Interesting, isn’t it, how often wildlife corridors make the news in the Bow Valley in some way or another?
This week is no exception and we assume we’ll be hearing a lot more about the wildlife corridor at Dead Man’s Flats now that the MD has approved an area structure plan for the hamlet – one the Town of Canmore did not favour and wished to have third party mediation in relation to.
The Town of Canmore’s concern related to light commercial being created on the north side of the Trans-Canada where the G8 wildlife underpass linking habitat areas had been placed after lengthy negotiations.
We’re no experts in the wildlife field, but when that small tract of land is viewed today, it seems unlikely that any wildlife would look forward to making its way from the south side of the TCH, through the underpass to the north and then meandering through what currently appears to be a cleared area full of slash piles waiting to be burned.
Studies have shown that wildlife does indeed use both under and overpasses, but we wonder how many critters will be tempted to continue using the structure at Dead Man’s.
In most cases, in Banff National Park, say, under and overpasses tend to link natural, treed, landscaped areas where wildlife would feel at home after the stress of making the short journey.
The underpass at Dead Man’s, now, links a forested area with an open, cleared spot that would seem less than enticing, even with the Bow River a short distance beyond.
No doubt in upcoming issues, more will be heard concerning this underpass and the nearby land as not only the Town of Canmore, but environmental groups, opposed the area structure plan.
Wildlife corridors are also popular when, in the Peaks of Grassi, for example, they are used as reasons to not allow further development. The corridor in the area of a property proposed to be developed, claim opponents, is a critical wildlife corridor. And yet, off leash dogs, for example, are constantly seen to be walked under the powerline in the area, or the south side of Quarry Lake.
Like an unwelcoming plot of land is liable to have deleterious effects in regard to wildlife using it, dogs running loose will certainly keep wildlife out of a given area.
It’s not that long ago at Quarry Lake that a moose was shot and killed by wildlife managers after it had been chased by off leash dogs and became aggressive to people in the area.
Remembrance Day in the valley
Thank you to all Bow Valley citizens who made a point of attending a Remembrance Day service in the Bow Valley on Wednesday (Nov. 11).
Luckily, the weather was decent, which meant nobody had to endure the truly awful weather some Nov. 11s present.
As well, it was nice to see youngsters in the crowd; parents should be congratulated on encouraging their attendance and allowing them to see veterans up close – to put a personal face to what they’ve learned in school in regard to Remembrance Day. After all, fewer veterans from wars past are around with each passing year.
While most veterans would likely not mention it, the fact that many people in their community turn out to recognize the solemn day must leave a warm glow.
