VOLUME 49 | NUMBER 3 | FALL 2019 SUGGESTED RETAIL: $10.00 CDN Nature Alberta CELEBRATING OUR NATURAL HERITAGE

NEVER GIVE UP HOPE! FEATURE ARTICLE STARTS PAGE 20. MICHAEL RUDY

feature article Imagine! The Story of Five Needle Pines

NATURE ALBERTA A MORMON CRICKET; SEE “ON THE COVERS” PAGE 3. TED CAMERON

BURROWING OWL AND A PIPE! SEE THE STORY, PAGE 8. MYRNA PEARMAN FALL 2019 1 Nature Alberta: Nature Alberta is composed of natural history clubs from across the province. The aims of the Federation are: Celebrating our natural heritage (a) To encourage among all Albertans, by all means possible, an increase in their knowledge of natural history and understanding of ecological processes; (b) To promote an increase in the exchange of information and views among natural history clubs and societies in Alberta; (c) To foster and assist in the formation of additional natural history clubs and societies in Alberta; (d) To promote the establishment of natural areas and nature reserves, to conserve and protect species, communities or other features of interest; (e) To organize, or coordinate symposia, conferences, field meetings, Contents nature camps, research and other activities whether of a similar or NATURE ALBERTA VOLUME 49, NUMBER 3, FALL 2019 dissimilar nature; (f) To provide the naturalists of Alberta with a forum in which questions relating to the conservation of the natural environment may be discussed, so that united positions can be developed on them, and to Editor’s Page BY BROOK SKAGEN...... 2 provide the means of translating these positions into appropriate actions. Letter to the Editor...... 4 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Linda Howitt-Taylor Alberta Issues in Brief...... 5 VICE PRESIDENT: Vacant SECRETARY: Rannee Lui Nature Alberta News...... 6 TREASURER: Janice Yu PAST PRESIDENT: Lu Carbyn From the President BY LINDA HOWITT-TAYLOR...... 7 APPOINTED DIRECTORS: Lu Carbyn, Linda Howitt-Taylor, Brian Joubert, Richard Schneider Lending a Helping Hand: Nesting Structures BY MYRNA PEARMAN...... 8 ELECTED DIRECTORS: Kim MacKenzie (ANPC); Claudia Lipski, (BLN); Wayne and Joan Walker (CFNS); Leonard Shrimpton (ENC); Public Land – Alberta’s Best Idea BY LORNE FITCH...... 10 Elizabeth Watts (FEIS); Angela Turner (GN); Jennifer Okrainic (LLBBS); Ted Nanninga (LNS); Margot Hervieux (PPN); Tony Blake (RDRN) Insects and Us! BY ELIZABETH BOILEAU...... 14 STAFF: Brian Ilnicki (Exec. Dir.)

FEATURE ARTICLE – Imagine! The Story of Five Needle Pines CORPORATE MEMBER CLUBS BY MICHAEL RUDY...... 20 Alberta Native Plant Council, Box 52099, Garneau P.O. Edmonton, AB T6G 2T5 First Hand: Mating Strangers BY BRIAN GENEREUX...... 27 Buffalo Lake Naturalists, Box 1802, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0 Edmonton Nature Club, Box 1111, Edmonton, AB T5J 2M1 First Hand: A Swainson’s Hawk Rescue BY LINDA FISHER...... 28 Friends of Elk Island Society, Box 70, 9929 – 63 Ave, Edmonton AB, T6E 0G9 Grasslands Naturalists, Box 2491, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8G8 Eyes on IBAs: Saskatchewan’s Conservation Potholes Lac La Biche Birding Society, Box 1270, Lac La Biche, AB T0A 2C0 BY BROOK SKAGEN...... 30 Lethbridge Naturalists Society, Box 1691, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4K4 Nature Calgary (CFNS), Box 981, Calgary, AB T2P 2K4 Up Close Naturally: Seed Dispersal BY MARGOT HERVIEUX...... 32 Peace Parkland Naturalists, Box 1451, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4Z2 Red Deer River Naturalists, Box 785, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H2 Nature Kids BY ZOE MACDOUGALL...... 34 AFFILIATES: Alberta Amphibian and Reptile Friends of the Helen Schuler Nature Book Review: 125 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta...... 36 Conservancy Centre Alberta Lake Management Society Friends of Jasper National Park Celestial Happenings BY JOHN MCFAUL...... 37 Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Friends of Little Beaver Lake Society Alberta Mycological Society Grant MacEwan Mountain Club Wildlife Along the Scenic Peace River BY THEODORE (DICK) DEKKER...... 38 Beaverhill Bird Observatory J.J. Collett Natural Area Foundation Beaver River Naturalist Society Kimiwan Lake Naturalists Bighill Creek Preservation Society Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory Big Lake Environmental Support Society Little Creeks and Rough Fescue BowKan Birders Appreciation Society PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY NATURE ALBERTA, Calgary Area Nestbox Monitor Society Purple Martin Conservancy 11759 GROAT ROAD, EDMONTON, AB T5M 3K6 Calgary Bird Banding Society Riverlot 56 Natural Area Society Cochrane Environmental Action Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas PHONE.780.427.8124 FAX.780.422.2663 Committee Association EMAIL. [email protected] Crooked Creek Conservancy Society The Wagner Natural Area Society Crowsnest Conservation Society Vermilion River Naturalists Edmonton Native Plant Group Weaselhead/Glenmore Park EDITOR.DENNIS BARESCO ASSISTANT EDITOR.BROOK SKAGEN Ellis Bird Farm Preservation Society [email protected] Fort Saskatchewan Naturalist Society Wizard Lake Watershed and Lake Friends of Blackfoot Society Stewardship Assoc. CIRCULATION.JAYNNE CARRE LAYOUT.BROKEN ARROW SOLUTIONS INC.

THANKS TO THE PROOFREADERS WHO ASSISTED IN PRODUCING THIS ISSUE: SANDRA FOSS, TED HINDMARCH, SARAH LEETE, VAL SCHOLEFIELD. CELEBRATE NATURE ALBERTA 50 YEARS IN 2020! MANY THANKS TO THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS

WANT TO SUBMIT ARTICLES NATURE ALBERTA DEADLINES ARE: EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER OR PHOTOS? SPRING ISSUE.FEBRUARY 28 The opinions expressed by the authors in this publication do not GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE ON SUMMER ISSUE.MAY 31 necessarily reflect those of the editor and the Federation of Alberta THE NATURE ALBERTA WEBSITE: FALL ISSUE.AUGUST 31 Naturalists. The editor reserves the right to edit, reject or withdraw articles submitted. While due care will be taken of all manuscripts, WWW.NATUREALBERTA.CA WINTER ISSUE.NOVEMBER 30 photos or artwork submitted, FAN cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to such articles. Brook Skagen 2 NatureAlberta

Editor’s Page BY BROOK SKAGEN, ASSISTANT EDITOR Habitat Modeling Explained: Resource Selection Functions The need to conserve our Habitat models are statistical models that yield values for the wild spaces and preserve our tools that predict the habitat probability or likelihood of a biodiversity is ever-increasing. associations of species across species occurring within a given However, for decision makers, landscapes. They may be used area, based on the resources knowing where to act, how, and to facilitate the identification of available [1,2]. When combined with what the resulting consequences key habitats, better understand geographic information systems on wild species and their spaces the habitat requirements for (GIS), programs which map might be, may seem a daunting select species, habitat suitability data sets in real-world locations, task. of an area, or to predict the such predictions can be used distribution of species in response to characterize the distribution Habitat modeling may aid in the to environmental changes, among and diversity of species across development, implementation, many other applications, so long landscapes [2,3,4,5]. and prioritization of wildlife as their limitations have been conservation efforts by providing For example, the location of accounted for. valuable insight into these and a Horned Lark (Eremophila other uncertainties. There are as many model alpestris) observation has types as there are applications. corresponding habitat information, DESPITE OF ITS COMMONALITY IN However, Resource Selection such as terrain, vegetation, and SOUTHERN ALBERTA, THE HORNED Functions (RSFs) have become climatic characteristics that, LARK HAS EXPERIENCED A DRAMATIC an increasingly popular tool in when combined, influence POPULATION DECLINE IN NORTH modelling the habitat associations the likelihood of a Horned AMERICA OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS, THE of flora and fauna in research Lark occurring in the area. By MECHANISMS OF WHICH ARE NOT YET and conservation efforts comparing the habitat information FULLY UNDERSTOOD. ALAN VERNON 2008 worldwide. RSFs are statistical of numerous locations where (WIKIMEDIA COMMONS) the bird was observed, we can begin to discern the relationship between these habitat characteristics and

