CANADIAN A publication of • Spring 2006

A Canada’sPark foronly true South desert needs Okanagan? true protection

Inside: North American Bird Ambassadors Great Canadian Canoe Quest Capture the Wild Photo Contest New in the CPAWS Henderson Book Series

For over 30 years, CPAWS has to make this part of the world such partnered with authors writing about an inspiration to countless artists, parks and wilderness to bring read- writers, poets and adventurers. The ers the CPAWS Henderson Book North, Struzik reminds the reader, is Series. We’re pleased to announce not so much a place as it is a state the newest book in the series: Ten of mind––a landscape that is an in- Rivers: Adventure Stories From the triguing mix of myth and reality, Arctic. science and neo-science, truth and error. Award-winning writer Ed Struzik takes the reader on a journey down Ten Rivers Run Through It is pub- 10 rivers in the Canadian North. lished by Canwest books (www. Along the way, he describes the canada.com/cwb/ ), and is available people, the landscapes, the wild- from booksellers across Canada. life and the history that continues Canadian Wilderness Spring 2006

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society National Office 506-250 City Centre Avenue Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7 Telephone: 613.569.7226 Facsimile 613.569.7098 Email: [email protected] Web: www.cpaws.org

Foundation for Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Board of Trustees Steven Sims H. Michael Burns Robin Korthals Harvey Locke

Trustees Emeritus Phil Dearden Gordon Nelson Al Davidson Bob Peart Wendy Francis

National Trustees Stephanie Cairns (President) Susan Ellis In this issue: Mary Granskou David Thomson Joshua Wolfe Justina Ray Letter from the President 3 Wayne Sawchuk Cathy Shier CPAWS at work across Canada 5 David Wright Evan Sorestad Postcards from Jay’s Great Canadian Canoe Quest 8 Leslie Wakelyn Judith Cabrita Nahanni update 9 Julie Huntington Jay Morrison Capture the Wild photo contest 10 David Lang Steven Sims Sherri Watson Boreal birds 12 Jill Pangman Julie Singleton Banff: 10 years of success and frustration 14 Peter Zimmerman BC’s Okanagan: Canada’s living desert 16 Editorial Team Saving a Canadian icon from extinction 18 Ellen Adelberg: Director of Communications Sue Novotny: Editing and design The Ontario Parks Act of our dreams? 19 Jill Sturdy: National Outreach Coordinator

Canadian Wilderness is published twice per year by CPAWS (charity #10686 5272 RR0001). Send comments and suggestions to [email protected]. On the cover: The burrowing owl has nearly disappeared from BC’s Okanagan Valley. A © 2006. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any national park protecting its unusual habitat could bring the owl back from the brink of form without express permission in writing local extinction. Find out what CPAWS is doing on page 16. Photo by Wilf Schurig. from CPAWS. Above: “Dawn at Bow Lake”, Banff National Park, AB. This photo by Peter Dettling is a past winner in CPAWS ’s Capture the Wild photo contest. For a sample of this year’s winners, see pages 10 and 11. CPAWS welcomes major partner Notice of CPAWS’ 2006 AGM Mountain Equipment Co-op will October 21, 3:30 PM be working together even more in Delta Bow Valley coming years to advance conserva- Calgary, tion of Canada’s publicly-owned Canada’s largest retail co-operative, You are invited to attend wilderness lands and waters. CPAWS’ 2006 Annual Gen- and premier provider of quality eral Meeting. Meet CPAWS staff and board, including products and services for self-pro- Both MEC and CPAWS are dedi- the nominees for the Na- pelled outdoor recreation, is now cated to a vision for the protection tional Board of Trustees. a more important CPAWS’ partner of Canada’s public wilderness lands than ever. Trustee nominees include: and waters that can serve as a model Peter Zimmerman for the world, and set a new and in- Sherri Watson Mary Granskou Building on our recent joint efforts spiring standard for some of the last to promote wilderness conservation remaining wilderness landscapes on Please visit www.cpaws. through events including the 2003 the planet. org/agm/ for further meet- Boreal Rendezvous canoe trips, the ing details, future nomi- nees, and nominee biogra- 2004 True North Wild and Free Stay tuned for details about our phies. speaking tour, and 2005-06’s Na- partnership work in coming issues hanni Forever tour, CPAWS and of Canadian Wilderness.

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Page  • Canadian Wilderness • Spring 2006 www.cpaws.org Jacques replaces Timothy Feher, whom we thank for his hard work during his two year tenure. In col- laboration with our national trustees and chapters, Timothy developed a growth strategy that has created genuine excitement in CPAWS and with our conservation partners.

