e p a r t m e n t s D WLA April 2009 • Vol. 17,No. 2 29 Elmer was of the strong opinion that Elmer was of the strong He was not so popular with the on the AFGA He represented the The struggle for better protection were better ways to use their money. use their money. were better ways to to have AFGA the the time had come for a wider and more conservation-minded environment of outlook at the whole lands and to take a the remaining wild their inherent major role in preserving their value to values, rather than just This view produce game for hunting. received considerable opposition but was gradually accepted by other members Association’s and certainly increased the respect among conservation organizations That Elmer was always AWA. such as willing to work with others for a cause he felt was important was clear when he worked alongside the Federation of Naturalists in routing pipelines away from vulnerable prairie areas and agreed with the Canadian Parks and to keep the efforts Society’s Wilderness winter Olympics out of our National Parks. ranching community when he opposed grazing in much of Cypress Hills The pictures he took on Provincial Park. opposite sides of the fence dividing the parkland from the grazing lease helped to convince the decision makers to agree with him. Renewable Resources Committee of the Advisory Committee (PAC) Public ECA at the time the original Eastern Slopes Policy was being written. Its main aims were protecting watersheds and ruling where recreational activities, including hunting and fishing, were appropriate and where protection of wildlife habitat should be given precedence. Public Alberta hearings were held throughout and Elmer attended every one of them, contributing greatly to the resulting recommendations that led to a generally was good policy – which, unfortunately, altered and considerably weakened years later. of the beautiful and biodiversity-rich Eastern Slopes continues, but we In the early 1970s, when public Elmer Kure at the inauguration of the Elmer Kure Ranch west of Brooks. Antelope Creek nature grew as they explored. Over the nature grew as they explored. Over the years he became a strong voice for those hunters, naturalists and environmentalists who believed that if you wished to use, enjoy and learn about nature, you had to accept the responsibility to work to preserve it and that included supporting the establishment of areas where all wildlife was protected. awareness of conservation was growing the first Ministry Alberta established and of the Environment and the semi- autonomous Environment Conservation Authority (ECA), there were so many issues needing work, public hearings to attend and proposed policies to discuss, asked AFGA that the President of the Association’s Elmer to become the In 1973 he handed Executive Director. the farm on to his son and took the job full time - but, at his insistence, at half he thought there salary because, typically, d l i series featuring interviews with Albertans who had the opportunity of living had the opportunity Albertans who interviews with series featuring Advocate Lands Wild W t h e f o ll e c a and working in Alberta’s backcountry when it was still largely wilderness. Writers will interview those who have known and those who have will interview wilderness. Writers still largely when it was backcountry Alberta’s in and working lives. their colourful and stories from decades, bringing you singular perspectives Alberta for many loved wild This is the second of a new This is the R He lost this first foray into land Elmer sometimes shot hares or Young Alberta Fish & Game The was his ‘speaking out’ However, He delighted in being out in wild

Elmer Kure grew up on a farm in Spruce Elmer Kure grew up a road leading east of Innisfail on View From his father he to the Eastern Slopes. of good farming learned that the basis earth by practices is stewardship of the when such as crop rotation. However, they bought some new land to add to the his farm they had a disagreement because father wanted to follow the usual practice of clearing the land of all natural features on the to gain more land for crops. Elmer, other hand, wanted to leave a wooded area and small wetland untouched. conservation and protection of wildlife habitat but went on to win many more. grouse for the pot and he earned money by shooting ground squirrels for a local fox farm. He was paid by the squirrel and had to buy his own ammunition so every miss was money out of his pocket. He soon became an accurate shot and ‘don’t remained his fire unless you are sure’ hunting ethic. Association, to which Elmer belonged, usually elected as President the member for Vice-President who had served as a four years but in 1958 they decided they needed someone who was prepared to be politically active and speak out on their who has wisely chose Elmer, They behalf. on many ‘speaking out’ been effectively hunting and conservation issues ever since. always done with courtesy and respect able to so he was for other points of view, be on friendly terms with politicians such as and and his understanding of politicians and the political system has stood him in good stead ever since. areas of the Province with his hunting buddies and his joy in, and respect for, Elmer Kure – the Man Who Never Who Never – the Man Kure Elmer Gave Up on Conservation Dickson By Dorothy

