WLA supports wilderness conservation by increasing awareness and inspiring individuals and communities to care. 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.
AWA uses fully Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified print shops for all of its printing and the WLA is printed on FSC certified paper that is from well managed forests, controlled sources and recycled wood or fibre.
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A Cows And Fish Story
By Lorne Fitch …………………………………………………………………….. 5
ALBERTA WILDERNESS WATCH …………………………………………7 What Can Be Done To Help Alberta’s Grizzlies? ……………………….7 Poaching Penalties Increased ………………………………………………..8 Illegal Recreational Use Threatening The Bighorn ……………………9 Possibilities For Better Management Open In Chinchaga ………… 10 Future Management of The Whaleback …………………………………. 11 Ya Ha Tinda – Our Next National Wildlife Area? …………………….. 12 Travelling Willmore Wilderness Park …………………………………….. 14 Finding Hope in The Lost Creek Ashes ……………………………….. 16 Changes To The Public Lands Act …………………………………………17 Water For Life Strategy ……………………………………………………….18 Letters Support Native Prairie Conservation …………………………..18 Trading Native Prairie For Potato Production …………………………..19 Artist Profile: Charles Douglas ………………………………………………20
ASSOCIATION NEWS …………………………………………………………21 Setbacks Fail To Deter Grizzly Researcher …………………………….21 An Autumn Celebration of Wilderness ……………………………………23 Thank You To All Our Volunteers! …………………………………………..24 Fish Need Friends, Too – By Dr. Michael Sullivan ……………………28 Bighorn Wildland A Popular Choice ……………………………………….26 Climb for Wilderness …………………………………………………………..26 Open House Program …………………………………………………………27
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Andy Russell Still Ready to Give Polluters “Hell”
By Andy Marshall …………………………………………………………………. 4
ALBERTA WILDERNESS WATCH …………………………………………6 Finding the Public Interest at the Whaleback Hearing ………………..6 Saving Lakeland’s Endangered Forests ………………………………….14 Wildfire Presents a Rare Opportunity!
By Brian Horejsi ………………………………………………………………….16 Fanning the Flames: Forests in Peril
By David McIntryre……………………………………………………………… 18 Bighorn Monitoring Field Season………………………………………….. 19 Milk River Dam Proposal ……………………………………………………..20 Kananaskis Draft Management Plans ……………………………………20 New Studies into Chronic Wasting Disease …………………………….21 New Web Site for Public Land Information …………………………….21 Wolf Control, Keystone Species and Other Logical
Conservation Conundrums By Mark Hebblewhite ……………………22 Artist Profile: Maureen Enns ………………………………………………..24 Letters to the Editor………………………………………………………………24
ASSOCIATION NEWS …………………………………………………………25 Bighorn Wildland Book …………………………………………………………25 MyVolunteerExperienceintheBighorn ………………………………..26 Open House Program …………………………………………………………27 Annual Lecture and Awards ………………………………………………….28
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Persistence Pays Off For Suffield……………………………………………. 5 Ray Sloan Embraced Life To The Fullest …………………………………. 6 Ian Ross Remembered …………………………………………………………8
ALBERTA WILDERNESS WATCH …………………………………………9 Public Land Law Worthy Of Alberta’s Public Lands ………………….10 Direct Action In The Bighorn ………………………………………………..14 Bighorn Update ………………………………………………………………….15 Heli-Tour Company Wants Unlimited Flights ………………………….. 15 Precious Prairie Sold For Potatoes ………………………………………. 16 Public Land Sales Motion Proceeds ……………………………………..16 Public Land Access Rules Proclaimed ………………………………….16 AWA’s Whaleback Poll …………………………………………………………17 Canada’s Endangered Rivers ………………………………………………17 Industrial Activity in Saskatoon Mountain ………………………………18 Grizzly Ridge Draft Management Plan ……………………………………19 Grizzly Bear Recovery In Alberta …………………………………………..19 Kicking Horse Bear Pen ………………………………………………………. 21 Ravens Over Crowsnest ……………………………………………………..22 Artist Profile: Garry Newton ………………………………………………….24
