April

2 007 • Vol. 15, No. 2

AWA

Clarkʼs nutcracker (C. Wallis)

NATURAL AREA STEWARDS UNITE PASSION AND VIGILANCE: PART 3 / 4 HAY-ZAMA LAKES—INTEGRATED LAND MANAGEMENT AT WORK / 15 ALBERTANS ASK PREMIER TO PROTECT EASTERN SLOPES WATERSHEDS / 19 SUFFIELD FILES REVEAL DISTURBING STORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION / 21

Editorial Board: Shirley Bray, Ph.D. CAPRILONTENTS 2007 • VOL. 15, NO. 2 Andy Marshall Joyce Hildebrand OUT FRONT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Printing by: 4 STEWARDS UNITE PASSION 28 VOLUNTEER STEWARDS STRIKE A Colour printing and process is AND VIGILANCE IN CARE AND CORD sponsored by Topline Printing PROTECTION OF NATURAL AREAS, PART 3: THE NEW ORDER UPDATES

ALBERTA WILDERNESS WATCH 29 PRIMROSE-LAKELAND UPDATE 29 MCCLELLAND LAKE WATERSHED 15 HAY-ZAMA LAKES—INTEGRATED UPDATE LAND MANAGEMENT AT WORK 29 C5 FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN 19 ALBERTANS ASK PREMIER POSTPONED TO AVOID FUTURE DEBT BY Graphic Design: PROTECTING EASTERN SLOPES PROFILE Ball Creative WATERSHEDS NOW ARTIST CONNECTS WITH NATURE SUFFIELD FILES REVEAL 30 21 THROUGH PAINTING Wild Lands Advocate is DISTURBING STORY OF published bimonthly, 6 times ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION, EVENTS NON-COMPLIANCE BY ENERGY a year, by Alberta Wilderness COMPANIES, INCLUDING ENCANA Association. The opinions 31 OPEN HOUSE PROGRAM expressed by the authors 23 MORE COALBED METHANE APPROVED FOR RUMSEY WITHOUT 32 WILDERNESS OVERNIGHT TRIPS in this publication are not

PUBLIC CONSULTATION © Marg Selkirk necessarily those of AWA. The editors reserve the right 24 CHALLENGING OUR THINKING (WILL WE GET THE FUTURE WE to edit, reject or withdraw PLANNED FOR OR THE ONE WE articles and letters submitted. DIDNʼT?) Please direct questions and comments to: Shirley Bray Phone: (403) 270-2736 Fax: (403) 270-2743 [email protected] © Marg Selkirk © Marg

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) have Fall 1997

RDER O AND

EW ARE N However, in 1996 the call went However, C to do rather than the things we HE eath, “Grandma, I smell wildlife!” eath, “Grandma, I IN

Johnson in May 1993, hoped “to get back to doing some of the things weʼd like to do.” Alberta out again to defeat plans by and Utilities to build a Transportation WNAS called it, frontage road (or as an [af]frontage road) along the northern The Department perimeter of the NA. even had terms of reference for an road would It appeared the ready. EIA cater to future development, and was optimistic that this might signal was optimistic that “the beginning of a new era when governments do listen to the public and are willing to seriously give some consideration to the environment before proceeding with development.” Society members, wrote president Derek 3: T 3: ART IGILANCE , P V REAS AND

A ASSION ATURAL P WNAS swung into action again N NITE OF members liked, but one they could time, said live with. It was the first had Transportation Alberta WNAS, that a road project, for conducted an EIA and the first time the Department had realigned a road because of WNAS environmental concerns. road and interchange through that very road and interchange County of A portion resurfaced in 1988. Parkland councillor said he recognized the value of the NA, but he seemed to if not more, think the road was equally, Alberta Environment wanted important. proof of broad public support for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the project before they would commit to one. and the road was eventually built further east – not a location Society In June 2006, the Wagner Natural Area Society and the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Society and the Nature Area Natural In June 2006, the Wagner

seen here on a tour of the marl ponds, celebrated the addition of land to the Natural Area. on a tour of the marl ponds, celebrated the addition of land to the Natural seen here U (The Steward, (The Steward, Area for Jackpines Natural Louisa Rich, volunteer steward — Shirley Bray ROTECTION TEWARDS P By S Being a steward is a great excuse to do what I like most, spend time in the jackpines. The jackpines in many places The jackpines in many places what I like most, spend time in the jackpines. excuse to do is a great Being a steward The area was transferred to the The story of Wagner Natural Wagner The story of However, plans for a connector plans for a However, The campaign to save the NA The campaign to save the NA In 1971 the Alberta Wildlife Wildlife Alberta In 1971 the remind me of a cathedral, with the lovely mature jackpine trees and soft moss and open space beneath them. My spirit is and soft moss and open space beneath trees jackpine of a cathedral, with the lovely mature me remind to spend love this special place and want satisfaction that others a visit to this special place. I feel great always uplifted by all spirit. We the human for walking and rejuvenating and just recreation both for My family loves the area, their time here. said while taking a deep br the “Pines,” and as one young grandson spend much time in Natural Areas (NA) Program in 1975. Natural wanted Transportation Alberta In 1982 the eastern portion of the peatland. of money to purchase 14 ha to the east of the NA, which contained the majority of springs essential to maintain the government. In 1984 the Nature portion Conservancy contributed a large resulted in the shelving of the plan Wagner and the formation of the Society (WNAS), a more NA than watchdog of the area effective source. to build a north-south access road along its eastern edge to connect the two this would have highways. However, from its major water separated the NA percent, and others, such as the Nature percent, and others, such as the Nature provided the rest. Conservancy, long into the future when it would become ever more appreciated.” Alberta Environment contributed 60 drive to purchase a half section who wished Wagner, William from to preserve this special place “as is, 16A. Foundation spearheaded a fundraising between Edmonton and Spruce Grove between Edmonton and Spruce Grove along the south edge of Highway 16. the groundwater recharge However, area runs all the way south of Highway it was originally known, is actually a it was originally known, is actually a rich calcareous peatland and a prime example of a rich spring fen. It lies stewards have been in protecting areas that are well known to be Bog, as Wagner ecologically valuable. Area shows how necessary volunteer Area shows how necessary volunteer

OUT FRONT WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 4 OUT FRONT WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 5 L. Fitch Big Lake was designated a In 2002 Alberta Community In 2002 use activities that affect the wetlands, the wetlands, use activities that affect globally significant Important Bird globally significant process for the area, in addition to several studies initiated at that time. BLESS called on the provincial government for a moratorium on the road until the studies were done. At a preliminary meeting between consultants and “stakeholders” for phase one of the management plan, Albert road engineer expressed a St. concerns about the potential influence unless adjacent municipalities and landowners unite to that end.” in Area (IBA) by BirdLife International 2000, joining Beaverhill Lake, which Alberta at in was the only other IBA city when a new the time. However, council was voted in, the road proposal was resurrected. Many articles and letters appeared in the local newspapers for and against the road. Consultants hired by the city recommended that the road be located further east of the lake (480-620 m) than originally proposed (100 m), but the two-lane road was slated to become four (and maybe six) lanes and would be a dangerous goods route. Development, which included the Areas Division, Parks and Protected appointed BLESS as the official volunteer steward of Big Lake and spearheaded a management planning BLESS supported the petition and Since 1969, at least 30 studies source, and spreads out onto low-lying areas to the north and west in wet years. Advancing urbanization is a concern Lake, for Big significant a globally Important Bird Area (IBA). TheBird Area (IBA). lake is actually widening a of the Sturgeon its River, main water wrote that the designation would be unlikely to have “any impact on land representing more than 50 percent of eligible voters, the city chose to seek alternatives. also nominated Big Lake under Special Although the city wanted Places 2000. most of zone around the lake, a buffer the surrounding land is privately owned The and would have to be purchased. local committee agreed to recommend that the government purchase land as it became available. In May 1999, the government designated the Big Lake Area (BLNA). Conservation Natural Bob Lane BLESS president However, on the area have pointed out the need on the area have pointed out the need for its protection. Since the 1970s, there has been a proposal for a road on the east side of the area to ease traffic congestion in ever-expanding When the city council voted Albert. St. Boundary West to go ahead with the Road in 1996, well-known local artist a petition Elke Blodgett organized signatures against it. Faced with 11,000 Big Lake Environmental Support Society (BLESS), which began in Board members from each With 1991. of the four municipalities bordering the area, BLESS has monitored water levels; done a bird checklist and a brochures; and built a public shelter, viewing platform, and a trail. large Near Wagner lies provincially Wagner Near Another vigorous campaign and campaign Another vigorous In 1997 WNAS tallied up five WNAS tallied up five In 1997 They were backed up by NA They were backed up by NA In 1988, the WNAS closed a large WNAS closed a large In 1988, the significant Big Lake, a shallow prairie Albert slough on the west edge of St. Two River. and part of the Sturgeon The area has had the support of many citizens over the years, including the shallow basins are surrounded by wetlands, making this one of the top 10 Alberta. migratory bird staging areas in recently renewed for another 21 years. The Blessing of Big Lake national and provincial awards over was Their recreation lease the years. use.” and a half years of free labour spent several They have received on the NA. those distinctive values that the designation seeks to protect could easily be lost to gradual and unnoticed attrition, especially by random public Division Manager Peter Lee, who said, Division Manager Peter Lee, who said, appropriate management... “Without biological species exist in their own right – they have an inherent right to share the NA.” exist only insofar as they are useful Alice to people,” said then-president WNAS believed “that these Hendry, area was necessary to preserve the “Although some biodiversity. areaʼs claim that those plants and animals have a right to NA Wagner of the central portion of the NA to public central portion of the NA access, believing that a protected core and individuals, provided even more WNA. security for the might threaten the NA. In later years, might threaten the – particularly further land acquisitions in the south – with donations from government, the Nature Conservancy, they would deny access to anyone they would deny access contest any and would vigorously properties that activity on adjacent which refused to give up ownership. which refused to give WNAS learned of an That same year, seismic activity in interest to conduct out a notice that the NA, so they put subsequently obtained an annual lease subsequently obtained County, the from allowance road the for letters to the premier resulted in the the premier resulted letters to WNAS of the road plans. cancellation WNAS saw that the industrialization the industrialization saw that WNAS creeping of farmland and urbanization threaten would only NA closer to the integrity further. the areaʼs , Willmore Willmore Wilderness , the Wilderness would remove the , and the – into one piece of did promise to do some NHA would mean endless would mean NHA NHA Ecological Reserves and , But the “This is a sad time for any “This is a sad time The A majority of Albertans who Albertans of majority A Wilderness Act Wilderness legislation. It also proposed a new PA legislation. It also proposed a new PA conflict. responded to the governmentʼs good things, such as roll three acts – the – acts three roll as such things, good Act Parks Provincial Areas category of Heritage Rangeland (HR) to protect sensitive native grasslands, many of which incorporate grazing leases. NAs to Provincial Parks (sites with ecological provincially significant Areas (sites values) or Recreation dedicated to outdoor recreation) categories, or drop them altogether. Areas new Natural Recreation A which would include subcategory, landscapes natural or near-natural of regional or local significance, supposedly gave higher protection than But stewards and category. the NA or in site management plans, and no and plans, site management or in performance of management audit Ecological Prosperity (Actions for predicted Conservationists June 2000). that the in early 1999 request for feedback existing resource said that honouring sites is commitments in protected the purpose of PAs. incompatible with the that was response governmentʼs The be maintained existing policy would relinquish their but companies could They refused tenure interest voluntarily. of compensation. to consider the option Albertan who has a love of our great outdoors and its wild inhabitants,” said T. well-known conservationist Edgar Area named Jones, who had a Natural after him in 1992. Wilderness Areas category and change Wilderness Natural Areas Act Areas Natural Natural , May 2005) , Bill 15) in 1998, it , Bill 15) NHA ( Wilderness Watcher (from: Wilderness Exercising humility and restraint in our interactions with Wilderness is Wilderness Exercising humility and restraint in our interactions with Lund gave assurances that areas When Environment Minister Ty Ty Minister Environment When has been a concern for many years. what differentiates “stewardship” from “management.” Stewardship entails “stewardship” what differentiates wilderness stewardship requires respecting the value of self-willed land, where wilderness stewardship requires respecting the value of self-willed land, where natural processes prevail and humans do not dominate and control. Wilderness Stewardship Wilderness carefully protecting and guarding certain values, qualities, and experiences, In contrast, a management Wilderness. both tangible and intangible, that exist in paradigm is generally more premised on selecting human-centered goals and objectives for a landscape, and then actively shaping and manipulating the landscape and its wildlife to achieve those pre-determined goals. Good

ATV damage at Bruderheim Natural Area Area Natural damage at Bruderheim ATV Heritage Act Heritage “vegetation management” to mean logging. Lee noted that there are no ecological and protection performance legislation or policies, measures in PA would be protected because site management plans would determine what would be allowed in any particular protected area; however, everyone knew the plans could be or notice, changed at a momentʼs ignored, as in the case of the Rumsey – or they could use language like NA a concern. because it allowed industrial activities allowed industrial because it the law. under areas (PAs) in protected have discretionary The minister would things as oil power to approve such dispositions and and gas and timber regulation, mineral leases through Act. Existing the even if they violated would be honoured industrial activities 90 percent With and could be renewed. to auctioned off public land Albertaʼs of another 8 percent business interests and was little land in national parks, there industrial to subject yet not was that left recreation was also Motorized activity. Stewards Rescue Natural Areas Natural Rescue Stewards out his proposed Lund trotted was greeted with strong public criticism criticism public strong with greeted was K. Hauch K. St. Albert St. In 2005, with the help of BLESS, In a letter to the Road opponents considered the considered Road opponents BLESS and the Anti-Bypass Anti-Bypass BLESS and the our way of life” meant building the road. hope to preserve our way of life, we need to rediscover our respect for the land, the water and the natural world.” to many people “preserving Ironically, government news release (April 22/05) quoted Hole as having said, “If we Minister Gary Mar – expanded the and renamed it the Lois Hole BLNA Centennial Provincial Park in memory A of the late lieutenant governor. members of the public. Community Development – led by demanded more public consultation Albert alderman implied and one St. ABC and BLESS activists were not that would be outside the boundaries of the NA, BLESS showed that based it on aerial photos of past flooding, would go through the lake bed. Citizens misleading information, ignoring science, and downplaying the impact Although the road of its own findings. Coalition (ABC) criticized the missing or for containing 2003 EIA packaged in the form of a more roadway convenient and efficient system over a mere slough.” development and quality of life, so we have become blind to the treasure a result, the As of preservation.... west river crossing is seen as progress into believing that there is a strong correlation between economic damage. Borgstede Wilf Gazette (Aug. 28/02), have all been conditioned wrote, “We was approved with the assurance of was approved with mitigation plans for any environmental who claimed that the road would who claimed that the road The Lake. actually improve Big felt their concerns were ignored, and felt their concerns audience, while were heckled by the were allowed proponents of the road allotted time. to speak beyond their David Schindler Even a letter by Dr. Albert mayor, St. was dismissed by the public hearing a farce, as citizens a farce, as citizens public hearing given little or against the road were presentations, no time to make their count for anything. count for of the new steward group. A Parks Parks A group. new steward of the dismissed member reportedly staff donʼt concerns, saying, the engineerʼs they donʼt the stewards – worry about

