Chapter3 FeatureAnalysis Hills... · 2013-02-08 · EcoLeaders InterpretationandEnvironmentalEducation Chapter3 FeatureAnalysis ContentsContents •Geomorphology •Climate •Habitats

EcoLeaders Interpretation and Environmental Education

Chapter 3Feature Analysis

ContentsContents• Geomorphology• Climate• Habitats• Viewscapes• History• Management Issues• Satellite Sites• Summary of Recommendations

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Physical Characteristics

General Characteristics

Location in Feature Inventory (Appendix A)The physical characteristics of the park are reviewed onpage A.1.

The general shape of the plateau and location of steepslopes is covered on page A.9.

Significance: HighGeneral characteristics including the location, size,elevation and relative age of the Cypress Hills areimportant background to the natural and culturalhistory. The physical characteristics of the park landand surrounding landscape give context to:

• the natural and cultural history of the area

- the physical characteristics made it possiblefor special plant communities to grow herewhich have attracted wildlife and peoplefor millennia

• the park as part of a greater landscape- a concept that is central to the keymanagement principle (Greater ParkEcosystem)

• the size of the park- It counters the concept that the park isonly the Elkwater Townsite, a long-standing misconception of many long-timevisitors.- this is also a foundation on which to buildthe concepts that this is a big park withmay places even long-time visitors haven’tvisited and that there are many places torevisit when you come to the park

Visibility: High

Access: ModerateMany of the gross geographic features are visible fromwhere visitors concentrate. Individual features will bediscussed in more detail.

Feature AnalysisChapter 3


Geomorphology

IntroductionIn this chapter, the historical and natural featuresidentified in the Feature Inventory (Appendix A) areanalyzed in terms of their importance for heritageappreciation services and products at Cypress HillsInterprovincial park. Key criteria used in the analysisare:

Significance• a general assessment of the topic’s potentialimportance in the overall Cypress Hills HAprogram

Visibility• current or potential exposure to actual orvirtual park visitors

Access• proximity to concentrations of park visitors,and to other park features

Seasonality• the periods when a feature is accessible topark visitors

Danger to Public• a general assessment of public safety issueswith respect to the park feature

Danger to the Resources• a general assessment of potential risks to parklandscapes, native flora and fauna andhistorical and cultural resources

The results of this analysis are to be used inconjunction with the audience analysis whendeveloping HA themes. This will ensure that thethemes will be appropriate for the people who visitthe park and consistent with the key features of thepark.

Readers should note that:• new knowledge about the park’s features andhistory is being gained yearly• natural features of the park are changing overtime• management techniques and priorities adaptto meet these changes

To keep current, park HA staff should review andupdate the Feature Inventory and Feature Analysisregularly—approximately every five years.

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Geology

The Importance of Geology tothe Stories of the Cypress Hills

Location in Feature Inventory (Appendix A)Information on geology is reviewed on pages A.2–7.

Significance: HighTo effectively interpret the Cypress Hills, it isimportant for HA staff to understand the geologicalhistory of the region. The geology of the Cypress Hillsis complex, and many of the geological features arehidden. However, the area’s geology is the story of theformation and persistence of these hills in theotherwise flat landscape of southern Alberta andSaskatchewan. The geomorphology of the hills has andcontinues to interact with the climate, hydrology andecology of this unique landscape.

Visibility: High to LowThe geological story of the Cypress Hills is oftenbelow the radar of many visitors. However, there aremany geological features that can be observed fromareas where visitor gather. Key features and locationswill be discussed below.

Access: VariableMany key geological features are easily accessed, whileothers are more remote.

Seasonality: VariableSeveral key geological features are accessible year-round, while others can only be reached in summer.

SedimentaryFormations/Bedrock

Location in Feature Inventory (Appendix A)Information on sedimentary formations is reviewed onpages A.3–6.

Significance: HighThe big picture of the layered geological strata thatmake up the Cypress Hills and the story of theirformation is an important foundation story for this sitethat puts the present landscape in context. The fact thatthis landscape has changed dramatically over geologictime—from a sea bottom, to seashore, to dry land, toan island in a sea of ice, to an island of trees in a sea ofdry grassland—emphasizes that landscapes change asclimate changes. This sets a background for the morerecent changes of the landscape and potential changesthat may occur.

Visibility: LowExcept for conglomerate caprock most of the bedrockof the Cypress Hills is not visible.

