may <Tfu 1 * 2 ^ Seward 9{fu>sfctter of A lberta's Ofpturcd and Protected Areas and the People Who Care for Ahern I April 1992 nfa/tm/Gb/ flame The Natural Areas Program is sponsored by Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife Welcome to Here’s help to sight species The Steward . . . A t wo-year project is underway to produce species checklists for a f amiliar newsletter under a new banner. AlbERTAS 58 sites in Alberta where wildlife viewing is particularly good. Most of the sites, including Natural Areas, provincial parks, After 17 issues as the Natural Areas Alberta Forest Service recreation areas, Buck for Wildlife sites Newsletter, the time is right to make a n ame and municipal parks, are profiled in the Alberta Wildlife Viewing change that more accurately reflects the WATCHABLF Guide {L one Pine Publishing 1990). expanding roles both the Natural and WILDLIFE Protected Areas Program and our stewards There will be three different types of checklists for birds, plants, and FARM (an acronym for fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals). One or more of these will play in conserving all of Alberta's natural regions. checklist types will be prepared for each site. When the project is c omplete, there will be 1 40 site-specific checklists, reflecting the occurrence, abundance, breeding status and habitat In the last issue of the newsletter, we asked preference of previously observed species. for your ideas for a n ew title and we received over 40 suggestions. It w as a d ifficult decision If y ou are interested in wildlife-viewing, it’s an opportunity to learn what species to expect and but the favourite was a combination of two look for, based on habitat and season. Tips on proper wildlife-viewing etiquette will be titles submitted by Patsy Cotterill, a s teward provided. On the back panel of each checklist will be a c ontact name and a r equest to call with the Wagner Natural Areas Society. with your noteworthy wildlife sightings. Your documented sightings will be valuable in Congratulations Patsy! You will be receiving ensuring that the checklists are accurate and complete as well as adding to the information a b lue heron print in the mail shortly. base of agencies responsible for managing each site. Four other suggestions that were given And, if y ou are knowledgeable about certain sites around Alberta, you may be approached careful consideration were: to provide information in p reparing checklists. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. • Protected Environments Newsletter • Steward News This project was initiated by two experienced naturalists, Chel Macdonald and Pat Mclsaac. • The Protected Land Steward They are operating under the guidance and with the support of program staff from Alberta • The Wildland Steward Forestry, Lands and Wildlife responsiblefor Natural and Protected Areas, Watchable Wildlife and Forest Recreation Areas, as well as representatives from Alberta Tourism, Parks and Wesincerelythankeveryonefortheircreative Recreation and from the Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation. ideas and especially Dave Ealey, Editorial Services, for his many creative suggestions.^ Forfurther information on site checklists, contact Harry Stelfox (Watchable Wildlife Program) at 427-4192 or John Rintoul (Natural and Protected Areas Program) at 427-5209.a Stream requires junior high school-aged participants to make a c omm itment to protect youth (1 1 t o 1 5 y ears) to study a l ocal stream and improve the streams they study. or river to learn about riparian habitats and the effects of human use and development. The program was initiated in 1987 after the Participants move through awareness to need for a p ublic education prog ram to explain investigation, understanding and eventually the complex relationship between land and take action that may involve carrying out water was identified. The following year, If y ou work with young people in your stream cleanups or bank stabilization FEESA completed a feasibility study and community, “Adopt A S tream” has a l ot to activities. began to develop the program. The pilot was offer. successfully tested in 1991 with 16 different FEESA hopes that the program, which is groups from Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. It is the newest environmental education adaptable to existing environmental or Albert, Grande Prairie, Calgary, Drumheller initiative of the Friends of Environmental outdoor education courses and adaptable and Turner Valley. Education Society of Alberta (FEESA), a for organized youth groups, becomes a charitable organization committed to catalyst for young people to become critical To learn more about how Adopt A S tream providing balanced, environmental thinkers regarding environmental problems. can be used to teach young people about education materials to Albertans. Adopt A Hands-on activities are designed to lead stewardship, call FEESA at 421-1497.Q Where the wildflowers are A l ittle bit of heaven at Anderson Creek During the mild, mosquito-less days of spring, wandering through a N atural Area to see the blooms can be a t ruly refreshing and pleasant way to