ADVOCATE DECEMBER 2011
YOUTH AND N ATURE MEET THE G REAT G ROWLING G RIZZLIES E XPERIENTIAL E DUCATION IN J ASPER
W ILDERNESS E NTREPRENEURS
N ATURE D EFICIT D ISORDER Editor: C ONTENTS Ian Urquhart DECEMBER "#$$ # &'() $*+ ,')- Graphic Design: Marni Wilson FEATURES ASSOCIATION N EWS Printing: 4 L ESSONS IN C ONSERVATION FROM 18 F INANCE $: H OW M ANY B UCKS Colour printing and process is sponsored by Topline Printing THE G REAT G ROWLING G RIZZLIES DOES I T T AKE ?
6 C ONNECTING Y OUTH TO N ATURE 19 G IFTS I N M EMORIAM AT T HE P ALISADES C ENTRE 20 A LBERTA ’S P UBLIC L AND C RISIS : 8 R ANCHLANDS S CHOOL T REE THE F OURTH A NNUAL M ARTHA HUGGERS F OCUS ON A LBERTA KOSTUCH L ECTURE FORESTS F OREVER WILDERNESS WATCH 11 W HERE H AVE A LL T HE C HILDREN GONE ? - T HE P ERSPECTIVE OF A 24 UPDATES LONG -T IME C ALGARY N ATURALIST F(GHJKF LN(QHJ,HSS AND V OLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS FSS'XNFKN', “Defending Wild Alberta through 14 T RIBAL P ARKS 26 LETTERS Awareness and Action” Alberta Wilderness Association is a 15 L OOKING AT A LBERTA : W HAT D O 28 RECALL OF THE W ILD charitable non-government organization dedicated to the completion of a THE S AGE -GROUSE S EE ? 30 protected areas network and the READER ’S C ORNER conservation of wilderness throughout 17 S USTAINABLE F ORESTS , `ab cdefghib) Ke jkcced` ekd ledm SUSTAINABLE C OMMUNITIES . EVENTS lg`a n `nopqbqki`grsb qehn`geh+ inss THE F UTURE OF A LBERTA ’S 403-283-2025 or contribute online SOUTHWESTERN F ORESTS 31 WINTER E VENTS n` Fsrbd`nLgsqbdhbjj)in) Wild Lands Advocate is published rgpzeh`as{+ - `gzbj n {bnd+ r{ Fsrbd`n COVER P HOTO Lgsqbdhbjj Fjjeign`geh) Kab ecghgehj ,g~bs Qek~snj `eem `agj cae`e e} ccbd nhnhnjmgj (nmbj qkdgh~ `ab bnds{ expressed by the authors in this zedhgh~ lagsb eh n jheljaebinzcgh~ `dgc) b dbinssj g` lnj n zn~gins iesq publication are not necessarily those lgh`bd zedhgh~ lg`a `ab ngd }kss e} jcndmsgh~ gib id{j`nsj) e} FLF) Kab bqg`ed dbjbdfbj `ab dg~a` 'K' ' ,) Q'(FS `e bqg`+ dbbi` ed lg`aqdnl nd`gisbj nhq sb``bdj jkrzg``bq) Please direct questions and comments to: FEATURED A RTIST #p"p"#" # nln)lsnjanl)in Qgnhn Kbzcsb`eh lnj redh nhq dngjbq gh Xns~nd{ nhq hel sgfbj gh Hqzeh`eh) Skrjidgc`gehj `e `ab WLA are $30 per After an exciting career in fashion she turned to art to further develop her {bnd) Ke jkrjidgrb+ inss #p"p"#" idbn`gfb jmgssj) Kab in`ns{j` }ed `agj ianh~b inzb }dez n jbzghnd nrek` ledmgh~ ed jbb Fsrbd`nLgsqbdhbjj)in) lg`a inhibd cn`gbh`j labdb `ab cngh`gh~j e} cn`gbh`j lbdb }bn`kdbq) Kabgd nrgsg`{ to express powerfully their emotions prompted Diana to enroll in classes on qdnlgh~+ qbjg~h+ nhq ln`bdiesekd) Sab sefbj `ab ln`bdiesekd zbqgkz jab \hqj g` `e rb n zbqgkz `an` bhiekdn~bj jceh`nhbg`{ nhq nsselj abd `e bocdbjj abd dbns }bbsgh~j) Xesekd ze`gfn`bj bfbd{`agh~ gh QgnhnSj sg}b nhq ghjcgdbj abd `e cgim kc abd rdkjabj+ zgo abd cngh` lg`a ln`bd+ nhq nssel `abz `e qe lan` `ab{ qe rbj`) Kab iesekdj gh hn`kdb nhq g`j rbnk`{ jcbnm feskzbj `e Qgnhn) Ledmgh~ lg`a iesekd gj n jcgdg`kns bocbdgbhib }ed abd) Labh cngh`gh~ jab `dkj`j abd ghhbd fegib `e iaedbe~dnca `ab hn`kdbSj rnssb` e} iesekd lg`a cnjjgeh nhq nk`abh`gig`{) Geo -*+ S`n`geh Q+ Xns~nd{+ Fsrbd`n K" "H$ 403-283-2025 Kessp}dbb $p--p$p#$ AWA respects the privacy of members. Lists are not sold or traded in any manner. AWA is a federally registered charity lll)Fsrbd`nLgsqbdhbjj)in and functions through member and donor support. Tax-deductible donations may be made to AWA at Box 6398 Station nlnjanl)in D, Calgary, AB T2P 2E1. Ph: 403-283-2025 Fax: 403-270-2743 E-mail: [email protected] www.AlbertaWilderness.ca NSS, $$*"p-" F""#$%& A B$* L$," S"#$$%& ? With Christmas just a handful of sleeps So what, in heaven’s name, does A from Calgary’s Ranchlands Elementary away I sincerely hope you’re not looking Christmas Carol have to do with this issue School accomplished. They carried out a in the mirror and seeing Ebenezer Scrooge of the Advocate? Like Dickens’ classic, the tremendous fundraising effort last year on stare back at you. But, if you are, or know features in this issue intend to inspire you. behalf of Alberta’s grizzlies and forests. BCDECFEGHICGJCKGLIMFNGDOJGPEGBCGOQ\MSLETUG They intend to encourage optimism about I bet you can’t. let the December Wild Lands Advocate be our future. They aim to demonstrate that the qaEFGrEOFGsMSICbBRGOSSCKFLGCQGfKBG your medicinal tonic. Scrooge in our lives (here I confess to seeing Yaki’s talk about how children are too often Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is governments, not our readers, as exhibiting disconnected from nature offers a plausible, as full of moral lessons as the airwaves are a likeness to Ebenezer) can be transformed. positive path to counter that disturbing full of Christmas music. The most important The agents of transformation in this issue development. lessons centre on Scrooge, the character of WLA are not magical spirits. They are As we prepare, sometimes in too much of immortalized in the Dickens novel. Over the youth. Our young people, instilled with an a frenzy, for the holidays I hope you will take course of one evening Scrooge is transformed. ELIMSGCQGSO_MF`GQC_GLIEGaCMSEbEBBGMG\C_OUGQOKFOUG LIEGBIC_LGLMDEGFEETETGLCG_EOTGOFTG_E\ESLGCFG On Christmas Eve, Scrooge retires for the and their habitats, are the key to a brighter what we offer you in the last issue of our 2011 evening as a mean, miserly man who does ecological future. publishing year. I hope you will challenge not possess any trait of those we call humane. Try to tell me that your encounter in yourself to open your heart and your mind to The visits of three Christmas spirits later, CK_G[_BLGO_LMSbEGHMLIGLIEGOf_EOLGf_CHbMF`G the inspiration the features here can provide Scrooge awakes reborn; kindness and f_MggbMEBUPG`_OTEGCFEGOFTGLHCGBLKTEFLBGQ_CDG us as we greet 2012. Smile and laugh with the compassion replace meanness; generosity Bragg Creek’s Banded Peak Elementary children at the Palisades Centre; be amazed and thoughtfulness supplant greed and School, doesn’t boost your optimism. with the elementary students in Bragg Creek; miserliness. Try to tell me that Niki Wilson’s story about heed the call to action found in the actions Dickens’ tale is inspirational. It is a guide the experiential education students receive at of Ranchlands’ students. for much more than just the Christmas season. the Palisades Centre in Jasper National Park Last, but by no means least, have a very We all could do a lot worse in the years ahead doesn’t leave you believing that vital, positive Merry Christmas and a spectacular beginning of us than to try to practice the values of a connections between youth and nature are to 2012! Bob Cratchit, or those of Scrooge’s nephew, being forged there. the values Ebenezer himself embraces on Try to tell me that you’re not impressed - Ian Urquhart, Editor Christmas morning.g PJGHIOLGlOLIMEGfCKbTRBG`_OTEGBMnGBLKTEFLBGJ 'K' ' FJS XF,QFF ' FJS 'K' L$%%&'% (' C&'%$*+,-(&' .*&/ -0$ G#&() G#$+,-.% G#-//,-&0
B2 C()42 W-,0$., M(8&,-.& W-,0$., (.8 N-%&, D$;%,(0 year olds lookingookki to discover more aboutt grizzly bears? Their shining, bright eyes closely examined Nigel’s grizzly artefacts, as he shared many fascinating facts with these inquisitive grade one and two students. IEM_GLEOSIE_GOBNETGsM`EbGLCG[EbTGBCDEG important questions, many of which the adults present never thought to ask, such as: O|IJGTCFRLG`_MggbMEBGCCGHIMbEGLIEJGO_EG IMPE_FOLMF`PGO~BGMLGL_KEGLIOLGHIMbEGDCLIE_G grizzlies are hibernating, they sometimes TCFRLGFCLMSEGLIEJGIOaEG`MaEFGPM_LIGLCGLHMFBPG This seven-year old knew that no mother could comfortably snooze through the birth of twins, no matter how deeply she was sleeping! Little Smoky the bear, AWA’s mascot, even made a guest appearance and led the SbOBBGMFGOG_CKBMF`G_CKFTGCQGOMLLbEGrDCNJG rOJB}PGsM`EbGOFTGMLLbEGrDCNJGIEbETG demonstrate what to do (and what not to do) if you encounter a bear while hiking. Not surprisingly, the students knew the best way to make sure people and bears stay safe is to avoid running into bears at all by making lots of noise. It was amazing to see the depth of their understanding of natural environments. These lucky students live close to nature in the Bragg Creek area and their families likely spend lots of time outdoors. Their teacher did a superb job of fostering environmental learning in a supportive, _E\ESLMaEGEFaM_CFDEFL}GEBUGLIEBEGNMTBGHE_EG wise beyond their years. They understood the importance of keeping grizzly bears on the landscape and how the actions of adults compromise the important habitat `_MggbMEBGFEETGLCGBK_aMaE}G IEBEGf_EOLG ur days at AWA can range AWA knew we had better pay these students f_CHbMF`Gf_MggbMEBGHMbbGbMNEbJG`_CHGKG from attending meetings and a visit. Now we may claim to know a thing or to be responsible and wise citizens who Oworkshops, to plugging away in two about grizzly bears, but when confronted understand the intrinsic value of wilderness front of a computer screen, to assembling, with the task of keeping a classroom full and learn to tread lightly upon the landscape. disassembling and grooming KC, the of children sitting and listening quietly enormous grizzly bear model who welcomes for sixty excruciating minutes, Madeline B%7,5"%#$%+.8&B3*2.+,"%Z&+($&`""+&"0& aMBMLC_BGLCGLIEG{|{GCQ[SE}G~FGEO_bJGSLCPE_UG decided to call in a real expert. Madeline’s ?"%!$57.+,"%&b.8*$!& an elementary school teacher approached mother, a recently retired elementary school It seems there is a no better way to learn AWA and invited us to visit her class at teacher with an eerie ability to command or re-learn some lessons about life than to Bragg Creek’s Banded Peak Elementary the attention of a room with a mere waggle spend time with children. The Banded Peak School and offer her students a presentation CQGOLIEG[F`E_UPGO`_EETGLCGPEGTEKLMgETGOFTG students were no exception. We expected to about grizzly bears. When we learned of OSSCDOFJG{|{GCFGLIEG[EbTGL_M}G start with some grizzly basics: what bears the interest with which these grade one and eat, where they live, and the things they need two students had embraced the topic – the `$\$2+,"%!&05"#&j$J*+)&?.+()&F,8!"% to survive. Well by the time the students students were so enthusiastic they named What could be more heartening for [FMBIETGLEbbMF`G us all about grizzlies, we LIEDBEbaEBGLIEGOf_EOLGf_CHbMF`Gf_MggbMEBPGMG conservationists than 20 enthusiastic seven- HE_EGOPCKLG[QLEEFGDMFKLEBGMFLCGCK_GICK_
4 WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - HFKJHS long presentation, and we were obviously going to need to do a lot more to impress these savvy grizzly-enthusiasts! Upon leaving, we were blown away by the breadth of knowledge and experience these children had of the natural world. They were masters of more than facts and data; they seemed to understand both the problems facing Alberta’s grizzly bears, the solutions, and the need to take immediate action. When we began to discuss the fact the grizzly bear has been designated as Threatened in Alberta, we were again impressed by how they understood the impact humans have on the environment, how we continue to contribute to grizzly bear decline in the province, and that grizzlies vitally need a safe and secure habitat where they can roam, forage for food, and raise their young. Even AWA’s Madeline Wilson and Nigel Douglas talk grizzlies to kids from Banded Peak School if the mother grizzly sleeps through the birth 'K' ' S) FSN CQGOGSKPUGIE_GTMQ[SKbLGCPGMBGKBLGPE`MFFMF`G and we should make it easier, not harder! E&D"+$&05"#&D,6$8 To really learn and appreciate the natural G ~FGLIEGEFTUGLIEGf_EOLGf_CHbMF`Gf_MggbMEBG f_EOLGf_CHbMF`Gf_MggbMEBG[bbETGKBGHMLIGOG HC_bTUGCFEGDKBLGEnE_MEFSEGMLG[_BLIOFT}G IMBG decided to make their own grizzly bear renewed sense of optimism. They chatted was evident as we heard these children draw poster and to write letters to the new Premier knowledgeably about bears and the places examples from their own experiences with Alison Redford. They wanted to tell her they live and were bursting with enthusiasm wilderness and wildlife, some occurring how much they love grizzly bears and how LCG[FTGCKLGHIOLGLIEJGSCKbTGTCGLCGBKC_LG as close as their own backyards. But the important it is to protect bears and the places bears. If adults (politicians) will listen to the landscape in which Banded Peak Elementary they live. future then that mother grizzly and her cubs School is situated does not resemble that There are times when it can be frustrating may well emerge to see a brighter horizon of most schools in your average suburban HC_NMF`GMFGLIEGEFaM_CFDEFLObG[EbTGMFG{bPE_LOUG in Alberta. The children from Banded Peak community and, although the concept of particularly when dealing with government might not have a vote yet, but they can write OEFaM_CFDEFLObGETKSOLMCFPGMBGMFLE`_OLETGMFLCG inaction in the face of disappearing wildlife letters and they have a voice. And… they the Alberta curriculum, there are no actual populations. But listening to kids like the sure can growl! requirements for classrooms to participate in hands-on, outdoor education programs. A variety of programs exist that seek to bridge the gap in environmental understanding and ETKSOLMCFGPELHEEFGLIEGIM`IbJGDCTM[ETGOFTG controlled environment of most classrooms and the inspiring wilderness areas of Alberta. But the impetus to incorporate experience into learning relies upon the initiatives of individual teachers. Without mandatory provisions for outdoor educational activities within elementary curriculum, the existing opportunities may be overlooked because of the long list of subjects teachers must cover. We do elementary students a disservice by continuing to undervalue these necessary opportunities for growth and learning. The roots of conservation values, and the route to future preservation of wild spaces, may begin by encouraging and allowing for the development of a personal relationship with the environments in which we live. What better place to do that than in elementary classrooms.
