Feature Analysis Feature Analysis for the Beaver Hills HA Development Plan

Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Feature Analysis Feature Analysis for the Beaver Hills HA Development Plan

Sample Pages

Using This Chapter HA Field Staff HA field staff can use this chapter as a starting point for selecting features to highlight through HA services. Features are analyzed under headings such as significance and visibility, key findings are summarized and recommendations are provided.

HA Head Office Staff and PPA Regional Staff Managers and planners can use this chapter to identify significant features that should be included in HA services and that may require special consideration in other management and planning activities. 3.1

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis

Contents: Chapter 3 Feature Analysis Introduction … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.7 Major Properties … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.7 Minor Properties … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.7 Chapter Layout … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.7 Table 3.1: Significance of Major Provincial Protected Areas in the Beaver Hills … 3.9 Table 3.2: Significance of Minor Properties in the Beaver Hills … … … … 3.10 Detailed Analysis … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.13 Special Features … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.15 Hilly Terrain … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.15 Boreal Forest Outlier … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.15 Dark Sky—Low Light Pollution … … … … … … … … … … … 3.15 Conservation Features … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.15 Biodiversity … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.15 The Importance of the Beaver Hills … … … … … … … … … … … 3.15 The Big Picture … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.15 An Overview of the Beaver Hills … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.15 Location of the Moraine … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.17 Geology … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.17 Climate … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.18 Climate and Climate Change in the Past … … … … … … … … … 3.18 Recent Climate and Climate Change … … … … … … … … … … 3.18 Hydrology … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.19 Habitat Classification … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.21 Dry Mixedwood SubregionSample … … … … … Pages… … … … … … 3.21 Central Aspen Parkland Subregion … … … … … … … … … … 3.22 Habitats … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.23 Terrestrial Habitats … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.23 Upland Forests … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.23 Meadow and Dry Shrubland, Beaver Shrubland and Weed Disclimaxes … … … 3.23 Aquatic Habitats … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.24 Lakes … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.24 Ponds and Sloughs … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.26 Wetlands … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.27 Important Natural Processes … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.29 Forest Insects and Diseases … … … … … … … … … … … 3.29 Fire … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.29 Beaver Activity … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.31 Human History … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.33 Early History … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.33 Recent History … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.33 Conservation History … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.33 Waskahegan Trail … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.34 3.3

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Beaver Hills Heritage Appreciation Development Plan

Major Parks and Protected Areas … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.35 Cooking Lake–Blackfoot Grazing, Wildlife and Provincial Recreation Area … … … … 3.35 Habitats … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.35 HA Assets … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.36 Natural Features … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.36 Great Blue Heron Nesting Colony … … … … … … … … … 3.36 Trails … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.37 Built Features … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.37 Heritage Interpretive Centre … … … … … … … … … … 3.37 Kiosks in Staging Areas … … … … … … … … … … … 3.38 Other Historic Structures … … … … … … … … … … … 3.39 Other Structures … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.40 Sorting Corral … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.40 Shelters … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.41 Trail Signs … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.41 Management … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.42 History … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.43

Miquelon Lake Provincial Park … … … … … … … … … … … 3.44 General Comments … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.44 Water and Watershed … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.44 Habitats … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.45 HA Assets … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.46 Trails … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.46 Lakes and Kettles … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.47 BuiltSample Features … … … … … Pages… … … … … … … … … 3.47 Visitor Centre … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.47 Amphitheatre … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.48 Park Office … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.49 Picnic Shelters … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.49 Self-Guided Interpretive Materials … … … … … … … … … … 3.50 Family Adventure Packs … … … … … … … … … … … 3.50 Miquelon Trail Contest … … … … … … … … … … … 3.51 Park Newspaper … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.52 Interpretation Signs … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.53 Information Cubes … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.53 Recreation Features … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.54 History … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.55 Management … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.55

Minor Parks and Protected Areas In the Beaver Hills … … … … … … … … … 3.59 Natural Areas Beaverhill Lake Natural Area and Heritage Rangeland … … … … … … … 3.56

3.4 Antler Lake Island Natural Area … … … … … … … … … … … 3.59 Edgar T. Jones Natural Area … … … … … … … … … … … 3.60

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis

Hastings Lake Islands Natural Area … … … … … … … … … … 3.60 Edgar T. Jones Natural Area … … … … … … … … … … … 3.60

North Cooking Lake Natural Area … … … … … … … … … … 3.61 Parkland Natural Area … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.61 Sherwood Park Natural Area … … … … … … … … … … … 3.62 Game Bird Sanctuaries … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.63 Ministik Lakes Game Bird Sanctuary … … … … … … … … … … 3.64 Environmentally Sensitive Areas … … … … … … … … … … … 3.65 Big Hay Lake … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.65 Cooking Lake … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.66 Hastings Lake … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3.67

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3.5

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis

• Sherwood Park Natural Area Introduction The analysis covered: This chapter analyses the information presented • Location in Feature Inventory in the Feature Inventory (Chapter 2). This chapter • Significance further develops criteria and recommends features • General recommendations to be highlighted through HA services. Many features are analyzed as to their significance, Chapter Layout visibility and more. The key findings are Contents of this chapter follows that of the Features summarized in Tables 3.1 and 3.2 on the following Inventory (Chapter 2). The sections include: pages. HA staff and managers should refer to The Big Picture this chapter as they work to refine the contents Location of the Beaver Hills of the HA themes, subthemes and concepts they Geology developed in Chapter 8. Climate Habitats Major Properties Mixed Forest The Beaver Hills as a whole and the major Meadow/Dry Shrubland properties: White Spruce Forest • Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Grazing, Wildlife Beaver Meadows and Provincial Recreation Area Wetland • Miquelon Lake Provincial Park Lakes • Beaverhill Lake Heritage Rangeland Ponds and Sloughs including Beaverhill Lake Natural Area Natural Processes are given the most thorough treatment. The key Precipitation and Drought features identified for each site in the Feature Forest Insects Inventory chapter are discussed under the following Beaver headings: Fire • Location in FeatureSample Inventory PagesWind • Significance Human History • Visibility Early • Access Recent • Seasonality (for individual properties only) Conservation History Recreation History General recommendations are made for each feature Site Specific Features discussed. Major Sites Minor Sites Minor Properties Other Sites of Importance The minor properties are covered less extensively. Ministik Lakes Game Bird Sanctuary Presented alphabetically they are: Environmentally Significant Areas • Antler Lake Island Natural Area • Big Hay Lake Environmentally Significant Area • Cooking Lake Environmentally Significant Area • Edgar T. Jones Natural Area • Hastings Lake Environmentally Significant Area and Hastings Lake Islands Natural Area 3.7 • North Cooking Lake Natural Area • Parkland Natural Area

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Beaver Hills Heritage Appreciation Development Plan

Table 3.1: Significance of Major Provincial Protected Areas in the Beaver Hills for HA Table 3.1: Significance of Major Properties in the Beaver Hills Cooking Lake–Blackfoot Miquelon Lake Beaverhill Lake Ministik Lakes Protected Provincial Recreation Area, Grazing Reserve, Wildlife Area Provincial Park Heritage Rangeland (also encompasses Beaverhill Natural Area) Provincial Game Bird Sanctuary Protected Area Type Administered by PPA Administered by PPA Administered by PPA Administered by Alberta Public Lands Area Type Importance Major Major Major Major Importance to the Beaver • along with Elk Island N.P. forms region’s largest block of • along with Ministik Lakes Game Bird Sanctuary forms • internationally important migratory waterbird staging • nationally important waterfowl breeding area to the Beaver Hills protected area region’s second largest block of protected area area • along with Miquelon Lake Provincial Park forms Hills • but not actually located in the moraine region’s second largest block of protected area