AN RSF FOR THE HORNED LARK WITHIN ALBERTA’S MILK RIVER WATERSHED WAS DEVELOPED BY COMPARING THE AMOUNT OF GRASSLAND COVER, LITTER, VEGETATION DENSITY, TOPOGRAPHY, AND PRECIPITATION RECEIVED 1 YEAR PRIOR, 2 YEARS PRIOR, AND DURING THE NESTING SEASON, ALLOWING THE MODEL TO CHANGE OVER TIME. BROOK SKAGEN FALL 2019 3

the presence of Horned Lark. In the end, each On the Covers: habitat characteristic selected for use in the model has a FRONT COVER positive or negative effect on The five needle pines may be starkly beautiful even when dead, but they the likelihood of the species are still dead! Michael Rudy tells the story of living Limber and Whitebark occurring in that area, which Pines - their tremendous value to us, to wildlife and to ecosystems. In fact, as can then be used to predict Michael states: “They are so important that their influence ripples outward the species occurrence throughout the mountains and foothills, sustaining entire ecosystems.” The Feature Story begins on page 20. in similar or dissimilar environments. INSIDE FRONT COVER Though RSFs can be Ted Cameron took this image of a Mormon Cricket at the Buffalo Lake powerful tools, they are not Moraine. Said Ted: “That long sharp thing at the back: an ovipositor, for without their limitations. It laying eggs, not a stinger. I knew this, or I would never have picked it up!” is important to note that the Ted is a member of the Public Group Facebook page “Alberta Bugs and distribution and availability Insects” which has many fascinating and interesting photos and descriptions of our insect and spider wildlife. It is well-worth it for naturalists to join the of resources in an area group. can change over time, and as a result, so too can the There is a wide variety of nesting structures used by birds, as Myrna Pearman describes in her most recent article for Nature Alberta. Included is accuracy of these models. the somewhat unusual “pipe” for Burrowing Owls. Read Myrna’s article on An example of this would page 8 and discover the myriad structures that birds turn into their nurseries. be the change in annual precipitation received in an area: as the amount and INSIDE BACK COVER location of precipitation Good timing! Brian Genereux just happened to be changes, so too does the there in the proverbial “right time and right place” to growth of vegetation. see a Black-necked Stilt and American Avocet in the Looking at the Horned Lark, process of pre-mating. The full story is on page 27; the which typically prefers areas act was captured in photo on the inside back cover. of short, sparse vegetation, Linda Fisher tells the story of a fortunate young this may mean that areas Swainson’s Hawk – fortunate that Linda was there at the time to rescue it! which are sparsely vegetated Read the story on page 28. in one year may become Elizabeth Boileau likes insects. She’d like us to like them, too – and she is overgrown in another, working hard towards that end. After all, as Elizabeth says: “In Canada, decreasing the habitat insects are the most diverse group of animals, making up about 70 percent suitability for the species, of known species.” She also takes photos of them, as you can see with this and lowering the likelihood Ornate Checkered Beetle and the others accompanying her story on page 14. of it occupying that space. BACK COVER Still, RSFs are but one of Sara Jordan-McLachlan said: “Made a new friend with this beautiful Red many modeling tools in a Admiral spending a lot of the day hanging out around the coneflowers. researcher’s toolbelt, the (I guess there are 2 friends, not sure who the other one is!)” The second versatility of which can aid friend is the insect on the petal to the left of the butterfly…maybe a beetle? Can you guess?

Want to Switch your subscription from hard copy to the full Phone today: (780) 427.8124; or Switch? COLOUR e-version and get even GREATER enjoyment Email us: [email protected] or of Nature Alberta while REDUCING paper use. [email protected] 4 NatureAlberta

in conservation and multitudinous 2. Ghoddousi A. 2010. Habitat 4. Boyce MS. 2006. Scale of Resource other applications. suitability modeling of the Brown Selection Functions. Diversity and bear Ursus arctos in Croatia and Distributions (12): 269-76. Slovenia using telemetry data 5. McDonald LL, Erickson WP, Boyce References: (Master’s Thesis). Imperial College MS, Alldredge JR. 2012. Modeling 1. Boyce MS, Vernier P, Nielson S, London UK. Vertebrate Use of Terrestrial Schmeigelow F. 2002. Evaluating 3. Boyce MS, McDonald LL. 1999. Resources. The Wildlife Techniques Resource Selection Functions. Relating populations to habitats Manual (7th Edition): 410--28. The Ecological Modeling (157):281-300. using resource selection functions. John Hopkins University Press, Trends in Ecology & Evolution Baltimore MD. (14):268-72.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Abandoned Farmyards Nostalgia

First, I would like to say what area to expand his operation. He from where they grew their food a superior Magazine you have tried South America but got wiped for their families, and built barns for here. My only comment may be: out by hurricanes and country their animals etc. Even in the 60’s Does the magazine get out to as unrest. many of these homesteads had been many people as you should for abandoned to the advancement of He then saw the potential of the the product you produce here? agriculture, but they left behind a agricultural growth in Northern We receive the magazine because jewel. Alberta. We hauled many 1000’s of we are involved in clubs, activities beehives with bees from Ontario I loved to go into these ‘abandoned’ etc. I hope it gets to others who to the Alberta Peace country, areas, often not visible from any are starting to learn about Nature, an experience in itself (no road. As we worked the bees all or the young people who are our mechanical equipment in those summer, the abandoned gardens future. days). The bees were primarily were full of flowers planted many I was very interested this month for pollination of the Alfalfa and years before by loving families. What in “Abandoned Farmyards” by seed clover crops that were being a wonderful backdrop to our daily Myrna Pearman. It brings back grown in those days to ‘break’ up work. to me so many memories about the newly cleared land. We were Myrna, you brought back many my first year in Canada back in part of the large honey and bee memories for me. Memories I will the 60’s. Abandoned Farmyards pollination industry that prevails never forget and often talk about. gave me one of my first views of today. Thank you for this. Northern Alberta. Let me explain. We were always looking for new Sadly, as Myrna mentioned many of I had come to Canada from locations for our hives - mostly these ‘jewels’, are being ploughed England, as I had been hired by 20 - 30 hives per bee yard. under today for the advancement a large beekeeper in Ontario. Somewhere sheltered, accessible, of more crop production, and food The bee company I worked for and close to crops. The Pioneers for our hungry world. The backdrop had a large operation in Ontario of the country provided the ideal for the bees today is the corner of a but was being pressed by more spots, where they had put down field, not the multicolours of garden intensive farming practices, along roots many years before, setting perennials. Sadly, another part of our with the larger use of herbicides up their homesteads. etc. They history is disappearing. and pesticides. The owner of the built their homesteads in sheltered Company was looking for another areas, and developed homes BRIAN LAVER FALL 2019 5

ALBERTA ISSUES IN BRIEF

New Funding for Conservation Projects GRAHAM SAUL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATURE CANADA On August 19, the federal government announced a massive injection of new funding for conservation projects across the country aimed at helping Canada meet its commitment to protect 17 percent of terrestrial areas by 2020. Your generous support to commits $175 million to help projects as part of the Canada defend nature and protect support 67 conservation projects Nature Fund Challenge. The wildlife in Canada has been over four years as part of the range and sheer number of echoed across Canada today. Nature Fund Challenge. proposed projects demonstrate Thank you for standing with us that it is possible to meet and Nature Canada congratulates all to protect Canada’s land and exceed Canada’s protected area the partners who proposed over waters and save species from commitments. $800 million in conservation extinction. The announcement

Not Just Bees! A new study shows at a time when bird populations neonicotinoid pesticides are falling across North America. can not only affect all “Just a few days can have a significant effect on their future bees but also directly reproduction and survival,” said harm seed-eating birds Margaret Eng, lead author of the that migrate during new study. Eng is a postdoctoral researcher working with Christy ORGANICCONSUMERS.ORG spring planting season. Morrissey, an ecotoxicology professor at the University of White-crowned Sparrows that ate off insects - both pests and a tiny dose of the neonicotinoid Saskatchewan. The study also suggests that neonics may not be beneficial ones. Many studies have imidacloprid — equivalent to a shown the pesticides can harm just a few coated seeds and far as harmless to vertebrates such as birds as previously thought. insect pollinators such as bees. below the lethal dose — lost Impacts on birds haven’t been as their appetite, quickly lost weight Bridget Stutchbury, a professor of clear. But the new study is the at a time when they should be biology at York University who first direct evidence that neonics fattening up and delayed their also co-authored the study, said: can directly harm wild seed-eating migration to their breeding “That’s kind of alarming. If this is birds. ground by several days, report bad for birds, what does it mean researchers at the University for people?” of Saskatchewan and York Neonicotinoids end up in the University in the journal Science. entire plant, including the leaves That delay could potentially and flowers, as it grows, warding reduce their success at breeding 6 NatureAlberta

Nature Alberta NEWS Fall Nature Night Thank you to our experts, volunteers and participants for coming out to our Beautiful Bugs Family Nature Night at the end of August! We learned so much Once again, a great big thank you to everyone who about spiders, beetles and gave to Nature Alberta. We are, of course, completely butterflies and gained tons dependent on your generosity, whether that is in time of new knowledge on these volunteering or in financial assistance. Here are the crawly critters!! names of our wonderful donors so far in 2019! Thank you also to ALL of Caroline Lambert Linda Howitt-Taylor our experts, volunteers, (monthly donor) Pam Carlton participants and partners for another amazing Family Kath and Don Lee Jane Potter Nature Night season!! We couldn’t offer these events Lorna McDonell James Gendron to our families without your extensive knowledge, Graeme Greenlee Donna Wakefield involvement, and dedication so thank you very Ray Woods Tige Procyshyn much! And a big thanks to our funders as well for supporting us with these events! Alberta Conservation Anne Leggatt Robert Snyder Association, Alberta Science Network, Alberta Wayne Kinsella Hubert Taube Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, City of Edmonton. Bruce Dancik Lorne Fitch Mark Tempest Robert Myers Margaret Hall Margaret Almon Speaking of “Bugs”! Dwight Knapik (in memory of Donna Clanfield) Your Editor recently came across an extremely Elizabeth Millham interesting Facebook page: “Alberta Bugs and Insects”. Just two examples of the photos are on the inside covers. It’s a great site to show off that “creepy crawly” you’ve spotted, have that insect or spider identified of Nature Alberta & which you’ve snapped a photo or just to appreciate Alberta’s wide diversity of Insecta or Arachnids. If you have an Alberta photo of a “bug” you’d like Nature Alberta wants you to to share with everyone, just send it along to na@ know that Nature Alberta has naturealberta.ca along with a brief explanation (eg its own YouTube channel where it was found, what it was doing if anything, now. All kinds of “good etc.) Even if you don’t know what it is, we’ll ask the stuff” is there for you to membership for their input. We hope to have at least view. Visit: two per issue. Two things to keep in mind: make sure the size is large enough; and, the only payment we can youtube.com/naturealberta give you is a complimentary copy. FALL 2019 7

FROM THE PRESIDENT From a President’s Perspective… BY LINDA HOWITT-TAYLOR

I was out checking on our beehives earlier this fall. At the end of a terrible summer for bees in Alberta, I wasn’t expecting much. One hive is weaker than the other and they seemed to have depended on what honey and pollen they had gathered to keep feeding the young and themselves.

