The Alberta Wildlifer
Autumn 2000, Vol. 11, No. 5
Editor: Troy Sorensen
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The Alberta Wildlifer |
Autumn 2000, Vol. 11, No. 5 |
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Editor: Troy Sorensen |
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Northwest Section and Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society
CO-HOSTED BY THE ACTWS, AND ALBERTA ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES SERVICE
MARCH 2-4, 2001
BANFF PARK LODGE & CONFERENCE CENTRE
BANFF, ALBERTA
Coordinating Scales Of Management, Decision Making And Planning is the focus of the plenary session, which will open the conference (starting early afternoon on March 2). Internationally renowned scientist, David Schindler, from the University of Alberta, is a confirmed plenary speaker. Hal Salwasser from Oregon State University and John Donihee of the Canadian Institute of Resources Law will join him. Jaime Pinkham of the Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho is unconfirmed at press time. The two following days will be filled with contributed papers on a wide range of topics in wildlife and fisheries research and management. Guiding principles for planning the conference are to provide attendees with the highest quality and most current information possible, at a very reasonable price. So, please join us in Banff for a very fine event, and three days of camaraderie!
The Banff Park Lodge is situated in the world-renowned town of Banff, in the heart of historical Banff National Park. Surrounded by the majestic Canadian Rockies, the hotel is one block from the town center, and just a short walking distance to excellent shopping, restaurants, museums, and other points of interest.
Banff is located in southwestern Alberta, about 130 kilometers (80 miles) west of Calgary, on the TransCanada Highway (Highway 1). Calgary International Airport is only a ninety-minute drive from the town of Banff. All major car rental companies are available at the Calgary International Airport, and regular bus service operates directly from the airport to the Banff Park Lodge, as well. Two companies provide regular bus service, as frequently as every two hours, each way, as follows: Banff Airporter-- call 1-888-449-2901; Brewster—call 403-221-8242. Advance reservations are either required or highly recommended, for the bus trip.
The conference and meetings will be held at the Banff Park Lodge and Conference Centre. The lodge has reserved a block of 100 rooms at special conference rates. To receive the special rate, be sure to make reservations by January 2, 2001 at
1-800-661-9266 (mention that you are attending the Wildlife Society meeting, Alberta Chapter). The rate is $115 Canadian/room/night, for single or double occupancy, plus 12% tax. For third and fourth occupants in a room, add $15 (Canadian)/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 before and three days after the conference. When making reservations, you will require a valid credit card number or check or money order deposit. Deposits will be returned, when requested, if the Banff Park Lodge receives notice of cancellation at least 48 hours prior to the expected time of arrival.
A variety of other hotels and motels are located near the Banff Park Lodge. However, we have not arranged discounted rates at any of the others, so please book a room early at the Banff Park Lodge.
Please take advantage of early registration discounts by completing and returning the registration form (see attached registration form) with full payment (in Canadian funds only) by February 7, 2001. On-site registration will be available at the conference. Partial registrations will not be accepted.
8:45-11:45 A.M., March 2
A bus tour of the Bow Valley portion of Banff National Park (lead by National Park staff) will cover issues including elk relocation and management, predator restoration, highway restoration, and fire-wildlife interactions. Fabulous scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities will be featured, as well! Please pre-register (see attached registration form).
The welcoming reception and social (including no-host cash bar) is on Friday evening, March 2. The fundraiser auction of wildlife-related items will occur then, as well. Proceeds go entirely to the Alberta Chapter’s student scholarship fund.
Paul Jones is our auction coordinator. Please contact Paul with commitments to provide auction items (phone 403-382-4357 or e-mail: paul.jones@gov.ab.ca). Small and big-ticket items, custom-made ones, new purchases or used items will all be gratefully appreciated.
The banquet is included in the registration fee and is on Saturday evening, March 3. A well-known wildlife scientist and natural resources administrator, Dr. Morley Barrett, will share wisdom and witticisms, as the after dinner speaker.