HFKJHS | &es) $*+ ,e) - Qbibzrbd "#$$ WLA 5 C&''$1-('2 Y&4-0 -& N,-4*$ ,- T0$ P(,-0(8&0 C&.)#& B2 N-=- W-,0$.
have caught James Bartram on a rare The Palisades Centre facilitates these year], the average age of a visitor to a day – the grounds and classrooms of connections by immersing youth in outdoor national park was 52. We’re running towards I the Palisades Centre aren’t the usual recreation, wilderness-inspired art, and a cliff. People aren’t visiting national parks frenzy of teens donning snowshoes, prepping natural science projects. For example, this OBGQODMbMEBGOFJDC_E}P cameras for a scavenger hunt, or meeting summer one group hiked along a trail to set Bartram admits that many more students with Parks Canada scientists. Bartram is up a motion-triggered camera at a bear rub need to be reached for national parks to the Education Director at the Parks Canada tree. After testing the camera with photos PESCDEG_EbEaOFLGLCGLIEM_G`EFE_OLMCF}GO|EG Palisades Stewardship Education Centre. of themselves, a national park scientist met seek to be transformative, and reach a small The Centre runs accredited, curriculum- with the students to show them pictures of OKTMEFSEGMFGOG_CQCKFTGHOJPGBOJBGO_L_OD}G based courses designed to engage youth from a grizzly bear rubbing on that very tree the OKLGOGQEHGLICKBOFTGNMTBGMBFRLGEFCK`I}G|EG Canada and around the world in week-long day before. Jeanine D’Antonio, Stewardship FEETGLCGPEG_EOSIMF`GDOFJUGDOFJGDC_E}P interactions with the wilds of Jasper National Program Coordinator, says that many of the Bartram says one of the biggest challenges O_N}G~FGMLBG[QLIGJEO_UGLIEGlEFL_EGMBGFCHG students are in awe, almost shocked when in reaching youth is that programs like those taking bookings three years ahead of time. they realize they’ve stood in the same place offered at the Palisades are disappearing. O_L_ODGLONEBGMFBM_OLMCFGQ_CDGLIEGOCaEUG OBGOG`_MggbJGPEO_}GO~LRBGbMNEGHOLSIMF`GOFG O EFGJEO_BGO`CGLIE_EGHE_EG_CPOPbJGG sCLGCBBPGSODOM`FGBEO_IEOTETGPJGLIEG awakening in some of these kids. It’s very programs like ours [across the country]. Now International Union for the Conservation of _EHO_TMF`}P LIE_EGO_EGOPCKLGLI_EE}PGO_L_ODGCMFLBGLCGLIEG Nature (IUCN). In a video to promote the The programs are free for Alberta kids. North Vancouver Outdoor School and the SODOM`FUGLIEG~lsGBOJBGOLIEGBMF`bEGDCBLG rOJBGO_L_ODUGO|EGO_EGL_JMF`GLCGOTaOFLO`EG {_KFTEbGsOLK_EGlEFL_EGMFGKEPES}GO IEJG important factor behind taking action is ObbGNMTBGLIOLGSCDEGLI_CK`IGLIEGBJBLED}PG are the only ones that have a component of our childhood experience. The well-spring In addition to building a sense of formal education, are accredited, and doing behind our commitment comes from the stewardship for natural places in general, DKbLMTOJG_C`_ODB}P emotional high we reach when in contact Bartram hopes the program works toward Bartram is working with leaders at those HMLIGFOLK_E}P QCBLE_MF`GOFGMFLE_EBLGMFGFOLMCFObGO_NB}GOOBLG schools to come up with funding to train
- WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - HFKJHS CLIE_BGLCG_KFGLIEG_C`_ODB}GO|ER_EGL_JMF`G to grow capacity across mountain parks OFTGsC_LIG{DE_MSO}PGO_NBGlOFOTOGIOBGObBCG started to run mobile programs in partnership with Outward Bound and Robert Bateman’s OfELGLCGFCHPG_C`_OD}GCPMbEGSCK_BEBG have been offered in Mount Revelstoke/ fbOSME_GsOLMCFObGO_NUG|OLE_LCFGONEBG sOLMCFObGO_NUGfKbQG~BbOFTBGsOLMCFObGO_NUG and Fort Rod Hill. Bartram hopes to run a program in Toronto next year. In the meantime, the Palisades continues to provide strong nature-based educational programs for school groups each week and attract dignitaries from around the world (Britain, China, Scandinavia) who are interested in developing similar programs. O|EGIOaEGOGHMFFMF`GQC_DKbOUPGBOJBGO_L_OD}G OrCDEGCQGLIEGO_COSIEBGHEGO_EGObJMF`G are being seen as really effective for a broad S_CBBBESLMCFGCQGBLKTEFLB}PGG Several years ago a group of students paddled down the Athabasca River and camped on Athabasca Island as part of their experience with the Palisades Centre. The students are now grown and attending university. But because of that [_BLGEnE_MEFSEUGLIEJG_ELK_FGOBGOG`_CKGEOSIG JEO_GLCG_EEOLGLIEGOTTbMF`GL_M}GO IMBGMBG ICHGHEGDEOBK_EGBKSSEBBGOLGLIEGObMBOTEBPG BOJBGO_L_ODUGOTTMF`GOMTEObbJGBCDEGTOJG Parks Canada will get so good at this kind CQGEF`O`EDEFLGLIOLG~RbbGPEGCKLGCQGOGCP}P
Niki Wilson is a multi-media science communicator and biologist living in Jasper. Visit her at www.nikiwilson.com.
'K'S ' FJS XF,FQF F,Q X'JKHS ' KH F(NSFQHS XH,KJH
HFKJHS | &es) $*+ ,e) - Qbibzrbd "#$$ WLA R.%/0#.%12 S/044# T6"" H8&&"62 F4/82 4% A,?&#)( F$#&0)0 F$#&A&# B2 C()4-& G$;,8 suggested it was important to have a cause to stand behind and drew their attention to the strong link between environmental issues and government agencies. Two days later Carolyn was speaking to the class about a possible partnership we could form with AWA. That visit marked the beginning of an amazing collaboration and the inspiration for a yearlong fundraising project to advocate for AWA and its educational programs. The students were impressed by Carolyn’s presentation and made connections between her remarks and their learning. Immediately following the presentation, the students agreed unanimously to establish a partnership with AWA. The clincher was Carolyn’s mention of grizzly bear habitat loss. The students were delighted, not with the habitat loss, but with the fundraising MTEOGMLG`OaEGLIEDGO|EGSOFGBEbbG`KDDJG PEO_BGOFTG_OMBEGDCFEJGQC_GLIEG{|{¡PG That was it. We had our cause and more Cathie Gould in front of the colourful hallway bulletin board outside Room 22 that displayed the students’ actions, artwork, and writing for grizzly bear and forest conservation. importantly the students were excited about 'K' ' X) XFGH(( getting involved in an authentic learning opportunity. They wanted to support he fall of 2010 found me teaching MBBKEGQC_GLIEG_EBLGCQGJCK_GbMQE¡PG and advocate for AWA, had found the a grade 6 class at Ranchlands The student looked puzzled and I could inspiration to work together to meet and TElementary School in Calgary. I see that she was beginning to think about surpass curriculum expectations, and had had replaced a much-loved teacher and what I said. At that moment I realized how an opportunity to personalize their learning was faced with the challenge of getting important student feedback was for future while challenging themselves. I was thrilled the students excited about learning from a classroom planning. I certainly needed to for I knew that my students were embarking new teacher. Mayor Nenshi had just won rethink my approach. How could I connect on a learning journey that would allow them the civic election and the students were learning to actively involve the students in a to critically think about important issues. It closely following the electoral process. project that would be meaningful, relevant would help them to form generalizations that O _EEBGOFTGQC_EBLBPGHOBGCK_GKFMLGCQGBLKTJG and personal for each student? The classroom would impact their own understanding of the in science; government and advocating for included a wide range of students, all unique natural world and the impact humans have a local cause were themes in social studies. in their learning styles, areas of interests and had on the environment. There were strong It was important for me, as a teacher, to passions. It was important to have student connections to the curriculum outcomes [FTGOKLIEFLMSGbEO_FMF`GCC_LKFMLMEBUGOFTG voice in the decision-making process and and fantastic opportunities to personalize for students to learn to communicate their LCGSCbbOPC_OLMaEbJG[FTGOGTM_ESLMCFGOFTGQCSKBG student learning. understandings to others. for our grade six year together. The students were engaged in brainstorming A student’s comment about our unit on As I was driving to school the very next and planning sessions for the next few weeks. trees and forests inspired me to look for morning, I heard a familiar voice on the Carolyn gladly accepted our invitation to another way of bringing the curriculum radio. Carolyn Campbell was speaking on DONEGOG_ELK_FGaMBMLGLCGCK_GBSICCbGLCGCQ[SMObbJG to life. We were engaged in a discussion behalf of Alberta Wilderness Association sign the student-generated document of how humans have impacted our natural regarding the tailings ponds created by oil formalizing our partnership. We celebrated world when the following comment reached sands development in northern Alberta. with homemade tree cookies, presentations DJGEO_BGO~GODGLM_ETGCQGLIMBGKFMLGCFGL_EEB}G Carolyn was a former social studies teacher of artwork to AWA, and a promise to work |IEFGHMbbGHEGPEG[FMBIETPGJG_EBCFBEG at Western Canada High School and my together to raise funds to support AWA and HOBGBIC_LGOFTG KMSNUGO|EGO_EGKBLGPE`MFFMF`G own children were fortunate to have had its educational programs. The students were and it is what you do with this information her as a teacher. Not only was her interview EnSMLETGOFTG~GHOBGSCF[TEFLGLIOLGLIMBGHCKbTG that is important. The role of education is to informative but I also realized that I might be a valuable experience for all participants. get students interested and to care enough have a possible direction for my class! AWA was extremely supportive at each to take action. You will be dealing with this I spoke to my students that morning. I stage of the process and provided materials
8 WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - HFKJHS During the 2011 AWA Climb and Run for Wilderness at the Calgary Tower, the Ranchlands Elementary Grade 6 class used all their persuasive speaking skills at their Wild Alberta Expo display to raise funds for grizzly bear and forest conservation. The students were awarded the 2011 Barbara Sherrington Memorial prize for the Expo’s best overall exhibit. Four students also represented the class in the 2011 Run for Wilderness. 'K' ' ) NF(XH', to help the students deeply understand trees. All these items would be resold to students were thrilled with the results. the issues affecting habitat loss and the raise money for our cause. But they were by no means done! This importance of protecting Alberta’s forests. The classroom transformed into a magical was merely the beginning of a yearlong We worked to learn to write persuasively holiday store and students were calculating, collaboration that included a group of as this technique would be valuable convincing and collaborating to raise money interested art students who used mathematics in communicating our message to the for AWA and the campaign to protect grizzly to design, plan and ultimately paint a mural school community and the public at large. bear habitat. Many a recess and lunch hour at the Calgary Tower. We were thrilled to Students researched environment issues, found a line up of students outside Room be accepted in the mural project and proud discovered the importance of advocating for 22 waiting to make their purchases. There of our completed artwork. I presented each OFTGbCPPJMF`G`CaE_FDEFLBUGOFTGMTEFLM[ETG was a wonderful side effect to this project. student with a large framed photo of our a number of effective communication For a few dollars, students were able to painting as a keepsake. strategies. purchase gifts for their family members We also decided to use some of their With the holiday season fast approaching and also contribute to a worthwhile cause. _C[LBGQ_CDGLIEGICbMTOJGBObEGLCGEFLE_GQCK_G we decided to embark upon our initial We were working together to reach a athletic students in the Climb and Run for fundraising project. There was a strong goal while learning to phone companies Wilderness event. It was such a thrill and a connection to holiday trees, and to the for donations, to write letters requesting great honour for those selected to represent trees and habitats the students were keen items for the sale, to problem solve while our class. In addition, we entered the Wild to protect. The possibilities were endless. EBLMDOLMF`GSCBLBGOFTG_C[LBUGLCG_EBEO_SIGLIEG Alberta Expo and proudly displayed our I gathered tree cookies at tree lots that the issues, to create slide show presentations for items for purchase. The students enjoyed students painted and sold as door stops advertisements, to invent original jingles for the daylong experience and learned valuable and paper weights, created wooden words the daily announcements, and to organize skills while practicing the art of persuasion of HOPE, JOY, PEACE which were hand LIEGSbOBB_CCDGEQ[SMEFLbJGLCGObbCHGQC_GS_CHTG on the many visitors. Original art cards painted by students, baked home made control. quickly sold out and raised more money cookies and purchased a collection of Dollar The sale was a huge success and the for our cause (note to self…next time have Store items with the theme of nature and students raised over $1,000 for AWA. The BLKTEFLBGDONEGDC_E¢}GOK_EG_C[LGQC_GCK_G
