Status of Bull Trout in the Kakwa River, Alberta, 2006

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CONSERVATION REPORT

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Tyler Johns Alberta Conservation Association 9621‐96 Avenue Peace River, Alberta, Canada T8S 1T4

Report Series Editor PETER AKU KELLEY KISSNER Alberta Conservation Association 59 Hidden Green NW #101, 9 Chippewa Rd Calgary, AB T3A 5K6 Sherwood Park, AB T8A 6J7

Conservation Report Series Type Data, Technical

ISBN printed: 978‐0‐7785‐7050‐9 ISBN online: 978‐0‐7785‐7051‐6 Publication No.: T/183

Disclaimer: This document is an independent report prepared by the Alberta Conservation Association. The authors are solely responsible for the interpretations of data and statements made within this report.

Reproduction and Availability: This report and its contents may be reproduced in whole, or in part, provided that this title page is included with such reproduction and/or appropriate acknowledgements are provided to the authors and sponsors of this project.

Suggested Citation: Authors please provide citation for your reports here. Johns, T. 2006. Status of bull trout in the Kakwa River, Alberta, 2006. Data Report, D‐ 2006‐013, produced by the Alberta Conservation Association, Peace River, Alberta, Canada. 12 pp + App.

Cover photo credit: David Fairless

Digital copies of conservation reports can be obtained from: Alberta Conservation Association #101, 9 Chippewa Rd Sherwood Park, AB T8A 6J7 Toll Free: 1‐877‐969‐9091 Tel: (780) 410‐1998 Fax: (780) 464‐0990 Email: info@ab‐conservation.com Website: www.ab‐conservation.com

i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The bull trout, a native sport fish in Alberta, has declined in abundance and distribution across the province as a result of increased angling pressure, habitat alteration and non‐native species introductions. In the present study, a mark‐recapture survey was conducted to generate data on distribution and abundance of bull trout in the Kakwa River. I compared the abundance and distribution of this species in 2006 with historical data from 1997 and 2000. This information will update the current status of this species and should aid in formulating management guidelines for this species in the Kakwa River.

Overall, estimated bull trout abundance appears to have changed little between 1997 and 2006. Based on the mark‐recapture survey, the estimated population size of bull trout in the 32‐km reach was 421 (95% CI = 299 – 544) or 13 fish/km in 2006 compared to 278 (95% CI = 137 – 418) or 9 fish/km in 1997 and 330 (95% CI = 233 – 427) or 10 fish/km in 2000. Size of bull trout captured in 2006 ranged from 103 to 646 mm FL compared to 151 to 629 mm FL in 1997 and 155 to 584 mm FL in 2000. Overall, the mean size did not differ significantly among years (ANOVA, F = 4.02, df = 2, p = 0.02), ranging from 397 mm in 1997 to 422 in 2006.

Key words: bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus, mark‐recapture survey, catch‐per‐unit‐ effort, abundance, electrofishing, angling, size composition, Kakwa River, Alberta

ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I thank Paul Hvenegaard, Greg Fortier, Nathan Carruthers, Ryan Hermanutz, Mike Rodtka, Kevin Gardiner, John Hallett, Dave Fairless (Alberta Conservation Association) and Craig Johnson (Alberta Sustainable Resource Development) for their help with data collection. Weyerhaeuser Canada, Talisman Energy and Devon Energy Corporation provided financial contributions toward this project.

iii TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... iv LIST OF FIGURES...... v LIST OF TABLES...... vi LIST OF APPENDICES ...... vii 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2.0 STUDY AREA...... 2 2.1 Description...... 2 2.2 Fish communities ...... 2 3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS ...... 4 3.1 General sampling design...... 4 3.2 Data management and analysis...... 6 4.0 RESULTS ...... 7 4.1 Bull trout abundance in the 32-km reach ...... 7 4.2 Size composition in the 32-km reach...... 7 4.3 Relative abundance and distribution in the 146-km study area ...... 9 4.4 Summary ...... 10 5.0 LITERATURE CITED ...... 11 6.0 APPENDICES...... 13