It could be said that they have does this happen? Our “worker pictures, those who do the proof been surviving “hand to mouth” bee” members in the field along reading and provide feedback to and it became obvious to me with friends and family, participate the Editor and co-Editor and any that if we expected both hives to in species counts, work in the others who assist in putting the survive through another winter, heat or rain to pull weeds, ask publication together as well as they would need extra resources. local governments and provincial ensuring delivery to the rest of us But what really struck me was bodies for policies and actions to on line or by mail. that all the bees continued their protect habitat. All in all, I cannot imagine a more work, carrying on stoically, even They put on the coffee, ensure committed group of disparate enthusiastically when the weather there are treats at meetings, book people committed to the same and wind allowed, to fulfill their meeting times, join their relevant cause. Our volunteers are the individual roles and tasks keeping club boards and committees, heart, body, warp and weft of everything in the community volunteer for Nature Kids events, keeping this organization alive. “humming” as best they can. It organize events and contact Together we are all volunteer also struck me that the beehives members by phone or email. “worker bees,” effective in not are like an allegory regarding the They keep track of entries and only promoting the enjoyment of functioning of Nature Alberta and records of species and places. nature now and sharing the joy each of our member clubs. They show up to requests to work of being together but of ensuring We are all subject to the whims casinos even if it means driving that Albertans, our neighbours, of our environments, political to Edmonton and working a friends and strangers alike, or circumstantial. Wonderfully, late shift. In the past volunteers embrace the gift we have in this Nature Alberta (Federation of committed to standing in very cold province and join us in protecting Alberta Naturalists) continues temperatures to assist in mounting it for the future. to function 50 years after its the Running Room Hypo-Half on We owe a deep debt of gratitude inception. Like the bees, who behalf of the NA “hub” to provide to each other, to all who had a aren’t paid to do their jobs on a little more cash in the kitty that vision of a nature network 50 behalf of their organization, all was unmarked and available for years ago and to all of us who of us are volunteers who carry any purpose. And of course, there continue to do the work to keep on with the work of ensuring the are the volunteers who contribute the hives humming. Thank you! continuity of what we value. How to this magazine with articles and 8 NatureAlberta NORTHERN FLICKER. MYRNA PEARMAN

Lending a Helping Hand: Nesting Structures BY MYRNA PEARMAN

In my previous two columns, I A wide variety of nesting highlighted some of the wildlife structures have been species that will take up residence designed for birds: hay in or around abandoned buildings bales and other nesting and farmyards. In this, the last platforms for Canada installment, I would like to share Geese and Osprey; hen a few images of bird species that houses for ducks; nesting are attracted to human-made shelves for Barn Swallows, nesting structures. American Robins and Eastern Phoebes; and Nesting abodes can also be nesting boxes for a variety built for other (more difficult to of cavity-nesting birds photograph) wildlife species, ranging from artificial including bat houses for Big- and burrows for the ground- Little-brown Bats, toad houses dwelling Burrowing Owl for toads (or in my yard, slugs), to baskets for Mourning bumblebee houses and bee Doves, Great Gray Owls abodes/hotels for various species and Great Horned Owls. of solitary bees.

Myrna is a very well-known author, photographer, biologist and naturalist. She is the Biologist and Site Services Manager at Ellis Bird Farm (ellisbirdfarm.ca). She can be reached at [email protected]. HOODED MERGANSER IN BOX. MYRNA PEARMAN Large boxes are used by ducks (especially Common FALL 2019 9 Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser and Bufflehead), owls (Saw-whet, Barred), American Kestrels and Northern Flickers. Purple Martins have been nesting in artificial structures near humans for so many thousands of years that they no longer nest in the wild. At Ellis Bird Farm, we have them nesting in both apartment-styled houses as well as in retrofitted natural gourds. Several smaller bird species -Tree Swallows, Mountain Bluebirds, House HOUSE WREN. MYRNA PEARMAN Wrens, Red- and White-breasted Nuthatches as well as chickadees (especially Black-capped and Boreal) - have OSPREY. MYRNA PEARMAN also benefited from the provision of nestboxes and the establishment of nestbox trails.

NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL. MYRNA PEARMAN

DUCK IN NESTING TUNNEL. MYRNA PEARMAN

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. MYRNA PEARMAN CANADA GOOSE WITH FRESHLY HATCHED YOUNGSTER. MYRNA PEARMAN 10 NatureAlberta

Public Land - Alberta’s Best Idea BY LORNE FITCH, P. BIOL.

Sometimes, you need to be far from your mailbox to acknowledge a good idea in your own backyard. Such is the case with Alberta’s public lands. Public lands are those lands vested to us, the people of Alberta. In other words, these are our lands, in shared ownership, held in trust for us by the government of the day.

This good idea, public land, of the province is public land, those who see these lands as mere became clear to me while private land is 28.5% and federally commodities, to be exploited travelling through Texas, a place owned lands make up about 10%. for private or political gain. We where a paltry 1.5% of the state What the remaining 1.5% are is might take pride in being Texas- is public. Imagine a jurisdiction unclear. sized but not in wholeheartedly with so little public land it hardly embracing the Texas ideal of Alberta and Texas are roughly the registers in the psyche of its having all our land in private same size. If we were to follow citizens. In a recent issue of Texas hands. the example of Texas related to Monthly, the state magazine, was public land, as some politicians Some Albertans do propose an article on “75 Reasons to Love are suggesting, we, the Alberta converting the commons- public Texas”. Amid BBQ, cowboys and public would be left with less than land- to private property, country and western music there 10,000 km². That’s not much more including newly elected were only two references to use than the current combined size politicians. The tug of war is of public land, and both were for of all First Nations reserves in the repetitive between those who federal parks. province, where the burgeoning wish to maintain public land Large portions of Texas seem like population is stretching the limits. for the public good, and those the land Cain was willed, where who see sales as a get-rich-quick We don’t have a Parthenon, an a cow has to pack a lunch to scheme. Sale of our natural Acropolis or ancient palaces in cross. Why it is in private hands is heritage provides government Alberta. What we have is wild history, a perplexing conundrum a quick, one-time only influx space, a natural heritage that has in today’s world of expanding of revenue. Selling public land, remained in public ownership population, with recreational and a continual generator of public and is bequeathed to us by past ecological expectations to be met. revenue, means Albertans lose in generations. This is an uncommon the end. Contrast the Texas treasure, given the situation in situation with Alberta much of the world. To say public Alberta’s public lands provide where about 60% land is part of our heritage is a common space, particularly in point lost on some, especially densely populated central Alberta where these lands are islands in a sea of private ownership. In the grasslands, the foothills and the Lorne Fitch is a Professional Biologist, a retired Fish and Wildlife Biologist and an Adjunct Professor with the University of Calgary. FALL 2019 11 boreal forest, public land provides big space. In conservation of native plants and animals big often trumps little, so the vast space afforded by public land is a bonus. The story of the Attwater Prairie Chicken is a cautionary tale about the loss of public land and the space it affords. This bird, a subspecies of the now extinct Heath Hen, historically ranged over the coastal plains of Louisiana and Texas, by the hundreds of thousands. Now the species teeters on the edge of extinction, with about a hundred birds left in the wild. Of the original six million acres of coastal plain that formed grouse habitat, less than one percent is left. Virtually none of that is public land and restoration efforts are stymied by the cost of acquiring private holdings and the reluctance of landowners to implement land use changes that favor grouse. Contrast that situation with our own imperiled bird, the Sage Grouse. In our favour, and pivotal to restoration efforts for Sage Grouse is the vast swath of public owned native grasslands in southeastern Alberta, within the range of the grouse (and many more species we don’t want to see disappear). If we dial back industrial disturbance, Sage Grouse are likely to thrive here again. Public lands provide Alberta a unique option for recovering the species, quickly,