HFKJHS | &es) $*+ ,e) - Qbibzrbd "#$$ WLA * How government in"uenced our sales Mrs. Campbell came to visit us and talked about the importance of the forests and how the grizzly bear population is slowly growing smaller and smaller. That is why we are raising money for the grizzly bears so that their population is going to increase not decrease. Our sales were OG~fGBKSSEBBGOFTG~RDGBK_EGMLGHMbbG make a difference. I learned from the honorable Lindsay Blackett that forests are a governmental issue. Even Mayor Nenshi is involved with it with IMBGqFaM_CFDEFLGqnC¡GfCaE_FDEFLG Ranchlands Elementary school Grade 6 students with AWA’s Carolyn Campbell at the June IOBGOGPM`GMF\KEFSEGLCHO_TBGBOaMF`G 2011 presentation of the funds they collected for AWA’s grizzly bear and forest work. the forests. They are also wanting 'K' ' X) XFGH(( to plant more trees in the future. I am confident that the grizzly bear SOKBEPGTESbO_ETGCFEGBLKTEFL} making a real difference, that learning was population will increase more over The year-end tally was over $2,300 and relevant to students’ daily lives, and that the years and many other people will the students invited Carolyn back to our they were involved in authentic educational be aware of the forest issue. classroom to present a giant handmade experiences. cheque, along with a bag full of money, I am so appreciative of AWA and its including quarters, dimes and pennies. The programs and hope to continue collaborations students cheered with delight as they counted with them for years to come. By the way, I EaE_JGEFFJGCQGLIEM_G_C[LBGQC_GlO_CbJF}G have just started teaching a grade 4/5 class Oh yes, and they learned an important life at Alex Munro Elementary school. I have Amazing Sale lesson when they paid me back the seed only been there for ten days. I am already Experience money I invested to start the project. thinking of ways to link the curriculum to On Saturday April 16 th I was a part Our year quickly came to an end AWA. I wonder what Carolyn thinks about of the Expo in the Calgary Tower. It but the shared memories with Alberta O|OBLEGMFGK_G|C_bTPGOFTGICHGEQQESLMaEbJG was a chance to persuade people to Wilderness Association will last for years. we use natural resources in Alberta? I think buy your items. You had to tell them It was exciting to have the opportunity to I will make a phone call tomorrow. about what you are raising money participate in the many events hosted by for and tell them how the forests AWA. Our collaboration and association Cathie Gould is a Calgary-based elementary and grizzly bears need to protected with this organization made our study of HIJKKLMNOPIJOQMPRSMTKNJOQMKUM[WOXMYJOMJPHM [sic] and your purchase can make a government, trees and forests purposeful. been teaching and volunteering in the difference. The art cards were really It allowed students to engage in purposeful Calgary Board of Education school system OG~fGIMLGOFTGFEnLGLMDEUGHEGBICKbTG writing opportunities. It was a pleasure to for over 20 years. make a lot more! The second most come to school each day knowing we were sold thing was the food and candy. The Sale was a great experience to show your persuasive arguments. It was interesting and really fun. Sales connection to Social Studies curriculum ¦CHGHE_EGLIEGBObEBGMFG_CCDGGSCFFESLETGLCGLIEGf_OTEG§GSK__MSKbKDGqOBJG – it taught the class how much everybody has a right to speak up for things they believe in. The Social Studies curriculum is all about democracy and LIEGlIO_LE_GCQG¨M`ILBGOFTG©_EETCDB}G_B}GfCKbTGMFaMLETGDOFJGCbMLMSMOFBG into our class to speak to us about government and its job. The Honourable Lindsay Blackett and Wayne Stewart both came, and our class visited Mayor Naheed Nenshi. So next time you want to advocate for something, remember MGG¦{ªqG ¦qG¨~f¦ ¡¡
10 WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - HFKJHS W4&#& H(A& A,, T4& C4-,8#&. G$.&? - T0" P"62;"/*$<" 4= . L4%&-T$>" C.#&.6@ N.*86.#$2* .%1 V4#8%*""6
Eventually, however, he concluded that the the disconnect between children and their B2 main culprit is the super stimuli provided by natural surroundings. Echoing the anecdote S&(. N-"4$,0, technology, in the form of electronic worlds with which he began his talk, he noted a AWA O8*6"./0 and the virtual objects they comprise. He survey conducted in Britain showing that S;"/$.#$2* pointed out that electronic media, from O§¯GE_SEFLGCQGSIMbT_EFGbOJGCKLBMTEGbEBBGLIOFG television to video games, seduce us by once a week; 28 percent of them haven’t simulating many human activities and been on a country walk in the past year; How can it be that a ten year old child experiences. and 20 percent of them have never climbed has never seen a fox, or a beaver, or G ©M_BLUGfKBGSMLETGOGBLKTJGBICHMF`GLIOLG OGL_EE}PG¦EGQCbbCHETGKGPJG_ESCKFLMF`GLIEG OOGTEE_PGPEDCOFBGlOb`O_JGFOLK_ObMBLG the human brain is indifferent to whether amusing, yet distressing, consequence that fKBGONM} the children surveyed wound up with The renowned birder, plant BCDEGOCTTGMTEOBPGOPCKLGFOLK_EGBKSIGOBG expert and nature lover was a belief that cows hibernate in winter. at AWA’s meeting room in Returning to the theme of his our Hillhurst Cottage School aCbKFLEE_G HC_NG MFG lOb`O_JUG fKBG on November 29 to give a reported how although Nature talk: Where Have All the Calgary (formerly the Calgary Field Children Gone? Nature Naturalists’ Society) once had many Deficit Disorder and How youthful members, this is no longer to Combat It. He drew on the case. They are invisible at their his many experiences as a events. volunteer at Calgary-area G fKBGMFQE__ETGLIOLGLIMBGTMBSCFFESLG parks, schools and other contributed to a number of ills plaguing organizations to explore the society. He imparted another story from level of engagement with Robert Bateman. Bateman described nature he sees in today’s how a local elementary school that youth. did not initially have a manufactured Recounting the types of playground saw a marked deterioration questions he poses to students in the students’ behaviour once funds to HMLIGHICDGIEGHC_NBUGfKBG build one were found and the students noted the majority often were no longer allowed to play in the answer that they have never neighbouring woods. He emphasized: seen a snake, a fox, a beaver, O IMBGMBGFCLGOPCKLGLIEGQOSLGLIOLGNMTBG or a deer. Very few have ever don’t know a blue jay from a sparrow. held a frog or seen an owl. Scientists, doctors, and mental health G IEFGfKBGSODEGLCGLIEG experts have been realizing for a while real point of his anecdote, that when kids stop going out into the describing how when he natural world to play, it affects both asks who would like to do their healthy development and society BCUGOEaE_JGIOFTGBICCLBGK}P OBGOGHICbE}P The problem is not that G fKBRGLObNUGICHEaE_UGHOBGQO_GQ_CDG children have no inherent Gus Yaki a rant about the evils of technology. MFLE_EBLG MFG FOLK_EUG fKBG 'K' ' X) '(S', Throughout he was pointed in concluded, but rather that providing thoughtful consideration they are often denied the opportunity to an experience is real or not. He used this into how technology might also be used exercise that interest. He proposed a couple information to preface a hypothetical to solve some of the problems it has of different reasons why that might be the question asked by his friend, the artist precipitated. case, touching on the issue of parental, ¨CPE_LGOLEDOFGO|MbbGSIMbT_EFGSO_EGOPCKLG These solutions came in the second half and societal, apprehension concerning the endangered species or ecosystems when CQGfKBRGLObN}G¦EG_CCBETGLI_EEG`EFE_ObG dangers of unsupervised play beyond the they can call up virtual spotted owls on the SCK_BEBGCQGOSLMCFGMFGLIEGO¦CHGLCGlCDPOLG SCF[FEBGCQGOGBOFSLMCFETGPKPPbEGBK__CKFTMF`G BS_EEFP ~LPGO_LGCQGIMBG_EBEFLOLMCF} LIEGICDE}GfKBG_EQE_EFSETGLIEG_EBKbLBGCQGOG With further reference to an impressively- G ©M_BLUGfKBG_ELK_FETGLCG¨CPE_LGOLEDOFUG BLKTJG_EaEObMF`GLIOLGOLIEGTMBLOFSEG_MLMBIG researched array of studies and with IM`IbM`ILMF`GLIEGOfELGLCGFCHPG_C`_ODG children stray from home on their own has OTTMLMCFObGIEbGQ_CDGOLEDOFUGfKBGT_EHGOG OLEDOFGQCKFTET}G IMBGOKBEBGOFGOFFKObG BI_KFNGPJG¬GE_SEFLGBMFSEGLIEG¬®B}P causal line from that super stimulation to calendar contest and several other school-
HFKJHS | &es) $*+ ,e) - Qbibzrbd "#$$ WLA 11 Fall Interlude 22” x 30” watercolour ' Q) KH(HK',
based initiatives to encourage Canadian MBGObDCBLGFE`bM`MPbEPGIEG_EEOLETbJGMFBMBLETG G |IMbEGfKBG_ESC`FMgETGLIOLGlOFOTORBGbEBB youth to get outside and ‘get to know’ that children needed to be exposed to nature than-temperate weather could be the source of LIEM_GHMbTGFEM`IPCK_B}PGfKBGMTEFLM[ETGLIMBG for more than an hour or two here and there objection, he noted that Finland has been able program as exemplifying many similar over the course of a school year. LCG_EBCbaEGBMDMbO_G_CPbEDB}GO ESIFCbC`JUPG nature-related partnerships between G ~FBLEOTUGfKBGSbOMDETUGMLGHOBGEBBEFLMObGLIOLG fKBGSCFSbKTETUGOSOFGFCHGLONEGSO_EGCQGDCBLG grassroots organizations and schools/ access to nature be integrated into the rest of CQGLIEBEGMBBKEB}P school boards that are cropping up across LIEGBSICCbGSK__MSKbKDGO~GPEbMEaEGJCKGSCKbTG This claim introduced the idea that North America. Other initiatives mentioned teach almost every subject outdoors, with LESIFCbC`JGSCKbTGPEGOG`_EOLGIEbGMFG[FTMF`GOG include the Earth Rangers; the Childrens’ better learning results, as students could then solution to children’s disconnect from nature. sOLK_EGsELHC_NRBGOEOaEGsCGlIMbTG~FBMTEPG BEEGOG_EObGObMSOLMCF}PG~FGBIC_LUGIEGSObbETG ¦CHEaE_GIEGHEFLGBM`FM[SOFLbJGQK_LIE_GHMLIG SODOM`F²GOFTGLIEGOfELGKLBMTEGlPG QC_GLIEGBSICCbGSK__MSKbKDGLCGPEGOEFLM_EbJG his third proposal. program for youth. The last of these is a _EH_MLLEFPGHMLIGOG`_EOLE_GQCSKBGCFGObbCHMF`G G fKBG_ESC`FMgETGLIOLGLESIFCbC`JGMBGMF`_OMFETG joint effort by CPAWS BC, BC Parks, Parks children to conduct their studies outdoors in children’s lives whether we like it or not; Canada, Mountain Equipment Co-op, and OCFGOGTOMbJGPOBMB}P [`ILMF`GLESIFCbC`JGMBGOGQKLMbEGEFTEOaCK_²G the Child and Nature Alliance. This is, to be sure, no small objective. the best results can only be obtained by G fKBGFCLETGBCDEHIOLGBOTbJGLIOLGHIMbEG ¦CHEaE_UGfKBGSODEGO_DETGHMLIGBKC_LMF`G EDP_OSMF`GLESIFCbC`JRBGPEFE[LB} other provinces, such as BC, play host evidence, providing the illustrative example of G ¦CHEaE_UGMLGMBGFCLGCFbJGLIEGPEFE[LBGCQG to a number of such initiatives, there are Finland, where every 45-minute instructional OLESIFCbC`JPGMFGOG`EFE_ObGBEFBEGLIOLGHEGFEETG relatively few operating in Alberta’s larger period is followed by a 15-minute outdoor LCGbCCNGOLUGPKLGBESM[SObbJUGICHGJCKLIGKBEG cities. He indicated that in his experience recess where children are given the technology. What use do today’s children volunteering with schools, he found many opportunity in nature to explore applications make of technology and how can we engage teachers attempting to offer outdoor of the concepts they have just learned in class. them at that level? OSLMaMLMEBGCFGLIEM_GCHFUGOLCGLIEGEnLEFLGLIOLG Pointing out that Finnish students spend more G fKBGOBNETGOrMFSEGJCKF`GECbEGO_EGMFLCG LIEGSK__MSKbKDGOFTGQKFTMF`GObbCHB}P time outdoors than those in any other country, social networking, is there some way we can This observation acted as a segue into he celebrated the fact that they also have excite them by posting photos and text of IMBGBESCFTG_CCBOb}GsCLMF`GLIOLGLIEGOQEHG the highest academic success in the world. bCSObGPM_TBGCFG©OSEPCCNGC_G HMLLE_PG¦EG of us that make visits to schools, or scouts fE_DOFJGLCCGCQQE_ETGEnODbEBGHIE_EGBMDMbO_G reminded us once again of the essence of and guides groups etc. have an impact that programs enjoyed similar success rates. the anecdote with which he started his talk.