Several other talented staff have re- cently joined the CPAWS team. Gil-

Nahanni National Park Reserve, photo by Harvey Locke Harvey photo by Reserve, Nahanni National Park lian McEachern became National Conservation Manager in Novem- Message from the President ber, focusing on our Boreal Pro- Spring marks a time of growth gram. Donna Baxter has more re- and renewal in nature, and within • Creating a network of cently joined as Director of Finance CPAWS too. In keeping with this protected mountain eco- and Administration, and Emily spirit, and after extensive internal systems from the Yukon Smith as Interim Office Manager. review, we’ve adopted a bold con- down to Yellowstone Park. servation vision to guide our next Last November, we bid farewell to decade of work. Our goal is that • Creating wilderness corridors Tim Gray who left CPAWS after Canada will set a new global stan- from Ontario’s Algonquin 15 years of service, most recently as dard for the health of the planet by Park to New York State’s our National Conservation Direc- protecting at least half of our re- Adirondacks and within tor. Tim made an invaluable contri- maining wilderness, and managing the eastern Appalachians. bution to CPAWS, in recent years development for the highest level of leading the development of our Bo- sustainability in remaining areas. • Protecting Canada’s coastal real program and new conservation marine ecosystems and vision. Building on our 45 years of experi- large freshwater lakes. ence, our priorities are: Finally, Finance Manager Don Da- The CPAWS staff family is also re- vidson has departed, leaving behind • Ensuring that all of Cana- newing itself. This spring we were a tremendously improved account- da’s parks and protected delighted to welcome Jacques ing and financial management infra- area networks are well man- Gérin as Interim Executive Direc- structure. aged for future generations. tor. Jacques is one of Canada’s most respected environmental leaders and On behalf of the Board, my sincere • Protecting at least 50% of has worked closely with CPAWS in thank you to departed staff, and wel- the Boreal region, home the past as Chair of the Panel on come to new! to some of the largest re- Ecological Integrity of Canada’s maining forests on earth. National Parks. Stephanie Cairns

www.cpaws.org Spring 2006 • Canadian Wilderness • Page  “Ode to the World” by Joyce Majiski, from Yukon’s Three Rivers art exhibit. Photo by Cathy Archbould/CPAWS CPAWS at work across Canada Yukon British Columbia

CPAWS-Yukon’s Juri Peepre is bined with video clips featuring the CPAWS-BC has long supported the touring with the Three Rivers mul- people and music of the journeys. 1972 moratorium on north-south timedia show, book and art exhibit. Public comments focused on the oil tanker traffic through the fragile The show visited eight communities emotional impact, beauty, diversity coastal waters of BC. The coastal in British Columbia’s interior this and symbolism of the exhibition. waters are again at risk due to a pro- winter. CPAWS-Yukon thanks the Kelowna posed crude-oil pipeline from Al- Art Gallery, CPAWS-BC, Kam- berta to B.C.’s northern coast. Be- The Three Rivers: wild waters, sa- lops Naturalists, North, Central and sides cutting a 40-metre wide swath cred places art exhibition was at the through 1150 kilometres of northern Kelowna Art Gallery until early ecosystems, causing habitat loss, April, and re-opens at the Art Gal- disrupting wildlife movement, and lery of Peterborough, Ontario, on fragmenting protected areas, the May 26th, with a multi-media pre- Enbridge Inc. project would involve sentation scheduled at the gallery construction of a marine terminal for May 24th. The book, Three Riv- for huge oil tankers in Kitimat. ers: the Yukon’s Great Boreal Wil- derness (Harbour Publishing, 2005) If the moratorium is lifted, Enbridge will be available at the Three Rivers plans to send six or seven tankers of show. You can also purchase it on- South Okanagan Naturalists, Wild- oil from Kitimat each month. Three line at cpawsyukon.org/store. sight, and Bulkley Valley Natural- quarters of British Columbians sup- ists for co-hosting the BC interior port the moratorium. Find out how More than 300 participants at the events. you can help keep our straits oil- Kelowna show responded enthusi- free at www.cpawsbc.org. astically to the Three Rivers story, Watch for a national roll-out of the commenting on the stunning land- Three Rivers tour later this year. scape and wildlife imagery, com-

Page  • Canadian Wilderness • Spring 2006 www.cpaws.org Newfoundland QUEBEC New Brunswick

CPAWS-NB is hosting CPAWS Newfoundland has recently Over 12,000 people marched in the free “ initiated three conservation projects: streets of Montreal on Earth Day in Day” events in several the Protected Areas Steward Pro- April for the largest environmental New Brunswick Protected gram, an Economic Impact Study protest in Québec’s history. This Natural Areas this spring of Butter Pot Provincial Park and massive demonstration was sparked to help spread an envi- the Marine Protected Areas Edu- by a government plan to sell 11 % ronmentally-respectful cation Campaign. of Mont Orford Park to private in- recreation message. At terests. each event there will be a chance to meet local advi- The Chapter is also very active as an sory committee members advocate, as recently demonstrated The land to be sold is currently un- and CPAWS staff, view dis- in the NAP “Wake Up” Letter Cam- der lease as a ski centre and a golf plays, participate in guided paign to convince the Provincial club. In addition, developers would hikes, prize draws and pic- Government to release the long- like to build over 1,000 housing nics. CPAWS is partnering awaited natural areas plan (provin- units at the base of the mountain. with the NB Department cial protected areas strategy). of Natural Resources and Mont Orford Park was created in three protected area local advisory committees for A new chapter Board of Directors 1938 with land donated to the Qué- the following events: was elected in January 2006 and it bec government under the condi- consists of an exciting mix of youth tion that it be protected forever. The Saturday, June 3 and experience. In 2006, the Chap- Québec Parks Act’s primary objec- Jacquet River Gorge ter will be working with local resi- tive is permanent protection of land, Protected Area Day dents and marine experts to identify prohibiting any sale. The Québec special coastal and marine areas. government has introduced spe- Saturday, June 17 cial legislation to override the Act. Grand Lake CPAWS fears that this breach in Protected Area Day the Parks Act could set a dangerous precedent, jeopardizing the integrity These events are part of of Québec’s parks network. CPAWS-NB’s Parkwatch program, aimed at encour- aging responsible use of SNAP (CPAWS) Montreal has the province’s parks and joined with other groups in Québec protected areas. to form SOS Orford, a mass coali- tion fighting to safeguard the park. For more information, or to sign up to attend, please Over 12,000 people joined SNAP contact CPAWS NB at 506- 452-9902, or visit our site (CPAWS) Montreal in protesting the at www.cpawsnb.org. sale of a portion of Mont Orford Park. Image: SOSparcorford.org