ASSOCIATION NEWS …………………………………………………………25 Bighorn Wildland Book and Book Tour ……………………………………25 Alberta Wilderness Watch Stewardship Program ……………………26 Open House Program …………………………………………………………27 Wilderness Celebration Autumn 2003 ……………………………………27
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Untapped Wealth of Alberta Awaits Development
By Rob Gardner ………………………………………..4
Determined Activist Carries a Powerful, Scientific Stick
– A Profile of Dr. William A. Fuller ………………5
Alberta Wilderness Watch………………………….7
Rebuilding The Castle ………………………7
New Gas Battle Looms at Whaleback………………………………9
Our Public Lands Need an Intergrated Policy ………………..11
Firm Opposition to Milk River Dam …………………………………12
Bighorn Monitoring Project 2003 ……………………………………13
FSC Certification …………………………………………………………….14
Game Farming Disaster ………………………………………………….15
Weyerhaeuser’s Public Consultation Lacks Credibility…..16
Impressions From My Chinchaga Life……………………………..16
Control Project Targets Cormorants ………………………………..19
DeerMice:LordsofTheWilderness …………………………………….20
Zoë Preston: The Lady Behind The Bear ………………………….21
Alberta’s Trumpeter Swan Needs Your Help ……………………23
Association News ……………………………………………………………..24
Climb For Wilderness ………………………………………………………..24
Jerry Hall: A Caring Canadian……………………………………………25
Tom Maccagno Wins Award ………………………………………………25
Alberta Wilderness Watch ………………………………………………….26
New Staff Profiles ……………………………………………………………….28
Letters to The Editor ……………………………………………………………29
Open House Program …………………………………………………………30
Readers’ Corner ………………………………………………………………….31
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Profile: Veteran Naturalist Dorothy Dickson………………………………….. 4
Consultation or Manipulation?…………………………………………………… 6
Sham Consultation Processes Endanger our Wilderness……………. 6
Alberta Wilderness Watch………………………………………………… 7
Milk River Dam Study Bypasses Established Planning………………… 7
Water for Life Strategy……………………………………………………………..10
Twin River Heritage Rangeland………………………………………………..11
Milk River an Endangered River……………………………………………….12
Rumsey Ecological Reserve…………………………………………………….13
Bighorn and Castle Get International Attention…………………………..15
North East Slopes Strategy…………………………………………………….. 15
Naming of Parks After Politicians…………………………………………….. 16
Grande Cache Meeting for NES Strategy…………………………………..17
Whaleback Update………………………………………………………………… 17
Grande Cache Caribou Saga Continues……………………………………17
Dunvegan Weir Turned Down…………………………………………………..18
Rough Fescue Grass Emblem………………………………………………… 19
Conservation Best Option for Cardinal Divide…………………………….19
Developing FSC Boreal Standards………………………………………….. 20
Trumpeter Swans Need Your Help…………………………………………… 21
Canada and the Buffalo…………………………………………………………. 22
Great Sand Hills Under Threat ………………………………………………. 23
Association News ………………………………………………………………. 24
Wilderness Celebration Spring……………………………………………….. 24
Mural Competition…………………………………………………………………. 25
Letters to the Editor………………………………………………………………. 25
Open House Program ………………………………………………………….. 27
Wilderness Awareness Month………………………………………………… 28
Alberta Wilderness Watch ……………………………………4
Keep the Milk River Wild – No Dams! ……………………….4
Evan-Thomas Development ……………………………………7
Government’s Misleading Response to Bighorn Letters 8
New Public Process in Ghost-Waiparous…………………. 9
City of Calgary Recognizes Watershed Importance…… 9
Keeping an Eye on the Bow River Basin ………………..10
Whaleback Gas Gamble Turning Sour? ………………….12
Waterton Subdivision Goes Ahead …………………………13
Navigo Energy Abandons Wells in Hay-Zama …………13
McClelland Wetland Reprieve ………………………………13