Importance High High Moderate Low Importance as a PPA • site has potential to become a major outdoor education • further from Edmonton and Sherwood Park but still • site has high seasonal importance to bird migration • site has high seasonal importance to water bird breeding as a PPA HA HA Site and recreation site for Edmonton and surrounding has potential to become an important outdoor education - attractive to local, national and international birders • site is presently managed by another Alberta government Site communities and recreation site for Edmonton and surrounding • programming already delivered by Edmonton Bird Club, agency (Alberta Public Lands) • great opportunities for life-long learning activities communities Beaverhill Observatory and Beaverhill Lake Nature Centre • opportunities to partner with above groups Key Feature Significance Feature Significance Feature Significance Feature Significance Key Features Features of • Geology High • Geology High • Geology Moderate • Geology High of the the Beaver • Climate High • Climate High • Climate High • Climate High Beaver Hills Hills • Dry Mixedwood Subregion High • Dry Mixedwood Subregion High • Dry Mixedwood Subregion Low • Dry Mixedwood Subregion High • Terrestrial Habitats • Terrestrial Habitats • Terrestrial Habitats • Terrestrial Habitats - Mixed Forest High - Dry Mixedwood Forest Moderate - Dry Mixedwood Forest Low - Dry Mixedwood Forest Moderate - Aspen Forest Low - Aspen Forest High - Aspen Forest High - Aspen Forest High - Meadow/Dry Shrubland High - Dry Shrubland High - Grassland/Dry Shrubland High - Grassland/Dry Shrubland High - White Spruce High - White Spruce Low/Moderate - White Spruce Low - White Spruce High - Beaver Meadow/Beaver Shrubland High - Beaver Meadow/Beaver Shrubland High - Beaver Meadow/Beaver Shrubland Low - Beaver Meadow/Beaver Shrubland High • Aquatic Habitats • Aquatic Habitats • Aquatic Habitats • Aquatic Habitats - Lakes Moderate - Lakes High - Lakes High - Lakes Moderate - Ponds and Sloughs High - Ponds and Sloughs High - Ponds and Sloughs Low - Ponds & Sloughs High • Wetlands Sample High Pages• Wetlands High • Wetlands High • Wetlands High • Natural Processes • Natural Processes • Natural Processes • Natural Processes - Forest Insects Variable - Forest Insects Variable - Forest Insects Low - Forest Insects Variable - Fire High - Fire High - Fire Low - Fire High - Beaver Activity High - Beaver Activity High - Beaver Activity Low - Beaver Activity High • Human History • Human History • Human History • Human History - Early History Low/Moderate - Early History Low/Moderate - Early History Low - Early History Low - Recent History High - Recent History Moderate - Recent History Low - Recent History Low - Conservation History High - Conservation History Moderate - Conservation History High - Conservation History High - Recreation History Moderate - Recreation History High - Recreation History Low - Recreation History Low Key Site- • Wide variety of terrestrial habitats • wide variety of habitats, especially lakes and sloughs • key features are the large shallow lake, low shoreline and • an environmentally significant area Key Site- Specific • Key aquatic habitats (small lakes, ponds and sloughs) • Changing lakes mud flats supplying food and protection for migrating • wide variety of habitats, especially lakes, sloughs and Specific Features • Wetlands, beaver lodges - water quality, water levels, beach ridges, loss of fish, loss waterbirds, nesting habitat for rare piping plover wetlands Features • Nesting: great blue heron colony, trumpeter swans of nesting white pelicans • international importance, a RAMSAR site - very important place for breeding waterfowl • located at the junction of three major flyways - land is co-managed by Alberta Public Lands and Ducks • Extensive trail system • Wide variety of terrestrial habitats • of some local importance for breeding birds Unlimited Canada • Heritage Interpretive Centre • Wildlife - birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles • although outside the Beaver Hills its hydrology is • forest vegetation very typical of southern boreal • Old line cabin influenced by the Beaver Hills forest and the Beaver Hills • Lakes as waterbird breeding areas • Circular sorting corral • the lake’s shallowness is a major influence on shoreline • seasonal trail use encouraged - gull breeding islands - fall, winter, mid to late summer • Waskahegan Trail fluctuations • Trails - a key HA asset - trails closed during waterbird breeding season (spring • Picnic shelters • lake currently influenced by a long-term drought and early summer) • Visitor Centre- a key HA asset • Site management - dramatically receded shoreline, smaller lake • numerous studies of wildlife, forest insects, • Site management - potental for decline in numbers of migrating waterfowl vegetation and climate change are being conducted 3.8 - wildlife, cattle, fire, research projects, other (water, insects, weeds, special events) - wildlife, fire, vegetation, visitor management • shoreline vegetation includes aspen, willows • Site Management • History • History • many terrestrial birds nesting along the shore line - Ducks Unlimited Canada—breeding waterfowl - recreation, settlement - conservation, grazing • an environmentally significant area - grazing and hay EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis

