The Alberta Wildlifer
Summer 2000, Vol. 11, No. 4
Editor: Troy Sorensen
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The Alberta Wildlifer |
Summer 2000, Vol. 11, No. 4 |
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Editor: Troy Sorensen |
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Life is never dull for those involved in the ACTWS… Just as we were unwinding from the Y2K conference, we received a call from the President of the Northwest Section of The Wildlife Society asking if we would be willing to host the next section meeting/conference. After much deliberation we have decided to accept the challenge and hope to see all of you in Banff in 2001. The conference brings with it numerous challenges and a multitude of benefits. Arlen Todd (President-Elect, ACTWS) is serving as conference coordinator and has posted information regarding the conference in this newsletter. If you'd like to get involved in the planning or implementation of this exciting event please contact Arlen.Todd@gov.ab.ca.
Achieving stated goals separate a results-driven organization from an activity-based one. In an effort to build upon the excellent successes reached under the supervision of former ACTWS executive, we've decided to build a 'business plan' of stated goals and objectives for our business year (see next issue of newsletter). Following the completion of our annual business cycle, we will produce an annual report that summarizes our successes in the preceding year. Such plans and progress reports will serve as an excellent archive of chapter business through the years.
One aspect that will be included in the business plan is the completion of an "Executive Manual". This initiative is being driven by Margo Pybus and Beth MacCallum. The purpose of the document is to outline the duties of the various executive positions and committees. They've also included as appendices the Chapter Bylaws and an archive of significant decisions at past executive or annual meetings (this archiving will complement nicely the proposed annual report outlined above). The manual will serve as an excellent guide for chapter function and allow prospective executive to see what they would be responsible for should they decide to run for office. Margo and Beth will be (have been) contacting former executive or committee members for feedback on drafts of the manual; if you'd like to offer your assistance please contact Margo.Pybus@gov.ab.ca or ovis@telusplanet.net.
As outlined in summer issue of 'The Alberta Wildlifer' one of my goals during tenure as President was to foster increased communication and involvement with students and other biologists. We will be in contact with the student chapters in Lethbridge and Edmonton to initiate collaborative programs and dialogue. I'd also like to increase interaction the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists, to this end I've initiated conversations with Peter Komers (President-Elect, ASPB) and he's keen on the idea. Watch the web site and future issues of the newsletter for additional details.
Hope the summer has been productive…
Cheers
Elston Dzus, President
Dear Editor:
I've just been going through the latest copy of The Alberta Wildlifer, and I have a suggestion that I thought I'd throw out to you. I'm wondering about the possibility of adding a 'Recently Published' section where members could send in the citation and perhaps even the abstract for items that they've recently had published. This could include journal articles, government reports, theses, or just about anything that is available to the public and of interest to the ACTWS members. I think it would be useful for keeping us all informed about what is going on in the wildlife field in Alberta. I know that it would be a great resource for those of us who do not have access to digital databases such as Biological Abstracts. Just an idea that I thought I'd throw out.
Robert Anderson, Applied Ecosystem Management Ltd.
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Mr. Anderson,
Elston and I love the idea and have included the new section in this newsletter. Thanks for taking interest in the newsletter and making it more useful for Wildlifers.
Troy Sorensen, Editor
Executive Board elected during the general elections held at the Annual General Meeting on April 3, 2000.
Position |
Name |
Email address |
President |
Piotr Weclaw |
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Vice President |
Curtis Stambaugh |
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Treasurer |
Christine Rice |
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Secretary |
Tara Szkorupa |
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Activities Chair |
Jon Hornung |
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Program Chairs |
Alistair Franke |
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Lesly McInenly |
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Auditing Chair |
Bruce Harrison |
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| Elections and Bylaws Chair | Arin MacFarlane |
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Public Education Chair |
Layla Neufeld |
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Academic Educ. Chair |
Nicky Koper |
We have now selected the dates, location and venue of the next annual conference. Dates are March 2-4, 2001 (inclusive, beginning with registration on late morning Friday, and ending with a final plenary session on Sunday afternoon). The venue is the Banff Park Lodge in Banff National Park, Alberta. We are planning plenary sessions on "Emerging Issues in Fisheries and Wildlife Management for the New Millennium", including the effects of global climate change on fisheries and wildlife populations, and the use of thresholds in our discipline. Please contact the conference coordinator (see details below) if you have feedback, suggested speakers, or other ideas on these themes for the plenary sessions. We will also have contributed papers on the usual diversity of topics in wildlife research and management. A detailed conference announcement, and a call for papers, will be printed in your next newsletter.