New EUB Requirements for Cheviot Mine ………………14
Public Consultation on Forestry in SW Alberta ………. 14
Using Markets and Consumer Pressure ……………….. 15
Educating Alberta Forest Industry Investors …………….15
Game Farming Class Action Lawsuit ……………………..17
Tracking the Forest Carnivores ……………………………. 18
Grande Cache Wildlife Advocate …………………………..20
Artist Profile: Tom Hunter ……………………………………..22
Association News……………………………………………… 23
Promoting Children’s Enthusiasm About Their Water 23
Letters to the Editor ……………………………………………. 24
An Essay on Fur Trapping ……………………………………24
Why Did I Climb the Calgary Tower? ……………………..26
Display Volunteers ………………………………………………27
Open House Program …………………………………………27
Be a Wilderness Steward ……………………………………..28
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Fiddling While Alberta Burns
By Don Meredith ……………………………………………………4
Alberta Wilderness Watch ………………………………..5
Bighorn Plans Released by SRD …………………………….5
No Park, or Elk, is an Island ……………………………………7
Kananaskis: Evan-Thomas ……………………………………..9
Better Forestry Practices in Alberta…………………………..9
Forest Stewardship Council……………………………………10
Old Growth Strategy …………………………………………….10
Whaleback …………………………………………………………..11
Pekisko Landowners and Vermillion Resources ……….12
A NIMBY and Proud of It ……………………………………….13
Castle Ski Resort………………………………………………….14
Local Citizens Defend Kakwa and Win ……………………15
McClelland Fen ……………………………………………………17
Recreation Corridors Review………………………………….18
Frank L. Beebe ……………………………………………………19
Association News…………………………………………..22
Thomas Power Shoots Down Economic Myths ……….20
Annual Lecture and Awards……………………………………21
Wilderness Celebration …………………………………………22
Volunteers …………………………………………………………..24
Message from the President ………………………………….25
Leaving a Wilderness Legacy ………………………………..26
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Reinventing Integrated Resource Management …………4
AWA Founder’s Legacy Shines Bright ……………………….9
Alberta Wilderness Watch …………………………….10
The Bighorn Wildland – An ABSRD Process …………….10
Water and Wildlife to Suffer in Bighorn ……………………11
Reclamation of ATV-Abused areas in the Bighorn……..12
Letter to MLA re Bighorn ……………………………………….13
Halsey Report – McClelland Lake Patterned Fen ……14
AWA Working With Shell – What’s Going On?! …………16
AWA Opinion on Softwood Lumber …………………………17
Game Farm Dilemma – Illegal Trade Revealed …………17
The Truth About Convention Centres in National Parks……….18
Natural Resource Defense Council Visits Alberta ……..19
Profile:KenFerris ………………………………………………..20
Association News…………………………………………21
Scenes from Summer Hikes 2002 …………………………..21
Staff Profile: Philip Clement ……………………………………21
Annual Lecture: Post Cowboy Economics with Dr. Thomas Power ………22
Open House Talks Program ……………………………………23
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More Thoughts on Flexibility to Manage ….5
By Dr. Brian Horejsi
AWA Wilderness Definition ……………………..6
First-Ever AWA President Enjoyed Varied Repertoire ……………………..6
By Andy Marshall
Alberta Wilderness Watch ………………8
A Study in Contrasts: The EUB Hearings on McClelland Wetland Complex………………….8
By Dr. Richard Thomas
Sour Gas Exploration in the Whaleback ..14
Focus on Bighorn ………………………………..15
Weir Proposed for Peace River …………….15
Expanding Waterton-Glacier ………………….15
Rancher Challenges the Cattle Industry and Its Critics ……………………………………..16
Proposed Development at Castle Mountain Resort ……………………….17
It’s Time to End Game Farming …………….17
South Saskatchewan River Leaves Its Mark on Visitors ………………………………18
Al-Pac Defers Touchwood Lake Harvest ..18
Profile: Donna Jo Massie ……………………..19
Association News…………………………20
Bighorn Trail Trip 2002: Awesome Adventure in the Backcountry………………..20