spend a f ew days or hours. by Fred Schutz Some of the most spectacular spring blooms Fred is a v olunteer steward, profiled on page 1 1 . Several species of plants take advantage of the longer This article originally appeared in the Rimbey spring days to bloom before trees leaf out or surrounding Record's “West of the Blindman” column, June 18, vegetation begins to grow. Crocus {Anemone patens) is 1991. one of Alberta’s well-known early bloomers; its flowers often emerge through snow cover. At J.J. Collett Natural I was driving along the road beside the Anderson Creek Natural Area for which I Area near Morningside, the south-facing hill sides are purple with blooms in early May. Splashes of yellow from golden bean (T hermopsis have been a v olunteer steward three years rhombifolia), another early spring bloomer, can also be seen. now under a p rogram operated by Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife. As I t opped a The amount of light on the floor of aspen stands decreases dramatically in May and June as rise, I s potted a l ight coloured object about a kilometre ahead of me and partly obscured trees leaf out. So mid-May is a g ood time to travel to Outpost Wetlands Natural Area, adjacent to the Alberta/Montana border, where the forest floor is carpeted with glacier lilies by another rise. The object was in motion, (E rythronium grandiflorum). The sight of these beautiful, graceful lilies is worth the trip! but from my perspective seemed to be floating; now weaving or bouncing or Some wetlands are also carpeted with yellow in early spring because of the marsh marigold waggling. In fact it f loated around the corner (C altha palustris). Wagner Natural Area, although best known for its orchid blooms, also and out of my sight. Well, I h ad to turn that boasts wetlands of marsh marigold blossoming from mid-to-late May. corner too, so I s tepped on the gas a b it to try and shorten the distance between the object At the right time of year (usually early June), subtle patches of pink can be seen where the and me. There is a b eaver pond just around delicate Venus-slipper (C alypso bulbosa) has taken advantage of small breaks in the forest that corner, and there, standing beside a canopy. This is Alberta’s earliest-blooming orchid and one of the best places to see it i s in mountain bike, was a m an wearing a c ream- the moist forests of Yates Natural Area, just east of Edson. coloured sheepskin vest. I w as pleased to discover that it w as my friend Chris, and I Less flashy, but certainly worth a l ook think he was a l ittle surprised to see me. Take a w alk in early April through the aspen forests of Sherwood Park Natural Area and you may see the tiny, but surprisingly beautiful, flowers of the beaked hazelnut (C orylus cornuta). “I s ee you have discovered my Natural Area," A s tar of tiny red stigmas protrude from brown bracts in t he female flowers. The aspens bloom I s aid to him. in early May and their dull grey bark is matched by the colour of the catkins, which can be quite striking in the early morning sunlight. “I t hought it w as my Natural Area,” he came back. “I usually have it t o myself." Other early blooming species are gooseberries and currants (Ftibes spp.). Challenge yourself with a w alk through Riverlot 56 Natural Area near St. Albert, in late May, to see how Neither of us saw much of it t hat evening. manyofourl 1 s peciesof Ribesyou can spot by theirtiny flowers. While searching for Ribes, We stood and talked until after sundown and be sure to check open, grassy areas for the delicate early blue violet (V iola adunca). Astotin Chris had to pedal six km home. ! drove Natural Area is another good site to look for early blue violet. about one km to the end of the road, turned around and headed home also. I w as gratified Spring blooms, spectacular or not, can of course be found in p laces other than Natural Areas. to find someone else who came here to find If y ou are near an open pine forest (in Jasper, for example) in early May, look for the peace and quiet and wildlife away from traffic inconspicuous but pretty flowers of Canada buffaloberry (S hepherdia canadensis). In late and most of the sights and sounds of inhabited May, the banks of the North Saskatchewan and Battle rivers are awash in the white blooms areas. of saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia). Since that early May visit, I h ave been back While a spring wander can be very satisfying in itself, there are opportunities for you to several times. I have walked all over both participate in p rojects that aid in g athering information about Alberta's natural history. The quarters and found that the series of beaver Alberta Wildflower Survey asks observers province-wide to return to the same area each dams along the creek had been taken out by spring and document when species such as prairie crocus, golden bean and saskatoon are the floods of July 1990, leaving only the in bloom. The information is used to map the “green wave” throughout the province. For a ponds by the road. This reduces habitat for free brochure, providing descriptions and photographs of many of the spring species water