The Beaver Hills Initiative: A Collaborative Approach to Bioregional Planning and a Biosphere Reserve Candidate Area

Guy S. Swinnerton Professor Emeritus, University of Alberta Chair- Protected Areas Working Group, Beaver Hills Initiative

Miquelon Lake Growth Plan Review Committee March 22, 2011 Presentation overview

. The setting: The Beaver Hills – a distinctive landscape rich in biodiversity, landscape character and sense of place, located within the urban sphere of influence of Edmonton’s metropolitan area. . The issue: Concern over the cumulative effects of land use pressures and changes to the biodiversity and landscape character of the Beaver Hills and the lifestyles of its residents. . The response: Establishment of the Beaver Hills Initiative (BHI). . The outcome: The Beaver Hills Initiative:- • Principles, approach, and implementation • The future: A Biosphere Reserve?

The Beaver Hills: The bioregion

. A disjunct portion of the Dry Mixedwood Boreal Forest sub-region of Alberta located within the Province’s Central Parkland sub-region.

. Extent of the area: 1,595.6km2 .

. Beaver Hills/Cooking Lake Moraine: a distinctive landscape of “knob & kettle” hummocky topography.

. Landscape characterized by extensive forest cover and abundant native wetlands.

. 43% of area remaining under natural cover. The bioregion

. Higher elevation, 725m ASL - surrounding plain 617m ASL : Cooler and wetter climate.

. Mean annual precipitation: 461mm 20% higher than surrounding plains.

. Critical source of surface & ground water.

. Supports high biological diversity of vegetation, waterfowl, mammals, and birds: up to 58 different mammals; 358 bird species, 5 amphibians, 3 reptiles, & 5 lepidopterans.

. > 26% of the area protected plus an additional >1% secured.

Stakeholders in land stewardship

Elk Island National Park The issue

. Concern over the cumulative effects of growing land - use pressures and change on the biodiversity and landscape character of the Beaver Hills and the quality of life of local residents.

. The landscape of the Beaver Hills perceived as increasingly illustrating the symptoms of the rurban-fringe and a multi-functional landscape where an urban society is “shopping” in the countryside for livable and recreation space. Threats to the biodiversity of the Beaver Hills

. Unsustainable grazing management.

. Invasive non-native/alien species.

. Vegetation encroachment

. Site disturbance from oil and gas drilling.

. Residential development.

. Recreational development.

. Oil and gas service roads.

. Fire suppression.

. Drainage of wetlands.

Nature Conservancy of Canada (2004) Beaver Hills Initiative : How it began

. Early 2000: Proposed oil and gas development in proximity to Elk Island National Park [EINP]. . March 2000: EINP begins promoting the need for a coordinated and long-term approach to land-use planning in the Beaver Hills. . May 2000: Parks Canada staff initiate discussions with the five municipalities, provincial government departments, and NGOs with the intention of developing a partnership for adopting a proactive approach to land-use planning within the Beaver Hills. . Fall 2001: Science Advisory Committee EINP identifies the relevance of bioregional planning and the Protected Landscape approach to planning within the Beaver Hills. . September 9, 2002: Stakeholder workshop reviews a draft vision and operating principles and a Coordinating Committee is established. . November 7, 2002: initial meeting of the BHI Coordinating Committee. Beaver Hills Initiative: Partners

Local Governments: Beaver County, Camrose County, Lamont County, Leduc County, Strathcona County.

Government of Alberta: Agriculture and Rural Development, Environment, Sustainable Resource Development, Tourism, Parks and Recreation.

Government of Canada: Parks Canada Agency (Elk Island National Park), Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada.

Academia: University of Alberta Edmonton, U of A Augustana Campus, Alberta Innovates Technology Futures.

Industrial Partners: Alberta Industrial Heartland Assoc., Northeast Capital Industrial Assoc., Fort Air Partnership, Strathcona Industrial Assoc.

Non-Government Organizations: Alberta Fish & Game Association, Alberta Conservation Association, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Edmonton and Area Land Trust, Alberta Land Trust Alliance, North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, Cosmic Journey, Alberta Lake Management Society, Kalyna Country, Alberta Invasive Plants Council, Miistakis Institute, Land Stewardship Centre of Canada. Beaver Hills Initiative Vision The Beaver Hills Initiative values the region for its natural beauty, quality of life, and supports cooperative efforts to sustain the quality of water, land, air, natural resources, and community development. Beaver Hills Initiative Mission

Working together for a sustainable region, through shared initiatives and coordinated action. BHI - Guiding principles

. Respect appropriate use of land and water and the importance of our natural environment in maintaining or improving our quality of life.