OUT FRONT WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 6 OUT FRONT WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 7 Of particular concern were By March 1999 Lund was The stewards recognized that The stewards recognized “Itʼs very difficult to define define very difficult to “Itʼs Sandra Myers, the Volunteer Stewards Stewards Volunteer the Myers, Sandra original the only was Coordinator, potential loss of The member left. staff would not be enough. Instead, ENGOs proposed a 15/15 solution – withdraw Bill 15 and set aside an additional 15 sites Alberta – and specific percent of chose The government were proposed. to put the bill on hold until the fall. conference, At the May volunteersʼ downgraded to a “Volunteer an inaugural Weekend,” Recognition was meeting for SAPAA organizational of those natural areas still are there.” for the stewards sending If it werenʼt in their reports detailing what was happening, she says, nobody would know about those NAs; she thinks they would just quietly disappear or be sold off. reserved NAs with a protective notation (PNT) on them (see part 1). PNTs used to be red flags when industrial or motorized activities were proposed, and permission had to be obtained to use the area. Permission was sometimes refused or alternatives were suggested. now a is Dinwoodie feels the PNT fairly toothless designation: these areas are not treated as special but developed increasing development With as usual. and NAs over the years, both PNTs have been under much more pressure. prepared to make amendments, including not allowing any downgrade in protective category for an area, that the changes but critics charged NAs was another serious concern that another serious concern NAs was forming the stewards into galvanized Protected Albertaʼs of the Stewards (SAPAA). Association Areas bunch of NAs are “a really awkward one definition, fit places” that donʼt Alison Dinwoodie, steward for says one Park and Wildland Whitehorse . NAs of SAPAA of the key initiators pocket quarter range from very small large sections or less to relatively stewards agreed with NA The parks. with developing reclassification and that would one piece of legislation determine what was permitted in PAs, but they wanted input into decisions. all,” conditions where one size fits only because we says Dinwoodie. “Itʼs were there as stewards that I think a lot

S. Myers

of the Dry Island.” Park” and “Wildflowers Park, received the outstanding Park, received After this conference, the stewards conference, the stewards After this Volunteerism Achievement Award. Award. Achievement Volunteerism Gladys Pennock, pictured here with here Gladys Pennock, pictured Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial of the Park just northeast of Trochu. of the Park just northeast of Trochu. Dry Island: In Dry Island Provincial Dry Island: In Dry Island Provincial Conservation Officer Gary Martin in Gladys was born and raised, and has booklets entitled “Hiking Trails of the booklets entitled “Hiking Trails She researched, wrote, and funded two wrote, She researched, stewardship of the Park. She was 77 at stewardship the time. By 2003 she had led 211 hikes the time. By 2003 she had led 211 In 2006 she received the Parks Lifetime In 2006 she received lived her entire life all within a few miles lived her entire individual steward award in 2003 for her award individual steward since she started recording them in 1996. since she started recording telling them what to do. telling them about more seriously started talking association to forming their own issues Parks staff address some of the The to discuss. no longer seemed free partly because stewards felt this was not “grown up” had the current staff were part of a with the program and interested in running bureaucracy more than trying to volunteer programs of PAs. improve the conservation or puppets? Stewards or stooges?” stooges?” or Stewards or puppets? that other were aware The stewards (or did not like amateurs departments sites professionals) in these even paid made them sound great, NHA Dickson says government spin in The stewards became part of a became part of The stewards Reflecting on that yearʼs Reflecting on that yearʼs Patsy Cotterill of WNAS thought Patsy Cotterill of larger Parks volunteer program in 1997, program in 1997, Parks volunteer larger Coordinating Volunteer by the overseen partners in environmental protection, relying more and more on volunteer we help as a means of saving money, have to wonder: are we being rewarded Are we or are we really being bought? appreciation ceremony and the parade of gifts and speeches lauding volunteers, Cotterill commented that is evident that government since “itʼs keep some parks, recreation areas, and roadside rest stops open. the government had required local groups, or municipalities, non-profit individuals to do the work needed to dropped if they were too expensive to save money, Already, to maintain. Regardless of the good things they heard, they also heard that public money was getting ever tighter, might be which meant some PAs the sessions were of value but not felt angry enough by reassuring. “We the end to avow political action,” she Dec./98). wrote (WNAS Newsletter, was a disappointment,” she says. “Even was a disappointment,” she says. “Even the food ran out!” helpful but obviously could not make helpful but obviously could not make promises or decisions, while Forestry thing whole “The joke. a as all it treated At the one “site problems” session, where stewards could talk about Agriculture issues, recalls Dickson, the Department representative tried to be and the but problems were only discussed when brought up by knowledgeable stewards. award recipient Dorothy Dickson. information sessions on Special Places All the “welcomes” and “youʼre great All the “welcomes” about hosts, people” speeches were recalls long-time steward and multiple who attended that the focus was going who attended that the campgrounds, and to be on facilities, not conservation. camper management, conference in 1998 at Pigeon Lake, a conference in 1998 were campground hosts. majority large stewards to the PA It soon became clear Committee (VCC), which had some Committee (VCC), and regional representatives. Parks staff joint at the first Of the 220 participants inappropriate types of recreation. inappropriate others felt it represented a downgrading a downgrading felt it represented others the public lead and could for NAs to areas were open to think these volunteer logo. Dickson speculates that the lack of Dickson speculates The PA stewards were now only The PA logo was replaced The stewardsʼ The two versions of the Natural Resources volunteer logo and the Resources current Parks and Protected Areas Areas Parks and Protected current relevant articles for stewards reflected stewards reflected relevant articles for needs and interests of the very different The types of volunteers. the different Stewards Volunteer Areas Protected park assistant interpreters, campground hosts, and water monitors. Alberta Natural Resources by the Service one for volunteers, who were subsequently referred to as Natural This Resources Service volunteers. logo was updated in the Fall 2000 changed to a Parks and then newsletter, They also had to deal with many departments and agencies, different including municipalities and counties, particularly regarding such things as fences, herbicides, and slough draining. another group of volunteers, which also monitors, Wildlife included Fish and stories on specific sites. Information Information sites. on specific stories of activities permits, on development conservation challenges, other groups, history was mostly and natural ecology, discredited largely When the dropped. program concluded Special Places article a very laudatory in July 2001, appeared in the about its achievements it occasionally However, newsletter. gave news of SAPAA. continually were the only volunteers as political dealing with such problems and inappropriate uses, policy, At the same time vandalism, she says. they needed to increase their natural history knowledge and keep inventory listings of their sites, and deal with land management issues such as weed control and wetland management.

Parks , in the spring might be The Steward When Lee left Parks in late 1997, There were hints that a new The report also recommended The MLA Review Committeeʼs Review Committeeʼs The MLA foot access only, with horse use and foot access only, of 1999 aimed at all their volunteers. about The features were largely individual volunteers and good news but Mar made it clear that certain things needed to be resolved first. Dinwoodie cautioned that resources for enforcement of legislation and proper management of NAs was crucial. Communications with Stewards Dulled Cameron Hantiuk took over as manager of volunteer services. newsletter ceased publication at the end of 1997. Parks started a new newsletter, Partners in Preservation considered exceptions and determined considered exceptions and determined by site. It recommended prohibiting OHVs and industrial development in Areas NAs because of their small size. already heavily developed or without significant ecological value could be Areas with removed from the system. use could high historic levels of OHV Areas or be classed as Recreation removed from protected status. brought forward after the next election, report in early April agreed with report in early activities in PAs phasing out industrial recommendations included retaining class: “The and redefining the NA redefined class should include natural areas of local or regional significance established for local conservation and This would educational purposes. include those areas that would have been placed in the ʻnatural recreation category.” areaʼ other recreational activities being compensation of companies when their of companies compensation such as were phased out, operations The and royalty credits. land swaps Association of Petroleum Canadian never West Producers was supportive; disagreed revealed what he specifically with. surface access” and proposed a “no activities. Most restriction for new of thanks to the efforts importantly, the and the support of Mar, SAPAA existing industrial development and a and development industrial existing being new applications on prohibition a tightening of controls approved, for and a provision activity, on OHV and Protected Areas Act Areas and Protected because it was NHA , which suggested phasing , which suggested But by mid-April 2000, the Mar assured the stewards that One of the first actions of SAPAA One of the first actions of SAPAA A cabinet shuffle in May put in shuffle cabinet A NHA bill proposed a gradual phase-out of bill was killed by an unresolved disagreement between Mar and Resource Development Minister version of the new Marʼs West. Steve achievement for a fairly new and little organization.” to his attention and also the importance Areas,” says Dinwoodie. of Natural “I think that was a fairly significant others put in a new category called felt we had Areas. “We Conservation made a bit of a mark there to at least Stewards Program Volunteer bring the be for non-motorized, nature-based recreation and that some should be upgraded to Ecological Reserves and NAs would not be downgraded and would continue. He was VSP the suggestion that interested in SAPAAʼs NAs listed as “recreational” should that the table was much better than any that the table was much better than any had given him. that his department staff According to Dinwoodie, Mar was quite impressed and told the stewards gave Mar a table showing where they thought NAs would fit into the classification with regard to activities. Program (VSP), and they wanted to be consulted regarding any changes They in status of NAs in the NHA. the ENGO lead and boycott stakeholder the ENGO lead and boycott stakeholder meetings. They wanted was to meet with Mar. Stewards Volunteer support for the workbooks but also agreed to follow meeting with government and industry meeting with government to discuss the still clear that industrial development SAPAA was not prohibited in PAs. out encouraged members to fill the a multi-stakeholder ENGOs boycotted In September 1999 the government In September 1999 workbook out a fill asked the public to a revised draft of with comments on in PAs. out industrial development public feedback on the bill, review on the bill, public feedback bring out an the legislation, and agreed to leave amended version. Mar Areas category alone. Wilderness the Gary Mar in charge of the environment of the environment in charge Gary Mar an MLA He quickly set up portfolio. yet more to obtain Review Committee held and all stewards were invited to invited were and all stewards held attend.

OUT FRONT WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 8 OUT FRONT WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 9 Courtesy Parks and Protected Areas Division Kristensen addressed stewards at Parks told stewards it now had a SAPAAʼs October 2001 AGM in Red October 2001 SAPAAʼs of the long-time supporter A Deer. stewards stewards program, he urged Stewards with a recreational Licence of Occupation, a lease, or a disposition did have to be informed, but did not have any right to stop a development. to get to know their site supervisors and to call on Myers if they had enforceable regulations was important, enforceable regulations was important, and OHVs were the biggest problem. But the future of NAs and PNTs was still an issue. NAs established (OC) required by Order-in-Council another OC to remove them, but these decisions were not debated in the legislature or in public. small budget for items such as signs, fenceposts, and wire, but stewards still had to work with land managers from Public Lands or Forestry (and in some cases local authorities and landowners) to use them. Information about imminent industrial development in NAs came from the Resource Development Department. Parks was trying to get a process for notification of stewards, but applications for land use often had a turn-around time of only a few days. Neither the stewards nor the management plans they drew up had legal standing, so there was no obligation for anyone to inform them. Volunteer Conference at William A. Switzer Provincial Park. A. Switzer Provincial at William Conference Volunteer Stewards thought having a distinct SAPAA met with Zwozdesky, met with Zwozdesky, SAPAA A survey in the Spring 2002 A Operations for Parks and Protected Areas Division, presented the award at the the award presented Division, Areas Operations for Parks and Protected of the Riverlot 56 Natural Area Society. Fred Moffatt, Executive Director of Field Moffatt, Executive Director Fred Society. Area of the Riverlot 56 Natural April 2003 Volunteer Program Awards Banquet, held in conjunction with the 2003 Banquet, held in conjunction with the 2003 Awards Program April 2003 Volunteer John Woitenko (left) accepted the 2001 Steward Service Excellence Award on behalf Award Service Excellence (left) accepted the 2001 Steward John Woitenko areas, but not many were interested The in raising the funds to do it. stewards also wanted more support in actually protecting the areas. Having improve communications by setting up more onsite and orientation Parks staff, meetings between field and stewards. administrative staff, But the reality was that there were they were staff, simply not enough field difficult to get hold of, and NAs were not their priority. who was positive about the program, and told him the stewards needed They were very prepared support. to put in the work needed in their management of sites, which made things even more confusing than before. Communication between Often stewardsʼ departments was poor. reports were the only way Parks staff This knew what was going on in PAs. from the old was quite a difference days, when newsletters regularly listed activities in various sites. newsletter showed that stewards with their field were least satisfied to support. Parks promised staff identity in a smaller department might identity in a smaller department might bring Parks more attention but were worried about the separation between the administration and on-the-ground During the 1990s, Parks Parks issued a new paper on the a new paper on Parks issued SAPAA became increasingly became SAPAA However, a much appreciated However, became submerged within the large within the large became submerged stewards (239 individuals and 65 groups). Services Branch for Parks. Myers Stewards Volunteer remained as the In 2001, there were 304 Coordinator. Department took over Public Lands, June Markwart Wildlife. and Forestry, position, which in took over Hantiukʼs Visitor 2001 became manager of the new minister and John Kristensen the The new Assistant Deputy Minister. Sustainable Resource Development Community Development, took Areas over the Parks and Protected Division, with Gene Zwozdesky as the Environment Department and lost a lot of its clout. In 2001 a new department, society in 2001. Changing of the Guard were elected and Dinwoodie became became a registered president. SAPAA decided on bylaws and policies and proposed to apply for status as a non- Board members profit organization. departments and bureaucracies with At their fall which they had to deal. SAPAA 2000 meeting in Red Deer, important in helping stewards get more important in helping stewards get more action on immediate on-site problems and making contact with and getting of the various help from the staff stewards are valued partners in natural stewards are valued partners in natural do it area management; we couldnʼt without them!” have time for), providing valuable information, making improvements, and dealing with the public: “Volunteer Stretch in the Fall 2000 newsletter Stretch in the Fall assisting staff lauded stewards for (doing much of the work they did not program at this point,” says Dickson. program at this point,” Specialist Keith article by Public Lands experienced increasing frustration and experienced increasing “If it had not feelings of alienation. of Sandra Myers, been for the efforts have left the many stewards might conservation support, and commitments support, and commitments conservation with problems to helping volunteers The stewards were rather weak. Steward Program, endeavouring to endeavouring Steward Program, those responsibilities of clarify the on It had less emphasis involved. and Protected Areas Volunteer logo in logo Volunteer Areas and Protected newsletter. 2001 the Fall Courtesy Parks and Protected Areas Division

The 2004 annual conference was When the final handbook was When the final held at the Rocky Mountain YMCA at YMCA held at the Rocky Mountain the same venue as the big Yamnuska, only about 1993 conference. Sadly, the recent conferences. One session There VSP. was on a new vision for the was frank discussion of concerns and issues, including the handbook, communication and inter-departmental roles and responsibilities, and the need to get back to their major mission of conservation. released in 2005, the sections on saw enjoyment, not conservation, Markwart VSP. as the aim of the expressed enthusiasm for working with volunteers: “Iʼm always awed by their really You talent and their expertise. become friends with these people.” But it took a couple more years before frosty relations with the stewards thawed out. 30 stewards attended compared to the 165 in 1993, and there were fewer than However, 70 registrants altogether. Dickson says it was one of the best of at Wabamun Lake Provincial Park. Lake Provincial at Wabamun Program Awards Banquet held in conjunction with the Volunteer Conference Banquet held in conjunction with the Volunteer Awards Program What angered stewards the most The New Order staff had a very had a very The New Order staff Red Deer River Naturalist Society. Kyle Clifford, West Central Area Manager for Area Central West Kyle Clifford, Red Deer River Naturalist Society. Bertha Ford accepted the 2001 Steward Service Excellence Award on behalf of the Award Service Excellence accepted the 2001 Steward Bertha Ford Parks and Protected Areas Division, presented the award at the May 2001 Volunteer at the May 2001 Volunteer the award Division, presented Areas Parks and Protected different attitude towards the stewards attitude towards the different that was a radical departure from They were the management of Lee. bureaucrats, more interested in image They and numbers than conservation. permission before speaking to the media. Dickson felt the draft handbook VSP. could lead to the loss of the The stewards made it clear they had They way of working. a different were so concerned, they sent their but comments not only to Parks staff never While Parks staff to Kristensen. liked stewards going above their heads, there were times when the stewards felt it was necessary to get action. partnership, and a condescending tone partnership, and a condescending tone towards volunteers. were statements about stewards being representatives for Parks – stewards were told that they were to create a positive image of the Division, that it was inappropriate for them to express opinions contrary to government policies, and that they should get In the Spring 2002 newsletter, In the Spring 2002 newsletter, The draft – a 30-page, difficult- In 2003 Ted Switzer was Ted In 2003 the lack of understanding that respect and trust needed to be a two-way to-use manual – was not very well stewards The received, says Dickson. had particular concerns about the lack of clearly stated conservation goals, concerns. encouraged members to send in their a major That resulted in comments. revision and a meeting between Parks Board to discuss and the SAPAA staff circulated to four stewards, including They brought Board members. SAPAA AGM and copies to the fall SAPAA Handbook. Stewards were not involved in writing the handbook, but in 2003 as it neared completion, it was initiation of mandatory orientation sessions for new stewards, and the preparation of a new Stewards The New Order Markwart reported on a new the VSP, recruitment brochure for the administrative procedures, including criteria for selecting stewards. goals, and objectives, and a revised draft of the 2001 volunteer steward and they updated staff policy paper, recommendation was to use the original recommendation was to use the original (the business steward for logo stewardsʼ change in logo had been a sore point). They developed a new vision, mission, Jean Funk (Sherwood Park NA) (Riverlot 56), Woitenko and John The first second president of SAPAA. be reduced or eliminated. He found be reduced or eliminated. said and VSP wide support for the he was looking forward to working core A collaboratively with SAPAA. group was formed of field and Parks and volunteer stewards, including staff appointed Interpretive Services appointed Interpretive to review Coordinator and asked if some should all programs to see not have management plans or legally not have management enforceable regulations. retained. By 2004 it was clear that retained. By 2004 acts would be only changes to existing Areas would still made, and Natural was still in the works and, as a result the works and, as was still in to Gary representations of SAPAAʼs be Areas class would a Natural Mar, problems. He said that site reports were site reports said that He problems. division to help the important very such the extent of problems understand Act new A use. OHV as inappropriate

