A Forum for Natural, Cultural and Social Studies VOLUME 2 - Number 2 Parks Canada, Alberta & British Columbia FALL 1994 SOWING THE SEEDS OF THE PAST

As it was before: Elk Island National Park is working to restore native grassland species

Anne Dickinson ministration building to a self-maintain­ ate student Dana Bush's MSc research ing mix of native prairie grasses and wild- project. The second plot is located at North Good quality native gtassland is a tate flowers. The area, approximately one hec­ Tawayik Lake Meadows. commodity in Elk Island National Patk, tare in size, was seeded with 50 per cent Bush, who is studying under Dr. Anne though it is believed to have been once a western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii), Naeth at the Univetsity of Albetta, has ptevalent component of the Aspen Park- 25 per cent slender wheatgrass (A. designed 10 different combinations of na­ land ecosystem. Due to past management trachycaulum), 15 per cent June grass tive (gtass and wildflower) seed mixes and ptactices, native grassland areas of the park (Koeleria cristata), and 10 per cent green is testing their ability to compete with have been lost to aspen encroachment (as needle grass (Stipa viridula). invasive weed species. After the completion a result of fite exclusion) and destroyed by This past spting, a small set of grow of her initial two-year study, the fencing cultivation of non-native species fot hay lights was purchased and some wildflower will be removed. By that time, the seeded production. Today, less than five per cent seedlings were propagated from seeds do­ species should be established and able to of the park area is grassland, and of that, nated by the University of Alberta's withstand bison grazing and trampling. very little is a good representation of native Devonian Botanic Gardens. As of this The plots will continue to provide infor­ fescue grassland species. writing (June 1994), the grasses form a mation on restoration. Future graduate Elk Island is taking some initial steps to thick, lush cover, and although weeds are students at the university will utilize the teverse this trend. In addition to an inten­ a problem in some patches, it appears that plots to test the sustainability of the vari­ sive prescribed burning programme that the grasses will win in the long term. The ous seed mixes and their ability to with­ has been underway since 1980, several wildflower seedlings (over 150 milk car­ stand changes in abiotic environmental new prairie restoration initiatives have been tons full!) are now transplanted into the factors, such as grazing and prescribed launched. site, too. burning. In an effort to reduce the amount of Visitors to Oster Lake Group camp may cultivated landscapes in the park, a pilot notice the addition of a large fenced plot in Anne Dickinson is afire/vegetation specialist project began in the summer of 1993 to the Oster Meadows. This is one of two at Elk Island National Park. For further convert the lawn around Elk Island's ad­ plots within the patk that are part of gradu­ information, please call (403) 992-6390. '5^9^M^[Ltefe

Volume 2 • Issue 2 • Fall 1994

STA TEMENT OF PURPOSE JMNO BE1TONB

The main goal of this publication is to foster communication between scientists, resource managers, and science and management. The views THIRD INTERNATIONAL MINING HISTORY CONFERENCE of the authors do not necessarily represent the views of Parks Canada or its employees. TheThird International Mining History Conference, heldjune6—10, 1994, in Denver, CO., provided an exciting and informative forum for presentations and discussions by 300 FEA TURE ARTICLES professionals from around the world. Speakers included academic and public historians, 1 Prairie Restoration in Elk Island miners, engineers, geologists, curators, archaeologists, land managers, and mining heritage Anne Dickinson staff representing heritage sites and agencies, mining companies, libraries, and universities. 3 North Columbia Ecological Research In three days of presentations and two days of field trips, topics discussed included cultural Croup resource management challenges, the development of shared management and interpre­ John Woods tation of mining heritage sites, and historiographic issues. 4 Icefields Parkway '93 Visitor Survey Paul Lauzon Abridged from the Third International Mining History Conference Report. For further

5 Vicrorian Science in Banff information, please call David Neufeld, Yukon Historian, at (403) 667-3913. Bill Yeo

7 Waste Stream Analysis in Jasper Evelyn Saurette MOUNT EDITH CAVELL 1993 VISITOR SURVEY SUMMARY 10 Wildlife Research in the Parks various contributors A proposal to redevelop Jasper National Park's Mount Edith Cavell access road received 12 Transformed Landscape Patterns valuable input from a visitor study conducted in August 1993. The 14 km road, built in Carlos Galindo-Leal 1924, is open to vehicle traffic May-October, and provides visitor access to the Mount 14 Greening of the Canada Games Edith Cavell Hostel, a horse corral and enclosure, Tonquin Valley Trailhead, viewpoints, Casey Morrow and the main day use area. The study's objectives included examining options for upgrading the access road, DEPARTMENTS determining visitor satisfaction and willingness to pay for an improved road, ascertaining the importance of various services and facilities, and obtaining visitor demographics. 2 Around the Parks and Beyond Short reports and updates on research The results of the study indicate visitors rate Mount Edith Cavell highly, often due to and events in our parks. the ruggedness of the site and the unique, "entire glacier" experience it offers. Eighty-five of all respondents felt the road was fair or good, and appreciated having a paved (and rustic) 8 Natural Region Highlights Featuring the Alberta and British road in such a remote area. In reaction to the overwhelming "the road is good enough as Columbia Parks' Wildlife Specialists. it is" response, Jasper decided not to rebuild the road, but sustain it with improved

14 Book Review by John Mcintosh maintenance and a spot repair programme. A review of Sacred Trusts: Essays on Stewardship, edited by Michael Katakis. Abridged from the Mount Edith Cavell 1993 Visitor Survey Summary, by the Strategic 15 Reports Research and Analysis Division. For further information, please call (403) 292-4743. This issue, catch up on recent socio-economic reports.

15 Podium by David Poll Carnivore conservation is a crucial issue, ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES IN OUR IAKLS argues Alberta Regional Office's wildlife specialist. Environment Canada's recently released report, Polychlorinated Biphenyls and 16 Meetings of Interest Organochlorine Pesticides in the Aquatic Environment Along the Continental Divide Region A list of upcoming conferences, meetings, and workshops that focus on issues of Alberta and British Columbia, deals with a little known aspect of our parks—pollution. relevant to research and resource Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in fillets of lake trout taken from 11 of management in the Alberta and British Columbia Regions. the 14 lakes measured in Waterton, Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks, and were occasionally detected in rain and lake water samples Organochlorine pesticides—DDT, toxaphene, and hexachlorobenzene—were present WRITE TO... in many of the lake trout fillets. Pesticide concentrations were below the Health and Editor, Research Links Welfare Canada regulatory limit, with the exception of toxaphene levels in lake trout from Parks Canada Banff s Bow Lake. #520, 220 - 4th Avenue S.E. P.O. Box 2989, Station M The source of this pollution, in most of the lakes, is atmospheric and may ultimately Calgary, AB. T2P 3H8 come from Asia. Local contaminant sources were identified in two cases: high levels of Teh: (403) 221-3210 toxaphene in Lake Moab trout were attributed to a 1959 application of this toxicant to remove undesirable fish species; and high levels of PCB in Moose Lake may be attributed FRANCOPHONES to spills from the highway, railway, or electric transmission line that are situated along the

