity and Ed Perry - Dec 9 wildlife habitat in this area, and to improve our Heide Blakely - Dec 13 understanding, our use and our management of the Mike Risely - Dec 13 environment.” Natalie Young - Dec 14 Donna is a professional agrologist and has worked in Sheryl Faminow - Dec 27 agriculture and environmental communications and Jacqueline Nelson - Dec 31 extension education for the past 12 years. She owns Bruce Pettigrew - Dec 31 her own business EduTransfer Design Associates Inc., and presently spends much of her time as an agriculture, environment and science writer. ‘News from the ASCCA’ Continued on Page 6 The Cross Current • Volume 9 • Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2003 • 5

‘News from the ASCCA’ Continued from Page 5 Photo by K Workday News By Ken Webb, Volunteer en W 2003 Volunteer Activities – ebb Work Programs The 2003 work program is completed. Some activities will continue so long as the weatherman coop- erates but, for the most part, we have shut down until next Spring. This year saw several changes to our routines. Rather than working out of Belvedere House as in the past, work day volunteers moved down to Fencing can be seen running through Sandy Cross’ log cabin at the Rothney Farms site on the Cross Conservation Area. 218th Street. In conjunction with this move, Reg Rempel became our staff advisor and we thank him springs and natural riparian aspects of the for his guidance and patience throughout the year. Conservation Area. There was an extensive fence I believe that Volunteers were, for the most part, removal program this year which will allow pas- happy with the changes. tured cattle freer movement and fewer hot spots as During the year, 17 volunteers logged well over well as allowing wildlife easier movement and 1,000 hours. Our work generally consisted of: fewer reports of deer being found tangled in barbed wire fences. Nine regular work days were sched- • regular work days uled, although two had to be cancelled due to • riparian monitoring inclement weather. Weed eradication was exten- • fence removal sive this year and our volunteer activities in this • spring water monitoring area were augmented by two students hired for the summer. Our usual gardening and trail mainte- • weed eradication nance activities expanded to include construction • trail maintenance of a new foot bridge on the trail to the West lookout • garden maintenance and installation of a culvert at a low spot on the • storage shed renovation trail to the Stewart Barn. Perhaps our biggest task this year was the renovation of a surplus building to Volunteers carried out regular monitoring of the be our tool and equipment storage shed. Special thanks go to the volun- Photo by K teers who worked so hard this year: - Bob Anderson, Dick Choy, Kirk Davis, Ollie Hux, Bev Lane, en Ruth Obromniak, Kath Orr, Ing-Brit W

ebb Renbork, Mike Risely,Anne Rudiak Ray Rudiak, Glenn Schultz, Ron Standish, Russell Varnem, Maureen Watson and John Weinmayr. Finally, we seek feedback from all volunteers and users of the Cross Conservation Area. Your comments and suggestions for improvement next year will be Workday volunteers Ray Rudiak, left, and Ron Standish, right, break for welcomed! = lunch after many hours spent working on fencing.

The Cross Current • Volume 9 • Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2003 • 6

cleared by the students and our workday volunteers. Kudos to them! The colors of the posts indi- Area cate the kind of weed at that location.These include: red for Burdock; green for Leafy Spurge and yellow for Toadflax. Next year, we’ll see how successful the removal of the weeds has been and how Steward much follow-up work will be necessary. Reports Photo by Mik e Sturk By Erik Weigeldt, Volunteer Reporting from Aug 9 – Oct 8, 2003

he slow seasonal changes from late summer into fall seem to be gentle compared to the T haste with which spring burst into summer. The reports reflect these changes with many enthu- siastic comments in addition to the detailed obser- vations and descriptions of weather, wildlife, flowers and fruits.Whether it was raining at the end of August or unexpectedly hot and sunny in October, or sometimes uneventful, the walks were described as lovely and beautiful. Bull Elk Throughout September and into October there were still a fair number of flowering plants reported with As long as there are flowers around there also seem fall flowers, especially Asters. More prominent how- to be butterflies and moths active and included in ever were: Creeping and Tufted White Prairie Asters, the reports.These dainty, delightful insects are Smooth Aster, Hairy Golden Aster, and Lindley’s Aster sometimes hard to identify and sometimes surprise (from Olga’s Sept. 24 report). From mid-August us by sitting on scat.There were several kinds of onward, berries and fruit caught the attention of Sulphurs, Mourning Cloaks, a small yellow moth Stewards.Among the nine identified were: Fairy Bells with orange and rusty markings, and “Underwing (Lily Family) with one to three berries changing Moths” that camouflage themselves at rest by cov- from orange-yellow to scarlet-red; Bunchberry ering the often colorful hindwings with their less (Dogwood family), also known as Pigeon or conspicuous forewings. Partridgeberry, with bright red berry-like drupes; and Baneberry (Buttercup or Crowfoot family) bearing Sightings of a House Wren, a Red-breasted nuthatch, clusters of glossy red and sometimes white berries a noisy Pileated Woodpecker and a family of Ruffed which are poisonous. On October 7, Bruce Pettigrew Grouse deserve special mention. Some late found some Golden Beans blooming! Mountain Blue Birds, Goldfinches and Purple Finches seen in September will have left by now for Several Stewards had observed Quads driving in the their winter habitats.At the beginning of October, Conservation Area.These were students employed Canada Geese were gathering in large flocks on the during the summer through the STEP program, harvested fields along the Highway 22X; the sight- working on the eradication of weeds.The ASCCA ings of Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, and Quad is blue. Quads with any other colors should American Kestrels had become less frequent. be reported. The sightings of deer and elk with their fawns or Stewards and hikers may have noticed wooden calves, even occasionally a moose, are very reward- posts with tops painted red, green, or yellow.These markers show where patches of weeds have been Continued on Page 8