OUT FRONT WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 10 OUT FRONT WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 11 , a sweeping historic Kristensen agrees. “I think At SAPAAʼs 2005 AGM, which I 2005 At SAPAAʼs That effort appeared to show That effort Woitenko says the stewards stewards says the Woitenko The Covenant Africa, author James novel of South Michener describes apartheidʼs Act of 1967, which forbade Terrorism any act or attempted act that in any way embarrassed the state and was punishable by imprisonment or death. One of his characters, on trial, for (among other things) embarrassing advocates are a positive thing,” he says. “It means that you want to see the area maintained or see it improved from a habitat perspective, or you want to see more people use it in a positive way so that more people become as educated about the area as you do.” His preference is to work together with stewards on issues, although he accepts that people in a free society can do other things. “There are going to opinions about particular be differing areas and the things we should be we letting happen there. But certainly if does make for a it can work together, much more productive way of keeping these areas as natural as possible.” attended, Kristensen had some advice embarrass for the stewards – donʼt The government the government. apparently did not want to work with anyone or any group that embarrassed them. I said I thought the government embarrassed itself and we just pointed In new. These thoughts are not it out. stood on preserving NAs and why NAs and stood on preserving backs made them get their advocacy going to thought we were up. “They but thatʼs storm the bastille, march and He says weʼre about at all.” not what than four years to it took them more that the stewards were convince staff and were there an important resource “What we want to to work with them. natural areas are do is make sure our Why perpetuity. indeed protected in we be advocates?” shouldnʼt response to stewards in Markwartʼs itʼs as advocates. She thinks become natural that some stewards advocates, although it is not a program requirement. “Stewards can be ambassadors in their community in raising public and very effective awareness and support for those sites,” she acknowledges. werenʼt sure where the government government the sure where werenʼt Dinwoodie says they tried to SAPAA discussed the issue of discussed the SAPAA Service Excellence Award was a Award Service Excellence From 1997 to 2004, the Steward 1997 to 2004, the Steward From framed print entitled “Sacred and and framed print entitled “Sacred on the plains of Alberta. The print on the plains of Sacrificed,” depicting wild buffalo It depicts a young great blue heron blue heron It depicts a young great was permanently retired in 2005. In was permanently retired beginning its fall migration journey. recognition of Alberta’s Centennial, a Alberta’s of recognition was introduced, entitled “Taking Off.” entitled “Taking was introduced, new Steward Service Excellence Award Award Service Excellence new Steward “New people were so scared we were going to criticize the government, and to accept They had sometimes we were. our refusal.” they were being supportive of the Division and its mandate. explain that they were engaging in They were not out positive advocacy. to “get” the government or working against it, but trying to get it to do something. But they said they would defend the program against harmful had bureaucratic manoeuvres. “We spoken out for years, and that had been part of our role,” says Dickson. Most stewardship organizations Most stewardship organizations include advocacy in their mandate, was not a lobby group and SAPAA with vested or financial interest in unanimously protecting NAs. SAPAA voted not to change the wording of its objectives as requested by Parks had Some executive members staff. in a further meeting with Parks staff December 2003 and stressed that what was advocating for was the SAPAA preservation and protection of PAs; advocacy and the attitude of staff at staff and the attitude of advocacy wondered AGM. “Why,” their next by many “is the advocacy Dinwoodie, own for their as OHVers groups such when advocacy interests accepted, protection is not?” for environmental that improvements were happening to happening were that improvements concerns. the associationʼs address . NHA At the June 2003 meeting with Some stewards felt it was One of the major aims of Should stewards be advocates? Should stewards be Parks, the staff said that while they said that while Parks, the staff SAPAA was to advocate for the was SAPAA At the May 1999 protection of NAs. conference when the aims of SAPAA stewards having direct contact with They assured SAPAA the Minister. working with other groups and about wanted to work more closely with they were uncomfortable with SAPAA, advocacy as one of the associationʼs to They wanted SAPAA purposes. They remove the word “advocacy.” were also concerned about SAPAA toward those who did not join. position and harboured no ill will group,” including those in government As one put it, “In my and industry. is a dirty word and I work ʻadvocacyʼ would lose all respect and credibility.” expressed sympathy for their SAPAA to speak out, particularly with the provisions of the impossible to join an “advocacy without jeopardizing their jobs), it was important for stewards to be free been the aim of everyone working in were no longer the program. If staff comfortable in continuing with that perhaps, not allowed to role (or, members uncomfortable. Stewards pointed out that advocacy had once were discussed, the use of the word “advocate” made some of the staff advocate himself. But the New Order advocate himself. But the New Order balked at the word. staff which came into existence as an advocacy group, and he was a strong them, non-conservation interests would them, non-conservation predominate on these sites.” Lee had WNAS, plenty of experience with that of an advocate for their site. that of an advocate be, absolutely Stewards are, or should security and critical for the long-term Without areas. conservation of natural Advocacy Triumphs over Adversity over Triumphs Advocacy Lee. “The main “Absolutely!” says should be function of the steward their opinions were their own and not were their own their opinions those of the government. spokespeople for the department. for the department. spokespeople were asked to identify Stewards to say that as volunteers and themselves public advocacy and the media had media had and the advocacy public stewards to state that changed been and not official were volunteers He points to the case of Helen Dickson feels that staff attitudes staff Dickson feels that Kershaw says people tell SAPAA Kershaw says people tell SAPAA especially concerned was Trefry and fill out their reports. Some stewards Some stewards reports. out their and fill Trefry, a Canadian Wildlife Service Wildlife a Canadian Trefry, are changing for the better, and she better, are changing for the of influence attributes that to the company on site admitted that access was a problem on cutlines, but no one seemed interested in doing anything. to close the path, but logs tried Trefry had approached Trefry were removed. a person riding a quad who was cutting trees. He said he was from Ducks Unlimited and was clearing the trail, which was actually an access route for to check duck nesting a gas company, what is permissible are still in the form what is permissible are still in the form of unenforceable “requests.” they would like to get involved and make reports about what is happening in particular areas, but the government to areas appoint stewards wonʼt where there may be potential for conflict. It shows the government is not really interested in preservation or maintenance, he says, and fancy substitute for on-the- conferences donʼt ground protection. employee whom he encouraged to take near stewardship of the Parkland NA and Doug Wildlife her home. Fish and Bowes, manager of Policy and Land Use Planning for Parks, told her they were not taking stewards because they were worried about confrontations between stewards and OHVers. The gas about wetlands in the area. are reluctant to publicize their areas for their areas publicize to are reluctant and too many people fear of attracting damage. But Dinwoodie subsequent of better awareness says getting greater can actually confer site oneʼs be more will because staff protection the problems are. aware of it and what she also says the new report However, and unclear. forms are too complicated Today Stewards remain. Kristensen. But problems many areas have no Kershaw notes that over things, and the stewards to watch Often watch either. government doesnʼt people feel they can do as they please. Issues ranging from cattle grazing, cutting trees and trails, and access routes for OHVs, to tree stands for deer hunting are increasing and escalating. signs about boundary Rules on the NA Dinwoodie always recommends Dinwoodie would also like to see Part of the stewardʼs job, she Part of the stewardʼs “You are representing, in a way, in a way, are representing, “You done with them. that people talk to their land managers be used for serious monitoring and management. “They could be making much more use of the stewards, but I really know how much theyʼre donʼt not really pushing this and certainly itʼs in the manual.” She would like to get more information back from the reports they send in, not just tidbits in the President Current SAPAA newsletter. a geomorphologist at Peter Kershaw, Alberta and a long- the University of time steward of Hastings Lake Islands in reports send NA, agrees. He doesnʼt is being know what because he doesnʼt meeting for management planning Park, Wildland Whitehorse for Dinwoodie pointed out that they had the wrong maps and boundaries, that statements had been taken out of other management plans and were unsuitable for the area, and that a brochure stated up incorrectly that one could drive right to the continental divide. better training for stewards so their reports are not just anecdotal but can program – they were to be a voice for program – they were the public, an interface between the public and the government.” says, is maintaining communication with the government – but it needs to be both ways. One of the areas in which she feels stewards are essential is in the drawing up of management plans. In the old days, Lee encouraged stewards to do management planning, were and knowledgeable staff These days, stewards tend available. At a to be consulted after the fact. and weʼre not doing it for ourselves, not doing it for ourselves, and weʼre these it as stewards of weʼre doing Parks cutbacks in With public lands.” stewards are filling over the years, the monitoring, in the void of education, and attending talking to the public, behalf of the public meetings on voice may not general public, whose are “We otherwise be represented. she says. “We stewards for the public,” was really That are a public voice. of the stewards the original intention the public,” she says. “People try to try says. “People she the public,” but special interest groups, label us as making because weʼre not weʼre not purely voluntary it. Itʼs off anything , March/April Alternatives (from an article of the same title by This kind of experience has People often seek help from People often seek help Many individuals and groups and groups Many individuals Dinwoodie says Parks is now 1994) Sally Lerner in nature, sports, and cottager groups into sophisticated participants in the rough-and-tumble of local or politics. higher-level decision-making arena. turned many “mild-mannered” doing research, lobbying, preparing briefs, dealing with the media and gradually acquiring the skills to voice in the become an effective wanted, put their stewardship group on an action alert and begin to address the problem politically by government sources, feel they government sources, have not received the support they any threat of harm to a valued any threat of harm can species, locale or activity commonly trigger a pattern that politicizes those involved. interests lie mainly in outdoor interests lie mainly or simply recreation, nature study, place, enjoyment of an attractive as a result, become part of an become part of an as a result, environmental active, effective Even if their initial constituency. are politicized by their involvement by their involvement are politicized activities and, in stewardship Local Stewardship: Training Training Stewardship: Local Environmental an for Ground Vanguard trying to define the role of stewards trying to define whereas before it was more clearly, Club of Canada and as steward for the Cardinal Divide NA. support or attend public hearings. Dinwoodie was an intervenor in the original Cheviot mine hearings in the Alpine mid-1990s, as a member of the conscientious stewards feel they must do something, such as get more local inappropriate things going on in their areas and neither the land manager nor Parks does anything because power, shortages or lack of of staff how persistent they [the stewards] were, things got done or they didnʼt get done.” She says if stewards report left up to the individual. “Depending the government, says: “In the eyes of the government, says: “In the eyes of the civilized world, this government embarrasses itself.”

OUT FRONT WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 12 OUT FRONT WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 13 Anything with preservation Anything With Parks listed in the name of With Woitenko Looking at the future, Kristensen acknowledges itʼs Kristensen acknowledges itʼs hiking, bird-watching, all the different the different all bird-watching, hiking, told value.” He have economic benefits of government the three Pʼs stewards government is going to recognize how valuable the stewards program is, how valuable the stewards are, and theyʼre going to communicate with stewards and theyʼre going to give the stewards my Thatʼs the recognition they deserve. goal.” complaints about OHVs, random camping, and vegetation destruction, but lack of legislative teeth prevents regulations from being developed to control negative activities. Parks staff say they are working behind the scenes better getting as such things, improve to legislation. Some NAs – like Big Lake – are being moved to higher categories of protection. Parks, the new department (Tourism, Recreation and Culture) Kristensen will get more is optimistic that PAs attention. But things move slowly stewards still lack the and for now, necessary backup in manpower and regulations to prevent abuses in NAs. They can put up signs asking people not to do certain things that may be legal but damaging, but signs can be ignored or torn down. says, “What I would like to see is And the reason dissolved. SAPAA going to be dissolved is because itʼs are People, Prosperity and Preservation. are People, of itself is devalued, value in and that includes And argues. Kershaw he says, are unpaid the stewards, who, spend and undervalued. “Stewards monitoring effort considerable time and well; their opinion sites and know them The government, he should be valued.” in having stewards notes, is interested for more so it can justify lobbying the stewards may funding. “In a sense, worse because be making the situation work for free, so they are doing their have to do the government doesnʼt a it,” he points out. “But when there is want problem, the government doesnʼt to do anything about it.” a challenge to respond to stewardsʼ The Division gets a lot of concerns. , July/August 2006) Orion Kershaw says the priorities Kershaw says the priorities Kristensen says itʼs important to Kristensen says itʼs talk about the dollar value of PAs in talk about the dollar value of PAs the dollar value of their development need to show that We or whatever. for human use and not for their own for human use and sake. “It seems to me everything has to have a dollar value as far as this current government is concerned,” “From my point of says Kershaw. these areas have value in and of view, themselves.” NAs will never compete with the oil and gas sector and should in economic terms, he never be justified believes. order to get the attention and support intuitively think of of people who donʼt a “tug of war” Thereʼs natural values. departments going on between different user perspectives, he says. and different need to get ourselves on the same “We playing field as others who talk about confrontational situation where we situation where confrontational That attitude that for now.” can avoid level of distrust a significant indicates abilities and intelligence, in stewardsʼ value of and it contradicts Kristensenʼs working together. are of stewards and government stewards want to maintain different: and government is ecological integrity tourism dollars. interested in generating concerned that Conservationists are new strategy only values PAs Parksʼ appropriate volunteer opportunities opportunities volunteer appropriate safe and to be want those but we opportunities and meaningful people in a want to place donʼt (from an article of the same title by Gloria Flora, a former supervisor of a Nevada National (from an article of the same title by Gloria Flora, a former supervisor of a Nevada National Our sense of place – the sum of our relationships with our lands – cannot In the public arena, our sense of place and our relationship with beloved Bowes and Markwart both At a meeting, Trefry asked Bowes asked Bowes Trefry At a meeting, A sign saying “Foot Access Only” Access Only” “Foot sign saying A be dismissed as maudlin sentimentality. Our desire to leave a legacy of intact, be dismissed as maudlin sentimentality. own, why should we be silent on that which is most meaningful? thriving, beautiful ecosystems is part of what it means to be human. If asked thriving, beautiful ecosystems is part of what it means to be human. If asked to describe people or places that are most important to us, no one starts reeling experiences, speak from the heart, describing character, We rote statistics. off When we speak of lands, especially those we collectively memories, and spirit. development… But where is the accounting for the heart of the land, its The beauty of the natural world and our ability its majesty? character, to find solitude and meaning in nature are values that defy a price tag or quantification… landscapes – which we consider priceless – are handicapped when that “pricelessness” must compete with development, which always brings a comfort in numbers” takes on a new The saying “Thereʼs good price indeed. of proposed meaning for bureaucrats evaluating the environmental effects If Itʼs Priceless, Does It Count? If Itʼs Forest and founder of the nonprofit Sustainable Obtainable Solutions, from our end, he says, is “we still try and match up volunteers with talk about providing “meaningful opportunities” to stewards, but they intend for stewards to clearly donʼt The key message define “meaningful.” stewards who can garner it. He said that more public support was He said that more public support was needed and that people should contact Trefry politicians about better laws. that while they say they want argues want more public support, they donʼt They were also extra busy with all the They were also extra busy with all the increased oil and gas activity in NAs. with stewards at the meeting. Bowes told them that without legislation, hands were tied. the departmentʼs not talk to anyone. He told her that not talk to anyone. was happening he already knew what out there, so what good would reports That response did not sit well do? about it? in reports and if she could just send She is pondering putting up her own She is pondering putting would do anything sign – after all, who they were not legally enforceable, not legally enforceable, they were that in the past, yet she was also told People in the people respected them. she says, protected, know itʼs area donʼt not private land. but they do know itʼs had fallen down. When she tried to get she tried to get When down. had fallen government she was told the new signs, because them anymore did not make boxes. Yet Trefry had voluntarily voluntarily had Trefry Yet boxes. in. by hiking same boxes those checked