Le texte de cette publication est offert en francais. shoreline of this lake and its principal inlet river. Vous pouvez I'obtenir en ecrivant a 1'adresse ci- dessus. For further information or for a full copy of the report, please call David Donald at (306) 780- SUBMISSIONS WELCOME FOR WINTER 6723. ISSUE. DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 5, 1994. (Y2Y) Multi-agency cooperation in the North Columbia mountains AROUND Ecological research group formed THE PARKS... AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM HEALTH John Woods Canada highway and the mainline of the IN KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK Canadian Pacific Railway, it includes pro­ In this age of hectic schedules, sending tected areas, and areas of intensive forest Alan Dibb out 15 invitations to a day-long meeting in harvesting, towns and cities, wilderness rec­ Revelstoke and having 30 people show up reation areas and permanently flooded re­ In the summer of 1994, research seems inctedible—but this is what hap­ gions—in short, the complexity common began to establish baseline informa­ pened last spting at a workshop on ecologi­ to most of British Columbia. tion on the benthic invertebrate com­ cal research in the North Columbia moun­ NCERG has three major purposes: to munities ofstreams and rivers through­ tains. For a day, job titles and affiliations facilitate and stimulate cooperative research out and adjacent to Kootenay Na­ took second place to discussions about the to maximize efficiency, applicability, and tional Park. The approach relates North Columbias' research and plans to cost-effectiveness across a broad spectrum benthic communities to key biotic and increase cooperation and communication. of individuals and organizations; to pro­ abiotic variables, including stream or­ Participants heatd the details of projects vide a forum for professional information der and hydrology, soil and vegetation from the Ministry of Forests, the Ministry exchange, discussion, debate, and peer re­ type, and stream slope and elevation. of Environment, B.C. Hydro, the Univer­ view; and to encourage the use of research This research will provide the basis for sity of British Columbia, and, of course, results in decision making and public edu­ long-term assessment of aquatic eco­ Parks Canada. By the end of the day, all had cation. system health in Kootenay. arrived at an easy consensus—most of the A sampling of current research within the The project is supported by Koote­ North Columbias work is inter-related and North Columbia area includes caribou use nay National Park and the National there are big advantages of managed and Hydrology Research Institute in to finding better ways unmanaged forests, Saskatoon. Much of the field work will of working together. "NCERG is tackling the the impacts of forest be conducted by a University ofCalgary A year later, the North fragmentation on bird ecology graduate student. The project Columbia Ecological ambitious project of and small mammal is expected to be completed by March Research Group developing a research strategy communities, moni­ 1996. (NCERG) is a reality. toring the productiv­ Its mailing list is a that identifies information ity and survival of Alan Dibb is an ecosystem management "who's who" of over 50 neotropical migrants, specialist at Kootenay National Park. people connected with gaps, research priorities, cumulative environ­ For further information, please call (604) ecological research in opportunities, and actions." mental assessment of 347-9361. the North Columbias grizzly and black and includes govern­ bears, distribution of ment employees, private conttactors, and bats in old-growth stands, ecology of wol­ JASPER NATIONAL PARK'S university professors, as well as members of verines, and the economic impact of forest ECO LIBRARY crown corporations, forest companies, and harvesting guidelines. In the future, the park friends groups. These people have group hopes to see the breadth of research The Jasper community now has an already received three newsletters and at­ expand to include aquatic resources, soils, official Eco Library, as a result of coop­ tended two informal meetings to swap in­ terrestrial invertebrates, and plant ecology. eration between Jasper National Park formation and ideas. Most importantly for The North Columbias may well be unique and the municipal library. the future, NCERG has adopted a terms of in terms of concentration of research and The Eco Library, which opened on reference that clearly states the group's geo­ the number of interested parties, and this March 3, 1994, is designed to be a graphic scope, purpose, and intended ac­ creates an opportunity to make major ad­ user-friendly facility that will make tivities. vances through cooperation, coordination, residents aware of a variety of environ­ and joint funding. To this end, NCERG is The North Columbia area combines eco­ mental issues. tackling the ambitious project of develop­ system thinking with practicality. Mostly Parks Canada teamed up with the ing a research strategy that identifies infor­ within the interior wet belt of the Columbia Jasper Municipal Library to give the mation gaps, research priorities, opportu­ Mountains Natural Region represented by Eco Library a full-time home with easy nities, and actions. By transcending agency Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National access. The location will also help to boundaries, the strategy would provide an Parks, it also includes a portion of the enhance the service the municipal li­ ecosystem-level view of ecological research Rocky Mountains Natural Region repre­ brary already provides. The Eco Li­ that could be used as a planning and bud­ sented (in part) by Yoho and Kootenay brary, in addition to providing a valu­ geting tool. Such a strategy, for example, National Parks. From a provincial point of able service to the community, will could be used to suggest Parks Canada's view, the area includes all or part of five help to fulfill Jasper National Park's role in ecosystem-level research. forest districts and numerous wildlife man­ mission—"to promote understanding, agement units. And of course, the entire appreciation, and respect for natural region is part of the north bend of the John Woods is afaunal specialist at Mount ecosystems and cultural heritage." Columbia River, an area of extensive hy­ Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks. For dro-electric development and world-class further information, please call (604) 837- Forfiirther information, please call (604) wetlands. Roughly divided by the Trans- 7517. 852-6142.

3 Do Parks Canada messages have effect ? The Icefields Parkway 1993 Entrance/Exit Visitor Survey results are in and the verdict is...

PaulLauzon According to the laws of random sam­ differences existed in all the subjects except pling, each individual in the tatget popula­ for "Glaciers" (Table 1). INTRODUCTION tion has an equal chance of being included The data were further divided to include in the sample. Therefore, by randomly se­ only the scores of the "exit" respondents The Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93) is a lecting tespondents in both the entrance who had specifically visited the Columbia scenic route that spans 230 km between and exit surveys, it is accepted that the Icefield Area, and then compared again Lake Louise in Banff National Park and samples are representative of the target popu­ with the scores of the "entrance" respond­ Jasper townsite in Jasper National Park. lation within a given margin of error. For ents (Table 2). Statistical differences then Eighty kilometres north west of Lake Lou- this survey, that margin of error is plus/ emerged on the "Glaciers" subject between minus five per cent. the scores of this specific "exit" segment as Sampling for this study was two-tiered. compared to the scores of the "entrance" TABLE 1 Entrance Exit First, because the volume flow of traffic respondents. during any given day was not constant, Another t-test was conducted on the scores 4.82 Wildlife 4.50 use of a floating random sample to select of "exit" visitors. This included a compari­ Climate 3.82 4.08 respondents was the most efficient pro­ son between the visitors who had specifi­ cedure. Specifically, a party (vehicle) cally visited the Columbia Icefield Area and Landscape Features 3.66 4.18 was selected from the flow of ttaffic for those who had not. There was no signifi­ the survey, and when the interview was cant difference found between their knowl­ Glaciers 3.51 3.86 completed, this party was redirected into edge scores. Vegetation 3.43 3.76 the flow of traffic and the next party was The scores of travellers who specifically selected. Meanwhile, other parties kept visited the Columbia Icefield Information/ Mtn. Build./Formation 3.43 3.73 travelling by as interviews were con­ Exhibit Centre or who took part in a Avalanches 3.28 3.54 ducted. Snocoach Tout were also compared in their Second, only one individual was se­ knowledge self-assessment to the scores of Human History 2.92 3.25 lected for the interview from each vehi­ all "exit" visitors who read/heard/learned cle. That individual was the person, about the eight subjects. No diffetence was Entrance and exit respondents aged 18 or over, who would have the found in the mean knowledge scotes be­ next bit thday. If the party was not enter­ tween visitors who stopped at the Informa- ise, the Parkway is intersected by David ing the Parkway for the first time or exiting tion/Exhibit Centre and those who did not. Thompson (Hwy 11). The road climbs as it for the final time on this trip, the inter­ In terms of comparison between those high as 2000 m in two locations and pro­ view was immediately terminated. Addi­ who took a Snocoach Tour and those who vides numerous opportunities for sightsee­ tionally, during the exit survey, if the re­ did not, the mean scores of four subjects ing, learning, wildlife viewing, and other spondent had participated in the enttance appeared to show significant differences activities. survey on this trip, the interview was termi­ (Table 3). However, the mean scores of the The Icefields Parkway Entrance and Exit nated immediately as well. subject "Glaciers" were the only ones that Survey, conducted July 16-August 31,1993, differed significantly. focused on five areas, one of which was the RESULTS impact of Patks Canada messages on visi­ - continued on page 7 - tors. Parks Canada invests a considerable Using a scale of one to seven (1 = amount of resources in educational and No Knowledge and 7 = Expert Knowl­ interpretive services and facilities. One pur­ edge), respondents were asked to in­ pose for these services and facilities is to dicate what they perceived to be their TABLE 2 Entrance Exit deliver various messages about Parks Cana­ level of knowledge on each of the da's heritage, mandate, and role in the glo­ eight subjects presented on the Park­ Wildlife 4.50 4.88 bal envitonment. Howevet, Parks Canada way. The study was not concerned has not, to date, investigated whether these with the amount of knowledge visi­ Climate 3.82 4.12 messages get across. Part of the Icefields tors felt they had, but whether a change Landscape Features 3.66 4.30 Parkway Survey's purpose was to take an in the perceived amount of knowl­ initial step in this direction. edge existed between the entrance Glaciers 3.51 4.02 and exit visitors, the direction of the METHODOLOGY change, and the magnitude of the Vegetation 3.43 3.78 change. Mtn. Build./Formation 3.43 3.83 The target population was made up of all A t-test was used to determine if a private vehicle visitots entering and exiting significant difference existed between Avalanches 3.28 3.61 the Icefields Patkway from all three en­ the mean scores of all "entrance" and trance and exit points (Jasper, Lake Louise, all "exit" visitors who had read/heard/ Human History 2.92 3.27 and Saskatchewan Crossing) during the time learned about the specified subjects. span of the study. The analysis tevealed that significant Exit Respondents who visited the Columbia Icefield

