IN THIS ISSUE
From BVN programs and events to ecosystem protection concerns, nature reads and watching suggestions. Select a title and jump to a topic that interests you.
9KBA P. Duck Photo.
- BVN PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
- NEWS AND ISSUES UPDATES
- Banff Community Plan
- Banff National Park Planning Forum
- Featured ENGO: Wildsight
- Vote for Ecosystems
- Support Environmental Advocacy
- Students Study the Environment
- OF WILD THINGS
- The Nature of Natural History
- Living Lakes Project
- Caring for Canadian Wetlands
- Cave and Basin Marsh – KBA Nomination
- BVN MAPS Project Recognition
- MEMBERS ARE READING, WATCHING, AND LISTENING
- Books: Dawn Songs and an Old Mans Garden
- Interesting Links
- SHARE NATURE RESPONSIBLY
- WHO DO YOU CALL WHEN THINGS ARE AMISS?
- CONTACTS – We Know Who to Call
Please let managers know you want protection for ecosystems. Call them, write them a letter, or drop a note to journalists. If you need help finding contact information, drop us a note and we will help send a messages to the appropriate desks!
ECOSYSTEM EDUCATION & ADVOCACY
Programs & Events
BVN presents programs on natural history and ecosystem management issues. Mark your calendar for 7:30 pm on the fourth Tuesday of every month from October to April, except for December when our programming is replaced by the annual Christmas Bird Count and potluck supper, where you are also welcome. Video recordings of past programs are available on our Public Programs web page. Here are the links to this past season’s program recordings.
November: The Ecological Buffalo with Wes Olsen and Johane Janelle. This was the annual Bob and Mary Smith Commemorative Program in Partnership with the Whyte Museum of the Rockies. We also recommend the related book “The Ecological Buffalo – On the Trail of a Keystone Species.” Visit the publishers web site and use the “Shop Local” button or check your local library.
October: Rekindling Sustainable Relationships with the Land; a Win-Win Outcome for Biodiversity and Human Society with Mateen Hessami
January: Jasper National Park’s Caribou Recovery Program with Lalenia Neufeld and Jean-François Bisaillon
February: Forewarned Is Forearmed – Ticks in the Bow Valley with Dr. Janet Sperling
March: Bats of the Rocky Mountains: Adaptations and Environmental Challenges with Dr. Robert Barclay
April: Native Bees in Alberta with Samantha Morrice
News & Issues
Banff Community Plan
We are grateful to Jess Harding who has offered his time for this important process that will help steer the future of the town of Banff. You can find more about the Community Plan process and supporting documents on the Town of Banff website. This process will guide the many ways this community affects nature in and adjacent to the townsite. Please share your thoughts with us on how the community plan can better reflect the need to maintain a healthy ecosystem in and adjacent to the town.
BNP Planning Forum
Banff National Park’s annual Planning Forum was held in mid-February after a break of a few years. There were many new faces around the table from the interest groups as well as from the two field units with responsibility for managing the Park. Several indigenous groups were present and made significant contributions to the discussions.
Most of the forum was spent on two key planning initiatives rather than taking a wholistic view of planning for the Park. This year’s focus was on the 200 Block Banff Avenue redevelopment and the Lake Minnewanka Area Plan. Watch for Banff National Park announcements about public engagement sessions for these key projects. BVN will be submitting follow-up comments on these planning priorities and other topics relating to the forum and park planning priorities. One of our concerns is that the focus on these two areas will likely take resources away from addressing other important planning issues that are directly affecting ecosystem maintenance and restoration. For example, the emphasis on planning for the Lake Minnewanka area was justified by Parks because there has been a call for a Minnewanka area plan in the Park’s Management Plan for many years. The same can be said for information in the 2010 Management Plan which recognized user conflicts associated with the Cave and Basin wetlands, designated as Zone 1 Special Preservation. This area has been recognized for planning for ecosystem restoration and addressing human use conflicts as far back as 2007. But there seems to be no attention being applied to this area and other special wetland ecosystems in the Lower Bow Valley such as the Vermilion Lakes wetlands which are recognized as an environmentally sensitive site. This extended inattention to areas that are also facing unprecedented levels of human use is occurring despite ongoing efforts by park managers to manipulate fundamental ecosystem processes in these areas, such as natural water level regimes, to protect infrastructure in the Town of Banff.