12 WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - HFKJHS Enchanted Forest 14” x 21” watercolour ' Q) KH(HK',
It is not that children do not want to engage bOSEGHIE_EGPM_THOLSIMF`GOHOBG_OSLMSObbJG OFTGPObbG[EbTBGDM`ILGLIEGlMLJGPEGSCFaMFSETG with nature, but that they are not given the KFNFCHFG[aEGJEO_BGO`C}P CQGLIEGPEFE[LBGCQGBKC_LMF`G_C`_ODBGbMNEG opportunities. Perhaps the problem is that On a smaller, but more local, scale, the this that enable children to reconnect with the opportunities available are not speaking Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park nature? to them in the right language. rCSMELJUGCQGHIMSIGfKBGMBGOFGOSLMaEGDEDPE_UG The solutions proposed are hardly simple; He reinforced this point by quoting has attracted over 75 participants to an there is no magic wand that can be waved fKFFO_GqF`PbCDUGOGPM_TE_GQ_CDGMDOUG amateur bird photography course, despite to instantly re-forge this broken connection. E_K}GfKFFO_G_EBCFTBGLCGLIEGMTEOGLIOLG almost no promotion. Indeed, it has proved fKBRGLObNGFEaE_LIEbEBBGDOTEGLIEGCHE_QKbUG birdwatching should be promoted by means so popular they have had to turn away clear case that an attempt is necessary. As CQGPMFCSKbO_BUGFCLEPCCNGOFTG[EbT`KMTEG applicants. IEGCMFLETGCKLGO~QGOGSIMbTGSOFGTEBS_MPEGICHG O|_CF`¡G IOLGMBGBCG¬B¡GCKGIOaEGFCLG G {SSC_TMF`GLCGfKBUGLIMBG_CaEBGLIE_EGMBGOG global warming is affecting our planet, but understood the power of technology! As clear interest in relating with nature in this can’t remember the last time he explored a of this day and age, all a non-birder needs manner. Furthermore, since this dovetails so wood or a beach, is he genuinely likely to to become a birdwatcher, are an optical closely with social media and other forms fully understand and care that much about ‘point and shoot’ camera, and an internet of virtual, visual communication that make FOLK_EPGfKBGBEEBGICEUGICHEaE_UGMFGLIEGQOSLG SCFFESLMCF}PG IOLRBGObbGLIOLRBGFEETETGLCG up the world of today’s youth we should that many children would like to know more share photos with friends on Facebook and embrace that connection. We should try to about nature and that, when it is presented to post the pictures on blogs. use these forms of technology to rebuild in a format they find relevant, they are G fKBGSOETGCQQGLIMBGbMFEGCQGLIMFNMF`GPJG children’s engagement with nature. often avid in their uptake. From this stems providing examples of programs where G fKBGLCCNGLIMBGMFL_M`KMF`GMTEOGCFEGbOBLG a recognition that it is a matter of providing combining technology and naturalism in step further. With point and shoot digital opportunities that are regular, recurring and this manner has met with great success. cameras costing as little as $100 apiece, relevant. Technology has its part to play in The Avistar birding festival in São Paulo, could they reasonably be supplied on a large the provision of these opportunities as do Brazil, for example, includes an amateur scale to schools or other organizations so schools, governments, and grassroots non- bird photography competition where, in the they could take on a similar role as that of governmental organizations. SCFLEBLRBGBESCFTGJEO_UGOCaE_G®UGICLCBG the Friends of Fish Creek? Just as the city of 650 bird species were submitted by close of Calgary uses our tax dollars to pay for LCG´UGICLC`_OIE_B}PG IMBGCSSK__ETGMFGOG recreation facilities such as hockey arenas
HFKJHS | &es) $*+ ,e) - Qbibzrbd "#$$ WLA 13 T6$E.# P(#=0 B2 N-%&, D$;%,(0, AWA C4%2"6<.*$4% S;"/$.#$2*
clear message is being sent by First important precedents. Tribal Parks first MFG_EBCFBEGLCGOFGOCQQEFBMaEPG_EBCFBEG Nations in northern Alberta and came to prominence in B.C. in 1984, when by the Canadian government to calls for A B.C. that, if provincial and federal the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation designated Ottawa to address a declining woodland governments continue to do nothing to protect the Wah-nah-juss (Meares Island) Tribal caribou population in north-eastern Alberta. wildlife and forests, then the First Nations are Park in Clayoquot Sound. Subsequently Rather than protecting caribou habitat, willing to take action themselves. Two recent an additional 500 km 2 of Tla-o-qui-aht the government reportedly elected to kill developments involve First Nations taking territories were designated as Tribal Park thousands of wolves instead. their own initiative to set land aside and protect land. This designation included the pristine G QGSCK_BEGLIMBGMBGFCLGLIEG[_BLGLMDEGLIEG it from rampant industrial development. Clayoquot River Valley. ACFN has acted to try to protect caribou According to the Tla-o-qui-aht, the vision from governments and industry. In June ?(,%2(.6.&OK5,/.8&Q.5-P CQG _MPObGO_NBGMBGLCGO_EEBLOPbMBIGOGIEObLIJG 2011, along with the Beaver Lake Cree In early October the Globe and Mail integration of economy and environment Nation and Enoch Cree Nation, the AFCN reported that the Doig River band had in which there is a balance of creation and filed an application for federal judicial TESbO_ETGLIEGEBLOPbMBIDEFLGCQGOGIK`EGOL_MPObG consumption and a continual investment in review, asking the Federal Court of Canada O_NPGBOFFMF`GLIEM_GL_OTMLMCFObGLE__MLC_JGMFG PMCbC`MSObGOFTGESCFCDMSGTMaE_BMLJ}P to order Canada’s Environment Minister north-east British Columbia and north-west Though the Doig River band has not yet to issue emergency protections for seven Alberta. The new park, named K’ih tsaa Edze indicated what type of activities might be caribou herds in north-eastern Alberta. ¶OCbTGB_KSEPGMFGLIEG·OFEgOOGbOF`KO`E¢G allowed in K’ih tsaa Edze, according to the Alberta Wilderness Association, Ecojustice covers 90,000 hectares of traditional territory Globe and Mail , they don’t want to halt all OFTGLIEGEDPMFOG~FBLMLKLEG[bETGOGO_ObbEbG straddling the Alberta/B.C. border north of development. Instead they want to protect application at the same time. f_OFTEG_OM_ME}G IEGO_NGMFSbKTEBGO_LGCQG the traditional lands where they have hunted, In a notable victory for the First Nations AWA’s Chinchaga Area of Concern. [BIETUGOFTGL_OETGQC_GLICKBOFTBGCQGJEO_B}G and environmental organizations, the Federal The old growth forest ecosystems within {BGLIEGFEHBOE_GCMFLBGCKLUGO_EBCK_SEG Court of Canada found the Environment the park are exceptional, with stands of industries should not assume it is business Minister to have erred in not recommending huge white spruce and aspen trees. Some of OBGKBKOb}P emergency protection for the threatened the forests are believed never to have been woodland caribou herds and ordered him PK_FET}GO~GIOaEGBEEFGQEHGQC_EBLBGMGE_MCTG a,5!+&D.+,"%!&O?.5,/"*&Q5$!$57$P to release a draft caribou recovery strategy. – that are as biologically diverse and rich Hot on the heels of the Doig River band’s But when the strategy was released in OBGLIMBUPGBOMTGQC_EBLGEnE_LG¦E_PG¦ODDCFTG new Tribal Park designation, on November early September, it did nothing to protect to the Globe and Mail . Hammond, of Silva 8 news emerged about the proposed creation caribou habitat. It focused instead on killing Ecosystem Consultants Ltd., was hired by CQGOG©M_BLGsOLMCFBTEBM`FOLETGOSO_MPCKG wolves. ACFN chief Allan Adam called this the band to draft a management plan for the _EBE_aEPGMFGFC_LIEOBLE_FG{bPE_LO}G IEG YLPWOM O_COSIGOOGBbOGMFGLIEGQOSE}P new park. (In 2010, Hammond worked with Lake Journal detailed a proposal by Pat First Nations and many other Albertans {|{GOFTGLIEGfICBLG|OLE_BIETG{bbMOFSEG Marcel, chair of the elders’ committee and are increasingly feeling excluded from Society in the development of an Ecosystem- chief negotiator for Athabasca Chipewyan government decision-making which fails POBETGlCFBE_aOLMCFGbOFGQC_GLIEGfICBLG¨MaE_G ©M_BLGsOLMCFG¶{l©s¢UGLCGTEBM`FOLEGOGOSO_MPCKG to respect the values they hold dear. But watershed - see WLA , August 2010). _EBE_aEPGMFGL_OTMLMCFObGbOFTBGPELHEEFGLIEG the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Not all of the forests in the park are Slave River and Saskatchewan border. the Doig River band are leading the way in pristine of course and what Hammond refers According to the Journal UGLIEGO_EOGHOBGOBELG developing new tools to protect wildlife and LCGOBGOKFSCFL_CbbETG_EBCK_SEGEnbCMLOLMCFPG aside in 1935 by the government of Alberta LIEM_GIOPMLOL}GO|ER_EG_EObbJGQOSMF`GOGIO_TG continues. He refers to poorly designed QC_G{l©sRBGL_OTMLMCFObGIKFLMF`G`_CKFTB}PG LMDEGHIEFGHEGBEEGLIEGbOFTGPEMF`GTEBL_CJETUPG and constructed oil and gas access roads Marcel said he and other elders ACFN’s Pat Marcel told the YLPWOMaPbOM OBGOTMB`KBLMF`}P knowledgeable about caribou habitat will Journal }GOKLGHER_EGBLMbbGLIE_E}G|EGIOaEFRLG Though Tribal Parks do not have any be drafting the land management proposal KMLG[`ILMF`}P official status with either the federal to be presented to chief and council in the or provincial governments they have upcoming months. His proposal comes
14 WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - HFKJHS B2 L$$=-.% () A,?&#)(: S&(. N-"4$,0, AWA O8*6"./0 W0,- D& -0$ S,2$-2*&4%$ S$$? S;"/$.#$2*
A listing of just a “few” of the wells to be found in one section of land. 'K' ' S) ,NX'(S
t is easy, sometimes, to lose sight of what aE_M[SOLMCFGLIOLGLIMBGHEbbGBMLEGSC__EBCFTBGLCG an expanse of sagebrush and to have that is right in front of our eyes. At times it that licence. So, with on-site truthing being expanse interrupted by dozens of wells Iis because we cannot see the forest for the best way to verify the maps’ accuracy, and pumpjacks belching smoke and noise. the trees. At other times, it is because we are Christyann Olson and I packed up my What undeveloped prairie remained was too busy looking elsewhere. mapwork and drove out to Manyberries to scarred and slashed with roads, fences and I spent most of my October being busy see the ground for ourselves. powerlines, trampled by trucks, all as far looking at maps: maps of sage-grouse critical It is one thing to see the ground through as the eye could see. habitat in Alberta’s south-eastern corner, a map’s eyes; they tell us that every little Before departing Calgary, we imagined maps of well sites and pipelines, maps of marker on the map represents a well site; we might have to do some cross-country dark green blobs on top of light green blobs they speak to us intellectually, to our minds hiking to get to the sites we planned to visit. on top of sandy-coloured blobs, and maps of only, and tell us there must be access to and After arriving, we realized what a naive lines and angles and thetas and longitudes. utilities servicing that site. I discovered expectation that had been: the territory was The maps needed, as it happened, it is quite another to stand at the edge of so bisected and trisected with wide-open
HFKJHS | &es) $*+ ,e) - Qbibzrbd "#$$ WLA 15 roads that we could drive right up this be happening atop the only to any site imaginable. We needed habitat for greater sage-grouse in to do no more hiking than we Alberta? Little wonder there are would to get to a friend’s house only thirteen left! in suburban Calgary. The wonder quickly turned to If one looks at a map of the exasperation at how this could forty or so townships in the far be allowed to happen. How is south-east corner of the province, it that between government and they look mostly empty and landowners – all the parties remote. Few highways or towns that supposedly are stewards off mark up the map. So here, one this land – we have not noticedd might assume you would find that we have turned the onlyy undisturbed prairie wilderness. remaining habitat for Alberta’ss Here would be a promising place most endangered species intoo to see pronghorn antelope, rough- a giant factory? How have we legged hawk and perhaps even an missed this? endangered greater sage-grouse. It is easy, after all, to lose sight But when AWA went there, of what is right in front of our what we found was an industrial eyes. At times it is because we zone. It reminded us of the cannot see the forest for the trees. lObMQC_FMOGCMb[EbTBGCQGLIEG¬¸BG At other times, it is because we C_L_OJETGMFGLIEGQMbDGO IE_EG are too busy looking elsewhere. |MbbGEGbCCT}PG|IOLGHEGBOHG forced us to puzzle: how can
Top: Even on a Sunday the ground was crawling with trucks and workers hammeringh away at thet land. 'K' ' X) '(S',
Middle:M Underground disturbancesd show ono the surface too, suchs as the foreign vegetationv intruding wherew a pipeline has bebeen buried and rere-covered. 'K' ' X) '(S',
Left:Le The undisturbed grasslandsgr we had naivelyna hoped to see. 'K' ' X) '(S',
$- WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - HFKJHS S4%-,(',;<$ F&*$%-%, S4%-,(',;<$ C&//4'(-($%. T"# F&'&(# )* A,-#('.’0 S)&'"2#0'#(3 F)(#0'0 B2 N-%&, D$;%,(0, AWA C4%2"6<.*$4% S;"/$.#$2*
