CPAWS is Canada’s voice for wilderness. For over 45 years, SOUTHERN ALBERTA CHAPTER we’ve played a lead role in creating over two-thirds of Canada’s protected areas. Chapter Staff Chapter Board of Directors Editor and Design Anne-Marie Syslak, Executive Director Gord James (Chair) Doug Firby & Sarah Pasemko Sarah Elmeligi, Senior Conservation Mike Yuzwa (Treasurer) Planner Susan Eaton (Chair, Christmas Ad Design GREEN NOTES NEWSLETTER Winter | 2010 Sarah Pasemko, Communications & Conservation Committee) Megan Rio Outreach Coordinator David McIntyre Lindsay Allan, Project & Bookings Dave Sauchyn A special thanks to Doug Firby Coordinator Phil Nykyforuk for his keen editorial eye, time, Lynn Robb, Environmental Educator David Walker and support in developing this Alex Mowat, Lead Hiking Guide Carey Booth newsletter. Justin Howse, Hiking Guide Edita Sakarova, Bookkeeper Chapter Staff OUR CONTACT: A Special Thank You to CPAWS Southern Alberta Joel Duncan! 425 – 78th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2V 5K5 His photograph graced the Tel: (403) 232-6686 cover of our Summer Edition Fax: (403) 232-6988 2010 Green Notes Newsletter Email: [email protected] www.cpaws-southernalberta.org If you would prefer to receive electronic versions of our newsletter please send your request to [email protected] Green Notes is printed on paper that is FSC certified, guaranteeing that in the supply of fibre raw materials the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council are respected, and that the pulp the paper is made of consists of mixtures of fibres from certified forests, post-consumer recycling processes, and controlled sources. 4503228 IN THIS Issue Leaving a wilderness legacy (Photo: Michael Wieser) • Supporting CPAWS SAB’s strong • Via ferrata: The changing face of national parks voice for parks and wilderness • CPAWS SAB plugs into the community • What our supporters are saying • Southern Alberta’s natural capital in a changing climate • Bill 29: A story of public outcry • Students learn about wilderness www.cpaws-southernalberta.org Executive Director’s message CPAWS plugs into the community 2 3 the conservation of Canada’s parks Dare to be Deep National and wilderness. The members of the By Sarah Pasemko, Oceans Tour Communications panel on the Ecological Integrity of “Our members drove a year of successes. We strive to increase & Outreach Canada’s National Parks were this year’s our capacity and ensure that we are responsive and engaged Coordinator recipients for their groundbreaking report in 2000 that led to world-leading with Albertans on issues affecting our wilderness. “ standards in the management of national parks. Over the past couple of months, the By Anne-Marie Syslak, CPAWS SAB chapter has been busy Before the gala, CPAWS hosted a free Executive Director engaging you, our local community afternoon seminar, entitled The Future members. Here is a sampling of some of Ecological Integrity in our Parks event fit perfectly within a year of local, national and of the things we’ve done: oliday Greetings! With the Christmas season around and Protected Areas. Members of the H international celebrations. Not only was this the 125th the corner, it is exciting to look back on a year full of Capture the Wild public, students, and environmental Anniversary of Banff National Park, but it was also the professionals discussed ecological conservation successes. These came as a result of our Photography Contest International Year of Biodiversity. integrity in our parks. increasing momentum and capacity to engage you – our community members – across southern Alberta. In 2011, we are poised to work diligently with the Get Engaged With Your Parks Government of Alberta on Bill 29, continue work on our The Dare to be Deep tour stopped by Engaging with Albertans and being at the table in grizzly bear and Castle campaigns, as well as provide Calgary on Oct. 28th to celebrate the CPAWS SAB and Communitea Café important park management and planning decisions continual input into the ongoing Land-use Framework recent designation of Canada’s first hosted an evening in Canmore on Nov. is an integral part of what we do at the Canadian Parks th planning process. We will also be hosting community National Marine Conservation Area 4 to launch our recent video, Parks and Wilderness Society Southern Alberta (CPAWS SAB) and Protected Areas: A Simple Solution events in Bragg Creek and Calgary around our recently Reserve, the mystical Gwaii Haanas chapter. National Park Reserve and Haida to our Complex Problems. This video released video, Parks and Protected Areas: A simple Heritage Site, located on the remote explores parks, climate change, and the solution to our complex problems. We continue to be a strong voice for wilderness Anne-Marie Syslak, Executive Director, presenting B.C. islands, known as Haida Gwaii. recovery of grizzly bears. conservation in our region. Thanks to your help, the the Grand Prize to Michael Wieser I would like to thank all of our members, partners, To discuss this