Importance High High Moderate Low Importance as a PPA • site has potential to become a major outdoor education • further from Edmonton and Sherwood Park but still • site has high seasonal importance to bird migration • site has high seasonal importance to water bird breeding as a PPA HA HA Site and recreation site for Edmonton and surrounding has potential to become an important outdoor education - attractive to local, national and international birders • site is presently managed by another Alberta government Site communities and recreation site for Edmonton and surrounding • programming already delivered by Edmonton Bird Club, agency (Alberta Public Lands) • great opportunities for life-long learning activities communities Beaverhill Observatory and Beaverhill Lake Nature Centre • opportunities to partner with above groups Key Feature Significance Feature Significance Feature Significance Feature Significance Key Features Features of • Geology High • Geology High • Geology Moderate • Geology High of the the Beaver • Climate High • Climate High • Climate High • Climate High Beaver Hills Hills • Dry Mixedwood Subregion High • Dry Mixedwood Subregion High • Dry Mixedwood Subregion Low • Dry Mixedwood Subregion High • Terrestrial Habitats • Terrestrial Habitats • Terrestrial Habitats • Terrestrial Habitats - Mixed Forest High - Dry Mixedwood Forest Moderate - Dry Mixedwood Forest Low - Dry Mixedwood Forest Moderate - Aspen Forest Low - Aspen Forest High - Aspen Forest High - Aspen Forest High - Meadow/Dry Shrubland High - Dry Shrubland High - Grassland/Dry Shrubland High - Grassland/Dry Shrubland High - White Spruce High - White Spruce Low/Moderate - White Spruce Low - White Spruce High - Beaver Meadow/Beaver Shrubland High - Beaver Meadow/Beaver Shrubland High - Beaver Meadow/Beaver Shrubland Low - Beaver Meadow/Beaver Shrubland High • Aquatic Habitats • Aquatic Habitats • Aquatic Habitats • Aquatic Habitats - Lakes Moderate - Lakes High - Lakes High - Lakes Moderate - Ponds and Sloughs High - Ponds and Sloughs High - Ponds and Sloughs Low - Ponds & Sloughs High • Wetlands High • Wetlands High • Wetlands Sample High • Wetlands Pages High • Natural Processes • Natural Processes • Natural Processes • Natural Processes - Forest Insects Variable - Forest Insects Variable - Forest Insects Low - Forest Insects Variable - Fire High - Fire High - Fire Low - Fire High - Beaver Activity High - Beaver Activity High - Beaver Activity Low - Beaver Activity High • Human History • Human History • Human History • Human History - Early History Low/Moderate - Early History Low/Moderate - Early History Low - Early History Low - Recent History High - Recent History Moderate - Recent History Low - Recent History Low - Conservation History High - Conservation History Moderate - Conservation History High - Conservation History High - Recreation History Moderate - Recreation History High - Recreation History Low - Recreation History Low Key Site- • Wide variety of terrestrial habitats • wide variety of habitats, especially lakes and sloughs • key features are the large shallow lake, low shoreline and • an environmentally significant area Key Site- Specific • Key aquatic habitats (small lakes, ponds and sloughs) • Changing lakes mud flats supplying food and protection for migrating • wide variety of habitats, especially lakes, sloughs and Specific Features • Wetlands, beaver lodges - water quality, water levels, beach ridges, loss of fish, loss waterbirds, nesting habitat for rare piping plover wetlands Features • Nesting: great blue heron colony, trumpeter swans of nesting white pelicans • international importance, a RAMSAR site - very important place for breeding waterfowl • located at the junction of three major flyways - land is co-managed by Alberta Public Lands and Ducks • Extensive trail system • Wide variety of terrestrial habitats • of some local importance for breeding birds Unlimited Canada • Heritage Interpretive Centre • Wildlife - birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles • although outside the Beaver Hills its hydrology is • forest vegetation very typical of southern boreal • Old line cabin influenced by the Beaver Hills forest and the Beaver Hills • Lakes as waterbird breeding areas • Circular sorting corral • the lake’s shallowness is a major influence on shoreline • seasonal trail use encouraged - gull breeding islands - fall, winter, mid to late summer • Waskahegan Trail fluctuations • Trails - a key HA asset - trails closed during waterbird breeding season (spring • Picnic shelters • lake currently influenced by a long-term drought and early summer) • Visitor Centre- a key HA asset • Site management - dramatically receded shoreline, smaller lake • numerous studies of wildlife, forest insects, • Site management - potental for decline in numbers of migrating waterfowl vegetation and climate change are being conducted - wildlife, cattle, fire, research projects, other (water, insects, 3.9 weeds, special events) - wildlife, fire, vegetation, visitor management • shoreline vegetation includes aspen, willows • Site Management • History • History • many terrestrial birds nesting along the shore line - Ducks Unlimited Canada—breeding waterfowl - recreation, settlement - conservation, grazing • an environmentally significant area - grazing and hay

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Beaver Hills Heritage Appreciation Development Plan

Table 3.2: Significance of Minor Properties in the Beaver Hills for HA Antler Lake Island Beaverhill Lake Edgar T. Jones Hastings Lake Islands North Cooking Lake Parkland Sherwood Park Big Hay Lake Cooking Lake Hastings Lake Type of Natural Area Natural Area Natural Area Natural Area Natural Area Natural Area Natural Area Environmentally Environmentally Environmentally Type of Protected Subtype: Conservation Subtype: Conservation Subtype: Conservation Subtype: Conservation Subtype: Conservation Subtype: Education Subtype: Education Significant Area Significant Area Significant Area Protected Area No Legal Status No Legal Status No Legal Status Area Size Very Small Moderate Small Very Small Small Moderate Small Moderate Large Large Size 0.6 Ha 410 Ha 92.3 Ha 3.9 Ha 90 Ha 260 Ha 68.3 Ha 1,975 Ha 3,961 Ha 928 Ha Importance Low High* Moderate High Moderate Moderate Low/Moderate High High High Importance to the • nationally • an area of native • significant water • an area of native • an area of native • an area of native • nationally • provincially • provincially to the Beaver Beaver Hills significant forest and shoreline bird nesting habitat forest and shoreline forest, slough and forest, slough and significant significant significant staging Hills waterfowl staging vegetation on • nesting colonies vegetation on wetland vegetation wetland vegetation waterfowl staging staging area area for migratory and waterbird eastern edge of of white pelican, eastern edge of • could become part and waterbird for migratory waterbirds habitat Hastings Lake great blue heron, Cooking Lake of a greenway habitat waterbirds • safe nesting * not actually part of the • could become cormorant and gulls • could become connecting Hastings • part of a larger habitat for water Beaver Hills part of a corridor (colonial nesters part of a corridor Lake to the major wetland system birds connecting Hastings are significant connecting Cooking protected areas in - see Hasting Lake Lake to the major and sensitive to Lake to the major the north and south Islands protected areas in disturbance) protected areas parts of the moraine • part of a larger the north and south (the Blackfoot/Elk wetland system parts of the moraine Island complex) Importance Minor Minor/Moderate Moderate Potential High Potential Moderate Potential Moderate Potential High Potential High Long-Term High Potential High Potential Importance as a PPA However, great Area has significant • could become a • could become a • could become • could become • could become a Potential • could become a • could become a as a PPA HA HA Site opportunity to involve HA importance, focus for: focus for: a focus for a focus for focus for: • lower human focus for: focus for: Site local landowners in however other agencies - wildlife watching - wildlife watching good practice in good practice in - school-targeted population pressure - wildlife - wildlife watching stewardship of the (Edmonton Bird - watershed under controlled managing land in a managing land in a environ. ed. - further from watching - watershed lake Club, Tofield Nature stewardship conditions greenway corridor greenway corridor - wildlife watching Edmonton - watershed stewardship Centre, Beaverhill activities (perhaps by - community-based • remains relatively stewardship activities SampleBird Observatory) are in the Hastings Pages remote video) stewardship pristine activities already delivering HA Lake area activities Key Representative Representative Representative Representative Bird Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Key Features Features of Small Lake Large Lake Forest and Breeding Island on Forest and Forest, Sloughs and Forest, Sloughs and Mid-sized Lake Large Lake Large Lake of the Beaver the Beaver • typical small lake • typical aquatic Lakeshore a Large Lake Lakeshore Wetlands Wetlands • typical aquatic • typical highly • typical highly Hills Hills with island vegetation and vegetation and productive shallow productive shallow • typical aquatic waterbird staging waterbird nesting lake associated lake associated vegetation and and nesting habitat habitat with wetlands with wetlands waterbird nesting - aquatic vegetation - aquatic vegetation habitat - fish and aquatic - fish and aquatic invertebrates invertebrates - waterbird nesting - waterbird nesting and staging and staging habitat habitat Key Site- • lake • large lake • boreal forest • naturally vegetated • native forest, • native forest, • native forest, • lake • lake • large lake Key Site- Specific • naturally vegetated • associated wetlands • naturally vegetated islands in a large sloughs and sloughs and sloughs and • naturally vegetated • naturally vegetated • islands with Specific Features island and mud flats shoreline lake wetlands wetlands wetlands shoreline shoreline, wetland natural vegetation Features • water bird nesting • naturally vegetated • colonial nesting • rudimentary trail • well developed trail • water bird nesting, • 70% of shoreline and nesting water • close to human islands water birds system system molting and staging still forested (2004) birds habitation • water bird nesting • far from human • close association • high waterfowl • white pelican habitation with farmland species diversity nesting • rare white spruce • large muskrat and stands on 2 islands beaver population 3.10