anagement of forests in businesses, working to present an alternative the groups who have signed on to these southwestern Alberta – or more model of forest management in Alberta. recommendations. First is the geographical Mfrequently their mismanagement The new report, YcHNPdRPeLOM fKQOHNHgM spread of these groups: organizations from – has been in the news often over the past YcHNPdRPeLOMhKTTcRdNdOHi jJOMfcNcQOMKUM the Castle all the way up to Bragg Creek [aEGC_GBMnGJEO_B}GlCDDKFMLMEBGQ_CDGLIEG kLeOQNPRHMYKcNJmOHNOQRMfKQOHNHg was released OFTGLIEGfICBLGO_EGSObbMF`GQC_GaE_JGBMDMbO_G fICBLGLCG_O``Gl_EENGLCGLIEGl_CHBFEBLGLCG on October 25, 2011 and outlines a number things. Second, the diversity of the voices Beaver Mines have spoken out clearly to of recommendations. They include: speaking out, including tourism groups, oppose plans for clearcut logging programs local businesses and landowner groups, is in their local forests. The imminent clearcut !" O IEG[_BLG_MC_MLJGCQGQC_EBLGDOFO`EDEFLG impressive. A growing list of businesses and logging plans for the Castle region have in southwestern Alberta forests will organizations are still signing on to these been the most recent plans to raise the ire be the conservation of the ecological recommendations. They include: of residents throughout the south-west. values of the forest, including provision Increasingly people realize that these are of clean, abundant water, diverse #G{bPE_LOG|MbTE_FEBBG{BBCSMOLMCF not just local issues: they are symptoms of forest ecosystems, wildlife habitat and #GEOaE_GMFEBGrLC_E a bigger problem with the way our southern connectivity, and natural carbon capture #GE_LG¨M``ObbGqFaM_CFDEFLObG©CKFTOLMCF forests are managed. Essentially Alberta OFTGBLC_O`E}P #GCHGªObbEJGsOLK_ObMBLB DOFO`EBGLIEBEGQC_EBLBG[_BLGOFTGQC_EDCBLG !" O IEGBESCFTG_MC_MLJGHMbbGPEGO_C_MOLEG #G_O``Gl_EENGqFaM_CFDEFLObGlCObMLMCF to supply timber. All of the ecological human use of the same forested landscape, #GlOFOTMOFGO_NBGOFTG|MbTE_FEBBGrCSMELJGG services that forests provide – production including appropriate recreation and (Southern Alberta Chapter) of clean drinking water, habitat for wildlife, LCK_MBDUGOFTGBKBLOMFOPbEGQC_EBL_J}P #GlOBLbEGl_CHFG|MbTE_FEBBGlCObMLMCF recreation opportunities – come a distant !" OKPbMSGSCFBKbLOLMCFG_CSEBBEBGHMbbGPEG #Gl_CHBFEBLGlCFBE_aOLMCFGrCSMELJ second. OSSEBBMPbEUGOSSCKFLOPbEGOFTGL_OFBO_EFL}P #G©KbbGlM_SbEG{TaEFLK_EB The forests of southwest Alberta occupy #GfICBLG|OLE_BIETG{bbMOFSEGrCSMELJ a relatively thin strip of land between The groups are very clear that they #GMaMF`BLCFEGOFTCHFE_BGf_CK the mountains and the grasslands. Their are not opposed to logging. But they are #GrCKLIGC_SKMFEG¦MbbBGrLEHO_TBIMG{BBCSMOLMCF ecological importance is far greater opposed to current logging practices, #GrCKLIE_FG{bPE_LOGf_CKGQC_GLIEGqFaM_CFDEFL than their physical area. These forests particularly the huge cutblocks which #GrLCGLIEGlOBLbEGC``MF`Gf_CK O_EGOHOLE_GLCHE_B²PGLIEJGEFBK_EGSbEOFUG have become a normal feature of so many #G _OMbGCQGLIEGf_EOLGEO_ abundant drinking water for communities of our public land forests. Recent public #GEbbCHBLCFEGLCGKNCFGlCFBE_aOLMCFG~FMLMOLMaE across southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and opinion polls suggest that the majority of Manitoba where water is a scarce resourceresource.. Albertans agree: polls carried out in 2011 The recommendations have been sent to TheTheyy provide habitat for a rich arraarrayy of [_BLGMFGLIEGSCDDKFMLMEBGCQGELIP_MT`EGOFTG[_BLGMFGLIEGSCDDKFMLMEBGCQGELIP_MT `EGOFTG Premier Redford. There is certainlycertainl y some \C_OGOFTGQOKFOUGMFSbKTMF\C_OGOFTGQOKFOUGMFSbKTMF`GLI_EOLEFETGOFTG`GLI_EOLEFETGOFTG Coaldale,Coaldale , and second in Pincher Creek,Creek , optimismop timism that, with a renewed commitmentcommitmen t enendangereddan gere d specspeciesies suchsuc h as grizzlygrizz ly bear,bear, Fort MacMacleod,leo d, anandd Crowsnest Pass foundfoun d LCGOL_OFBO_EFSJGOFTGOSSCKFLOPMbMLJUPGLIMBGLCGOL_OFBO_EFS JGOF TGOSSCKFLO PMbM LJUPGL IM BG cutthroat trout and limber pine. TheTheyy are that 80 percent and 77 percent of people governmentgovernment will be willingwillin g to look at a new also a prime recreational area for more than respectivelyrespectively would support no commercial moremore constructive and balanced approach one mmillionilli on AAlbertans.lb ertans . logginglogg ing (surveys(surveys conductedcon ducte d byby LethbridgeLet hb rid ge to managmanaginging forests, one thatt hat respects alla ll of AWA has been pleased to host a numbenumberr Citizen SocietSocietyy Research Lab and Praxis their values and not jjustust the dollar value ooff of environmental groups, landowner surveysurvey respectively).respectively) . the timber that can be removed. ororganizations,ganizations, watershed groupsgroups andan d TwoTwo thingsthin gs are particularlyparticularl y strikingstrikin g about
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’0 S)&'"2#0'#(3 F)(#0'0
Alberta’s forests deserve so much more than these unsubtle clearcut blocks in southern Kananaskis Country. 'K' ' ,) Q'(FS HFKJHS | &es) $*+ ,e) - Qbibzrbd "#$$ WLA $ F(','1$$ H)2 M.3< B&>?0 D)#0 I' T.?#? B2 C4#-0)2(.. O,0$., AWA EI"/8*$<" D$6"/*46 ast year it took more than $571,000 bucks we needed this year. Thank you! donate annually and their individual gifts – 571,300 bucks to be precise – to Obviously, without your generosity we could range from $10 to $30,000. L[FOFSEGLIEGHC_NGHEGTCGOLG{bPE_LOG not do the work we do; we simply could Fundraising and gifts from donors allow Wilderness Association. Those bucks not manage without you. Eighteen percent {|{GLCGPEG[FOFSMObbJGMFTEEFTEFLGOFTGQ_EEG were carefully spent in three main areas. of our revenue came from grants and we to speak out for wilderness protection. Your The main focus of AWA – wilderness are grateful to glasswaters foundation, the help means we can continue to represent you stewardship, conservation, and outreach {bPE_LOGfCaE_FDEFLRBGrKDDE_G EDC_O_JG and the public interest for our wilderness, MGLCCNG®ºGE_SEFLGCQGLIEGPKSNB}GfEFE_ObG Employment Program (STEP), Alberta Sport our wildlife and our wild water successfully. and administrative costs have remained Recreation Parks and Wildlife Foundation, If you haven’t made your gift this year, remarkably low for years and consumed only Royal Bank of Canada’s RBC Blue Water or if you could send a little more as the end GE_SEFLGCQGCK_GEnEFBEB}G IMBGLEBLM[EBG lCDDKFMLJG f_OFLBG OFTG IEG lOb`O_JG of the year approaches, please do . Every LCG{|{RBGBLOLKBGOBGOFGEQ[SMEFLUGSO_EQKbbJG Foundation for supporting our work this gift means a great deal and you can be managed association. That we are able past year. assured you are investing in a passionate to devote such a small percentage of our When it comes to membership statistics and dedicated team that will use your gift EnEFBEBGLCGLIEBEGSCBLBGObBCGLEBLM[EBGLCGLIEG AWA has 4,362 individuals who represent wisely. Please use the form inserted into BM`FM[SOFSEGCQGaCbKFLEE_MBDGOFTG`CCTHMbbG 185 communities in Alberta in addition to the Wild Lands Advocate to mail your gift; to our activities. Development, building our national and international members. That or, we have a secure online donation site donor base, and creating broader awareness total jumps to approximately 7,500 when at www.gowildAlberta.ca. We love to hear CQG{|{GOFTGCK_GDOFTOLEUGO·EQEFTMF`G|MbTG donors are added to this total (donors is the Q_CDGJCKGOLGLIEGCQ[SEGBCGQEEbGQ_EEGLCG`MaEG {bPE_LOGLI_CK`IG{HO_EFEBBGOFTG{SLMCFUPG label we have given to those who donate to us a call at either (403) 283-2025 or 1-866- made up the balance of our expenses. AWA but are not members). If every one of 313-0713 and make your donation over Knowing how we spend the bucks our members and supporters could donate the phone. Make no mistake we do need begs the question of where we get them. 75 bucks we could nearly meet our frugal your donation! Thanks for helping AWA Donations from members, supporters and budget. The reality is that only a small speak out on behalf of Alberta’s natural fundraising provided 79 percent of the number (about 10 percent) of members treasures!
18 WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - FSS'XNFKN', ,HLS G$=*2 $% M">46$.> 2010 – 2011 AWA -0 4$.$;#&8 (.8 %#()&H;, )$ 4(A& #&"&-A&8 %-H)0 -. I&I$#2 $H )4& H$,,$+-.% 0;JJ$#)� 8;#-.% )4& J(0) 2&(#. j.7,3&?"+$ 1930 - 2010 R"%%,$&j*%0"53 1996 - 2011 b,"8.&a)0$ 1925 - 2010 M"*,!$&<*) 1918 - 2011 ?8.5$%2$&^.#,8+"% 2011 `"5)&^$%35,2-!"% 2010 `,+.&'.2-!"% 2011 `"%&'$%-,%! 1927 - 2011 K.3&X.4.!.-, 2002 - 2007 '.%%$&M.%= 2011 K$3&Y.8"%$ 1925 - 2010 M,%3.&Y$88,!( 1949 - 2010 <$"56$&Y,(.82($"% 1929 - 2011 Y5G&D6"5"P$ 2011 Y,%.&Q$+$5!"% 1938 - 2011 E8$A&Q"8"4,2- 1924 - 2011 `.%6$5&`.)$&I8!"% 1996 - 2011 M.*5$%2$&`,2(.53! 1946 - 2011 H.%&`"!! 1958 - 2003 Q$+$5&C.*%3$5! 1924 - 2010 R.5/.5.&C($55,%6+"% 1947 - 2008 Y*55.)&CJ.%68$5 1931 - 2011 j"%%.&C#,+( 2010 C+$7$&C"87.!"% 1918 - 2010 `"!$#.5)&C+"5!/$56 1930 - 2011 j"8"5$!&K5$++$8 1927 - 2011
FSS'XNFKN', ,HLS | &es) $*+ ,e) - Qbibzrbd "#$$ WLA $* A,?&#)(’0 P;?,-" L(.8 C#-0-0: T0$ F&4*-0 A''4,< M,*-0, K&%-410 L$1-4*$
B2 I(. U#O;4(#)
echnology is double-edged. It excites a lecture that, as one member of the audience Q*/8,2&M.%3&,%&E8/$5+.Z&C2"J$9&C+.+*!9& and sometimes helps me do my work; noted, was inspirational. .%3&?"%+5"7$5!,$! Tit scares me too – in the case of this G fMaEFGCPRBGEFLIKBMOBDGQC_GIKFLMF`UGMLG Bob devoted most of his speech to building article – when technology seems to think. may be especially appropriate to suggest a fearless, provocative critique of public land I couldn’t attend Bob Scammell’s Martha he brought a double-barreled perspective DOFO`EDEFLGMFG{bPE_LO}G¦MBGBESM[SGQCSKBG Kostuch lecture in November but, courtesy to thinking about Alberta’s public land. The was the grazing lease system on public CQGBE_aE_BUG[bEGL_OFBQE_G_CLCSCbBGOFTGECbEG [_BLGPO__EbGSODEGSCK_LEBJGCQGHIOLGCPRBG land – the Alberta government’s rules for who know much more about such things than father taught him more than 60 years ago. leasing grazing rights to Alberta ranchers. me, I was able to listen to Bob’s remarks. I The elder Scammell relished the freedom Michael Wenig wrote in 2005 that, in 2003, downloaded the lecture and proceeded to LCGIKFLGOFTG[BIGCFG{bPE_LORBGKPbMSGbOFTBUG there were 5,700 grazing leases in Alberta M KFEBGLCGCEFGLIEGOKTMCG[bE}G|IEFG~GQCKFTG freedom the Old Country’s elitism refused that covered nearly 5 million acres of public LIEGOKTMCG[bEG~GFCLMSETGM KFEBUGMFGMLBGHMBTCDUG to someone of his social standing. His father land; they accounted for over 60 percent of already had decided what genre it should introduced Bob to the joys of rambling the public land agricultural dispositions made assign to Bob’s lecture – the blues. through Alberta’s countryside. Those outings by government. G ~GBLO_LETGLIEFGLCGbMBLEFGLCGO IEGOLLbEGQC_G were where his father outlined a short, sharp, Bob prefaced his critique by reminding sCOFRBGOFTUPGCPRBGbESLK_EGOPCKLGKPbMSG simple land ethic for the stewardship of IMBGOKTMEFSEGOPCKLGLIEGBM`FM[SOFSEGCQGKPbMSG lands in Alberta, with some trepidation. PCLIGKPbMSGOFTG_MaOLEGbOFTBGOCCNGOQLE_G land to recreation and wilderness. At least iTunes’ selection of 75 percent of outdoors the blues genre was recreation in Alberta takes scarily perceptive. It place on there. Since most foreshadowed some T0$ -*4$ -*,2$DE &. -0$ 1&//&'% &. F4;<(1 <,'D (% of Alberta’s wild spaces of the message Bob *$,< 20 WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - FSS'XNFKN', ,HLS in the dark. Irate ranchers hurled threats and insults at him. But his words also won him the evidence he needed to know his instincts HE_EG_M`ILGMGObOMFGP_CHFGEFaEbCEBGQ_CDG anonymous government employees and CQ[SMObBGTCSKDEFLMF`GICHGCK_G`CaE_FDEFLBG have been deliberately misleading Albertans for years as to what their access rights were LCG`_OgMF`GbEOBEBGCFGKPbMSGbOFT}P Ranchers with leases were more likely to object, rudely or reasonably, to Bob’s unwelcome probing than were those who didn’t have leases. Why? For Bob the answer likely revolves around much more than the public access issue. It seems to go to the CLIE_GPEFE[LBGLIEG_CaMFSMObG`CaE_FDEFLG has bestowed on leaseholders. As Wenig pointed out, grazing leases on public land raise a number of controversies in addition to access: lease rental rates, lease transferability, lease land purchases by lease holders, access by other commercial actors (e.g. petroleum) to lease land, and the matter CQGHICG_ESEMaEBGLIEG[FOFSMObGSCDEFBOLMCFG payments made by those other actors. IEG[FOFSMObGOBESLBGC_GSCFL_CaE_BMEBGCQG Alberta’s grazing lease system occupied most of Bob’s attention. He made it very Bob Scammell (left), recipient of an AWA Alberta Wilderness Defenders clear near the outset of his talk that he was Award, and Wayne Lowry, Alberta Fish and Game Association. not criticizing the stewardship of grasslands 'K' ' ) NF(XH', by leaseholders. He didn’t have any evidence of overgrazing or abuse of those lands. more than below market-value lease fees. the owners, receive that compensation. Two of these practices, land disturbance Anecdotally, these payments may be ?"4/")&F$80.5$L compensation payments and the sale/transfer very sizeable. Some people claimed to Bob The financial dimensions, however, CQG`_OgMF`GbEOBEBUGBLCCTGCKL}GOf_OTKObbJG~G that they know of individual ranchers who MFQK_MOLEGIMD}G¦EGBEEBGMLGOBGOGOSCHPCJG _EObMgETGLIOLUPGCPGBOMTUGOO_BMF`GLIEGHC_TBG make more than $100,000 per year from HEbQO_EPG BJBLEDG QC_G LIOLG DMFC_MLJG CQG of section 102, the ‘best use’ of public land the payments they receive from oil and gas ranchers who are privileged to hold these under grazing lease is not just for cheap grass activities on the grazing lands they have cattle grazing rights. The analogy to welfare for the grazing of livestock at all but for the leased from Albertans. `_CHBGCKLGCQGBEaE_ObGSbOMDB}G IEG[_BLGSbOMDG mining of windfall, buckshee money. It is Fuel is poured onto this grievance by the is that public land leaseholders pay much OGSOBIGSCHGLCGKLGMLGPbKFLbJ}PG IMBGMBGHIE_EG ability of grazing leaseholders freely to sell less for the right to graze cattle on public the pejorative meaning of welfare, namely or transfer their leases if and when they want land than they would pay for a lease to graze that it is undeserved, received perhaps its to. Leases with oil and gas operations fetch those same cattle on private land. strongest expression. OG_ELLJGEFFJGMFTEET}G IEJGO_CKLMFEbJGBEbbG The claim begs the question of whether In Alberta, rights to explore for and exploit for around 125 to 130 dollars an acre – not the actor with the duty of serving the best sub-surface resources such as oil and gas bad buckshee money for a mere license to MFLE_EBLGCQGObbG{bPE_LOFBGMGLIEGfCaE_FDEFLG do not belong to private landowners. The `_OgEGLIEG`_OBBGCFGbOFTGJCKGTCFRLGEaEFGCHF}PGG of Alberta – is doing so when it comes to Crown retains those rights. But, if a company G IEG[FObGCPESLGCQGLIMBG[FOFSMObGS_MLM KEG setting grazing lease fees. This assertion comes onto private land to search for or HOBGLIEGfCaE_FDEFLGCQG{bPE_LO}GCPGKBETG about discrepancies between public and develop sub-surface riches, the private LIEGI_OBEGO`_CBBGFE`bM`EFSEPGOLGCFEGCMFLG private grazing lease fees is strikingly similar bOFTCHFE_G_ESEMaEBG[FOFSMObGSCDEFBOLMCFG in his talk. That characterization must have to the advice former Premier Peter Lougheed from the company for whatever surface been aimed at the provincial government. offered with respect to developing the oil disturbances their actions cause. The government apparently has no solid sands: think like an owner. This is not the case on public land leased for estimate of how much money is exchanged The audience heard a substantial list cattle grazing. There the owner of the land, between the petroleum industry and grazing of ways in which the government fails to the public, does not receive compensation leaseholders. At a time when the provincial behave like any prudent owner of private payments for surface disturbances. Instead government is running multi-billion dollar bOFT}G~GBKBESLGLI_EEGCLIE_G[FOFSMObGOBESLBGCQG those payments go to whoever holds the deficits and is threatening to cut public the grazing lease system angered Bob even grazing lease. Lessees of public land, not FSS'XNFKN', ,HLS | &es) $*+ ,e) - Qbibzrbd "#$$ WLA 21 Irrigation District that sprawls roughly through southeastern Alberta from Bassano in the west to the Saskatchewan border and between the Red Deer River to the north and the Bow River to the south. Using the per acre petroleum compensation payments received by these institutions Bob estimated that this practice alone could be costing the people of Alberta $130 million per year. This estimate is nearly 30 percent greater than the $107 million in education funding Premier Redford restored after becoming leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. &F(.