Crown Managers Partnership Data Framework

Built by the Miistakis Institute the CMP Data Framework is a spatially searchable metadata server that provides a single interface for the many databases owned and maintained by the various agencies within the Crown of the Continent. By using a distributed model the framework leverages and supports the existing effort of agencies within the Crown rather then creating a competing warehouse style dataset that would be difficult to maintain in the long term. Anyone with data to contribute is urged to contact us to explore how we might link your project with ours.

The Crown of the Continent Ecosystem

The 'Crown of the Continent' ecosystem is one of North America's most ecologically diverse and jurisdictionally fragmented ecosystems. Encompassing the shared Rocky Mountain region of Montana, British Columbia and Alberta, this 16,000 square mile / 42,000 square kilometre ecological complex spreads across two nations; across one state and two provinces; and across numerous aboriginal lands, municipal authorities, public land blocks, private properties, working and protected landscapes.

The Crown is internationally recognized for its biodiversity and landscape form. In relatively short distances and small areas, landscapes range from flat grasslands to soaring peaks; from rock and ice to lush forests; from uninhabited wilderness to densely-populated settlements. This varied landscape sees a likewise varied range of wildlife species and vegetation communities. A full complement of large carnivores and ungulates can be found in the region, and valleys in the Crown of the Continent serve as important wildlife movement corridors, representing one of the last areas with the potential for such large-scale connectivity.

The Crown Managers Partnership

In February 2001, government representatives from over twenty agencies gathered in Cranbrook, B.C. to explore ecosystem-based ways of collaborating on shared issues in the transboundary Crown of the Continent. Participation included federal, aboriginal, provincial and state agencies or organizations with a significant land or resource management responsibility within the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem (CCE). The aim was to involve a blend of senior and middle managers with technical and professional staff that have a role in management at the ecosystem scale (e.g. conservation biologists, land use planners, etc.). No attempt was made to put a firm boundary around the area of interest, but the region is generally defined by the Rocky Mountain ecoregion from the Bob Marshall wilderness complex (MT) to the Highwood River (AB) and Elk Valley (BC) and is known as the Crown of the Continent.

In April of 2002, the second annual Forum was held in Whitefish, MT. This second Forum resulted in the formalization of the group to a Collaborative Partnership (Crown of the Continent Ecosystem Management Partnership) that is accountable to the membership through an Annual Forum, implements direction from the Partnership through an Annual Work Plan, includes an Interagency Steering Committee as well as a Secretariat (provided by the Miistakis Institute). The Secretariat provides both administrative and technical support, including fundraising and project management. This structure and direction has been confirmed at subsequent annual Forums.