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis

Table 3.2: Significance of Minor Properties in the Beaver Hills for HA Antler Lake Island Beaverhill Lake Edgar T. Jones Hastings Lake Islands North Cooking Lake Parkland Sherwood Park Big Hay Lake Cooking Lake Hastings Lake Type of Natural Area Natural Area Natural Area Natural Area Natural Area Natural Area Natural Area Environmentally Environmentally Environmentally Type of Protected Subtype: Conservation Subtype: Conservation Subtype: Conservation Subtype: Conservation Subtype: Conservation Subtype: Education Subtype: Education Significant Area Significant Area Significant Area Protected Area No Legal Status No Legal Status No Legal Status Area Size Very Small Moderate Small Very Small Small Moderate Small Moderate Large Large Size 0.6 Ha 410 Ha 92.3 Ha 3.9 Ha 90 Ha 260 Ha 68.3 Ha 1,975 Ha 3,961 Ha 928 Ha Importance Low High* Moderate High Moderate Moderate Low/Moderate High High High Importance to the • nationally • an area of native • significant water • an area of native • an area of native • an area of native • nationally • provincially • provincially to the Beaver Beaver Hills significant forest and shoreline bird nesting habitat forest and shoreline forest, slough and forest, slough and significant significant significant staging Hills waterfowl staging vegetation on • nesting colonies vegetation on wetland vegetation wetland vegetation waterfowl staging staging area area for migratory and waterbird eastern edge of of white pelican, eastern edge of • could become part and waterbird for migratory waterbirds habitat Hastings Lake great blue heron, Cooking Lake of a greenway habitat waterbirds • safe nesting * not actually part of the • could become cormorant and gulls • could become connecting Hastings • part of a larger habitat for water Beaver Hills part of a corridor (colonial nesters part of a corridor Lake to the major wetland system birds connecting Hastings are significant connecting Cooking protected areas in - see Hasting Lake Lake to the major and sensitive to Lake to the major the north and south Islands protected areas in disturbance) protected areas parts of the moraine • part of a larger the north and south (the Blackfoot/Elk wetland system parts of the moraine Island complex) Importance Minor Minor/Moderate Moderate Potential High Potential Moderate Potential Moderate Potential High Potential High Long-Term High Potential High Potential Importance as a PPA However, great Area has significant • could become a • could become a • could become • could become • could become a Potential • could become a • could become a as a PPA HA HA Site opportunity to involve HA importance, focus for: focus for: a focus for a focus for focus for: • lower human focus for: focus for: Site local landowners in however other agencies - wildlife watching - wildlife watching good practice in good practice in - school-targeted population pressure - wildlife - wildlife watching stewardship of the (Edmonton Bird - watershed under controlled managing land in a managing land in a environ. ed. - further from watching - watershed lake Club, Tofield Nature stewardship conditions greenway corridor greenway corridor - wildlife watching Edmonton - watershed stewardship Centre, Beaverhill activities (perhaps by - community-based • remains relatively stewardship activities Bird Observatory) are in the Hastings remote video) Samplestewardship pristine Pagesactivities already delivering HA Lake area activities Key Representative Representative Representative Representative Bird Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Key Features Features of Small Lake Large Lake Forest and Breeding Island on Forest and Forest, Sloughs and Forest, Sloughs and Mid-sized Lake Large Lake Large Lake of the Beaver the Beaver • typical small lake • typical aquatic Lakeshore a Large Lake Lakeshore Wetlands Wetlands • typical aquatic • typical highly • typical highly Hills Hills with island vegetation and vegetation and productive shallow productive shallow • typical aquatic waterbird staging waterbird nesting lake associated lake associated vegetation and and nesting habitat habitat with wetlands with wetlands waterbird nesting - aquatic vegetation - aquatic vegetation habitat - fish and aquatic - fish and aquatic invertebrates invertebrates - waterbird nesting - waterbird nesting and staging and staging habitat habitat Key Site- • lake • large lake • boreal forest • naturally vegetated • native forest, • native forest, • native forest, • lake • lake • large lake Key Site- Specific • naturally vegetated • associated wetlands • naturally vegetated islands in a large sloughs and sloughs and sloughs and • naturally vegetated • naturally vegetated • islands with Specific Features island and mud flats shoreline lake wetlands wetlands wetlands shoreline shoreline, wetland natural vegetation Features • water bird nesting • naturally vegetated • colonial nesting • rudimentary trail • well developed trail • water bird nesting, • 70% of shoreline and nesting water • close to human islands water birds system system molting and staging still forested (2004) birds habitation • water bird nesting • far from human • close association • high waterfowl • white pelican habitation with farmland species diversity nesting • rare white spruce • large muskrat and stands on 2 islands beaver population 3.11

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis

Detailed Analysis

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3.13

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Beaver Hills Heritage Appreciation Development Plan

Figure 3.1 Five counties and the City of Edmonton have a stake in the Beaver Hills.

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Sidebar: A Summary of the Regional Appreciation of the migratory bird resource by the Edmonton Bird Banding Society has continued for many Importance of the Beaver Hills years, with regular bird banding and annual field trips to The Beaver Hills are part of the most significant portion the more impressive migration and staging areas, such as of the North American Waterfowl production; the prairie Beaverhill Lake. Substantial numbers of people with more pothole region of Canada and the Northern United general interests use the area for boating, fishing, walking States. It is also part of the boreal forest, the home of or driving. Waterfowl hunting has long been a popular 60% of Canada’s land birds. The Canada Land Inventory recreational pastime in the area. has assessed many parts of the area at the highest possible At the turn of the century, a series of Public Shooting habitat-quality. Nowhere else in the province, except for Grounds was established in areas of high concentration the remote Peace-Athabasca Delta and the Hays-Zama of birds, to provide access for people from the cities. The Lakes area, is such a large block of this type of habitat Ministik Lakes Game Bird Sanctuary was established found. Nowhere else in Alberta is such a large area of about 1911 to provide protection and habitat for high quality waterfowl habitat and boreal forest found in migratory birds, particularly waterfowl. close proximity to a major urban center. The Beaver Hills are also the home of many other important species of wildlife and a popular natural area.

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EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis The Big Picture An Overview of the Beaver Hills The Importance of the Beaver Hills The importance of the Beaver Hills can be Water Bird Habitat understood from several perspectives. These include: The Beaver Hills are part of the most significant portion of North American waterfowl production; Special Features the prairie pothole region. It is also part of the boreal forest, the home of 60% of Canada’s land birds. The Hilly Terrain Canada Land Inventory has assessed many parts The Beaver Hills or Cooking Lake Moraine consist of the area at the highest possible habitat-quality. of typical knob and kettle topography, giving the Nowhere else in the province, except for the remote area a more rolling landscape with significantly more Peace-Athabasca Delta and the Hays-Zama Lakes lakes, ponds and sloughs than the surrounding flat area, is such a large block of this type of habitat ground moraine. found. Nowhere else in Alberta is such a large area of high quality waterfowl habitat and boreal forest Boreal Forest Outlier found in close proximity to a major urban center. An island of boreal forest sits on the Beaver Hills Appreciation of the migratory bird resource by the surrounded by a sea of dryer, warmer aspen Edmonton Bird Club has continued for many years, parkland. The higher elevation of the moraine makes with regular bird banding and annual field trips to it a slightly cooler moister area than the surrounding the more impressive migration and staging areas, landscape. These conditions support Alberta’s most such as Beaverhill Lake. At the turn of the century, southern extension of the borealSample forest ecozone. a series of PublicPages Shooting Grounds was established Dark Sky—Low Light Pollution in areas of high concentration of birds to provide The relatively low population and extensive areas access for people from the cities. The Ministik Lakes of natural woodlands results in low levels of light Game Bird Sanctuary was established about 1911 to pollution and makes the Beaver Hills one of the provide protection and habitat for migratory birds, region’s best places to observe the night sky. particularly waterfowl. Wildlife Conservation Features The Beaver Hills are also the home of beaver and Much of the Beaver Hills remains in its natural state, many other important species of wildlife such as making it a unique area in central Alberta—there is a deer, elk, moose and even cougar. lot of nature to be protected. At present about 25% of the Beaver Hills are protected as park, natural The Beaverhills Initiative area, recreation area or bird sanctuary. The Beaverhills Initiative is a multi-stakeholder stewardship project which includes the major Biodiversity public land stewardship agencies (PPA, Alberta The Beaver Hills have one of central Alberta’s Public Lands, Parks Canada), non-government highest levels of biodiversity. The knob and kettle organizations (e.g., The Nature Conservancy of topography provides the moraine with a wide variety Canada, The North Saskatchewan Watershed of microclimactic conditions that in turn supports a Alliance, Ducks Unlimited Canada) and the wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats that municipal governments of the five counties in which support many kinds of plants and animals. Also, the the Cooking Lake Moraine is located. This diverse 3.15 region’s poorer soils limited the amount of clearing group is working to develop processes that will assist for farmland, thereby leaving the region relatively in making the Beaver Hills a sustainable region. intact as an ecological unit. EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Beaver Hills Heritage Appreciation Development Plan