(Y4Y) W.R Whitcher Victorian science in Canada's first national park

W.B. Yeo contained certain "urgent sugges­ tions" for immediate action. These In the busy summer of 1886, included restriction by the Super­ W.F. Whitcher journeyed to the intendent of hunting and fishing, Rocky Mountains to investigate and measures to retain the reced­ the "kinds and conditions of game ing waters of the Vermilion Lakes and fish in the Canadian National so as to permit the seeding of wild Park at Banff," which he did "pur­ rice. suant to instructions received" As others have observed, Whitch­ from the Hon. Thomas White, er's survey of conditions appears to Minister of the Interior. His re­ have been limited in time and ex­ port on his findings is dated De­ tent. In his report, he states his cember 31, 1886, and was pub­ "personal examinations" were con­ lished the following year in the fined within a radius of 18 miles parliamentary Sessional Papers. from Banff, supplemented by The Whitcher report is signifi­ "other observations and inquiries." cant as one of the earliest examples In addition, he lays out the phi­ of how research influenced legisla­ losophy behind his research: tion, regulations, and park opera­ tions. Just how influential Paucity of fish and game will un­ Whitcher may have been is subject doubtedly deprive the National Park of something of its many wild to debate, largely because we know attractions; whilst plenteousness will so little about early park manage­ be a source of profit and pleasure to Elimination of carnivores was an accepted part ment. Informal critiques of Canadians interested in its develop­ of Victorian science Whitcher's observations by present ment as a free popular resort for health and recreation, as also to strangers day specialists, noting his apparent inaccu­ Whitcher's retirement had taken place in attracted thither by the natural features racies and his anti-predator position, over­ controversial circumstances. He had been of scenic beauty and hygenic excellence look his pioneering role. In his day, the in poor health, and suffered from disagree­ which it assuredly embodies in an emi­ authorities, both in Ottawa and in Banff, ments with colleagues and his Minister. A nent degree (Whitcher 1887: 86). were working in a near-vacuum when it letter he had written to Forest and Stream, came to understanding natural resource criticizing his department's fish-rearing pro­ In other words, Whitcher did not set out issues in the area reserved for the new park. gramme, led to a suspension. He retired at to study and understand an ecosystem, as a Who was William Frederick Whitcher? 5 5 on pension, but he had been pushed out. present day researcher might do, but, wi thin From 1869 until his retirement in 1883, he the limits of time and space imposed on had been Commissioner of Fisheries in the him, to inventory those things which con­ Department of Marine and Fisheries. He tributed to his vision of a Victorian park, had joined the public service of the old "'Wolves, coyotes, foxes, lynxes, and to recommend measures to reinforce Province of Canada as a clerk in 1847, and and protect them. by 1865, had worked his way up to Chief skunks, weasels, wildcats, Where Whitcher is obviously most com­ Clerk in charge of the Fisheries Branch of porcupines, and badgers should fortable is in his discussion offish and fish the Crown Lands Office. He was present at habitat. The report grows almost lyrical in the negotiations leading to the Treaty of be destroyed,' along with its description of investigations at Lake Washington. He published a report on the predatory birds 'if too Minnewanka (Whitcher's Devil's Head fishery articles in the treaty; and in 1877, he Lake) and its outlet, where Whitcher caught, assisted the commission that settled Cana­ numerous.'" with a fly, "a fine rainbow trout weighing dian compensation under the treaty. He six and a quarter pounds." It was, he says, was secretary to the 1879 Royal Commis­ "the handsomest fish I ever saw." sion on the construction of the CPR. In His behaviour was questioned in the House The proposal for artificially raising water 1887, following his return from Banff, he of Commons, and documents on his case levels in low-lying areas, and seeding them completed a work published by the CPR assembled for the Sessional Papers of 1885. with wild rice, is based partly on Whitcher's Passenger Department as Nepigon Trout: Perhaps this contract from the Minister ideas concerning fish habitat, as well as a An Ottawa Canoeist's Experience on the of the Interior, and a trip to Banff, smoothed desire to attract waterfowl. In addition, the Northern Shore of Lake Superior. He died in things over. report notes the existence of large tracts of April 1888 (McCullough n.d.). Whitcher's report consists of two main fallen timber and old beaver meadows in Whitcher may have been the most qualified sections: his assessment of conditions at the the Bow Valley, making the new townsite available person to report on wildlife condi­ Park Reserve, and his recommendations. and the railway vulnerable to fires. The tions at Banff, but it is not at all clear what the He also makes reference to an advance Department of the Interior was looking for. report submitted in September 1886, which - continued on page 6 - comes from an amendment in the Senate, ferocity of carnivores. W.E Whitcher which suggests that the bill brought in by As if to balance the reduction of preda­ the Minister of the Interior had been scru­ tors, the report suggests the introduction of — continued from page 5 — tinized by some members of Parliament- ornamental pheasants and quail from Van­ members who had read Whitcher's report. couver Island, to add to the attractions of Strangely enough, when Whitcher re­ the place, a measure that (fortunately) seems raising of water levels west of Banff is rec­ ferred in his report to the "rules sanctioned to have been overlooked. As one might ommended as a means of protecting the by the U.S. Congress for the governance of expect, Whitcher also encourages the en­ environs of the town. More than half of the the Yellowstone National Park," it was to hancement offish numbers: "trout culture report's recommendations section is de­ comment unfavourably on their prohibi­ in all of these waters should be practised on voted to the details of manipulating the tion of sport hunting. He felt such activity, a large scale." environment this way. undertaken by "sportsmen" under appro­ Although the government did not re­ Whitcher's report fills only eight printed priate supervision, should be permitted in spond in a systematic way until 1909, it is pages, but each time it is read, it reveals new the Canadian National Park. Despite this in the Whitcher report that we find the call insights into historic conditions in the park recommendation, the regulations issued in for some form of organized guardianship in reserve, into the obscure ministerial in­ 1890 followed the American example. the new park: structions that guided the early activity there, and into • With efficient police at Bantt the world of Victorian natu­ to maintain order and enforce ral science. Perhaps the most "In other words, Whitcher did not set out to study general laws and regulations, and to uphold special meas­ useful way of discussing and understand an ecosystem, as a present day ures, and with forest rangers Whitcher's ideas is to iden­ and active assistants qualified tify any short and long term researcher might do, but, within the limits of by mountain experience and impact they may have had, familiarity wirh animal habits time and space imposed on him, to inventory and haunts, of which force starting with the legislation picked Indians would form a submitted to Parliament in those things which contributed to his vision of a part, there should be no diffi­ 1887, together with his re­ Victorian park, and to recommend measures to culty in securing the Park port, for the creation of Cana­ against injury and intrusion, da's first national park. reinforce and protect them. " and in enforcing the strictest protection for fish and game It is important to put the still inhabiting it (Whitcher new national park initiative 1887:93). in its policy context. In Working for Wild­ Another, humbler, legacy of Whitcher's life, Janet Foster finds the federal govern­ visit to Banff that appeared in the Park's By present day standards, Whitcher de­ ment's handling of its first national park early years is the Devil's Creek dam. This livered a clearly deficient report on bio­ ambiguous, at least by modern standards. timber structure still exists beneath the physical conditions in the park reserve. The The government's overall policy, however, waters of Lake Minnewanka, which only practical response to this observation was clear: drowned the original outlet of the lake in is to compare the report with the standards 1912 when the water level was raised by of 1886, to weigh the product against the Far from "preservation," the Canadian Calgary Power. Minister's instructions, and to consider the government's emphasis was on develop­ qualifications of the investigator. In this ment, exploitation and usefulness, the A longer term result of the Whitcher continuing program of the National report was predator control: "wolves, coyo­ way, we might determine whether or not Policy (Foster 1978: 26). tes, foxes, lynxes, skunks, weasels, wild cats, the government got its money's worth. But porcupines and badgers should be de­ there is a more significant point. The Despite this policy, the Rocky Moun­ stroyed," along with predatory birds "if too Whitcher report, deficiencies and all, was tains Park Act calls for the "preservation numerous." Park authorities carried out taken seriously enough to affect the framing and protection of fish and game, [and] wild this recommendation on a selective basis of legislation, regulations, and operational birds generally." Did Whitcher's report in­ for decades. priorities. We are still living with some of fluence the wording of the act? It could be Whitcher also supported the proposal for the results of these measures. argued that the U.S. legislation for setting a museum of natural history at Banff, as "an up Yellowstone Park played a model role. instructive adjunct" and a place for the Whitcher mentions the U.S. law in his "animal species weeded out." The museum Bill Yeo is an historian at the Alberta Regional report, and other influences on the Cana­ eventually opened to the public in 1895, Office. For further information, please call dian Act have been noted. However, Foster and to this day it displays specimens of (403) 292-4475. tells us the clause "wild birds generally" Edwardian taxidermy, which emphasize the