If you have any questions or suggestions on the conference itself, please contact the conference co-ordinator, and President-elect for the Alberta Chapter, Arlen Todd. Arlen’s phone number in Calgary is 403-297-3362 (arlen.todd@gov.ab.ca).
The Banff Park Lodge has set aside a block of 100 rooms for each of the two main nights of the conference (March 2nd and 3rd), and lesser numbers of rooms for the nights before and after (March 1st and 4th). The hotel is offering the rooms (so called "Superior" rooms) for $115 (Canadian)/room/night (single or double occupancy), plus 12% tax. For third and fourth occupants in a room, add $15/person/night (plus tax). Children under the age of 16 stay at no additional charge. The rates mentioned above are extended to delegates of the conference both three days prior to, and three days after the conference dates. The block of rooms will be held only until January 2, 2000, so please block your room early. The hotel also has Deluxe Jacuzzi bedrooms and suites available (at higher rates), if you prefer. When you telephone to reserve your room, please indicate that you are attending The Wildlife Society meeting, Alberta Chapter. To reserve a room, please call the Banff Park Lodge using their toll-free number, as follows: 1-800-661-9266
You will require a valid credit card number or cheque or money order deposit to make a reservation. Deposits will be returned, when requested, if notice of cancellation is received by the Banff Park Lodge at least 48 hours prior to the expected time of arrival. Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. (check-out time is 11:00 a.m.).
We are looking forward to seeing you in Banff in early March 2001! Remember, too, that skiing should be excellent at that time of the year!
The editors are looking for "a few good men/women" to report activities from various organizations around the province. These reports were done fairly regularly in the past and we would like to re-initiate the practice. The following are examples of reports received in the past:
The reporter would hopefully comment on the organization's activities, upcoming events, correspondence, issues, etc. Hopefully the reporter would submit reports on a regular basis but no commitment is necessary. If you feel up to the challenge email Troy.Sorensen@telus.net with your report.
Do you have an old manuscript that never got submitted but is
nevertheless interesting?
Are you starting a project and would like some publicity?
Have you found a better field/lab method to conduct research?
Submit your articles to The Wildlifer and get instant publication. We could even have your
article peer reviewed, if you wish.
The Hon. Ty Lund
Minister of Agriculture
208 Legislature Building
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 2B6
Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society
Box 4990
Edmonton, Alberta
T6E 5G8
June 20, 2000
Dear Mr. Lund:
The Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society is a non-profit organization of professionals and students in the field of wildlife biology and management. ACTWS is dedicated to wise stewardship of natural resources. Where possible, the Chapter will advise Albertans, the government and industry about the value of wildlife and ecosystems and the various land use practices that affect our natural heritage.
Recent discussions within our Chapter uncovered some confusion as to the status of bison as domestic grazing animals on Alberta public lands, and on the position of the Alberta government. Specifically, the Agricultural Lease Review Report (section 4.12) notes that bison are not included within the definition of livestock as given in the Public Lands Act. It also notes, however, that current practices allow bison grazing. The report goes on to suggest that livestock diversification should be supported while at the same time acknowledging that bison grazing dispositions often result in elimination of public access, and bison fencing can restrict wildlife movement. The report’s conclusion on this matter seems to be that the Act could be amended to expand the definition of livestock as long as these two problems can be successfully resolved.
The Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society takes an active interest in the management of Alberta’s lands and wildlife. There are obvious grounds for concern if current or future practices result in exclusive uses that restrict movements of species such as elk, deer, moose, bison, or large carnivores. The Agricultural Lease Review Report indicates that this should not be considered acceptable.