Wilderness Celebration 2002 ………………..21
Annual Lecture: Post-Cowboy Economics with Dr. Thomas Power ……………………….22
Open House Program Fall 2002…………….23
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Effects of ORVs in Wilderness ………………..5
“Flexibility to Manage” – Who Benefits? ……7
By Dr. Brian Horejsi
Alberta Wilderness Watch …………….10
Alberta Scientists Support Expansion of Protected Areas Network ……………………..10
MLAs Getting Message About Bighorn ….11
Bill 206 is a Red Herring ……………………….11
Ecosystem Management in Elk Island ……12
Castle Wilderness ………………………………..12
McClelland Oil Sands Project ………………..13
Grizzly not Listed as Threatened …………..13
Lake Louise …………………………………………13
Lakeland Logging Plans ……………………….14
Touchwood Lake Poem ……………………….14
Sour Gas in the Whaleback ………………….15
Cheviot Mine ……………………………………….15
Oldman River Basin Water Management..16
Snake Hunters’ Blues …………………………..17
Artist Profile: James Marshall: ………………19
Association News
Wilderness Awareness Month ………………20
Wild Alberta Map ………………………………….21
Alberta Wilderness Watch Stewardship Program………………………………………………21
Climb for Wilderness…………………………….22
Profiles of New Staff and Volunteers ……..24
Upcoming Events ………………………………..25
Wilderness Defenders Awards ………………27
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Fresh Water Oil Floods ………………….4
The Hunt in the Twenty-First Century….6
Alberta Wilderness Watch
Bighorn Access Management…………..10
House Divided Over
Protected Fen’s Future ……………………13
Be Kind to Your Friends
in the Swamp ………………………………..14
Old-Growth Logging in Lakeland Impacts Migratory Birds ………………….15
Softwood Lumber
What’s Going On? …………………………15
The Ram Mountain
Bighorn Sheep Study ……………………….16
Talisman Brings Gas Wells
to the North Porcupines ………………….17
Meridian Dam – It’s Not Over Until
the Wild River Sings ……………………….17
Zero-Cow ……………………………………..18
Golden Eagle Migration
in the Rockies ………………………………..19
Profile: Artist Glen Boles………………….21
Association News
Summer Hikes Program ………………….22
Open House Program……………………..22
Membership Drive…………………………..23
Thrill of a Lifetime Raffle………………….24
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Dammed If You Do …………………………..4
Alberta Wilderness Watch ………………..8
Bighorn Public Forums ……………………..8
Letters to the Editor …………………………9
Salvage Cutting in Bighorn………………..9
Thoughts About the Bighorn …………….10
Wilderness Loop …………………………….11
My Passion for the Kakwa ………………..14
Hay-Zama Lakes …………………………….16
Little Smoky’s Solomon Valley…………..16
McClelland Lake …………………………….16
Managing Water in the Bow River Basin …………………………17
North American Grasslands………………18
Whaleback Under Threat………………….19
Open House in Maycroft ………………….21
Communities Divided by Road …………22
CSA Forest Committee ……………………23
Meridian Dam………………………………….23
AEP Committee ………………………………23
Spray Lake Sawmills ……………………….23
Prairie Conservation Forum………………23
Wildlife Books for Education and Controversy …………………………24
Profile: Garry Hackler……………………….26
Upcoming Events…………………………….27
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Living or Dead? Choosing wildlife economies …………………………….4
Steve Dixon:
The Man Who Loves to Fly ……..7
Vivian Pharis:
An Occasional Artist ………………..8
Alberta Wilderness Watch ……….9
Opposing the Road in
Wood Buffalo NP ………………….9
New Regional Planning Process 10
Mountain Caribou in Trouble……..11
Bighorn Wildland ……………………12
Rally for the Wardens …………….13
Livestock Trespass in Waterton ..14
Status of Alberta Wildlife…………..15
Greater Kakwa ……………………….16
Waterton Gate Affair ………………16
Alberta’s Forest Policies …………17
Is Alberta Forestry Sustainable….17
Association News ………………….18
Upcoming Events ………………….2
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Taking a Role in Wilderness Stewardship …………………………..4
