Buck for wildlife newsletter

10 Pages·1997·7.7 MB·English

by  Alberta. Alberta Environmental Protection. Natural Resources Service

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R u ck for
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A Publication of the Alberta Conservation Association
Buck for Wildlife Newsletter FallAVinter 1997 ISSN# 1203-4266
CANADIAj^
A Reason to Celebrate:
25 years of Buck for Wildlif4!*'''»»
In 1998, Albertans have great reason to celebrate the anniversary of a successful habitat conservation
program. When it began in 1973, this program represented an innovative concept in conservation:
hunters and anglers contributing, through their licence fees, to fish and wildlife habitat enhancement
and conservation projects. Twenty^five years later. Buck for Wildlife is still a l eader among Canadian
habitat development programs. The credit for the program’s successes goes to the thousands
of hunters, anglers and other concerned conservationists who have supported the
program with money, enthusiasm, and active involvement.
Bvick for
changes that will benefit not only
Wildlife at their agricultural activities, but
wildlife as well. The Landowner
a Glance Habitat Program costs $200,000
each year to maintain.
The best way to inform people
Buck for Wildlife has secured
about the strengths of the
habitat for Alberta’s endangered
Buck for Wildlife program is to let species by building nesting
the projects speak for themselves, platforms for Eerruginous hawks
and Peregrine falcons. Pences
keeping in mind that “people
have been built to protect piping
power” is crucial in every project.
plover nesting areas and
Each year. Buck for Wildlife • E ach year, hundreds of acres are Northern leopard frog breeding
plants approximately 100,000 burned to improve winter range
trees and shrubs in carefully for elk. Burning increases the
designed shelterbelts to provide quality and quantity of the food Buck for Wildlife maintains over
food, cover and travel lanes for a supply by setting back the 90 properties throughout the
variety of wildlife species. To vegetation to its succulent new province for the purpose of
plant a shelterbelt sapling costs growth stage. To burn one acre wildlife and fisheries habitat
an average of $0.25. can cost $16.00. enhancement and conservation.
Many of these properties provide
It costs approximately $5.00 to • S o far, 350 landowners have recreational opportunities for
build a nest box for chickadees, secured over 49,000 acres of people who enjoy fishing,
bluebirds, or wrens. Each year important wildlife habitat on
whuanttcihnign,g . hiking, and bird-
many Alberta children help build their land. Most of these
nest boxes in their communities. landowners made some land use continued on next page
• M ore than 250 km of fencing aerators are operating in Alberta nine different Alberta streams.
has been constructed to protect because of Buck for Wildlife
streambanks and riparian areas funding. • T o minimize the disturbance
from grazing and trampling by to habitat by livestock that
livestock. One of the best • I t costs about $105 per hour to drink from streams, several
examples of a successful stream- rent the equipment needed to innovative livestock watering
bank fencing project is the North clear away old growth willow. methods have been developed.
Raven River in the foothills of This allows grasses, shrubs, and To build one of these struc-
Alberta, southeast of Rocky young trees to grow, providing tures can cost anywhere from
Mountain House. Fencing of the food for moose and deer. $1750 to $6000.
North Raven’s streambanks
began in 1975, and by 1993, 70 • M ore than 100,000 fish, • O ne hundred metres of spruce
percent of the streams entire including rainbow trout, tree revetments, used to
length had been fenced, cutthroat trout, and brook trout protect eroding streambanks,
protecting it from livestock are stocked each year in Buck for costs about $100 for materials
damage. As a result, there have Wildlife lakes and ponds. and requires several days of
been significant increases in the labour to install.
number of trout in the protected • S ometimes beaver dams on
areas of the stream. important trout streams can These are just a f ew examples
prevent fish from reaching their of Buck for Wildlife projects
• A m otorized aerator for a six- spawning areas. The removal of that are happening all around
hectare pond costs about $2700. beaver dams can cost $200 per Alberta.
Aerators increase oxygen in the kilometre of stream. In any
water, thereby reducing the risk given year, approximately 200 For more information on these
of fish deaths due to winter km of stream enhancement may
projects, please contact
oxygen depletion. About 12 be done through dam removal on Margaret Green at 986-6775.