BVN is also concerned that the agenda for the planning forum did not include any discussion of the proposed developments of railway lands in the town of Banff. This planning process has significant ramifications for many issues affecting both the town and Banff National Park ecosystems. Government involvement of the public has been limited at best. This lack of independent consultation is very concerning given that significant planning has been on-going, and we understand the proposal will increase development in the Banff townsite while the Town of Banff is also exploring ways of getting access to more national park land for parking lots. BVN is very grateful that Banff National Park administration has made it clear that nothing can be considered that is contradictory to the National Parks Act. That is, that the maintenance and restoration of the integrity of ecological processes is the first planning priority.
With so many new faces around the planning table BVN will also call for a mechanism for building literacy around the ecosystem science that affects park management decisions. Please visit the Park Management Planning pages for Banff and other mountain parks. Take a moment to read the Management plans and other background documents. Even a key word search for topics of interest can be an informative and interesting journey. Remember that these are your parks and managed by Parks Canada to protect ecological integrity on Canadians’ behalf. Be sure park managers know your mind so that planning priorities can address the ever-growing stresses resulting from environmental effects related to human use.
What a great name for the good work they do! There are many good organizations working to protect the environment in the Bow Valley and adjacent landscapes. BVN would like to take some space here to introduce you to the work of Wildsight which strives to protect the environment of the Columbia River Region and Rocky Mountains. Check out their web site where you will find the vision below and lots, lots, more including opportunities to support their work.
Our Vision
Wildsight’s vision is to inspire a shared community desire to protect our natural world for future generations. We envision extensive and connected wild spaces for wildlife—from grizzly bears to woodpeckers to trout. We envision clean air and clear water running from mountain watersheds to our lakes. We see thriving and sustainable communities made up of engaged and educated citizens.
Our Mission
Wildsight works locally, regionally, and globally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities in Canada’s Columbia and Rocky Mountain regions.
Our Approach
Wildsight’s approach is unique. We not only work to shape and influence land-use decisions, but we guide practice and steward change on the ground. We work with industry, scientists, the teaching community, and all levels of government, including First Nations. We partner with other local, provincial, national, and international conservation and education organizations to achieve our goals.
Since 1987, Wildsight has been recognized as a leader in large-scale conservation, sustainable community initiatives and environmental education. While our work focuses on the Kootenays and has received recognition from the communities in which we work, we are renowned throughout the province and across Canada for our effective conservation and environmental education programs, excellence, and innovation in all that we do.
At our heart, we are a grassroots organization, harnessing our power from the people whose lives affect and are affected by our work. We strive to inspire a conservation ethic in our children and in our communities so that the future leaders of tomorrow will be equipped to deal with the challenges of sustainability.
Vote for Ecosystems
BVN’s policy is to not endorse electoral candidates. As an ecosystem advocacy organization, we do encourage voters to examine party and candidate electoral platforms and cast votes in favour of candidates who they think will best restore and protect ecosystems. The candidates in the Banff Kananaskis riding with links to their individual websites as provided by Elections Canada for the May 29, 2023 Alberta election are:
- Kyle Jubb (Solidarity Movement Of Alberta)
- Miranda Rosin (United Conservative Party)
- Regan Boychuk (Green Party of Alberta)
- Sarah Elmeligi (Alberta New Democratic Party)
We sent an email message directly to candidates using Elections Alberta’s candidate information asking them to answer this question: “Looking forward, what do you think are the most important ecosystem protection and management issues in the Banff-Kananaskis Riding over the next 4 years and how would you address them?” Sarah Emeligi’s response is available at this link. Other candidates did not respond to our question. No email information for directly contacting Kyle Jubb, or his Party affiliation was included on the Elections Alberta candidate list.