iv LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Kakwa River study area in west‐central Alberta in 2006...... 3 Figure 2. Length distribution of bull trout captured by raft electrofishing and angling in a 32‐km reach of the Kakwa River, Alberta in 1997, 2000 and 2006...... 8 Figure 3. Catch‐per‐unit‐effort for bull trout captured by raft electrofishing in the Kakwa River, Alberta in 1997, 2000 and 2006...... 9

v LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Fish species present in the Kakwa River watershed...... 2

vi LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1. Bull trout mark‐recapture data from 1997, 2000 and 2006 in the Kakwa River, Alberta...... 13 Appendix 2. Summary of other sport fish species captured using raft electrofishing in the Kakwa River, 2006...... 13 Appendix 3. Universal Traverse Mercator (UTM zone 11, NAD 83) coordinates of reaches sampled in the Kakwa River, 2006 ...... 14

vii 1.0 INTRODUCTION

Declines in the abundance and distribution of bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus, have been widely documented throughout Alberta (Brewin and Brewin 1997; Post and Johnson 2002), and currently this species is listed in The General Status of Alberta Wild Species, 2005 as ‘sensitive’ (Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD) 2005) presumably as a result of their vulnerability to angling pressure, habitat alteration and stocking of non‐native species. In 1994, the provincial (Alberta) Bull Trout Management and Recovery Plan (BTMRP) was developed to address issues related to the decline of the species. The plan identifies that adequate knowledge of the species’ life history, including movements and critical habitat requirements, is essential to its recovery (Berry 1994).

In 1995, the Kakwa River bull trout population was considered to be one of the last pristine, unexploited bull trout populations in the province (Hvenegaard, Alberta Conservation Association (ACA), pers. comm.). As such, this population provides an excellent opportunity to gather information on abundance, distribution, seasonal movement patterns, spawning frequency and site fidelity. In 1997, a 32‐km reach was selected as an index monitoring site for future measurements of bull trout status in the river. This reach was used for abundance estimates in 1997 (Hvenegaard and Fairless 1998) and 2000 (Tchir 2000). In this study (2006), this reach was surveyed again to replicate previous work and to allow for temporal comparisons with these earlier surveys. In addition, the 2006 study area extended an additional 114 km downstream of the 32‐km reach to cover a total of 146 km. During a telemetry survey in 1998, this 146‐km reach was identified as the area of occupancy for bull trout in the Kakwa River (Hvenegaard and Fairless 1998).

The purpose of the present study was to update the status of bull trout in the Kakwa River. Specifically, the objectives of this study were to: 1. Determine the abundance of bull trout in the 32‐km reach using a mark‐ recapture survey. 2. Describe size structure of bull trout within the 32‐km reach. 3. Determine relative abundance and distribution of bull trout within the 146‐km study area.

1 4. Compare the abundance and distribution of bull trout in 2006 with data from 1997 and 2000.

2.0 STUDY AREA

2.1 Description

The Kakwa River is located in west‐central Alberta, approximately 100 km south of Grande Prairie (Figure 1). It originates from Kakwa Lake in British Columbia and flows approximately 200 km east to its confluence with the Smoky River in west‐central Alberta. This 3,490 km2 watershed is contained within the Upper Boreal Cordillera, Subalpine and Alpine ecoregions. Industrial activities in the watershed include hydrocarbon extraction, seismograph exploration and timber harvesting. Recreational activities include hunting, fishing, camping, off‐highway vehicle use and rafting.

2.2 Fish communities

The fish community in the Kakwa River watershed includes ten species from five families (Table 1) (Scrimgeour et al. 2003). Salmonids are the dominant family followed by Catostomids and Cyprinids. Sport fish species include bull trout, Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus), walleye (Sander vitreus), mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (Scrimgeour et al. 2003).

Table 1. Fish species present in the Kakwa River watershed (adapted from Scrimgeour et al. 2003).