A poster session will run during March 2-3rd. Posters on management, research, monitoring, new techniques and work just getting underway are always of interest. Persons that are at very preliminary points in their projects are encouraged to submit posters, rather than papers for oral presentation. If you are interested in participating, please contact Kirby Smith, Department of Biological Sciences, Room Z 907, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada T6G 2E9 (Phone 780-489-8109; fax 780-492-9457; e-mail kgsmith@ualberta.ca).
Conference registrants are invited to submit their favorite original photos for a contest at the conference. Contact Troy Sorensen, if you are interested (phone 780-778-7116; e-mail Troy.Sorensen@telus.net). Further details will be posted on the Alberta Chapter’s website, as the conference approaches (www.albertadirectory.com/actws).
Concurrent sessions for contributed papers (see Call for Papers on following page) will run all day Saturday (March 3) and the early part of Sunday morning (March 4). The conference will end with a final, plenary session of contributed papers on Sunday afternoon (March 4).
A lunch is included in the registration fee and is on Sunday, March 4. The annual awards of the Alberta Chapter, The Wildlife Society, will be presented during the lunch.
Corporate donations have contributed significantly to the quality and viability of TWS meetings organized in Alberta in the past. Thank you, again, for your generosity! If you or your employer are/is in a position to make a financial donation in support of the upcoming conference, please consider doing so. Donations both large and small will be gratefully appreciated! Please make checks payable (preferably in Canadian funds) to Alberta Chapter, The Wildlife Society and mail to ACTWS, Box 4990, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6E 5G8. Donations received before March 1, 2001 would be most appreciated! Donors will be recognized in the printed conference materials, and at the banquet on Saturday, March 3.
Five world-class areas for downhill skiing are situated within easy travelling distance of the Banff Park Lodge (most of them have regular bus service to and from the lodge). Cross-country skiing should be exceptional in early March, too. For further information on other attractions, visit the website of the Banff-Lake Louise Tourism Bureau (www.banfflakelouise.com).
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.
6Do 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.
21 April, 2000
Ellen Frombach, Head,
Diversified Livestock,
AAFRD
#202, 7000 – 113 Street
Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6
Re: Proposed Requirements for Movement of Farmed Cervids from Canada and the United States into the Province of Alberta (Protocol): comments from representatives of Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society
Dear Ellen:
Thank you the invitation to attend the meeting of 20 March on the above topic. I regret having to leave the meeting at noon.
Dr. C. Cormack Gates, Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, and I have examined pertinent documents related to the ‘Protocol’. In general we are very supportive of the documents. They reflect a huge amount of sound thinking by AAFRD and AENV personnel on Risk Assessment and Advisory Committee.
Dr. Gates and I state at the outset that the moratorium on importation of cervidae into Alberta has been a worthwhile exercise, given the lack of reliable and readily available diagnostic tests for pathogens such as meningeal worm and Chronic Wasting Disease. Establishment of such diseases in Alberta would no doubt have major, negative and long-term effects on Alberta’s wildlife and domestic animal industry.
We think the protocol for importation of elk is good, but agree with points raised by participants at the 20 March meeting (see bottom page 2, "Questions and Discussion Arising from the Risk Assessment Process") regarding Alberta’s large northern endemic area for TB and brucellosis and the fact that elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer live within that area. The complex situation, wherein we have infected free-ranging bison, bison and cattle ranching, and free-ranging cervidae susceptible to these diseases, and rapidly escalating human activities in the area, can only become more complicated without a detailed action plan in place.
Regarding the Proposed Cervid Import Protocols we offer the following:
The Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society is glad to be a part of this process, and certainly willing to be involved in the future.
Sincere thanks,
Drs. Bill Samuel and Cormack Gates
There was no response to the letter however the protocol was approved by Ministers Ty Lund (Department of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development) and Halvar Johnson (Department of Environment) on 27 October 2000. Bill and Corm should be commended for their valuable input into this protocol.
