Waterton:^E^Glacier UIDE
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Waterton:^E^Glacier UIDE 2004 - Summer Guide to Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park w Waterton Lakes National Park Visitor Guide included inside Beyond Borders - Parks for Peace The year was 1932 and the world found Waterton-Glacier has turned into a vast and Israel in October 1994 gave special bwe. This is the first phase itself wrapped in a dark blanket of array of lights which continues to spread attention to the cooperative development of an even bigger transfrontier economic depression, famine, and the to many nations as an emerging system of and protection of an important marine conservation area that will be anguish left by the Great War. But a small peace parks. The parks are as varied as area. Together, they established the Red larger than the State of Indiana. beacon of light breaking out along a the places they protect, but all share two Sea Marine Peace Park, embodying the In the years since Waterton-Glacier remote section of the Canada-United things - bringing people together to help coral reserves of both Aqaba and Eilat, to became the first international peace States border could not be suppressed. protect their heritage and providing ensure preservation of the region's park, over 170 similar multi-nation parks Members of Rotary Clubs, both north and opportunities for finding peace. They marine treasures for future generations. have been established. They provide south of the 49th parallel, found an have become a bridge between nations, a The Si-A-Paz ("yes to peace") Park protection for precious natural and inspiring way to celebrate the friendship common ground where politics can be complex has been established along the cultural resources and bring peace and and cooperation between two friendly put aside and agreements can be reached San Juan River Basin that forms the cooperation to areas where anything else nations. The Rotarians encouraged their about the importance of shared heritage. border between Costa Rica and Nicara would mean the loss of irreplaceable governments to establish the world's first In response to the growing number of gua. These two countries had long-term heritage. Nelson Mandela proclaimed the international peace park, a special place multi-nation parks, the IUCN (World conflicts about land issues and illegal significance of these areas: "In a world dedicated to commemorating the coop Conservation Union) designated these trade along their border. The complex of beset by conflict and division, peace is eration and goodwill existing along the areas as Transboundary Protected Areas. 33 protected areas in Costa Rica and 18 in one of the cornerstones of the future. world's longest undefended boundary. So They are further classified as Parks for Nicaragua has reduced tensions and Peace parks are building blocks in this was born Waterton-Glacier International Peace when their mission extends to the protected some of the most densely process, not only in our region, but Peace Park. Over the years, the Peace promotion of peace and cooperation in canopied rainforest in Central America. potentially in the entire world." The little Park matured to become an example of addition to the protection of biodiversity The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park light that started as Waterton-Glacier successful cooperative management of a and-natural and cultural resowles. Peace will bring together some of the best and International-Peace Park has. become a larger ecosystem shared by two countries. Parks and Transboundary Protected Areas most established wildlife areas in beacon for the future. In 2004, many areas of the world are are now found in almost every corner of southern Africa. The park will be man threatened by terrorism and war, with the globe, sometimes even bringing aged as an integrated unit across an natural and cultural resources often enemies together for the protection of unprecedented three international falling victim to these disputes. Fortu their shared environment. boundaries, linking areas in nately, the little light first illuminated at The Treaty of Peace signed by Jordan Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimba Jordan and Israel work together in Red Sea Marine Peace Park to protect vital coral reef resources. In Africa, three nations (Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe) are working to create a trans-boundary park providing a refuge for many species that are in danger of extinction elsewhere. The idea that started here in Waterton-Glacier has spread throughout the world. Treasured Worldwide Waterton Lakes and Glacier are neigh Both parks were also designated as enriching understanding of the relation As you travel through this distinctive bours with a difference. They have Biosphere Reserves - Glacier in 1976 and ship between humans and the natural landscape and enjoy its exceptional flowered from firm local roots into Waterton in 1979. This program was environment to support improved land variety of life, you won't be surprised globally important places. started by the United Nations Educa management. They help foster aware that it is also treasured worldwide. The Originally, the Peace Park commemo tional, Scientific and Cultural Organiza ness of resource management concerns Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park rated the peace and goodwill existing along tion to represent the natural regions of the and participate with area residents to became a World Heritage Site in 1995 - for the world's longest undefended border. world. There are now more than 325 develop local projects. They also its scenic values, its significant climate, Today, cooperation is reflected in wildlife reserves worldwide. provide a forum to exchange informa landforms and ecological processes, and and vegetation management, search and How are biosphere reserves different tion, and encourage cooperative also because of its enduring cultural rescue programs, and joint interpretive from other protected areas? They form management practices between private importance. programs, brochures/ and exhibits. an international network. They focus on landowners and government agencies. U.S. National Park Service Parks Canada International Peace Park Bioshpere Reserve World Heritage Site Special regulations exist for crossing the border between Canada and the United Parks Pares States. Please be sure to read the information 1*1 Canada Canada on page 12 before planning any trip that WATERTON-GLACIER IvBB ® involves travel between the two nations. Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Connections Late last November, the first big cold barrier one day is gone the next. Eventu front of the winter collided with moist ally they all got through, or found a way Pacific air over the Crown of the Conti around; by late December most were on nent. For two days thick wet snow fell, their winter ranges far to the south blanketing the foothills and grasslands Meanwhile, other wildlife followed east of Waterton and St. Mary, piling deep their own paths through the landscape; on Marias and Logan Passes, and the international elk herd that summers plastering the peaks with white. in the headwaters of Glacier National The passing of the storm was a signal to Park migrated down the Belly River to hundreds of Canada geese, tundra swans their winter range along the northern and other waterfowl that had been linger edge of Waterton lakes National Park. ing late into the fall. As the sun emerged Grizzlies dug their final meals of wild above a glistening white landscape, rafts of vetch roots and headed into their high- waterfowl lifted into flight. elevation dens for the winter. The great The few people left in Wateron cycle of life in the Crown of the Continent townsite looked up to watch long, lines of continued as it always has. geese and swans foraging south above Mountain ecosystems are complex Waterton Lake. At the head of the valley, mosaics of wildlife habitat. Most of the Will wolves continue to move freely across the international border within the park however heavy clouds blanketed the animals that live there need to find their peaks and the would-be migrants were way from one seasonal habitat to another live in the forest litter at the base of care about our legacy of protected places, turned back, milling in the air along the along corridors of safe terrain. Crandell Mountain encountered a barrier must work to restore ecological connec mountain walls as other waves of If the migrating international elk herd on their way to Linnet Lake to breed. A new tions that have been broken, and to waterfowl arrived and, in turn, were had encountered a new hydropower curb had been built on the road that cuts ensure that our national parks do not forced back. The valley was full of reservoir blocking the valley, a critical across the salamander migration route; like become ecological islands, cut off from clamour and excitement. connection would be broken; eventually a dam, it severed a vital connection. other natural areas. By evening, most of the hopeful there would be few elk in that population. Fortunately, volunteers helped the sala Protecting the ecological wealth of migrants had set their wings and de By the same token, grizzlies that find manders across the curb until the park had our parks is, increasingly, a matter of scended to spend another night on Knight's domestic livestock grazing on what used time to go back and correct the problem by working with state and provincial Lake and the Maskinonge. They had failed to be native grassland encounter another installing a sloping curb that the sala agencies, neighboring land owners and to find a connection between the lakes form of barrier-temptation in the form of manders could climb. municipal governments to identify the along the Rocky Mountain front and the easy prey. A critical connection between How did the wolves, whose howls now ecological connections that .keep our Columbia Plateau to the southwest.