A related question involves the ongoing efforts to re-establish the wood bison (listed as threatened by COSEWIC) as a free-ranging native species in northern Alberta. Captive bison grazing seems to run counter to this initiative, from three perspectives: 1) game fences remove and fragment habitat which would otherwise be available to free-ranging animals; 2) fence damage is likely where captive and wild bison share the same general area; and 3) until disease issues can be resolved, wild bison pose a risk to captive-raised animals. Another way of looking at these last two issues is that the recovery of the wood bison may conflict with the expanding commercial bison grazing industry in some areas of the province.
I would like to ask, on behalf of our Chapter, if you could clarify what the legislation and government policy are regarding bison grazing dispositions on public land. Specifically, I would like to ask four questions:
1) Are bison considered to be legitimate domestic livestock under the Public Lands Act, or is there an intent to make them so?
2) Under the Public Lands Act, can stocking of bison on a grazing disposition be prevented or disallowed?
3) Are there effective and practical techniques for ensuring that public access and wildlife movements are not restricted or eliminated by domestic bison grazing?
4) Does the government anticipate and support expansion of bison grazing leases on public lands?
Thank you very much for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Elston Dzus, Ph.D.
President, Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society
cc: The Hon. Halvar Jonson
Mr. David R.C. Prescott, Ph.D.
Chairman Conservation Committee
Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society
Box 4990
Edmonton AB T6E 5G8
Dear Mr. Prescott:
Thank you for your June 20, 2000 letter asking for clarification on the Alberta Government’s policy regarding bison grazing on public land dispositions. I will answer the four questions you posed.
The Public Lands Act currently defines livestock as cattle, horses and sheep, and allows leases to be issued on public land for the grazing of such livestock. Bison are not included in the definition of the types of livestock that may be grazed on public land.
In the 1990’s, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAFRD) did allow some bison grazing on a few grazing leases (less tan one percent). A number of issues and concerns regarding bison use on public land have been raised over the past years. These concerns mirror those raised by you and the Wildlife Society. As many of these issues have not been fully resolved, AAFRD has placed a moratorium on any further approval of bison grazing on public land.
As your letter indicated, the Agricultural Lease Review report which was adopted by the government in 1999, suggested that expanding the definition of "livestock" to include bison could be considered if the new type of livestock does not limit multiple use of public land, and if fencing of the disposition does not impede wildlife movement.
In addition, I share your concerns about the free ranging herds of northern bison infected with brucellosis and tuberculosis which could come into contact with farmed bison and livestock. AAFRD is continuing to work with Heritage Canada (Parks) and regional First Nation communities to encourage research that will lead to a management plan for the diseased northern bison herds.
I will be initiating a review of bison grazing on public land. During this review, stakeholder organizations will be asked to address outstanding issues and provide input on how bison grazing could be integrated on public land. This information will then be evaluated and used to determine if the definition of "livestock" should be changed under the Public Lands Act and provide the ability to allow bison grazing on public land grazing leases.
Until the review is completed, no new bison grazing will be approved. All individuals inquiring about the use of public land to graze bison are being advised of the moratorium. I trust this answers your questions. If you should require any additional information, please feel free to contact Mr. Rodger Marvin at (780) 427-3595 regarding bison grazing on public land, or Dr. Dale Armstrong at (780) 422-7807 regarding the management of northern diseased bison herds.
Sincerely,
Ty Lund
Minister
Cc: Honorable Halvar Jonson, Minister, Environment
October 17-19, 2000, Revelstoke BC
The Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology is holding a three day workshop on managing grizzly and black bears in forested environments. The workshop will feature three sessions:
Three field trips will be offered:
Dr. Steve Herrero will present an evening talk titled "Living in Bear Country" This presentation will be open to the public.
This workshop will be of interest to anyone concerned with monitoring and maintaining bear populations in forested areas, developing or implementing forest harvest and silvicultural programmes, or working to reduce bear-human conflicts in municipalities and rural areas. Workshops will feature the latest in research techniques and findings as well as case studies on managing forests and human use in bear habitat. Revelstoke is in occupied grizzly and black bear habitat and field trips will feature a variety of issues and solutions (e.g., electrification of landfills, DNA census methods, and guidelines for access management).