Bigelow Reservoir - A S ite Rich With Buck for Wildlife History
Bigelow Reservoir truly exempli- vegetation, fencing to protect the late 1970s. Day-use facilities
fies what the Buck for Wildlife important native habitat, and are available for nature walking,
Program is all about. Established installing various artificial nesting wildlife viewing, and canoeing.
in 1973, it is one of the first sites structures for waterfowl and In 1973, an employee of the
developed and enhanced as a B uck bluebirds. Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division,
for Wildlife property. The large Albert Lees, coordinated the
reservoir is bordered by 416 development of this highly
hectares of upland habitat. successful project. Albert left the
Located in an intensive agricultural Fish and Wildlife Division in the
area in west-central Alberta mid 1980s, but in 1995 he again
approximately 59 km southwest of became directly involved in the
Red Deer, its diversity in habitat
Bigelow Reservoir project — this
types attracts a wide range of time as the Buck for Wildlife
wildlife species to the property. Volunteer Steward. Albert
deserves acknowledgement for his
During the mid 1970s, over 8000 dedication to the Buck for Wildlife
trees and shrubs were planted into program over the past 25 years,
multi-row, irregular- shaped especially because his involvement
plantings totalling approximately made the Bigelow Reservoir site
10 km of shelterbelts. Other such a successful Buck for Wildlife
wildlife habitat development Bigelow Reservoir is a valuable site
techniques implemented at this for both consumptive and non- property.
time included planting dense consumptive users. It p rovides For more information on this
nesting cover, construction and waterfowl and big game hunting
project, please call Grant Nieman
seeding of waterfowl nesting opportunities, and it has been an at 340-7683.
islands, transplanting emergent annual pheasant release site since
Interview with
Dn Terry Nerciosen
In October, 1997, our editor, Ncitcilie Cook, held the opportvinity to
interview the ACA's Meineiging Director, Dr. Terry Nereidsen.
NC: Whdt have your ried the ball despite the fact tive policies and procedures,
priorities been in yovir that many uncertanties had to and a new accounting system
first few months cis be faced. are being developed to ensure
Meineiging Director of that projects are efficiently
this new orgoinizeition, Another equally important carried out and to ensure that
the Alberts
priority was and remains, get- expenditures can be accounted
Conservation
ting to k now the staff of the for in detail. We are responsi-
Association? AC A a nd NRS, the other ble and accountable for expen-
partner organizations and the ditures related to many pro-
TN : T he first priority was members of the ACA, in order jects and we need to ensure
getting a h andle on current to maintain the obviously good funds are spent where they are
programs and projects to working relationships that meant to be, and that we
have existed in the past. I remain within approved
ensure that this year’s projects
would proceed as smoothly as want to strengthen those into budgets. We have made great
possible. The Alberta the future because partner- progress here and are looking
Conservation Association forward to developing the
ships will be extremely impor-
hit the ground running, with tant to the ACA and the
budget for 1998-99.
responsibility to complete sev- resources we serve. 1 a m
eral hundred individual pro- committed to making them Flelping develop a common
jects that had been approved work. This takes time and we vision and a set of overall pri-
under the Fish and Wildlife are not very far down that orities for t he ACA of the
road but we will continue to future is p robably the highest
Trust Fund. I’m pleased to say
that the program has proceed' work at it. priority in both the short term
ed very smoothly so far, and and the long term. That will
that is a strong endorsement Making sure the ACA is oper- determine the overall organi-
of the staff, the Board, and ated in a n efficient, business- zational structure, the primary
our partners, who obviously like manner is very important. focus of our conservation
put their heads down and car- In support of that, administra- activities, the way we do
continued on other side
Buck for
W
continued from front
levies on licences. We will
business and the ways in which act quickly on issues and pri-
we interact and cooperate with orities with a minimum of need to help provide opportu-
other agencies, organizations, bureaucracy, and we will strive nities and encouragement for
and individuals. This is an to streamline our operations to that base of support to grow.
ongoing process that involves be responsive while maintain- We will also look to new rev-
the Board and staff and will enue sources and must provide
ing quality control and
hopefully have substantial accountability. Clearly a major mechanisms through which
input from our partners and strength is the history and greater numbers of people who
other stakeholders. experience with conservation do not hunt and fish can par-
programs carried over from ticipate in o ur programs and
NC: Whc;it are the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund. support them financially.