Access: LowExcept for conglomerate caprock most of the bedrockof the Cypress Hills is not accessible.

Seasonality: N/A

Danger to Public: N/A

Danger to Resources: N/A

�General RecommendationsSee the recommendations for conglomerate andsandstone features on the following page.



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Heritage Appreciation Development Planfor Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park-Alberta


Conglomerate and SandstoneFeatures

Location in Feature Inventory (AppendixA)Information on sedimentary formations is reviewed on pagesA.4–6.

Significance: HighThe Feature Inventory identifies places to see exposedconglomerate and sandstone. These are importantopportunities for visitors to have first-hand exposure togeological formations that have shaped the landscape of theCypressHills.

Visibility: ModerateThere aremany locations in the parkwhere visitors canobserve exposed conglomerate, and at least one locationwhere sandstone can easily be encountered.

Access: VariableViewpoints identified in the Feature Inventory provide severalgood locations for visitors to encounter conglomerate.

One site near FergusonHill Campground provides easyaccess to see sandstone bedrock.Otherminor sites includesites alongMitchell CreekTrail,HorseshoeCanyonTrail andthe trailhead of SpruceCoulee Trail.

Seasonality: VariableMany viewpoints are accessible only in summer.

Danger to Public: Moderate–LowViewpoints such asHorseshoeCanyon have eroding cliff-faces. These providemoderate safety concerns for visitors dueto potential for slumping. Each sitewhere visitors gathermustbe regularly assessed for signs of slumping, especially aftersnowmelt and spring rains.

The sandstone near FergusonHill Campground is close to abend in FergusonHill Road.No guard rails preventpedestrians from straying onto the road. Currently, this site isnot safe enough to encourage visitation.

Danger to Resources: High–MediumThere seems to be little risk to the resource at theconglomerate sites.However, already the soft sandstone at theFergusonHill Campground site is being defaced by graffiti.

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�General Recommendations1. Easily viewed geological strata should be featured

in HA offerings when:• they are easily accessible by visitors• they can be viewed and interacted with safely• there is little or no potential damage tofeatures

2. A more complete inventory of surface geologicalfeatures in the park and on public lands adjacent tothe park be developed. This could include:• GIS (digital Geographic Information Systems)mapping of features- including the digitizing of existing resourcemanagement maps

• work to be managed by park staff with inputfrom:- volunteer stewards- partners from Alberta and Saskatchewanbased universities and colleges

The Eagle Butte Impact Crater

Location in Feature Inventory (Appendix A)Information on the Eagle Butte Impact Crater isreviewed on page A.7.

Significance: Moderate to LowThe impact crater, located west of the park boundary,may have significance in its role as part of a meteorshower (perhaps parts of a breaking up asteroid’s impact)that contributed to the mass extinction of manylifeforms, including dinosaurs, 65 million years agoknown as the K-T (Cretaceous–Tertiary) extinction.

Visibility: LowThe crater is very old and has been obscured by timemaking it difficult to see except in aerial photos andsatellite images.

Access: ModerateThe crater is located outside the western boundary of thepark. Parts of the rim of this 18 km-diameter crater canbe seen from roads in the area.

Seasonality: Year-roundCounty roads are maintained all year.

Danger to Public: LowThis ancient geological feature offers no danger tovisitors.

Danger to Resources: LowThis is a large geological feature that has endured for upto 65 million years. There is little a visitor could do to it.

�General Recommendations1. This is a hard-to-see geological feature located

outside the park. It may be incorporated as part ofHA offerings on the topics of geological history ofthe park:• at the park centre• as part of an auto-tour of the park• part of remote HA offerings includingbrochures, web pages and videos



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Slumping

Location in Feature Inventory (Appendix A)The Police Point Slump is reviewed on pages A.10–12.

Significance: Moderate to HighSlumping is an important mechanism in forming the pastand current landscape of the Cypress Hills. It is anobservable geological process with several easily viewedexamples in the park.

Slumping is an key landscape features of the CypressHills. It occurs because of the rainfall and geologicalstructure of the Cypress Hills. Slumping creates majorlandscape features and is a current example of landscapechange.

Key points about slumping in the Cypress Hills include:• in geological terms slumping is common in theCypress Hills. It has occurred in the distantpast, recent past, and will occur in the future.• Police Point is the location of the mostspectacular slump in recent times.• the mechanism of slumping involvesgroundwater and the structure of geologicallayers that make up the Cypress Hills.• many smaller slumps can be observed along thesteep, north-facing slopes of the hills.• Elkwater Lake appears to have been formedwhen a slump, significantly larger than thePolice Point Slump, dammed a drainage system.