ulture & C

In 1997 the

Recreation ,

, Parks Tourism Sustainable Resource Development Sustainable – Community Development, Community Environmental Protection, Environmental – Clarification for Part Two: Part Clarification for Many thanks to Dorothy Dickson for Many thanks to Dorothy – – Ty Lund, EP Ty Gene Zwozdesky, CD; Gene Zwozdesky, Ted Morton, SRD Ted Gary Mar, EP Gary Mar, Dave Coutts, SRD Dennis Ducharme, CD Brian Evans, EP Halvar Johnson, EP Mike Cardinal, SRD Hector Goudreau, TPRC; Hector Goudreau, Gary Mar, CD; Gary Mar, 1999 – Fall 2000: May 2001: – Mar. Fall 2000 April 2006 – Dec. 2006: Dec. 2006 – present: – May 1999: Oct. 1994 2004: 2001 – Nov. Mar. 2006: Apr. 2004 – Nov. Ministers Responsible for Responsible Ministers EP CD SRD TPRC 1992 – Oct. 1994: Dec. Protected Areas Protected Marilyn Cooke, Doug Pilkington, and Dorothy on Dickson to deliver a presentation to RPAMC the findings. Dinwoodie for her many insights, to those who Dinwoodie for her many insights, to those who photos, and granted interviews and provided for their inspiration and to all the stewards testimony. Coordinating Committee (VCC) to conduct a focus group to identify volunteer issues and to develop a list of participants for a focus group and specific representatives that included staff from some of the key volunteer groups. Forty- eight people were invited and 30 people showed VCC selected a team of Peter Lee, The up. suggesting this story and providing an extensive suggesting this story and providing Alison to history on the volunteer stewards, Recreation and Protected Areas Management Recreation and Protected Volunteer asked the Committee (RPAMC) Natural Area. Natural In a farewell letter to the stewards, In the summer of 2005, Sandra “You have always been the one “You Alice Hendry (right) of the Wagner of the Wagner Alice Hendry (right) photograph of lady’s slipper orchids slipper orchids photograph of lady’s work over the years for the Volunteer for the Volunteer work over the years an award in 1998 in recognition of her in 1998 in recognition an award taken by Leota Cummins in the Wagner taken by Leota Cummins in the Wagner

Steward Program. The gift was a framed The gift was Program. Steward Steward Coordinator Sandra Myers with Sandra Myers Coordinator Steward

Natural Area Society presented Volunteer Volunteer Society presented Area Natural bioregionally, and enhance the social and bioregionally, Myers reminisced on the program. At Myers reminisced on the program. most successful volunteer programs in western Canada. She was always a favourite with stewards who credited in her with keeping the program afloat the New Order. person all volunteer stewards have known they could count on and trust,” her presentation Alice Hendry in said award to Myers in 1998. Wagner of a She praised Myers for her dedication and drive to keep the program going. Steward Program is Volunteer “The Without YOUR program, Sandy. truly Stewards would not Volunteer you the exist.” the beginning, she wrote, “the sky was the limit.” She left the stewards with her hope that they remain involved and her belief that the sky is still the limit today. value of attachment to place.” Myers resigned from her position Steward Volunteer after 18 years as Coordinator to become a senior program/policy manager with Parks. She was instrumental in helping build the stewards program into one of the Courtesy S. Myers S. Courtesy

, BC Journal It is up to citizens to make nature Nature Conservation in an Era In Nature There are also concerns about In 2004 parks reported 278 In 2004 parks reported One of the main concerns of concerns of the main One liability. Staff are concerned that if they Staff liability. stewards is getting in new blood. “Very “Very is getting in new blood. stewards and semi-wild spaces in urban areas. we must begin to think And finally, far beyond what schools and parks need to elevate and enhance “We offer. of the conservationist. the public profile need to create and maintain wild We What is needed is ways to allow prolonged, intimate, and interactive contact with nature for young people, more central to their daily lives, he follow. Then government will writes. “Governments are not committed to nature conservation because we arenʼt,” he proposes. 2004). He points out that the problem of conserving nature is social, not governmental, or economic. scientific, conservation projects is the presence from of committed individuals, largely the volunteer sector” ( of Ecosystems and Management pre-condition for successful nature to cover insurance costs, and their insurance tripled because they built a shelter. a blanket insurance for individuals, but a blanket insurance for individuals, but WNAS, societies must carry their own. for example, has to raise enough money build trails, they have to be maintained build trails, they have to be maintained or someone could sue. Government has changes that have happened and may changes that have happened and may accept a degraded landscape as natural. Dinwoodie stresses how important it is to monitor changes over a longer years. period, a minimum of five see the She says new stewards donʼt stewards are not removed from the list. stewards are not removed to commit Many people are reluctant for the two-year required time period. individual, 58 group, and 7 roving individual, 58 group, non-active stewards. However, thinks that retiring baby boomers with thinks that retiring will be a a passion for the outdoors and knowledgeable goldmine for active volunteers. program going in the future will be one program going in the says. Kristensen of the challenges, she few stewards are new at the game,” are new at the few stewards Dinwoodie says old- notes Kershaw. a lot, have gone through time members the Keeping frustration. much including New Blood New , Don Gayton says, “A , Don Gayton says, “A of Indifference

OUT FRONT WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 14 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 15 EST B TS I AT

By the time the area By the time the area is being tested by Dr. Rex is being tested by Dr. two decades old in the Coupland for swamp fever Coupland for swamp results this month, and the early will be available in summer. received global attention in 1982 through its designation as a Ramsar of International Wetland Importance, oil and gas activity was already area and wells dotted the Using consensus decision-making, In 1985 the Alberta government Alberta In 1985 the ANAGEMENT finally acknowledged the cultural, since. Its membership represents a diversity of sectors, including the three levels of oil and gas industry, government, environmental non- (AWA), governmental organizations and First Nations. the HZC has patiently traveled the sometimes bumpy road toward its destination – a truly protected wetland lakes and marshes. In 1970, when conservationists called for a shutdown of the Rainbow-Zama Lake oilfield, their concerns about the risk of serious environmental impact from a spill or Alberta blowout were dismissed by the who contended that Health Minister, pollution control record in Albertaʼs and conservation was the best in North America. Move ʼEm Out environmental, and economic concerns related to oil and gas activities in the complex and created the Hay-Zama Committee (HZC) to address them. the After several years of inactivity, Committee was revived at the request and industry in 1994 of the energy has been actively working toward the accelerated depletion of oil and gas Park ever Wildland reserves in the Hay-Zama Committee Vision, 1994 Vision, — Hay-Zama Committee

M AND L NTEGRATED – I Hay-Zama Wildland Park, designated in 1999. Hay-Zama Wildland The Hay-Zama area is home to Had the ecological and cultural

AKES

“Hay-Zama is our traditional territory,” “Hay-Zama is our traditional territory,” “Back in Ahnassay. says Chief James been found dying in the vicinity of the wellsites. Elders suspect that there is a link between their mortality and the The entire herd oil and gas activities. they were very much against it because of the potential for environmental Although nothing major has disaster. ever happened, there is always that potential.” about 180 wild horses, descendants of the animals that arrived with European traders and were used by aboriginals before settlements were established. These horses are sometimes seen licking minerals from the mounds built have and areas drilling the contain to up land surrounding Hay Lake, Zama, and land surrounding Hay Lake, Zama, and Amber so our people could continue the land as we had for eons.” living off importance of this area been acknowledged before the expansion of oil and gas development into this remote corner of the province, the industry would probably not energy have been allowed to set foot here. “This should never have happened,” “Our elders did Ahnassay. says Chief not like the oil companies coming in; the 1940s when the reserve lands were the 1940s when the reserve lands were surveyed, our leadership chose the NASA World Wind World NASA L AMA -Z AY By Joyce Hildebrand, AWA Conservation Specialist Conservation AWA Hildebrand, By Joyce H Hay-Zama Lakes : Successful Change 2 2 “Economic activity, environmental management, and cultural sensitivities can co-exist if, and only if the neighbours co-exist if, and only if the neighbours and cultural sensitivities can management, environmental “Economic activity, The 486-km The champagne is on ice for The champagne is This area contains one of Albertaʼs Albertaʼs This area contains one of Itʼs a timely antidote to the a timely antidote Itʼs arrive at mutually beneficial agreements through consultation and participation.” through agreements beneficial arrive at mutually few bison herds in which there is no evidence of disease (although the herd has not yet been tested). It is also part of the fishing, trapping, and hunting Thá First Nation. territory of the Dene Hay-Zama on which birds and other species are dependent becomes ever more urgent. up and wildlife habitat continues to shrink, protecting existing wetlands like is situated on three major waterfowl providing habitat migration flyways, for hundreds of thousands of nesting heats As the earth and migrating birds. and wet meadows. Located 120 km northwest of High Level, the park Hay-Zama: Home of Dene Thá Hay-Zama: Home of Dene the Hay-Zama Committee.” formula SC=ICT = Information, Communication, all there in Itʼs Trust. and Transparency, trust, and general good will. Or as Pat trust, and general good will. Or as Pat of Cabezas – one of the three co-chairs the committee guiding the Hay-Zama “Just follow the process – likes to say, change, water shortages, and frenzied change, water shortages, and frenzied development in a runaway economy. And all it took was time, patience, persistence, constant communication, spaces. onslaught of bad news about climate wetlands could well serve as a template wetlands could well serve as a template wild Albertaʼs for future protection of The collaborative, lengthy process of The collaborative, phasing out oil and gas production in these internationally significant the festivities in 2017 when the last the festivities in 2017 in Hay-Zama well will be shut down after Park, 18 years Wildland Lakes official designation in 1999. the parkʼs Wildland Park in the northwest corner Park in the Wildland Alberta comprises marshes, open of woodlands, willow swamps, water,

The Hay-Zama process shows that “The beauty of this exercise,” “We all had to agree that the “We How does such a disparate group move forward? main thing is the ecosystem, that itʼs Wallis. says not all about money,” to work with the local also have “You find common values and community, agreeing After work to protect them.” segment important to on the goal, itʼs the task and establish the risks of – and more controversial – tasks? multi-stakeholder groups can work to people the as well as wilderness, benefit and wildlife dependent on the land. What are the necessary ingredients? says HZC co-chair Pat Cabezas, echoing the vision of the Committee, “is that the purpose of the HZC is to manage the production of hydrocarbon extraction in a way in which economic management, environmental activity, and cultural sensitivities can co-exist.” Alberta words like this often in hear We – the infamous “balancing” of industry with environment and culture, with the the balance latter two being jostled off beam; cynicism is often a justifiable reaction. But in Hay-Zama, somehow it has worked. Maybe it helped that high-risk the issue was well defined: economic activities were going on in an extremely sensitive area and the task Then again, where was to manage it all. Alberta is the scenario any different? in gather dust, never to be implemented. gather dust, never to be implemented. Is the government just using us to do their dirty work (usually for nothing) or distracting us from more important Ramsar Wetlands Convention. Ramsar Wetlands the world designated as an internationally significant area under the area significant the world designated as an internationally As multi-stakeholder groups In 1999, a few months after the Significantly, all of the all Significantly, Located in the far northwest of Alberta, Hay-Zama is one of 1,069 wetlands around Alberta, Hay-Zama is one of Located in the far northwest

begrudgingly give in. They chose the begrudgingly give in. and the HZC bus was back on the latter, sprout up in Alberta like spring sprout up in official designation of the park, the first official designation of the park, the first Energy Ventus MOU was signed by worn conservationist in this province has spent months or years participating in at least one such group, only to have the resulting recommendations oil and gas operations are conducted in the Complex, phasing out operations withdrawal step by step until the final in 2017. Keys to Success crocuses (or Canada thistle, depending on your perspective), doubts about their a well- abound. Many effectiveness Crispin (2002) and Devlan (2003), as Crispin (2002) and Devlan (2003), as to the original Addenda well as two These agreements MOU (2000, 2003). were precedent-setting: time limits on oil and gas extraction had never been – the government Alberta before set in allowed it. hadnʼt MOUs (and ID 96-1) are included in the Management Plan, signed by Cabinet in 2001. “If they off AWAʼs Wallis, notes Cliff werenʼt,” representative on the HZC, “theyʼd The MOUs be a lot easier to ignore.” significantly reduce the period of time road. agreeing to the cessation of oil and gas dates in the most production by specific This high-risk portions of the complex. was followed by two more MOUs with AWA Files AWA And then the HZC hit a major In addition, ID 96-1 included a At least as important as the ID 96-1, released in 1996, was in 1996, was ID 96-1, released pothole – Alberta Energy hedged Alberta Energy pothole – and waffled, refusing to sign off last As a on the Interim Directive. to sign the Directive and risk public embarrassment and opprobrium or release praising the government for its wonderful cooperation in moving the process forward through ID 96-1. refuse had two choices: Alberta Energy resort, the Committee issued a news caution. servicing operations, recognizing the special sensitivity of the Hay-Zama Complex and the need to proceed with number of special requirements for seismic, drilling, production, and stipulate that no surface access will be stipulate that no surface access will be allowed… For all future mineral leases a 100 metre buffer Area 2, sold within Area 1, due to the proximity to from observed for any must be open water, new surface activity.” reasonable opportunity to develop The Directive their mineral leases.” further recommended that “all future Area 1 will mineral leases sold within 1... and the timely abandonment of any associated well bores, while still providing companies with a of serious environmental impact was high enough “to encourage the rapid and safe depletion of any reserves Area being drained by wells within new boundary delineation was the recognition in ID 96-1 that the risk oil and gas development (referred to as oil and gas development (referred to Area 1 and encompassing almost the entire park). a result of this change, the Committee a result of this change, the more clearly was able to define areas most sensitive to impacts from boundaries of the park, which were boundaries of the park, more arbitrarily originally established As coordinates. using township/range delineation commissioned by the delineation commissioned used biological HZC, the Directive to adjust the and hydrological criteria spawned by the activities of the spawned by the activities Committee an HZC and earned the on a wetland Based Award. Emerald (ID) 96-1, as well as three Memoranda as well as three Memoranda (ID) 96-1, (MOUs) with of Understanding companies. oil and gas different complex free of industrial activity. The activity. industrial free of complex have included the way along landmarks Directive Interim the governmentʼs