We can build on a strong
ACA's strengths? foundation and make it better.
NC: What is yovir
vision for the future of
TN : A m ajor strength lies in
NC: What do you think
the membership, who have a the programs that
long history of commitment to the greatest cha\- began with the Fish
resource management in lenges will be for the and Wildlife Trvist
ACA? Fund and are now
Alberta. Our strength also lies
in our mandate, which overseen by tbe ACA?
includes wildife, fisheries, TN : Our greatest challenge
will be to make extremely
game and non-game species, TN : M y vision for the future
species at risk, and habitats or efficient use of program funds is an Alberta where people
systems upon which all those so that maximum benefits understand and support good
accrue to the resources most
species groups depend. As a stewardship of natural
in need. This will have to be resources, where integrity of
private, not-for-profit organi-
done in the face of massive
zation, we can respond to systems is maintained, and
needs and opportunities which changes in land-use practices where government, business
focus first and foremost on the throughout the province, and citizens work together for
needs of the resources, of which will constantly add to conservation so that future
which we are stewards. We the list of species, populations, generations can value, enjoy,
can also forge partnerships or habitats which need protec- and use our natural resources.
and working relationships with tion or management. At the We start with a b ase provided
many conservation groups, same time, we face a challenge
by conservation activities
and we have the ability to in what has been a d eclining undertaken in the past, and
raise and allocate funds in base of traditional support: the we will take the best of those
number of Albertans who
ways that government and develop new initiatives
departments would find hunt and therefore support
appropriate to the challenges
difficult or impossible. We can the ACA through special of the future.
Project Purple
in pulling purple loosestrife out of
infested wetlands. On August 13,
Purple loosestrife is a h armful, 1997, a number of volunteers
headed down to Telford Lake in
introduced wetland perennial
that invades our native wetland Leduc to hand-dig and bag this
areas. It g erminates and grows noxious weed. Since the infesta-
very fast to form dense hrushlike tion level at Telford Lake was low,
stands that choke out and volunteers and staff could use this
eliminate native plant species. method to help control the spread
There are no birds, mammals, or of purple loosestrife. Dennis Lee,
who is the Project Purple
fish that depend on purple looses-
Loosestrife coordinator, provided
trife. When purple loosestrife
invades, wildlife that once help by identifying plants, distrib-
depended on the native plants are uting shovels, and offering refresh-
forced to move to new areas, and
ments. A s pecial “thank you” to
the Leduc members of the Alberta
wildlife species that cannot move
into new areas are lost. What Fish and Game Association and
the Leduc Water Resources Service
remains is a ecological desert,
devoid of native plants and staff-members who came out with
wildlife. their rubber boots on to make this
pull a success.
The most important part of
For more information on this
“Project Purple Loosestrife,” a
project in specific Alherta areas, project, please contact Margaret
are the volunteers who lend a h and Green at 986-6775.
Coi4nties on Boord with Wildlife Conservation
The counties of Athabasca and
- to complete wildlife habitat Loss and degradation of wildlife
Sturgeon have agreed with the enhancement and develop- habitat continues. Through
Alberta Conservation Association ment projects on lands education and by working together,
and Natural Resources Service on within the county. The the Alberta Conservation
county-based wildlife habitat main focus will be on Association, the counties,
conservation programs. This private lands. landowners, and Natural Resources
summer a “ Letter of Service can initiate numerous
Understanding” was signed by - to work in cooperation with conservation projects. These
representatives from each of the the Agriculture Service projects may include habitat
cooperating counties. Natural Board and when opportuni- retention agreements, fencing
Resources Service, and the Alberta ties arise, to integrate sensitive shoreline areas, and
Conservation Association. The wildlife habitat conservation involving youth groups in building
letter outlines the conservation with soil and water conserva- bird boxes and planting trees and
programs and the roles of the tion projects. shrubs. These projects also
cooperating partners — a h andshake encourage people to think about
on paper, so to speak. The objec- Together, the partners will identify wise stewardship of the land!
tives of t hese county-based areas of sensitive and valued These projects are made possible
programs are: habitat within each county. These by ACA funding through the Buck
areas will be targeted for habitat for Wildlife program.