For further information visit the website at www.cmiae.org/
November 1 - 3, 2000
TELUS Convention Centre
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: The purpose of CEEM 2000 is to provide participants with clear and practical solutions for the proactive and effective management of cumulative effects. This three day forum will examine processes for managing cumulative effects using examples from a variety of development projects and perspectives. Practitioners are invited to submit an abstract summarizing a paper for presentation at the symposium either orally on in a poster session. All papers are required to describe practical real-world experience that emphasis management of cumulative effects and should involve principles that are applicable to a variety of geographic regions or administrative jurisdictions. The following themes are preferred:
Successful stakeholder involvement processes
The deadline for abstract submission is January 30th, 2000. For more information please contact: George Hegmann - Technical Program Coordinator, Tel: (403) 750-7668 or Email: ghegmann@axys.net Full details on the symposium and instructions for submission of abstracts can be found on the symposium website at: www.aspb.ab.ca/ceem2000.html
Cumming, S.G., Schmiegelow, F.K.A., Burton, P.J. 2000. Gap dynamics in boreal aspen stands: is the forest older than we think. Ecological applications: 10(3): 744.
Please send any references of recently published articles to Troy.Sorensen@telus.net. Articles of interest include those authored by ACTWS members on Alberta wildlife.
The Government of Canada is providing free access for Canadians to the 14 journals published by NRC Research Press, a service offering of the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI). Beginning January 1, 2001, the peer-reviewed journals, which cover a wide range of scientific disciplines, will be free to anyone with a Canadian IP (Internet Protocol) address. Previously, the journals were available only by subscription, site license or on a pay-per-view basis for individual articles.
NRC Research Press is the foremost scientific publisher in Canada and one of the most advanced electronic publishing services in the world. Free access to the journals is made possible by funding from the Depository Services Program of Public Works and Government Services Canada. This initiative was made possible with the support of the Treasury Board of Canada, which is responsible for overseeing the policies under which the Depository Services Program operates.
Bruce Dancik, Editor-in-Chief for NRC Research Press and Associate Vice-President (Academic) at the University of Alberta calls the agreement "an important initiative that brings top-quality international science within easy reach of all Canadians. The agreement serves as a model for national site licenses in other countries."
Bruno Gnassi, Director, Depository Services Program says, "This agreement marks an important milestone in the evolution of the public's access to Government of Canada information. It positions Canadians to have fair and equitable access to the full richness and diversity of the Government of Canada's published scientific digital information, and ensures that in the twenty-first century the Depository library network can now serve Canadians even better."
The Depository Services Program is one of Canada's oldest and most effective public access partnerships. Working hand in hand with government departments and agencies, government publishers, and Canada's library community the Depository Services Program puts government publications within easy reach of all Canadians.
NRC has been publishing peer-reviewed international science for the past 70 years. In addition to the journals, the Press publishes a growing number of books and scientific conference proceedings each year. In 1994 NRC Research Press became part of the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information, one of the world's largest providers of scientific, technical and medical information.
Canadians can currently access the 14 journals at http://researchpress.nrc.ca/
They are:
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology
- Canadian Geotechnical Journal
- Canadian Journal of Botany
- Canadian Journal of Chemistry
- Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering
- Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
- Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
- Canadian Journal of Forest Research
- Canadian Journal of Microbiology
- Canadian Journal of Physics
- Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
- Canadian Journal of Zoology
- Environmental Reviews
- Genome
Further details will be available in fall, prior to the launch of the service.
For more information contact:
Aldyth Holmes
Director, NRC Research Press
National Research Council of Canada
(613) 993-1931
aldyth.holmes@nrc.ca
Next IssueExpect the next newsletter in your mailbox December 1st. You are encouraged to submit any type of article (research, stories, humour, poetry, conservation issues, etc.) for the next newsletter by emailing it to Troy.Sorensen@telus.net by November 15th. |
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