www.cpaws.org Spring 2006 • Canadian Wilderness • Page  Saskatchewan

The North Central region of North- ern Saskatchewan, encompassing the majestic Churchill River, has been the focus of a land use plan- ning process for about five years. CPAWS SK has participated in this land use planning process since the beginning.

MAnitoba Northwest Territories Today, the process is almost com- plete and the government is prepar- CPAWS Manitoba has hired Ron CPAWS-NWT continues to work to- ing to approve the plan. However, Thiessen as its new Executive wards a “conservation-first” vision CPAWS, along with many other Director. Formerly director of the for the North by moving a network participants in the planning process, Western Canada Wilderness Com- of sites towards permanent protec- are trying to convince the province mittee’s Manitoba office, Ron has tion in the Mackenzie Valley and to improve the plan because they extensive experience working with Mackenzie Mountains. This bal- fear it fails to provide the protection Aboriginal communities, industry, anced approach to land use calls for for the long-term health of the re- government and the public to pro- the protection of culturally and eco- gion. tect wilderness areas. logically important sites ahead of large scale industrial development. Research shows that the Churchill Hot off the presses, the chapter has River is ecologically sensitive and just released the Big Wild – East Activities for this summer and fall easily damaged, yet the land use Side Lake Winnipeg educational include: making the case for full plan does not provide for its protec- report and postcard. The materials watershed protection at the public tion. Instead, the Churchill has been make the case for creating a large, consultations on the final boundar- zoned for “sensitive management” - interconnected protected areas net- ies for the Nahanni National Park leaving this watershed wide open to work and economically sustainable Reserve expansion; emphasizing industrial logging and mining. communities in the over 8 million the importance of a network of in- hectares of intact boreal forest on terconnected protected areas at the The chapter has commissioned an Manitoba’s east side. Joint Review Panel hearings for the expert review of the government Mackenzie Gas Project; and cel- plan and will be releasing research In addition, CPAWS Manitoba is ebrating the 10th anniversary of it completed with the local com- ramping up efforts to work with the NWT chapter. There will be munity. Please visit www.cpaws. First Nations and governments to opportunities for members and sup- org/action/churchill.php to learn establish the Manitoba Lowlands porters to get involved in our work more and send a letter in support of National Park. and celebrations. Check our website Churchill protection! for updates: www.cpawsnwt.org .

Page  • Canadian Wilderness • Spring 2006 www.cpaws.org Ottawa Valley Woodland Caribou Image: Wayne Sawchuk It’s been nearly 40 years since CPAWS Ottawa Valley (OV) was founded out of concern for the fu- ture of Gatineau Park, the Nation- al Capital Region’s largest and most popular nature retreat.

The chapter is pressing for strength- ened regulation and management for the park, including greater in- vestment in conservation science, monitoring and enforcement.

At over 350 km2, Gatineau is one of the largest parks near a major city in Canada. While rich in bio- diversity, the park is at a growing risk of ecological degradation from development pressure and the im- pact of 1.7 million visitors per year edmonton (expected to rise to two million by 2020). Gatineau Park’s user density The Little Smoky woodland cari- continues to log in caribou range. is about eight times that of Banff bou herd is one of the most en- Rather than dealing with the habitat National Park, and about 20 times dangered in Alberta. Industrial ac- issue, the government has decided that of Algonquin Provincial Park. tivities in their range have led to a to introduce a wolf kill. This is con- serious loss of suitable habitat that trary to recovery team recommen- CPAWS Ottawa Valley is working is threatening the very existence of dations that such actions will only to ensure that Gatineau is perma- this herd. be effective if habitat needs are also nently protected from incompatible being addressed. development, and well-managed for The provincial government is mov- nature and high quality nature expe- ing very slowly on the caribou is- CPAWS Edmonton is working to put riences. sue. The new Alberta Caribou Com- pressure on government and indus- mittee has had a few meetings, and try by keeping the public informed, Look for a “state of the park” report finally is setting up a Range Team and helping them to communicate from CPAWS-OV in late 2006! for West Central Alberta where the their opinions to Alberta’s govern- Little Smoky herd resides. Howev- ment. Over 2500 letters have been er, more petroleum leases have been sent requesting habitat protection sold for this area, and West Fraser and planning for Alberta’s caribou.

www.cpaws.org Spring 2006 • Canadian Wilderness • Page  POSTCARDS FROM JAY’S Quest anadian Canoe Great C Follow CPAWS’ Jay Morrison on his unprec- edented quest to paddle and portage solo 8,000 km across Canada in one season as a per- sonal challenge, and to support CPAWS’ Boreal program.