Visibility: High/ModerateThe Police Point Slump is highly visible from someviewpoints. Other smaller or older slumps may not benoticed by many visitors.

Access: ModerateHorseshoe Canyon is the park’s most accessible slumpsite with a parking lot and a viewing platform. There areseveral good distant views of the Police Point Slumpfrom locations where moderate numbers of park visitorscongregate. These include: Reesor Lake fishing wharf,the Reesor Lake Overlook, and the proposed PolicePoint viewing area. Police Point can be accessed fromPolice Point Road, though this road is a “resource road”not recommended for public travel.

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Seasonality: VariableHorseshoe Canyon is accessible year-round. PolicePoint Road is a rough dry-weather road only. It is notopen during the winter, during snow melt or after arain. The distant view sites are open only in thesummer.

Danger to Public: ModerateThe Police Point Slump continues to move downhill.The cliff face at the site is high and steep and there areactive erosion channels. Safety levels there aremoderate.

Danger to Resources: Low

�General Recommendations1. Slumping could be used to support the idea of

landscape changing.

2. Public safety must be considered on a site-by-site,season-by-season basis if HA offerings take placenear a slump site.

3. Location of current slump sites could be locatedand mapped (using GIS/GPS technologies) foreducation purposes. This can include projectmanagement by park staff with informationgathering through:• reports from visitors as part of:- HA programs- independent reports• park staff• partners including:- volunteer stewardship groups- community groups e.g., nature clubs,scouts and guides- universities and colleges

Hydrology

Location in Feature Inventory (Appendix A)Hydrology of the Cypress Hills is discussed on pagesRI 12–14.

Significance: ModerateThe Cypress Hills are part of the continental dividethat separates the north-flowing waters of theSaskatchewan River drainage from the south-flowingMississippi River system.

The hydrology of the Cypress Hills is at the core ofwhy wetlands, surface water systems (lakes, rivers,creeks and ponds) are located where they are in thepark. By understanding basic hydrology, visitors canunderstand why many of the features of the park arelocated where they are.

Water is an important factor in the dry climate of thePalliser Triangle. It is not readily available in manyseasons except for places like the Cypress Hills and inbig river valleys. The hydrology of the hills isresponsible for the past, present and future distributionof plant and animal communities. The year-roundavailability of water is also responsible in a large partfor the importance of the Cypress Hills to early humanoccupation.

Key points about the hydrology of the Cypress Hillsinclude:

• the elevation, soils and plateau bedrockporosity combine to make the highlands animportant groundwater recharge area for theregion.• the riparian zones around creeks and lakes areextremely biologically rich• aquifers near the base of the plateau (plussurface run-off) supply water for a series ofpermanent and seasonal springs, creeks, rivers,ponds and wetlands.• the presence of lakes and forest vegetationsupported by the park’s hydrology are keyreasons why the Cypress Hills are animportant regional recreation area.



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Location in Feature Inventory (Appendix A)Information about terrestrial habitats of the CypressHills can be found on pages A.19–30.

Detailed discussions of habitat types can be found asfollows:

• Lodgepole Pine Association pp. RI 18–19• White Spruce Association pp. RI 20–21• Aspen Forest pp. RI 21–22• Wetlands p. RI 23• Fescue Prairie Association pp. RI 25–26• Mixed Grass Prairie p. RI 26• Wildlife- Wildlife information can be found withineach habitat section

Significance: HighA diversity of habitats are a key part of the CypressHills experience.

The Cypress Hills is a unique combination offragmented and dispersed patches of forest and fescuegrasslands. Each of these patches exists as a result of localhydrology and local climate conditions and has a historythat makes it unique. Visitors can learn to read thelandscape and deduce its history, and perhaps evenpredict its future.

Key points about habitats include:• the park is made up of forest and grassland.- boundaries of forests and grasslands changeover time in response to ecological pressuressuch as drought, fire, competition betweennative species and competition from invasiveweeds.- the most important grassland component isrough fescue habitat.