WILDERNESS WATCH WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 16 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 17 A few years ago a bunch of few years ago a bunch A Occasionally, though, even Occasionally, Itʼs a little more difficult when when a little more difficult Itʼs More recently, a newcomer to a newcomer More recently, the situation has For now, “The whole idea is the neighbourhood,” he says. “Everybody in the area has the right to participate in the decision- And since we are an making process. advisory committee to the government, the advice has to come from the neighbourhood.” well-intentioned neighbours can get a little devious. On January 31, certain percentage of the revenue to be certain percentage of the revenue to be used for HZC activities – in exchange for extending the life of the wells. But the Committee presented a united front, refusing to be bought out. All about the Neighbourhood Itʼs neighbours in Calgary got together and started a process to declare their little neighbourhood park pesticide- free. It took a while to convince the City that this was a good thing, but the neighbours finally had a picnic to celebrate their success. Once you start talking over the fence, animosities soften, friendships begin, and good things happen. neighbours are separated by miles of wilderness, but Cabezas has seen the intense antagonism between some of the neighbours in the Hay-Zama region transformed into reasonable negotiation through the HZC process. extend their deadline for getting out of getting for their deadline extend they came area. “But a medium-risk not Thatʼs for the land. with nothing “There Wallis. says how we work,” be tradeoffs.” must at least also Trust, Sound Energy the process, deadline for pushed to extend their Although Sound abandoning wells. with the MOUs to has fully complied The now balking. this point, they are totally resolved, but situation is not yet Alberta continues the government of agreement to support the original their request for and is considering compensation. Committee been defused and the acknowledges that Sound has generally been a positive presence in the area, emphasizes, “if you Wallis but as keep talking, things start to go donʼt sideways.” One of those off-kilter moments occurred when Sound offered the HZC a financial incentive – a ildland Park. Each MOU contains a clause that The longevity of the core Everyone involved has to be involved has to be Everyone Zurfluh of Parks and Protected Areas Areas and Protected of Parks Zurfluh to the same commitments as the but vigilance is original signatory, At a recent meeting, always necessary. wanted to Trust Pengrowth Energy road that come with energy company road that come with energy changes, though, certainly present challenges. “The longer everyone is in “the Wallis, the same process,” says more buy-in there is. But you have to keep at it, keep refocusing people. There is no resting on laurels.” holds a new company accountable from the same songsheet! members of the group has also greased the wheels of the HZC vehicle – they have been together since 1994, when As the Committee was reconvened. industry players change with every and buyout, this level of merger continuity and experience with the process keeps the group and its vision The curves in the strong and focused. are represented. are represented. the me- able “to go from willing and as Cabezas says. me into the we-we,” our own interests “If we just defend the collective without thinking of work.” In this outcome, it wonʼt absolutely; process, nobody wins something. everyone compromises come totally agrees: “If people Wallis dogma, you wonʼt committed to their Alberta Energy, get anywhere.” Even is singing he adds with amazement, – facilitate the process, modeling the modeling process, the – facilitate nature of the endeavour collaborative interests that everyoneʼs and ensuring Another key is having the right Even entering into those Why would oil and gas operators Why would oil and Several small oil spills have occurred in Hay-Zama in the last few years, but the in Hay-Zama in the last few years, Several small oil spills have occurred diminish until 2017, when industry will no longer be active in the W companies involved have contained the spills with booms and mitigated the damage. companies involved have contained the spills with booms and mitigated the damage.

With oil and gas activity phasing out of the area, the risk of a major spill will gradually activity phasing out of the area, oil and gas With people around the table. The three co- people around the table. negotiations, however, required some required negotiations, however, motivation on the part of industry. they complied Wallis, In part, says representing oil and gas, Chief James and Ken Thá, Ahnassay of the Dene environmental and cultural agendas. chairs of the Committee – Pat Cabezas when the price of oil skyrocketed and negotiations bogged down, it bullies became evident that profit There is also the simple appeal of but doing things in a better way, them more in the end, in terms of both financial cost and public image. because of what might follow: a hearing process that would cost work backwards – how much oil do we have, what do you need to get it out within the existing commitments?” they needed in order to maximize their they needed in order limiting their time productivity while we in the complex. “I said, why donʼt is presumably their raison dʼêtre? is presumably their Cabezas approached the Initially, and asked them what companies energy agree to change their operations in agree to change their a way that would inconvenience which their profits, them and affect multiple pathways. “If you see only one “If you see multiple pathways. risk losing it he says, “you pathway,” all.” get somewhere, he says, you need he says, you get somewhere, considering which comes in creativity, taking each step: “You start with the start with “You each step: taking the it clarifies risk because highest get agreement there, donʼt issue; if you And to get it anywhere.” you wonʼt AWA Files AWA James Ahnassay, Chief of the Chief of Ahnassay, James Twinning these areas is more Twinning international focus tends to keep the less process more honest, and itʼs If there is global likely to founder. There interest, eyes are watching us. is a higher chance of exposure if we can also learn We do things wrong.” from each other through sharing information and technical expertise, he adds. “The oil and gas over there is in an earlier stage. Maybe they can avoid the mistakes weʼve made.” Thá First Nation, agrees. “I Dene he says. a great idea,” think itʼs “Both countries can work together to promote the importance of the internationally recognized wetlands. If China is able to recognize the importance of protecting such an important wildlife area, then it enhances what we are trying to protect here.” friendship,” he says. “There was was says. “There he friendship,” with certain people a resonance passionate, innovative, who were Both areas were genuine.” at Management Plans developing home time, and both are the same began Wallis for minority peoples. in 2004, and the twinning process paperwork for several years, the way through wound its ponderous The the bowels of government. Memorandum of Understanding at the awaits some fine-tuning will be signed Chinese end, but it this fall in time for the festivities of, dedication celebrating the official management and the collaborative Hay-Zama Lakes agreement for, Park. Wildland celebrate donʼt than symbolic. “We the international importance of our “An Wallis. sites enough,” says

C. Wallis

C. Wallis in Inner Mongolia. The seeds for the twinning Both Hay-Zama Lakes Cliff Wallis (front, second from right) second from (front, Cliff Wallis with scientists and protected area staff area with scientists and protected process were planted when Wallis Wallis process were planted when Wildland Park and Chinaʼs Dalai Park and Chinaʼs Wildland The Lake Reserve are Ramsar sites. is Wetlands Ramsar Convention on and international cooperation for The the conservation of wetlands. Ramsar designation obliges “wise use” of a site and brings increased publicity and international prestige for the designated wetland. did some consulting work in Inner Mongolia. “It started with domestic animals grazing in the surrounding grasslands and some 10,000 tons of fish caught per year, are very overfishing and overgrazing real possibilities, as is damage from incipient oil and gas development. an international treaty that provides the framework for national action The Reserve shares another Cliff Wallis, AWAʼs AWAʼs Wallis, Cliff About 15 times larger than About 15 times larger As in Hay-Zama, the human presence in the Dalai Lake area has the potential has the potential in the Dalai Lake area As in Hay-Zama, the human presence for appropriate stewardship or ecological destruction. Overgrazing is one of the or ecological destruction. Overgrazing stewardship for appropriate possible threats to this internationally recognized Ramsar site in Inner Mongolia. Ramsar site in to this internationally recognized possible threats potential threats to its ecological more than two million With integrity. education and research. commonality with Hay-Zama: and traditional Mongolian foods, customs, and cultures, and the area is becoming a centre for environmental regional climate, and increasing air humidity in the surrounding steppes. birdwatching, boating, offers Tourism and is an important site for 284 bird The area is also critical for species. flood storage, sediment retention, maintaining groundwater recharge, shrubs and reedbeds. Like Hay- Zama, it is used as a staging area for birds on a major migratory route Hay-Zama, the Nature Reserve in Inner Mongolia is a huge wetland complex of lakes, rivers, marshes, Dalai Lake National Nature Reserve Dalai Lake National have much in common. comparable landscapes. But while comparable landscapes. roam free in China, Hay- bison donʼt Park and the Wildland Zama Lakes nature reserve on the arid steppes of nature reserve on the These areas Inner Mongolia, China. of your list of may not be at the top Committee, has had some creative has had some creative Committee, but this may ideas over the years, a remote top them all – twinning Alberta and a wetland in boreal representative on the Hay-Zama on the Hay-Zama representative China and Canada Cooperate to Cooperate and Canada China Wetlands Ramsar Twin

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The Southern East Slopes hold The HZC bus may be a little The HZC bus may significant and largely irreplaceable significant and largely dented and dusty, but it motors on. dented and dusty, growth without the guiding hand of sobriety – growth without the measures ecological to sustain the regionʼs integrity and the renewable resource assets upon which our future prosperity depends. renewable resource assets for a pathway chosen, and the journey repeatable,” says continues. “Itʼs the right people, need “You Wallis. a common goal, something to rally The community does the around. work.” aware of this and are also concerned about the transferral and deferral of the costs of prosperity onto our environment and to future generations. Do not misunderstand our intent as it is our anti-development. Rather, observation that a planning and policy Alberta has given rise to vacuum in on a plan to implement ecotourism ecotourism plan to implement on a is a park whenever because activities and our it attracts people, designated We the area very well. people know to create some control, want to have our opportunities for employment people who are to benefit people, and like birdwatching. interested in things our cultural and First and foremost to be upheld.” traditional ways have for more to argue continues AWA Nations in involvement of First must areas. “We managing protected special status they recognize the very it, give them capacity have and build on “They Wallis. says to manage it well,” land.” have the rights to the When a fork in the road appears, the drivers stop and gather the passengers The motor sometimes for discussion. get a little overheated, the windows steam up, but consensus is reached, ROTECTING P BY

EBT D UTURE F OW “It will mean that we have a The champagne thatʼs on ice for The champagne thatʼs Alberta and Albertans have Alberta and VOID N A become wealthy from our natural resources, but many of us now are beginning to understand that prosperity believe you are We has a price. prairie. It is as close as one can get to coat of arms. Albertaʼs the features in Unlike our coat of arms, in which the landscape appears untouched, unblemished, and unfragmented, the real landscape has seen many changes. In addition, scale and pace of land use change in the area is unprecedented This and is projected to continue. concerns us as residents and as groups, who and individuals organizations, understand and value this region. to combine the dedication ceremony to combine the dedication with the formal twinning of the Hay- Park with the Dalai Wildland Zama Lake National Nature Reserve in Inner The Mongolia, China (see sidebar). third celebratory event will be the signing of the MOU between Parks and Thá First the Dene Areas and Protected Nation, inaugurating the collaborative Park. Wildland management of the key role in managing the area,” says are working “We Ahnassay. Chief government, they joined the Committee they joined the government, be involved in discussions in 1995 to them ultimately impact that would Ahnassay became Chief James directly. in 2001. a co-chair of the Committee Time Party have to be uncorked the 2017 party will are in the works 10 years early – plans this fall. Hay for a triple celebration been Park has never Wildland Zama The HZC is hoping officially dedicated. as a nation they have no obligation they have no obligation as a nation federal anyone but the to deal with is the Dene Thá, with three reserves reserves with three Thá, Dene is the While Park. Wildland the bordering TO

ATERSHEDS REMIER W P SK A LOPES S The following letter was sent to Premier Ed Stelmach April 3, 2007 by John Cross, CPAWS, Chief Mountain Group, Bragg Chief Mountain Group, CPAWS, by John Cross, April 3, 2007 Ed Stelmach The following letter was sent to Premier The Southern East Slopes As residents, groups, and One of the Hay-Zama neighbours Cabezas cites another factor LBERTANS ASTERN E A Creek Environmental Coalition, Chinook Area Land Users Association, Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development, South Appropriate Association, Pembina Institute for Users Land Area Coalition, Chinook Environmental Creek Wilderness Association, Livingstone Landowners, Castle Crown Alberta Wilderness Association, Hills Stewardship Porcupine Conservation Initiative. The Southern East Slopes to Yukon Sierra Club of Canada, and Yellowstone Coalition, Pekisko Group, the prairie begins. Divide east to where the Continental and from border to the Montana the Bow Valley range from organizations, we are very concerned we are very concerned organizations, represent an iconic landscape of mountains and foothills grading into sustain and protect the irreplaceable renewable assets of the region and its ecological integrity. your government aimed at changing the current, undesirable trajectory to one that will sustain communities and about the current and future state of the Southern East Slopes. Hence, we have a set of pressing requests of Slopes Re: Some common sense for the Re: Some common sense for uncommonly valuable Southern East of Reference and we try not to have minutes, just MOUs,” says Cabezas. “This is a group of neighbours getting together to manage a sensitive area.” that has contributed to the success of the HZC: the lack of structure Terms have no and paperwork. “We process and the ultimate goal. received calls from other distraught received calls from him to what was “neighbours” alerting going on, showing the strength of the to the commitment neighbourhoodʼs within the committee process,” says within the committee follow didnʼt Cabezas, “but they immediately the process.” Cabezas closures and now was stepping outside closures and now was the Municipal of the process to push economic interest. “They Districtʼs what they did have the right to say newspapers and promulgated this and promulgated newspapers along with Neufeld had agreed, view. to those well the entire Committee, closing down of two wells before of two wells before closing down depletion of the resource. complete and local radio stations He contacted 2007, Mackenzie County Reeve Bill Reeve County Mackenzie 2007, of Minister letter to sent a Neufeld protesting the Mel Knight Energy Because this issue is so important The tools we have and those we Furthermore, time is against us We think you would agree that think you We To add impetus to the effort, add impetus to the effort, To protects the assets of the Southern Southern of the the assets protects Slopes. East us! to us and to ensure that our request is provide we ask that you not forgotten, an initial response within two weeks of also request a We the date of this letter. meeting with yourself and the Ministers of Sustainable Resource Development, and Municipal Environment, Energy, to discuss these matters. Affairs a pause, or a “time out,” for many resource developments occurring now in the Southern East Slopes. If unchecked, the frequency and intensity of these developments will significantly undermine planning and regional ecological integrity. efforts There is precedence for the province undertaking such a time out: it did so in 1973-74 during its province-wide hearings and policy development on land use and resource development in the Eastern Slopes. can build are only as useful as our will to employ them in making the tough Slopes The Southern East decisions. that we want tomorrow require us to exercise restraint and decisiveness ask you to exercise the will We now. and make the commitment to help us achieve the desired, environmentally sustainable future for the Southern East that What an incredible legacy Slopes. will be for your government and for those who will inherit the Earth from this is a logical course to set for the course to set this is a logical we East Slopes, and hence, Southern by government lead ask that your listed the four actions undertaking above. we also ask your governmentʼs community-led collaboration with already underway, planning initiatives Foothills Study. such as the Southern and the The use of these initiatives as a pilot project Southern East Slopes buy-in would add speed, community task of regional and credibility to the planning. if planning continues to lag behind air, activities that impact land, water, To quality of life. and biodiversity, planning, create space for effective we strongly endorse the concept of We believe Albertans have both believe We Sacrificing renewable resources, renewable resources, Sacrificing so that these do not unduly fetter policy and planning exercises. legislation that supports planning and indicators and incorporate limits and thresholds. It will be open, transparent, inclusive, and accountable. planning capability in the civil service and at the municipal level, of as well as to support the efforts existing community-led planning initiatives. existing commitments and allocations test of success being a landscape that maintains ecological integrity, environmentally sustainable land uses, and community longevity. planning will define Effective

the intellectual capital and the will to change course, especially for the Achieving Southern East Slopes. a desired future will require these actions: and faster planning, with the Better • threatening ecological integrity, ecological integrity, threatening and a future economic and creating Albertansʼ debt is not in ecological be justified best interest and cannot that Yet case. by any rational business The future of on. is the track we are determined our landscape is being consequences of by the unintended and land uses multiple decisions cohesive, regional operating without a seemingly tyranny of small, A plan. is leading us to unconnected decisions effects. unmanaged cumulative future will only become realities if we realities become will only future for that responsible ourselves make future, today. Developing provincial policy and • Allocating new resources to rebuild • Providing tools to deal fairly with • N. Douglas N. There are some promising We hope you agree that these hope We The Southern East Slopes canʼt The Southern East Slopes canʼt temporarily store Albertaʼs most Albertaʼs store temporarily necessary for water, vital resource, heritage. and communities. of unfragmented space, biotic and cultural beauty, natural integrity, provinceʼs richest variety and provinceʼs and plants. diversity of animals with ranching, recreation, tourism, important carbon sink. important carbon sink. rough fescue grassland and foothills rough fescue grassland key parkland in the province, and an to sustainable ranching the southern part of the province part of the province the southern provinces of and our neighbouring Manitoba. Saskatchewan and life and economic opportunity in opportunity life and economic planning initiatives: Water for Life Water planning initiatives: are significant assets, worthy of the exist on the hopes and promises of The possibilities of a desired tomorrow. represent will have occurred by the time the planning and policy exercises of your government are completed. in practical terms, irreplaceable – loss of what the Southern East Slopes the Southern East Slopes will outpace these measured initiatives in provincial We planning and policy development. – and are concerned that a significant and the Land Use Framework to the speed and name two. However, intensity of resource development in safeguard these assets. government, we see little substantive change in policy and legislation to value of the area as the headwaters for a significant portion of the prairie provinces dates back prior to the as a province. Alberta formation of to inform Despite considerable effort hearings, and letters of concern to various government departments. the the recognition of In particular, been articulated in planning exercises, been articulated in planning exercises, attention, concern, and protection by your government through planning and the development of policy and these time first the isnʼt This legislation. Albertans have assets and their value to Albertans. This landscape currently currently landscape This Albertans. the following: provides that capture and The headwaters • • A place that attracts people because A • opportunity Sustainable economic • • A treasury in the form of the treasury A • • The last large area of undisturbed area of undisturbed The last large •