Jay is blogging about his experiences daily as he travels from the Atlantic Photo: Kelly Peskett to Arctic oceans through April 9: Launch day, Les Escoumins Canada’s majestic Bo- real forest. “The coast is extremely rugged and pretty with pink granite outcroppings and the shallows are littered with boulders that were probably dropped by Read Jay’s blog at glaciers 10,000 years ago. I saw two seals and later, my first beluga... a cpaws.org! good omen.”

April 13: News conference, Quebec City

“Things continue to go well. Today CPAWS Montreal held a press conference to promote the Du- moine River campaign. The timing could not have been better to take a day off the river as the forecast was rain with 70 - 90 km/hr wind gusts, in the face of course... So I was glad not to have to play the intrepid explorer today.” Photo: Derek Hill

P.S. - All contributions to honour Jay’s voyage directly support CPAWS. You can contribute online at www. Page  • Canadian Wilderness • Spring 2cpaws.org,006 or by phone at 1-800-333-WILD. www.cpaws.org “ The future of this country is go- ing North, and it is time for a new oe Quest Northern Vision, one of sustain- dian Can able development that preserves Cana the Arctic wilderness, protects reat wildlife and sustains a way of life G for our indigenous peoples.” True North Wild and Free? Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, By Alison Woodley Former Prime Minister of Canada

The next six months are critical to and are close to completion in some the future of wilderness and wildlife areas, such as the Dehcho Region. Nahanni: Jewel of the North in a large part of Canada’s North – Completing and approving these the Mackenzie Valley in the North- plans before making industry allo- Last fall, CPAWS and our spe- west Territories (NWT). With the cations, would help all sides avoid cial guests toured Canada with an 18 city Nahanni Forever biggest oil and gas and mineral ex- conflict and court battles in the fu- tour, highlighting the conser- ploration rush in Canadian history ture. vation opportunity in the Na- underway, community-based work hanni, and the threats posed to protect important ecological and Second, areas that have been identi- by mining proposals. Attend- ed by over 3,500 people, the cultural lands is at risk of being left fied by communities for protection tour highlighted the incredible in the dust by the economic boom. must be respected and set aside be- passion that this magnificent fore industry allocations are made. northern wilderness gener- Conflict over land use in the Terri- The expansion of Nahanni National ates among Canadians from all across the country. tory is growing, as industrial explo- Park Reserve and the protection

ration permits are issued in some of of Sahoyúé-?ehdacho on Great Starting this summer, Parks the same areas identified by north- Bear Lake are just two examples Canada will host public consul- ern communities for conservation. of protected areas proposals where tations on expanded boundar- ies for Nahanni National Park Without strong political and pub- CPAWS is working with local First Reserve. To ensure full wa- lic support for conservation in the Nations communities to achieve tershed protection, it is impor- NWT, one of the world’s greatest common conservation goals. tant that the federal govern- remaining opportunities to achieve ment hears a strong chorus of support from Canadians, both a balance between conservation and CPAWS will be urging the new in person at meetings, and development could be lost. federal government, and in par- through letters of support. ticular the new Minister of Indian There is a common sense way to and Northern Affairs, Jim Prentice, We will post information about how you can get involved at resolve the growing traffic jam of to seize this globally significant www.cpaws.org, or call Alison industrial allocations and conserva- chance to do things right for wil- Woodley at 1-800-333-9453 tion proposals in the NWT. To start, derness, wildlife and people of the ext.227. regional land use plans, whose very North while there’s still time. CPAWS thanks our special purpose is to guide what happens on guests and sponsors who sup- the landscape, need to be completed Alison Woodley is Northern Conser- ported the Nahanni Forever before any more industrial permits vation Specialist for CPAWS. tour, including MEC, Nahanni are issued. Land use plans are be- River Adventures, and Delta Hotels. ing prepared in most of the Territory Photo: Mike Beedell/CPAWS

www.cpaws.org Spring 2006 • Canadian Wilderness • Page  CPAWS-Calgary/ A few of 2005’s winning photographs Capture the Banff’s Photography Contest is now in its 8th Above: year! Designed to raise Bighorn Close-up Wild awareness and funds in Jasper AB Peter Dettling Deadline for entries: support of Alberta’s wild Grand Prize winner September 8, 2006 spaces, CPAWS invites photographers of all ages Upper Right Learn more and read the and all parts of Canada, Karst Soaring Creek Kananaskis AB full contest rules at to capture the beauty of Alberta, and the world of Peter Biro www.cpawscalgary.org/ Amateur, 2nd Place capturewild/ nature beyond.

Page 10 • Canadian Wilderness • Spring 2006 www.cpaws.org A few of 2005’s winning photographs

Centre Right: I See You (Grey Fox) Cochrane AB Robert Berdan Alberta Wildlife, 2nd Place

Lower Right Reflection Mt. Assiniboine BC David Wirzba Amateur, 1st Place

www.cpaws.org Spring 2006 • Canadian Wilderness • Page 11 It’s a March morning in Florida. Palm tree fronds rustle gently in the breeze. Small lizards skit- ter across the dry leaves. Ruby-crowned Kinglets nervously flit through the Spanish moss-draped live oaks searching every nook and cranny for in- sects.