- to promote wildlife habitat retention and enhancement
conservation through projects. As the majority of land For more information on this
education and public in these counties is p rivately project, please contact Jan Young
involvement in habitat owned, working with landowners at 645-6313.
conservation projects. will be an important part of the
program.
;V-A.‘ N ew View for Assessing
Fish cmd Wildlife Hobitot
most shorelines, and
pushing with the right foot will
obstructions such as make the parachute turn right.
steep banks and treed Maximum speed is about 50 km/h,
areas, would make and the parachute is virtually stall-
videotaping from shore resistant.
too difficult and time-
consuming. Attempts to Initial trials in a B uckeye
videotape just off-shore Industries, Inc. “Dream Machine
from a b oat often
503” powered parachute showed it
proved difficult due to to be a very stable, manoeuvrable
heavy submergent machine that was inexpensive to
vegetation blocking run. It could provide an excellent
access to shore, or high tool to accomplish the fisheries
vegetation such as managers’ goals, especially when
cattails and bulrushes configured with floats. Initial
blocking the view of the trials were done with a f ixed-gear
shoreline. The logical machine, but with the float config-
place to go uration, participants could hang at
was up!
a chosen height over the water
with little fear should an
Videotape taken from a unexpected landing be required.
helicopter specially
outfitted for aerial The ease and safety of the craft
are reflected in the pilot training
taping proved that it
would be difficult and requirements. After a h alf-day of
unsafe to fly low enough ground school and two hours of
Fisheries staff from the Alberta the water taon d o b tsaliownl y t h ee n oduesgihr e do ver yfloyui n gc a nw i tbhe aa cceerrttiiffiieedd ipnilsottr u cftoorr , s olo
Conservation Association and perspective and content. The flights. After an additional 25
Natural Resources Service in the cost of using this equipment hours of flight time, you can be
Northeast Boreal Region are was also prohibitive. certified to fly a p assenger. An
assessing habitat using a p owered additional shoreline videotaping
parachute as a slow, low-flying Enter the powered parachute, a trial is scheduled for the fall of
platform for videotaping shoreline one or two -person tricycle 1997. If all works out as hoped,
areas. Shoreline videos of fish- contraption with a motor-driven next year you may happen to see a
bearing lakes will provide fisheries propeller suspended under a crazy-looking machine fly by, low
managers with a visual baseline parachute. The parachute and slowly, over a l akeshore or a
from which future habitat changes functions as a wing: apply more similar habitat area. Instead of
can be determined and assessed. power and you climb; reduce being recreational flyers, those
These tapes will also provide a power and you descend. Steering operating the machine might be
visual record of potential habitat is done by the pilot, who sits in practising the newest method of
protection, enhancement, and the front seat and pushes on foot assessing and documenting
development opportunities. bars that are connected by cable Alberta’s fish and wildlife habitat.
and pulleys to the support lines on
When fisheries managers first each side of the parachute. For more information on this
considered videotaping shorelines, Pushing with the left foot will project, please contact Blake Mills
they decided that the length of bring about a l eft turn, and at 645-6313.
i 9 9lr Cciribow Movmtdins Fisheries Inventory
In S eptember of 1997, Alberta backpack electrofishing, seine the Northwest Boreal Arctic
Conservation Association and hauls, gill netting, and angling. Grayling Stock Assessment
Natural Resources Service Arctic grayling were found to be Program. Data will be added to
Fisheries Management Division the Northwest Boreal Fisheries
staff had the special opportunity to database where it will be used
collect baseline fisheries inventory when assessing future land-use
information in the Caribou issues in the Caribou Mountains.