+&F"*83&Y.5+(.&j"L Early in the evening Bob posed the KEBLMCFGLCGIMBGOKTMEFSEGO|IOLGHCKbTG Martha do about our perennial public land _CPbEDPG¦EGSCFSbKTETGIMBG_EDO_NBGPJG invoking Martha’s spirit and outlining a series of actions he believes she would pursue if she still walked among us. First, we should follow the money and [FTGCKLGKBLGICHGDKSIGLIEG`CaE_FDEFLRBG grazing lease system costs Albertans. The province’s fQOOSKTMKUMoRUKQTPNdKRMkIN should be employed to this end. A freedom of information request would be valuable even MQGMLGQOMbETGLCG_CTKSEGLIEGFKDPE_B}GO~LGHCKbTG bMNEbJGTEDCFBL_OLEGBCDELIMF`GEaEFGHC_BEUPG CPGBK``EBLETUGOLIOLGCK_G`CaE_FDEFLGIOBG Stephen Hererro, recipient of an AWA Alberta Wilderness no idea about how much of our money it Defenders Award, and AWA’s Nigel Douglas. IOBGFE`bM`EFLbJGHOBLETGP 'K' ' ) NF(XH', Second, AWA should join other conservation groups and approach the new services such ignorance may strike some money is lost annually to provincial coffers premier to see if her administration will readers as especially scandalous. by allowing grazing leaseholders to keep break with the past and show some real CLOLC`OLEGLEBLM[ETGLCGLIEG`CaE_FDEFLRBG BK_QOSEGTMBLK_POFSEGOJDEFLBGPGOBETG interest in recovering these lost revenues. blindness on this matter. Dave Ealey, on data compiled some years ago by the Third, the provincial auditor general should spokesperson for Sustainable Resource Association of Professional Landmen the be contacted and we should request he use his Development, told Bob he could not tell province was likely losing tens of millions CHE_BGLCGL_JGLCG`ELGLCGLIEGPCLLCDGCQG[FOFSMObG him how much money grazing leaseholders of dollars…then…years ago. costs of the grazing lease system. received from resource companies on Bob then tried to estimate what the Fourth, conservationists should reach the 16,000 acres of land the government government’s refusal to collect these out to the Canadian Association of proposed to sell. He simply didn’t know. compensation payments might mean today _CQEBBMCFObGOFTDEFGOFTGLIEGfCaE_FDEFLG The information Bob sought is private; it’s to the provincial treasury. The estimate of Saskatchewan to see what data they have between the leaseholder and the companies. came from data published by the 5,500 regarding compensation payments for surface This exchange buttressed the charge that acre Antelope Creek Ranch located 18 disturbances. OCK_G`CaE_FDEFLGIOBGFCGMTEOGICHGDKSIG kilometres west of Brooks and the Eastern T0$ D(*$1-&* /,E (' ,11&*D,'1$ G(-0 -0(% P,*- <$,%$ F4;<(1 <,'D .&* , -$*/ '&- $J1$$D('2 20 E$,*% .&* -0$ F4*F&%$ &. 2*,M('2 <(+$%-&1N G0$', (' -0$ D(*$1-&*’% &F('(&', -0$ ;$%- 4%$ -0,- /,E ;$ /,D$ &. -0$ <,'D (% -0$ 2*,M('2 &. <(+$%-&1N. - S$1-(&' 102(1), P4;<(1 L,'D% A1- 22 “WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - FSS'XNFKN', ,HLS “ Finally, and perhaps most Captivating MDC_LOFLbJUG{bPE_LOFBGODKBLGBLO_LG 14” x 10” watercolour demanding better management, ' Q) KH(HK', administration, and stewardship of our public land generally…Public land is a public trust and it should be managed and administered as such by a board of trustees selected from among the owners – the people of {bPE_LO}PGG I was told Bob promised AWA a barn-burning Martha Kostuch lecture. He certainly delivered one. I suspect LIEGBCLGCFGLIEG\CC_GMFG{|{RBGDEELMF`G room where he stood to deliver his remarks is still warm to the touch. Both the substance and style of Bob’s lecture were provocative. I hope they produce the strong reaction I believe he was looking for. I hope they provoke, at the very least, a wide-ranging debate about the stewardship of public land in Alberta. Such a debate would provide an opportunity for any number of important questions and possible tradeoffs to be considered. For example, would below market-value lease payments or leaseholder retention of a portion of petroleum compensation payments be warranted in return for excellent ecological stewardship and commitments to public access? I would hope it also would provide an opportunity for constructive partnerships to be formed between the ranching and conservation communities. These communities, as Nigel Douglas later underlines in his update on the Alberta Utilities Commission transmission line decision in southwestern Alberta, share important perspectives on how Alberta’s landscapes should be treated. Shaw TV in Calgary (channel Y"%3.)! a5,3.)! (beginning on Dec. 5 and ending on (beginning on Dec. 9 and ending on 10) will be rebroadcasting Jan. 30): 4:00 to 5:00 pm Jan. 27): 2:00 am to 3:00 am the Martha Kostuch Annual Lecture according to the F$3%$!3.)! C*%3.)! following schedule. ]e lecture (beginning on Dec. 7 and ending on (beginning on Dec. 11 and ending on Jan. 25): 2:00 to 3:00 am Jan. 29): 2:00 am to 3:00 am will not be shown on the days when Shaw’s holiday favourite, K(*5!3.)! C*%3.)! the Yule Log, is running. (beginning on Dec. 8 and ending on (beginning on Dec. 11 and ending on Jan. 26): 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm Jan.29): 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm FSS'XNFKN', ,HLS | &es) $*+ ,e) - Qbibzrbd "#$$ WLA 23 “Potatogate” Land Sale Is Scrapped decision to halt the Potatogate land sale. Again. eis Time Let’s Hope It Is But it is also important to remember that the system which allows public land to be U;1.*"2 For Good! sold off without any public input remains G IEGFCLC_MCKBGOCLOLC`OLEPG_CCBObGLCG Albertans Can Help Ensure in place: there is nothing to prevent more sell off 16,000 acres of public land has Conserved Water Bene^ts Rivers Potatogates happening in future. So AWA’s once again been cancelled, and this time it In mid-October 2011, AWA and other letter to the premier includes a series of looks as though it might be for good. On environmental organizations released recommendations for a process to ensure October 19, in a brief statement, the Alberta an open letter to Albertans advising that that public land remains public into the `CaE_FDEFLGOFFCKFSETGO{G¨E KEBLGQC_G TESMBMCFBGLCGMD_CaEGHOLE_GEQ[SMEFSJGMFGLIEG future, and that the Alberta public has a say Proposals is cancelled that would have sold province appear to be bypassing important in decisions which are made affecting this 16,000 acres in southern Alberta for irrigated opportunities to improve aquatic ecosystems. land. O`_MSKbLK_ObGTEaEbCDEFL}GfCaE_FDEFLG Major water-using sectors including But for now it is time to celebrate a good cancelled the RFP after people expressed municipalities, irrigation districts, decision, and to thank all of those who concerns that there was no public input electricity generation and energy industries took the time to write to politicians and into using a Request for Proposals and that are now developing provincial water newspapers to oppose Potatogate. Your there might be an impact on water and on lCFBE_aOLMCFUGqQ[SMEFSJGOFTG_CTKSLMaMLJG voices really do count! LIEG_OFSIMF`GSCDDKFMLJ}P Plans (CEP Plans). Under Alberta’s Water Although the fact that AWA’s Wilderness for Life strategy, these plans should aim - Nigel Douglas LCGMD_CaEGBESLC_BRGHOLE_KBEGEQ[SMEFSJG and Wildlife Defenders received a request to write to the premier just one day before the by 30 percent by 2015. In 2008, major Auditors Find Federal Regulators water users agreed to prepare plans with announcement may just be a coincidence of information about stressed water sources in timing, the main reason the land sale was Not Addressing Tar Sands Industry their operating areas and to provide creative cancelled was the enormous outpouring of Cumulative Eiects ideas for environmental improvement with opposition to the secretive land sale from Federal law demands that Ottawa some of the water saved from improving the a broad and diverse range of Albertans. adequately assess the cumulative HOLE_GEQ[SMEFSJGCQGLIEM_GCE_OLMCFB}G Environmentalists, hunters, ranchers and environmental effects of tar sands mining GGGFQC_LKFOLEbJUGLIEBEGaCbKFLO_JGOBESLC_ even the government’s own staff all opposed projects; the federal government has not CHFETPGbOFBGO_EGFCLGTCMF`GLIMB²GLIEJGO_EGFCLG the sale. met this legal requirement. This was the committing to environmental improvements. Madeline Wilson has described (see SLCPE_GGOKTMLG[FTMF`GCQGLIEGQETE_ObG As a result, we are missing important OCLOLC`OLEG¨CKFTG HCUPG Wild Lands Commissioner of the Environment and opportunities to use conserved water to Advocate, October 2011) how the on- Sustainable Development. The report adds to improve degraded aquatic ecosystems in again-off-again Potatogate sale of native LIEGBM`FM[SOFLGPCTJGCQGEaMTEFSEG_EBEFLETGMFG the over-allocated Oldman, Bow and South prairie, known to be habitat for a number LIEGOBLGJEO_GPJGBSMEFLM[SGOFEbBGLIOLGFEMLIE_G Saskatchewan rivers. These ecological of endangered species, had been revived in the federal nor Alberta governments have opportunities also are being denied to August 2011. This was despite the fact that yet demonstrated the ability to determine the northern rivers jeopardized by reductions this relatively intact piece of native grassland Alberta oil sands industry’s environmental MFG_EBLC_OLMaEGB_MF`G\CCTBUG`_CKFTHOLE_G HOBGMTEFLM[ETGQC_GSCFBE_aOLMCFGPJGLIEGrCKLIG impacts. _ESIO_`EGOFTGHMFLE_G\CHB} Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Council This latest federal audit focused on how The plans being created by major water in a report submitted to government earlier the Canadian Environmental Assessment users focus on directing conserved water to this year as part of the Land-Use Framework Agency (CEAA), Fisheries and Oceans, their own expansion or to trade. They don’t Regional Planning process. and Environment Canada were assessing commit to returning any conserved water to Once again, Albertans came out in cumulative effects of mines as required under Alberta’s rivers. Since irrigation districts and droves to oppose the deeply unpopular land the Canadian Environmental Assessment municipalities receive substantial provincial sale. One notable opponent was Alison Act . They reviewed the assessment and funding to conserve water they should take Redford, candidate for the leadership of QCbbCHGKGCQG[aEGPMLKDEFGDMFMF`G_CESLBG the lead and commit some of their water-use the Progressive Conservative party, who approved between 1999 and 2007. EQ[SMEFSJG`OMFBGLCGMD_CaMF`G_MaE_GIEObLI}G SCDDMLLETGLCGOBKBEFTGLIEGBObEGCQG§UG The audit found that there was We encourage Albertans to urge major water acres of ecologically sensitive crown land insufficient baseline data, insufficient users in their region to implement clear near Bow Island and wait for the South monitoring, and inadequate information CEP Plans that reduce ecosystem risk and Saskatchewan Basin Regional Advisory on the carrying capacity of the ecosystems protect source water. We encourage you lCKFSMbGLCG_EBEFLGMLBG[FObG_EC_LGCFGLIEG affected by the mines. To their credit, to ask MLAs and nominated provincial PEBLGKBEGCQGLIOLGO_SEb}PG{BGFEHbJEbESLETG federal officials had repeatedly pointed candidates to include ecosystem health as premier, Redford remained true to her word. out gaps in the environmental data and a goal when they try to ensure the health We are quick to write to our politicians BSMEFLM[SGMFQC_DOLMCFGFEETETGLCGEaObKOLEG of our rivers for all Albertans. to complain, so we should also be prompt cumulative impacts to water quantity in writing to them to thank them for and quality, fish and fish habitat, land, - Carolyn Campbell their good decisions. AWA has written to wildlife, and air. However, even though Premier Redford to congratulate her on the the federal government subsequently worked 24 WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - LN(QHJ,HSS LFKX with regional monitoring organizations, government departments acknowledged to auditors that information gaps for considering cumulative environmental effects still remained. In addition, for the four projects subject to a joint review panel process, the terms of reference issued for companies’ environmental impact statements did not change to [bbGMFQC_DOLMCFG`OB²GMFBLEOTUG generic terms of reference continued to be issued. Federal OKLIC_MLMEBGTMTGFCLGSCF[_DGLIOLG the terms of reference met federal requirements, as they were required to do under the Canada-Alberta Agreement on Environmental Assessment lCCE_OLMCF}G~FGOBCDEGSOBEBUPG Environment Canada had informed the CEAA that terms of reference didn’t meet their information requirements. But it went no further than that. The terms weren’t changed; supplemental terms weren’t issued. As the audit report said: O©OMbK_EGLCG_ETMSLGSKDKbOLMaEG environmental effects and incorporate appropriate mitigation measures into the design and implementation of a project before the project is constructed can lead to significant environmental degradation as well as increased SCBLB}PG IMBG_EC_LGSCFQM_DBG that projects have been approved without the requisite environmental safeguards. The OKTMLGSCF[_DBGJELGO`OMFGLIOLG oil sands development has proceeded without paying adequate attention to its environmental consequences. - Carolyn Campbell (Updates cont. page 26) Aurora 21” x 14” watercolour ' Q) KH(HK', LN(QHJ,HSS LFKX | &es) $*+ ,e) - Qbibzrbd "#$$ WLA 25 Guardians 14” x 21” watercolour ' Q) KH(HK', L"**"62 eree Cheers