Boreal Birds A Palm Warbler flies across a nar- North America’s conservation ambassadors row canal where an alligator’s eyes and narrow snout seem to float on the surface of the black water. High above, a flock of White Pelicans strokes northward across the pow- der-blue sky.

In the Athabasca of northern Sas- katchewan the ground is still cov- ered with snow. The rivers and streams of the Manitoba lowlands are frozen. The Boreal forests of northern Quebec and Ontario are quiet except for the wind buffeting the tall spruces.

The warm, sunny South. The thaw- ing North. What they have in com- mon are birds. And lots of them. Three billion birds of over 300 spe- cies to be specific. That’s how many birds begin streaming north each By Jeff Wells spring on their way back to the Bo- real, some from winter locales as far south as Chile and Argentina. The ruby-crowned kinglet (Regulus calendula) is one of hundreds of bird The Boreal forest region stretching species that rely on the boreal. from Alaska and Yukon east across Photo: Marty DeAngelo Canada to Newfoundland and Lab- rador is settled by massive numbers

Page 12 • Canadian Wilderness • Spring 2006 www.cpaws.org of birds come June. When the snow wetlands of Florida, Louisiana, hearings are underway on the pro- is gone and insects have begun Texas, and Mexico need the Bo- posed, 1,000-km pipeline through hatching in dizzying abundance in real’s lakes and ponds to nest and the Northwest Territories’ Macken- the Boreal’s forests, wetlands, bogs, raise their young. Over 20 percent zie Valley. alder swales, aspen parklands, and of North America’s White Pelicans other habitat, these creatures are the are estimated to breed in the wet- Many Boreal-breeding species ar- food source that allows billions of lands of the Boreal. Over 80 percent rive each spring from far beyond birds to raise their young. of North America’s Buffleheads and even the U.S. An estimated one bil- Common Goldeneyes—two duck lion Boreal breeders winter in the The tiny green Ruby-crowned King- species that rely on mature forest U.S. but two billion more winter in lets that seem to be in every live oak to provide the tree cavities they re- Mexico, Central America, the Ca- and shrubby backyard of Florida quire for nesting—breed in the Bo- ribbean, and South America. Take and the rest of the southeastern U.S. real. Both winter largely within the the Cape May Warbler, for example. all winter will arrive in the edges of U.S. More than 90 percent of its popu- bogs and river in northern Quebec lation—an estimated three million and Ontario in late May and early Many of the most familiar wintering —breeds in the Boreal but virtu- ally all of these birds winter in the Canada has the awesome responsibility of Greater Antilles of the Caribbean. ensuring the well-being of the abundance of The Blackpoll Warblers that some- North America’s migrant and wintering birds times fill the spruces of the Mack- that generations of people have grown up as- enzie Valley with their high-pitched suming would always be there. songs, winter in the Amazon Basin of South America. Canada War- June. As many as 60 to 70 million birds of the Americas are abundant blers take up winter residence in the Ruby-crowned Kinglets are esti- because more than 70 percent of foothill forests of the northern An- mated to breed in Canada’s Boreal the Boreal forest is still ecological- des from Colombia south to Peru. every year—over 75 percent of their ly intact. But even as kinglets and Mexico’s pine forests fill with mil- total population! warblers and pelicans and ducks lions of Yellow-rumped Warblers. are winging their way north, many The Boreal is thought to support The yellow-breasted Palm War- parts of the Boreal will no longer between 80 and 180 million of the blers that spend the winter in south provide the habitat they need. Mil- species. Florida and the Caribbean (millions lions of hectares of Boreal forest of them) will soon fill the countless are logged every year while indus- Canada has the awesome responsi- boggy wetlands of the Manitoba trial development from oil, gas, and bility of ensuring the well-being of Lowlands, Athabasca and Churchill mining is estimated to have already the abundance of North America’s watersheds, and other parts of the impacted over 45 million hectares migrant and wintering birds that Boreal with their sweet trills. Over of Boreal habitat. The impacts will generations of people have grown up 90 percent of the world’s Palm War- only grow larger. Most of Canada’s assuming would always be there. blers breed in the Boreal. southern Boreal has already been In response to the mounting indus- allocated for forestry, development trial pressures on the Boreal, a coali- Even many of the White Pelicans of the massive oil sands deposits of tion of First Nations, industry, and that grace the winter freshwater northern Alberta is increasing, and Continued on page 20

www.cpaws.org Spring 2006 • Canadian Wilderness • Page 13 10 years in Banff National Park holds a unique results in Banff in the past decade. position in Canada’s national park system. It was our first park, and The landmark Banff-Bow Valley Banff continues to be the icon of the sys- study of the mid-1990’s confirmed, tem for the millions of Canadians after consulting with dozens of sci- who have visited it. For many Ca- entists and stakeholders, including nadians their impression of what CPAWS, that the ecological func- a national park is or should be has tions of the park were significantly been forged in Banff. impaired by the level and pattern of It was our first park, human development and use. It set and continues to be the While cherished, Banff is also the the agenda for remedial measures, icon of the system for most examined, debated, mocked which CPAWS has worked to see the millions of Canadi- and praised of our national parks. implemented since. ans who have visited it. Because of its key role in attracting By Dave Poulton tourists and their money to Canada One of the major challenges facing and Alberta, it has long been at the Banff wildlife is the ability to move forefront of the Canadian debate through the lands of the Bow Val- about when use and enjoyment of ley in the vicinity of the Town of parks become abuse and degrada- Banff. In part, this requires limits tion. As such, Banff has been a to the growth of the town. That was place where CPAWS has played a accomplished when the Banff Com- valued role in speaking for conser- munity Plan was finalized in 1998 vation interests. Working with oth- after a very vigourous debate. That er groups and conservation-minded plan, which sets town boundaries Canadians, we have seen some solid and caps both the population and