SAGE CREEK, LAND THAT BELONGS TO ALL ALBERTANS!. AWA/NATURELETHBRIDGE.CA 12 NatureAlberta

at low cost, one unavailable in Texas. Instead asking what good are public lands to Albertans, economically, ecologically and socially, we might better ask, where would we be without them? In the face of an uncertain future we don’t want to preclude options, to fail to have buffers and hedges against changes we can’t yet identify. Hanging onto public lands ensures we don’t sacrifice options for the future. FISH & WILDLIFE AB History shows how private ownership, even when tempered lands. Along the slopes of the understanding that applying the by public regulation falls short of Rocky Mountains, the forests brakes, rather than continuing to keeping landscapes healthy. The of the Eastern Slopes were also accelerate pressures on the land is capitalist tendency to privatize, as deemed to be more important beneficial. But, with the exception the answer to a question unasked, as essential watersheds, rather of some minor regulatory has stumbled badly, producing than in private hands for logging, oversight, a land ethic on the degraded lands, lost opportunity, mining and ranching. Much of the part of landowners is a personal and increased public costs to boreal forest was unsuitable for decision. It can be shifted by mitigate bad decisions. settlement and remained public. economic pressures, societal leanings and successional events. History has locked us into a The massive conversion of public Short term economic gain often legacy of past decisions. The land, during the Homestead era trumps long term care. There is Canadian government, in a bid to and after, to private land, brought little, or no cost, or approbation thwart American expansion and us settlement and economic for failing to steward a piece of expropriation of the west- the progress. To a degree those private land. Prairie Provinces in particular- former public lands, now farmed, developed plans to dispose have given us a foundation of For users of public land for of great tracts of public land wealth, as measured in stark economic reasons, you abuse for settlement. This included ledger terms. However, the it at your peril. This is not to the lands provided to railroad conversion of those lands also has suggest all public land is free of companies to underwrite the given us declining soil fertility, abuse, at the hands of industry, costs of transcontinental railway increasing erosion (especially for recreationalists or lease holders. construction, a method of binding cultivated lands), lost wetlands, Legislation, policy and penalties together the disparate parts of the degrading rivers and the are available, waiting only for the nation. transformation of landscapes with resolve to use the instruments vegetative and wildlife diversity to designed to protect these lands. Mostly this was successful. vastly simplified ones. Arguments can be mounted, and The exceptions included lands are, that we need to take better unsuitable for cultivation and Not all owners of land are care of public lands, resolve those where inadequate rainfall rapacious, unfeeling miners of land use issues though effective precluded successful farming. The soil, vegetation and destroyers planning and sort out public latter were taken back under the of wildlife. For many, there access to public lands. That these public domain as tax-recovery is an ethic of stewardship, an FALL 2019 13 lands are still in the public domain public land base in enable us to have those debates. Alberta we may not yet have evolved Many of these public lands the societal or used to be labelled as “other political maturity unimproved lands”, as if they to understand the were somewhat deficient, wanting virtues of public or inferior. As it turns out, public land. lands are the greatest bargain we never really planned for; Public land shouldn’t somewhat by default we now be viewed as a shiny have this tremendous resource. bauble suitable for sale. Baring a major One of the virtues of public economic collapse, lands is they create a benchmark, as in the 1930s, suitable to assess our judgement public land, once ALBERTAWILDERNESS.CA and decisions related to land sold, is gone forever. use. How do we know who we Once you eat the cake, there’s no are, if we don’t acknowledge cake left. our history? The mirror of understanding is the land, When 60% of the province is in the water, the wildlife. An public ownership and, with some examination of the difference exceptions, available to Albertans, between public and private land that empowers us as citizens, tells us how we have treated this especially the 81% of us that live place called home and allows in urban areas. It is part of our us to gauge our success at heritage, a visceral part of our stewarding the resources of today societal DNA. Any government for future generations. that proposes a liquidation of what is ours should be viewed Public lands may be the last as rash and heavy handed, frontier. In some ways what trammeling current rights and remains is an accident of history. freedoms. We would be wise to view those lands as a heritage, as long Progress, real progress isn’t as they remain public. Public measured solely with what we’ve ownership suggests stewardship, acquired, with what we’ve sold, not exploitation and certainly not with what our economic status disposal. is, but also with what we have retained. Government, holding Wallace Stegner, no stranger to land in trust for the people of public land conversion with his Alberta, needs to draw a line Saskatchewan homestead roots, around public land and say, “This made the point: “The trouble is public land and public land it is that places work on people shall stay.” Public land is surely very slowly, but people work on one of Alberta’s best ideas; let’s places with the single-minded keep it that way. ruthlessness of a beaver at a cottonwood tree.” Given our continual nibbling away at the 14 NatureAlberta

Insects and Us! BY ELIZABETH BOILEAU ([email protected])

In Canada, insects are the most diverse group of animals, making up about 70 percent of known species. They seem to have found their way almost everywhere, including where they are unwanted by humans.

There always seem to be more keeps people up at night or that there was an excellent feature where they came from. Large many are even aware of. Fewer article in The New York Times numbers in fact are typical for mosquitoes bode well for summer entitled “The insect apocalypse is the insect world, given they are camping, after all. But this loss is here: What does it mean for the often at the low end of any food in fact a serious global problem. rest of life on Earth?” (Jarvis, Nov web yet essential to ecosystem Luckily, since the publication of 27, 2018). functioning. However, insects are a few key scientific studies in the Even though more scientific disappearing before our eyes at an last year, there has been more attention is being paid to insects alarming rate. media attention to the sharp drop than in previous decades, there in insect populations and what Rapid loss of insect biodiversity is still a long way to go in this might mean. For example, may not be something that understanding insect distribution,

GRASSHOPPER SP. ELIZABETH BOILEAU FALL 2019 15

abundance, ways of life, and sensitivity to habitat changes. What is known is that more than 40 percent of insect species are declining around the world and the rate of extinction for insects is much higher (possibly even eight times higher) than that of vertebrate animals such as birds and mammals. Causes of this decline include intensive agriculture, use of pesticides, urbanization, and climate change. Given the fact that insects are greatly affected by human activity and environmental changes, a ELIZABETH WITH WHITE ADMIRAL. better understanding of them is very important. How are • Dusky Dune Moth farmers to think about beneficial we to track changes in insect (Copablepharon longipenne) insects for crops before they populations without scientific • Yucca Moth (Tegeticula spray pesticides. However, there data? Surprisingly, The Alberta yuccasella) is still much progress to be made Ministry of Environment and Parks when it comes to finding ways Several additional species are does not report on invertebrates to cohabit with our sometimes listed as threatened or of special (of which insects are part). The undesirable companions. Alberta Wild Species General concern. Alberta is by no means Status Listing contains amphibians, immune to insect loss, and it is One of the areas I am interested birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles, likely that we, as a society, lack in as a researcher is examining but no insects. the information required to best human perceptions of insects attend to this problem. and human-insect relationships. At the federal level, however, Various research studies on Studying insects certainly does there is reporting on insects. adult perceptions of insects have pose many challenges. Insects The Committee on the Status of shown, not surprisingly, that most are small, inconspicuous, and in Endangered Wildlife in Canada adults are either largely unaware some cases so abundant, it can (COSEWIC) lists many insects in of insects, do not appreciate them, be difficult to count them, which its October 2018 report. Some of or have negative perceptions of may even cause the illusion that the endangered insects in Alberta them. Many adults have a strong numbers have not dropped. are: fear and/or disgust of insects (and Further, one of the main problems other arthropods, such as spiders). • Gypsy Bumble Bee (Cuckoo is that humans generally have This is a fascinating topic that Bombus bohemicus) negative perceptions about Lockwood discusses in his book • Bert’s Predacious Diving Beetle insects. This ultimately translates The infested mind (2013). (Sanfilippodytes berate) into less support for research and • Halfmoon Hairstreak (Satyrium conservation. But how are these perceptions formed? This is not an easy semilunar) There are some interesting question to answer, but there are • Ninespotted Lady Beetle initiatives such as the Western many indications that negative (Coccinella novemnotata) Grains Research Foundation’s perceptions of insects are formed Field Heroes campaign (www. • Monarch Butterfly Danaus( early in life, influenced by culture, plexippus) fieldheroes.ca) which encourages 16 NatureAlberta

Insects are already a large part of children’s lives. Children in Alberta already have frequent, direct contact with insects (unlike large mammals like wolves and moose), whether they are in urban or rural settings. Insect representations are also common in children’s movies, books, and material goods such as toys and costumes. Children have often even formed specific insect preferences by preschool age. Interestingly, one UK study showed that children’s insect preferences correlated with the COMMON GREEN DARNER. HELENA BASTEDO number of Google hits as well as the number of scientific studies for those insects, but not with media, and early education. As critters grew and my knowledge the local abundance. Therefore, a PhD student in Educational expanded, I increasingly children knew more about the Studies, this is the field where marvelled at how amazing they “popular” and charismatic insects my own interest lies. How can were and increasingly loved than the ones they encountered we guide young children’s sharing my passion, especially around them. learning journey when it comes with young enthusiastic visitors to insects? If the goal is for who often didn’t share their Children learn about insects children to learn to value insects parents’ disdain. through books and media. These (and indeed all life forms), respect them as an indispensable part of their lives, and eventually IT’S CALLED NATURAL CURIOSITY! EMILY DONG understand the importance of conserving insect biodiversity, what are the means? Part of what inspired me to research this topic was my experience working for several years as Scientific Interpreter at the Montreal Insectarium. It was an immense challenge to try to change visitors’ perceptions of insects and teach them to appreciate them. This was done through a combination of educational presentations, hands-on demonstrations with live insects, and entertainment such as theatrics. I admit that as my own comfort around the live FALL 2019 17 sources often contain inaccurate biological information. Think, for example, of The very hungry caterpillar by Eric Carle (1969), whereby a caterpillar turns into a cocoon then into a butterfly, not to mention eats food such as pie and ice cream. Butterflies do not make cocoons at all – only moths do. Research is as of yet inconclusive regarding the impact ELIZABETH OBSERVES AN ANT NEST WITH CHILDREN AT UPSTREAM FOREST SCHOOL, of humanizing animals in books CALGARY. ELIZABETH BOILEAU and what the educational value of these stories is and whether they or an outburst of emotion such for an entire insect species or the invalidate natural history facts. as anger. Children also are animal world at large? Possibly. I Regardless, children are getting experimenters and it is common believe it’s certainly worth exploring incorrect information. for children to pull off legs and this idea. Meanwhile, children There are still the daily encounters wings to see “what happens”. benefit regardless from their outdoor such as observing ants and How much of this is normal explorations and learning about chasing butterflies. Interestingly, developmental behaviour? This is animals. children sometimes demonstrate unclear, but these key moments What I am suggesting is that, as part caring behaviours such as wanting where children take out their of our solutions to the insect decline to keep an insect as a pet and anger by stepping on a scurrying problem, we consider educating looking after it, but sometimes beetle could be valuable teaching the youngest of children in order to the opposite such as crushing and moments. reduce negative perceptions, fear, killing insects, without apparent Of course, these somewhat phobias or apathy towards insects concern. And to complicate innocent or small-scale killings are from developing. This can happen matters, the same child can exhibit not the cause of the global insect in many simple ways. Here are a a variety of these behaviours. This decline, but could there possibly few ideas. is not unlike the mixed feelings be a link between children’s that many adults have of insects respect and care of an individual (we like some but not others, or INSECT GARDENING insect and their respect and care tolerate some but only in certain Gardening can be a wonderful situations, or appreciate their activity to do with children. Keeping A BUG HOTEL! value but don’t want any contact our insect friends in mind, plan to with them). Child-insect and use local, native species, and plants human-insect relationships are that are rich in nectar and colourful. certainly complex and fascinating. Avoid using harmful chemicals. Take the time to check under the There is an interesting power leaves of plants for eggs or larvae dynamic at play in child-insect and share in children’s wonder and relations. Being dependant on excitement if they find something. adults, children are certainly powerless in many ways, and BUILD A BUG HOTEL insects being small, seemingly Bug hotels are increasingly popular vulnerable creatures may make in the last few years and there them targets for children’s are many guides to building them experimentation of their strength 18 NatureAlberta