REFERENCES CITED LITTLE GEM... Canada: Sessional Papers. 1887. Mr. Whitcher's Report was printed as part of the Annual Report of the Department of the We're going to have PUPS! A Parks Use Interior for the Year 1886. 20(7): 85-93. Cited in the text as Whitcher. Permit System, designed by the Visitor Activity Management Section in Alberta, will Foster, Janet. 1978. be operational this fall. PUPS will generate Working for Wildlife. Toronro. a data base that will develop visitor profiles McCullough, A.B. n.d. and help track revenue generation. For more William Frederick Whitcher, unpublished biography on file. Historical Services Section, Calgary. information, please call (403) 221-3282.

b Waste Stream Analysis helps Jasper recycle Warden Kathy Calvert's research shows Jasper how to cut its waste in half

Evelyn Saurette visitor numbers rise in the future. Park businesses, residents, and Spending close to 100 days sort­ visitors generated as much as 34 ing through more than 30 tonnes tonnes of garbage per day in the of garbage may seem, well, a little summer. A 50 per cent waste re­ wasteful. duction would relieve the Hinton But Parks Canada employees landfill of an estimated 2 000 had a good reason—if not an tonnes of waste in just one year. abundance of enthusiasm—for analyzing sample truckloads of Excerpted from Jasper National garbage generated over the course Park Green News, Issue 7, February of two years by Jasper's residents, 16,1994. For further information, visitors, and businesses. please call Heather Warrenchuk at Roughly 300 kilograms of gar­ (604) 852-6140. bage were sorted each day for eight consecutive days during each of the 12 months of the year. JASPER GARBAGE MINI- Each year, the amount of waste FACTS trucked out of Jasper National Park has increased at a rate ex­ A total of 30 000 kg of garbage ceeded only by the environmen­ was analyzed in the Waste Stream tal impact and costs associated Analysis. with transferring garbage to a landfill site in Hinton. Campground garbage accounts lonnes and tonnes of garbage The results of the Waste Stream for 40 per cent ofJasper' s summer Analysis project proved that a 50 garbage. per cent reduction in waste is not an unre­ ing the approximate 4 000 tonnes of waste alistic goal. For example, the development currently landfilled each year. The analysis Organic and paper products are the largest of a community composting facility has will also help to keep garbage levels down as components of the waste strdam. become a high priority since the study iden­ tified food waste as comprising about 35 per cent of the garbage currently trucked to Hinton. Composting two-thirds of that food prod­ uct would redirect more than 900 tonnes of Icefields Parkway Visitor Survey waste destined for the landfill site this year. And, recycling just half of this year's esti­ - continued from page 4 - mated 800 tonnes of cardboard would bring DISCUSSION Jasper's 50 per cent waste reduction goal within reach. The survey results indicate that, for the most part, education and interpretive efforts on The project formed the basis of park the Icefields Parkway are paying off. Survey results suggested visitors left the Parkway with warden Kathy Calvert's MSc thesis, which more knowledge than when they entered. In some subjects (i.e. "Glaciers"), respondents she successfully defended last fall. Her re­ appeared to learn more if they took a Snocoach Tour. In other cases (i.e. visiting the search has given Jasper a baseline for future Columbia Icefield Information/Exhibit Centre), no added learning benefits were derived research and statistics. by visitors. Considering that the 1992 Columbia Icefield Area Carrying Capacity Study "We are now able to focus our recycling determined that crowding is efforts on the biggest pieces of the pie," said definitely a problem in the fa­ Calvert. TABLE 3 Exit Exit/Snocoach cilities at the Centre, it becomes One of these pieces is the cardboard clear why visitors do not feel recycling programme, established in Jasper Wildlife 4.88 5.01 they are getting a quality learn­ in May 1993. Calvert's Waste Stream Analy­ ing experience there. sis research will assist project manager Landscape Heather Warrenchuk in tracking peak re­ Features 4.30 4.43 cycling opportunities and determining how PaulLauzon is a market analyst much cardboard the programme has suc­ Glaciers 4.02 4.29 for the Strategic Research and cessfully redirected. Analysis Division, Alberta The completion of the Waste Stream Human History 3.27 3.48 Regional Office. For further Analysis project has laid the groundwork information, please call (403) for an ambitious campaign aimed at halv­ Exit Respondents who took a Snocoach Tour 292-5984.

7 NATURAL RECKON Meet the Western Parks5 Wildlife Specialists

received his BSc in Biology from the Uni- vetsity of Guelph and statted working for Parks Canada as chief naturalist in St. Law­ rence Islands National Patk, located in the Thousand Islands area of Ontario. He moved to Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks in B.C. in 1975, and in 1991, he completed his PhD in Zoology at the University of British Columbia. His thesis title was "Ecology of a Partially Mi­ gratory Elk Population."

DAVID POLL ment Plan, the Wildlife Monitoring Plan, Wildlife (Faunal) Specialist and a strategy to teduce elk/human con­ Alberta Regional Office flicts. Wes believes wildlife/human conflict David Poll was born and raised in Al­ management will be an increasingly dy­ berta, and received a Diploma of Technol­ namic and demanding task, as a growing ogy in Biological Sciences from NAIT in human population will place greater de­ 1969 and a BSc in Zoology from the Uni­ mands on development and tourism in the versity of Alberta in 1974. From 1974-85, patks. he worked for the Canadian Wildlife Serv­ ice, Western and Northern Regions, and was involved in various Arctic ecology and national parks' research programmes. His John is interested in seasonal movements DOUGLAS CLARK varied research experience encompasses a of vertebrates in relation to their popula­ Wildlife/Law Enforcement Specialist wide range of species and habitats from tion ecology, and in parasites and diseases. Pacific Rim National Park waterfowl, passerines, and small mammals As faunal specialist for Mount Revelstoke to batren-ground caribou, elk, and bighorn and Glacier, he is involved with studies on Douglas Clark was born in Victoria, B.C. sheep. grizzly and black bears, wolverine, bats, He obtained a BSc in Zoology from the Since joining Parks Canada in 1985, Dave and neotropical migrant birds. University of Victoria in 1990, and gained has worked as a management planner, natu­ his first exposure to fieldwork as a co-op ral resource management advisor, research student with the B.C. Forest Service. Doug biologist and most recently (1989) as re­ WESLEY BRADFORD got involved with Parks Canada in 1990, gional wildlife specialist. In this position, Wildlife/Human Conflict Specialist when he spent a season as an intetpreter in he is tesponsible for providing specialist Jasper National Park Jasper National Park. He started with the advice to national parks, coordinating re­ Warden Service at Pacific Rim National gional wildlife management programmes, Wesley Bradford graduated with a Di­ Park in the spring of 1991. That year, Doug liaising with Patks headquarters, and devel­ ploma in Wildlife and Fisheries Manage­ also started an MSc programme at the Uni­ oping and coordinating inter-agency, co­ ment from NAIT in 1975, and began his versity of Albetta, studying polar bear habi­ operative wildlife management pto- 19-year tenure with the Warden Service in tats in Churchill, MB. gtammes. Jasper National Park that yeat. This spring, Doug became the wildlife/ Wes has spent time in all aspects of the law enforcement specialist at Pacific Rim. warden service. In 1986, he was assigned He looks forward to increasing the park's the role of wildlife warden, and in 1988— emphasis on marine mammal research, JOHN G. WOODS 1992, he was the senior park warden of improving co-management of large carni­ Faunal Specialist Wildlife and Fisheries. During this time, he vores, and implementing new challenges— Mt Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks coordinated the Bear Management Pro­ such as designing wildlife corridors to other gramme, the Greater Jasper Ecosystem protected areas on Vancouver Island and John Woods was bom in Winnipeg, MB., Caribou Research Project, the Transpotta- improving Pacific Rim's marine and and raised in Toronto, ON. In 1972, he tion Corridor Wildlife Mortality Manage­ backcountry law enforcement. M HIGHLIGHTS