Page 14 • Canadian Wilderness • Spring 2006 www.cpaws.org commercial space, is currently open the coming year, which will make recreational activities in areas that for public review. It is a great sign the wildlife corridor even more can withstand them, and avoiding of forward movement that the vast functional. This project has set an areas of greater sensitivity. majority of town residents now see important policy precedent for how the cap on growth as a positive fea- we can learn from and remedy our But, there are other areas where ef- ture of the community. (For more on past mistakes. forts to control development in the this review process see http://www. name of preserving nature in Banff communityplan.banff.ca.) CPAWS has also worked with park have been more frustrating. Parks Canada to develop innova- Ski areas in the national parks have Across the Trans-Canada Highway tive mitigation measures to address defied a federal policy aimed at lim- from the Town of Banff lies a stretch the cleaving of the Bow Valley by iting their growth, and the annual of prime montane habitat which has the Trans-Canada Highway. As the toll of dead grizzly bears continues been labelled the Cascade wildlife work of twinning the highway has to dismay us all. corridor. A decade ago the corridor proceeded, a more extensive system was blocked by a fenced bison pad- of larger wildlife crossing structures We have seen that CPAWS’ work dock, a cadet camp and an airstrip. is planned for the highway in the can yield great benefits to our parks. The intervening years have seen the Lake Louise region. But we also know that more efforts removal of the paddock and cadet are needed, and we’re committed camp, steps which CPAWS vocally Buildings and vehicles are not the to making them for the sake of this promoted. Studies have shown that only issues in the park where we historic park’s long-term future. wildlife use of the corridor has in- have seen some success in our con- creased dramatically. If the new servation efforts. Slow but prom- Dave Poulton is Executive Director federal government maintains re- ising first steps have been taken in of CPAWS Calgary/Banff. solve on this project, the decommis- “human use management”, encour- sioning of the airstrip is expected in aging visitors to concentrate their

www.cpaws.org Spring 2006 • Canadian Wilderness • Page 15 Okanagan brush Image: Bob McKay

Canada’s Living Desert by Karen Blinkhorn

Canada’s only true desert with sagebrush and cactus are found burrowing owl is nearly extinct in deserves to be a one-of- on valley bottoms, but as you climb BC, and the sharp-tailed grouse and a-kind national park. up the valley walls you encounter white-tailed jackrabbit are extir- dry forests of ponderosa pine and pated from the province. More than The South Okanagan is one of the Douglas-fir, and at higher eleva- half of the antelope brush ecosys- most ecologically diverse areas of tions, sub-alpine forest and alpine tems have been lost. Less than 10 Canada. The time is now to create tundra. Many native plants, animals per cent of historic grassland and a national park there, before it’s too and natural communities here are rockface-grassland habitats for Cal- late to save threatened species. Lo- found nowhere else in Canada. ifornia bighorn sheep, pallid bats cated at the extreme south of the In- and prairie falcons remain. terior Dry Plateau, characterized by Humans have also lived here for rolling plains, deep narrow valleys, thousands of years, and the cultures Threatened and endangered species gorges, and long narrow lakes, this and histories of First Nations, early here include the American badger, is Canada’s only true desert ecosys- settlers, fur traders, ranchers, min- the sage thrasher, the Western rat- tem and home to over 30 per cent ers, and railway builders provide an tlesnake, and those found nowhere of BC’s threatened and endangered important cultural aspect to the pro- else in Canada, such as the flammu- species. posed park. lated owl, Lyall’s mariposa lily and the Great Basin spadefoot toad. The diversity of the SOS region is The South Okanagan has suffered incredible. Desert-like ecosystems many ecological losses already. The