Recreation The Beaver Hills are an important and perhaps underused regional recreation area. Many people from the City of Edmonton and surrounding communities use the moraine’s forests and lakes for a wide variety of consumptive (hunting, fishing, trapping, snowmobiling, ATV riding) and non- consumptive (hiking, cross-country skiing, camping, horse riding, boating) activities.

Public Education There are numerous agencies and some businesses that provide HA services to visitors and residents of the Beaver Hills. There are a great many opportunities to integrate and expand these services.

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EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis Location of the Geology Moraine Location in Feature Inventory Location in Feature Inventory Geology is covered on pp 2.3-2.12 The location of the park is reviewed on page 2.1. • Bedrock p 2.5 • Pre-glacial landscape p 2.6 The general shape of the moraine and location with • Geomorphology p 2.6 respect to the five counties of Strathcona, Beaver, • Glacial landforms pp 2.6-2.9 Camrose, Lamont and Leduc are shown in Figure • Origins of present landscape pp 2.10-2.12 3.1. Significance: High Significance: High To effectively interpret the Beaver Hills and why Most people, including many who live in the the Beaver Hills exist, it is important to understand Beaver Hills, do not know its size and shape. An the geological history of the region. In this part of understanding of the physical placement of the Alberta, this means the history of glaciation. The moraine is a starting point for developing a “sense of geomorphology of the moraine is the result of the place” understanding among the area’s residents and coming and then the disintegration of the glacial visitors. ice sheets of the Wisconsin glaciation period. This involved complex processes that can only be inferred from studying the landscape’s structure, which can be Visibility: Low difficult as many of the geological features are difficult The shape of the Beaver Hills and the county to see. The area’s geology is a story of the formation boundaries are not easily seen from the air and are and persistence of the moraine in the landscape of not apparent on the ground. It is best conceptualized central Alberta. The landscape formed at that time has on maps and three-dimensional images. and continues to interact with the climate, hydrology and ecology of this unique landscape. Access: Moderate SampleVisibility: Pages High At present about 25% of the Beaver Hills are protected as park, natural area, recreation area The bumpy knob and kettle terrain of the Beaver Hills or bird sanctuary. Significant lake areas are also is not spectacular but very noticeable once you know accessible to boaters and cross-country skiers. what to look for. Its constantly changing elevation contrasts with the flat ground moraine terrain of the Year-round access may change for some PPA lands surrounding prairie. as a result of a program review that is taking place in 2004 and 2005. As well, public access to Ministik Access: Moderate Lakes Game Bird Sanctuary is restricted during the Access to parts of this terrain is easy through the spring waterbird nesting season. many trails in PPA lands as well as Elk Island National Park. Also, the Waskahegan Trail provides ➥ General Recommendations access to both private and public land in the region. 1. The shape and location of the Beaver Hills should ➥ General Recommendations be emphasized in HA maps and exhibits and in 1. The geology and geomorphology of the Beaver sense of place activities. The region should be Hills and its many connections with the natural provided with an identity. and cultural history of the area should be featured in HA offerings. Much of the information about the processes that formed this landscape may best be presented visually, perhaps animations either presented in a visitor centre, as part of a live presentation by an 3.17 interpreter and on the internet.

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis

the province’s least known but important subregions

Visibility: Low—Moderate Habitat Classification Because of a series of severe fires in the early 1900s, most of the forest has been set back to early successional stages which feature mostly stands of Dry Mixedwood Subregion aspen. Most visitors can not distinguish between aspen dominated Dry Mixedwood subregion forests Location in Feature Inventory and aspen parkland. The key visual difference is The Dry Mixedwood Subregion is discussed on the higher percentage of conifers, especially white pages 2.18-2.20. spruce, growing among the aspens and a general absence of open grassland. Significance: High This Dry Mixedwood subregion is significant in Access: Moderate—High many ways: As stated earlier approximately 25% of the Beaver • the Dry Mixedwood subregion is part of Hills are public land most of which has access one of the world’s largest bioregion, the through roads and hiking trails. boreal forest - the boreal forest is a circumpolar ➥ General Recommendations bioregion that includes the north of Canada, Europe and Asia 1. It is important that HA features the Dry - where the birds are—the boreal forest is Mixedwood Subregion and its importance to summer home to 60% of Canada’s land wildlife, especially migratory land birds. birds 2. HA staff should assist visitors and residents of - most migrate from their winter homes the area in learning to differentiate between dry in tropical rainforests and savannas mixedwood forests and the surrounding aspen • dry mixedwood subregionSample is transitional Pages between the moist coniferous northern boreal forest and the dryer Aspen Parkland of the south - as a transition zone it has many plants and animals that are common in the boreal forest and many that are found in the aspen parkland • the Beaver Hills are an island of dry mixedwood forest surrounded by aspen parkland - this disconnect makes the boreal species more vulnerable to natural disasters, e.g., fire and disease, as there is no easy way for recolonization from other boreal areas • the Beaver Hills are within an hour’s drive of one of Alberta’s major cities - there are many opportunities for a large number of people to learn about one of