birds, but makes it e asier for me to get discussed in this article and details about how to become involved, write: Wildflower Survey, around those 320 acres. Department of Botany, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9. I w as there when the pussy willows were in There is also the annual May Species Count, held the last full weekend of each May (May bloom and the marsh-marigolds just coming into flower. I s aw where moose had browsed 30-31 , 1 992). Sponsored by the Federation of Alberta Naturalists, the purpose is t o see how many species of birds, mammals and flowering plants can be identified within 24 hours in as willow and alder and swamp birch in winter. many geographic locations of the province as possible. The results are published annually I n oted a l arge ant hill that had been mined in the Alberta Naturalist, and are regarded as valuable scientific information. If y ou want to by a b ear last fall, now smoothed and made enjoy a c hallenge, an outdoor social event and the opportunity to learn about species in the habitable, although not restored to its former company of experienced naturalists, call Derek Johnson at the Northern Forestry Centre in condition. There has been no sign of bear Edmonton (435-721 ()).□ this spring. continued on page 11 2 r Site Activities A regular feature to keep volunteer stewards and interested individuals informed of activities occurring on our sites. Please consult the map of the province for site locations. November 1, 1991 - F ebruary 28, 1992 26 Sand Lake seismic program restricted to hand-strung lines only; one line rejected trail maintenance/cleanup completed by ski club vandalism reported; "no tree cutting" signs to be installed 42 Anton Lake seismic program restricted to hand-cut lines 60 Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve established; Natural Area designation rescinded 69 Redwater three military training exercises (bushcraft, communications, survival training) 70 Northwest of Bruderheim military training exercises (communications) 71 North Bruderheim soil sampling sites established for air monitoring program Boy Scout camp kitchen approved 87 Beaverhill Lake meeting to discuss realignment of Secondary Road 626, S o f Beaverhill Lake; three options for route presented Beaverhill Lake Stakeholders Committee established to provide input on matters related to lake 88 Hindville seismic restricted to hand-cut/hand-strung lines, no vehicles 1 1 7 C ow Lake proposal for water-skiing shore facilities/beach development rejected application by Forestry Canada for research plot 127 Isle Lake seismic restricted to no new cutting 135 Pembina River-Moon Lake seismic restricted to existing and hand-cut lines 139 Easyford seismic restricted to hand-cut and existing lines 142 Wagner clearing contract awarded by Alberta Transportation for road right-of-way east of Natural Area 210 Crippsdale pipeline approved with conditions 221 Kilini Creek garbage dumping reported dog sled race approved on existing trails 275 Coyote Lake seismic rejected 280 Poplar Creek seismic rejected bridge/road realignment completed 282 Modeste-Saskatchewan seismic rejected 303 Pembina Field pipeline break repaired by company and area reclaimed 304 Drayton Valley seismic approved with conditions 328 Bear River seismic restricted to CNR right-of-way temporary access approved for wellsite pipeline tie-in line approved with conditions 338 Easyford Creek seismic restricted to no new cutting 367 Emerson Creek grazing lease assigned; new fencing to be installed 388 Bear Lake illegal cultivation reported 396 Spruce Island Lake request for road realignment 397 Paintearth Coulee seismic approved with conditions 407 Eagle Hill grazing lease renewed 412 Milk River monitoring report submitted draft management plan sent to Ecological Reserves Coordinating Committee 414 Coronado soil sampling sites approved for air monitoring 420 Saskatoon Mountain prercolgarmaamt ion completed 430 Neerlandia request for road realignment 435 La Saline final biophysical report submitted 453 Riverlot 56 easement approved for powerline upgrading new clearing permitted 476 Threepoint Creek pipeline valve station removed, area reclaimed company 499 Outpost Wetlands survey completed 502 White Earth valley seismic rejected 503 Fourth Creek first draft of management plan completed 504 Bentz Lake seismic restricted to no new cutting 51 1 Lac La Nonne public open house held re: designation of site 519 Tawatinaw seismic restricted to existing lines and hand-cut 523 Noel Lake grazing lease renewed 525 Clifford E. Lee cleanup completed 532 Hollow Lake application for birch cutting rejected \B268 Jackpines biophysical report completed^ 3 Alberta's Provincial Parks - 6 0 years of history Provincial parks staff are planning special events all over Alberta during 1 992 to encourage the crown jewels you to help celebrate their 60th anniversary. Aspen Beach was declared Alberta's first provincial park in 1932. The Provincial Parks Service of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation now manages over 300 sites including The announcement of Alberta’s newest provincial park and recreation area, 55 