The Cross Current • Volume 9 • Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2003 • 7 Thanks to our Sponsors By Debora Senger, Development, Communications and Volunteer Coordinator MD of Foothills Story

Photo by Mik School children return to Belvedere House at the end of the day. The M.D. of Foothills No. 31 FCSS’s generous support helps ensure that the Cross can continue offering Conservation Education programs to youth, families and adults. e Sturk By supporting ASCCA’s Conservation Education programs, the M.D. of Foothills No. 31 FCSS is ensuring that Ann and Sandy Cross’s generous donation of 4,800 acres of private land to Alberta is protected in perpetuity and that environmental stewardship is promoted by Conservation Education programs. The Municipal District of Foothills No. 31 is a rural municipality located adjacent to and immediately south of the City of Calgary. It surrounds the Towns of Okotoks, High River,Turner Valley, and Black Diamond, the Village of Longview, and the Eden he Municipal District of Foothills No. 31 Valley Indian Reserve.The M.D. covers an area of Family and Community Support Services approximately 1,400 square miles (3,600 square (FCSS) provided the Ann and Sandy Cross T kilometres) in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies Conservation Area (ASCCA) with $5,000 for the and has 17, 682 residents.The M.D. of Foothills pro- Conservation Matters Information Series, a compo- vides a number of services - directly or jointly with nent of the 2003 Conservation Education programs other municipalities - to the residents of the rural offered to adults, children and families. area including general administration, road con- In 2003,ASCCA offered 30 educational programs to struction and maintenance, fire protection, ambu- over 600 people in three different seasons of pro- lance service, garbage disposal, planning and devel- gramming. Conservation Matters addressed current opment administration, agricultural services, recre- conservation issues in the public forum for M.D. res- ation and parks, family and community support idents and offered numerous ways to reduce impact services, bylaw enforcement, and water services. on the environment.Topics included water conser- The M.D. of Foothills No. 31 is one of the fastest vation, naturescaping for wildlife, grazing in drought growing districts in Alberta. conditions, community stewardship and many ASCCA is grateful for the support and recognizes more. All sessions included an action component, that together with the M.D. of Foothills No. 31 as participants were encouraged to take action to FCSS, it is able to offer more programs to a larger reduce their impact on the environment and to audience than it could alone. = learn ways to coexist with nature. “One of the founding principles of the Cross is to Area Steward Report Continued from Page 7 ‘offer Conservation Education programs, particularly ing during patrol walks. Now, during the rutting sea- to young people, without jeopardizing area wildlife son, the bugling of elk provides added excitement. and habitat,”explains Counselor Terry Waddock. It could be heard during the day of October 1 and “The FCSS grant is supportive of that.”Terry in the late afternoon of Oct. 2, coming from the Waddock presently sits on the ASCCA board as the Aspen grove south of Pine Creek. On Oct. 5 Bev M.D. of Foothills No. 31 representative. Lane was lucky to see the herd of elk in the “cut The Emerald Award for Environmental line” of the same area with two large bulls “facing Excellence was awarded to ASCCA in 2002 for off.”According to Reg Rempel, there are about 25 these programs. cows and 9 bulls in this herd, one of the two domi- nant bulls having a seven by seven point rack. =

The Cross Current • Volume 9 • Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2003 • 8