• the Cypress Hills contain islands of lesscommon habitats surrounded by a sea of drymixed-grass prairie on the plains belowincluding:- rough fescue prairie association, an island ofproductive, moisture loving grassland.- forest islands—the Cypress Hills are one of aseries of small forest islands in a sea ofgrassland that makes up the great plains ofNorth America.- three types of forest can be found here:highland, riparian, scarp

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Habitats

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• key plant associations include:- lodgepole pine forest- white spruce forest- aspen forest- wetland- fescue prairie- mixed grass prairie

• fescue prairie and lodgepole pine forests areisolated habitats lying outside of the regular rangefor these plant communities.• each habitat supports a wide variety of wildlife- some are specialized to only one habitat- some require two or more of these habitats tocomplete their life cycles.

• the habitats and communities in the Cypress Hillsare ever-changing in their size, age and health.- these changes have occurred in times past, areoccurring now, and will occur in the future,especially as a result of climate change- examples of current trends include the declineof aspen forests and the expansion of lodgepolepine into the fescue grasslands.

Visibility: High/Medium/LowHigh visibility habitats include all forest types, and lakes.Both trees and permanent water bodies are rare in thePalliser Triangle.

Moderate visibility habitats include two types of grassland.These are classified as moderate not because they arerelatively rare, but because grasslands are overlooked bymany visitors, especially those from cities. We have alsoclassified the wetlands surrounding Elkwater Lake asmoderately visible. Even though they are fairly extensive,many visitors overlook them.

Most of the wetlands are low visibility because of theirrelative rareness and also because many people overlooksmall wetlands.

Access: VariesThere are representatives of all major habitats that are closeto areas where park visitor congregate. There are also manypatches of diverse habitat that are remote and seldomvisited.

Seasonality: Varies

Danger to Public: VariesThere are a variety of risks to park visitors includingdrowning in lakes, to potential exposure to human- andnaturally-caused forest and prairie fires. Cougars arereported in the park andmay at some time pose a danger toindividual visitors or their pets.

Each individual location for HA programming should beassessed with respect to potential risks to visitors.

Danger to Resources: VariesMost habitats in the park are at risk to human generated fireduring the summer and especially during drought.

Streams and wetlands can be easily damaged by regular,long-term or short heavy use by park visitors.

Also, there are environmentally sensitive sites where suchthings as rare orchids or endangered wildlife live.

Each site designated for HA-related activities should beconsidered for possible impacts.

�General Recommendations1. Visitors should be encouraged to get out into the park

to discover and experience the wide variety of habitats.

2. Maps and three-dimensional diagrams, maps andmodels of the habitats of the Cypress Hills should bedeveloped for education and orientation purposes.• these materials are not currently readily availableto HA staff although there is currently regionalsupport for GIS mapping in Lethbridge.• the extent and condition of the following habitatsshould be regularly monitored:- Fescue Prairie Association- Lodgepole Pine Association-White Spruce Association- Aspen Forest-Wetlands.

3. Informationabout thecurrent locationsandextentofkeyhabitats canbegatheredandmappedusingGIS/GPStechnologies for landmanagementandeducationpurposes.Thiswouldrequireprojectmanagementbyparkstaffwithinformationgathering through:•reports fromvisitorsaspartof:-HAprograms- independent reports

•parkstaff•partners including:-volunteer stewardshipgroups-communitygroupse.g.,natureclubs, scoutsandguides-universities andcolleges



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Access: Moderate

Seasonality: Summer/FallThe highest fire dangers usually occur in the dryseason.

Danger to Public: VariesThe level of fire-danger to visitors depends on the levelof dryness.

Danger to Resources: Varies

�General RecommendationsFire is an important environmental education topic,management issue and safety concern. HA staff should:

1. Provide offerings that inform visitors andstakeholders about the importance and history offire in the natural systems of the park

2. Assist managers and enforcement staff in ensuringthe fire safety of the park and park visitors andpreparing visitors for management activities beforeand during the times they take place.

3. Assist managers who are developing a betterunderstanding of the park’s fire issues. Assistancemay include:• interpreting these initiatives to visitors and thegreater public• as part of the HA program, but under thesupervision of resource managers, work withvolunteers and qualified community groups insupport projects such as:- scouting and mapping habitats that may bevulnerable to fire or have high fuel loads- monitoring the effects of activities such asprescribed burning

History of BiologicalLandscapes

Location in Feature Inventory (Appendix A)A short review of the history of biological landscapesin the Cypress Hills can be found on page A.34.

Significance: HighThe fact that the Cypress Hills avoided glaciation is animportant feature of this landscape. It makes the park arare and important source of information about whatthe area was like before the last ice age. There are manydetails about ancient plants and animals hidden in thesoils and sediments of lakes in the park. This story isimportant to show how the park is an importanthistoric record of changing natural environments.