. Foster long-term land use planning with clear consistent goals and objectives.

. Promote regional coordination by reflecting the regional vision in all municipal land use policies, plans and actions.

. Success requires community participation, input and support.

. Conserve, enhance, and monitor improvements or impacts to the environment. BHI Guiding principles - continued

. Success requires commitment and leadership from all levels of government.

. Strive for a common level of data (identify critical data needed, improve access, and share where appropriate).

. Determine habitat requirements and strive to ensure that the optimum amount is maintained.

. Each partner has a responsibility for the environmental, social, and economic well being of the region. Beaver Hills Initiative Working together

. Authority for decision making rests with each municipality & agency. . BHI does NOT make decisions for the municipalities. . BHI acts in a supporting role by providing information to decision makers. . Cooperation and teamwork is key. . Recognition of the varied skill sets and expertise of all partners. Beaver Hills Initiative Organization Chart

Board of Fiscal Directors Agent

Executive Executive Team Director

W o r k i n g G r o u p s

Parks Research Communic. Planners GIS & & & Councillors Protected Monitoring Education Areas Beaver Hills Initiative Land Management Areas map

Green – Existing Protected Areas

Blue – Natural Water & Wildlife Linkage

Yellow – Country

White – Multiple Use

Spencer Environmental & IMI Strategics Consultants Land Management Framework

BH Moraine: Groundwater Ecological Contamination network Water Risk

BH Moraine: Landscape connectivity Surface Water Risk – Parcels Only

BH Moraine: Functional connectivity BH Moraine: Key segments Beaver Hills Initiative: Examples of research and projects

. Wetland Health and Monitoring. . Woodlot Management Planning. . Ecosystem Health Measure and Monitoring . Invasive Species Management . Bio-monitoring air quality. . Transfer of Development Credits. . Ag Capture Study. . Food Systems Planning. . Golden Ranches – Creating a Wildland Legacy. . Tourism Opportunity Assessment and Implementation Plan. . Fire Management Plan and Vegetation Inventory. . Biosphere Reserve Nomination. . BHI Land Management Framework Review. . New land use map of the Beaver Hills. The Beaver Hills A Potential Biosphere Reserve

. In 2009 the BHI Board of Directors gave formal approval to apply for designation of the Beaver Hills as a Biosphere Reserve.

. Biosphere Reserves – permanent areas, representing the world’s biodiversity, established to demonstrate practical approaches to conservation and sustainable development. Biosphere Reserves: Structure & Function On-ground testing & demonstration of sustainable development Living and working in harmony with nature Three inter-connected functions: 1. Conservation: landscapes, Core ecosystems, species & genetic variation 2. Logistic support: (Capacity Buffer building) research, monitoring, education & Transition/Cooperation training 3. Development: local & regional social & economic sustainability (bottom-up effort)

564 Biosphere Reserves in 109 countries – 15 in Canada Biosphere Reserves: Criteria for designation

. The area encompasses a mosaic of ecological systems representative of major biogeographical regions including a gradation of human intervention from highly protected areas to lived-in and working landscapes. . The area is of significance for the conservation of biological diversity. . The area provides the opportunity to explore and demonstrate approaches to environmental education, stewardship, and sustainable development. . The area has an appropriate size to serve the three functions of biosphere reserves and associated zoning. . Demonstrates an appropriate organizational framework and agreements for the involvement and participation of all relevant stakeholders. Biosphere Reserves: Designation Procedure

When it is clear that there is sufficient local support for a Biosphere Designation to proceed, then a detailed Biosphere Reserve Nomination Form with supporting maps and other background materials must be completed. The completed nomination form provides the evidence to show that the proposed Biosphere Reserve area is able to meet the criteria for Biosphere Reserve designation. The nomination form is signed by authorities responsible for the ownership and management of the “core areas” and “buffer zones”. Letters of support from appropriate local municipalities, other government agencies and key organizations. The nomination has to be signed by an official on behalf of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. This documentation is then formally submitted to UNESCO by the Commission. UNESCO initiates its own review and approval process. Biosphere Reserves: Clarification of questions of authority and power