Family Common Name Scientific Name Percidae Walleye Sander vitreus Salmonidae Mountain whitefish Prosopium williamsoni Salmonidae Arctic grayling Thymallus arcticus Salmonidae Bull trout Salvelinus confluentus Salmonidae Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Catostomidae Longnose sucker Catostomus catostomus Catostomidae White sucker Catostomus commersoni Cyprinidae Lake chub Couesius plumbeus Cyprinidae Longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae Cottidae Slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus

2 300000.000000 320000.000000 340000.000000 360000.000000 380000.000000 400000.000000 .000000 6060000 .000000 .000000 ± To Grande Prairie 6050000 6050000 .000000 .000000 6040000 6040000 .000000 .000000 6030000 6030000 End of 32 km reach Smoky River .000000 .000000 6020000 6020000 (! Kakwa River .000000 .000000 Start of 32 km reach Legend 6010000 6010000 Kakwa River Study Area .000000 .000000 Hwy 40 (! 6000000 6000000 Impassable Waterfalls .000000 .000000

South Kakwa River Grande Prairie 5990000 5990000 [_ .000000 .000000 [_

To Grande Cache 03 6 12 18 24 5980000 5980000 Study Area

Kilometers .000000

300000.000000 320000.000000 340000.000000 360000.000000 380000.000000 400000.000000 970000

5 Figure 1. Kakwa River study area in west‐central Alberta in 2006. Inset is the province of Alberta. The study area starts at Easting 324624, Northing 5996501 and ends at Easting 408240, Northing 6047342 (UTM zone 11, NAD 83).

3 3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 General sampling design

The index monitoring site reach started at the South Kakwa River confluence and ended 32‐km downstream (Figure 1). In 2006, the study area was extended 114 km downstream of the 32‐km reach to cover 146 km. The 146‐km stretch was divided into 24 reaches, ranging in length from 6 – 11 km. The two furthest downstream reaches were not sampled due to an impassible barrier (small waterfall). Wetted width of channel at each reach was measured at 1‐km intervals. Reach locations (start and end points) were geo‐referenced (Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 11, North America Datum (NAD) 83) in the field using a hand‐held Garmin GPS unit.

3.1.1 Raft electrofishing

Raft electrofishing was used to capture bull trout. A 4.3‐m long inflatable raft was equipped with a rowing frame, a frame‐mounted Smith‐Root 5.0 GPP electrofishing unit, a live well, two cathode arrays consisting of stainless steel cables mounted to the port and starboard sides and one hand‐held anode pole with a 450‐mm aluminum ring. The electrofishing crew included one rower, one person running the electrofishing unit and one person dip‐netting fish. Electrofishing began at the top of each reach. The rower maneuvered the raft downriver, ensuring that all habitat types were sampled equally. To maximize capture efficiency and prevent ‘pushing’ of fish, electricity was applied in 10‐s intervals. Attempts were made to capture all fish species, but bull trout were selected over other species, when present. Sampling effort (seconds electrofished) and electrofishing settings (amperage, voltage, percent range) were recorded for each of the 22 reaches sampled.

Single‐pass raft electrofishing was used to determine relative abundance (catch‐per‐ unit‐effort (CPUE) expressed as the number of fish per km) and distribution of bull trout in the 146‐km study area of the Kakwa River from 25 September to 1 October 2006. The 2006 data were compared to those from previous years (1997 and 2000).

4 3.1.2 Sample angling

Angling was used to capture bull trout to supplement catch from electrofishing surveys. Angling crews included one rower and one angler. The rower maneuvered the raft downstream as the angler fished riffle and run habitat. Both the rower and angler fished pool habitat from shore. Generally crews used large jigs, spinners and spoons to target bull trout.