for Howard Beale Thank you … for daring to touch the outrage that is just below the surface (not if you ask the Occupy movement across the world!). There is a growing unease that our EbESLETGCQ[SMObBGO_EGO¢GLCCGOQ_OMTGP¢G too ignorant c) too self-interested or d) all of the above to do their job to act in the long-term public (environmental) interest… Regular as clockwork AWA puts out the evidence which indicates that governments are unable or unwilling to act preventively and protect our habitat – yes, OUR HABITAT. We share the same air, water and land with those species that are, in their extinction, giving us the truth about our way of life. Second, the AUC noted that it is very useful Hydroelectric Regulatory Process What we now know is that to have Alberta Environment and other Review – AUC’s Report Made Public MFQC_DOLMCFGMGHIOLG~GSObbGOLK_FMF`G relevant government departments attend and ~FGbOLEG{K`KBLGUGLIEGfCaE_FDEFLG CFGLIEGbM`ILPGMBGOPBCbKLEbJGFESEBBO_JG participate in hearings to clarify and resolve of Alberta released the Alberta Utilities for good decisions to be made, but issues that arise. Third, the AUC noted a Commission (AUC) report summarizing FCLGBKQ[SMEFL¡GlMLMgEFBGDKBLGObBCG FEETGQC_GQCbbCHGLI_CK`IGLCGMFSbKTEGOMFBL_EODG its inquiry into regulatory processes for OLK_FGKGLIEGIEOLPGCFGLIEM_GEbESLETG QbCHGFEETBGOBBEBBDEFLPGMFGSKDKbOLMaEG hydroelectric power developments. The representative. effects management. This would provide AUC had submitted its report to the G O|IOLG SOFG ~G TCG OPCKLG BKSIG useful information on impacts to aquatic government in February. AWA participated FE`bM`EFSEPG ~G ODG OBNETGCK_G ecosystems of potential hydroelectric- in this inquiry in the summer and autumn representative doesn’t know how related water diversions. Fourth, the AUC of 2010: we commissioned two original habitat, for example, ranks among heard many participants emphasize that reports, presented to the commission and your priorities unless you tell him/ projects should be assessed based upon their BKPDMLLETG[FObGSCDDEFLB}G|EGSObbETGQC_G her. Once he or she knows, the next individual circumstances and overall impact an overarching protected areas strategy to step is to hold them accountable OLGOGBESM[SGBMLE²G_E`KbOLC_JG_CSEBBEBGBICKbTG precede siting of hydro developments, plus for speaking and acting to do the not be established only based on generating rigorous environmental assessment and right thing with the information. capacity. These are important observations cumulative effects management of large and If not, then he/she needs to know to have on the public record. small-scale hydroelectric developments. their job is on the line and someone On the other hand, the inquiry was No formal recommendations, only will be working to displace them in mandated in its terms of reference to ONEJGCPBE_aOLMCFBUPGHE_EGDOTEGMFGLIEG the next election. For a politician, OMTEFLMQJGCaE_bOBUGPO__ME_BUGSCF\MSLBUGC_G Commission’s report. We were encouraged LIOLRBGOIEOLPGMGECbEGEn_EBBMF`G other impediments of regulatory approval by four of those observations. First, all dissatisfaction personally, publicly _E KM_EDEFLB}PGlCDDEFLBGMFGLIEG_EC_LG such proposed projects should be reviewed. and electorally. BKSIGOBGOLIE_EGMBGObBCGOFGCC_LKFMLJGQC_G The AUC observed that participants It’s going to take many more the federal and provincial governments to accepted that the substantive regulatory people to say, with Howard Beale, coordinate review processes and ensure that requirements of federal and provincial O~RDGOBGDOTGOBGIEbbGOFTG~RDGFCLG`CMF`G O_CaObBGO_EG`_OFLETGMFGOGLMDEbJGDOFFE_PG agencies that review hydro developments LCGLONEGMLGOFJDC_EPG{s·GaMBMLGLIEM_G TCGFCLG_E\ESLGOFGMDO_LMObGKPbMSGMFLE_EBLG address legitimate public policy concerns. provincial and federal representatives assessment perspective. AWA will continue IE_EQC_EUG{lGSCFSbKTETGOLIEG_MFSMObG to discuss their future in politics! to press for cumulative effects management issue for this inquiry then is not whether Keep up the great work at AWA! and rigorous environmental assessment some subjects should be reviewed at all David Swann, M.D. of hydroelectric projects in Alberta. but rather how all of the reviews can be Member of the Legislative Assembly E_QC_DETGDCBLGEQ[SMEFLbJGOFTGEQQESLMaEbJ}PG for Calgary Mountain View - Carolyn Campbell "- WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - LN(QHJ,HSS LFKX A Tale of Two Banis LCGO`EFE_OLMF`G_EaEFKEPGOFTGOESCFCDMSG 25"43,%6&.%3&2"##$52,.8,=.+,"% , plus It was the best of times, it was the worst `_CHLI}P predictions that these sorts of initiatives of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was The priority values of Parks Canada and risk pushing some of our ecological the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of of local businesses are not identical, yet integrity accomplishments backwards. belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it need not be totally incompatible. Most … It does seem that J$"J8$&.5$&8""-,%6& was the season of Light, it was the season businesses are not opposed to maintaining .+&+(,!&J8.2$&.!&/$,%6&3$[%$3&/)&,+!& of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it ecological integrity within the park; and 4,838,0$&.%3&%.+*5$9&,+!&.8J,%$&/$.*+)9& was the winter of despair, we had everything Parks Canada need not stand in the way of ,+!&#"*%+.,%&2*8+*5$&.%3&,+!&4,83$5%$!!& before us, we had nothing before us, we _C[LDONMF`GEFLE__MBE}GKLGLIEGIMBLC_JGCQG .37$%+*5$ – and worrying that we could were all going direct to heaven, we were MFLE_OSLMCFGPELHEEFGLIEBEGOLHCGOFQQBUPGHMLIG PEGT_MQLMF`GQ_CDGLICBEGTE[FMF`GEbEDEFLB}G all going direct the other way - in short, the the conservation community as an additional … If they think Banff has gotten strange period was so far like the present period, bOJE_UGMBGDO_NETGPJGSCF\MSLBGLIOLGbMDMLGLIEG or is becoming an unpleasant place to be, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted potential of our Park for all stakeholders. they can just go somewhere else. If that on its being received, for good or for evil, in In this context, Parks Canada’s recent is the case, then further confusing our the superlative degree of comparison only. decision to allow summer use at Norquay brand identity with things that people - Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities is most troubling. Twenty-two years ago, don’t associate with their concept of a Parks Canada, on behalf of all Canadians, park experience could cost us further loss +++++++++++++++++ approved a binding agreement that provided of market share, %"+&6.,%&*!&,%25$.!$3& SE_LOMFGPEFE[LBGLCGsC_ KOJGMFGEnSIOF`EG #.5-$+&!(.5$ . ( December 28, 2009 memo ~LGHOBGLIEG[_BLGCQGO_NB²GHCKbTGMLGPESCDEG for foregone summer use. Parks Canada’s to senior Parks Canada staff regarding the worst of parks? Was it the age of actions to prevent subsequent Norquay public consultation and comments on the wisdom and integrity or of avarice and short owners from pursuing summer uses have 2010 park management plan; emphasis sightedness? Was it the epoch of ecological been upheld by federal courts. Twenty-two added) integrity, or was it the epoch of overarching JEO_BGCFUGsC_ KOJGBLMbbGEFCJBGLICBEGPEFE[LB}G commitment to commercial tourism? In ELGLIEGPEFE[LBGLIOLGCFSEG\CHETGLCGLIEG We are convinced that success requires short, will the Banff of the future be anything park and the Canadian people were put up more understanding, appreciation and like the Banff National Park of the past? for grabs. And Parks Canada encouraged innovation from the business community After dealing with the plight of peasants sC_ KOJGLCGSbOHGPOSNGLICBEGPEFE[LB}G|ICBEG and less capitulation, backsliding in the face demoralized by French aristocracy in interest does Parks Canada serve? of legislation, and mission drift from Parks advance of the revolution, Charles Dickens Parks Canada supports its decision Canada. Many aspects of business operations HCKbTGIOaEGIOTGOG[EbTGTOJGTCSKDEFLMF`G PJG SCFSCSLMF`G OG FCaEbG OCaE_O_SIMF`G in Banff already foreshadow what a more how adherents to Banff’s traditional and SCDDMLDEFLPGLCG`KMTEGMLBGsC_ KOJGTESMBMCFG collaborative future might look like. And, authentic park values are being demoralized and, plausibly, all future decisions in Banff while it needn’t ensure business success, by the Park’s catering to commercialism, National Park. But there is absolutely no Parks Canada can refrain from pointless and DMBBMCFGT_MQLUGOFTG\M_LOLMCFGHMLIGQ_MaCbMLJG foundation in the Canada National Parks arbitrary regulations that may unnecessarily over substance. {SLGQC_GOFJGOCaE_O_SIMF`GSCDDMLDEFLPG hobble Banff businesses. But it doesn’t have to be that way. to commercial tourism as alleged in the Consider recent record visitation to GG ~LGMBGCPaMCKBGLIOLGHEGIOaEGLHCGOOFQQPG Norquay guidelines. In fact, this contrived Yellowstone National Park, where visitors entities in the Bow Valley. Each entity was OCaE_O_SIMF`GSCDDMLDEFLPGMBGSCFL_O_JGLCG are attracted – not by contrived commercial born at the founding of Banff National Park. the legislated priority mandate to maintain gimmicks, golf tournaments, triathlons, Each claims a degree of popular support. or restore ecological integrity in our national dragon-boat races and vie ferrate – but They share a history of antagonism as well parks. by unadorned geysers, grizzlies, wolves, as cooperation. A reconciliation of their In my opinion, the Norquay decision scenery and Yellowstone-only opportunities. SCF\MSLMF`GaObKEBUGFEETBGOFTGEnESLOLMCFBG DO_NBGOGO_ESCFSMbMOLMCFPGLIOLGQOaCK_BGDC_EG We also can look to Waterton Lakes National is essential if Banff National Park is to reach narrow business interests at the expense Park, where special events celebrating spring MLBGQKbbGCLEFLMObGOBGlOFOTORBG[_BLGOFTG_EDME_G of broader public interest, clear legislated HMbT\CHE_BGOFTGPK`bMF`GPKbbGEbNGOLL_OSLGOFTG national park. We hope this reconciliation mandates, national park values, and even inspire visitors. would favour the legal requirements and agency integrity. No, this is not the preferred Enthusiastic visitors, rewarded by timeless values of our national park system. direction. authentic and inspiring opportunities in And we think this is possible. GG lOFG_C[LC_MEFLETGOFQQGSCEnMBLGHMLIG Canada’s premier national park, will meet GG IEG[_BLGEFLMLJUGOFQQGsOLMCFObGO_NUGMBG park-oriented Banff? It can. In fact, there the expectations of both Parks Canada and SCDDMLLETGLCGOESCbC`MSObGMFLE`_MLJPGOBGMLBG is ample evidence that Canadians and other Banff’s business community. And, as we O[_BLG_MC_MLJPG¶OBGDOFTOLETGPJGO_bMODEFL¢G visitors prefer a natural national park to now appreciate the wisdom and foresight of OFTGLCGMFQC_DMF`UGMF\KEFSMF`GOFTGMFaCbaMF`G contrived commercial amusement. Former the initial founders and protectors of Banff visitors to achieve its mission. The second Superintendent Kevin van Tighem pointed National Park, our grandchildren will honour entity, comprising local businesses, offers the way in his warning to senior Parks our commitment to the timeless values of important visitor services and is committed Canada staff: lOFOTORBG[_BLGFOLMCFObG_CLESLETGO_EO} (according to their own published statements) Mostly we are hearing 2"%2$5%!&./"*+& Jim Pissot, Wild Canada Conservation Alliance QHQHFJKH,KSF JK H,KS | &es) $*+ ,e) - QQbibzrbd bibzrbd "#$$ WLWLAA "" 6"/.## 4= *0" +-,8 Zoë Preston – WW II Decoder, Avro room with many art projects. They, like K.C. letters to the Calgary Herald and attended Arrow Design Artist, Builder of before them, occupy most of the room. She some of the swell of public meetings that says of herself, “I’ve come to the conclusion momentarily appeared as Albertans realized K.C. the Bear that I am not an ordinary person.” She what their government was doing. To this By Vivian Pharis, AWA Director OLL_MPKLEBGDKSIGCQGLIEG\CHGCQGIE_GbMQEGLCG day, Ralph Klein’s name riles Zoë because having followed intuition and chance. She of the key role he played in the great forest ust before this past Remembrance Day, takes environmental cues from her garden giveaway. A vivid recollection for her is I interviewed Zoë Preston, unaware by observing how patterns of weather and of television footage showing Ralph Klein Jof the strategic role she had played in SbMDOLEGO_EG_E\ESLETGMFGL_EEBGOFTGMFGLIEG walking through an Alberta aspen forest EFTMF`G||G~~GOFTGTEQEOLMF`GsOgMGfE_DOFJ}G behaviour of her garden plants. with Japanese investors. The Japanese This story unfolded matter- HE_EGBOJMF`GOaE_JGFMSEUGaE_JG of-factly, as just another FMSEPGOBGbEMFGLCbTGLIEDGLIEJG event in her long and varied Owere more than welcome life. to ‘Alberta’s weeds. RPGÀCG Now nearly 92, this reacted as only she could by diminutive woman is building an amazing larger- well-known to AWA than-life puppet effigy of and other Calgary area Ralph Klein that made the conservation groups for rounds of public meetings her feisty defense of the and protest rallies. It became boreal forest and for using a media hit. her artistic talents to single- What circumstances created handedly build K.C. (for this feisty artist-activist? OOFOFOBNMBGlCKFL_JP¢GMG Zoë was born in Brisbane, the giant replica grizzly Queensland into a family of bear that so often presides rambling characters, with a at AWA functions and mother of wealth and an events involving wildlife. inventor father who came When I brought Zoë to and went through their lives, AWA for a photo session it three sisters, a brother and had been quite a few years extended family living on since she had seen K.C. in cattle stations. Her childhood his assembled glory. She was chaotic and unbounded. was astounded by his size Between the ages of five OFTGNELGEnSbOMDMF`GO how and ten Zoë lived at Terrica could I have built him – Station, one of Australia’s he’s so much bigger than I most beautiful and am! PG IEFGBIEG_ESObbETGLIEG prestigious sheep stations, year she spent designing Zoë and K.C. 