BLACK MEADOWHAWK DRAGONFLY. HELENA BASTEDO

available online. Typically, they CITIZEN SCIENCE LEARN WITH CHILDREN have a roof to protect from rain, Collecting and submitting data on Encourage children’s curiosity face a sunny area, and contain insects can be a fun way to learn by learning with them! Although one or more compartments with about insects and to contribute to Alberta field guides for insects various types of natural material scientific projects. The e-butterfly are limited, other information, for insects to use either for project (www.e-butterfly.org) is a both print and online, is available laying eggs during the summer great example of a citizen science out there. Take children along or as overwintering shelter. One program that allows people to to naturalist outings. I have popular idea is to provide long take part in monitoring butterfly sometimes been amazed at how empty tunnels for leaf cutter and populations across North America. quickly children learn to identify mason bees. Children can enjoy Children can also keep their plants and animals due to their monitoring signs of use in their own personal lists of species and insatiable memory and keen bug hotel. compare them year to year! sense of observation for details. Suggest small research projects to do at home. Talk to educators FALL 2019 19 and teachers about their plans busy bike path and into the grass of nature to the next generation, for teaching about insects in the can have a lasting impact on a and there is no doubt that insects classroom. Join a local Nature child since it demonstrates that now need us more than ever. Feel Kids chapter to participate in adults value and respect living free to email me for a copy of family events. creatures. Be aware when keeping the full publication on which this animals’ captive that you are article is based. MODEL ETHICAL AND doing this responsibly. Forgetting RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOURS about insects in containers or Children learn from watching not feeding insects their required adult behaviour. Adults, therefore, food while captive can send a need to be aware of what they are confusing message to children. saying and how they are acting As naturalists it is our around children. The smallest responsibility to convey our love act such as taking an insect off a

A RED ADMIRAL SHOWING THE VENTRAL (BOTTOM) SIDE OF THE WINGS. HELENA BASTEDO 20 NatureAlberta

FEATURE ARTICLE

ENDANGERED WHITEBARK PINE CONES AT THE TOP OF A PLUS TREE. MICHAEL RUDY Imagine! The Story of Five Needle Pines BY MICHAEL RUDY

There is something amazing and valuable about extremely long-lived species, partly because they so dwarf the scale of our own existence that they realign our perception of what is normal. Like the pioneers of our great-grandparents’ generation, they make lives for themselves in extremely harsh conditions and a distinctly slower paced world.

Although many people longest lived and most charismatic they have five needles per cluster; understand in an abstract sense trees are critically threatened by more familiar Alberta pines have that somewhere there are trees an imported fungus, and they may two (eg., Lodgepole and Jack that can live for unimaginably not survive it. Pine). Young trees often have a long times, few seem aware that beautiful, smooth, silvery bark, These trees are the Whitebark they can be found right here at almost reminiscent of an Aspen and Limber Pines, often known home, and that they are facing tree, and extremely distinctive as ‘five needle pines’ because extinction. Some of Alberta’s FALL 2019 21 cones. Limber cones are very may have germinated shortly ripples outward throughout the large, attractive, and wonderfully after the Vikings first explored mountains and foothills, sustaining scented, while Whitebark cones North America. entire ecosystems. But one of are an unexpected brilliant purple the most valuable services they Far more than a striking part colour. provide, from our perspective, of the scenery, these trees are comes from their high elevation Both trees are gorgeous not only a vital part of the environment, habitat. in isolation, but also as a part of providing a vital food source for their natural landscape – leaning birds, bears, and other animals. Trees in the high mountains are precariously out over hilltops Their seeds are far higher in fat few and far between, and many and outcrops in the foothills and and protein than other trees, of them are five needle pines. Rocky Mountains. They grow and in many parts of their Their presence here holds onto extremely slowly, take nearly a range they are by far the most the snowpack and moderates the hundred years to reproduce, and nutritious food source available release of water, making both can live for over a thousand years, to wildlife and birds. They are drought and flooding less likely meaning that the oldest of them so important that their influence downstream. It’s a subtle benefit,

THE WATERTON NATIONAL PARK KENOW FIRE, HOURS BEFORE IT RAVAGED THE PARK. MICHAEL RUDY 22 NatureAlberta

THE CROWSNEST PASS AREA OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA CONTAINS ONE OF THE LARGEST REMAINING POPULATIONS OF LIMBER PINES IN CANADA AND IS HOME TO THE BURMIS TREE, A HISTORIC LIMBER PINE. MICHAEL RUDY

and difficult to quantify, but it of Southern Alberta the ‘Burmis province and threatens them with may become more and more Tree’, a gnarled and skeletal old extinction. As so often happens, important as the climate warms. It dead limber pine, practically because the pines have no is possible that, without the five symbolizes the area and is historical exposure to the rust, needle pines to govern the high represented in many artworks and they have almost no resistance snowpacks, wildfires like the ones local businesses nearby. These to it. It infects trees by growing that devastated Fort McMurray and endangered pines are beginning through their needles and causing Waterton will be harder to prevent to capture the public imagination swollen, devastating cankers. and fight, and floods will become and become important tourism Because these infections are rich more and more severe. and cultural symbols. in sugars, animals chew on them, causing deep, weeping wounds It is often difficult to explain to Although they are clearly that eventually kill the tree. the public why something like tenacious and resilient, five the five needle pine is worth needle pines have a devastating The rust is so virulent that in the saving, but parts of Alberta are weakness – a non-native hardest hit parts of the province already tremendously proud of fungus known as a rust, which nearly all the trees are infected them. In the Crowsnest Pass area is spreading throughout the or dead. Nearly - but not quite.

A GNARLED AND SKELETAL OLD LIMBER PINE IN THE CROWSNEST PASS. THE RUST HAS BEEN SO DEVASTATING THAT LANDOWNERS AND RANCHERS SOMETIMES THINK THAT THIS IS WHAT A LIMBER PINE SHOULD LOOK LIKE. MICHAEL RUDY FALL 2019 23

LU CARBYN 24 NatureAlberta

A TRULY UNIQUE LIMBER PINE. THIS TREE IS AT LEAST FIVE HUNDRED YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN BLOWN OVER BY A MASSIVE WINDSTORM IN RECENT DECADES BUT HAS CONTINUED GROWING. MICHAEL RUDY

Every now and then, around a finding more of them is extremely corner or nestled in a little gully challenging - in two years, I have surrounded by its dead fellows, helped assess the health of tens you may stumble upon a tree that of thousands of trees. For every seems untouched. This tree is a plus tree, two or three hundred ‘plus tree’; if you’re lucky, it may others are deemed too sick. Not have genetic resistance to the including in parks, there are rust. Only one Limber Pine with under two hundred known plus complete resistance is known yet trees in the entire province. And from Alberta, and none of the far every year, more of them are more vulnerable Whitebarks have disqualified by developing new demonstrated it yet. Finding these infections, or lost to wildfires. trees is the only way to save the In some areas, over half of the five needle pines from extinction. known plus trees developed new infections this year that made But one tree with limited them much less compelling as resistance is not nearly enough possibly resistant trees. to repopulate a species and FALL 2019 25

In the Words of Michael Rudy “The five needle pines (Whitebark and Limber Pine, in Alberta) are two species of endangered trees that WHITEBARK PINE SEEDS FROM A HOPEFULLY RESISTANT TREE IN THE KANANASKIS. THESE are critically threatened with SEEDS, IF THE PARENT TREE IS INDEED RESISTANT, MAY HELP SAVE THE SPECIES. MICHAEL RUDY extinction. They are some of Alberta’s longest lived species, and can live for over 1,000 years, but an imported and devastating Once a tree has been located, and over half a metre overnight in fungus threatens them with its health thoroughly assessed, some of the areas we needed extinction. its cones are caged to prevent to visit, isolating over half of animals and birds from eating the our caged trees. We eventually “I’ve worked with both species seed. The cages must be collected collected all of them, but the for two years and am passionate as late in the fall as possible to snow made our work much more about contributing to their allow the seed to mature. But challenging and exhausting. conservation and restoration. because of their high, exposed I dedicate a lot of time into The seeds collected from these habitat, waiting this long can searching for potentially resistant very special trees are germinated, often be risky. A record snowfall trees and propagating their seeds and the seedlings are exposed to in early October in 2018 dropped both in my spare time and for a high dose of rust spores. Any work, and I’ve written an article on the problem and the work being done to save them. BEAUTIFUL PATTERNS IN SNOW AFTER A RECORD SNOWFALL IN THE CROWSNEST PASS THAT “I am a conservation biologist COMPLICATED CONE COLLECTIONS IMMENSELY. MICHAEL RUDY first, and a photographer second. Part of showing something beautiful and special to the public has always involved trying to help save it or educate the public about it, and almost all the subjects of my photos are threatened. “I know that buying fine art prints is a luxury. If you are unable to afford it but still want to contribute, consider becoming a patron on my Patreon page. Even small contributions make a major impact, and all donations are used toward field surveys and conservation/restoration projects.” 26 NatureAlberta

genetic resistance will be detected conservation crises, the public is the foothills and Rocky Mountains through a higher survival than uniquely poised to help. There are and could dramatically assist with the general population, and the likely millions of five needle pines the effort to locate healthy trees in original trees can then hopefully throughout the province that have areas of very high rust. In doing be used to help restore devastated never been assessed for rust, and so, they may help ensure that populations throughout Alberta. some of them will certainly be these iconic and ancient trees will plus trees. Hundreds of ranchers, survive. Clearly, the five needle pine farmers, hunters, landowners, and story is a challenging ecological hikers pass them by every day in problem, but unlike most similar

The Most photographed Tree in Alberta! “The Burmis Tree” - a Limber Pine - is located in the community of Burmis AB along the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3). The tree died in the late 1970s and was estimated to be between 600 and 750 years old. In 1998, it was toppled by wind. However, members of the local community refused to leave it lying; it was stabilized by Alberta Culture Historic Sites staff using stainless steel rods and brackets. Even when vandals cut one of the tree’s main branches in 2004, locals fixed it again with glue and a prop pole. The community rallied to have the new Highway 3 built around the tree rather than destroy the heritage symbol it has become. The tree remains as the sole point of interest in the once prosperous town of Burmis.

