State of the Parks, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park: Natural Resource Assessment

Paige, Christine; Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory (Colorado St Univ)

An NPCS-funded report on external pressures to the protection of resources within Waterton/Glacier International Peace Park. Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park includes Waterton Lakes National Park in southern Alberta, Canada, and adjacent Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana. A long history of protection has not spared Waterton-Glacier from serious threats, and numerous pressures imperil the health and integrity of the parks’ natural resources. Of greatest concern to the long-term viability of the integrity of the parks’ ecological communities are the many external pressures and incursions: Haphazard development of surrounding landscapes fragments habitat and wildlife movement corridors. § Highways, increasing road densities and a railroad on the park peripheries cause wildlife mortality and wildlife fracture zones. § An increasing regional population and development on private lands are changing the landscape surrounding the parks. § A history of intensive timber management and fire suppression on surrounding public and commercial lands has altered forest stand compositions and fire regimes, with consequences for ecological communities across the region. § The spread of noxious weeds is an ongoing, increasing and ever-evolving problem requiring a constant investment in weed control and native plant restoration efforts. § The parks’ aquatic communities have been profoundly altered by the introduction of non-native game fish and may require major interventions to restore native species. § Livestock trespass, occasional poaching, and unregulated scenic air tours impact park resources and visitor experiences. § Climate change is melting the parks glaciers, potentially triggering widespread changes to natural communities.The parks need committed administrative support and investments in increased and consistent funding for the monitoring, investigations, and management needed to address these many threats. The parks are woefully short on both personnel and operating funds to carry out important ongoing work that would help protect the park’s natural resources.