Key points include:• most of the higher elevations of the CypressHills escaped glaciation- there was no scraping away of ancient soilsand waterways by the continental ice massthat swept across most of Canada and thenorthern US.

• as a result the soils, wetlands and lakes are agold mine of information about ancientenvironments unavailable elsewhere.- vegetation conditions and changes havebeen recorded in a continuous 9,120-yearpollen record (extends to the earlyHolocene).- this is one of the few continuous pollenrecords from the northern Great Plains.

Visibility: LowMany indicators of the age of the Cypress Hillslandscape are subtle, and much of the evidence is minuteand hidden e.g., the pollen record. Visitors will likelyneed to be guided through discovery activities andlearning materials. Remote or animated presentationsmay also help reveal the ancient landscapes.

Access: VariesElkwater Lake is the park’s only permanent naturalwater body. It is the site of highest visitor activity.

There are several wetlands located throughout the parkthat also provide long-term pollen records.



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Seasonality: Summer

Danger to Public: Low

Danger to Resources: UnknownInformation about ancient biological landscapes areextremely rare in Canada. Care must be taken not todamage important sites which may hold importantinformation (e.g., pollen records). It would beadvisable to consult with experts on paleobotany andpaleoenvironments if HA activities are planned todemonstrate or investigate ancient environments todetermine proper locations and techniques to be used.It is likely that much of this important learning will befacilitated using exhibits and remote media.

�General RecommendationsHA staff should:

1. Communicate the importance of the Cypress Hillsas a paleological resource.

2. Interpret the findings of paleoecologists to visitorsand the greater public.

3. Encourage further research by universities andcolleges.

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Location in Feature Inventory (Appendix A)History of the Cypress Hills is discussed on pagesA.41–54.

History is an important topic for HA services andproducts, including formal education audiences(history and geography). The park is rich in humanhistory. It appears that the Cypress Hills’ unique,milder environment and abundant wildlife and plantshas attracted people since there were humans on theprairies.

Ancient History

Location in Feature Inventory (Appendix A)Ancient history of the Cypress Hills are discussed onpages A.41–45.

Significance:The ancient history of the Cypress Hills is one of thekey features of CHIP–AB. The resources found at theStampede Archaeological Site are thrilling and, iffunding continues, the site is likely to provide anincreasingly broad, clear picture of how ancient peoplelived in the Cypress Hills. The partnership withresearchers like Dr. Gerald Oetelaar have provedfriendly and productive.

Findings of the current research team indicate that theCypress Hills has long been a moist oasis in the drierplains, but also that radical climate shifts have occurredand that the flora and fauna changed as a result. In thepast people and wildlife adapted to these changes.

Key points about early human occupation include:• human history in the Cypress Hills area datesback more than 7,000 years—in fact, at thetime of writing, it appears that there isevidence of human occupation at theStampede archaeological site as far back as8,500 to 9,000 years.• archeological digs on the north slope ofCypress Hills have found stone and bonetools and butchered and charred bones.• the area included artifacts of the Besant,Pelican Lake, Oxbow and Bitterroot cultures.- one of Canada’s best locations for

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History

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information about these cultures could wellbe the Stampede Site in CHIP–AB- the site contains an extended sequence ofevidence of human occupation—a rare andvaluable opportunity to investigate long-term human responses to ongoing changein the social and environmental conditionsof the Canadian plains

The archaeological studies of the Cypress Hills areyielding valuable and fascinating information about theearly people of the plains, how they lived and the kindsof environments and habitats they lived in. This workprovides the park and its visitors with:

• up-to-date, even cutting-edge information• access to experts in a variety of fields ofarchaeological research• opportunities to view an active archaeologicalsite and perhaps to view genuine artifacts

Visibility: LowSigns of ancient human activity are generally out ofsight to most visitors, often buried under metres ofsoil.

Access: Moderate/LowThe Stampede Archaeological Site is located nearElkwater townsite making it moderately close to thelargest concentration of park visitors.

Researchers indicate that there are numerous sites ofarchaeological interest in the park. Many are located inmore remote areas. However, a site near FirerockCampground has abundant archaeological materialnear the soil surface.

Seasonality: Summer onlyArchaeological excavations can only take place inwarmer drier seasons.

It must be noted that it is unlikely that there will bearchaeological digs operating every year.