3.1.3 Mark‐recapture sampling

A two‐pass mark‐recapture survey was used to determine abundance and density of bull trout in the 32‐km reach. The 2006 study was timed to replicate, as closely as possible, the environmental conditions (discharge, water clarity) of the previous assessments in 1997 and 2000. In all three years, bull trout were captured using two methods: raft mounted electrofishing and sample angling. Electrofishing and angling surveys were conducted from 25 to 28 September 2006, starting at the mouth of the South Kakwa River and ending 32 km downstream. Fish were marked on the first two days (25 ‐ 26 September) and recaptured on third and fourth days (27 ‐ 28 September). Angling crews preceded electrofishing in both the marking and recapture surveys. All captured fish were identified to species and measured for fork length (FL mm). Bull trout ≥ 300 mm were marked with an individually identifiable T‐bar anchor tag (Floy Tag™) inserted just below the dorsal fin. Fish < 300 mm were batch‐marked by adipose fin clips. During the recapture survey, bull trout were examined for marks (tag or fin clip) and measured for FL. In 2006, a total of 115 bull trout were marked during the marking survey. During the recapture survey, 90 fish were captured, of which 24 were previously marked (see Appendix 1 for mark recapture results in 1997 and 2000).

I estimated bull trout abundance using the modified Lincoln‐Petersen estimate (Chapman 1951):

[]1 2 ++= mnnN 2 + −1)1/()1)(1(

5 Standard Error (SE) of the estimate was determined using the formula:

2 1 2 1 22 2 [ 2 mmmnmnnnNSE 2 ++−−++= )2()1(/))()(1)(1()( ]

where, N = Estimate of the population,

n1 = Initial random sample (marked fish), n2 = Number of captured fish from a second sample, and

m2 = Number of marked fish captured in second sample.

Standard error (SE) of the estimate was used to determine 95% confidence intervals using the formula:

95% Confidence Interval = NSE 96.1*)(

Abundance estimates were calculated from the total number of bull trout marked and recaptured by both electrofishing and sample angling. If an individual fish was caught by both electrofishing and angling, it was only recorded as being captured once.

3.2 Data management and analysis

Fish and habitat data were entered into Microsoft Excel and JMP for reporting and analysis. All data collected (species, FL, wetted width of channel) were entered into the Provincial Government Fisheries Management Information System (FMIS1), Inventory Project 7311. An ANOVA was used to determine if there were any differences in the mean FL of bull trout among the three survey years (1997, 2000 and 2006). UTM coordinates for each reach were downloaded into ArcGIS 9.0 and saved as a shapefile.

1 FMIS is a provincial database containing comprehensive information on fish and fish habitat data. It was developed by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD) to meet the data storage and data requirements of fisheries managers. As a requirement of a fisheries research license, fish information collected must be sent to ASRD for inclusion in the database.

6 4.0 RESULTS

4.1 Bull trout abundance in the 32‐km reach

Based on the mark‐recapture survey, the estimated population size of bull trout in the 32‐km reach was 421 (95% CI = 299 – 544) or 13 fish/km in 2006 compared to 278 (95% CI = 137 – 418) or 9 fish/km in 1997 and 330 (95% CI = 233 – 427) or 10 fish/km in 2000. Overall, the estimated bull trout abundance appears to have changed little between 1997 and 2006; among year variation may not be statistically significant as suggested by the overlap in 95% CIs. A summary of the mark‐recapture survey data is provided in Appendix 1.

4.2 Size composition in the 32‐km reach

In 2006, bull trout ranged in size from 103 to 646 mm FL (Figure 2). In 1997, captured fish ranged in size from 151 to 629 mm FL with a mean of 398 ± 104 mm (n = 88), and in 2000, captured fish ranged in size from 155 to 584 mm FL with a mean of 397 ± 87 mm (n = 179) )(Figure 2). The range of size classes was highest in 2006, including more large fish than in previous years (Figure 2). However, mean size did not differ significantly among years (ANOVA, F = 4.02, df = 2, p = 0.02).

7 16 1997 n = 88 14

16 2000 n = 179 14 (%) 12

8 Abundance

4 Relative 2

16 2006 n = 210 14

0 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700

Fork Length (mm)

Figure 2. Length distribution of bull trout captured by raft electrofishing and angling in a 32‐km reach of the Kakwa River, Alberta in 1997, 2000 and 2006.

