| Recreation and Wildlife
in the Rockies of Southwestern Alberta |
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The Livingstone Range
lies north of the Crowsnest Pass (CNP) and provides critical linkages
between the protected area complexes of Waterton/Glacier and Kananaskis/Banff.
This area is recognized internationally for it's wilderness and
wildlife. The CNP "boasts a un-paralleled natural setting
which is enhanced and complemented by cultural and recreational
attractions" (CNP municipal website). However, there is a
need to determine the relationship between recreation use and
wildlife to ensure the sustainability of both.
Miistakis is currently undertaking a research
project to examine the relationship between off-highway vehicle
(OHV) use and wildlife, through the use of remote cameras (mounted
on trees and automatically take pictures of any person or animal
using the trail) and counters (device buried under the trail and
records any metal object passing over it). This innovative use of
new technology allows us to collect valuable data without disturbing
the animals or the recreationists. Results will contribute to understanding
the impacts of OHV use on wildlife. This is critical information
for a community that is promoting environmental quality and OHV
use.
Overall goals of the project:
- Determine wildlife use and human use of OHV
trails in the study area using remote cameras and counters
- Quantify the relationship between OHV use
and wildlife use
- Target information to relevant land
managers, recreational and community groups.
We conducted a highly successful pilot
project in summer 2004 and are confident that our cameras, counters
and research design are ideally suited to meeting the project
objectives. As OHV use increases in southwestern Alberta, results
from this project will be timely and useful in the CNP as well
as other areas. Development of access management plans, tourism
strategies and recreation policies will benefit in particular
from this work.
This project has been funded by the following partners: Suncor Energy Foundation, Alberta Conservation Association, Woodcock Foundation, and the University of Calgary.
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