Publications
Books, Wild Lands Advocate and other AWA Publications
AWA’s work to produce top quality, well researched publications began in 1970 – volunteers talked directly with community members in order to learn what people thought best for the future of the Eastern Slopes. AWA found the means to hire a writer to consolidate people’s collected ideas into two books to present at the formal Eastern Slopes hearings in 1973. The hearings were well attended, and their recommendations strongly favoured conservation of wildlife habitats, watersheds and aesthetic values. They led to many areas being zoned for protection in the ensuing 1977 Eastern Slopes Policy, based on the public’s views and values.
AWA’s forward-thinking approach based on vision, communication, sound science and determination, became the organization’s modus operandi.
AWA’s primary publication, the Wild Lands Advocate (WLA) facilitates and supports wilderness conservation by increasing awareness and promoting action. Its core purpose is to report timely, accurate, and useful news and perspectives on issues pertaining to Alberta’s wilderness and AWA’s work. Through investigative journalism and personal accounts, the WLA tells the stories of Wild Alberta, the people involved in conservation initiatives, and the challenges facing wilderness protection. Since its inaugural issue, the WLA has also functioned as an ongoing record of wilderness conservation issues in Alberta and of AWA’s work.
Wild Lands Advocate
The Wild Lands Advocate (WLA) is AWA’s news journal, published six times a year. WLA supports wilderness conservation by increasing awareness and promoting action. It reports timely, accurate, and useful news and perspectives about Alberta’s wilderness and AWA’s work. The WLA is available in print and online. The WLA tells the stories of Wild Alberta, the people involved in conservation initiatives, and the challenges facing wilderness protection. Since its inaugural issue, the WLA has also functioned as an ongoing record of wilderness conservation issues in Alberta and of AWA’s work.
Recall of the Wild
Archive of Recall of the Wild articles from the WLA highlighting the lives and works of giants of Alberta conservation
2003 Bighorn Wildland (Book)
Nestled along the Eastern Slopes of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains lie 4000 sq km of superb wilderness. The magnificent sweeping vistas encompass wildflower meadows, lush forested valleys and grassy ridges that contrast dramatically with snow-covered mountains. These wildlands are home to a rich tapestry of life. Wild horses roam freely with elk, bighorn sheep and grizzly bears; wolves call across wide valleys, harlequin ducks float down pristine streams and eagles hunt along the ridges. Within such a large landscape animal life can be elusive to the casual visitor, but the Bighorn will reveal its secrets to those with patience.
1982 Rivers on Borrowed Time (Book)
Alberta's rivers are vital and complex, a precious flowing heritage. As trustees of the river resource, our challenge is to manage rivers wisely, leaving to future generations a resource enriched by our stewardship. Today, none of Alberta's rivers outside the national parks are guaranteed protection or wise stewardship. Rivers on Borrowed Time challenges Albertans to support an option for action.
1976 The Western Swan Hills (Book)
The Swan Hills, particularly the western parts, are in certain respects unique among Alberta’s wilderness areas. The summer rainfall here is higher than in most of Alberta with the result that the frequency of fires is low and there is a great deal of old-growth timber, some at least 300 years old. Many mountain and northern plants reach the eastern or southern limits of their ranges here. There also occur a few plants that are highly localized in Alberta, plants which are usually more characteristic of the wet belts of British Columbia. Wildlife, too, is diverse. The grizzly, most famous of all the Swan Hills creatures, is represented by a very large local race.
1974 Willmore Wilderness Park (Book)
In the pages of this book an attempt is made to introduce the reader to the Willmore and to its outstanding wildland recreation values. Extensively used by non—Albertans in the past, it is only now becoming popular among Albertans for summer hiking and trail—riding, and autumn hunting trips. The Willmore is a wilderness intended for trips of a week or longer, a wilderness that still provides a challenge to even the most experienced backcountry traveller.
1972 Elbow Sheep Wilderness (Book)
The Elbow-Sheep River headwaters encompass a broad range of terrain, wildlife and plant growth within the Forest Reserve and except for some fire access roads most of the area has been relatively undisturbed by the activities of man. The grassy mountain meadows and protected upland valleys provide ideal summer and winter range for sheep, goat, elk, moosem bear, deer and lesser gauna. These areas can provide solitude and relaxation for the harried urban dweller. Herein it is proposed that a Wilderness Recreation Area of some 560 square miles be designated.