The Drive to Save Energy By Natalie Young, Volunteer riving to the Cross Area can be a bit of long tires, suspension and wheel bearings in the winter ride for volunteers, staff, and visitors alike. is to drive it – avoiding high speeds for the first 5 D As we all know, fuel costs can be high these km. If your car is properly tuned up, today’s mod- days, so the more we can save on fuel consumption, ern engines should not need more than 30 seconds the better! Beyond the monetary cost of fuel con- of idling on a cold day before you start driving sumption, there is the environmental cost to consid- away. er. Did you know that Calgary produces the high- So driving smarter can actually help save energy. est transportation-related carbon dioxide emissions Talk to your fellow volunteers about carpooling to of any city in Canada? Not surprisingly, there are simple ways we can reduce our vehicle’s emissions of hazardous air Fuel consumption can increase pollutants. One of the basic steps is to reduce the amount of idling of our vehicles. For exam- by up to 50 % in a poorly ple, if you will be stopped in your vehicle for tuned engine longer than 10 seconds, and you are not in traf- fic, turning your vehicle off and restarting it later will use less fuel than if you continued to leave the Cross Area to save on fuel consumption, and it idling. Surprised? Something to think about pick the vehicle that is the most maintained. Fuel when you head off to the Cross Area or when you consumption can increase by up to 50% in a poorly are getting ready to leave from the parking lot. tuned engine, and can also increase with tires that With the colder days that accompany our winter, are not properly inflated - so keep those tires inflat- try using a block heater to help your car warm up ed for safety and fuel efficiency. instead of idling it or using a remote car starter. Fast Fact: When you idle your vehicle, the engine is The ideal way to warm up your car’s transmission, operating below its optimum temperature, and therefore doesn’t combust the fuel completely –causing more fuel emissions per minute than driving and also potentially damaging your vehicle’s engine. Sources: www.climatechangecentral.com http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/idling/ Calgary Climate Change Quarterly, Autumn 2003, published by The City of Calgary Environmental Policy & Strategic Initiatives Division. =

Idling your vehicle can damage its engine, because the fuel doesn’t combust completely.

The Cross Current • Volume 9 • Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2003 • 9 Nature Journaling at the Cross kidsCORNER Conservation Area By Sue Hayduk, Education Manager and Debora Senger, Development, Communications and Volunteer Coordinator

ature journaling allows people to make a on the Impact of The Campus Calgary/Chevron “ personal connection with nature in order Texaco Open Minds Programs on student writing N to gain a deeper understanding of the achievement, Cochrane noted significant differences world around them;“Often a whole new world will in the writing of kids who journaled and kids who open up for participants.”Cathy Cochrane, Director didn’t.Those who did journal, showed marked of the Campus Calgary/ Chevron Texaco Open improvement in observing, writing and drawing Minds Program about the environment. Recently the Cross Conservation Area hosted a day of “Once a personal or emotional connection with Nature Journaling for adults. During this session we something is made, it’s hard not to care about it. spent the day exploring and observing nature and Immersion in natural environments is what creates learning new techniques to capture our view of the a sense of stewardship,” says Cochrane. world on paper.This adult session was inspired by the Many of the children we see participate in the week work done with children at the Cross Conservation long program at the CCA develop a personal connec- Area during the Open Minds School Program. tion to the area. We hope that the journaling work Research has shown that when people are actively we do continues to propel Ann and Sandy Cross’s involved in authentic environments, learning is longer dream to protect the Area habitat and wildlife forever. lasting and sustainable, explains Cochrane. Upon com- Here are some of our favourite journal pieces from pleting her kids who participated in the Open Minds program. Masters Thesis They are all written with their original spelling. = At Left: Picture by a Grade 5 student from Chris Akkerman School

My special spot “My special place is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen in your entire life. I would try to describe it but it is to beautiful. I mean not even the best camera in the whole world could ever capture the magnificents that this sight has to offer; and not just this spot but this whole entire place. I know of the way to describe it, it’s as if life were as perfect as this sight or even the whole world was as perfect as this sight, there would be no reason at all to live another way. To describe this place is that it looks like God made another reason for mankind to live, like heaven isn’t really up there, it’s right here in this place, with us right now and forever.” Jordan, Chris Akkerman School, Grade 5

The Cross Current • Volume 9 • Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2003 • 10 Announcements‘Thank yous’ and special notes...