Mountains, located 120 kilometres This data will also be used by
north of Fort Vermilion. This sub' fisheries managers as a b aseline
arctic eco'region, with its for determining the status of
permafrost, peat bogs, pothole this unique fishery.
lakes, and high fire frequency,
make this area of the province and Special thanks to Alberta Land and
its fisheries unique. Prior to this Forest Service for the provision of
initiative, very little was known transportation in the form of
about the status of the fish popula- the most abundant fish species helicopters, and for the first-rate
tions in this area. observed, with northern pike, accommodations at Margaret Lake
Fire Staging Camp.
burbot, longnose sucker, lake chub,
Standardized data collection and slimy sculpin also present.
techniques were used at sixty Aging structures, lengths, weights, For more information on this
representative stream and lake sites maturity information, and tissue project, please contact Stuart
within the Ponton, Whitesands, samples for DNA analysis were Nadeau at 624-7117 or Dave
Yates, Wentzel, Caribou, and collected from all Arctic grayling
Walty at 624-6248.
Lawrence river drainages. sampled. This information is
Sampling techniques included currently being analysed as part of
^fflentificdtion of Spciwmno Hobitcit on Lesser Slove Loke
Walleye is one of the most Conservation Association to
sought-after fish species in determine if walleye populations in
Alberta, and Lesser Slave Lake in Lesser Slave Lake were using the
northwestern Alberta provides Swan River, Driftpile Creek and/or
some of the best walleye angling in lakeshore areas for spawning
this province. Pressure on this purposes. This project focused on
fishery has risen dramatically in identifying critical spawning areas
recent years due to increased within each tributary or shoreline
angling, tourism, and fishing area. Identification of walleye
tournaments.
spawning areas is important for the
implementation of protection strate-
Prior to 1995, lake spawning by gies that will help increase and
walleye had only been documented sustain the population.
at Shaw’s Point on the northwest
end of the lake. The majority of Walleye presence and relative
the walleye in Lesser Slave Lake indicated the potential for signifi- abundance at the study locations
concentrate in the South Heart cant walleye spawning to occur. was determined by electrofishing in
River system for spawning. The utilization of shoreline and
early May. Sample sites were
Preliminary studies in 1996 by other tributaries for spawning will revisited in late May and early June,
Alberta Environmental Protection, help ensure a stable walleye and eggs were collected from the
Natural Resources Service on three population in Lesser Slave Lake. bottom substrates to confirm and
tributaries (Swan River, Driftpile In the spring of 1997, a p roject was quantify spawning activity.
River, and Strawberry Creek) initiated by the Alberta
continued on next page
continued from previous page Of the tributaries investigated, the The information collected in this
lower section of Strawberry Creek project will provide a b asis for
How does one know if the eggs proved to be the most utilized by protecting and maintaining crucial
collected are walleye eggs? There hsapbaiwtnati,n g
are many species of fish that spawn
especially in
in the spring. Northern pike,
relation to
yellow perch, longnose sucker, and
white sucker are all spring
spawners. Fortunately, each fish psohtoernetliianle devel-
species has unique physical and opment. Lesser
Slave Lake has
biological characteristics. A n ew
method of differentiating walleye rienccerievaesdi ng
eggs from eggs of other species
(particularly suckers) was
performed using DNA analysis. pcroemsmseurrcei aflo r
development of
Identifying fish species by DNA spawning walleye. Walleye also its shoreline in response to a
analysis of the eggs was successful. utilized windswept shoreline areas growing tourism industry in the
DNA testing is becoming more with clean gravel substrates. area.
easily available as technology Locations that contained high
advances, and it is another tool numbers of walleye eggs included For more information on this
that fisheries managers can use Faust Bay, Spruce Point Park, and project, please contact Trevor
to improve or sustain fish the shoreline near the town of Thera at 624'6441 or Brian Lucko
populations. at 624-6485.
Joussard.