Support Environmental Advocacy
BVN focuses on environmental advocacy in the Bow Valley as a local voice for protection of ecosystems in Banff National Park and adjacent areas. There are many other organizations working on environmental protection in the wider region. We encourage you to visit their websites and support their work and advocacy campaigns. Here are a few we suggest:
Alberta Wilderness Association
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Association
SAGE (Southern Alberta Group for the Environment)
Local College Students Environmental Research Projects
This past winter, students of Banff’s Timberline Alpine Academy College completed several research projects into sustainability in the community. Below is a short list of some of the projects and what they found.
Eco Grief Survey of the Bow Valley by Anika Spoerri
Eco grief can be defined as:
“The grief felt in relation to experienced or anticipated ecological losses, including the loss of species, ecosystems and meaningful landscapes due to acute or chronic environmental change” (Cunsolo and Ellis, 2018).
Most people who answered a survey on this topic lived in Canmore or Banff for 0-15 years and had previous mental health issues. Responses indicated that their mental health is affected only once a month or less by environmental concerns such as pollution (water, air, noise, GHGs), changes in population or the build environment, or policy and management decisions. Most respondents noted that the Town of Banff and Parks Canada were doing well on supporting human-wildlife coexistence, while Canmore, the MD of Bighorn, Mini Thni, BLLT, and private business all scored lower on supporting human-wildlife coexistence.
Butts of Banff Survey by Jackson Booth
Jackson walked all over Banff with a garbage bag and a curious and positive attitude. He found and picked up cigarette butts in many of Banff’s non-smoking areas, found no buts in some of Banff’s smoking areas, and when he interviewed fellow smokers, most did not know where the non-smoking and smoking areas were, and he informed them of the new bylaw.
Sustainability at Mt. Norquay by John Carmichael, Fillip Jensen and Ben Richardson
Inspired by the differences between resorts in their home countries of Scotland, Norway, and Australia, these students found 4 key sustainability initiatives already in place at Mt. Norquay and five more that the resort could be doing.
OF WILD THINGS
The Nature of Natural History
Peter Duck
I currently teach a course which I call Natural History of the Rockies. In the past the course title has used various terms involving specific terms such as geology, ecology, biology, and ecosystems. Lest I be perceived as being a practicing “scientist” in these disciplines, the generalized course title is meant to suggest the participants can get a sense of “natural history.” A course participant, who to my delight recently paid attention to the course material, said they did not know what “natural history” meant. It seemed that exploring appropriate use of the term was due.
For those who love nature and want others to approach nature with the same amount of understanding and appreciation, the term natural history is relevant and has a long history. While the underpinnings of pure science are fundamental to the concept of the term natural history, its modern use seems to take on a more wholistic meaning that embodies other ways of knowing, experiencing, and even feeling nature. Ecosystem science combining with art, reading, writing, math, and music, can all work with experiential learning to facilitate an individual’s own ways of understanding and appreciating – natural history.
Like all terms we use, one can find various versions of a definition. An interesting explanation of natural history is provided by Terry Wheeler of the Lyman Entomological Museum (below):
“A practice of intentional, focused attentiveness and receptivity to the more-than-human world, guided by honesty and accuracy.”
Having explored this term it is hoped readers will agree that science is critical to making informed decisions about managing ecosystems but, if we want people to support those decisions, we need them to connect through natural history. I will continue to use the term and aspire to its modern leanings toward a wholistic understanding. Here are three links I followed. Hoping you will also enjoy:
As with many things the journey can begin with Wikipedia.
A short article by Terry Wheeler led me to the Natural History Project which led to some fun listening to brief recordings of a variety of people talking to the modern meaning of natural history.
What is Natural History? Camille Hartley (Norris Center for Natural History, University of California – Santa Cruz) takes an interesting look at natural history.
Participate in the Living Lakes Project
Naia Noyes-West
Living Lakes Canada is looking for volunteers to contribute to water monitoring in their area from May – September for the National Lake Blitz. Living Lakes is a registered charity affiliated with a global network of organizations that enhance, protect, restore, and rehabilitate freshwater areas.
