The Crowsnest Pass Conservation Society met November 21st to acknowledge the work and dedication of some of its members and also hear from one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People: hunter, naturalist, former Superintendent of Banff National Park and author, Kevin Van Tighem.
Elizabeth Anderson was recognized for committing 600 hours over two years to the BearSmart Bear Monitoring program.
Kevin Van Tighem provided examples of ways to ensure the prosperity, growth and revitalization of Crowsnest Pass’ headwaters to the conservation society, Thursday night.
“I am hoping tonight to sow some seed for what you want for the future,” Van Tighem told his audience.
Van Tighem has written more than 200 articles, stories and essays on conservation and wildlife, in addition to, two books: ‘Bears Without Fears’, and ‘The Homeward Wolf’, according to rockymountainbooks.com.
More than anything, Van Tighem appeared to want to highlight the importance of water to the environment.
“If you want a healthy landscape you want to be sure you’re water quality and timing all connect.”
He provided examples of methods we could use to decrease damage to landscape and headwater ecosystem like; controlled forestry (which removes the canopy from the forest floor so rain can reach the ground more easily) or encouraging beaver dams, he said.
“Dams don’t just store water in a reservoir, they saturate the soil around it.”


‘Burning off’, unwanted tree canopies also provides a lot of water to the ground, Van Tighem says.
“A slowed destruction of meadows by quads,” was another threat to the headwater ecosystem.
“Water can be transferred more easily underground and meet up with fresh water streams and rivers when the landscape is healthy and undamaged”, says Van Tighem.
“Van Tighem has been one of the most vocal supporters of the proposed South Saskatchewan Draft Plan,” according to belowyourwatershed.ca.
“Van Tighem has been an unofficial spokesperson for the Plan, using media appearances for his new book, ‘Bears Without Fear’, to discuss the importance of preserving our provinces’ natural resources particularly it’s watershed from overuse.”
For more information on Van Tighem and how to contribute to a healthier watershed please visit www.belowyourwatershed.ca.
You can find more information about the S.S.R.P. at www.landuse.ab.ca