'K' ' X) '(S', where she had been taken and constructing K.C. in to recover from diphtheria her living room. Never having seen a live G ~FGLIEGbOLEG¬ºBGÀCGBCDELMDEBG\EHG and to be a companion to the owner’s son bear Zoë relied on the intimate knowledge north by bush plane to visit one of her sons who was her age. of human and horse anatomy learned who was working in remote locations in While a governess-teacher was wholly during eight years of studying art as a girl the Northwest Territories and northern responsible for their care and gave them in England. Zoë was fascinated to learn Saskatchewan. These flights gave her a exceptional schooling, the children were that the bear’s skeleton is more like that of bird’s eye view of the vast forest mosaic allowed great freedoms, especially during a human than that of a horse. The front legs below her, of the patterns of water and of holidays. Zoë embraced station life. She are like grasping arms and a bear’s paws the occasional sharp intrusions by humans learned to ride, to muster and dip sheep, O_EGBCGIOFTbMNEGLIEJGSOFGICbTGOG[BI}G{G in the form of roads, clear cuts and well and even to class wool. Each evening the bear’s pelvis, upright as a human’s, allows sites. There is no more impressive way to governess read the children stories from the a bear to stand. All these features had to be understand the state of the land than to see classics. Life was ideal. But, at age 10, this incorporated to make K.C. as realistic as it from above. Zoë saw and realized this idyllic childhood ended suddenly. The Duke he is. For a full year K.C. occupied Zoë’s landscape was beginning to feel many such and Duchess of York and their entourage living room; his nose touched one wall and sharp intrusions. were invited to Terrica and all available his tail the other. Zoë had to crawl under G ~FGLIEGbOLEG¬ºBGLIEG{bPE_LOGfCaE_FDEFLUG rooms were needed to accommodate the bear to access her china and cutlery at with Ralph Klein as Environment Minister, them. Back in Brisbane, the wild child the far end of the living room. quietly advertised Alberta’s forests to world ÀCGIOTGTMQ[SKbLJGOTKBLMF`GLCG_E`MDEFLETG Today Zoë has replaced K.C. in her living investors. This incensed Zoë. She wrote school life. She focused on amassing a 28 WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - QHFJKH,KS One example of Zoë’s passion for combining art and politics. ' ) JHSK', large collection of bottled insects, spiders, After a further three years of study at to play a part in a strategic development. snakes and an aviary of live birds that people the Royal College of Art, Zoë was ready to The arrival of a third son ended her design remember her for to this day. start her career but it was not to be in art. career and soon her marriage ended too. Zoë’s inventor father preceded the family With Britain at war even girls were being Now on her own with three boys, the ever- to England in 1932. When it became apparent conscripted into the Wrens (Women’s Royal resourceful Zoë took on a variety of jobs he was not returning to Australia, Zoë’s Naval Service). Zoë was among them. She in rural Ontario, always supplementing her mother packed up her family and moved was assigned to a bunker location and a income by raising a large garden and a pen them across the waters to a home outside position so secretive she could not even tell of chickens. CQGCFTCF}GÀCGHOBGFCHG[QLEEFGOFTGMLGHOBG her parents. She would become a decoder Eventually her sons dispersed west and time for a career. Her mother suggested – part of the legendary Enigma Project at Zoë moved to be near them. She came to she become a riding instructor at a nearby bELSIbEJGO_NGLIOLGKBETGOG[FEbJGEF`MFEE_ETG Calgary just as Alberta’s boreal forest was stable, but Zoë surprised herself and her EO_bJGSCDKLE_GLCGTESMIE_GSCTETGfE_DOFG being put up for wholesale disposal to the family by announcing she wanted to attend messages. For the last two years of the war forest products industry. She sums up her art school. Zoë worked at a large machine with another environmental sentiments in a poignant The nearest school was the Kingston young woman. One fed in messages through KEBLMCFGO Why can’t politicians love their School of Fine Art. She attended the school keys as on a typewriter, adjusting three country enough to protect its environment QC_G[aEGJEO_BGOFTGHCFGOGBSICbO_BIMGQ_CDG inner cogs that re-set the keys and the other [QHNMPRSMUKQOTKHN~P Kingston to the prestigious Royal College adjusted a set of wire plugs. The ability to Presently Zoë is scrambling to finish of Art in the north of England. With World TESCTEGfE_DOFGDEBBO`EBGMBGS_ETMLETGOBGCFEG projects and shares my common complaint War II imminent, able-bodied British men key to Britain and its allies winning the war. about having too little time. She is writing her were being conscripted. They included all Bletchley Park has recently been declared memoirs for her sons and grandchildren and LIEGOOBLE_BPGCQGLIEGO_LGBSICCbB}GÀCGMBG a historic site because of its strategic role is researching an invention of her father’s – a BSOLIMF`GMFGIE_G_E\ESLMCFBGLIOLGLICBEGbEQLGLCG during the war. pump used in breweries around the world instruct had no real knowledge of painting When the war ended Zoë met and married which she thinks has been adapted into a or of the theory of colour. If it had not been a tall Canadian who had served on British heart-lung machine used to this day during for her discovery of pastels (all the colours submarines and moved with him to Toronto. heart replacement procedures. And she is there in chalk form) she fears she would Two sons soon arrived and with money trying to complete an incredible, fanciful have been stuck forever in a world of black scarce for the growing family Zoë took a children’s book, illustrated by drawings OFTGHIMLE}G©C_G[aEGJEO_BGOLGMF`BLCFUGÀCG job as a design artist. Her employer was the made from the staged arrangements of a drew the human body from every angle and ignominious Avro Arrow project, Canada’s coterie of intricate mouse-human puppets from bones through to skin – a grounding attempt to build a technologically advanced she has constructed. that was to serve her well. aircraft. Chance had again allowed Zoë QHFJKH,KS | &es) $*+ ,e) - Qbibzrbd "#$$ WLA "* R&(8&#’0 C46%"6 Staying Safe in Bear Country (DVD), the best strategy is to avoid confronting them bear is behaving towards you. What makes Safety in Bear Country Society, MFGLIEG[_BLGbOSE}PG IMBG·ª·GHMbbGIEbGJCKG this DVD so important is that you actually learn how to do just that. get to !$$ what a curious bear looks like, or 2008. A lot of what we know about bear a bluff-charging bear, or even a predatory By Nigel Douglas safety comes from observations of how bear. PEO_BGMFLE_OSLGHMLIGEOSIGCLIE_}GOCBLG The DVD points out that all of the bear You are walking along a hiking trail, encounters between bears involve caution footage is of wild bears. This makes some thoughts a thousand miles away, when OFTGOaCMTOFSEUPGLIEG·ª·GCMFLBGCKL}GOKLGMQG of the subsequent footage particularly suddenly you look up and there is a bear one ignores the other’s warnings or crowds striking. When watching an actress being on the trail. So what do you? Do you make charged by a female grizzly with yourself look big? Do you play cubs, I couldn’t help hoping that she dead? Do you look for a tree was being paid well for her time! to climb? Is it a black bear or ¶O ICK`IGDCBLGTEQEFBMaEGMFLE_OSLMCFBG a grizzly bear? Does it matter? HMLIGPEO_BGBLCGBIC_LGCQGSCFLOSL}}}PGLIEG Many of us have read about a commentary cheerfully points out in OPbKQQSIO_`MF`PGPEO_GPKLGICHG LIEGPOSN`_CKFTUGOLIEJGTCGBCDELMDEBG do you know that bear running _EBKbLGMFGOLLOSNBP¢}G LCHO_TBGJCKGMBGPbKQ[F`G{FTGHIOLG YNPdRMYPUOMdRMOPQMhKcRNQ is does a predatory bear look like? one of a trilogy of bear safety videos These and many other bear- produced by the Staying Safe in related questions are answered in Bear Country Society – the others a superb 30-minute DVD, YNPdRM are Working in Bear Country and YPUOMdRMOPQMhKcRNQ . Presented Living in Bear Country . These videos by the Safety in Bear Country IOaEGPESCDEGOGBLObEGQC_GDOFJG[_DBG Society, this DVD serves as a with staff who regularly work in bear companion to Stephen Herrero’s country. But they are also invaluable to excellent book, OPQMkNNPIbHiM anybody who spends any time hiking, Their Causes and Avoidance . not just in the back country, but in If you have ever hiked in bear any place where bears might turn up. country or ever plan to hike in Shortly after watching the DVD, bear country you should watch I bumped into a black bear while this DVD – it could just be the walking my dogs in the town of best 30 minutes you ever spend. Black Diamond. OK, so standing The DVD offers a behavioural looking gormless with your mouth approach toward human safety open is not an ideal response to around grizzly and black bears. meeting a bear, but at least I had the The more you know about bears, confidence to appreciate that this the more you can do to avoid wasn’t an aggressive bear and it was encountering them and the better as startled as I was. It stood hugging prepared you will be for how to the base of a tree, ready to climb up respond if you do meet a bear. The DVD its personal space the situation can suddenly if necessary, and watched as I backed away, certainly lives up to the promise on its cover, LK_FGFOBLJ}P talking reassuringly all the time. As the LIOLGMLGHMbbGOMFS_EOBEGJCK_GNFCHbET`EGCQG So if a bear approaches you, what is it ·ª·GBOJBUGOOGDEELMF`UGOGDKLKObGTEO_LK_EUG bear behaviour and help you prevent bear doing? What is it after? Building on the FCGOLLOSNUGFCGMFK_JUGFCGFEHB}P encounters and attacks. It will allow you to themes of Stephen Herrero’s Bear Attacks , appreciate bears and the places where they LIEG·ª·GTEBS_MPEBGOTEQEFBMaEPGEFSCKFLE_BG Kodiak Wildlife Products, a Canmore bMaE}PGELLE_GNFCHbET`EGOPCKLGPEO_BGHMbbG – where the bear perceives you as a threat to company, sells this video as well as others improve your safety and that of the bears itself or to its cubs or to its food source. And in the “Bear Country” series. Information as well. LIEFGLIE_EGO_EGOFCFTEQEFBMaEPGEFSCKFLE_BG regarding ordering the DVD from Kodiak The DVD avoids sensationalism, focusing the bear may be curious and checking you Wildlife Products may be found at www. instead on keeping a sense of proportion. out or it may be after your food or even macecanada.com/canada/video1.htm OlCKFLbEBBGMFLE_OSLMCFBGPELHEEFGECbEGOFTG testing its dominance. You don’t know the Mountain Equipment Coop and Campers bears occur without any harm: a meeting, a past history of a bear – has it been fed Village stores carry the DVD during bear mutual departure, no attack, no injury, no PJGECbEGMFGLIEGOBLG{_EGJCKGLIEG[QLIG “season” but you may need to order it in FEHB}PG|IMbEGECbEGCQLEFGLEFTGLCGQCSKBGCFG person to disturb it from its berry-eating advance. what they would do were they to meet a bear, that afternoon? How you should respond to LIEG[_BLGQCSKBGBICKbTGObHOJBGPEGOaCMTOFSEG a bear depends to a large extent on how the OLCGOaCMTGL_CKPbEBCDEGEFSCKFLE_BGHMLIGPEO_BG 30 WLA | Qbibzrbd "#$$ &es) $*+ ,e) - QHFJKH,KS TALK : A Million Steps to Make a Mile: _e Music For the Wild Life of the Pronghorn on the Prairie Saturday, February 4, 2012 with Paul Jones Robbie and Will #ursday January 29, 2011 ]ey play Celtic, swing, and folk on guitar, mandola and Alberta Conservation Association biologist Paul Jones promises an insighdul accordionvand they leave audiences dazzled wherever they talk on how human development is afecting wildlife migration pagerns, go. ]ere was a real buzz of excitement in the room when including those of the pronghorn antelope, in south-east Alberta. they ynished their set in 2010 as the audience marvelled at Location : 455 – 12th Street NW, Calgary their musicianship, good songs, and good humour. Talk starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets : $5.00 Opening Act: Twisted Roots Registration : 403 - 283-2025 Online : www.AlbertaWilderness.ca/events Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Music starts at 7:30 p.m. TALK : Empire of the Beetle Tickets : $15.00 with Andrew Nikiforuk Pre-registration is required : (403) 283-2025 Tuesday February 28, 2012 Online : www.AlbertaWilderness.ca/events Following a well-received evening in Edmonton in November, Andrew Nikiforuk will be hosting a talk related to his newest book, Empire of the Beetle: How Human Folly and a Tiny Bug are Killing North America’s Great Special Event: Forests for a Calgary audience. Location: 455 – 12th Street NW, Calgary Film Screening Talk starts at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, February 11, 2012 Tickets: $5.00 Join us for this wonderful addition to our 2012 event Registration: 403 -283-2025 lineup! Online: www.AlbertaWilderness.ca/events White Water, Black Gold TALK Canada is now the #1 supplier of oil to the United States. Most : Tracking the Golden Eagle of that oil comes from the tar sands in Alberta, processed by with Peter Sherrington an industry with an insatiable thirst for water. Following the Tuesday May 1, 2012 journey taken by a drop of water from Mount Snow Dome in the Columbia Iceyeld to Lake Athabasca, and exploring ]is spring will mark 20 years of golden eagle migration monitoring. what happens to it along the way, ylmmaker David Lavallee Peter will give a fascinating talk about the trends and pagerns that asks: “Are the powers that be turning the truth into a liquid have emerged over that time. He will also give an update on some that slides through your yngers?” recent DNA work which has been done on golden eagles: how closely related are the eagles that migrate up and down the rocky Presentation starts at 7:00 p.m. Mountains every year to the resident birds that stay put all year around? Tickets : $10.00 Location : 455 – 12th Street NW, Calgary Pre-registration is required : (403) 283-2025 Talk starts at 7:00 p.m. Online : www.AlbertaWilderness.ca/events Tickets: $5.00 Registration: (403) 283-2025 Online: www.AlbertaWilderness.ca/events Correction : Our apologies to Graham Woolgar for mistakingly identifying him as John Woolgar in the October issue of the Advocate. 'K' ' ,) Q'(FS H&H,KS | &es) $*+ ,e) - Qbibzrbd "#$$ WLA 31 SAGE -GROUSE HAVE BEEN ENDANGERED FOR MANY YEARS BUT GOVERNMENTS HAVE DONE VERY LITTLE TO ELIMINATE HUMAN DISTURBANCES IN CRITICAL SAGE -GROUSE HABITAT . ONLY 13 MALES LEFT WWW .A LBERTA WILDERNESS .CA Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Alberta Wilderness Association Box 6398, Station D Calgary, Alberta T2P 2E1 [email protected] Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 40065626 ISSN 485535