THE BURMIS TREE. WIKIPEDIA FALL 2019 27

First Hand: Mating Strangers BY BRIAN GENEREUX In May 2018 I counted a group of 22 Black-necked Stilts on the south shore of Whitford Lake. The following spring 2019 had similar numbers. It seems Stilts are becoming as common as Avocets and can now be seen mingling together in their shared nesting areas. How things have changed! In 1977 Dick Dekker reported a nesting pair of stilts at Beaverhills Lake in his book Prairie Water. That would turn out to be the first successful nest in Canada. Twenty years ago marked a surprising occasion when I saw my first Stilt at Whitford with subsequent years since then of seeing just the odd one or none at all. Now they’re everywhere and my conservative guess would have at least 20 nesting pairs at the lake.

On May 23, a Stilt and Avocet BRIAN GENEREUX brought mingling up a notch. Not sure whether I needed new binoculars or an eye as if they were two Avocets. After Jr: “A hybrid American Avocet x exam, the two began mating! some internet searching, I actually Black-Necked Stilt.” At first, I thought it was a did find a paper on these birds Great! I don’t need new binocs territorial conflict, but it turned interbreeding and producing an after all and can now use them to into a pre-mating, mating, and “Avostilt” in the San Francisco Zoo find a strange new bird at Whitford then post-mating ritual exactly in 1971. See: William L. Principe, Lake! 28 NatureAlberta

First Hand: A Swainson’s Hawk Rescue BY LINDA FISHER

bird as I got it out. I put gloves and a large dog carrier both dogs in the house and headed back outside. too, as they would see The fledgling was nowhere in it as an intruder and sight. I turned the horse trough dispatch it quickly. upside down so nothing else Then I realized it was could get trapped inside. I probably better just to walked all over for 20 minutes tip the trough over - in the heat searching for it. which I did. Then I spotted it up in a dead The hawk hopped poplar. I texted Colin and he

LINDA FISHER out and stood a few instructed me how to get it feet away with wings down. So back to the house I live on an acreage west of outstretched, looking very I went - now totally sweat Medicine Hat. I was checking intimidating and hissing at me. soaked - to get a broom. I was my horse pastures on August I got some chopped raw meat I just able to reach up to the 1 and thought I had better use for one of my cats, placed height of the hawk with the check one of the horse’s water it nearby and left it alone; broom. Colin had said to gently troughs which I had earlier still no sign of any hawks nudge it to make it get on the needed to use as the horse anywhere nearby. I went back ground. So I slowly reached waterer wasn’t working. When I to the house and phoned up and to my utter amazement got close, I saw that a fledgling the Birds of Prey Centre in the chick stepped onto the Swainson’s Hawk was standing Coaldale and spoke with Colin sweeping end of the broom in 3 inches of water and could Weir as to options for this and hung on as I lowered it to not get out. There were no young hawk. Choices were to the ground. leave it alone and let Mother parents around anywhere. I I expected a chase and tackle Nature take its course or bring had heard them the day before with the blanket. What a well- it in. but not since then. trained hawk it was - it just Hawks and owls use a nest I chose to drive and take the hung on and I placed it right nearby in my shelter belt every hawk to the Centre. It was 37 C inside the crate and gently year. I sprang into action. I that day. I just couldn’t leave it tipped the broom to coax it ran to the house for some there alone with the heat and off. It gently fell over and lay gloves and a blanket, hoping to Coyotes, owls and my dogs there for a bit, then sat up and minimize stress on the young all able to eat it. I grabbed my just stayed there. I covered FALL 2019 29

LINDA FISHER the crate with the blanket and tour of the other birds. I left a headed for my truck. I got donation and returned home. to Coaldale two hours later Checking a few days later, I THE COALDALE BIRDS OF PREY CENTRE IS and took the hawk into the learned the hawk was doing A SUPERB FACILITY FOR REHABILITATING Centre. Nicki was there in the just fine. Seems they are not ALL RAPTORS AND IS OPEN FROM store feeding two other young able to drink water - they get MAY UNTIL LABOUR DAY FOR TOURS, Swainson’s Hawk fledglings! all fluid requirements from DEMONSTRATIONS AND MORE. LINDA FISHER They were both just sitting in their food. I their own open Tupperware was so glad containers and she was hand I chose to feeding them raw chicks. It deliver it to was amazing. They didn’t try to the Centre. leave at all when the feeding They will was over. She transferred my release it hawk from the crate and left it soon this fall to rest to check it out and feed with the other it later. young hawks. I watched the eagle demonstration which was amazing and did a very quick 30 NatureAlberta

Eyes on IBAs Brook Skagen Saskatchewan’s Conservation Potholes BY BROOK SKAGEN

As I write this article, the heat of summer has dwindled and the birds have begun to flock, evidence that August has one foot out the door and autumn has one foot in.

Perhaps nothing marks the saline lakes, and cultivation along think of Saskatchewan, all coming of Fall more so than a the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, road maintenance jokes aside, prairie pond filled bank to bank making it the fifth largest IBA approximately 1.5 million with wading waterfowl, their in Saskatchewan and the third wetlands covering over 4 million flocking instinct triggered by the largest IBA in the province’s acres of land are scattered changing daylight hours. Mixed Grassland ecoregion throughout the province. This (a continuation of Alberta’s staggering comprises about 11% It is these prairie pothole Mixedgrass Prairie Natural of Canada’s wetlands. Wetlands wetlands, scattered from Alberta Subregion). not only provide important to Manitoba and Montana to Iowa, staging, breeding, and stopover that millions of migrants will The site met National Significant habitat for waterfowl and other come to depend on as they travel IBA criteria following the wildlife, but also provide an array south in search of more bountiful documentation of 36 active winter resources, and that will Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) serve as one of the world’s most nests in the area (approximately important breeding habitats upon 1% of the total Canadian their return. Wetlands are the population of the federally central feature of many designated Threatened and provincially at- Important Bird and Biodiversity risk species). As many as 5,000 Areas (IBAs) across the prairies, ducks have been reported on including the Maple Creek the IBA’s Bitter Lake, Hay Lake, Grasslands IBA. and Junction Lake, as well as associated wetland complexes. Located approximately 5 km east of Walsh, AB and surrounding Though a pothole wetland the town of Maple Creek, SK, may not be the first pothole the Maple Creek Grasslands that comes to mind when we IBA is one of 53 designated Important Bird and Biodiversity

Areas in Saskatchewan. The THE VARYING LEG HEIGHTS AND BILL 2 IBA encompasses over 730 km LENGTHS OF DIFFERING SHOREBIRD SPECIES of native mixed-grass prairie, ALLOWS THEM TO FORAGE IN WETLANDS freshwater streams, marshes, WITHOUT INTER-SPECIES COMPETITION. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS 2013 FALL 2019 31

THE MILLIONS OF WETLANDS SCATTERED ACROSS THE PRAIRIE POTHOLE REGION PROVIDE IMPORTANT HABITAT FOR DUCKS AND OTHER SPECIES THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFE CYCLE. SMALL AND WARMER WETLANDS HARBOUR LARGE NUMBERS OF INSECT LARVAE FOR FORAGE. MIDDLE-SIZED WETLANDS HOLD WATER FOR A LONGER PORTION OF THE YEAR AND PROVIDE BOTH SAFETY AND FOOD FOR HENS AND DUCKLINGS, AND LARGE WETLANDS PROVIDE SAFE AREAS FOR WATER BIRDS TO STAGE (GATHER) BEFORE MIGRATION. USFWS 2011 (WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

value ecosystems, of which nearly of ecosystem services, such as Sources: decreasing nutrient and pollutant 70% have already been claimed by agricultural and industrial Ducks Unlimited Canada. 2019. Prairie runoff, reducing flood frequency Pothole Region. Webpage. Available at: and intensity, and buffering the developments. The establishment, https://www.ducks.ca/places/prairie- surrounding landscape against the monitoring, and advocacy of pothole-region/ effects of drought. the Maple Creek Grasslands and Bird Studies Canada. 2019. Important Bird other IBAs are a few of many Areas Canada: Maple Creek Grasslands. Ironically, it is drought that stewardship acts which may aid in Webpage. Available at: https://www. remains one of the most prevalent buffering these sensitive landscape ibacanada.ca/site.jsp?siteID=SK041 threats to the IBA and surrounding features from the cumulative Ma, Z., Cai, Y., Li, B., and Chen, J. .2010. Managing Wetland Habitats region. Depleted water levels, threats which surround them, just sometimes to the point of total for Waterbirds: an International as they do for us. Perspective. Wetlands 30(1):15-27. desiccation, and increased salinity As summer draws to a close, Nature Saskatchewan. 2019. Important in wetlands often occur as a result Bird Areas. Webpage. Available at: of drought conditions. In turn, this I grievously gaze at the flocks https://www.naturesask.ca/what-we- influences the ability of shorebirds of ducks departing day by day, do/important-bird-areas and waterfowl to forage in the not quite yet ready to retire my Huel D. 2000. Managing Saskatchewan area (Zhijun et al. 2009) and binoculars for the season. I am Wetlands: A Landowner’s may also reduce the availability comforted by the fact that just as Guide. Saskatchewan Wetland autumn marks their departure, Conservation Corporation. Regina, of suitable nesting substrate and SK. 68 pp. Available at: http:// cover for these and other species. so too will the following spring www.southsaskriverstewards. The effects of drought become signify their return. I’ll keep my ca/ckfinder/userfiles/files/ increasingly problematic with the fingers crossed for early rain as I ManagingSaskatchewanWetlands.pdf continued loss of these high- eagerly wait for their arrival. 32 NatureAlberta

Up Close Naturally:

BURDOCK (PICTURED) HAS LARGE BURS, UNLIKE BLUEBUR, Seed Dispersal WHOSE BURS ARE TINY BY COMPARISON. WIKIPEDIA BY MARGOT HERVIEUX

If you or your pet spends time in the woods or fields, you will know that many seeds hitchhike on passing animals.

