Resource+management4

Resource Management is a process concerned with using the Earth’s natural resources to provide humans with environmental services. It involves a series of choices and trade-offs, and can be broken down in to a two part process: Initially, scientific analysis is done to examine situations and make recommendations. This information is then brought to a political forum where decisions are made based on society’s values, and ultimately policy is developed.

The issue of Resource Management becomes complicated because humans often only see the extrinsic, or economic, value of natural resources. Such is the case in Banff National Park. The park has become a major attraction of the Canadian Tourism industry, generating nearly half a billion dollars in revenue annually. However, this economic prosperity has come at huge costs, as the habitat and movement corridors of the park’s wildlife have been severely disrupted. In response to this crisis, the Canadian government commissioned an independent task force to analyze the situation; this being the first part of the management process.

After two years of research and public consultation, the Banff-Bow Valley Task Force presented its findings to the Canadian government. The summary report of their research can be found here: []. The task force concluded that human activity “is resulting in the alteration, fragmentation and loss of natural habitats and is having a significant impact on wildlife populations, including the grizzly bear, wolf, cougar, lynx, wolverine, otter, and moose.” It recommended taking an economically, culturally, socially, and ecologically integrated approach, and to integrate management within and beyond park borders.

Shortly after hearing the findings, the Canadian government established its stance on the issue based on the findings of the task force, and on the values of the citizens. The government announced immediate actions on some of the task force’s recommendations, and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien declared “Banff is important to Canadians and to our government. We are determined to protect the ecological integrity of Banff for Canadians and the citizens of the world – forever.”

Wildlife overpasses in Banff National Park were one of the government's first initiatives. A summary of the overpass progress can be found here: http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/docs/routes/chap3/sec1/routes3b_E.asp