Danger to Public: ModerateThere is possibly some danger of visitors falling intoarcheological excavations at sites at the Stampede site.This site would require high maintenance andsupervision because of the great depth of theexcavations.

Danger to Resources: ModerateGreat care should be taken to protect archaeologicalsites from vandalism and over-enthusiastic people whomay wish to excavate and take artifacts. This activitymay greatly reduce the amount of reliable scientificinformation that can be gained at a site.

�General Recommendations1. Encourage, support and sponsor public

presentations by researchers to public audiencesinside and outside the park.

2. Continue to develop ways to present the findingsof the archeological research in the park.

3. To avoid interfering with research, continue topresent most HA offerings concerning thearchaeology of the park at locations away from theStampede site.

4. Continue to work with archaeological researchersto develop a clear understanding of the researchthat is on-going and proposed.

5. Work with the current archaeological researchers toidentify ways that the park can assist in ensuringon-going research in the park.



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�General Recommendations1. Recent-history-related HA offerings should target

primarily local park visitors with an aim to informbut also learn new facts, impressions andinterpretations (two-way communication).

2. HA offerings should be co-ordinated with thoseprovided by key partners:• Fort Walsh National Historic Site of Canada,which specializes in the interpretation of thetime period leading up to the establishment ofthe North West Mounted Police (circa 1878)through to the end of RCMP facilities in theCypress Hills (1968).• CHIP–SK which specializes in the localhistory of the Saskatchewan sections of CHIPand also has a strong focus on First Nationshistory and culture.• HA staff should monitor developments oflocal Metis association initiatives to develophistoric interpretation in the park area

3. HA offerings at CHIP–AB should:• not overlap the areas of specialty of its twopartners• complement and acknowledge partners’programs

To do this HA staff will need to:• continue to communicate regularly with staffat FWNHS and CHIP–AB (Saskatchewan) tokeep up-to-date on activities and initiatives• promote programs and special events held bythese partners• provide partners and potential partners withinformation about upcoming programs andevents at CHIP–AB

Historical Assets

Location in Feature Inventory (Appendix A)Three major historical assets were identified:

• Tom Trott Memorial Forestry Museum pp.A.50–51• Bull Trail Interpretive Node p. A.52• Graburn Cairn pp. A.53–54

St. Margaret’s Anglican Church (p. A.51) is a minorfeature.

Tom Trott Memorial Forestry Museum

Significance: ModerateForestry has been an important part of the CypressHills and even though there is no commercialextraction of timber taking place in the park. Themanagement practices of the past have resulted in thecurrent state of forests. Forest management in the parkis important and on-going.

Tom Trott is important especially to those who knewhim. It is important to try to maintain his legacy ofpublic education about forestry in the Cypress Hills.

The museum building and the Graburn Patrol Cabindisplay numerous historical artifacts including tools,equipment, maps and photos. Unfortunately, budgetconstraints have made display and curation of thecollection difficult—many photos and maps aredisplayed in simple mounts that provide little long-term protection at lighting levels that make themdifficult for visitors to view. Also, limited funding hasmade it difficult to maintain some of the permanentoutdoor exhibits in the nodes of the site’s interpretivetrail. While a good start has been made, substantialfunding will be needed to complete this site as amuseum. Redesign as a self-guided outdoor exhibit orrelocation may be required.

Currently, limited HA staffing make it difficult to keepthe museum open year-round. In the future, when thePark Centre is completed, it will likely be increasinglydifficult to staff this site. This could further limit publicexposure to the materials in the museum.

Visibility: Moderate

Access: Moderate



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Seasonality: Occasional

Danger to Public: Low

Danger to Resources: HighMany important artifacts, maps and documents arestored in an unheated building. They risk damage frommoisture, cold and small wildlife.

�General Recommendations1. Unless significant funding for HA staffing at the

Tom Trott Museum, and funds for a major upgradeof the site are made available, the site should beredesigned as a low maintenance, self-guided,outdoor interpretive exhibit.

2. Budget must be set aside for regular maintenanceof the existing outdoor exhibits and the site’sperimeter fencing in order to maintain goodpractice and high standards.

3. The most important maps, photos and artifactsstored and displayed in the museum and otherbuildings should be considered for use inpermanent and temporary exhibits in the new ParkCentre.

4. To ensure better protection of valuable heritageresources, all perishable materials (maps, books,photographs) should be stored in the new ParkCentre.

