Conservation
Space: A Frontier No Longer?
BY LORNE FITCH
Outer space may still be a frontier, but the space we call wilderness is getting increasingly crowded. The refrain I hear, from people who remember the Eastern Slopes from a previous era, echoes Yogi Berra’s enigmatic statement that “No one goes there, it’s too crowded.” I know I’m reluctant to visit there now, based on my memories of a place much quieter, with less traffic and fewer people.
Read MoreWhat Happened to the Northern Leopard Frog?
BY LAURA SOUTHWELL
The northern leopard frog is an iconic amphibian, likely the very image that comes to mind when you hear the word “frog.” This once ubiquitous resident of prairie wetlands has faced an ongoing struggle against a changing and increasingly human-centric environment.
Deadly Highway: Road and Rail Fatalities are Decimating Jasper Park’s Wildlife
BY DICK DEKKER
Protected from hunting year-round, Jasper’s elk have lost their fear of humans, and tend to concentrate along highways and in the townsite. There are two main reasons for this: they are attracted by grassy clearings, and there are fewer wolves here than in the backcountry. However, the elk’s anti-predator strategy of staying near human habituation increases the risk of colliding with vehicles and trains.
Read MoreWolverines and coyotes competing for space in Rocky Mountains: New research reveals how industrial disturbances contribute to at-risk wolverine declines
When Bison Fly
BY WES OLSON
Wes Olson worked as a National Park Warden for Parks Canada for over three decades, and … had the rare opportunity to see bison fly — albeit by airplane and helicopter.
Coal Mining in the Eastern Slopes is not in the public interest: new report
A new report from the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy indicates that coal mining in the Eastern Slopes is not in the public interest. The researchers conclude that the government should consider banning coal mining in the Eastern Slopes.
Read MoreWhat Happened to Sustainable Forestry?
The progress we’ve made in advancing ecological forest management is now under threat. The Kenney government is planning to boost harvest rates by 33%, far past sustainable limits. Click to read more and find out how you can help make a difference.
Read MorePark Interpretation in Alberta
BY KATE CORRIGAN, GLEN HVENEGAARD, ELIZABETH HALPENNY, AND CLARA-JANE BLYE
If you have a story of how an interpretive experience connected with you and your family and value personal interpretation as part of defending our parks, please reach out to our provincial decision-makers and tell them so.
Read MoreThe Case of the Missing Prairie Bandit
BY ARYA HORON
One hundred years ago, the prairie bandit was abundant across North America grasslands. By 1979, scientists believed it was extinct. This led to the question: where did the prairie bandit go?
Read MoreBear Tracks
BY COLLEEN CASSADY ST. CLAIR
How can we protect grizzly bears from trains in the mountain parks?
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