Anyone can register to receive a free Level 1 water testing kit which includes: a thermometer, tape measure, field guide, and datasheets. Anyone is also welcome to purchase a Level 2 testing kit for $65.00 which also includes tools to measure pH and water clarity. All volunteers will also be invited to online training, monthly meetups, and online workshops featuring expert guest speakers who will be presenting on a range of topics relevant to lake monitoring. Lake Blitz registration closes May 1st or when the supply of Lake Blitz Kits runs out, so register today and join Living Lakes Canada in getting outside this summer and helping protect lakes across Canada. Visit the Living Lakes website or contact lakeblitz@livinglakescanada.ca for more information.
Caring for Canadian Wetlands
BVN Past President Colleen Campbell shared this note from a friend in Quebec whose family has slowly been building protection of a wetland bordering Lake Memphramegog. Given the current challenges for national park wetlands highlighted by the recent manipulation of fundamental wetland ecological processes at the Cave and Basin Marsh adjacent to the Town of Banff, it is encouraging to read that the efforts of a single family can benefit habitat and the many creatures it supports. Maybe dreams of ecological integrity rising above human demands on nature can be realized.
Memphremagog Wetlands Foundation, established in 1991, is a registered charitable conservation organization (Registration Number: 893102178RR0001) and is dedicated to the protection of natural environments and habitats, particularly the wetlands and forests of the Lake Memphremagog watershed and the Tomifobia River valley in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.
The late Stewart Hopps, CM, was the founder and an environmental activist. He was a ‘man before his time’ advocating for the environment long before it became mainstream. He spent many years fighting for the health of Lake Memphremagog, a 32-mile-long international lake that spans from Newport, Vermont to Magog, Quebec. In 1999, he received the Order of Canada for championing the environment.
Part of his philosophy was to protect wetlands. He described them as the ‘kidneys’ of the ecosystem. He believed that a wetland helped to filter water entering streams, rivers and lakes reducing pollution by the time it reached our lakes. So rather than think of wetlands as wastelands with little or no value, it is important to identify and preserve them, regardless of their size.
Not only is it vital to protect wetlands, but woodlands also provide an essential buffer for wetlands, streams and many flora and wildlife species that depend entirely on forest cover for shelter and food. Lake water is warming and maintaining forests around the lake which are key to providing shade to the waters that flow into the lake. The Foundation is working hard to protect these valuable resources that are under constant threat from residential development in the region. A low percentage of protected land in the Lake Memphremagog watershed is directly linked to the high market value of properties, especially on the lake shore; the fact that owners of large properties can no longer support the significant increase in municipal taxes; and aging families who have been living in the area for decades sell or subdivide their property, resulting in the fragmentation of large properties and natural corridors.
Currently, the Foundation has over 250 acres under protection in perpetuity. The properties have been acquired by donation, purchase, or conservation servitudes (easements). The Foundation is responsible for stewardship so that the properties remain in their natural state, maintain their ecological value, and continue to serve as diverse natural habitats.
Additionally, the Foundation works with landowners to raise awareness of the value of conserving and protecting their property and to preserve the Memphremagog watershed’s unique ecosystems.
Key Biodiversity Areas – Cave and Basin Marsh Nomination
BVN recently completed an application in support of the Cave and Basin warm springs being nominated as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). KBA’s are becoming an important layer of protection for biodiversity and build on the important work of databases such as iNaturalist, eBird, and Important Bird Areas. The nomination for the Cave and Basin was based on the significance of the Banff Springs Snail. After the draining of the of the Cave and Basin Marsh by Parks Canada last spring BVN became aware of how poorly protected this special wetland may be. Being designated as Zone 1 in the Banff Park Management for its unique biodiversity, hosting multiple Species at Risk, as well as being important fish habitat due to its sharing of biomass and nutrients with the Bow River were not enough to prevent meddling with the Marsh’s fundamental natural processes. BVN’s KBA submission noted the importance of the entire Cave and Basin wetland system in promoting biodiversity. We hope the KBA designation is accepted and extended to include the entire system from warm springs through the Marsh to the adjacent banks of the Bow River.
Visit this site to learn more about KBAs.