km provincial parks, provincial recreation areas, ecological reserves and wilderness areas. The east of Lac La Biche, was made on January department is p roud of these past achievements and works with the public, stakeholders, 17, 1992. Lakeland Provincial Park business and industry to balance local tourism initiatives and employment with management encompasses 1 4 6 89 ha while the adjoining and protection of Alberta’s natural heritage sites. Lakeland Provincial Recreation Area is 44 089 ha. With both sites, there is an Lakeland Provincial Park and Provincial Recreation Area was established January 1 6, 1 992. increase of 22 per cent in the total land The designation of this 59 030.27 ha (145 861.78 acre) land base in northeast Alberta will managed by Alberta Tourism, Parks and protect an outstanding example of mixedwood boreal forest through the cooperative efforts Recreation for recreation and conservation. of the Alberta government, local communities and businesses. Lakeland Provincial Park and Recreation Area is the third largest park in the province and will boast a c anoe route circuit unique to Alberta, backcountry adventure opportunities and a variety of educational and This biophysical treasure is one of Alberta’s interpretive programs. natural “crown jewels” liketheRumsey Aspen Parkland, the Milk River Canyon, the Whaleback Ridge and the Clearwater River. During this milestone year, the department has plans to continue improving facility access for the physically challenged and host special events in various parks including old-fashioned ❖ In terms of vegetation, old-growth forests picnics, parades, special interpretive programs and staff reunions. Take this opportunity to are the most significant feature, with old- experience the wide range of outdoor recreational facilities and services Alberta’s provincial growth spruce-fir, old-growth white parks have to offer. spruce-aspen, old-growth black spruce and old-growth paper birch scattered Alberta's Parks — Our Legacy is one of the special projects. Through anecdotes, photographs and geographic information, a b ook describing the history of Provincial Parks throughout the area. You’ll discover the and the role Albertans played in its development of provincial parks has been written. The following examples of old-growth: • spruce-firforests along the northwest Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation in sponsorship with the Canadian Imperial Bank shores of Touchwood and Seibert of Commerce and in p artnership with the department of Tourism, Parks and Recreation is lakes; publishing the book. Schools in Alberta will receive a c opy and the book will be available for • stands of white spruce-aspen that purchase at retail outlets throughout the province soon. flourish between Touchwood and Dabbs lakes, between Shaw and Community groups, individuals and tourist groups are encouraged to become involved in the Blackett lakes, along the northeast celebrations. Contact staff at the nearest provincial park to learn how you can participate. shore of Pinehurst Lake and along Help celebrate the past, present and future of the Provincial Parks Service in 1992D the northwest shore of Seibert Lake; and O Furbearing species such as beaver, mink, muskrat, otter, red squirrel, coyote and weasel • birch forests growing on the east shore of Touchwood Lake, between Shaw abound. Other mammals also present are black bear, snowshoe hare, flying squirrel, wolf, and Blackett lakes and along the north red fox, lynx, fisher and marten. shore of Pinehurst and Seibert lakes. ❖ A n umber of the Lakeland lakes and wetland complexes are significant for waterfowl for ❖ The major habitat types include aspen- production, moulting, spring or fall staging. There are high densities of breeding spruce mixedwood forest, willow, white bufflehead and common goldeneye. Ospreys and bald eagles nest here too, as do spruce/balsam fir forest, aspen forest, colonial nesters such as great blue heron and common terns. There is also a d iversity of jack pine forest, jack pine/black spruce/ songbirds, some of which are primarily associated with eastern Canada. aspen forest complex, black spruce forest, bog-fen complex and fen. O There are 12 major lakes — Blackett, Dabbs, Helena, Ironwood, Jackson, Kinnaird, McGuffin, Pinehurst, Seibert, Shaw, Spencerand Touchwood. The deepest is T ouchwood ❖ Wildlife populations have the following at 40 m, the largest is Pinehurst at 4089 ha and Pinehurst boasts the largest drainage area densities: at 176 km2. • moose — 0.30/km2; ❖ Fish species include northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, lake whitefish, cisco, longnose • white-tailed deer — 1 .06/km2; sucker, white sucker, spottail shiner, burbot, Iowa darter, brook stickleback, fathead • mule deer — 0 .04/km2; and minnow and lake chub.Q • caribou — o ccur infrequently. 