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COMPLIANCE - ON Base personnel also have grave There are about 12,000 well The Baseʼs rangeland advisors The Baseʼs , N sites owned by different companies companies sites owned by different routes to single wells, and a lack of access coordination. One-third of pipelines constructed from 1997 to 2005 have crested wheatgrass, an aggressive invasive species, established on them. integrity is note that the native prairieʼs being threatened by industrial activity They and that impacts are accelerating. land. Provincial guidelines require a minimum setback of 100 m from wetlands in the grassland region. concerns about the poor restoration record at Suffield. Invasion of non- native species from industry access trails and pipelines poses a big threat to native plant communities and as one of the biggest is identified The goal in management challenges. is to restore native prairie, the NWA not simply reclaim disturbances to Industry is equivalent land capability. resisting Base directives on restoration. on the Base, including 600 abandoned wells without reclamation approvals. Numerous access roads and pipelines crisscross the Base, acting as conduits for invasive species; multiple access Dec. disturbance is increased. WLA EGRADATION D ANA C N E EnCana also failed to follow The documents show that EnCana Access routes create disturbances in native prairie beyond the bounds of the initial disturbances in native prairie create Access routes problem of trying to reclaim parts of trails while they are still in use: the extent of the while they are parts of trails of trying to reclaim problem tracks, as invasive weeds brought in by vehicles spread outward. This photo shows the outward. in by vehicles spread tracks, as invasive weeds brought NVIRONMENTAL 2006). Federal policy on wetlands stipulates no net loss of wetland function, which means zero industrial activity in wetlands on federal their original proposal to drill 1,275 wells had already begun a federal 265-metre gas pipeline was A EIA. without a constructed within the NWA permit. the rules of the Base for protection of wetlands when it drilled a well in and a known wetland near the NWA refused to remove it until given an ultimatum by the Base (see counter to industry guidelines and standard practices” and has a strong including industry, rebuke of the energy About one-third industry giant EnCana. of the documents were blanked out. did not want their project to go to a panel review and that the corporation pressured Ottawa to streamline the approval process so drilling could occur before the end of 2005 without completing a proper environmental to The company then applied review. after drill three new wells in the NWA by the Base to industry operating in The report speaks of CFB Suffield. “significant shortcomings” that “run NCLUDING E , I

2 EVEAL R OMPANIES C ILES Access to F , include a 2005 NERGY Canadian Environmental Canadian Environmental E UFFIELD BY Bray By Shirley S The internal documents, many EnCana is proposing a shallow gas The spring 2005 audit, which EnCanaʼs performance in EnCanaʼs The Suffield NWA is a 458 km The Suffield NWA CFB Suffield near Medicine Hat, 2 infill program for the NWA, including infill program for the NWA, included work by a qualified biologist included work by a qualified environmental incident report sent 13 federal Species at Risk and 78 provincially listed “at risk” species. obtained through the fragile sand dunes and sand plains. It provides secure habitat for more than 1,100 native prairie species, including km Assessment Act. Assessment protected area located inside the 2,690 under the km of pipelines and other infrastructure. km of pipelines and other infrastructure. The proposed project is slated to go The to a panel review later this year. company is currently working on an due Assessment, Environmental Impact April, as part of the requirements in 1,275 shallow gas wells and over 220 1,275 shallow gas wells and over 220 invasive species, disregard for species- at-risk, improper waste management, and lack of promised monitoring. multiple access routes to wells, significant disturbance at lease sites, acknowledge that Koomati, an area of acknowledge that Koomati, an area of sensitive sandy soils, is experiencing environmental decline due to increased Impacts included industrial activity. from the Base, concluded that Koomati from the Base, concluded that Koomati environmental significant has suffered impact from the winter drilling of 104 The documents shallow gas wells. native grassland. an audit of a “minimal disturbance” an audit of a “minimal program in shallow gas infill drilling impacts on Koomati found significant government documents reveal that government documents Koomati, an environmentally sensitive Koomati, an environmentally Base (CFB) area of Canadian Forces side of the South Suffield on the east well bode doesnʼt Saskatchewan River, plans for the Suffield for the companyʼs Internal (NWA). Area Wildlife National Information Act Information Alberta. The NWA is an internationally The NWA Alberta. significant grassland encompassing © Marg Selkirk For more information, visit our website website our visit information, more For EnCana, which holds about 95 holds about EnCana, which A coalition of environmental coalition of environmental A Grassland Naturalists, Nature Canada, Grassland Naturalists, Nature Canada, for the Alberta Group Southern Fund. Wildlife World Environment, and and liable for the environment on the on the environment for and liable the royalties, reaps Alberta While Base. on the Base spends money that comes out management environmental of Canadian taxpayers. of the pocket in CFB the mineral leases percent of that it only had to Suffield, argued and provincial comply with federal rights, statutes and their contract not have and that the Base does access due to the authority to deny impacts. damaging environmental it must serve its It also argues all Canadians shareholders; however, and the the NWA are shareholders in should serve their federal government interests. groups, which obtained the documents, is asking the federal government to prohibit all new industrial activities in Coalition members the Suffield NWA. Association, Wilderness Alberta include Naturalists, Alberta Federation of for four news releases that detail findings in in findings detail that releases news four for the of position the and documents internal the Suffield the for support your Express coalition. The to write Please Area. Wildlife National of Minister Prime Harper, Stephen Hon. Right Wellington 80 Office, Ministerʼs Prime Canada, CEAR Subject: 0A2; K1A Canada Ottawa, St., Suffield in Proposal Gas Shallow 05-03-15620 Area. Wildlife National

The Department of National Access to Information. reviews of projects and wellsites (an audit of 150 wells found half of them failed environmental protocol); issues. the 2005 oil and gas program and industry being given “silent authority” to proceed; and of the documents received through • environmental inadequate industry Defence does not receive royalties or any revenue from shallow gas the documents show that Yet activities. and CFB Suffield, as the landowner, the Base Commander are accountable • site cleanup industrial waste and • a review of the cutting short of • about one third the blanking out of Right: The area after drilling in 2001. after drilling Right: The area

National Wildlife Area. Left: The area before the infill in 1997. the infill before The area Left: Area. National Wildlife © Marg Selkirk Marg © EnCana pursued a shallow gas infill program in one section of the Suffield in one section of the shallow gas infill program EnCana pursued a The documents also showed the Base and industry; minimum disturbance techniques; environmental protocols lacking appropriate direction; and lack of recovery observed in majority of areas; gas activity than military training, including habitat fragmentation, spread of invasive species, inappropriate reclamation practices, following: • impact by oil and significantly more procedures, compulsory revegetation procedures, compulsory revegetation with native species, and consequences for non-compliance. recommend minimum disturbance • between the outdated agreements • such as violation of guidelines • operational and ill-defined

WILDERNESS WATCH WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 22 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 23 ONSULTATION globally significant globally significant 2 C UBLIC For more information see our website For more The 149 km In 1997, a year after Environment Pioneer planned to drill the well Pioneer planned to Public Lands and Parks approved P for well applications, Pioneerʼs Pioneerʼs for well applications, Minister Ty Lund designated Rumsey Ty Minister Area, he promised no new as a Natural Alberta Energy wells or access routes. siting Pioneerʼs well within 100 metres well within 100 metres siting Pioneerʼs area, even after signing an agreement in 2003 stating there will be no new commitments in protected areas, and has insisted that Parks allow surface that They have maintained access. the RID takes precedence over any subsequent agreements. well is sited in a new location which will require 120 metres of new access application erroneously road. Pioneerʼs states that the surface owner is freehold in Wells and the well is routine. protected areas are non-routine and the surface owner is the Crown. remaining block of northern fescue grassland and aspen parkland in central Alberta. In the early 1990s, the multi- stakeholder RID committee agreed that oil and gas activity would be phased bullied Alberta Energy out. However, the committee, and it now appears Alberta Parks as well, into allowing perpetual oil and gas development. The RID did not contemplate CBM development. continued to sell mineral leases in the application was dated the same day application was dated The EUB is able to it was approved. concerns AWAʼs and ANPCʼs consider input, through a when preparing their on Alberta Energy, recommendation to of the surface whether a continuation is warranted. Alberta Energy lease by on March before the licence expired by unfavourable 6, but were prevented is asking AWA ground conditions. Parks Minister Hector Goudreau to not grant a Alberta Energy request that continuation to Pioneer for this well. of wetlands, violating provincial The guidelines for the prairie region. under Issues and Areas/Rumsey. under Issues and Rumsey Natural Area is the largest is the largest Area Rumsey Natural WITHOUT

UMSEY R FOR

Rumsey Natural Area. Rumsey Natural the size of Calgary, in a sea of the size of Calgary, Although AWA has been AWA Although Trident also drilled their first drilled their first also Trident AWA and ANPC met with Pioneer and AWA of biodiversity considered “rare “rare of biodiversity considered The Rumsey aspen parkland and Alberta is an island, only one-fifth Alberta is an island, only one-fifth or special in some way.” Wellsites, Wellsites, or special in some way.” grassland communities are now on grassland communities are developed land. Plains rough fescue fescue developed land. Plains rough northern fescue grassland in central pipelines and access routes continue continue pipelines and access routes to destroy rough fescue grasslands in rough to destroy the ANHIC Tracking List as elements ANHIC Tracking the

PPROVED

However, the EUB told us IL90-21 is However, It states: “The ERCB will still in effect. AWA advise the RID committee and the monitoring the EUBʼs website regularly website monitoring the EUBʼs ground unfrozen, and this year they ran weather. into unfavourable financial Pioneer agreed to consult with the groups on future proposed activities. CBM well without public consultation, but public outcry led to several meetings with environmental groups and government to discuss their plans. to inform ENGOs promised Trident Their when they were going to drill. drilling plans fell through last year because the warm winter kept the of receipt of any applications for well of receipt of any applications for well licences within the Rumsey proposed parkland boundary.” on March 7. Pioneer said the groups did not show up on the Land Status Automated System (LSAS) or the Conservation Lands Registry Report and did not have standing with the they said they were partners Yet EUB. Exploration and had that Trident with public consultation plan. companyʼs NASA-World-Wind A ETHANE M OALBED C ANPC, represented by Cheryl The 1993 Regionally Integrated The Energy and Utilities Board and Utilities The Energy AWA and ANPC have complained and AWA Shirley Bray ORE By M Bradley, found out about the well Bradley, TAG. at a February 26 meeting of us they had no protocol for contacting ENGOs about wells in protected areas. (Sustainable Resource Development, Areas SRD), the Parks and Protected Parks, Recreation Division (Tourism, and Culture), and the EUB. SRD told to the Public Lands Division have expended over the last three years registering their concerns about CBM development in Rumsey and meetings. and trips field in participating public consultation continues to be they ignored in spite of all the effort The groups are disappointed and for requirement angry that the RIDʼs problem with invasive species, and poor or non-existent reclamation. last year found a number of cases of a serious non-compliance by industry, fescue restoration and assessment of cumulative environmental effects survey of the area TAGʼs in the NA. volunteering expertise to a committee volunteering expertise to a committee Advisory Group, Technical (the guiding research on rough TAG) management in the Rumsey NA, calls management in the Rumsey NA, calls for “ongoing and meaningful public involvement,” a provision that has Minister been ignored. However, AWA Hector Goudreau has recognized ANPC is and as a key stakeholder, licence in the courts. Decision (RID), which guides weighing what legal options they have weighing what legal options they have to prevent the well from being drilled, including appealing the issuance of the groups were contacted by government groups were contacted ANPC are and AWA or the company. Council (ANPC) and the Red Deer Council (ANPC) and well-established River Naturalists are none of the stakeholders in Rumsey, a coalbed methane (CBM) well in a coalbed methane Area (NA) without Rumsey Natural Although any public consultation. Association Wilderness Alberta Alberta Native Plant the (AWA), (EUB) gave Pioneer Natural Resources (EUB) gave Pioneer to drill approval in late February Z. Deak

WE

. 2 FUTURE

THE

Why would this initiative of ILM of boreal forest is already seriously is already forest of boreal The science Thresholds/limits: analysis of cumulative effects that helps us see the results of stressors, the concept of a “line in the sand” becomes less theoretical These tools will and more tangible. only help us if we use them; it is counterproductive to ignore the past footprint of land use and begin as if it exist. doesnʼt There is a Public perception: growing awareness and literacy has progressed to provide us with reasonable interpretations of overlaps; what the future trajectories are, given the growth rates of today; and the signals to determine when to stop. Coupled with information 2 GET

be any different than ones that have be any different preceded it? I think the time is ripe, based on several compelling reasons, for this one to succeed where others have failed. • • WE

?) T ’ ILL (W DIDN

WE

HINKING ONE than 1,800 lease agreements already cover 32,000 km cover 32,000 already than 1,800 lease agreements

T THE UR

Do we need something new? Yes! Yes! Do we need something new? O OR

Much of Alberta’s approximately 350,000 km approximately Alberta’s Much of impacted by human activities, and pressure on the boreal is increasing. Although only is increasing. on the boreal impacted by human activities, and pressure about 20 percent of the boreal forest area underlain by oil sands has been leased, more by oil sands has been leased, more underlain area forest of the boreal about 20 percent promising pathway to guide us to a future that sustains our quality of life or that of future generations. I would hope that something would expect anything come of it, but I didnʼt to happen. I would submit we have fallen into a policy and planning vacuum because to engage in these two activities has The been perceived as interventionist. present situation seems to satisfy the and has for a while, needs of a few, but many question our multiple-use of doing The present practice approach. everything, everywhere, all the time, a any time, heedless of the cost isnʼt began. It was similar to societyʼs craze began. It was similar to societyʼs for lotteries, where everyone hopes to win but no one expects they will. I got to the point where whenever I would hear words like “integrate,” “resource,” “land,” or “management” put in the context of planning a better future, FOR

HALLENGING Lorne Fitch, P. Biol. P. Lorne Fitch, C PLANNED The government is creating a Land Use Framework for management of land, resources, and the natural environment in environment and the natural for management of land, resources, a Land Use Framework creating The government is In 30-plus years of natural A young man toiled up a dirt trail, A However, I canʼt really look back I canʼt However, Alberta, for which public input will be requested this spring. At the same time Alberta Sustainable Resource Development is Development is Sustainable Resource Alberta At the same time this spring. public input will be requested Alberta, for which is for a set of principles. The following recommendations to create Land Management (ILM) Program leading an Integrated biologist for 2007. Lorne Fitch worked as a wildlife in January an ILM conference at the opening address an excerpt from Cows and Fish program. Albertaʼs and is well-known for originating Alberta for many years After the end, we all went back to doing what we had done before the plan full of data, multiple years of planning, glossy documents, and hopeful hype conclusion. and rhetoric after the planʼs on those initiatives with a profound sense of accomplishment for all the status the like seemed It time. and effort cabinets quo reigned, in spite of file something out of the process. was a wonderful opportunity to meet and work with people with a variety often We of viewpoints and interests. salvaging had nice lunches together, added to my skepticism and aided my in spite of the fact Thatʼs cynicism. went into them. It that a lot of effort integrated watershed plans, integrated integrated watershed plans, integrated access plans, municipal plans, forest management plans, water management plans, and on and on. Most of these ILM-like initiatives: sub-regional integrated resource plans, regionally integrated decisions, regional strategies, resource planning and management, Iʼve seen and participated in many similar feeling towards Integrated Land similar feeling towards Integrated Land Management (ILM) – you just donʼt know – you may not be alone. developed an anxious look and replied, developed an anxious look and replied, “Iʼm sorry youʼve come this far – I If some of you harbour a know.” donʼt said, “Iʼm from the U.S. Census Bureau said, “Iʼm from the U.S. Census Bureau and Iʼve been sent Washington, in to find out how many people live in The elderly man the United States.” The young man, full of self-importance, The young man, full of self-importance, following a narrow valley in one of the following a narrow At the end of the Appalachian states. trail, he knocked on the door of a rough clad in faded An old man, log cabin. denim bib overalls, answered the door.