Dave Prescott – Conservation Chair
| Conservation Issues Dave Prescott (Conservation Chair) is looking for any conservation issues that members would like the Chapter to take a position on. Please contact Dave by email (Dave.Prescott@gov.ab.ca) or phone 403- 340-4309. |
The Arthur S. Einarsen Award was established in 1966 to recognize outstanding service to the wildlife profession by individuals residing in the area encompassed by the Northwest Section of The Wildlife Society. The Wildlife Administrator Award was designed to recognize and reward excellence in the areas of wildlife program development and administration. The Awards Committee encourages nominations from the membership of the Section by 5 January 2001 for both awards. Nominations benefit from supporting documentation so please contact Lowell Suring, Committee Chair, for more details if you have deserving candidates in mind. Lowell Suring, Chugach National Forest, 3301 C Street, Suite 300, Anchorage, Alaska 99503; telephone: 907-271-2836; FAX: 907-271-2460; e-mail: lsuring@fs.fed.us.
Nomination packages typically consist of a nomination letter, which outlines the reasons for the nomination, curriculum vitae of the nominee and other background materials, and occasionally, letters of support for the nomination from other Section members. A nomination form is not used. It is particularly important to emphasize the nominee’s involvement in The Wildlife Society activities at the Chapter, Section, and National levels. Successful nominees generally have made significant contributions to the Society and the profession beyond the Chapter level. International activities are also important to note.
Criteria considered in evaluating the nominees include: 1) the significance of their contributions to the wildlife profession; 2) their level of involvement, resourcefulness, and initiative in professional society activities; and 3) the effectiveness of their implementation and communication of professional approaches to management and conservation of wildlife resources.
The Northwest Section’s "Guidelines for Einarsen Award" indicate that each nominee’s qualifications will be judged by criteria of resourcefulness, initiative, and planning; powers of observation, interpretation, and communication; and any additional desirable qualifications, which may have enabled a candidate to further the goals of the profession. Nominees must have contributed to wildlife conservation within the geographic area covered by the Section.
Although not explicitly stated in the published guidelines, the nominee should be a current member of The Wildlife Society at the Section and National levels.
The Arthur S. Einarsen Award was established in 1966 to recognize outstanding service to the wildlife profession by individuals residing in the area encompassed by the Northwest Section of The Wildlife Society. Dr. Paul Dalke developed the original criteria in 1966. Presumably, the concept for the award also originated with him. The criteria were amended in 1974 (extracted from a letter to Caroleena E, Einarsen from Phillip W. Schneider, 19 December 1979).
The Einarsen Award is presented at the annual meeting of the Northwest Section whenever a worthy recipient is identified by the Awards Committee (i.e., it is not an annual award). The Awards Committee is intended to have one member from each state and provincial chapter in the Section.
The Lethbridge Community College Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society has been knee deep in plans for the rest of the semester. On the weekend of September 29th to October 2nd, the Society gathered at Pavan Park in north Lethbridge to conduct a survey of cottonwood regeneration and fish population. On October 28th we volunteered to assist Trout Unlimited with their fish rescue in Carseland. Plans are also being made to attend the Wildlife Conference in March, and ideas are being tossed around for a variety of other fun activities. We are also searching for more projects to volunteer with to give students experience and knowledge of different areas of wildlife research. If your organization is in the Lethbridge area and you need some assistance with projects please contact one of the executive members.