Page 16 • Canadian Wilderness • Spring 2006 www.cpaws.org The Interior Dry Plateau is one of in showing both the trade-offs and the 12 natural regions in Canada not benefits of establishing a national Landscapes Alive! yet represented by a national park. park reserve in the SOS region,” CPAWS-BC is joining with In 2002, the federal government be- says Chloë O’Loughlin, Executive supporters and commu- nity groups this June to gan looking for a candidate site to Director of CPAWS-BC. CPAWS celebrate the unique land- represent the region. One year later, will be producing an independent scapes of the South Okan- Canada and British Columbia agreed report on the economic implica- agan and to explore the possibility of a new nation- to assess the feasibility of a national tions of a national park in the South al park in this region. park reserve in the South Okana- Okanagan later this year. gan-Lower Similkameen (SOS). The Landscapes Alive festi- val will be held June 16-17 Since then, Parks Canada has been Benefits would include: enhanced in Osoyoos, with field trips holding open houses, meeting with environmental protection, bench- and events held through- community groups, and collecting marks to help assess changes to out the SOS feasibility study area. It will promote scientific and socio-economic data. natural environments, and increased BC’s interior grasslands The feasibility study is due in late economic opportunities, like nature- and the benefits SOS Na- 2007. based tourism, to help diversify the tional Park Reserve would bring to surrounding com- economic base of small communi- munities. The SOS park proposal faces op- ties. Crown land tenure holders who position from some groups, includ- are adversely impacted by the park People who come to Land- scapes Alive will learn ing hunters and ranchers, concerned could receive financial compensa- about these endangered that their traditional use of the land tion. Any private land sales would species and much more. will have to be altered to accommo- take place on a ‘willing seller-will- They’ll be able to explore the grasslands and pon- date a national park. ing buyer’ basis. derosa pine ecosystems with naturalists and biolo- “These park opponents appear to The time is now. CPAWS and its gists, try non-motorized watersports, attend talks, believe blocking a national park partners in the Okanagan – 11 local sleep in teepees, sing will ensure their traditional uses of groups – believe a national park in campfire songs, go on owl the land remain unchanged,” says the South Okanagan-Similkameen prowls, picnic, learn about the economics of gateway wildlife biologist Bob Lincoln. “But will protect natural environments, communities and hopeful- this area is already facing unprec- sustain the local economy, leave ly, leave with a profound edented change and pressures for a lasting legacy for the future and appreciation of the sur- rounding landscape and development. Our opportunities to protect many species at risk. the potential for positive protect natural areas are diminish- change with the establish- ment of South Okanagan- ing rapidly.” Karen Blinkhorn is the Communica- Similkameen National Park tions Coordinator for CPAWS BC. Reserve. “Social, economic, and environ- Visit cpawsbc.org for details. mental assessments will be critical

www.cpaws.org Spring 2006 • Canadian Wilderness • Page 17 developing a recovery plan, but no A Canadian icon conservation groups have been in- heads towards ex- vited to participate. Although ad- dressing habitat can be politically tinction controversial, CPAWS NS believes it is fundamental to recovery of the species. The chapter is organizing people and presenting information in a non-confrontational way to the Moose Recovery Team. Local me- dia have reported extensively on our work on the plight of moose, help- ing to raise awareness further.

Photo: Martin Berkman / CPAWS Yukon Photo: Martin Berkman / CPAWS Our project focuses on the need for habitat connectivity, and documents the adverse impacts to wildlife caused by roads, including logging roads. This is the first campaign in Nova Scotia to emphasize the distur- Nova Scotia’s mainland moose bance and damage to wildlife posed by forestry roads and their use. towards extinction racing We are anxiously waiting to see if the soon-to-be released recovery Without action from the ets of the remaining remote and un- plan seriously addresses habitat is- Nova Scotia government, roaded habitat left on the mainland, sues. We believe that moose recov- the province’s only native and can no longer adequately inter- ery will be a standard feature of the moose are facing extinc- breed. land management debate in Nova tion. Scotia for a long time to come, and Moose on mainland Nova Scotia are we intend to keep speaking out for By Scott Brown the province’s only native moose. this Canadian icon’s protection. Cape Breton’s current moose popu- With the proliferation of forestry lation are descendents of 18 moose Learn more and find out how you can roads and large-scale clearcutting imported from Alberta in the 1940s, help at www.cpawsns.org/moose. in Nova Scotia’s forests, the endan- because the island’s native moose gered mainland moose is at increas- were completely extirpated by the Scott Brown is a conservation con- ing risk of extinction. About 1,000 early 20th century. sultant for CPAWS Nova Scotia. moose remain, but they are largely isolated from one another in pock- A team led by the N.S. Depart- ment of Natural Resources is now

Page 18 • Canadian Wilderness • Spring 2006 www.cpaws.org Will Ontarians get the Parks Act of their dreams?

by Janet Sumner

Sand River, Lake Superior Pro- vincial Park. Photo: E. Ferrari/ CPAWS

After 50 years of being ries all affect the balance of nature cial Park to continue. Needless to one of the worst in the for miles in any direction. Bill 11 is say, logging is a threat to the eco- country, a new, improved completely silent on how to ensure logical integrity of Algonquin. We Ontario Parks Act is close we have good neighbours surround- are recommending that the govern- to becoming law. ing our parks. We’re looking for an ment legislate the phasing out of in- Act that will regulate good manage- dustrial logging in the park to pro- CPAWS Wildlands League is lead- ment of greater park ecosystems tect Algonquin forever. ing the effort to convince Ontario to both within and outside of the actual become a leader in legislation that park boundaries. The next few months are crucial in protects parks’ ecological integrity. making Bill 11 the “Parks Act of our Logging, mining and hydroelectric dreams”. We need your help to make Last fall we saw the long-awaited development have no place in pro- this happen. Please add your voice introduction of Bill 11—The Pro- tected areas if the intent is to protect to ours and speak with your MPP, vincial Parks and Conservation Re- their ecological integrity. With over make a phone call or send a letter, serves Act. While the new legisla- 90% of crown land available for in- so the premier knows how much tion meets some of our expectations dustrial uses, some places need to you care about Ontario’s parks. for a parks act that puts nature first be free of these types of harmful ac- Visit our web site at www.wildland- by requiring that parks are managed tivities—parks are those places. sleague.org for more information. to protect their ecological integrity, Make this the year that Ontario gets in our view it still leaves too many Under the new bill, we’re pleased parks legislation that truly protects doors open to environmental harm. that industrial development will the ecosystems of our province for generally be prohibited in parks and generations to come. For example, one of the greatest conservation reserves. However, threats to a park is what happens there are several exceptions, most Janet Sumner is executive director outside its boundaries. Mines, for- troublesome being the one that al- of CPAWS-Wildlands League. estry operations, farms and facto- lows logging in Algonquin Provin-