WILDERNESS WATCH WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 24 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 25 C. Bruun In general terms, what will need be. We have some core natural We be. fresh resources like biodiversity, fertile soil, breathable air, water, with not only economic but also environmental and social expertise in senior management of ILM programs. with the public on the desired resources and Albertaʼs future of landscapes. Part of that consultation requires defining indicators, completing accurate status reports, and a comparatively benign climate These that have no real substitutes. resources exist everywhere, so we need to get beyond the thinking this is just an issue on public land. just doesnʼt Alberta landscape The oil, and 2x4s; produce beef, barley, and ecological services like filtering our water resources are buffering unseen attributes but fundamental ones to our survival. I think it will be difficult to integrate until we have a sense of the desired environmental outcomes to move towards. shifts to include and weight environmental and social issues in a more balanced way with economic interests. Include individuals to happen to give ILM a chance; what “levers” need to be pulled to engage the engine of process? Government: Make some philosophical/ideological • Develop meaningful consultation • conference participants in January) conference fields and cut blocks clouded the water and smothered the gravels.” (from Lorne the gravels.” (from clouded the water and smothered fields and cut blocks liquid sunshine. We clear-cut the forests, especially the old growth portion which portion which the old growth especially the forests, clear-cut liquid sunshine. We “I wish you could have seen the flash of a trout in crystal clear water, a splash of clear water, in crystal of a trout seen the flash “I wish you could have Fitch’s letter to his nephew and niece, which he read as part of his address to ILM as part of his address letter to his nephew and niece, which he read Fitch’s pie to reduce bickering and start thinking about how much pie is left and what our future needs might on words – sustaining development vs. developing sustainably –a huge chasm separates those two concepts. Alberta the goal? On one Whatʼs government website, I found this explanation of integration: “using an integrated approach means that environmental, economic and social issues are considered, while finding ways for all uses to exist together with less conflict.” Pardon me, but I think we need to move beyond an Alberta exercise in dividing up the never so much as to make the task appear prospectively impossible. So easier we continue to talk because itʼs than taking action. growth Albertaʼs on top? Whoʼs imperative gives more prominence to the economy than to societal and are busy We environmental interests. sustaining development, albeit with some minor perturbations like a lack of workers, housing, infrastructure, have We materials, and diesel fuel. yet to think much about how to Beyond the play develop sustainably. so fundamentally hard to grasp. Consider the three laws of infernal dynamics: (a) an object in motion will always be headed in the wrong direction; (b) an object at rest will always be in the wrong place; and required to change (c) the energy either of these states will always be more than you wish to expend, but held and stored most of the water trout depended on. Sediment from the roads, trails, the roads, from depended on. Sediment water trout most of the held and stored • • Change is Escalating On the other side of the coin, what I donʼt know the money? I donʼt Whereʼs budget is for ILM ABSRDʼs what competition, conflicts, and demands competition, conflicts, Talk trumps action: Talk exist, they are inadequate to the task. or if there are budgets elsewhere, in government or in business, for this task. My suspicion is that if budgets uses. work more closely together to reach solutions, is one sign of political support for better integration of land Environmental Management (SREM) group, a multi-department and cross- ministry amalgam with a mandate to is gaining momentum. Constituent sensitivity has and will be reflected The formation in policy decisions. of the Sustainable Resources and rural concerns about the intensity and impacts of development, the “no more in my back yard” movement over increasingly scarce resources will create losers, and that haunts politicians. Fueled by increasing appropriate solution. Political support: quite there yet, when we agree there is a problem and all accept that we are part of the problem, we will be the in a much better position to find government department or municipal government department or municipal government, and beyond any one Although we are not corporate entity. Resource Development (ABSRD), beyond any one provincial There is responsibility: Shared that solutions growing recognition to land use issues are beyond the Alberta Sustainable capability of preface their comments with, “Iʼm preface their comments but…” not a tree hugger, not the incidents themselves but the not the incidents themselves and industry sense that government anything about them.” doing arenʼt is sensitized As a sign that the public people often and anxious, I find concerns about the environment is concerns about the among the public on environmental on environmental the public among will increase, The momentum issues. threats unease over direct fueled by and lifestyle. economy, to health, Vancouver- a Angus McAllister, in finds some anger based pollster, to environmental responses peopleʼs drives peopleʼs issues: “What really isnʼt different (yet) about ILM that different isnʼt needs attention? • • • • V. Pharis Even though these “levers” I find that thinking disturbing What if we donʼt (or wonʼt) (or wonʼt) What if we donʼt government. impact and footprint. future, not just the present. to encourage ethical, sustainable practices on the part of business/ are arranged by sector, there is there is are arranged by sector, of our economic advantage. and remarkably shortsighted. Is there anything worth pursuing other than money and self-interest? If sufficient numbers of people feel that the answer is no, it is worth considering is Alberta whether sustainable use in one more you possible. I can only offer considerable overlap, great similarities, considerable overlap, great similarities, and shared responsibility between them. If everyone, including those in the government and business sectors, took to heart and to action the five we “levers” in the public sector, would have a substantial start on this initiative. to view What if we continue change? with skepticism the warning bells, allow the denial machine a cloak of turn a blind eye to evident credibility, landscape changes and loss of vital ecological services, and point our fingers at others? It is whispered that many in power wish development would speed up because they fear the benign energy onset of some new, source or a competing foreign supply of Alberta timber products that would rob • Lessen oneʼs own environmental oneʼs Lessen • the power of a consumer/voter Use • in this part of Alberta is predicted to last a minimum of another 40 to 70 years. to last a Alberta is predicted in this part of literate. landscape and Albertaʼs vision for resources; act in the interests of the success, and understanding environmental issues. on a landscape scale. need for a social licence to operate. based on obligations to the present community and to the future one. opportunities to become ecologically equipment, applications, and meaningful reclamation, restoration, and recovery mechanisms. planning, operation, and restoration that exceed regulatory ones. Encourage action from the ground up. at all levels (including contractors) at reducing to enhance proficiency footprint, increasing reclamation commensurate with better planning, restoration realistic less intensity, times, and a reduced footprint. overlapping interests on a common with other interests Work land base. cumulative and impacts understand to share infrastructure, and effects, reduce footprint. Institutionalize the to provide equity. effort Public: Develop a sense of stewardship • a Participate in exercises to define • Acknowledge limits and thresholds • Develop an understanding of the • advantage of educational Take • industry-wide standards of Create • Develop education programs for staff • mechanisms to determine Create • in research on new techniques, Invest • Although oil and gas reserves along the Eastern Slopes are declining, energy development development declining, energy are along the Eastern Slopes reserves Although oil and gas a longer span of time to reduce the pace of development to a rate an example of excellent stewardship in the management of public lands and resources to persuade others to follow. shared vision of Alberta for the short shared vision of and long term; incorporate that vision (including limits and boundaries) program, and budget. Set into policy, mechanisms. to adopt sustainability measures; remove the disincentives. Balance enforcement with other compliance and bring additional expertise to the discussion. encourage business and the public with new money. Include some with new money. sector funding for the not-for-profit and the public so they can participate Success only comes from persistence Success only comes from persistence and continuity. in the civil service, with less to focus to allow staff reorganization, on the task and gain proficiency. and mechanisms. Mandate full cost accounting into decisions on resource development initiatives. for environmental interests in provincial dispute resolution forums resources from surface ones, and so on. agriculture from air, use. Reduce the tendency to work use. Reduce the tendency in isolation, separating land from subsurface fish from timber, water, between departments to allow between departments to land, air, a systems approach resource allocation, and land water, civil service in communication, civil service in communication, resolution. consultation, and dispute is a social Resource management one. issue as well as a technical and land use issues (and to think issues (and to think and land use holistically about solutions). communication and education and education communication to Albertans to allow initiatives informed about resource be better and monitoring results to determine if to determine results and monitoring right path. on the we are Business: Consider return on investment over • • Take the lead role in developing a Take • Create a variety of incentives to • • Resource initiatives appropriately, initiatives appropriately, Resource • a higher level of stability Create • a more level playing field Create • silos Remove the barriers and • the Increase the skill set of • sustain meaningful Develop and •

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ecently been Lorne Fitchʼs entire address can be found address entire Lorne Fitchʼs Across Poland, Czechoslovakia, Across Poland, Czechoslovakia, In the second story, images of In the second story, Germany, to France he rolls, to France he rolls, Germany, transportation and distribution, As it priorities, protocols, and politics. is explained, it is an overwhelmingly difficult task. Geldof responds with, save “Bugger the complexities, letʼs Aid Live the first lives!” and organizes “Bugger the concert. So to you I say, Alberta.” save complexities, letʼs on our website under Issues/Public Lands. There is currently an opportunity to Alberta; we path in take a different can take it and, as a bonus, no one will shoot us. African children haunt Bob starving Geldof, then a minor Irish rock star. He begins to ask why nothing is being The answers done to aid these people. come back with all of the expected hurdles of cost, logistics involving conditions. One day, after finishing after finishing day, One conditions. engine with the he sits to a tank, repairs has an to move it. He idling, waiting he rolls Putting it in gear, inspiration. open it prison gate; the guards up to the stops him: he heads. No one and away a tank! you, itʼs why would for fuel. No periodically stopping a tank, how itʼs one refuses him fuel; he locates some could you? In France the tank in relatives and they bury He survives the war and pit. a large This was a guy immigrates to Canada. of a slow death faced with the prospect and took it. who saw an opportunity, in pre-settlement condition. in pre-settlement increased since only 5 percent of the original fescue grasslands remain of the original since only 5 percent increased Two stories jump to mind to Two I donʼt presume to have all the presume to have all the I donʼt Will Rogers was once asked Rogers Will Fescue grasslands such as these in the Oldman River valley have r Fescue grasslands such as these in the described as endangered by Environment Canada. Concern about their loss has by Environment described as endangered

able to buy as they become scarcer, and scarcer, they become to buy as able motivate us. In the first, a young motivate us. In the first, Polish man finds himself incarcerated in a slave labour camp associated Auschwitz, the horror of all with places. He fixes German army trucks, halftracks, and tanks under unspeakable past planning exercises (“we already did that”), the normal resistance to change (“but weʼve always done it this way”) and the uncertainty of the outcome (which is only hinted at in the beginning). Most importantly we need to start to develop momentum, establish some working relationships, build trust, and find the small victories that can be parlayed into bigger ones. answers but one of the navigational We aids has to be landscape health. will have to overcome the inertia of what his solution was to the problem was to the what his solution Allied submarines sinking of German I, a task not War World ships in integrating land dissimilar to that of first said, “Well, Will Alberta. use in of the I would raise the temperature boiling point. Atlantic Ocean to the surface Then, when the submarines Now, them off. Iʼd have the navy pick to ask me how to someone is bound not my Atlantic Ocean – thatʼs boil the job. Iʼm just the planner.” let the marketplace decide the outcome. the outcome. decide marketplace let the reality is change isnʼt The harsh mandatory. survival isnʼt necessary; S. Rood S. My instincts tell me we have How many of you have children, of you have children, How many With time and explanation, most time and explanation, With Robert Francis said, “It wasnʼt too Robert Francis said, “It wasnʼt I donʼt have children but I have a have I donʼt exceeded some thresholds in Alberta, exceeded some thresholds in how many of these essentials we are on their investments and lower salaries if these come with assurances of water to drink, air to breathe, food to eat, and a place to live with ecological integrity. we could wait and see Alternatively, people will accept lower rates of return more tunnel until the light goes out. The public and shareholders may want it all, but that Pollyanna-ish world exist. doesnʼt and resources. If we can agree on that, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. add agree, we will simply If we canʼt no real remediation plan, and are dealing with unrealistic expectations landscape Albertaʼs for returns from resources. are advancing quickly on others, have is the cost of a misstep now in our landscape and Albertaʼs planning for instincts to draw sustenance from the instincts to draw sustenance from the if my instincts lead natural world. Now, or perhaps my grandchildren me astray, That their grandchildren will starve.” long ago that my ancestors starved if they made a mistake by following their future. I think it is paradoxical to continue on this growth trajectory and still profess we want a bright future for our children. and those of my colleagues, the and trend research findings of many, analysis, I tend to worry about their time pondering their future. Based on time pondering their future. Based on my years of travel over the length and my observations Alberta, breadth of grandnephew, Alex, and a grandniece, grandnephew, are aged two and ten, They Monica. Alberta and will inherit respectively, in a decade or two. I spend a lot of of responsibility for future generations. of responsibility for secure in the notion that adults were secure in the notion best interests at operating with your some level heart? I hope Iʼve achieved you on the subject of solidarity among of others, or think children are our or think children are of others, unmoved at this future? If you remain in the past, point, were you a child are contemplating having children in having children are contemplating children associate with the the future, perspective to consider countering this countering consider to perspective of for the possibility and providing change. © Marg Selkirk All the best! — Peter Lee — Peter If the five not-so-pleasant things Thanks to AWA. I really AWA. Thanks to in the developed world can, as a strategic intent, move key can, as a strategic intent, public agencies from achieving dysfunction interest goals to virtual compliance in create a culture of the civil service to create policies that purport can actually democratic access Tory achieve the opposite in a government muffle healthy public involvement and debate resulting in one of most dramatic declines of natural capital that I learned seem harsh, they are The last decades of meant to be. Alberta have government in Tory-led been – well, to put it simply – simply nature. Maybe Albertaʼs horrible for governments would other non-Tory have been just as bad, but we had a rule, Tory multi-decade gridlock of so “they did what they did and we got what we got.” appreciate the article you published. I really appreciate More importantly, What you do makes me AWA. the is a remarkable AWA The feel good. history – it has a noble organization with a noble, timeless cause. It is relevant, loyal to its values, tough, talented, and true. • government Tory a How effectively • insiders can Tory by How bullying • freedom-of-information How poor • state can How a one-party (Tory) DITOR E THE What things did I learn? I learned But inarguably, the program has But inarguably,

about our provinceʼs wildlife about our provinceʼs can move its civil service from professionalism to political acquiescence at every level career opportunities to work on fascinating projects as public servants believe in true very “public service” and are very, talented and professional had many mind-blowing natural places, some of which are still there and wilderness and about nature There are some deep in general. “natural” roots among many Albertans inside and outside of government, can achieve tremendous things and have a lot of fun at the same time some incredibly rewarding TO things I learned: • government Tory How quickly a Five pleasant things I learned: • Albertans care deeply That many decisions are deliberately denied, decisions are deliberately deflected, or denigrated in “The 3 Bs Nature- Albertansʼ of How to Kill which are 1) Attempts,” Preservation and Bureaucratic inertia, 2) Bafflegab, 3) Bullying. some pleasant and not-so-pleasant things during my experience with the Steward Program and with Volunteer my employment as a public servant in from 1979-98. Alberta government the interviews some of these remarkable interviews some of including organizations, and individuals Association. Wilderness Alberta the for a long been “under strict control” support to Common sense time now. and good the stewards is negligible, for good preservation arguments • That some individuals employed • Alberta That just a short time ago, Following are five not-so-pleasant • That a dedicated group of people, • That governments can provide to speak. Your AWA article names and article names AWA Your to speak.

ETTERS L , Dec. 2006).