4 A K ey to Amphibians of Alberta The amphibians of Alberta are a d iverse group of organisms in the class Amphibia. Amphibian is derived from the Greek words meaning “double life”, a r eference to the larval existence of y oung frogs and toads (tadpoles) and the aquatic salamander larvae, which have external gills. Frogs and toads are separated into the order Anura while salamanders are in the order Caudata. From order, the next step is t o family. We have five families represented in Alberta: mole salamanders (family Ambystomatidae); true toads (only in g enus Bufo) (family Bufonidae); spadefoot toads (family Pelobatidae); true frogs (family Ranidae); tree frogs (which includes Pseudacris\ (family Hylidae). Alberta has 1 0 n ative amphibians: two species of salamanders; three of true frogs; one of tree frogs; three species of true toads; and one spadefoot toad. To use this key You must have one of the creatures you are trying to identify “in hand”. Starting at point number one, read each of the options and choose the one which best fits the amphibian. Proceed to the next couplet as directed until you reach a d escription that provides a s pecies name. The key and range maps were prepared by Wayne Roberts, Collections Manager, University of Alberta Museum of Zoology. An explanation of technical terms, definitions (in parentheses) and sketches were added to the original text. la. Body covered with scales (See “A Key to Reptiles of Alberta,” coming in the July 1992 issue of The Steward) 1 b . Body lacking scales (2) 2a. Median dorsal fin present on tail and posterior body (12) 2b. No median fin on tail or posterior part of body (3) 3a. Hind limbs about as long as forelimbs and not modified for hopping (4) 3b. Hind limbs longer than forelimbs and modified for hopping (5) SALAMANDERS 4a. Yellowish middorsal stripe (may be broken) with irregular margins. Long slender digits , LONG-TOED SALAMANDER (A mbystoma macrodactylum) 4b. Mottled or barred dorsal surface. Short, stubby digits with cornified (horny) tips. ...TIGER SALAMANDER (A mbystoma tigrinum) 5a. Dorsolateral folds (ridges) present (6) 5b. Dorsolateral folds absent....... (8) TRUE FROGS 6a. Green, occasionally brown or brownish-green, with black spots (spots have light border) .......................................NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG {Rana pipiens) 6b. Brownish and lacking large spots (7) 7a. Red colour on ventral surface, tubercles on back, eyes look upwards SPOTTED FROG (R ana pretiosa) 7b. No red colour on ventral portions of body, back smooth, eyes look laterally, has mask. WOOD FROG (R ana sylvatica) Hind foot 8a. No metatarsal tubercles present; a small and slender frog with granular (bumpy) surface on ventral skin BOREAL CHORUS FROG (P seudacris triseriata maculata 8b. Metatarsal tubercles present (9) SPADEFOOT TOADS 9a. Single metatarsal tubercle; skin smooth, pupil of eye vertical PLAINS SPADEFOOT TOAD (S pea bombifrons)2 9b.Two metatarsal tubercles, skin rough and warty, pupil of eye horizontal (10) continued on page 6 5 Amphibians, continued from page 5 TRUE TOADS 10a. No crests or raised ridge between eyes BOREAL TOAD (B ufo boreas boreas) 10b. Cranial crests present (11) 1 1 a . Cranial crests parallel or may be joined at the back to form a s ingle raised boss; ventral surface spotted p/aradtoidi g-c'(rcaon niavle r gcirnesgt)s CANADIAN TOAD (B ufo hemiophrys) glands 11b. Cranial crests diverge posteriorly; ventral surface unspotted ...GREAT PLAINS TOAD (B ufo cognatus) TADPOLES AND LARVAL SALAMANDERS (13) 12a. External gills present. 12b. External gills absent .. (14) Larval Salamanders 13a. 13b ^ou *iave *arva' salamanders (A mbystoma ) - G ood luck, because these are hard to identify! Tadpoles Tadpoles anus median (15) 14a. Anus median anus on right side 14b. Anus opens on right side of tail fin . (16) 15a. Lips infolded laterally (notched) with papillae (fleshy projection) present on sides only True toads (B ufo spp.) 15b. Lips not infolded laterally and with papillae around entire lip (may be absent on midline of front lip) PLAINS SPADEFOOT TOAD (S pea bombifrons) 16a. Lips infolded laterally True Uogs{Rana spp.) 16b. Lips not infolded laterally BOREAL CHORUS FROG (P suedacris triseriata maculata) Footnotes 1 . Where you find a s pecies with a t hird scientific name, the last is considered the subspecies Tadpole Mouth parts name. Subspecies are determined through exhaustive studies over the species entire range. 2. Spea is also referred to as Scaphiopus in many field guides. AMPHIBIANS RANGE MAPS Roberts 1986 - 1991 11111 Wood frog lill Long-toed liilli Boreal toad ■■ Great Plains 1111 Spotted frog salamander toad llijijiij3 Northern I J Ts iaglearm ander HMD tCoaanda dian I- I fP oloati n st o asdp ade- Leopard frog L I cB hoorreauls frog 6 (L©@ip§iQr(g) As you have read in past issues of this Distinguishing features newsletter, monitoring programs for the The leopard frog: northern leopard frog will continue in 1992. • is usually green but may also be brown or gray; Site-specific studies will be carried out by the following: the Fish and Wildlife Division • has well-defined oval or round dark spots as well as the Natural and Protected Areas with light borders; Program of Alberta Forestry, Lands and • is c haracterized by two light-colored ridges, Wildlife; World Wildlife Fund Canada; and extending down its back from each eye, the University of Alberta. and an unmarked, milky-white underside; • is