BVN MAPS Project Recognition
Yea team, congratulations! The BVN Ranger Creek Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship project’s (MAPS) twenty-five-year record of continuous bird banding data was recently recognized by the Institute for Bird Populations (IBP). This station is managed on a voluntary basis by Cyndi Smith who has invested expertise, time, and labour to keep this long-term monitoring project in Banff National Park going all these years. Credit also goes to a team of volunteers who have supported the project over the years. We also thank our donors and Parks Canada who have provided the funds that are needed from time to time for this project. Visit the IBP MAPS Chat newsletter at this link and scroll down, reading some other interesting information along the way, to see the note and a picture of two twenty-five year old MAPS volunteers.
The Ranger Creek MAPS reports are posted here.
What Members Read, Watch and Listen to
BOOKS
Old Man’s Garden: The History and Lore of Southern Alberta Wildflowers, Annora Brown
As naturalists in the Bow Valley begin a new season of flower sniffing perhaps this is a good read when the weather is more conducive to a day on the couch than being outside. The book uses pen and ink illustrations to share the legends and folklore connected with Southern Alberta’s wildflowers, native plants, and Indigenous culture. This is an enhanced edition of a book that was originally published in 1954 and so becomes a voice from the past that brings true meaning to the wholistic term “natural history”, including indigenous perspectives. Visit the publishers web site, open the “read more” tab, enjoy the background the descriptions, and you will be hooked.
Dawn Songs: A Birdwatcher’s Field Guide to the Poetics of Migration
Jamie K. Reaser and J. Drew Lanham, editors
Cyndi Smith says this book is so new that when she tried to order it through the Canmore library it wasn’t in their system, but the librarian was intrigued, and they bought a copy! This is a collection of over 100 poems and short prose pieces praising birds, roughly organized around migration. On that subject, Richard J. Nevle writes about a Wilson’s Warbler “guided by starlight, chutzpah, and wits.” Lantham writes that watching birds “is a daily necessity, as crucial a prescription to be filled as any bottle might hold.” There is one local connection: a story about Hermit Thrushes by Kevin Van Tighem.
INTERESTING LINKS AND VIDEO
Cyndi Smith also sent along these notes…
The Story of Birds (as introduced by Nature Alberta):
“Here in Alberta, we’re rich in both modern bird species and the prehistoric creatures from which they arose. While the origin of these unique feathered animals was long considered mysterious, modern science continues to find amazing new evidence for the evolution of birds. Join Edmonton-based naturalist Nick Carter for a journey into the past to discover where birds came from and how we know. Along the way, we’ll highlight important scientists and discoveries from right here in Alberta.” The recording is now available here.
Rare Bird Alert
I heard this punk birder, Paul Riss, interviewed on the Birds Canada podcast, The Warblers. They mentioned that he had starred in a CBC documentary, titled Rare Bird Alert. I finally just watched it, and it’s worth the time. He visits about half a dozen places in North America and goes out with local birders, from young phenoms to ex-addicts. Lots of great photos, too. If this link doesn’t work, just go to CBC Gem and search for it. It’s about 45 minutes long.
RESPONSIBLE NATURE WATCHING
BVN cautions all readers to not use publicly accessible social media style applications to post the locations of sensitive natural features, plants or wildlife that will attract people to that location. It’s good to know nature is out there but in these days of social media such sharing of sensitive information will put the nature we love at risk of being loved too much.
Who to Call
You may come across situations or observations that you want to tell the authorities about. We recommend you have these phone numbers handy. Remember, cell phone coverage is spotty in the mountains so take notes if you need to move on to make a call.
- Ambulance, Fire Department, Police (RCMP): 911
- Banff Dispatch: 403-762-4506 for Park-related emergency only (avalanche, forest fire, mountain rescue, etc.)
- Banff Dispatch: 403-762-1470 for Park non-emergency (e.g. bear or large carnivore sightings, human-wildlife conflicts, injured animal, illegal park activities such as fire, camping, drones)
- Kananaskis Emergency Services 403-591-7755 for emergencies, bear, cougar and problem wildlife sightings, illegal activities. This is also the number to report a poacher. If you wish to remain anonymous while reporting a crime, phone 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)