WLA The program still exists because I suspected at the time that there Why did I want to initiate a I was so touched by the article I was so touched by What a wonderful surprise to see What a wonderful What happened to the Volunteer Volunteer What happened to the there are nature-loving Albertans Albertans there are nature-loving Volunteer Steward Program for natural Volunteer states, “My goals As your article areas? Shirley Brayʼs article “Stewards Unite article “Stewards Unite Shirley Brayʼs and in Care Vigilance Passion and Areas, Part 1: Protection of Natural are some incredibly talented stewards still out there in the “wilderness,” so who want something, anything, to rally around in their common cause There nature. Albertaʼs to preserve – quite the opposite. wilderness and wildlife was not on the agenda of priorities governmentʼs Tory I should have braced myself for two was Albertans things: (1) the “army” of big, keen, and growing rapidly; and Albertans who want to (2) an army of Albertaʼs ensure the preservation of unleash?” in hindsight Well, Steward Program? were conserved for them and for their were conserved for them and for their it be children. I thought: “Wouldnʼt neat to see what a little leadership and facilitation and coordination could was an untapped potential “army” of Albertans who want to get involved to wilderness and wildlife their that ensure and to provide training, support and camaraderie to the stewards.” were to set up a public watchdog for natural places special our provinceʼs article triggered. Here are my thoughts, article triggered. Here are my thoughts, as scattered as they are: you mention. But then I thought that I you mention. But then I thought that should collect my thoughts about my “reflections in hindsight” that your to thank you, as I had been intimately to thank you, as I had been intimately involved in the program during those along with many others Years, Golden that I wanted to respond right away Volunteer Stewards Strike a Cord Stewards Volunteer Editor, Dear The Golden Years” ( Years” The Golden

LETTERS WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 28 PDATES U WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 29 Not least amongst the critics The 352,200-hectare C5 Forest A recent decision by Ted Morton, Ted recent decision by A In a subsequent letter, a senior letter, In a subsequent was CROWPAC, the Public Advisory the Public was CROWPAC, Management Area extends from the Area extends from Management annual allowable cut for the region. Committee responsible for producing place! “The plan the plan in the first centres on the sustainable harvesting of timber while considering other in March values,” wrote CROWPAC 2006. “However no one has yet been able to provide a reliable analysis of overlapping about a quarter of the lake overlapping about a quarter of the lake on the east side. Management Plan C5 Forest Postponed By Nigel Douglas Minister for Sustainable Resource Development, to postpone signing off on the C5 Forest Management Plan is an encouraging sign that maybe the Alberta government is beginning to forests are Albertaʼs recognize that more than just vertical timber. southern end of Kananaskis Country National Park. Waterton to the edge of It includes forests in the Porcupine Hills, the Upper Oldman, and the 2005 draft management A Castle. plan was opposed by First Nations, AWA environmental groups, and others. expressed many objections to the draft plan, particularly a proposed 25 percent increase to an already considerable director for the Fort Hills Project the Fort Hills Project director for ponds “probably assured us that tailings toxicity scale rate about 2” on the highest) and that (with 10 being the quickly when “they detoxify rather As evidence of not in active service.” he reported their low toxicity level, swimming having seen a muskrat appears to There in a tailings pond. to estimate have been no follow-up of the muskrat, the life expectancy of the effect nor has the downstream bioaccumulated toxins on raptors or McClelland determined. been eggs their Lake is now almost surrounded by oil sands leases – Shell recently purchased the leases covering the entire south lease shore and Synenco has a large but has 2 AWA met with Petro-Canada met with Petro-Canada AWA Petro-Canadaʼs Mine Amendment Mine Petro-Canadaʼs Al-Pacʼs proposal includes proposal Al-Pacʼs , Dec. 2006). There is no WLA, Dec. 2006). scheduled to begin in 2020. will be operational by 2010, has doubled in size to 16 km been relocated so that the footprint within the watershed has diminished. The area previously destined for will tailings storage, however, eventually be mined. Complex is now Wetland Lake

precedent or scientific basis to indicate precedent or scientific on February 20 at their request. They on February 20 at their request. watershed should be legally protected (see that the patterned fen can be maintained or restored during and after open-pit tarsands mining. asked for our endorsement of the amended plan, telling us that they that the have complete confidence integrity of the wetland complex will be maintained through mitigation reiterated our AWA and reclamation. position that industrial development has no place in the McClelland Lake Complex and that the entire Wetland Application for the Fort Hills Application for the Alberta Project was submitted to the The government in December 2006. the following amendments affect McClelland Lake watershed: Area, which Tailings Out-of-Pit The • extending the boundaries of Lakeland the boundaries of extending Provincial Provincial Park and has AWA Area, a goal that Recreation look forward to We had for some time. in this regard intensifying our efforts Al-Pac toward that and working with end. Update Watershed McClelland Lake By Joyce Hildebrand activity in the McClelland Mining • S. Bray S. AWA Files , Oct. WLA , Feb. 20/07). St. Paul Journal PDATES Stelmachʼs response shows Stelmachʼs Proponents of the Highway Proponents of the Highway AWA continues to work toward AWA U an abdication of his governmentʼs an abdication of his governmentʼs moving forward with that initiative in AWA. collaboration with One region proposed for protection in plan is the northeast corner Al-Pacʼs is Al-Pac Range. Weapons Air of the Industries (Al-Pac) must set aside for protection a certain percentage of their area. Agreement Forest Management protection,” according to a 2004 their Forest meet To ecological study. Stewardship Council certification Forest Alberta-Pacific requirements, is “biologically diverse, relatively unfragmented, and worthy of the protection of portions of the Range, an Weapons Air Cold Lake that area adjacent to Lakeland PRA 2006). issue and speaking out in favour of increasing rather than compromising protection (see Lakelandʼs few pristine boreal wilderness areas for few pristine boreal wilderness areas for the sake of saving an hour to get to Fort McMurray would be an insupportable is monitoring this AWA tradeoff. responsibility to manage protected Albertans. areas on behalf of all Pushing a highway through one of our it out” ( issue among the municipalities,” he issue among the municipalities,” replied. “The municipalities will work a meeting in St. Paul on February 15, a meeting in St. Paul was asked about the Premier Stelmach an proposal. “Itʼs highway extension lobbying the current leadership to lobbying the current which proceed with this development, negative impacts would have major of the “protected” on the biodiversity At Area (PRA). Provincial Recreation By Joyce Hildebrand By Joyce Lakeland are 881 extension through Primrose-Lakeland Update Primrose-Lakeland She has produced hundreds of of hundreds produced has She matter subject her Choosing ways, other in gives also She Selkirk artist, aspiring an youʼre If paint – unless itʼs a commissioned commissioned a itʼs unless – paint own my from theyʼre and – painting Iʼve photos or sketches memories, sitting Iʼm “When says. she taken,” painting day, rainy a on studio my in the to place, that to back me take will nature.” enjoying hiking, sunshine, subject, chosen her about paintings featured been have which of many has She exhibitions. and shows art in show, award-winning an of part been in held show group a Only,” “Originals very a is It year. a twice B.C. Comox, artists juried of show attended widely Much artwork. original only displaying around showcased been has work her of also has some but Island, Vancouver Vancouver. in featured been nature many do As difficult. not was for affinity real a has Selkirk artists, the enjoying outside, time spending the love “I her. around beauty natural being just camping, hiking, outdoors, love “I says. she wilderness,” the in out alpine an in Iʼm when get I feeling the like I feeling. spiritual real a Itʼs area. to it give somehow that, reproduce to others.” fish to paintings many donated having money raise to organizations game and and B.C., in enhancement salmon for trumpeter help to prints donated has conservation. swan keep to is do can you thing best the says the have you “If drawing. or painting on donʼt you feel you if Even it. do desire, it, doing keep just first, at result the like it.” doing like you because simply understanding of the many non-timber non-timber of the many understanding than shown forests Albertaʼs of values this will Hopefully by his predecessors. of a renewed recognition be the start forests managed, these that, if properly than a more to offer have considerably including supply of timber, sustained wildlife habitat and clean water, recreational opportunities. AINTING Calgary P Marg Selkirk Marg THROUGH

AWA believes that Mortonʼs believes that Mortonʼs AWA Painting often helps transport transport helps often Painting A landscape artist, her work work her artist, landscape A Selkirk, who currently calls calls currently who Selkirk, “I remember looking at art when when art at looking remember “I ATURE a report by the Oldman Watershed Watershed Oldman by the a report this year. later is completed Council River basin. Morton has asked his Morton has asked River basin. “with an eye to revisit the plan, staff consider priorities to better to shifting ( environmental protection” 13/07). Herald, Mar. a better decision demonstrates The report will make recommendations will make recommendations The report Oldman management of the on future her back to some of her favourite wild wild favourite her of some to back her I places the all to been “Iʼve places. focuses mainly on the mountains and and mountains the on mainly focuses province. home her of areas alpine she se, per artist wildlife a not While images. her in animals includes often part as animals small paint to tend “I close-up than rather landscape the of says. she wildlife,” Courtenay, Vancouver Island home, home, Island Vancouver Courtenay, formal only The artist. self-taught a is in class a was received she training “It colours. mix to learned she which you how or what or style, about wasnʼt the about just was it all, at painting were own your did “You says. she colours,” helpful.” very was It canvas. on thing I was a child, and I was just in awe of of awe in just was I and child, a was I says. she paintings,” their and artists love Iʼd dream, a like of kind was “It started I when Then paint. to able be to young, were kids the when painting and doing was I what liked people work.” my of some buy to offer would while when she had children, but then then but children, had she when while the created pneumonia with bout the hobby her up pick to her for opportunity again. once N , June WITH

WLA of painting painting of act ONNECTS C RTIST By John Geary A Like many professional artists, artists, professional many Like For most people, contracting contracting people, most For pneumonia, with sick been had “I oil of texture the like really “I to her allows approach That CROWPAC emphasized that emphasized CROWPAC – an essential aspect of her artistic artistic her of aspect essential an – the much so not “Itʼs endeavours. act the as painting my of result end while get I feeling the painting, of love.” I that painting, very a at began craft her of love her art the to exposure first Her age. early she when one, grade in came world passion Her contest. colouring a won on point that from continued art for a for aside it put She school. throughout pneumonia would not constitute a a constitute not would pneumonia you if However, experience. positive find often can you enough, hard look given any almost to positive some British of case the In experience. silver the Selkirk, Marg artist Columbia be to proved cloud dark her to lining art. in interest her of rekindling the picked I day one recovering, while and started and crayons pencil kidsʼ my up I calendar. a off picture a copy to kept just I so it, of feeling the liked she there, From Selkirk. says going,” also She pastels. with experimented acrylic and watercolour in dabbled really that painting oil was it but media, eventually she and her, to appealed artistic main her as that on settled medium. working get I feeling the and painting, drying, slow is “It says. she it,” with pay to like I painting, at slow Iʼm and that like really I so details, to attention to me allows it that – it about quality wet.” still itʼs while it with play the experience fully

He announced that implementation of He announced that until after the plan will be suspended water quality was its “highest priority” water quality was its Morton agrees. in the area, and it seems equivalent revenue in more socially and revenue in more equivalent ( friendly ways” ecologically 2006). the economic benefits derived from the from derived benefits the economic use the forest... which we ways in other may be able to generate The forest

PROFILE WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 30 EVENTS WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 31

John accepted a gift from recognition in honour of his AWA years of service and upcoming retirement April 2007. in John Kristensen (ADM Parks, Conservation, and Recreation Sport) arrives with his wife, Sharon. During the evening, DMONTON , February 2007, page 12: discuss Alberta’s wild spaces. Alberta’s discuss and AWA President Richard Secord Secord Richard President AWA and Correction: WLA The photo is of Sheep River Falls. Environment Minister Rob Renner (right) Rob Renner (right) Minister Environment Saturday, May 26, 2007 Saturday, Tour Grassland and Prairie Bus Join us for a guided bus tour through the spectacular grasslands and prairie Alberta. of southwestern members AWA Cost: $45 – Details to be confirmed. $50 – Non-members Pre-registration is required for the Tour. Bus 2007, E 2007, ALA G ILDERNESS W (centre) meets members. (centre) about Wilderness Gala 2007. about Wilderness BOUT Nigel Douglas Peter Sherrington Bob Blaxley Heinz Unger Dorothy Dickson A AWA Board member Jim Campbell Board AWA Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve Pharis Vivian with Will Davies Will with September 8, 2007 Saturday, Area Beehive Natural with with with Bighorn Ridge with with Saturday, September 22, 2007 Saturday, Pass in Crowsnest Watching Eagle September 29, 2007 Saturday, Whaleback The September 29, 2007 Saturday, Saturday, July 21, 2007 Saturday, Area Rumsey Natural 2007 August 11, Saturday, Tinda Ha Ya Saturday, July 14, 2007 Saturday, Long-time AWA members and friends enjoyed a members and AWA Long-time fine meal and excellent live music at AWA’s Wild Wild AWA’s live music at fine meal and excellent ILD W evening! successful and a wonderful for and volunteers supporters guests, thanks AWA

of celebration. VENTS of Adesa of E the fun in Guests arrive for an evening Guests arrive for an Reg Ernst Bertha Ford Bob Blaxley fundraising. Auctions kept Tracey Spencer Tracey Adanac Ridge – Castle with with Vivian Pharis Vivian with June 23, 2007 Saturday, Falls Kootenay Plains, Siffleur with Online: shop.albertawilderness.ca June 9, 2007 Saturday, Whaleback The SUMMER DAY HIKES SUMMER DAY Pre-registration is required for all of these hikes, and will take place on a “first come–first served” basis. Cost: members AWA $20 – Details: www.AlbertaWilderness.ca (403) 283-2025 Contact: $25 – Non-members

Saturday, July 7, 2007 Saturday, Saturday, June 16, 2007 Saturday, Hills Porcupine or 1-866-313-0713 [email protected]

Cost: AWA members $50: Non-members $60 members $50: AWA Cost: Cost: AWA members $100: Non-members $125 AWA Cost: Reg Ernst and Nigel Douglas Friday, July 27 – Sunday, July 29, 2007 July July 27 – Sunday, Friday, Canyon Ridge Yarrow with us for three days of backpacking, led and refreshing mountain streams. Join The trip Wilderness. with the Castle by experienced guides intimately familiar and is rated moderate to strenuous. begins 1.5 hours southwest of Lethbridge Stunning views of the Rockiesʼ Front Ranges, delicate subalpine wildflowers, Front Ranges, delicate subalpine wildflowers, Stunning views of the Rockiesʼ Friday, June 1 – Sunday, June 3, 2007 Sunday, June 1 – Friday, Trip Lakeland Canoe Davies and Joyce Hildebrand Aaron with when summer, boreal forest in early beauty of Lakelandʼs Enjoy the tranquil La Biche, 2.5 hours with the music of songbirds. Near Lac the woods are alive finest Albertaʼs some of Lakeland Provincial Park offers north of Edmonton, camping experience canoe circuit. Minimal canoeing and beaches and our only required. ALBERTA WILDERNESS OVERNIGHT TRIPS OVERNIGHT WILDERNESS ALBERTA [email protected] Box 6398, Station D Explore some of the most magnificent wilderness areas Alberta has to offer Alberta areas wilderness most magnificent some of the Explore Calgary, Alberta T2P 2E1 T2P Alberta Calgary, Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 485535 • ISSN# 40065626 Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales space or for more details. trips will preserve a wilderness experience, each of these To trips. Pre-registration required for all backpacking be limited to eight participants. Experience Albertaʼs wilderness through minimal impact backpacking and overnight camping. Our guides will wilderness through minimal Albertaʼs Experience of the natural history of these beautiful areas. share with you their intimate knowledge sure you are prepared with the proper equipment, food, fitness are self-catered, but your guide will make Trips aid and emergencies. for first level, and trip route and will also be there to book your or [email protected] at (403) 283-2025 AWA or contact Book online (shop.albertawilderness.ca) Alberta Wilderness Association Wilderness Alberta Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Return Undeliverable Canadian

EVENTS WLA April 2007 • Vol. 15, No. 2 32