Randy and Reg observed 32 white-
tailed deer, 35 pheasants, 15
Hungarian partridge, 70 red-
Since 1950, a q uarter- section of contains a 2 0-acre cornfield. The winged blackbirds, and 50 common
land near Rolling Hills, Alberta corn is p lanted each year to redpolls. They also saw numerous
has been set aside as a natural supplement the natural food deer and pheasant tracks in the
habitat area for birds and other sources for wildlife in the area.
corn crop field and the cattail
wildlife. Originally purchased by areas, some coyote and possible
Dr. J. C . Sproule, a C algary mink tracks, and some winter
medical doctor, the land has been
dens of various animals.
tended and protected for the last
47 years, first by members of the The number of animals located in
Sproule Foundation, an organiza- this area is encouraging to wildlife
tion formed in memory of Dr. managers, as is the variety.
Sproule to continue this habitat Furthermore, it is especially
protection work, and then by Fish
encouraging to see red-winged
and Wildlife staff and volunteers.
blackbirds, which do not usually
(Fish and Wildlife purchased the over-winter in Alberta. Obviously,
land in 1985.) Ducks Unlimited Early in 1997, wildlife technicians the corn planted as a f ood source
has also participated in wetland Randy Lee (Lethbridge) and Reg enticed them to stay for the winter.
development on the property to
Russell (Brooks) inspected the
enhance waterfowl habitat and This project’s many stakeholders
property to assess use of the corn and partners are pleased to see
nesting areas.
crop and to identify wildlife species how the property has become an
oasis for wildlife in the midst of an
using the property during winter.
The area, which is surrounded by
agricultural region.
agricultural land, is full of long They inspected the corn crop and
cattail areas on foot to observe
grasses, small bushes and some For more information on this
trees that were planted as a without disrupting the animals and
project, please contact Randy Lee
shelterbelt. As well, the property to find tracks of species not seen. at 382-4361.
The Eastern Slopes Grizzly Beor Project
The Eastern Slopes Grizzly Bear On the ground, researchers have be a complete barrier to their
project began in 1994 with an been using state'oTthe'art remote movement. To date no adult
effective outreach program and sensing to map grizzly bear habitat, grizzly bears are known to have
significant but informal links to and field inspection to see how crossed the highway since the
grizzly bear management and radio 'marked grizzlies use different study began. Eemale grizzlies do
planning in Alberta, British landscape units. Dr. Stephen regularly cross the Kananaskis
Columbia and Banff, Yoho, and Herrero and five graduate students Highway, which is two lanes wide
Kootenay National Parks. Since at the University of Calgary are and has lesser traffic volumes.
1994, researchers have captured
trying to understand the bears’
and radio 'marked 51 different relationship to various landscape Mortality is the main factor
grizzly bears in the upper Bow features such as vegetation. limiting grizzly bear populations.
River watershed (an area This species has one of
approximately 11,400 the lowest reproductive
square km in size). Most rates amongst large
of these bears are within mammals in North
Banff National Park and America. An adult
Kananaskis Country. The female will only produce,
bears are monitored from on average, 0.5 to 0.7
the air and on the ground
cubs per year for about
wherever they go in an 10 years. Thus far 10 of
area of about 22,000
the study’s radio'marked
square km. grizzlies have died, and
one has been removed
A r esearch area this large from the ecosystem. If
is necessary because of the researchers also include
large home range sizes of data on non'radio'
the radio 'marked adult marked grizzly bears,
male grizzlies. Because there has been a t otal of
these grizzlies move over 16 known mortalities and
such large geographic five removals from the
areas, they enter many different study area since 1994. (A removal,
security cover, and people’s deveh
management and tenure jurisdic' opments such as highways, towns,
sometimes called a “ translocation,”
tions. A m ale grizzly bear may and forestry operations. The aim means that the animal is taken out
spend part of its time in Banff of the project is to understand how of a certain area and does not
National Park, some time in these activities influence grizzly come back.) Problem wildlife kills,
Kananaskis Country, some time in bears. Researchers will then be treaty Indian kills, and illegal kills
the foothills near oil and gas and able to make recommendations have been the three most common
cattle leases, and some time in that will maintain grizzly bear causes of mortalities.