President:
Bryan Adcock (403) 381-2774 adcobr01@raptor.lethbridgec.ab.ca
Vice-Presidents:
Jaime Iwaasa (403) 381-8051 iwaaja01@raptor.lethbridgec.ab.ca
Brad Taylor (403) 394-1136 taylorb@telusplanet.net
Treasurer:
Aden Fulford (403) 394-2386 af_gt_97@hotmail.com
Secretary:
Lisa Crowe (403) 328-5575 l.crowe@hotmail.com
Full steam ahead…
Well, the U of A student chapter of the Wildlife Society is not quite one year old, yet things are progressing at an extraordinary pace! After a slow start to the new academic year, due to an unexpected shuffle in the executive board, I can confidently say it has been a successful adjustment. Membership is strong, comprised of approximately 60 graduate/undergraduate students and faculty, while gaining a reputation as a notable campus organization.
In fulfilling our mandate, we have established a very successful monthly seminar series that features various wildlife professionals and research scientists covering a wide range of informative topics. In addition, we are pursuing two research projects related to urban development and wildlife management. The first is designed to monitor and compare the mitigative development, effects, and changes with creating a storm water management pond in substitution of a natural wetland within a new city limits sub-division. Preliminary waterfowl surveys were conducted this fall comparing usage to 5 surrounding wetlands and further sampling of birds, vegetation, water chemistry, terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates are planned for early spring. The second project will look into habitat selection and movement patterns of urban ungulates through a combination of telemetry and snow tracking. Due to resources and funding, initial fieldwork will probably commence early in the New Year.
We also have plans to show are support (and shmoozing abilities) by sending a small contingent to the Northwest Section/Alberta Chapter annual conference in March/2001. Furthermore, to ease the transition for students to meet and talk with trade professionals at the conference, we have created a mentorship link to our society Webpage. Those students wanting to ask questions or talk to someone in a specific field of interest can get to know that person before they meet face-to-face.
For more details, check out our Webpage at: www.rr.ualberta.ca/wildlifesociety
Happy Holidays!
Curtis Stambaugh
President, U of A Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society
President
Curtis Stambaugh curtiss@ualberta.ca
Vice President
Nicky Koper nkoper@yahoo.com
Treasurer
Christine Rice vermivorus@hotmail.com
Secretaries
Steph Neufeld stephneuf@yahoo.com
Marc Plamondon plamondonmarc@hotmail.com
Activities Chair
Jon Hornung jonhornung@hotmail.com
Program Chairs
Alastair Franke afranke@planet.eon.net
Leslie McInenly mcinenly@ualberta.ca
Auditing Chair
Bruce Harrison rbh1@ualberta.ca
Elections/
Bylaws Chair
Arin MacFarlane arin@ualberta.ca
Education Chairs
(Public) Layla Neufeld lmneufeld@hotmail.com
(Academic) Chris Applewhaite capplewhaite@hotmail.com
Memberships
Stephen Taerum staerum@hotmail.com
Sharing Common Ground
February 22-25, 2001
Royal Crown Conference Centre
83 Garry Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
This exciting conference will focus on key issues, information, research and trends related to prairie landscape and species conservation.
"Sharing Common Ground" affords divergent prairie interest groups an excellent opportunity to explore ideas and approaches to sustain landowners and users, as well as preserve the rich natural heritage that is the endowment of all prairie dwellers.
Held once every three years in a Canadian Prairie Province, this must-attend event attracts a wide audience from across Western Canada and the Midwestern United States.
The 6th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference planning committee is comprised of representatives from the following:
Full registration brochure and information will be available in November 2000. To ensure that you receive a registration package, e-mail your name and mailing address to:
FRONTLINE Associates
Conference Planners
(204) 489-2739
E-mail: frontlin@escape.ca
Registration Fees
Early bird (before January 15, 2001): $ 95
After January 15: $125
Students (before January 15): $ 55
Students (after January 15): $ 75
The Conference Hotel
There are a limited number of rooms available at the historic Hotel Fort Garry, 222 Broadway, beside the Royal Crown Conference Centre. The Hotel Fort Garry is offering special room rates of $95 a night (single or double). Phone (204) 942-8251 or 1-800-665-8088. Reserve before January 22, 2001 and refer to Group Code EVC03 to ensure rates.