Many common wildflowers have Yellow Avens has its own large the seed by twisting as they dry seeds or “burs” with hooks for and effective hook. You can also and actually drilling the seeds into hanging tightly to fur, feathers easily recognize the cone-shaped the ground. or fabric. Each small, oval seed seeds of the agrimony plant with Plants also trick birds and in the round seed head of the their circle of bristles around the mammals into helping with base. dispersal by wrapping their seeds Many prairie grasses also have in colourful and tasty fruit. From seeds that weave themselves Saskatoons and Choke Cherries Margot also writes into fur or clothing. Names like to rose hips and Strawberries, a column for the Porcupine Grass or Needle and all these fruits are eagerly eaten Peace Country Thread Grass are very appropriate by birds, chipmunks and even Sun, archived for these plants. The long hairs or Coyotes. The seeds pass through copies of which are awns on the seeds also help plant the animals’ digestive systems available at www. peacecountrysun. com. FALL 2019 33 and are dropped, with a dollop Anyone of fertilizer, far from where that has they started. We often find walked past garden trees like honeysuckle a Caragana and Mountain Ash growing in hedge unusual places after having been on a hot, “planted” by birds. Squirrels, summer chipmunks and jays also help to day is move and plant seeds since they familiar only eat a small portion of all the with nuts and seeds that they stash another away. interesting method of MANY ANIMALS LOVE THE TASTY FRUIT OF CHOKECHERRIES. WIKIPEDIA Another great method of seed dispersing travel is by air. We are all familiar seeds. Caragana and our with the parachutes attached native violets have seedpods to Dandelion seeds and the a fall meadow with a wool sock that twist as they dry, springtime fluff that carries the over one shoe. It won’t take launching the seeds when seeds of poplar and willow. At long to find seeds of all different they split open. The pods of this time of year, it is easy to spot shapes and sizes that use all sorts Jewel Weed or “touch-me-not” the plant down which carries the of ways to get around. Look for spring open when they are seeds of Cattail, Fireweed, thistle hitchhikers, tummy travelers, touched, flinging the seeds and goldenrod. In back yards parachutes and explosive pods away from the parent plant. and windrows, Manitoba Maple and consider all the ways that and Ash trees are laden with If you have kids in your life seeds are used by wildlife and winged seeds that twirl or glide with an interest in nature, people. away from the parent plant. take them for a walk through

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online: www.naturealberta.ca Full details, including rates and sizes, are available at: email: [email protected] phone: (780) 427 – 8124 34 NatureAlberta

ZOE MACDOUGALL

BY ZOE MACDOUGALL, NATURE KIDS PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Nature Kids has had a very busy summer this year whether attending various events across the province or hosting our own in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and many other locations.

We hosted our ever-successful Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Family Nature Nights series again Grande Prairie and we will this summer in July and August host a winter themed one with themes such as Wildlife in in Edmonton in February of the City, Precious Pollinators, 2020. Beautiful Bugs, Way of the Woods, We have had tons of fun Wet and Wild and Indigenous attending World Migratory Summer. We made many new Bird Day events across the connections with other groups province as well as the and organizations who came out Bluebird Festival and Bug to present at these events this Jamboree at the Ellis Bird summer such as the Edmonton Farm and various Farmer’s Urban Coyote Project and the Markets to promote our Alberta Community Bat Program! Nature Alberta programs. We also piloted a Field Trip It has been a whirlwind EDMONTON URBAN COYOTE PROJECT PRESENTATION. program this year in Edmonton, summer, but we wouldn’t ZOE MACDOUGALL Calgary and Lethbridge with have it any other way! Stay

families participating in a tuned to our Calendar of FIELD TRIP TO ELK ISLAND. ZOE MACDOUGALL backstage tour of the Elk Island Events on the Nature Alberta bison facility as well as a guided website (naturealberta. hike with Canadian Parks and ca) as well as our Nature Wilderness Society to Mount Alberta Facebook page for Yamnuska to learn about species information on our Fall and at risk and protected areas. Our Winter events happening this Women and Girls in Nature events year! also had another successful year with this program expanding to three new cities in Alberta for Happy a total of 6 events: Edmonton, exploring. FALL 2019 35

(to be pulled by a dog on your cross- country skis) in the winter. Let’s Go Exploring! Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park: This Visiting Alberta’s Provincial park is located 100 km southeast of the City of Lethbridge. It was established Parks all year round in 1957 and is special because it has been designated a UNESCO World BY ZOE MACDOUGALL Heritage Site and is one of the largest areas of protected prairie in Alberta. Alberta is a great place to live. It’s year-round. Birding is exceptional, It is a nature preserve and serves a big beautiful province full of as the park provides habitat for as protection for a large number of all kinds of natural wonders. This over 230 bird species. When winter Indigenous rock carvings. Families province has over 100 Provincial hits, families can participate in can camp here all year long but if you Parks across its breathtaking 8 km of groomed cross-country would like to visit the visitor centre, it landscape which means we have ski trails, ice fishing, and snow is only open until September 30th; after lots to explore as Albertans! Many shoeing. that, you have to make an appointment of these Provincial Parks are Miquelon Lake Provincial Park: with Alberta Parks staff. There are open year-round for us to enjoy This park is located 65 km many viewpoints and self-guided hikes with everything from camping, southeast of the City of Edmonton. you can take at any time of the year to swimming, hiking, horseback It was established in 1958 and visit the hoodoos and rock art. riding, educational programs and is special because it was first much more. Here I will feature a It is important to find activities that you designated a bird sanctuary in few of the lovely parks that are and your family can enjoy even when the 1920s. There are many lakes open all year across the province the weather starts to get chillier, as within this park, the largest one that you and your family can spending time in the great outdoors is being Miquelon Lake. The area is adventure to, even when the leaves extremely beneficial for your health. also designated one of Canada’s start to fall. Come explore with us! Important Bird Areas where ducks References: Sir Winston Churchill Provincial and waterfowl congregate during https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/northeast/ Park: This park is located 5 km east spring and fall migration. You sir-winston-churchill-pp/ of the town of Lac La Biche. This can find Trumpeter and Tundra https://albertaparks.ca/parks/central/ provincial park was established Swans. The park is also located miquelon-lake-pp/ in 1952 and is special because it in the Beaver Hills Biosphere and https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/south/ is located on a tied island - which is part of the Dark Sky Preserve, writing-on-stone-pp/ means an island that is tied to the which means mainland by a narrow piece of that you can land. The park is known for its visit this park old growth forests and excellent in the fall and bird watching. There is lots to do winter to take at the park even when the long in the night days of summer have started to sky without the wind down and the leaves have disruption of begun to change colour. Camping artificial light. here ends after the long weekend Families can in September but there are plenty also camp year- of other activities for families to round and take participate in. There are tons of in cross country wildlife viewing in this park, over skiing as well 9 km of hiking trails that are open as “skijoring”

ZOE MACDOUGALL 36 NatureAlberta

BOOK REVIEW 125 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta

Since the first travelers visited examples the hot springs in Banff during of the the railway era of tourism, destinations Alberta has been a compelling are: destination for visitors Whitehorse worldwide. Banff became Wildland - Canada’s first national park in one of the 1885 and it remains one of the few places most popular destinations in in Alberta the nation. where you By Leigh McAdam and Debbie Olsen The mountain parks are just can drive to Paperback: 224 pages one part of a province that an alpine is filled with spectacular meadow; landscapes. Canada’s fourth Wood Buffalo National Park largest province is also blessed - free-roaming bison and This book provides fresh insights with thick forests, sparkling the world’s largest dark sky on popular spots and valuable lakes and mysterious badlands preserve; information about lesser-known that conceal the fossilized destinations that are equally Writing-on-Stone - national remains of dinosaurs. 125 worthy of a visit. 125 Nature Hot historic site containing Nature Hot Spots in Alberta is Spots in Alberta is an essential petroglyphs and pictographs; a reader-friendly guidebook selection for libraries, tourism that explores this remarkable Waterton Lakes National Park offices, travel agents, and splendor and natural diversity. - one of the best mountain bookstores Organized by region, each parks to view bears and other hot spot entry includes wildlife; a descriptive destination Cypress Hills Interprovincial profile, a colour photograph Park - highest point between and a sidebar of at-a-glance the Rocky Mountains and information about special Labrador. features and location. A few FALL 2019 37

CELESTIAL HAPPENINGS

Fall 2019: October to December

BY JOHN MCFAUL

Sun: Rise – Oct. 1 (7:35 MDT), Nov. 1 (8:33 MDT), Dec. 1 (8:27 MST) Moon: Full – Oct. 13, Nov. 12, Dec. 11 Set – Oct. 1 (19:10 MDT), Nov. 1 (18:01 MDT), Dec. 1 (4:18 MST) New – Oct. 27, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 Times are for Edmonton. Daylight Savings Time ends Nov. 3rd. Autumnal Equinox: September 23rd at 1:50 MDT

Planets: Mercury will be best seen in the eastern morning sky just prior to the sunrise from the last week of November through the first week of December. Note: Mercury will transit in front of the Sun on November 11th. At sunrise it will be close to the centre of the sun and will exit the disc of the sun at the 1:30 position about 11:04 AM. To be safe project the sun onto a white sheet of paper. Mercury will appear like a small sunspot. Venus hugs the western horizon shortly after sunset in October. It climbs higher in the sky through November and December. It will be just below Jupiter on November 23rd and below Saturn on December 10th. Mars will be a morning object in the SE sky throughout the fall. It starts the period in the constellation Virgo and gradually moves into the constellation Libra as the month’s progress. Jupiter maybe seen low in the WSW in the evening sky during October and November. By mid-December it will be too close to the sun to be seen. The moon will pass by on Oct. 31st. Saturn starts October in the evening sky above the SW horizon. Each evening it will be a bit lower in the sky and further to the South West. By the end of December, it will be lost in the glare of the setting sun. The moon will be near on Nov. 29.

Meteor Shower: Orionids (October 21st, 10 -20 per hour), Leonids (Nov. 17th, 20 meteors per hour) The predicted rate is for dark skies well away from city light pollution.