Indian Reserve lands. The populations while defining areas
steering committee of the Eastern and activities where development Project cooperators are beginning
Slopes Grizzly Bear Project brings would not conflict with grizzly bear to develop management and policy
together representatives from the persistence. Dr. Herrero and his recommendations that they hope
various areas that our radio ' colleagues have focused their will maintain the grizzly bear
marked grizzly bears visit. Primary research on understanding the population in the Eastern Slopes
supporters, who contribute about particular needs of adult female region and will also allow for
$350,000 per year, have included grizzly bears, since they are the carefully planned development.
Parks Canada, Alberta’s oil and gas reproductive engine of the popula' This project has received support
industry, the Wildlife Management . tion. They have found that some from the Wildlife Management
Enhancement Program, the recre' development features have signifi' Enhancement Program since 1994.
ation development industry, the cant negative impacts on females.
Alberta government, and the The four'lane TranS'Canada ' D r. Stephen Herrero
University of Calgary. highway, for example, appears to
National Library of Canada
Bibliothdi e n ationale du Canada
3 3286 51149 0886
"Unsvmg" Projects Buck FOR
The Alberta
In t he realm of natural Conservation
resource conservation Association
and management, the
most valuable work is Mail:
R O . Box ' 4.0:0S2 7 ' ■
often done quietly, Baker Centre Postal Outlet
without due recognition Edmonton, Alberta
or appreciation. In the T5J4M9
Delivery:
age of instant gratifica-
tion, it is often the 4th floor, 9920 - 1 08 Street
projects with the loudest ETd5mKon2tMo4n , Alberta
“bang” that get attention \
and are thought to do the
Telephone: (403) 427-5192
most good. This may not Fax: (403) 422-6441
necessarily be the case, Board of Directors:
because in reality it is Mr. Glen Semenchuk, Chair
often the undertakings Mr. Andy Von Busse, Vice Chair
with lower profiles that Mr. Defyl Empson, Director
Mr. Dave Gursky, Director
count the most in the
Mr. Sven-Erik Jansson, Director
long run. The Alberta Mr. Edward Lakusta, Director
Conservation Association Mr. Don Pike, Secretary/Treasurer
Mr. Dave Powell, Director
conducts a wide variety of
Dr. Brad Stelfox, Director *
projects across the
province, some of which Managing Director:
Dr. Terry Neraasen
have a f airly high profile. northern pike management
Others do not, and they deserve The Buck for Wildlife Newsletter is
questions, and will highlight areas
special mention here because of where more information is needed. published in an effort to inform and
educate the public about Alberta
the role they play in improving the Conservation Association fisheries and
wildlife habitat enhancement projects.
management of Alberta’s fish and Because the results of “behind the
wildlife populations. A p ortion of the cost of each hunting
scenes” studies which gather vital and fishing licence is p ut into enhance-
information are often not immedi- ment projects, and this newsletter is
One such project, underway in the designed to let you know what your
ately apparent to most Albertans,
money is doing.
Northeast Boreal Region, is the it is important to emphasize the
Northern Pike Stock Classification fact that such work is crucial to the
Natalie C o o k , e d i t o r -v
and Management Options project, management of wildlife and fish. Buck for Wildlife Newsletter -
which will be instrumental in Alberta Conservation
Research projects are rarely flashy.
ensuring that this popular species
Unlike projects that involve 2nd floor, 9920 - 108 Street 1
will continue to be a p art of physical habitat manipulation, such ,ETAd[s5msKo on c2tioMan4,t i. o Anl b3 er, . ta " ^‘ «
Alberta’s angling scene. This as aerating lakes, fencing stream-
project will be the foundation for banks, or damming watercourses to
important work in the future. create wetlands, they do not lend
From her computer terminal. Dee themselves well to promotion.
Ryerson is diligently working on These projects often go unnoticed,
the time-consuming task of but their importance and their
gathering, compiling, and contribution to fish and wildlife
organizing much of the existing management in this province far
data on northern pike from across exceeds their profile.
the province. The database she is
Alberta Conservation
creating will enable biologists to - D avid Park
Association
generate answers to important