8 4.3 Relative abundance and distribution in the 146‐km study area

In 2006, bull trout were present in all 22 reaches sampled and catch ranged from 1 to 43 fish, with the highest numbers occurring in the upper reaches and the lowest in the downstream reaches (Figure 3). A total of 204 bull trout were captured in the 146‐km study area in 2006. CPUE ranged from 0.17 to 4.00 fish/km with a mean (± SD) of 1.17 ± 1.11 fish/km (Figure 3). In 2000 and 1997, sampling only occurred in the first 32‐km of the 146‐km study area sampled in 2006. In 2000, a total of 83 fish were captured. Bull trout were present in all three reaches sampled and catch ranged from 17 to 34 fish, with the highest number occurring in the upper reach. CPUE ranged from 1.55 to 3.20 fish/km with a mean of 2.61 ± 0.92 fish/km. In 1997, a total of 65 fish were captured. Bull trout were present in all three reaches sampled and catch ranged from 19 to 26 fish, with the highest number occurring in the middle reach. CPUE ranged from 1.82 to 2.36 fish/km with a mean of 2.02 ± 0.29 fish/km.

2006 2000 4 1997 trout/km)

3 (Bull

Effort ‐ 2 Unit ‐ Per ‐ 1 Catch

0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112131415161718192021222324

Reach Upstream Downstream

Figure 3. Catch‐per‐unit‐effort (fish/km) for bull trout captured by raft electrofishing in the Kakwa River, Alberta in 1997, 2000 and 2006.

9 4.4 Summary

Bull trout abundance and distribution has been monitored in the Kakwa River since 1997, making it the most comprehensive bull trout monitoring program of its kind in Alberta. Although there is variation among years, general trends suggest that the population has been stable and the size class distributions have not changed significantly since 1997.

In 2006, bull trout abundance was high in the upper reaches of the study area and decreased precipitously moving downstream. This difference in vertical distribution of abundance may be attributed to differences in habitat complexity and quality between upper and lower reaches. Upper reaches of the river are characterized by large deep pools and large woody debris, instream habitat characteristics that are preferred by bull trout (Shepard et al. 1984; Hagen and Baxter 1992; Watson and Hillman 1997). Habitat in the lower reaches is more homogeneous and characterized by long sections of shallow run with very little overhead cover (i.e., woody debris), features less preferred by bull trout (Anglin et al. 2004).

Data on bull trout abundance are imperative to identifying long‐term changes and for formulating management plans for this fishery. The Kakwa River bull trout population is one of the last intact populations in the province, and for a relatively unexploited population the river seems to support low densities of this species compared to other systems in the province (Gardiner and Rodtka 2003). Regular monitoring of this population is critical to making sound management decisions for this fishery.

10 5.0 LITERATURE CITED

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 2005. The general status of Alberta wild species 2005. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Edmonton, Alberta. 46 pp.

Anglin, D.R., D.G. Gallion, M. Barrows, C. Newlon, P. Sankovich, T.J. Kisaka, and H Schaller. 2004. Bull trout distribution, movements and habitat use in the Walla Walla and Umatilla River Basins. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia River Fisheries, Vancouver, Washington. 92 pp.

Berry, D.K. 1994. Alberta’s bull trout management and recovery plan. Alberta Environmental Protection, Fish and Wildlife Service, Fisheries Management Division, Pub. No. T/289, Edmonton, Alberta. 22 pp.

Brewin, P.A., and M.K. Brewin. 1997. Distribution maps for bull trout in Alberta. Pp. 209‐216. In: W.C. Mackay, M.K. Brewin and M. Monita, editors. Friends of the Bull Trout Conference Proceedings. Bull Trout Task Force (Alberta), c/o Trout Unlimited Canada, Calgary, Alberta.

Chapman, D.G. 1951. Some properties of the hypergeometric distribution with applications to zoological censuses. University of California Publications in Statistics 1: 131–160.

Gardiner, K., and M. Rodtka. 2003. Assessment of sport fish abundance in the upper North Saskatchewan River, 2001. Data report, produced by the Alberta Conservation Association, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. 17 pp.