Call or e-mail us Lakes National Park: ecology and predictive model- ing. For more information go to: http://www.devon- All of the staff now have their own e-mail addresses. ian.ualberta.ca/devonian/pnpdc.html Executive Director All active volunteers are invited to attend Olga’s Jacquie Gilson . . . 931-3377 . . . . [email protected] Nature Survey Walks on Wednesday’s (9am – 3pm). Please call 931-1042 before you come. Habitat Manager Reg Rempel. . . . . 931-3111 . . . [email protected] Special Thanks Education Manager ASCCA would like to extend a Sue Hayduk . . . . . 931-2042. . . [email protected] huge thank you to Education Volunteer Manager Manager Sue Hayduk for the con- Debora Senger. . . 931-1042 . [email protected] tinued fantastic job she is doing at the Cross and to wish her a Belated Environmental Education Interpreter Happy Birthday on October 24! Nadine Sauder. . . 931-2042 . . . [email protected] We’d also like to wish all of you a Belated Happy Halloween! Development and Communications Coordinator Debora Senger . . 931-1042 . . . [email protected] ASCCA extends special thanks to Reg and Ken for a fantastic job of organizing the Workday Volunteers Bookkeeper and seeing to it all the work got done! As well, a big Dianne Veldhoen . 931-1042 ...... [email protected] thank you to all the Workday volunteers for their dedication and hard work! Olga’s Nature Survey Walks ASCCA extends a heartfelt thank you to Mike Risely Olga is joined by Private Consultant Jennifer for his ongoing commitment to the creation of our Doubt to identify mosses new Database and for taking groups of Brownies By Donna Fluery, Volunteer out on hikes to carry out maintenance tasks on the eight bird boxes which they had built and installed On Wednesday, October 8, Jennifer Doubt from the the previous Spring. Mike has done a super job and Devonian Gardens in Edmonton joined Olga welcomes others interested in learning to join him. Droppo's Wednesday Research Hiking Group to If you are interested, please call Debbie at 931-1042. help the volunteers learn more about mosses at ASCCA. It was an exciting day, with more than 10 different kinds of mosses found in the first 100 ASCCA website - Help give us a new look metres of Aspen Trail.We identified a total of 18 dif- ASCCA is currently looking for a volunteer or an ferent mosses and 2 liverworts during the day, organization to assist us to re-design our website. which took us along aspen trail, down to the north Please call Debbie at 931-1042 if you are interested property fence line to North Creek, circling back to or know of an organization that may be willing to Spring #19, and back on the Aspen Trail. assist us with our website design and layout. Visit Jennifer is a private consultant working out of the us online at www.crossconservation.org Prairie and Northern Plant Diversity Centre at the ‘Announcements’ Continued on Page 12 Devonian Gardens, conducting rare plant surveys and impact assessments. Her passion and expertise are in Bryophytes, which includes mosses. Her Master’s thesis was on: Rare bryophytes of Waterton

The Cross Current • Volume 9 • Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2003 • 11 ‘Announcements’ Continued from Page 11 ‘Paradise Preserved’ in the Community Cross Current Special Editions ASCCA extends special thanks to Barry and Volunteers interested in contributing to the Cross Joyce Connatty and Donna Fluery who contin- Current can do so by submitting their articles, pho- ue to help get Paradise Preserved – Ann & tos, or recipes to Debbie by Mon., Jan. 12, for the Sandy Cross Conservation Area’s Hard Cover Jan.-Feb. Edition of the Cross Current.We welcome Book - into the community.Thanks also to the all submissions. Please call Debbie at 931-1042 for following stores and community members who further information. are displaying and selling our book for us: Karen Moench, Millarville Market;Wild Birds Educator Fall Wind Up Unlimited; Priddis View and Brew; Frank Slide Interpretive Centre; Rouge, formerly known as Thank you Educators for another fantastic year of the Cross House Restaurant; Crockets Trading school programs! Over the year we have seen over Company. 4000 kids participate in the Open Minds and Nature Discovery programs. Without your invaluable help Paradise Preserved was submitted to Wordfest this would not be possible! Thanks for taking kids and the Banff Mountain Book Festival out rain or shine and making learning about nature Competition in the conservation a fun and rewarding experience. I summer. would like to invite all of our education volunteers Unfortunately our for a potluck lunch and PD session. We will be book was not joined by Christina Pickles, a professional story selected by teller, who will teach us how to weave facts into a Wordfest this year, fun and fascinating tale.We will also be reviewing but we will re-sub- the AMA program and assessing program content mit next year.We and revisions for next year. Please bring a small are still waiting to something to share for lunch and join us on hear back from the Tuesday, November 18th 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Banff Mountain Book Festival Competition. Please call Nadine to RSVP. We are looking for other volunteers to help approach potential places to sell our spectacu- Christmas at the Cross lar book in Calgary and surrounding areas.All funds raised from book sales are used to sup- ASCCA would like to thank all of its volunteers port ASCCA Conservation Education programs. for their incredible dedication and hard work Please call Debbie at 931-1042 if you are inter- throughout 2003. In addition, we’d like to invite ested in assisting with book sales. everyone to COME AND CELEBRATE WITH US!!!!

Please join us for our 11th annual Volunteer Christmas and Recognition Party on Saturday, December 6 from 10:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Attendees are welcome to join us on an early bird walk scheduled for 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Remember, the lunch is potluck so please bring a food item along for the party. Also in the spirit of giving we once again ask everyone attending to bring a non-perishable food item for the food bank. Please RSVP early (preferably by November 15) and tell us what type of dish you are bringing!

The Cross Current • Volume 9 • Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2003 • 12

Christmas at the Cross