g enerally 3-10 cm in length; Why the leopard frog disappeared from much • has a low guttural snore, lasting about of its historic range in central and southern three seconds, followed by several rapid Alberta remains a m ystery. Studies from the short grunts. The call sounds like the past three years pinpoint only 10 areas in noise made when you rub you r h and across the province that support healthy, an inflated balloon. Calling takes place reproducing populations. Records from 20 from late April to early June. to 30 additional sites have been collected • lays its eggs in flattened, spherical masses and show only a f ew individuals with little, if a ny, evidence of reproduction. (8 to 1 5 c m in diameter) near the surface or attached to submerged vegetation. We may never discover the cause or causes which led to this population crash but, even as we investigate, work must proceed on conserving the remaining frogs. The focus of the 1 992 Habitat program of the Fish and Wildlife Division and World Wildlife Fund Canada will be to finalize This amphibian requires permanent water a management plan for leopard frogs in Alberta, which will recommend site-specific bodies for overwintering and, because of its management guidelines for key sites and peripheral populations. To be most effective, the relatively long tadpole development period, management activities should be applied to all residual populations. requires spawning ponds to persist until late July or early August. It p refers the fresh, Your observations are key to the success of this program clear water of lakes, large sloughs and slow- moving streams. Following breeding, adults We need your help in locating and documenting sites that have not yet been identified. Keep may travel some distance from water into an eye out for leopard frogs in y our travels, and report sightings to local Fish and Wildlife open, grassy areas with a l imited amount of offices. Use caution: leopard frogs are relatively easy to identify. But they are often woody vegetation.^ confused with wood frogs, which have few if a ny spots, and a d ark mask that extends from each eye to the shoulders. Please be careful with your identification, because the time required to investigate sightings of misidentified frogs reduces time available for essential Editor’s note: For further information on how to conservation activities. Photographs are desirable if y ou can take them without disturbing Aildebnetritfay” , a mppahgieb i a5n. s, see “ A K ey to Amphibians of the frogs or their habitat. Leopard Frog Observation Record Please complete the form to the best of y our ability and mail or phone your results to the local Fish and Wildlife office or to Fish and Wildlife Division, 7th fir. 6909 - 116 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 4P2. Name of observer Address Phone Date of observation Time of observation Description of weather Location: 1 / 4 section township ranqe west of lat.-long. Mercator grid map sheet Habitat description: Name of water body location on water body Type of water body (slough, lake, river) Other (e.g., vegetation) Please describe the sighting (description of frog, breeding evidence, calling, number of frogs, other species seen, etc.) 7 Wanted: purple loosestrife observations Editor's note- Purple loosestrife was added to the Alberta list of noxious weeds under the Weed nCooxntiroouls Awcete dbsy Ahlabveer t at o R beeg u cloanttiroonl l eAd R b y7 8 t/h9e2 l oann d Foewbn.e r 2.0 , I n1 9 t9h2e . J uUlnyd e irs s uree qoufi rtheimse nts of the act, stewards will find a b rochure with pictures depicting purple loosestrife , p roduced by the Wisconsin oDfefpicaer t amte n4t 2 of 7 Na-tur5al 2 Re0sou9rce.s. I f y o u spot this s pec ie s o n _ y_ou_r_ _ N at ur al Are as, pl ea se cal l our Purple loosestrife (L ythrum salicaria, L virgatum and hybrids) is a h ighly aggressive sphlaenltt e rt h afto r i wnivladdleifse . wetlands, where it c hokes out native plants and eliminates food and It i s a s erious problem in its native Europe and has spread over southeastern Canada and throughout the northeastern United States since sometime in the last century. « has also spread through British Columbia, entering along the west coast. In Alberta there have been 15 confirmed sightings to date. cWuhlyti v atthieo n c oinnc errecne n ta b oyueta r sp u rapnlde i lnovoasdeesdt r infaet?i v eI t sl a antdtrsaccatpieves . appearance makes it a p opular addition to flower gardens, but, it h as escaped The relatively recent and rapid westward expansion and the plant's rise to dommance iS, uf crcoems s gfullya manragindg aned conntrollsing .the s"pread of purplHe o wl oo sceasnt r iyfoe u b ehgins ewith klnowinpg wha?t to look f or, wh_e re a nd wh. en. Distinguishing features and near shore areas • hand pull the younger plants; • 1m to 2 m ( 3 to 6 f t.) high • in ditches and along ditch and dike banks • dig out older plants, especially those in deep .