BRIAN SHEEHAN ological indices ofwinter condition of wapiti Senior Wildlife Warden and moose." Kootenay National Park Norm believes Elk Island offers the rich­ est experience in wildlife management in As Kootenay National Park's wildlife spe­ North America. Its proximity to large cen­ cialist, Brian Sheehan is responsible for tres encourages academic and scientific in­ wildlife research, management of aquatic terest in the park and offers many opportu­ and cultural resources, and coordinating nities to develop environmental citizenship the park's environmental assessment pro­ initiatives. He feels it is an ideal setting for gramme. those who truly wish to pursue a career in Raised in Ontario, Brian received a di­ wildlife management. He counts himself as ploma in Forest Technology from the On­ fottunate to be wotking there, especially tario Forest Technical School in 1965. Af­ because of his dedicated co-workers. ter graduation, he wotked as a forest techni­ cian for Ontario's White River Ranger Dis­ trict. He began his trek westward in 1969 and took on the job of park warden with NORA MANNERS Saskatchewan's Prince Albert National Park in, and commitment to, the wildlife profes­ Wildlife Specialist in 1971. He received a BSc (General) from sion." Jasper National Park the University of Calgary in 1972. Brian Currently, Mike is a PhD candidate at joined Kootenay in 1974 and has been the University of Calgary, studying human Nora Manners (nee Kopjar) has been there, happily, ever since. impacts on grizzly bears. He holds an MSc with Parks Canada since 1984 and has in Wildlife Biology and a BSc in Resource spent time in Banff, Kootenay, Jaspet, and Conservation from the University of Mon­ Wood Buffalo National Parks. She has a tana, as well as a diploma in Forest Technol­ BSc in Forestry and an MSc in Wildland ogy from NAIT. Recreation and has been involved in re-

NORMAND COOL FaunallLimnological Specialist Elk Island National Park

Before becoming Elk Island National Park's faunal/limnological specialist two years ago, Normand Cool spent 10 years with the park's Warden Service. Norm received a Veterinary Technology diploma—and the Pitman Moore Surgical Award—from St. Lawrence College. He Currently, Brian is involved in the big­ also holds a BSc in Zoology and Geology horn sheep cooperative management plan from the University of Alberta and has and a wolf ecology study. recently completed his MSc thesis—"Physi­

seatch for a number of years, beginning with her MSc project, "Alternatives for Bison Management in Banff National Park." MICHAEL L. GIBEAU She has also participated in studies on forest Conservation Biologist fuels quantification in Jasper, highway wild­ Banff National Park life mortality in Kootenay, and bison move­ ment and distribution in Wood Buffalo. Michael Gibeau has been with Banff Na­ By turning her attention to some of the tional Park's Warden Service since 1976, smaller but important vertebrates—such as specializing in wildlife research and man­ bats, amphibians, teptiles, and songbirds— agement. He has extensive experience with Nora is working to provide a broader basis wildlife research, and has studied coyotes, for wildlife management in Jasper. wolves, black and grizzly bears, elk, and Nora is enthusiastic about new initiatives sheep. His commitment to his career was supporting an ecosystem management ap­ recognized in 1991 by the Wildlife Society, proach and hopes the Warden Service suc­ which awarded him the Wynn G. Freeman cessfully increases its science capability with­ Award "in recognition of his participation out losing the field skills that make it unique.

9 WILDLIFE Use of newly reclaimed land by bighorn sheep RESEARCH NOTES GRIZZLY BEAR HABITAT- Emigrating Sheep ENDANGERED?

The results of a cumulative effects Wesley Bradford • to provide information to the provincial assessement study on grizzly bear habi­ and federal governments for use in fu­ tats in Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay The Nikanassin Range Bighorn Sheep ture planning and management. National Parks suggest grizzly bear Study was initiated by the need to know The field work on this three-year bighorn habitat may be threatened. more about how the bighorn sheep that use sheep study began on September 21,1992, Results indicated much of the three the reclaimed landscapes at Cardinal River with the capture and radio-collaring of tar­ park block is only moderately produc­ Coals Ltd. (CRC) and Gregg River Re­ get animals. Nineteen bighorn sheep were tive at best in pristine conditions. Add­ sources Ltd. (GRRL) interact with adjacent radio-collared during the first year of the ing the impact of humans, the actual bighorn sheep populations, and how they study. ability of the landscape to support bears use the reclaimed landscapes in the context may have been significantly reduced. of the surrounding mountain habitats and FIRST YEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The cumulative effects model used in Jasper National Park. • all 19 collared sheep are alive; the study suggests alienation in what is Jasper shares • two rut ranges, supposed to be core refugia for grizzly the responsibi­ used by rams in bears, and brings into question the lity for managing addition to the ability of the landscape as a whole to this bighorn rut range on CRC, support a viable population. sheep population were identified; with Alberta Fish • lambing sites For further information, please call and Wildlife were discovered Michael L. Gibeau at (403) 762-1438. Services. Both on Slide agencies are con­ Mountain, in cerned that the several basins of DEER MOVEMENTS IN ELK ideal sheep habi­ the Whitehorse ISLAND NATIONAL PARK tat created fol­ Creek drainage, lowing open pit and in the head­ A study has been initiated on the mining and rec­ waters of the white-tailed deer population in Elk lamation of im­ Gregg River; Island National Park. The study, form­ pacted land­ • a spring con­ ing the MSc thesis of Dennis Madsen, scapes of CRC centration of rams a warden in Elk Island, will be focusing and GRRL may was noted on the on the transboundary movements of have caused per­ GRRL mineral the deer. manent aban­ surface leases Bighorn sheep in Jasper Large fluctuations in the white-tail donment of some during June; and, population have been observed, and traditional bighorn sheep ranges in Jasper • distinct separation of ewe home range given absence of large carnivores and and on the Red Cap Range. groups in the summer, which occupy hunting pressure in the park, The Nikanassin study, conducted by Beth the alpine drainage west of CRC and transboundary movement of the deer MacCallum and Bighorn Environmental the alpine drainage east of CRC, was may be an important factor. Radio Ltd. staff, is sponsored by CRC, GRRL, observed. telemetry and boundary photo stations Jasper National Park, Alberta Fish and Preliminary data suggest the sheep have will be used to assess home range size Wildlife Services, and the Recreation Parks not abandoned their historical range, but and boundary movements. and Wildlife Foundation. have modified their traditional use of the The main objectives of the Nikanassin Nikanassin Range to include the reclaimed For further information, please call study are: landscapes of CRC and GRRL. Dennis Madsen at (403) 992-6391. • to identify spatial distribution of the This project will allow monitoring and bighorn sheep on CRC and GRRL mi­ evaluation of the reclamation of open pit neral surface leases; coal mines to wildlife habitat by direct COYOTES IN URBAN HABITATS • to identify seasonal dispersion and mi­ observation of animal response. In terms of gration routes of the sheep; bighorn sheep ecology, the Nikanassin study A study on coyote use of urban habi­ • to determine sex/age structure and po­ has continued to document the coloniza­ tats in the Banff townsite found coyo­ pulation of the bighorn sheep; tion patterns exhibited by an expanding tes are neither repelled nor attracted by • to document habitat use—vegetation sheep population as it occupies newly avail­ urban environment. The results found type, per cent slope, aspect, elevation, able habitat. no evidence that the coyotes are pre­ and time of year—and to relate these disposed to aggression due to familiar­ variables to distribution of the sheep; ity with humans. • to identify critical areas such as mineral Wesley Bradford is a wildlife/human licks, lambing sites, and rut and winter conflicts specialist at Jasper National Park. For further information, please call ranges within the home range of marked For further information, please call (604) Michael L. Gibeau at (403) 762-1438. sheep; and, 852-6204. cJMp WILDLIFE Charging Elk RESEARCH NOTES