- Christyann Olson Elmer’s advice to those who want to advice to those who Elmer’s When it was for sale and the government the government sale and it was for When and price Elmer the asking not pay would He money. about raising the a friend set they $450,000 – no wonder alone raised at the a gold-coloured shovel gave him inauguration. that will improve bring about changes is to start protection of the environment listen to other at the community level, when possible. opinions and be flexible must be But if you decide something say “No” and opposed, stand up and no for however mean it. Keep saying back down or just long it takes, never on which The many committees give up. serve attest to the Elmer was asked to is held by fellow respect in which he conservationists and hunters and the awards he won reflect their gratitude for his achievements. His continuing dedication inspires us to follow his advice and never give up. there, helping set-up, serving coffee, there, helping set-up, serving coffee, and generally doing whatever was As the required with quiet stealth! would spend part Will years passed, of each year here in and have many We the rest in Montana. Just as I was Will. fond memories of expecting an email from him this spring, saying he would be back in Calgary soon, instead came the sad a news that he had passed away, and in Will miss We victim of cancer. his honour and to celebrate his spirit and penchant for volunteering and giving of himself, we have instituted Climb and an award at this year’s The in his name. Wilderness Run for Award Farrington Memorial Will for the outstanding volunteer will be presented for the first time on April 18, 2009. s One of his pet projects which still One of his pet projects Will Farrington appeared on the Farrington Will street in front of our Calgary office one spring day a few years ago great A his services. and offered helped us with any Will volunteer, A project we asked him to be part of. graphic designer by trade, he helped formulate concepts and designs for Resource Wilderness Alberta the Centre and was an important part of the team that pulled together ideas and sought out funding and resources His to make our centre a reality. cheerful smile was found in any number of places. He was a singer with choirs and groups at both the Unitarian and Hillhurst United church often encountered We congregation. AWA When each other at events. needed help with the Climb and would be Will Wilderness, Run for fuelled his strong opposition to game to game opposition his strong fuelled not was such opposition That farming. regrets is one of his greatest successful before it was not long and, of course, from spreading of disease the predicted animals was operations to wild confined useless slaughter of The proved correct. eastern border to Alberta’s ungulates on Wasting of Chronic try to stop the spread been stopped Disease has only recently groups are and other AFGA and the on the provincial increasing pressure the remaining game government to close disease spreads farms before the brain Elmer firmly believes that further. should never be wildlife, alive or dead, for sale. brings a big smile of satisfaction to his Antelope face was the preservation of the Creek Ranch to show how things could be and should be done in a way that natural values as well sustains the land’s as its economic and recreational ones. v e n t on & E s arringt e w F N i a m r e m o M o c i a t i o n n ss I Feb. 4, 2009 at the age of 76 years William Ernest A is interest in farming encouraged in farming encouraged His interest When hunting bison in the Slave still have the three strongly protected protected strongly the three still have Elmer fought for which Areas Wilderness of – one of the achievements so hard or which we is most proud and for which he to him. are very grateful proposal to site the PAC him to support rather than drilling rigs in the corners, sections and he the middle of quarter now fighting encourages the landowners he However, over power line routes. those current is not comfortable with at producing farming practices aimed acre. He thinks the more and more per soils so much that cost of depleting the use of chemical they need increased use of pesticides, fertilizers and the heavy pay and will is too big a price to eventually do more harm than good. River lowlands in 1960, Elmer diagnosed anthrax in the herd and alerted the government. From that grew his interest in wildlife diseases which

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