The Southwest Alberta Montane Research Program

Elk are an important wildlife resource in southern Alberta. Maintaining elk habitat and reducing disturbance during critical seasons of their life cycle is important to sustaining viable elk herds in the region.

Initiated by the Alberta Government and industry partners, the study will be carried out through collaboration with nine graduate students, representing the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and Oregon State University. Over a hundred elk have been captured over the last three winter seasons and these elk will be monitored using Global Positioning System (GPS) collars that use satellite link technology during the seven-year study.

Alberta Industry Partners:

• Shell Canada Limited
• Spray Lake Sawmills
• Hinton Wood Products

Educational Partners:

• University of Calgary
• University of Alberta
• Oregon State University
• Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy

Government Partners:

• The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
• Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
• Parks Canada
• Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation

Environmental Non-government Organization:

• Alberta Conservation Association
• Southern Alberta Sustainable Community Initiative
• Safari Club International
• World Wildlife Fund
• The Boone and Crockett Club
• Canadian Wildlife Federation

Foundations:

• Alberta Ingenuity Fund
• Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks & Wildlife Foundation