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HA staff can assist park planners, managers,enforcement and operations staff in keeping parkvisitors informed of park management and operationalinitiatives and regulations. As well, HA staff can assistsome management and research initiatives throughattracting and coordinating volunteer groups andindividuals.

As stated in the Feature Inventory, HA staff will workwith other park staff and contractors to develop withinpark users and the greater public an awareness andunderstanding of the values of having and maintaining alarge natural park. HA staff will also work to engendersupport and participation in preservation, conservation,and education initiatives of the park and Alberta Parksand Protected Areas (for more details on the benefits ofHA services see Table 3.2).

This can be done through:• a variety of programs, projects and moredelivered by HA staff• education campaigns for specific managementissues prepared and delivered by managementand HA staff working together• assisting members of the other arms of PPA indeveloping skills and capacity to usecommunication and education approaches todeliver messages to specific stakeholdergroups• work with friends groups and volunteerstewards to:- develop the capacity of these groups tosupport stewardship initiatives in the parkand in the greater park ecosystem- develop and maintain a positiverelationship between these groups, thepark and PPA

In many situations HA staff have communication skillsand experience that can assist in working with localand remote stakeholders and achieving positive results.These skills may be supplied in all aspects of parkmanagement.

Management issues may be difficult to rationalize as“features” let alone to analyze them as such. Butmanagement is part of the park reality to be addressedby HA services (see How HA can contribute to thePPA’s stewardship principles in Chapter 1, p. 1.5).

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Management Issues

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Management of HumanHeritage Resources

Location in Feature Inventory (Appendix A)Management of human heritage resources is discussedon page A.71.

Significance: High/ModeratePeople have been part of the Cypress Hills landscapefor a very long time, and we are still part of thelandscape’s story.

Understanding the history of human activity in theCypress Hills has the potential for helping PPA staff asmanagers of the park to work with other stakeholdersto make wise land management decisions now and inthe future.

The Cypress Hills are an important repository of earlyhuman history of the prairies.

�General RecommendationsHA staff should:1. Through various media and, when possible, through

hands-on first hand interaction:Archeology- develop and/or nurture partnerships withprovincial and federal agencies and NGOs thatwork to protect and understand our ancienthistory- keep the public aware of current informationand new archaeological discoveries in andaround the park- provide context and indicate the significance ofthese discoveries- when it is appropriate, encourage participationin archaeological projects in and around thepark

Recent History- develop and/or nurture partnerships withprovincial and federal agencies that work toprotect and understand our recent history- keep the public aware of current understandingof the recent history of the park andsurrounding area- provide context and indicate the significance ofour recent history- encourage participation furthering ourunderstanding of recent history of the park and

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Sidebar: What is Multistakeholder Dialogue?Stakeholders are individuals, communities or organisationsthat affect or are affected by the operations of the park.

These include park visitors, leasees, park-basedassociations, individual friends and critics of the park,special interest groups such as Elkwater cottagers, non-governmental organizations such as the Canadian Parksand Wilderness Society, the private sector such as localbusinesses and ranchers, and representatives of the parkand other government agencies. The dialogue occurs whenthese groups meet to exchange opinions and positions on acertain topic which affects or is of interest to allparticipants.

Why a Multistakeholder Dialogue?Meetings among these groups assist in buildingunderstanding of issues, appreciation and valuing of theneeds and points of view of other stakeholders, and thematuration of consensus for joint action.

Multistakeholder dialogue assists in addressing:• controversial practices, ensuring that stakeholders:- understand why certain management practices areoccurring- make suggestions on how negative impacts can beminimized- assist in publicizing and carrying out these practices

• transparency, ensuring that information on why howand when is available, and building trust and a fairdecision-making process• engagement, encouraging and enabling stakeholders to:- understand the issues from many points of view- discuss and analyze options- take part in management activities when appropriate- develop leadership skills that assist stakeholders inengaging more of their constituents

Key Areas for Consideration• environmental issues• social and ethical implications- what are the effects on people that use the park, parkneighbours and the greater community

• political and economical pressures and constraints- what are the political and economic realities that mustbe considered when making management decisions

• the management matrix- how the management of one component of the parkimpacts other management concerns

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area, especially encourage, enable and recordinput from local visitors who have knowledgeof local historical events

2. Ensure that visitors are aware of regulations thatprotect local historical resources and govern howpeople can interact with park resources.