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outbreaks, and extended drought Habitats • fire - boreal forest ecologists consider forest fires an important component of boreal Terrestrial Habitats forest succession Meadow and Dry Shrubland, Beaver Shrubland and Location in Feature Inventory Weed Disclimaxes Terrestrial habitats are covered on the following These non-forest communities are part of the mosaic pages: found in the Beaver Hills. • Forests - Aspen 3.2.26 Visibility: High - Aspen-Balsam Poplar 3.2.26 Terrestrial habitats on the Beaver Hills forested areas - Balsam Poplar 3.2.26 stand out. - Mixed Poplar/White Spruce 3.2.26 - White Spruce 3.2.26 Access: Moderate–High • Grassland and Dry Shrubland 3.2.27 Most protected areas in the Beaver Hills have access • Beaver Shrubland 3.2.27 roads and hiking trails that lead through terrestrial • Weed Disclimaxes 3.2.27 habitats typical of the Beaver Hills. Significance: High ➥ General Recommendations Upland Forests Upland forests are the most common habitat in 1. HA programs and services should highlight PPAs. However, throughout the Beaver Hills this the importance and values of upland forest habitat is in decline as land is cleared for housing, particularly in the Beaver Hills. hobby farms and acreages and other features 2. Examples of best practice in managing modeled consistent with urbanization (roads, shopping malls, in PPAs should be featured in HA programing to offices, schools etc.). A bigSample change from mostly white site visitors. Pages spruce to mostly aspen poplar has also occurred—see Natural Processes section ahead. 3. HA outreach programs should feature: • information and best practice examples of Upland forests are important for: stewardship of upland forest on private land • food, shelter and breeding sites for wildlife - there are many naturalist and biologists • surface and groundwater recharge areas who are land owners who are already - forests catch and hold significantly more practicing wise forest management on rain and snow than open fields and urban their land areas - agencies including the Nature • aesthetics Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and - many people are moving into the Beaver Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) have Hills to get closer to nature and wildlife programs that assist landholders in Key Processes in Upland Forests sustainable forest management on their Upland forests are not static, unchanging entities. properties Change is a constant feature of this living landscape. • courses and workshops that assist Key processes include: landholders to develop capacity (knowledge, • forest succession attitudes and skills) that assist them in - in the Beaver Hills there is a tendency for becoming better stewards of their forested short-lived aspen forests to be replaced and other terrestrial habitat lands by longer-lived white spruce • diseases, pests and drought - many steps of forest succession can be 3.23 set back by natural agents of change including fungal diseases, tent caterpillar

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis

kill the trees. Instead, this well-adapted tree species Important Natural Processes has developed a strategy for coping with defoliation. Each spring, the aspen does not allow all of its Location in Feature Inventory leaf buds to open. Instead, it retains a significant These processes are discussed on pages 2.33–2.36. number of dormant buds. If the tree is defoliated They include: in the spring or early summer (the time when tent • forest insects and diseases caterpillars would be eating), these buds open later • fire producing a new crop of leaves. This second flush • beaver activity is timed to take place after the tent caterpillars have moved on to the non-feeding pupa stage of their life Significance: High cycle. The boreal forest in the Beaver Hills is a patchwork Generally, native leaf-eating forest insects do not by of habitats. Many are sections of forest in various themselves cause the death of the trees. However, stages of succession or regeneration. forest trees may be killed by a combination of This mosaic of habitats and edges provides a wide conditions such as several consecutive years of variety of niches for wildlife and plants, making the defoliation by insects combined with several years of Beaver Hills one of the places of highest biodiversity drought plus one or more plant diseases. Many plant in the province. diseases including fungi appear to be present in the Beaver Hills, judging from the sickly look of many The causes of this habitat patchiness are the three aspen trees. agents of change discussed in this section of the Features Inventory: Fire • forest insects and diseases According to many forest ecologists, fire is an • fire important part of forest succession—some say that • beaver activity fire is the climax of boreal forest succession. as well as human-induced changes. Fire has long been an important part of the forests Forest Insects and Diseases of the Beaver Hills. Before the coming of European Some forest insects such asSample forest tent caterpillars and settlers, it wasPages probably a regular occurrence in parts diseases such as those caused by parasitic mistletoe, of the forest, caused by lightning strikes and perhaps under severe conditions such as repeated outbreaks by first nations people as part of their wildlife habitat over several years coupled with drought, can result in management activities. dieback of sections of the forest. These areas of dead When the first white explorers and settlers came to trees may eventually succumb to fire and proceed this area, the forest was composed mostly of white through successional stages that may include: spruce. In the early 1900s large sections of the forest • grassy meadow were cut for lumber for: • shrub forest • supports for local coal mines • aspen forest • homes and barns • mixed aspen/white spruce forest • sleepers for railways • white spruce forest Written accounts of lumbering practices of the Outbreaks of native insect species such as tent lumbering practices in many parts of Canada at that caterpillars identified in the Features Inventory are time indicate that large amounts of slash (tree limb, eventually controlled by a suite of natural predators, bark, sections of rotted or damaged logs) were left to parasites and pathogens that are present in the forest dry in the open clear-cuts over several years. These in low numbers until there is a population boom areas of dry fuel were highly susceptible to fire. of their prey species . It may take a year or more Conditions like this may have contributed to a series for these natural control agents to build up large of fires that destroyed most of the remaining white populations that eat their way through the expanded spruce forest of the Beaver Hills. Most of the present population of tree or foliage feeders. forest is in the aspen forest stage of succession with 3.29 In a year of high tent caterpillar populations, aspen little white spruce visible or regenerating, in high tree over a large area of forest may be completely contrast to the time of first European settlement. defoliated. This removal of leaves usually does not EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Beaver Hills Heritage Appreciation Development Plan

In the past 100 years, fire has been suppressed in most of the Beaver Hills. This suppression has resulted in a build up of fallen trees and branches on the forest floor in many areas. These accumulated fuels make much of the forest vulnerable to wildfires that could cause extensive damage to neighbouring properties (homes, barns, industrial equipment) as well as park facilities and natural values. Fires can be beneficial to wildlife and to forests in the long term. Early successional stages after a fire often include many plant species that are important to deer and other mammals. Fires release many plant nutrients from their ashes that fertilize new growth and surviving trees. Also, fire can cleanse an area where trees are damaged by fungi, mistletoe and other pathogens. There are many areas in the Beaver Hills where there are significant build-ups of forest fuels. With the increasing population and popularity of the area for outdoor recreation, there is an increasing chance of fires being started. Under dry or drought conditions, this could result in a large, damaging fire at some time. Fire can be used as a forest management tool. Small, controlled fires planned and set under a safe conditions are called prescribed burns. They can be Sample Pagesused to: • reduce the probability of a large uncontrolled wild fire by reducing the amount of fuel accumulated on the forest floor • destroy some forest pests such as mistletoe and wood-boring beetles • increase biodiversity by creating new patches of early forest succession • control some species of invasive weeds Elk Island National Park is the only protected area in the Beaver Hills that currently uses prescribed burning as a management tool. Alberta Parks and Protected Areas has a detailed set of protocols and procedures for prescribed burning that were developed in other parts of the province. Currently, the region does not have the capacity to use this tool. At the time of writing, the fire protocols and procedures were under revision. HA staff should contact their regional managers for updates. 3.30