Hagen, J., and J.S. Baxter. 1992. Bull trout populations of the North Thompson River Basin, British Columbia: initial assessment of a biological wilderness. Report to British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fisheries Branch, Kamloops, British Columbia. 37 pp.

11 Hvenegaard, P., and D. Fairless. 1998. Biology and status of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the Kakwa River drainage, Alberta. Data report produced by the Alberta Conservation Association, Peace River, Alberta. 30 pp.

Post, J.R., and F.D. Johnston. 2002. Status of the bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, and Alberta Conservation Association, Wildlife Status Report No. 39, Edmonton, Alberta. 40 pp.

Scrimgeour, G.J., P. Hvenegaard, J. Tchir, S. Kendall, and A. Wildeman. 2003. Stream fish management: cumulative effects of watershed disturbances on stream fish communities in the Kakwa and Simonette River Basins, Alberta. Report produced by the Alberta Conservation Association (Peace River) and the Alberta Research Council (Vegreville) for the Northern Watershed Project Stakeholder Committee. Northern Watershed Project Final Report No. 3. 126 pp.

Shepard, B., K. Pratt, and J. Graham. 1984. Life histories of westslope cutthroat and bull trout in the upper Flathead River basin, Montana. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Kalispell, Montana. 85 pp.

Tchir, J. 2000. Population estimates of the Kakwa River bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) fall 2000. Data report produced by the Alberta Conservation Association. Peace River, Alberta. 21 pp.

Watson, G., and T.W. Hillman. 1997. Factors affecting the distribution and abundance of bull trout: an investigation at hierarchical scales. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 17: 237‐252.

12 6.0 APPENDICES

Appendix 1. Bull trout mark‐recapture data from 1997, 2000 and 2006 in the Kakwa River, Alberta.

Number Number Number of Capture marked on captured on recaptures on Year method first pass second pass second pass 1997 Electrofishing 43 24 2 1997 Angling 23 13 1 1997 Combined 65 37 8

2000 Electrofishing 51 39 7 2000 Angling 50 39 15 2000 Combined 98 76 22

2006 Electrofishing 61 54 10 2006 Angling 54 41 4 2006 Combined 115 90 24 Combined = pooled data from electrofishing and angling. If an individual fish was caught by both the electrofishing and angling crews it was only recorded as being captured once. Thus, combined values are not always equal to the sum of the values for electrofishing and angling.

Appendix 2. Summary of other sport fish species captured using raft electrofishing in the Kakwa River, 2006.

Number Mean catch‐per‐unit‐ Mean fork length Species captured effort (fish/km) ± SD (mm) ± 95% CI Rainbow trout 56 0.36 ± 0.61 196 ± 15 Mountain whitefish 629 4.65 ± 4.49 242 ± 5 Arctic grayling 107 0.88 ± 0.62 276 ± 12

13 Appendix 3. Universal Traverse Mercator (UTM zone 11, NAD 83) coordinates of reaches sampled in the Kakwa River, 2006

UTM Coordinates (Zone 11, NAD 83) Reach Easting Northing Start End Start End 1 324624 330512 5996501 6002821 2 330512 333892 6002821 6010842 3 333892 338486 6010842 6014362 4 338866 342115 6014613 6013287 5 342449 347110 6013096 6013516 6 347567 351358 6013691 6015399 7 351812 356513 6015605 6017734 8 356660 361741 6018169 6018111 9 362160 366948 6017858 6018607 10 367203 371500 6018199 6015717 11 371970 374730 6015579 6013584 12 374969 378854 6013160 6014717 13 378991 381296 6014242 6016625 14 381756 386123 6016535 6019085 15 386226 388587 6019565 6022000 16 388907 393757 6022374 6024075 17 394231 397545 6024197 6027583 18 397921 399379 6027911 6031493 19 399749 404036 6032783 6035306 20 404327 407259 6035695 6039212 21 407084 408802 6039541 6042544 22 408361 408240 6042747 6047342

14 CCONSERVATIONONSERVATION RREPORTEPORT SSERIESERIES The Alberta Conservation Association acknowledges the following partner for their generous support of this project