The AWA Milk River – Sage Creek Management Story………………….5
Bighorn Trail Trip 2001…………….7
Alberta Wilderness Watch ……….8
Meridian Dam ……………………..8
Hay-Zama Wildland Park ……..9
Spray Lake Sawmills FMA ….10
Game Farming ………………….10
Resource Dependent Communities ……………………11
AWA FSC Membership ……….11
Managing Roads for Wildlife 12
Erasing Bighorn Wildland ……12
Gas Reserves in Bighorn ……13
Southern Grazing Leases ….13
Prairie Rattlesnake Project ..14
Bighorn Sheep Study …………15
Mountain Goat Study …………16
Association News ………………..17
Profile: Charles Lacy …………….18
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Penned Hunts Panned by Coalition ………………………………4
Can We Share the Forest With Mountain Pine Beetles? …………6
Book Review – Home Range by Kevin Van Tighem ………………….7
Alberta Wilderness Watch …………8
New Parks and FMA in Kananaskis …………………………8
The G8 in Kananaskis? …………8
Evan-Thomas ……………………….8
New parks in Northern Alberta ..9
Forestry and Trade………………..9
Meridian Dam……………………..10
Flying Over Bighorn Country ..11
Waterton Gate Affair …………….11
Castle-Crown Wilderness……..12
A Chance for Chinchaga ……..12
Association News ……………………13
Upcoming Events ……………………14
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Global Forest Watch Canada ……5
Alberta Wilderness Watch …………7
Alberta Forest Conservation Strategy ………………………………..7
Spray Lake Sawmills FMA ……..8
Sheep River…………………………..8
Chinchaga …………………………….8
Protecting our Wilderness……….9
The Good Wood Project…………9
Forest Stewardship Council ……9
Little Smoky…………………………10
Solomon Valley Action Alert ….10
Bighorn Country ………………….10
Game Farming ……………………10
Lac La Biche ……………………….11
Waterton …………………………….11
Yellowstone to Yukon …………..12
Association News ………………….13
Upcoming Events……………………15
CONTENTS
What will be the Future of Kananaskis Forests……..1
Shaking Up Environmental Protection in Alberta ……….3
Alberta Wilderness Watch …………………………..6
Progress? On Hay-Zama lakes Wildland: Following the Footprints ………………..6
Hay-Zama: Smart Move or Capitulation?? …………..7
Are Environmental Organizations still relevant in Alberta ……………………..7
Chinchaga ……………………8
Rumsey Ecological Reserve: Planning for the Future ……………………9
Pipeline Requirements Downsized ………………….10
Evan Thomas,
Kananaskis Country……..11
Little Smokey/Solomon Valley …………………………11
Talisman Gets EUB Approval in Bighorn ……..11
Waterton Gate Affair ……12
Profile: Pat Wright:
Wildlife Artist………………….12
Upcoming Events…………..14
Open House Program ….14
Summer Field Trips ……..14
Association News…………..14
Alberta Wilderness Resource Centre …………14
Wild Lands Advocate……14
Employment
Opportunity ………………..14
Tower Climb ………………….15
CONTENTS
Development Proposal Compromises Crown of the Continent ……………………….1
Editorial …………………………2
Presentation to Cardston County Council ………………3
Alberta Wilderness Watch..6
Provincial Election…………6
Bighorn Country …………..6
Evan Thomas ………………7
Little Smokey………………..7
Cardinal Divide …………….7
Chinchaga ……………………8
Castle Wilderness…………8
Special Places Program ..8
National Parks………………8
Prairie Conservation Forum …………………………8
Grizzly Bear Hunting Moratorium in B.C. ……….9
How Many Bears Should Alberta Have? ………………10
The Cougar as Peaceful Adversary ……………………..11
Association News …………12
WLA Survey Results……12
Wild Lands Advocate ….13
Am I Still a Member? ….13
Resource Centre…………13
Casino ……………………….13
From The Board …………13
Annual Tower Climb ……14
Wilderness Insiders Network ……………………..15
Open House Program ……16
CONTENTS
ALBERTA WATERSHEDS
Death by a thousand cuts
CHEVIOT APPROVED
Coal mine recommendation a tragic setback
NATIONAL PARKS
Poll shows Albertans want nature and wildlife, not golf, skiing, shops
GRIZZLY BEARS
25 years of U.S. federal protection
ACTION ALERT
Canada’s Species at Risk Act
2000, THE BEST FIRE SEASON EVER?