IMAGE OF JUPITER TAKEN BY NASA’S HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE, JUNE 2019 WIKIPEDIA 38 NatureAlberta Wildlife Along the Scenic Peace River BY THEODORE (DICK) DEKKER

Alexander Mackenzie was the first European to canoe the Peace River. His wildlife sightings, reported in 1801, differ from what could be seen two centuries later. ALEXANDER MACKENZIE. WIKIPEDIA

Alberta’s rolling parkland is They had fallen behind their group, on the opposite shore, we decided to pleasing to the eye of the naturalist when their outboard engine failed. stay another day in the hope of seeing anywhere, but the most impressive We found them stuck mid-stream more of the Wolf family. However, mosaic of open grassland and on a shallow spot and helped to except for a brief glimpse of one adult, copses of aspen poplars I ever saw free and steer them along. Later which was met by five frolicking pups, were the south-facing slopes of the that day, an amphibious aircraft we did not see much of the goings on. Peace River valley, between the approached, following the valley. In late afternoon of the third day, when B.C. boundary and Dunvegan. Irma Apparently, the couple had been our open camp site was baking hot, we and I canoed that stretch of river reported missing. When the float crossed the river to look for a shady many years ago, but the memory is plane descended and taxied down spot. Just as we were pulling up to still vivid, and we consider that trip to an open point, we joined the shore, we had to quickly back off again the most enjoyable and interesting crew of RCMP officers, who were when a large Black Bear emerged from holiday ever. pleased to have located the missing the bushes. Huffing and puffing in the boaters, safe and sound. For five hot August days we drifted heat of day, he may have been headed leisurely down the scenic stream, Just before Irma and I parted for a cool bath or a drink of water. watching for wildlife. We saw company with them, the man Next morning, we continued our trip Beaver and deer, and a surprising handed us a partly full flask of and just before the region was hit with number of Black Bears. Their sign whiskey. At the time I was not a violent thunderstorm, we reached our was commonplace along shore. A aware that having open booze planned terminus: the river bridge at sandbar where we set up the tent in a boat was against the law in Dunvegan where we had left our car. was pockmarked by fresh tracks the province. For us, it was the big enough for a Grizzly. Both of first hard liquor we ever tasted. Today, Dunvegan is the location for Irma’s bare feet fitted inside the Resuming our canoe trip, we took the next hydrological project on the bear’s huge front pads. turns passing the bottle back and Peace, scheduled to start construction forth on our During the weekend preceding our paddles. The trip, the town of Peace River had experience added celebrated its annual festival called greatly to our Mackenzie Days, which included euphoria when a river event. On our second day, we spotted several we overtook an aluminum skiff Wolf pups on a with two people on board, an riverbank. Landing older man and a young woman.

DURING OUR FIVE-DAY CANOE TRIP, WE SIGHTED TEN OR TWELVE BLACK BEARS BY THE RIVER AND ON THE SEMI-OPEN HILLSIDES. THEODORE DEKKER IRMA BY ONE OF OUR CAMP SITES ALONG THE PEACE RIVER. THE SAND AND MUD AROUND THE TENT WERE DOTTED WITH THE TRACKS OF BEARS, AND ON FALL 2019 39 THE OPPOSITE SHORE WE SPOTTED FIVE YOUNG WOLVES. THEODORE DEKKER in the near future. The rising America, and waters blocked by the dam would captain Cook had inundate the beautiful valley we sailed northward had just travelled and probably up the Pacific west result in further ecological damage coast to the latitude to the Peace-Athabasca delta, which of Vancouver. has already been subjected to the Mackenzie left harmful effects of two existing the fur-trading Peace River dams farther upstream post called Fort The young and capable explorer, in B.C. Chipewyan on Alberta’s Lake driven by ambition, embarked As to the river’s wildlife, I recently Athabasca on the third of June on a second mission on October read a book written by the first 1789. With him were four French 10, 1792, again starting out from European to canoe the Peace Canadian voyageurs, two of them Fort Chipewyan. But instead of River, the famous Sir Alexander accompanied by their wives. Their descending the Slave River, he Mackenzie. My daughter-in-law, canoe was 25 feet (8 m) long, made chose to ascend the Peace. After Brenda, found a copy of his of wood and birch bark. A smaller an increasingly arduous journey 1801 travelogue in the Edmonton canoe was manned by a Cree guide upstream, he reached the river’s Public Library. Its diaries reflect named English Chief and several headwaters. Guided by local natives the original richness of the valley. of his wives, plus a hunter. The he crossed the coastal mountains on On the rolling parklands above third canoe was paddled by two foot, built a new canoe, and after a the river, he reported large herds other young aboriginal hunters and dangerous descent finally reached of Elk and Bison. Floating by that loaded with trade goods and food. the Pacific Coast. Along the way, he stretch, we saw no large herbivores. Later during the journey, when the encountered several native tribes By the end of the 1800s, both the load had lightened, all of these who were not always welcoming. native Elk and the Bison, as well as people would board the biggest On the contrary, they had to be other Alberta mammals, had been canoe. approached with diplomatic tact brought down to a very low ebb. Departing Fort Chip, the brigade and offered presents, such as metal followed the Slave River to the huge kettles, knives, axes, and glass beads. ALEXANDER MACKENZIE’S lake of that name, Great Slave Lake. HISTORIC VOYAGES Upon his final arrival in the delta Finding its outlet, they descended of the Bella Coola River, Mackenzie The hope of Alexander Mackenzie a wide river that was later named inscribed his name and the date was basically the same as the after Mackenzie, but he called it of arrival in red ochre paint on a dream that drove Christopher the River of Disappointment. For, perpendicular rock face: “Alexander Columbus in 1492 across the instead of leading to India, his Mackenzie from Canada, by land, Atlantic Ocean, to discover a short- voyage dead-ended on the shores the twenty-second of July, 1793.” cut to India. Columbus thought of the still frozen Arctic Ocean. He then left in a hurry, fearing he had found it when his ship Spending just a few days there, the natives who had passed by in made landfall in central America. exploring the island-studded delta, large war canoes. He was the first That’s why he called the people Mackenzie gave in to the anxious European to have travelled across he met Indians. Mackenzie had a wishes of his crew, who wanted the continent from east to west. His clearer idea of what he wanted: to go right back by the same route history-making journey predates by to survey a navigable water way they had come, because they were 13 years the celebrated Lewis and through Canada’s arctic, a route fearful of meeting their mortal Clark expedition farther south in the that much later became known enemies, the Inuit or Eskimo. United States. as the North West Passage. At the Working their way upstream, the Mackenzie’s travelogue was time of Mackenzie’s quest, intrepid Mackenzie party arrived at Fort published in 1801 and includes European mariners had already Chipewyan on September 12 after a detailed entries about the indigenous circumnavigated the tip of South journey of 102 days’ duration. 40 NatureAlberta

people he encountered, most of habitats. To escape from the Foot note #2. In early June of 1965, T.H. whom had never seen a white aggressive Grizzly, Black Bears McDonald, an American university person. Generally, he found take refuge in trees. The Grizzly professor, left Fort Chipewyan in a 17-foot canoe accompanied by the men better dressed than the is essentially an open country his wife Mary and their 17-year women, who did all the hard animal with long, rather flat claws old son, to make the same journey work and were “inferior to men in that are good for digging into the as Mackenzie had. Following the cleanliness.” Mackenzie added that soil but not for climbing trees. directions given in the ‘Voyages’ the males of several tribes left “the After European settlement of the and checking Mackenzie’s distances, McDonald found a few organs of generation uncovered.” west, Grizzlies declined, and in measurements imprecise, but most the absence of their enemy, Black Focused on reaching his goal were surprisingly accurate. The Bears may have increased. in the shortest possible time, Mackenzie party paddled down the river of that name in 13 days, Literature. Mackenzie, A. 1801. Voyages Mackenzie had not much to say whereas the McDonalds took 26 from Montreal on the River St. about the wildlife he observed days. The length of the river was Laurence through the Continent of along the route, except for given as 1,540 miles (2,460 km) from North America to the Frozen and Great Slave Lake to Whale Island Alberta’s portion of the Peace. Pacific Oceans. Edited by William on the Arctic Ocean. McDonald’s On the scenic south-facing slopes Combe. (Mackenzie’s original narrative was published in 1966 rising above the river, he reported handwritten journal -- published in by the University of Oklahoma 1789 -- was bought by the British numerous Elk and Bison. Another Press under the title ‘Exploring the Museum in 1883). interesting point is that he did not Northwest Territory.’ often mention Black Bears, but Foot note #1. Mackenzie was employed as a fur trader by the North West he did encounter and kill several Company, a competitor of the Grizzly Bears. Could it be that the Hudson’s Bay Company. Later, both Grizzlies of the west used to be companies amalgamated, reducing more common than today? The the hostile rivalry between the American Black Bear is essentially French Canadian Coureurs de Bois and the intrepid Scotsmen of the an eastern species of wooded HBC. Nature Alberta Celebrating our natural heritage!

Nature Alberta welcomes submissions of articles, photos, humour and other suitable material on Alberta’s natural history. Submission guidelines for articles and photos are available on the NA website at www.naturealberta.ca. Join Today! E-VERSION » Individual*: $25/yr Donations welcome! MAIL TO: Nature Alberta Family*: $25/yr Your support means Attn: Membership (includes NatureKids Program membership) a great deal to 11759 Groat Road Less $5.00 for members of NA Clubs Edmonton, AB Nature Alberta and its T5M 3K6 * add $15/yr for hard copy of magazine conservation objectives. WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? SEE THE STORY, PAGE 27. BRIAN GENEREUX

A LUCKY YOUNG SWAINSON’S HAWK; STORY PAGE 28. LINDA FISHER AN ORNATE CHECKERED BEETLE; SEE THE STORY, PAGE 14. ELIZABETH BOILEAU VOLUME 49 | NUMBER 3 | FALL 2019 Naturegallery

TWO FRIENDS…SEE EXPLANATION IN “ON THE COVERS”, PAGE 3. SARA JORDAN-MCLACHLAN

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