video, Kevin Van Tighem iconic grizzly bear is now listed as a threatened species This historic event marks a new funders and supporters for their generous support, as This year, we restored the Capture (Superintendent, Banff Field Unit), Steve in Alberta. Our voice was also heard on concerns with era of conservation and protection we strive to increase our capacity and ensure that we the Wild Photography Contest with of wilderness environments - the Donelon (Regional Director Kananaskis Bill 29, the proposed Parks Act, and the government the theme of Celebrating Canadian are responsive and engaged with Albertans on issues protection of marine riches. Canada Country, Alberta Tourism, Parks and responded by suspending the bill until the ministry Parks. Photographers of all ages and Recreation), and Jim Pissot (Executive affecting our wilderness. There is a lot of work ahead expertise submitted images in five has the longest coastline of any nation could consult further with Albertans. Director, Wild Canada Alliance) acted as and your support will help ensure we achieve our goals different categories. Of the many fine in the world and there is a pressing panel members. More than 75 people to maintain and enhance the ecological integrity of our entries, these six winners were chosen: need to protect these spectacular Our Capture the Wild photography contest returned environments that contribute to a vast attended. parks and wilderness areas. this year, inspiring people to get out more often and • Overall Grand Prize: Michael Wieser – seascape and network in protected find those beautiful images first-hand. Our chapter Khutzeymateen Grizzly areas. Banff Mountain Film Festival We hope to see you outside and enjoying the exquisite had the honour of hosting CPAWS National’s J.B. Harkin • Banff 123: Adam Spragins – Morning beauty of Alberta’s dynamic landscapes in the New Year. Mists Conservation Dinner Gala and award presentation. This The Haida Dance group, Spirit of CPAWS SAB operated a booth at the • Wilderness Patterns: Kenn Leonhardt our Ancestors, awed the audience Banff Mountain Film Festival over – Glacial through their ceremonial dances and two days, chatting with community • Scenic Snapshots: Ian Cocks – Mystya storytelling performances. Canyon members and spreading our • Canadian Flora & Faun: Peter Mather conservation messages. – Pacific Loon Nesting J.B. Harkin Dinner Gala • People Connecting with Nature: Peter Bowers – Dumoine Morning CPAWS SAB hosted this We look forward to many year’s J.B. Harkin Dinner upcoming events within Thank you to everyone who submitted Gala, a CPAWS National 2011, and the opportunity photos to our contest, and a special event, which presents the thanks to The Camera Store for their prestigious J.B. Harkin to meet YOU in the support. Funds generated are used in Conservation Award our conservation efforts in southern community to keep our to individuals who Alberta. Winning photos can be found wilderness WILD! throughout this newsletter, including have demonstrated the grand prize winner on our cover. significant lifetime contributions to (Photo: Christopher, 2002) Christopher, (Photo: Join us for a wonderful evening! A special event during the 125th birthday of Ban , Canada’s rst national park. Honouring this year’s winners: Members of the Panel on Ecological Integrity of Canada’s National Parks Featuring: • Special presentation by renowned grizzly bear expert Dr. Stephen Herrero • Delicious dinner • Live music • Award winning photos and videos • Silent auction Tickets and contact November 12, 2010 $70 per person Red & White Club $520 per table of eight McMahon Stadium, Calgary Charitable receipt of $35 per seat Dinner 7pm www.cpaws.org And join us for a special seminar: 1-800-333-9453 The Future of Ecological Integrity In Our Limited Seating. Please reserve by October 15th to be entered Parks and Protected Areas in Early Bird prize draw. Faculty of Environmental Design (EVDS), University of Calgary 2:00 to 4:30 pm Free Admission By Shaun Fluker, Executive Director Bill 29: A story of public outcry to protect our parks 84 5 they can do where. Currently, there are reconnect with our natural world. ReviewingCanada’s National Park plans seven categories of provincial parks and 9 By Sarah Elmeligi, protected areas, based on internationally The topic was covered in several Senior accepted designations of protected newspaper articles and on TV news, national parks Conservation areas (as defined by the International but it was the public outcry that really Planner Union for Conservation of Nature). Bill 29 turned this around. Over the course protections proposed only two categories: Heritage of two weeks, thousands of Albertans Rangelands, which prioritize grazing, and other Canadians sent emails to the and Provincial Parks, which prioritize premier, called their MLAs, and wrote don’t stand up recreation. letters to the editor in their local papers. On Nov. 4th, the Alberta Government tabled Bill 29, a new Provincial Park Act, “Bill 29 was suspended On Nov.