www.cpaws.org Spring 2006 • Canadian Wilderness • Page 19 Continued from page 13 that spans the globe. Protecting the Dr. Jeff Wells is Senior Scientist for Athabasca helps maintain compo- the Boreal Songbird Initiative (www. non-profit organizations (including nents of ecosystems in Florida and bsi.org), and one of America’s lead- CPAWS) has developed the Boreal Brazil. Establishing protected areas ing bird experts and conservation Forest Conservation Framework in Quebec will nourish the birds that biologists. that lays out recommendations for winter in Maine and Colombia. ensuring the ecological integrity of The birds make the connection ev- Below: Over 90% of the world’s this globally important ecosystem. ery spring and fall. Let’s hope we palm warblers breed in Canada’s One of the key recommendations humans can work across nations too, boreal forest. Photo: Laura Erick- of the Framework is to increase the to help protect the Boreal—North son, www.binoculars.com protected areas of the Boreal from America’s last great wilderness. their current level of less than 10 percent to at least 50 percent—a level that scientists suggest is nec- essary for maintaining ecological functions and self-sustaining pop- ulations of all wildlife. CPAWS’ work in the Boreal to increase the amount of land in protected areas and convince forestry companies to alter their practices is vital to North American bird conservation.

The billions of migrant birds that flock north every spring to nest in Canada’s Boreal are a reminder that we are part of an ecosystem

Page 20 • Canadian Wilderness • Spring 2006 www.cpaws.org Making Contact Photo: Jim Cornish

National Office CPAWS Manitoba CPAWS Northwest Territories PO Box 344 Box 1934 CPAWS National Winnipeg, MB R3C 2H6 Yellowknife, NT X1A 2P4 250 City Centre Ave Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Ottawa, ON Tel: 204-949-0782 Tel: 867-873-9893 K1R 6K7 Fax: 204-949-0783 Fax: 867-873-9593 Email: [email protected] Web: www.cpawsmb.org Web: www.cpawsnwt.org Tel: 613-569-7226 Fax: 613-569-7098 SNAP (CPAWS) Montreal CPAWS Ottawa Valley Web: www.cpaws.org 1030 Beaubien Est, bureau 303 250 City Centre Ave Montreal, QC H2S 1T4 Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7 Chapters Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: 514-278-7627 Tel: 613-232-7297 Fax: 514-278-3085 Fax: 613-232-2030 CPAWS British Columbia Web: www.cpaws-ov.org 410-698 Seymour Street Web: www.snapqc.org Vancouver, BC CPAWS Saskatchewan V6B 3K6 CPAWS New Brunswick 180 St. John Street 203-115 2nd Ave N Email: [email protected] Saskatoon, SK S7K 2B1 Tel: 604-685-7445 Fredericton, NB E3B 4A9 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Fax: 604-685-6449 Tel: 306-955-6197 Web: www.cpawsbc.org Tel: 506-452-9902 Web: www.cpawsnb.org Fax: 306-665-2128 Web: www.cpaws-sask.org CPAWS Calgary/Banff 1120-1202 Centre St SE CPAWS Newfoundland 244 Tolt Road CPAWS Wildlands League Calgary, AB 401 Richmond St. W, Suite 308 T2G 5A5 St. Philips - Portugal Cove, NL A1M 1R2 Toronto, ON M5V 3A8 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: 403-232-6686 Email: [email protected] Tel: 709-726-5800 Tel: 416-971-9453 Fax: 403-232-6988 Fax: 416-979-3155 Web: www.cpawscalgary.org Fax: 709-726-2764 Web: www.cpaws.org/chapters/nl/ Web: www.wildlandsleague.org

CPAWS Edmonton CPAWS Yukon PO Box 52031 (mail) CPAWS Nova Scotia 4-1526 Dresden Row, Unit 3, PO Box 31095, 211 Main St Edmonton, AB Whitehorse, YT Y1A 5P7 T6G 2T5 Halifax, NS B3J 3K3 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: 867-393-8080 Tel: 780-432-0967 Tel: 902-446-4155 Fax: 902-446-4156 Fax: 867-393-8081 Fax: 780-439-4913 Web: www.cpawsyukon.org Web: www.cpaws-edmonton.org Web: www.cpawsns.org Protecting Canada’s Wilderness since 1963 since Wilderness Canada’s Protecting

Photo: Bruce Peterson Photo: Marc Gagne Photo: Harvey Locke www.cpaws.org Telephone: 1-800-333-WILD Ottawa, ONK1R6K7 506-250 CityCentre Avenue