• pas l ma sonqotut ahrley, ewdogoeddy lsteaalvke s w,i t ha t steavcehreadl dsitraelcktsl y p etro • ol(onlw o o eswexaspttoerrsi fe edl e vn eoelres d) os t h ear w wieste a rdeias t uwribtehd p ewreito d sso i losf • oh“rtaegnaadsn ei ”cc u l rtsoiooivtlasst ,o ro ;sf u colhd e ra s p lina n btos g sl o oasned w fietnhs ; a small and on opposite sides of the stalk • do not break the roots or they will re-sprout; • long, pink/purple spiked flowers from June to When to look • remove, dry, and if p ossible, burn all pulled WhSeerpet e mtboe rl ook • lroeocsoegsntirziefde f riosm i nea r blyl o Jouml y athnrdo u gmho stth e eeansdi l oyf • drpoaoor tt .ns o t ( p mlaonwt p abretcsa ucsaen rceu-tr o optl)a;n t a npda rts may re- August • in shallow water, wetlands and on wet soils • ainn d c at tfaeinls marshes, sedge meadows, open bogs HWohewn tyo o uc o netnrcoolu n tsemra lilnedriv i dpuoalp u lplaatnitso n osr small oPrl e Dausec k si n fUonrlmi m iyotuerd noefafircees t a b doiusttr i catn y a g rsiicguhlttiunrgasl i sotf • along stream and river banks, shores of lakes clusters (up to 100 plants): this plant in Alberta’s wetlands.a 8 A f istful of weeds on Strawberry Creek This article, written by Paul Sparrow-Clarke is included in the Parks are for People - A n Alberta Legacy book to be published this year by Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation. Paul worked with the Natural and Protected Areas program during 1991. We were sitting in a t ruck, driving towards the candidate Telfordville Natural Area. Strawberry Creek meanders lazily through the quarter section of land, giving the Natural Area some interesting topographical features, such as creekterraces, old meander scars and some steep banks. The land that surrounds the creek is thick with mature aspen, peppered with some balsam poplar, white spruce and diverse shrub and herb layers. An unwelcome addition to the vegetation this year was a major infestation of scentless chamomile from seeds washed into the creek upriver during the high water of June 1990. One of the volunteerstewards for the site, Don Morden, enlisted the aid of some of the program staff to help remove the offending plants. The plan was to unceremoniously yank them from the soil and then haul them away in bags. Since its inception in 1987, the Volunteer Don Morden takes scentless chamomile in hand. Steward Program has benefitted tremendously from the dedication of influence beh ind in t he shape of creek breaks, splash cold water on my face. While I w as concerned individuals, like Don, who and other fluvial features. After making our bathing, I noticed a mussel shell that had scrupulously inspect their Natural Areas at way through bush trails into the heart of the been washed down the creek. I t urned it least twice a y ear. Some are even willing, if Natural Area, the first glimpse of the creek over in my hand, admiring my find, then an unusual situation arises, to put in extra and its steep banks is quite striking. A dropped it a nd went back to work. time and effort, such as pulling, packing and thought leaps unbidden into my mind; dragging heavy, awkward, weed-filled something to the effect that those flowery Surviving hornets and mud garbage bags for the better part of two days. plants, the ones that appearto be daisies on Over the course of two half-days, we got The first day we went out, the sun beamed steroids, look really pretty. This is s centless quite involved in the work. Sandra Myers, innocently from the sky, quietly baking the chamomile; over the next few hours we will the Volunteer Steward Coordinator, land and all those engaged in weed-pulling get quite well acquainted. We split up, miraculously survived a m erciless attack by activities. It w as to be a l ong and thirsty day. garbage bags in hand, intending to divide hornets relatively unscathed. John Rintoul, and conquer. a biologist with the Natural and Protected Choosing the road seldom travelled Areas Program, was quite adept at loading The road to the Natural Area appears to The Volunteer Steward Program is d esigned up three or four packed garbage bags on his have no sense of direction; it moves back to enhance management of Natural Areas back, one time even sinking slowly to his and forth, up and down, with admirable and to increase public understanding and knees into the soft shoreline mud under the determination. The truck we were in bounced involvement in conservation. That day we weight of all those weeds. But it g ot done, its way along the trail leading up to the site were meeting the goals, though at the time and we all left Telfordville Natural Area and was now gratefully at rest in a clearing we were too busy to sit down and contemplate knowing that we had, at the very least, near the cattle gate, which signalled the the fact. beginning of our journey on foot. sinufbessttaantitoina.l ly reduced next year’s weed I w as pulling weeds next to a b ig meander in After quietly dining on sandwiches, cookies the creek; occasionally, I w ould look up and It w as thanks to Don that the situation was and Don’s venison jerky, each of us took a admire the scenery, then set my sights on assessed and the work done. There are still handful of black, folded garbage bags and pulling out the next plant by the roots. There many sites that need stewards to observe, started stomping up the trail into the Natural was a c ertain sense of satisfaction in it a fter record and report disturbances and other Area. a w hile. The complete silence washed over possible problems. The ultimate aim of the you, leaving a c omforting feeling of solitude. p rog ram is t o h ave stewards fo r a ll s uch sites Telfordville’s main attraction isthecreekthat The heat, however, could really get to you, so that there will be an even better chance winds its way through the land, leaving its and at one point I w ent over to the river to that these areas can be around for future generations to enjoy .