Problem elk management in Banff townsite INTERNATIONAL WOLF PROJECT

Kevin Van Tighem Carey Elverum to below 1990 levels—less than 12 inci­ dents and one injury per year. A pack of at least six wolves has Over the past few years, a plethora of elk/ The primary management strategy the established a home range centered on human conflicts in Banff National Park has Warden Service has relied on is educating the Belly River area and encompassing concerned park wardens, managers, resi­ the public and making it aware of the elk a portion of Waterton Lakes National dents, and tourists alike. Public complaints hazard. This has been accomplished by Park and adjoining Alberta provincial, regarding aggressive elk in the townsite of posting warning signs, distributing pam­ Blood Reserve, Blackfeet Reservation, Banff have increased dramatically, from phlets, placing public notices in local pa­ and U.S. Glacier National Park lands. three in 1987 to a high of 75 in 1991. pers, and blitzing the media with articles as This is the first known resident pack The most serious elk/human conflicts the high danger season's approach. ofwolves in southwestern Alberta since occur when elk charge at and make contact Wardens are also closing problem areas the 1950s, and is part of a natural with people. Cow elk use their hooves to to the public during the calving season and recolonization process that has led to kick and stomp on a victim, while bulls fall rut. the establishment of several breeding sometimes lower Additional packs in northern Montana since the their head and management late 1970s. The wolves likely emigrated use their antlers actions against from Montana, as one of them is a as an offensive aggressive elk radio-collared female from the Flathead weapon. Elk/hu­ include identi­ watershed in southeastern B.C. and man conflicts fying the prob­ Montana. may occur year lem animal and In Montana, wolves are actively man­ round, but the marking the of­ aged and monitored as part of a Con­ likelihood of an fender with gress-mandated tecovery plan. The elk charging and paint. Repeat province of Alberta has established a injuring some­ offenders are population target of 50 wolves for one is greatest aversively con­ southwestern Alberta, but it also has an during spring ditioned and interest in managing populations of calving season discouraged wolf prey species for recreational use and fall rut when from using the and in minimizing predation of do­ elk are at the townsite, re­ mestic stock by wild carnivores. Both height of their moved from the Glacier and Waterton Lakes National aggressiveness. park, or, as a Parks are mandated to protect and Camera-happy last resort, de­ perpetuate all native wildlife. photographers stroyed. Rambunctious elk in town In January 1994, representatives or unsuspecting The Warden from the Alberta Fish and Wildlife joggers and hikers are the most likely vic­ Service is also looking at barring elk from Division, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv­ tims, especially when the personal space of particular areas of the park with fencing. ice, Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Gla­ an elk is invaded. Permanent or temporary structures would cier National Park (U.S.), and Water- The increase of elk/human conflicts in be placed at identified problem areas such ton Lakes National Park met to plan a Banff townsite coincided with a greater use as recreation grounds or school yards. partnership to monitor the wolves' of the area by elk. Elk have become more Finally, the Warden Service is encourag­ recolonization. abundant in the townsite for a number of ing the town's municipal leaders, business The project team has devoted con­ reasons, including loss of valuable elk habi­ people, and residents to adopt landscape siderable effort to community outreach. tat to human development and the fencing practices that are less attractive to elk. Addi­ One of the results is a compensation of the Trans-Canada Highway; attraction tionally, habitat manipulation of park lands, programme for confirmed livestock to unnatural but highly attractive food such as the use of prescribed fire, will help losses to wolves or grizzlies, which re­ sources, such as fertilized lawns, exotic flow­ enhance elk grazing habitat outside the lies on funds raised by conservation ers, and shrubs; and protection from wolf town. groups. This programme recognizes predation offered by the townsite (Elk However, the increasing number of elk/ the importance of community support Workshop, May 1992). human incidents may be symptomatic of a and mutual problem-solving strategies Additionally, the potential for elk/hu­ larger ecological problem. The provision of in large carnivore conservation. man conflicts may have increased as a result long-term solutions will require a greater Monitoring of the pack—which has of higher tourist visitation during the spring understanding of the complex ecological produced seven pups this year—will calving season and the fall rut. Habituation issues involved. continue in 1995 and 1996. to human presence by elk may be another contributing factor. Kevin Van Tighem is an ecosystem Presently, park wardens are addressing Carey Elverum is a park warden at Banff management specialist at Waterton Lakes the elk/human public safety problem with National Park. For further information, please National Park. For further information, hopes of reducing the number of incidents call (403) 522-3866. please call (403) 859-5125.

TOT Transformed landscape patterns:

Carlos Galindo-Leal BIOLOGICAL CHANGES

THE CUTTING EDGE There are three orders of biological changes generated by edges. First order changes affect the plant community through differ­ The influence of humans on natural landscapes has reached ences in microclimate, and include such events as changes in tree unprecedented proportion. This impact is very apparent in the mortality, tree falls, or shrub cover. checkerboard pattern of managed forests prevalent throughout Second order changes are marked by an increase in the numbers British Columbia, and the result­ of edge species as a result of ing edge effects. changes in the vegetation. The term "edge effect" was origi­ Third order changes, also nally used to describe the increase known as "faunal edge effect," in species diversity associated with "Forest management include positive and negative ef­ the edge between adjacent habi­ fects related to second order tats, like clearcut and old-growth activities can initiate and promote changes, such as increased preda- forests. For years, "edge effect" tion and increased nest parasit­ was synonymous with good habi­ a complex series of events that ism (Andren and Angelstam tat and good habitat management. lead to dramatic changes 1988, Yahner 1988). However, the concept has evolved Why are these effects impor­ rapidly (Reese and Ratti 1988). In in the community." tant? If edge effects are prevalent the last two decades, studies on in the checkerboard pattern, then plants and non-game animals have ecological relations in the remain­ documented some of the negative ing forest patches will be very effects of edges (Angelstam 1992). A "cutting edge" research different from those in continuous forest. Depending on their size, project now underway in the Beaverfoot Valley (Beaverfoot site) the forest remnant may have higher predation and higher nest and Mount Revelstoke area (Revelstoke site) is investigating the parasitism, and may lose interior forest species. In extreme cases, temporal and spatial consequences of "edge"—habitat alteration some species may consider the whole checkerboard uninhabitable. through clearcut logging—on animal species. Isolation effects such as reduced population size, increased vulner­ ability to local extirpation, lower immigration rates, and lack of THE CUTTING EDGE RESEARCH TEAM source populations may become increasingly important as frag­ mentation intensifies (Temple 1991). PROJECT MANAGER Riparian To date, the Beaverfoot and Revelstoke projects have concen­ Carlos Galindo-Leal Isabelle Houde trated on first and second order changes, but future plans include Saskia Wolsak third order studies of spruce grouse and pine marten. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS POPULATION LEVEL Fred Bunnell Habitat selection by blue birds BIOLOGICAL SCALE Carlos Galindo Leal Rachel Holt The study is structured to tackle a tri-level biological scale, LOGISTIC SUPPORT investigating edge effects at the landscape, community, and popu­ LANDSCAPE LEVEL Susan Hall, Landscape structure and Ecosystem Management lation levels. habitat context Specialist, Mount Revelstoke At the landscape level, the focus is on assessing the effects of forest Pierre Vernier and Glacier National Parks land use practices on the structure of the forest landscape and the Modelling forest harvesting Alan Dibb, availability of wildlife habitat in the Beaverfoot Valley. Structural on guilds Ecosystem Management Spe­ attributes of the forest landscape (age, size, shape, diversity, con­ Dave Daust cialist, Kootenay National Park Derek Petersen, nectivity, fragmentation, and edge habitat) and forest land use COMMUNITY LEVEL Ecosystem Management practices (cutting patterns, road networks, and plantations) are Small mammals (live trappings) Specialist, Yoho National Park measured in both managed and unmanaged landscape units se­ Kindy Gosal John Woods, lected on the basis of their comparability. Faunal Specialist, Mount Fran Harrington At the community level, there are three objectives: to identify David Jones Revelstoke and Glacier Suzanne Mondoux National Parks availability and use of critical structural stand attributes necessary Miranda Terlingen Friends of Mount Revelstoke and to maintain biodiversity (e.g. large live trees, snags, woody debris, Leanna Warman Glacier National Parks and vertical stratification); to characterize temporal changes of the Francis and Clara Maltby, habitat and the vertebrate community in relation to edge effects Revelstoke City Medium Mammals (winter tracks) induced by clearcutting; and, to assess temporal changes in suitabil­ Pierre Friele Darcy Monchak, David Jones Planning, Golden Forest District ity of clearcuts for vertebrate species. These aspects are critical to Brian Amis, understanding the consequences of forest practices on biodiversity Song birds (point counts) Planning, Golden Forest District both outside and inside protected areas. The study is currently Steven Bennet Jim Blake, examining birds and mammals at the community level, but work Wendy Easton Planning, Revelstoke Forest David Huggard District on amphibians is expected to begin in the spring. Pierre Johnstone Bryan Nyberg, At the third biological scale level, population, the study is Jeffrey Joy Research Branch, Ministry of investigating the effect of fragmentation on habitat use by moun- Chris Spytz Forests, Victoria

FUNDED BY PARKS CANADA T2 CUTTING EDGE MSEA1GHI tain bluebirds. These birds potentially benefit from new serai stages created by clearcutting. However, as succession proceeds—edges are not permanent, but change dynamically as the areas become restocked and the age of the forest advances—the habitat may become unsuitable for them. Detailed study of changes in habitat selection in different serai stages will provide a better understand­ ing of some of the ecological relations created by the new landscape patterns.