A Biosphere Reserve is a voluntary, community based initiative. It is not linked with governmental or regulatory mandates or authorities. Biosphere Reserve “boundaries” and “zones” (with the exception of the “core area”) are conceptual, not prescriptive, and are responsive to local needs and expectations. Property rights, Aboriginal rights, jurisdictional and administrative authorities, or the responsibilities of elected bodies are not effected. The Biosphere Reserve will not own land or manage land. It will not buy land nor will it have the authority to expropriate property. The rights of property owners to manage their lands are not affected by Biosphere Reserve designation. Biosphere Reserves have no impact on existing or new regulations, nor on the regulatory authorities that develop and enforce such regulations. Biosphere Reserves: Management and Funding

Management: There are no set requirements from UNESCO about how “management” and the organizational framework should be achieved. In Canada, each Biosphere Reserve has it own community-based organizational arrangements which are judged by those involved to be appropriate for local circumstances. Most Biosphere Reserves in Canada are incorporated as non-profit organizations with charitable status.

Funding: Biosphere Reserve designation does not expect local authorities to provide funding beyond that which may be in place at the time of establishment. Funding may be obtained from a variety of sources. (Biosphere Reserve designation is often an important leverage in obtaining funding). Beaver Hills Initiative: A solid foundation for seeking Biosphere Reserve designation

 The overall BHI approach is based on bioregional management and the “Protected Landscape” concept that are fundamental to the aims, principles, and operational guidelines for Biosphere Reserves.  The Beaver Hills and the Beaver Hills Initiative meet all the criteria for Biosphere Reserve designation.  The vision, mission, and guiding principles of the Beaver Hills Initiative coincide extremely closely with Alberta’s Land-Use Framework and specifically its vision, desired outcomes, and guiding principles. The BHI is a working example of the Land-Use Framework already in progress. Beaver Hills: Biosphere Reserve

Proposed zoning

Proportion of the Beaver Hills within the three Biosphere Reserve zones

Core: 13.6%

Buffer: 13.7%

Transition: 72.7% Implications of Biosphere Reserve Designation

. Biosphere Reserve designation will give international recognition and endorsement to the significance of the Beaver Hills and to what the Beaver Hills Initiative is already doing and has achieved to date. . If accepted as a UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserve, the Beaver Hills becomes part of a world network of Biosphere Reserves and the BHI has an on-going obligation to contribute to and benefit from other member reserves and organizations within the global network. . The designation would mark a new beginning requiring a more global perspective with the opportunity for the BHI to not only ensure the sustainability of the unique qualities of the Beaver Hills but to contribute to finding solutions to global challenges such as sustainable development, biodiversity protection, climate change, the provision of ecological services, and the impact of urbanization on ecosystems and natural capital. Benefits of Biosphere Reserve Designation

. Helps to encourage and assure environmental, economic, and social sustainability. . Expands the local community’s capacity to direct its region’s future from a grass roots perspective involving local knowledge and values. . Develops a common vision, and encourages communication, discussion, agreement, and co-ordination between people and organizations with different values and priorities. . Safeguards the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the region’s protected areas. . Gains access to help and advice from UNESCO and other Biosphere Reserves across Canada and internationally including the sharing of information, expertise, support, and involvement in exchange programmes. . The Beaver Hills becomes internationally recognized as an area where innovative solutions are being tested to minimize the impact of human activity on the environment. Benefits of Biosphere Reserves cont…

. Helps to develop a more self-reliant and sustainable local economy with residents and visitors choosing locally-produced goods. . Provides an internationally recognized “brand name” to improve, diversify, and sustain local economies for the benefit of the local community and region. . Enhances the distinctiveness of the area and brings pride and credibility to an area and helps to foster place - awareness amongst residents and attracts visitors. . Provides a focus and mechanism for volunteer training and involvement. . Attracts academic and government research funding and activity that often addresses local issues and problems and that also have global relevance. . Increases national and international recognition of the region and the community as a good place to live, work, play, and visit. The Beaver Hills

An area too important to be left to chance

www.beaverhills.ab.ca