For more information visit their website at http://iisd.ca/wetlands/pcesc/default.htm
Smith, K.G., E.J. Ficht, D.Hobson, T.C. Sorensen, and D. Hervieux. 2000. Winter distribution of woodland caribou in relation to clear-cut logging in west-central Alberta. Canadian Journal of Zoology 78 (8): 1433-1440.
Schieck, J., and K.A. Hobson. 2000. Bird communities associated with live residual tree patches within cutblocks and burned habitat in mixed wood boreal forests. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 30(8): 1281.
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.
Next IssueExpect the next newsletter in your mailbox February 1st. You are encouraged to submit any type of article (letter to editor, research, stories, humor, poetry, conservation issues, etc.) for the next newsletter by emailing it to Troy.Sorensen@telus.net by January 15th. |
Alberta Chapter – The Wildlife Society
$1000.00 Post-Graduate Award
The year 2001 award is now open for applications from students planning a career in wildlife management and accepted into a full-time post-graduate degree program at an Alberta university in Biological Sciences, Forest Sciences, Animal Sciences, Zoology, or related field of study.
The objectives are to reward excellence in the new generation of wildlifers and to encourage student participation in the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in the profession of wildlife management and should submit an essay of 300 words or less indicating career plans. The application should also include an outline of relevant work and volunteer experience, a letter of reference from a faculty member or other professional biologist, a transcript of undergraduate marks, and marks for any graduate courses completed, a list of courses planned, and an outline of proposed thesis work.
The award will be officially announced at the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society conference in Banff in March 2001. The award funds will be disbursed upon confirmation of registration for the next year of full-time enrolment.
Applications should be received by January 19, 2001. Send to the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Box 4990, Edmonton, Alberta. T6E 5G8 Attn: Scholarship Committee.
For more information contact: George Hamilton, (780) 415-2001.
Alberta Chapter – The Wildlife Society
$1000.00 Undergraduate Award
The year 2001 award is now open for applications from students planning a career in wildlife management and preparing to enter their final year in September, 2001 in a 4-year Alberta university program in Biological Sciences, Forest Sciences, Animal Sciences, Zoology, or a related field of study.
The objectives are to reward excellence in the new generation of wildlifers and to encourage student participation in the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in the profession of wildlife management and should submit a typed essay of 300 words or less indicating career plans and relevance to this award. The application should also include an outline of relevant work and volunteer experience, a letter of reference from a faculty member or other professional biologist, a transcript of marks for courses taken, and a list of courses planned for their final year.
The award will be officially announced at the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society conference in Banff in March 2001. Award funds will be disbursed upon confirmation of registration in the student's final year.
Applications should be received by January 19, 2001. Send to the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Box 4990, Edmonton, Alberta. T6E 5G8 Attn: Scholarship Committee.
For more information contact: George Hamilton, (780) 415-2001.
The William Rowan Distinguished Service Award is presented to an Alberta wildlife biologist who has made outstanding contributions to the management and conservation of wildlife and their habitats. These contributions might involve excellence in research, teaching, public allocation (hunting, nonconsumptive use), habitat protection and development, land use planning, impact assessment, endangered species management, work in professional associations or any other area of the wildlife management profession.
The awards committee is asking for nominations from the membership for this prestigious award. A nomination involves a letter of support from a Chapter member along with the candidate’s curriculum vitae/resume. The letter should explain the value of the nominee’s contributions in the areas outlined above.
This award is for members of the Alberta Chapter who have actively and unselfishly contributed their time and resources to further the aims and objectives of the Chapter. Granting of this award requires the approval of the executive.
Please submit your nominations to Eldon Bruns before Jan 2, 2001:
Eldon Bruns
Natural Resources Service, Wildlife Management Division
Box 2100,Provincial Bldg., 4919 - 51 Street
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta TOM 1T0
Fax: (403) 844-4216
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