TEMPORAL SCALE

To study edges at different temporal stages within a relatively short time period, an approach known as "chronosequence" is used. Chronosequence uses space as a substitute for time—instead of waiting for time to go by, the study moves to places where edges were created at various times. Within the whole Beaverfoot Valley (an area of 300 km2), the approximately 80 clearcuts range in age from one to 25 years.

SPATIAL SCALE

The results will be analyzed within different spatial scales. At the most detailed level, the distance of every individual habitat feature and bird and mammal record to the edge of the forest (less than 100 m) is recorded. At another level, plots on the edge are compared to those placed in the interior forest or in the clearcut (up to 400 m). Checkerboard landscape: a human-created environment Within the managed area, clusters of transects have been placed one to 30 km within the parks' borders. Inside the parks, transects are CONCLUSION placed at varying distances from the managed area (up to 10 km). This last scale will allow insight into the effect of a managed There are many concerns related to changes in the landscape. In landscape on species with large area requirements (medium-size addition to changing habitats and spatial patterns, forest manage­ carnivores and ungulates). ment activities can initiate and promote a complex series of events Finally, the two research sites are located in different forest types. that lead to dramatic changes in the wildlife community. For The Beaverfoot site is in the Montane Spruce Biogeoclimatic Zone example, increased road access may lead to increased pressure from in the Rocky Mountains, whereas the Revelstoke site is in the hunting and poaching, changes in the fire regime, deterioration of Interior Cedar-Hemlock Zone in the North Columbia Mountains. forage conditions resulting from excessive livestock grazing, and The comparison of these two sites will indicate whether the study increased competition, predation, or parasitism on native species results can be generalized. by introduced exotics. Many important issues both in biological conservation and forest management occur at the landscape level. To address some of the relevant landscape questions, we need to investigate different temporal and spatial scales, as well as different biological levels. The Carlos Galindo-Lealis the project manager and principal investigator Beaverfoot and Revelstoke projects provide an excellent opportu­ of the Beaverfoot and Revelstoke projects, and a forestry research nity to integrate different approaches to examining the conse­ associate at the University of British Columbia. For further information, quences of human-induced landscape changes on the maintenance please call (604) 822 -0503. of biodiversity.

REFERENCES CITED

Andren, H., and P. Angelstam. 1988. Reese K. P. andJ.T. Ratti. 1988. Elevated predation rates as an edge effect in habitat islands: experimental Edge effect: a concept under scrutiny. Trans. North American Wildlife evidence. Ecology 69: 544-547. Natural Resource Conference. 53: 127-136.

Temple, S.A. 1991. Angelstam, P.K. 1992. The role of dispersal in the maintenance of bird populations in a frag­ Conservation of communities: The importance of edges, surroundings and mented landscape. Acta XX Cong. Int. Ornithologici. N.Z 2298-2305. landscape mosaic structure. Pp. 9-70. In: Ecological Principles or Nature Conservation (L. Hansson, ed). Elsevier Applied Science, London and Yahner, R.H. 1988. New York. Changes in wildlife communities near edges. Cons. Biology. 2: 333-339.

(fSb Stewardship essays inspire and provoke

Sacred Trusts: Essays on lished essays into a new and expanded col­ Stewardship and Responsibility lection, A Sand County Almanac and Sketches edited by Michael Katakis Here and There. That book of reflections on American wilderness was widely read and reviewed by John Mcintosh adopted by the generation who study and manage wilderness in North America to­ I ordered Sacred Trusts: Essays on Stew­ day. The success of Leopold's almanac lay ardship and Responsibility sight-unseen, ex­ in his ability to meld field observation with pecting to see a collection of scholarly essays land ethic in an eloquent and readable on the definition and application of the fashion. concept of stewardship; a technically inter­ In Sacred Trusts, editor Michael Katakis esting and perhaps useful book from which has gathered a collection of essays by 30 I could quote new buzzwords. Instead, I contributors, including himself, in an at­ found a compilation of essays—by every­ tempt to inspire the reader with the impor­ one from Alston Chase (Playing God in tance of stewardship. His intent, as ex­ Yellowstone) to Yvon Chouinard—that of­ plained in the introduction, is not unlike fers personal observations and reflections Leopold's, but the method is somewhat about wilderness and a strong challenge to different; not only because of the multiple the reader to take responsibility to care for, authorship, but because of the variety of and about, nature and wilderness. This approaches amongst the essays. There are tive of a fly fisher, reminiscent of Norman diversity makes the book all the more valu­ numerous personal reflections that harken Maclean's A River Runs Through It. able in reminding us of the social element of back to Leopold's own style, but there are Sacred Trusts is one of those books that ecosystem management. fictional stories as well, which muse about you can pick up and open at random. There It has been 44 years since Aldo Leopold possible outcomes, some of them dire. A is no need to read the selections consecu­ compiled a number of his previously pub­ number of the essays are from the perspec- tively; each has its own, slightly different message, and the reader will probably end up selecting from the collection those au­ thors and writing styles that hold the most personal appeal. Some pieces are a bit too Greening the Canada Games stridently dogmatic to be credible, however heartfelt the motivation, but the majority Casey Morrow still respecting the fragility of the environ­ of essays have the quiet, sincere appeal that ment," said Clecme Todgham, the driv­ has led me to read and re-read Leopold's February 19, 1995 marks the opening ing force behind Parks Canada's involve­ work over the years. I recommend Sacred of the 1995 Canada Winter Games, which ment in the games. Trusts to you not as an ecosystem scientist, will be held in both Grande Prairie, AB., The staging of the games in Jasper has but as a person genuinely concerned about and Jasper National Park. offered a window of opportunity for the the well-being of the natural environment. Parks Canada, a sister organizadon of staff and management of the park to show It is largely both thought-provoking and the organizer of the games, Sport Canada, the rest of the country their commitment inspirational. has developed a plan that is to environmental stewardship. quickly becoming known as Although the programme has John Mcintosh is an ecosystem management the "greening of the games" just passed the "terms of specialist at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. and earning the event the reference" stage, it is al­ For further information, please call (604) name Green Games. ready counted as one of 726-7721. The Green Games the major contribu­ are not a special com­ tors to the games' or­ Michael Katakis, editor of Sacred Trusts, is petition for highly ganization. Right the author of The Vietnam Veterans' skilled environmen­ now, organizers are re- Memorial. Sacred Trusts: Essays on talists, but a plan that searching various Stewardship and Responsibility is published outlines the objecdves "green" methods and by Mercury House, San Francisco (1993). Jasper has set for the or­ guides that will be used ganizers and participants of as reference materials by fa­ the 1995 Canada Winter Games. cility coordinators. The main goal of the programme is to The ultimate goal is to develop a way of ensure the games are the most environ­ thinking that will be continued after the mentally friendly games held in Canada medals have been won. LITTLE GEM... to date. "The tone was set by the organizers of Casey Morrow is a COSEP student at Jasper National Park's waste disposal sys­ the Lillihammer Olympics, when they Jasper National Park. For further tem is among the cleanest in the country; committed themselves to conducting a information, please call CUone Todgham at perhaps even the world. It has been used as major cultural and spordng event while (604) 852-6142. a model as far away as Hong Kong. M> PODIUM Carnivore conservation a crucial issue