WOOD BUFFALO PARK
AWA opposes road through park
AWA MEMBERS’ REPORT
ANNUAL DINNER AND AUCTION
Ian Tyson to be M.C. at AWA dinner
CONTENTS
PROVINCE ANNOUNCES P&NG LEASE SALES IN PROTECTED AREAS
Conservation Groups Take Action to Stop Leases in Milk River and Chinchaga
BEYOND CHEVIOT
Alberta Conservation Groups Announce New Campaign Focus
CANADIAN FORESTS IN GRAVE DANGER
State of Canadian Forests Much Worse Than Previously Thought
COUNTER CONFERENCE DECLARES
PRESENT LIFESTYLE UNSUSTAINABLE
“Widening Peoples’ Choices: For a Just and Sustainable Future” Sign-on Declaration
CONSERVATION GROUPS LOBBY CEO’S FOR WILDERNESS PROTECTION
Petroleum Industry Urged to Sign on
LETTERS
Spray Lakes Park Proposal Praised
SIX NEW SPECIAL PLACES SITES RECOGNIZE IMPORTANT VALUES
“Still lots of work to be done”
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Wilderness Resource Centre Open for Business
DECISION MAKING AS IF SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT MATTERED
The “Canada Well-Being Measurement Act”
CONTENTS
US PROPOSES TRUMPETER SWAN HUNT
Canada’s threatened swan faces trouble in USA
ORGANIZATIONS TEAM UP TO PROTEST LOGGING IN BIGHORN COUNTRY
Alberta government plans Nordegg forest harvest
PRINCIPLES PROPOSED TO SAVE ALBERTA’S NATURAL HERITAGE
Alternatives to Bill 15
ALBERTA’S PROTECTED AREAS PERFORMANCE IN THE 20TH CENTURY
BUFFALO NATIONS CULTURAL CENTRE CANCELLED
Only two K-Country development projects remain
GOVERNMENT URGED TO STOP SPRAY LAKES PROJECT
SPECIES AT RISK ACT TOO WEAK
Extinction prevention flawed, says Canadian Endangered Species Campaign
WILDCANADA.NET
Information superhighway tools, training, and tactics for conservation
AWA NEWS AND SUMMER EVENTS
CONTENTS
GREAT NEWS FOR KANANASKIS COUNTRY
Kan-Alta golf course proposal at Evans Thomas scrapped
PARADISE BESIEGED
New lobby group calls for more development in the four mountain parks
BIGHORN WILDLAND RECREATION AREA
Now open for logging
MONTANA SETS FOREST STANDARDS FOREST PRODUCT CERTIFICATION
Selecting the right program
WOODLAND CARIBOU PROTECTION
Guidelines ignored by oil and gas industry
CONSERVATION GROUPS LAUNCH FOREST CERTIFICATION PROCESS
CHEVIOT PUBLIC HEARINGS RE-OPEN
Federal court dismisses company’s appeal
PARKS CANADA WARY OF MINE
Jasper’s ecosystem at risk if project proceeds
CAW RIDGE NEEDS CHEVIOT-STYLE HEARINGS
LETTERS
AWA not radical enough member says
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