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis

Beaver Activity identified and explained. Beaver are important causes of the mosaic of habitats found in the Beaver Hills. Their cutting activities Access: turn sections of forest into patches of meadow These processes are widespread throughout the and shrubland which slowly progresses through Beaver Hills. successional stages back to forest. Their damming activities produce new ponds and sloughs. And after Fire Spring, Summer, Fall the site is abandoned, the water bodies that they Increased population and recreational activity in produced drain, turning into wetlands, meadows and the Beaver Hills increases the possibility of human in some cases moist forest. started fires getting out of control in the area’s forest. Beaver colonies are transient. A family will occupy a pond until they have harvested all the aspen that they Beaver Activity Year-round can safely reach. When their food supply is exhausted Increased urbanization increases the likelihood of they move to new areas. In this way, beaver are beaver being attacked by dogs and being run over by constantly changing the forest, creating new patches cars. of the habitat mosaic. As well, the draining of ponds and cutting of aspen will reduce beaver habitat. Visibility: Forest Insects & Diseases Varies from Low to High The effects of some species such as forest tent ➥ General Recommendations caterpillars are easily seen and recognized by most Forest Insects and Diseases people. However some pathogens such as fungal diseases are not easily recognized. In these cases trees 1. The interaction of the forest, insects and their appear to have died for no apparent reason or the natural controls is an important HA story. forest looks sickly and unsightly. 2. Visitors and local landholders may be interested Fire Low–High in learning about and participating in studies and Forest fires and their immediateSample effects are not easily research Pages about forest insects and diseases. missed. However, after even one year, the effects 3. Visitors and local landholders should be given of a ground fire (where dead wood on the ground the opportunity to develop good practice is consumed but many of the trees remain alive (knowledge, attitudes and skills) in dealing with and standing) may not be recognized by visitors. forest insects and diseases on their properties, Here the effects of reduced accumulated debris and such as alternatives to commercial pesticides luxuriant undergrowth and tree foliage may have to during tent caterpillar outbreaks. be pointed out and interpreted to visitors. The evidence of long ago fires from the early 1900s Fire has mostly disappeared or is indirect, e.g., the 1. The interaction of fire and forests is an important remnant white spruce forest patches on islands and HA story. on the edges of some lakes indicates that these are areas protected by water from the wildfires that 2. Visitors and local landholders should be given swept the area. the opportunity to learn about and participate in studies and research on forest fires including Beaver Activity Moderate to High about management through prescribed burning. Beaver are crepuscular (most active in early morning 3. Visitors and local landholders should be given and late evening) making them not likely seen by the opportunity to develop good practice people who are active in the day. (knowledge, attitudes and skills) in making their Key indicators of beaver activity (lodges, dams and homes and property fire-safe and protecting cut stumps) are readily visible around lakes, ponds public lands from accidental fires—e.g., the Fire 3.31 and sloughs. Other indicators such as cut areas and Smart program. older sites that are regenerating may need to be

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Beaver Hills Heritage Appreciation Development Plan

Beaver Activity 1. The interaction of beavers and forests is an important HA story in the Beaver Hills—an alternative name for the Cooking Lake Moraine. Visitors should be given the opportunity to develop their beaver watching skills. 2. Visitors and local landholders should be given the opportunity to learn about and participate in appropriate studies and research on beavers. 3. Local landholders should be given the opportunity to develop good practice (knowledge, attitudes and skills) in living with beavers on their land, such as current staff practices on the CL–BGWPRA where road flooding threatens.

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EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis Major Parks and Protected Areas In the Beaver Hills Cooking Lake–Blackfoot Grazing, Wildlife and Provincial Recreation Area Habitats Access: High The extensive trail system in the CL–BGWPRA Location in Feature Inventory makes nearly all the habitats accessible by foot, horseback or mountain bike. The habitats of the CL–BGWPRA are discussed on pages 2.47-2.51. ➥ General Recommendations Significance: High 1. The CL–BGWPRA can become a showcase of The CL–BGWPRA has all of the habitat types that the habitats of the Beaver Hills. HA programs distinguish the Beaver Hills. And all are accessible. should feature these habitats. The recreation area has four staging areas accessed by good roads and an extensive trail system for 2. HA services can include opportunities for visitors hikers, cross-country skiers, mountain bikers to develop: and equestrians. There are some trails open to Knowledge snowmobiles subject to sufficient snow accumulation • about and understanding of the variety and a section of trails that Sampleis open to dog sledding. ofPages habitats of the CL–BGWPRA and the Beaver Hills The extensive trail system and the large size of • about how habitats have changed and are the site provides many opportunities for wildlife changing in the CL–BGWPRA and the and nature watching and for long- and short-term Beaver Hills research projects. The CL–BGWPRA has the • about the threats and challenges to habitats potential for being a key outdoor environmental in the CL–BGWPRA and the Beaver Hills laboratory for studying southern boreal forests. Skills The CL–BGWPRA also includes a large area of • develop skills in identifying key habitats public land under grazing lease located close to a big • develop skills in responsible wildlife watching city. This provides the opportunity for large numbers • in managing natural landscapes of city people to become more aware and informed Attitudes about rangeland and its management. • through involvement with the wildlife and plants of various habitats, develop a respect for and desire to protect wildlife and habitats Visibility: Variable in the CL–BGWPRA and the Beaver Hills See the discussion of habitats in the Beaver Hills in and deepening of stewardship attitudes and the previous section of this chapter. practices on their own private land holdings Cattle are often seen in some parts of the CL– 3. Should provide opportunities for visitors and BGWPRA and key structures like the Blackfoot local residents to: Grazing Association’s circular sorting corral can • learn about professional research underway be seen from the access road to the Central Staging in the CL–BGWPRA and the Beaver Hills Area. 3.35 • whenever possible, meet and interact with scientists who are conducting these studies

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Beaver Hills Heritage Appreciation Development Plan

Management Location in Feature Inventory Management issues are covered on pages 2.62–2.67.

Significance: High Parks and Protected Areas is now part of Alberta Community Development. PPA’s mandate is now directed at managing protected areas to sustain natural and cultural heritage. As well, the mandate of Alberta Community Development is to build capacity in communities to become sustainable communities. Management is also a HA key message. Thus it is important that PPA demonstrate best practices in sustainable land management. HA can assist by highlighting good practice on PPAs and involving local landholders and visitors in activities that build their knowledge, attitudes and skills in responsible use and in land management on private land.

Visibility: Low Many good practices in land management are not easily observed. However, the results of good and poor practice may be more visible to the enlightened Sample Pageseye. Access: N/A

Seasonality: Year-round

➥ General Recommendations 1. HA services on and off site should feature good practice in stewardship and land management for sustainability that takes place on PPAs and in other parts of the Beaver Hills. 2. HA staff should work with other land management agencies to develop services that build capacity of land owners in the Beaver Hills to be good managers of their land.

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EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Beaver Hills Heritage Appreciation Development Plan

Miquelon Lake Provincial Park General Comments Miquelon Lake Provincial Park is located just south and east of Ministik Lakes Game Bird Sanctuary. A small corridor of fairly natural private land separated these two properties. Together they protect 21,676 hectares of forest lakes and wetlands in the south of the Beaver Hills—the second largest block of protected land. Miquelon has a long recreation history and is a locally important summer camping and day-use area. Currently activities centre around summer at the lake and beach with significant campground partying. However, the parks well-designed nested loop trail system has high potential for increased summer and winter activities, including mountain biking, trail riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Water and Watershed Location in Feature Inventory Sample PagesWater and watersheds are covered on pages 2.69–2.71 Significance: High The levels of the Miquelon lakes have fluctuated significantly over time. The general trend has been toward lower lake levels since 1902. In fact the present three Miquelon lakes were at that time a single large lake which has since shrunk to the present three. Another feature of the lakes is that they do not have a outflow stream. Water that flows into the lake either evaporates or seeps into the ground water system. As a result the lakes have become increasingly salty. At present the water is so saline that only fish in them are stickleback minnows, although other species were once present. Biodiversity is severely affected. Gulls still nest on islands in the lake, but forage elsewhere. The declining water levels and decreasing water quality of the Miquelon Lakes is typical of many of the lakes in the Beaver Hills. At present it is not clear why the water levels are declining. However it is likely that it results from long-term drought 3.44 and increasing use of ground water by farming, residential development and industry, particularly oil and gas extraction.