David Poll Aldo Leopold wrote in his essay "Thinking the northwestern U.S. are one of five CCAs Like a Mountain" that "only the mountain proposed in the WWF strategy. The foot­ Space is air for the great beasts who roam the has lived long enough to listen objectively hills and mountain valleys of the Rockies earth. Now is their final breath. to the howl of the wolf." He reminds us that have become the easternmost ranges of many - John Weaver certain meanings are hidden from us be­ large carnivores that formerly ranged over Montana Wolf Researcher cause we are human, including "the mean­ most of North America. The proposed area ing in the howl of the wolf, long known stretches along the Rocky Mountain It has been a history of conflict. From the among mountains, but seldom perceived Cordillera from the Willmore Wilderness earliest time, our relationship with other among men." We cannot judge carnivores in the north to Yellowstone National Park predatory species has been competitive, until by human standards and values; we must in the south. Within this area, there is a today, we find ourselves contemplating the respect them on their own terms. large protected core composed of national potential extinction of many large carni­ How then do we assure the perpetuation and provincial parks, wilderness areas and vore species. In Canada, many large carni­ of large carnivore populations in Canada, special management zones; however, these vore species—e.g. grizzly bear, wolf, and in view of ever-threatened habitat and con­ areas still are not large enough to ensure the cougar—occupy only a fraction of their tinuing hostile public perception? World survival of these species. Pressures from historic ranges, while others — such as the Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF) released "A human activity are increasing on both sides black bear, polar bear and wolverine— con­ Conservation Strategy for Large Carnivores of the Continental Divide and effective tinue to occupy much of their original in Canada" in 1990 that addresses a portion conservation of large carnivores must be range, but-at reduced densities. All are of this question. WWF proposes the estab­ accomplished over a larger area. under mounting pressure from human- lishment of Carnivore Conservation Areas We must act to protect these species and caused mortality and habitat loss. (CCA)—areas that are sufficiently large the natural systems they represent while the Why conserve large carnivores? There are and adequately managed to ensure long- opportunity still exists. This means deliber­ a myriad of reasons, ecological and other­ term survival of free-ranging large carni­ ate and considered cooperative action by all wise. At an aesthetic level, large carnivores vore populations. The CCAs are envisioned levels of government, conservation groups, have come to symbolize, for many people, as inter-agency cooperative management academics, industry, and concerned citi­ the continued existence of wilderness. To zones where resource management and zens. It also means a shedding of the age-old many Canadians, the decline of large carni­ land use planning objectives include carni­ view of the carnivore as a hostile, threaten­ vores is an erosion of wilderness values that vore conservation. These zones would usu­ ing enemy and a recognition of its crucial are part of our heritage and identity. Unfor­ ally include existing protected core areas and intristic role in ecosystems. tunately, the opposing view—the image of (national and provincial parks and wilder­ any large carnivore as a hostile, ferocious ness areas) and areas of integrated resource David Poll is a wildlife specialist at the predator that poses a threat to public safety management. Alberta Regional Office. For further and livelihood—is still prevalent. This per­ The Rocky Mountains of Canada and information, please call (403) 292-4691. sisting adverserial view will be the greatest hurdle to overcome if we are to be successful in conserving large carnivores. REPORTS: FOCUS ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC RESEARCH At an ecological level, carnivores are an important indicator of the health of ecosys­ Anderson, J. andS. Furness. 1994. Lauzon, Paul. 1993. tems. A widely held view in the conserva­ Campground Operational Review. 1993 Columbia Icefields Parkways tion biology community is that a healthy Visitor Survey. top predator population is an indication of Angus Reidand Associates. 1993. the overall integrity of the system. Preda­ Canadian Attitudes Towards Canada's Stronge, M. and B. Roessel. 1994. tors tend to require large, relatively undis­ National Parks. Mount Edith Cavell Visitor Survey and turbed home ranges; a rule of thumb is that Investment Analysis. if their requirements are met, everything Furness, S. 1993. else in the system will be accommodated Hotsprings Visitor Survey Results. Vakse.J., M. Donnelly and R. Doctor. 1993. (this, of course, is a simplistic view and will Social Carrying Capacity of Columbia not apply in all cases). And, while conserv­ Hegmann, S. 1993. Icefields Day Use Area. ing species is essential for maintenance of West Coast Trail Fee Feasibility Study. biodiversity, so is the perpetuation of natu­ Whining P. G. et al. 1994. ral processes—like the little-understood Intelligent Marketing Systems. 1994. Economic Impact of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve. predator/prey system. Consumer Choice Model for Four Mountain National Park Campgrounds. Notwithstanding their crucial role in maintaining natural systems or their im­ Jamal, M. and M. Cameron. 1994. For further information, full bibliographic cita­ portance as indicators of wilderness, carni­ Park Use Visitor Statistics 1990-1994. tions, or copies of these reports, please contact vores have an intrinsic value and a right to Dave De Lange, chief of the Strategic Research survive for their own sake, independent of Pham, A. 1993. and Analysis Division, Alberta Regional Office, at their importance or usefulness to humans. Campground Performance Measurement. (403) 292-4743. n MEETINGS OF INTEREST

September 18-23, 1994 — Habitat 2000. Edmonton, AB. Contact Bruce Duncan, Planning and Development, City of Edmonton, 3rd Floor, 10310 - 102nd Avenue, Edmonton, AB. T5J 2V9. Tel: (403) 421-1944, fax: (403) 428-4742.

September 21-23, 1994 — Fourth Symposium on Groundwater and Soil Remediation. Calgary, AB. Contact Lise Gagne, Technical Seminar Coordinator, Technology Development Directorate, Environment Protection Service. Tel: (819) 953- 5227, fax:(819)953-7253.

September 22-23, 1994 — Getting to Know You. Waterton, AB. Hosted by Waterton Lakes National Park and Alberta Parks Services, this meeting's purpose is to seek opportunities for more effective and efficient sharing of information and pooling of efforts in the Alberta portion of Crown of the Continent. Contact Kevin Van Tighem at (403) 859-5125.

September 25-28, 1994 — Boreal Forests and Global Change. Saskatoon, SK. This conference is hosted by the International Boreal Forest Research Association. Contact Mary-Louise Wright, IBFRA Secretariat, 5320 - 122nd Street, Edmonton, AB. T6H 3S5. Tel: (403) 435-7312, fax: (403) 435-7221, e-mail: [email protected]

October 2—5, 1994 — Fire Management in the Wildlife/Urban Interface. Kananaskis, AB. The theme of this symposium is "Partners in Protection: Sharing Solutions." Contact Partners in Protection, Box 7541, Edmonton, AB., T5E 6K1 regarding registration, and Kelvin Hirsch at tel: (403) 435-7319 or fax: (403) 435-7359 regarding submissions.

October 14, 1994 — Preserving Our Lifeline: A Report On the State of the Bow River. Calgary, AB. Presented by the Bow River Water Quality Council. Contact Chris Campbell, tel: (403) 297-6476, fax: (403) 297-5944.

October 31,1994 — Update on Waste Energy and Management in Alpine Settings. Calgary, AB. Sponsored by the University of Calgary Faculty of Environment Design and the Alpine Club of Canada, this meeting will focus on new and exciting developments since the 1991 conference. Contact Dixon Thompson at (403) 220-3625.

November 10-13, 1994 — Chacmool Archaeology Conference. Calgary, AB. The theme of the conference is "Ancient Travellers." Contact Bill Perry at (403) 221-7989.

February 23-26 — Fourth Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Workshop. Lethbridge, AB. The workshop's theme is "Sharing the Prairies: Sustainable Use of A Vulnerable Landscape." Contact the Institute for Renewable Resource Management, Lethbridge Community College, 3000 College Drive South, Lethbridge, AB. T1K 1L6.

April 17-21, 1995 — Eighth Conference on Research and Resource Management in Parks and on Public Lands. Portland, OR. This year's topic is "Sustainable Society and Public Areas: Challenges and Issues for the Perpetuation of Cultural and Natural Resources." The society is seeking papers and posters for presentation. Contact the George Wright Society, P.O. Box 65, Hannock, MI. 49930-0065, U.S.A. Tel: (906) 487-9722, fax: (906) 487-9405.

June 15-19, 1995 — American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, American Elasmobranch Society, and Herpetologists League. Edmonton, AB. The conference will include symposia and presentations of papers. Contact Joseph S. Nelson or Mark V. H. Wilson, Department of Biological Sciences, the University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. T6G 2E9, fax: (403) 492-9234.

Editorial Board: Bernie Lieff - Chief, Ecosystem Management Services, Calgary Regional Office Graham MacDonald - Project Historian, Historical Services, Calgary Regional Office Kevin Van Tighem - Ecosystem Management Specialist, Waterton Lakes National Park External Academic Advisor to be announced Production Team: Marzena Czarnecki - Issue Editor Rob Storeshaw - Artistic Advisor Margaret Zielinski - Graphic Artist Editor: Patricia Benson, Editor; Parks Canada #520, 220-4Ave. S.E., P.O. Box 2989, Station M, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3H8 Internet address: ResearchLinktaPKSWRO.DOTS.DOE.CA

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