□ 9 Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve Submitted by Wayne Nordstrom, On December 12, 1991 , P lateau Mountain was established as Ecological Reserves Coordinator, Albserotuat’hse r n1 3 tehn de c oolf o Kgiacnaaln a rseksiesr v eC.o u nTthrey , 2 3a2b3o-uhta 5 6r e skemr v wee s its l oofc a Ntaendt o ant. the Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation variety of landscape features more On top of Plateau Mountain are two gas commonly found in t he arctic environments wells operated by Husky Oil Operations Ltd. of Calgary. The company holds the rights to of northern Canada. A r ange of “patterned subsurface minerals and began tapping the ground" features can be found on Plateau Mountain, including the active layer above gas field in 1954 but has agreed to neither permafrost, sorted stone circles, polygons, drill new gas wells within the ecological steps, nets, stripes and frost boils. reserve’s boundaries nor make the existing wells deeper. Husky Oil has also offered to Over 300 species of flowering plants have make environmental improvements been documented to occur on the site. Of necessary to sustain sensitive features these species, 14 are rare in Alberta including reclamation of roads and leases including wheat grass (Agropyrori not crucial to its operations. Existing facilities scribneri), Arctic butterweed (S enecio and operations will be upgraded to ensure a conterminus ), flame-colored lousewort high level of environmental protection. A n early flat, high-elevation plateau, this site (P edicularis flammea) and dwarf bitter-root has long been recognized and valued for its (L ewisia pygmaea ). The patterned ground Access to the summit is c ontrolled to prevent unique combination of natural features. The on the summit supports over 80 species of vandalism to natural gas production facilities bedrock layers of the mountain are tilted in lichen. It i s t houghtthat the plateau protruded and lessen any impact on the natural such a manner that they form folds. The above the last glaciers, providing an ice-free resources. Researchers and people with bedrock material, which consists of justified management needs silicious dolomite, limestones, soft wanting to gain access to the sandstones and shales, has a reserve are asked to contact the characteristic nature and angles that Alberta Forest Service for have resulted in c ave systems forming permission. Vehicle access within where rock has been dissolved by the reserve is not permitted unless water. Three systems of note are the required for management and January, Sheep and Ice caves. research purposes. The Ice cave is internationally Staff of Kananaskis Country will be recognized for its numerous ice working in concert with the Alberta features including crystals, curls, Forest Service to prepare a sheets and pillars. Entry is restricted management plan for the reserve. to qualified researchers because the If y ou desire further information on crystals are so fragile that a Plateau Mountain Ecological temperature increase of 1°C can Reserve, please contact either cause them to melt. Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation (427-6791 ) o r Alberta The mountaintop’s unusually flat to Forestry, Lands and Wildlife (427- gently sloping surface, which is 3582) through your local RITE underlain by permafrost, in conjunction with the colder temperatures refuge that allowed arctic-alpine plants to operators found at higher elevations, have produced a persist. Such refugia are of much scientific interest because of what they can tell us about plant distribution and species origins. Ecological reserves . . . Hoary marmots (M armota caligata), golden- mantled ground squirrels (S permophilus are areas selected for their value as lateralis), pikas (O chotona princeps ), representative or special natural landscapes American pipits (A nthus rubescens ), w hite- and features of the province. They protect tailed ptarmigan (L agopus leucuras) and examples of naturally functioning rosy finches (L eucosticte arctoa) can be ecosystems, contain gene pools for research and provide unique opportunities for observed on the mountain’s upper slopes and plateau. Forty species of butterflies and environmental education and heritage skippers have been collected from the site appreciation. With the establishment of and during the winter season, Plateau Plateau Mountain, the total area of p rotected Mountain provides critical habitat for land, under the ecological reserve populations of bighorn sheep (O vis classification in Alberta, is 27 132 ha.Q > canadensis). 10