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis

Visibility: Variable Habitats The lakes themselves are easily seen, however, the overall decline in lake levels and water quality is not Location in Feature Inventory easily recognizable by most people. The habitats of Miquelon Lake Provincial Park are covered on pages 2.72–2.73. Access: Easy Significance: High Seasonality: Spring/Summer/Fall The habitats of Miquelon are typical of those of the Beaver Hills. The forest is mostly poplar but there ➥ General Recommendations are some naturally seeded and some planted white 1. The history and natural history of the Miquelon spruce as well. The park has shores of two of the Lakes are important stories for the site. They can Miquelon Lakes and has an abundance of ponds and also illustrate many of the issues faced by lakes sloughs. throughout the Beaver Hills. 2. People that come to recreate on Miquelon Lake Visibility: Variable 3 should be given the opportunity to make The lakes are easily seen and are the main attraction discoveries about the lake and its wildlife. of the park. Other habitats are mostly seen along the park’s hiking trails. Many visitors spend most of their 3. Visibility and access to the location of the lake’s time in the campground and on the beach and may old drainage stream should be investigated, when not be aware of the many other habitats in the park. time permits, to facilitate learning regarding Miquelon’s hydrology. Access: Moderate The park’s trails are wide and have few steep grades. SampleSeasonality: Pages Year-round ➥ General Recommendations 1. HA programs should feature the diversity of habitats in the park and provide visitors with opportunities to interact these habitats with and make discoveries about the plants and animals that live there. 2. The trails should be used to involve visitors with the park’s diversity of habitats (see next entry).

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EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Beaver Hills Heritage Appreciation Development Plan

Beaverhill Lake Natural Area and Heritage Rangeland Location in Feature Inventory Beaverhill Lake is covered on pages 2.87–2.91. Note that these two properties both protect Beaverhill Lake and are therefore considered here together.

Significance: Low–Moderate Beaverhill Lake is usually an important area for huge numbers of migrating waterbirds. It has several designations including: • a RAMSAR Site - a wetland with international importance for wildlife • a key wetland in the Alberta government’s Wetlands for Tomorrow agreement with Ducks Unlimited Canada • part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebirds Reserve Network • an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Bird Studies Canada Sample PagesThe large, shallow lake supports huge populations of aquatic invertebrates and water plants that provide food for migrating waterbirds, except in recent drought years. Another of the reasons for the lake’s visitation by huge numbers of migrating birds is that it lies at the junction of three major North American flyways. The importance of Beaverhill Lake to migrating birds may decline if the lower water level trends of the recent years continues.

Visibility: Variable The large lake can be seen from quite a distance, but there are few public access points. At times during migration, huge flocks of waterbirds can be seen on or near the lake shore, but HA staff can’t count on this. Summer waterbird populations are scattered around the lake. Other migratory birds use the forested areas 3.56 and wetlands for breeding in the spring and summer and can be observed.

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis

Access: Variable The best access is at the Beaverhill Bird Observatory located near the town of Tofield. Access at other points around the lake vary with yearly water levels.

Seasonality: Spring–Summer–Fall

➥ General Recommendations 1. HA services at this site are being provided by the Tofield Museum, the Beaverhill Bird Observatory and the Edmonton Bird Club. PPA’s HA staff should ensure that the services provided by these groups is promoted in PPA brochures, websites and other media. 2. The importance of Beaverhill Lake to migrating waterbirds and how PPA’s Beaverhill Lake Heritage Rangeland and the Beaverhill Lake Natural Area contribute to the protection of these features should be emphasized in HA services at other sites and in outreach programs. 3. Opportunities to get involved with the protection of Beaverhill Lake (e.g., joining the Edmonton Bird Club) should be promoted. Sample Pages

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EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis Minor Parks and Protected Areas in the Beaver Hills scale land stewardship practices through PPA, General Comments partner and volunteer involvement. These minor properties are made up of Natural Natural Area Hectares Acres Areas (NAs) and Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs). Designations are discussed on pages 41-43 Antler Lake Island 0.6 1.6 of the Features Inventory. In general, the NAs Edgar T. Jones 92.3 228.0 are small—seldom larger than a quarter section. Hastings Lake Islands 3.9 9.7 Alone or together the six NAs may not represent a large contribution to the region’s protected areas, North Cooking Lake 164.0 405.2 but they represent important opportunities for Parkland 260.5 643.7 education, provide connectivity and they could Sherwood Park 68.4 168.9 become best-practice models of small- and medium-

Antler Lake Island’s biodiversity could become a Antler Lake Island focal point for residents in the area to ensure that SampleAntler Lake Pages remains an important area for wildlife Natural Area and that natural values are maintained; the reason many people moved to this location. Good practices Location in Feature Inventory in land stewardship by lakeshore land owners and Antler Lake Island is covered on page 2.92. their neighbours should be promoted.

Significance: Low–Moderate ➥ General Recommendations Antler Lake island is one of the areas’s smallest (less 1. Through outreach programs and partnerships than 1 hectare) natural areas. It is covered with low with other agencies, such as The Nature aquatic and riparian vegetation and is likely used for Conservancy of Canada and Ducks Unlimited nesting by waterbirds. Canada, PPA can work with local residents to At the time of writing, the shoreline of Antler Lake ensure that Antler Lake and Antler Lake Island is under intense development pressure with nearly remain a viable area for wildlife and people. 3/4 of the shoreline developed into small residential lots. The result is a significant decrease in shoreline habitat available to wildlife. This, along with Maps increased human activity on and around the lake, will Detailed maps of Natural Areas can be likely reduce the biodiversity of Antler Lake Island downloaded from: and the lake itself. www.cd.gov.ab.ca/preserving/parks/lrm/natarea/ natarea.asp. Eventually, the development around Antler Lake may become a reason for giving up on Antler Lake 3.59 Island as a Natural Area. Or, with the aid of PPA staff and volunteers stewards, the preservation of

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education Chapter 3 Feature Analysis Other Sites of Provincial Importance In the Beaver Hills General Comments designated public access points. The Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre Game Bird Sanctuaries maintains maps and databases of habitat, plant and The Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre wildlife inventories of the ESAs of the province. identifies two sanctuaries in the Beaver Hills: This information is available to municipal and • Ministik Lakes Game Bird Sanctuary provincial planners to assist them in facilitating • Miquelon Lake Game Bird Sanctuary environmentally sustainable development. This See figures 2.1 and 2.30 in the Features Inventory. information is also available to HA staff. The terms of reference indicated that only Ministik Seven ESAs have been identified in the Beaver Hills: Lakes Game Bird Sanctuary would be covered in Major ESAs this plan. • Blackfoot Grazing Reserve As discussed elsewhere in this plan, Ministik • Miquelon Lake Lakes Game Bird Sanctuary is not a PPA site. It is • Ministik Lake administered by Alberta SamplePublic Lands. However, • ElkPages Island National Park the sanctuary represents a major provincially Minor ESAs protected area in the Beaver Hills. There are • Big Hay Lake potentially many opportunities for collaboration • Cooking Lake with Public Lands and Ducks Unlimited Canada • Hastings Lake who manage of these lands. See figures 2.1 and 2.30 in the Features Inventory. Environmentally Significant Areas This information may not be well known by local Environmentally Significant Areas have no citizens and planners. HA staff should include legislation protecting them, nor do they have information about the function and value of the identified boundaries. Instead, they are “bubbles concept of Environmentally Significant Areas as on maps” within the Beaver Hills that have well as the specific significance of each area. been identified for their provincial, national and The ESAs in this plan are not recommended for HA international environmental significance. In some and education services at this time. However, they documents, ESAs are referred to as “inventories” may become prime candidates for PPA sponsored rather than areas. They may involve both public and or partnered monitoring and stewardship projects as private lands. time goes on. HA staff should monitor biodiversity Unlike protected areas, they are not intended as concerns regarding the ESAs and NAs and develop 3.63 nature-based recreation areas or nature reserves with or support community stewardship initiatives.

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education