3. Where appropriate, encourage and enableparticipation in sanctioned studies of ancient andrecent history.• projects and other public involvementactivities are key methods for buildingstewardship as required by the PPAStewardship Model (see Chapter 1, p. 1.9 andChapter 4, p. 4.2) for key methods

Cypress Hills Provincial Park has three designatedsatellite sites:

• Red Rock Coulee Natural Area• Milk River Natural Area• Kennedy Coulee Ecological Reserve

Location in Feature Inventory (Appendix A)Information on the geology, natural history and humanhistory of the sites are located as follows:

• Red Rock Coulee Natural Area was discussedon pages A.73–76.• Milk River Natural Area and Kennedy CouleeEcological Reserve are adjacent properties andwere considered together on pages A.77–94.

Significance: HighAll three properties are located in one of Canada’slargest remaining native mixed grass prairies. Theyafford the opportunity for visitors to experience anendangered landscape that was an important part of thehistory of Alberta and Canada.

All three sites have representative native habitats,plants and wildlife of the dry mixed prairie ecosystem.

Red Rock Coulee Natural AreaRedrock Coulee is also a location with an abundanceof sandstone concretions, a rare sight and easilyaccessible.

Milk River Natural Area and Kennedy CouleeEcological ReserveThese properties are larger. Current informationindicates the presence of several rare and endangeredspecies listed by the Committee on the Status ofEndangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

Visibility:Red Rock Coulee Natural Area ModerateMilk River Natural Area LowKennedy Coulee Ecological Reserve Low

Access:Red Rock Coulee Natural Area HighRed Rock Coulee is easily accessible by passenger carfor much of the year and is within an hour’s drive ofCypress Hills Provincial Park. Information on rare orprotected plant and wildlife species is limited.



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Satellite Sites

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Dark Sky1. CHIP–AB be designated as a Dark Sky Reserve

• the park adopt the guidelines developed bythe RASC to maintain the dark sky• CHIP–AB as a Dark Sky Reserve bepromoted to park visitors, especially campersand cottage owners

2. When suitable CHIP–AB should partner withprovincial, local and national astronomy groups toprovide HA offerings including special events onastronomy and night sky watching.

Geomorphology

General Characteristics1. The physical characteristics of the park should be

incorporated into HA services where appropriate.

Geology

Sedimentary Formations/Bedrock

Conglomerate and Sandstone Features1. Easily viewed geological strata should be featured

in HA offerings when:• they are easily accessible by visitors• they can be viewed and interacted with safely• there is little or no potential damage tofeatures

2. A more complete inventory of surface geologicalfeatures in the park and on public lands adjacent tothe park be developed. This could include:• GIS (digital Geographic Information Systems)mapping of features- including the digitizing of existing resourcemanagement maps

• work to be managed by park staff with inputfrom:- volunteer stewards- partners from Alberta and Saskatchewanbased universities and colleges

The Eagle Butte Impact Crater1. This is a hard-to-see geological feature located

outside the park. It may be incorporated as part ofHA offerings on the topics of geological history ofthe park:• at the park centre• as part of an auto-tour of the park• part of remote HA offerings includingbrochures, web pages and videos

Glaciation and Its Effects1. The story of glaciation should be featured,

especially the importance of the nunatak to thephysical and biological features of the park andsurrounding landscape. The effects of glaciation onsurrounding prairie is a common theme at othersites, and should be used only to support learningaround the Cypress Hills nunatak. In additionglaciation and its effects:• are easily accessible by visitors• can be viewed and interacted with safely• there is little or no potential damage to rarenatural and cultural features

2. A more complete inventory of surface geologicalfeatures in the park and on public lands adjacent tothe park be developed. This could include:• GIS (digital Geographic Information Systems)mapping of features• work to be managed by park staff with inputfrom:- volunteer stewards- partners from Alberta and Saskatchewan-based universities and colleges

Slumping1. Slumping could be used to support the idea of

landscape changing.

2. Public safety must be considered on a site-by-site,season-by-season basis if HA offerings take placenear a slump site.

3. Location of current slump sites could be locatedand mapped (using GIS/GPS technologies) foreducation purposes. This can include projectmanagement by park staff with information



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Summary of Recommendations

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Documents

Chapter3 FeatureAnalysis Hills... · 2013-02-08 · EcoLeaders InterpretationandEnvironmentalEducation Chapter3 FeatureAnalysis ContentsContents •Geomorphology •Climate •Habitats