Environmental
Issues

The 5.6 acres of parkland at Glenmore Landing is a vital piece to the larger context of habitat conservation for biodiversity and wildlife. The Glenmore Reservoir and forest to the north of Glenmore Landing is home to numerous wildlife and plant species that rely on this habitat to call home. It is our responsibility to protect the parkland and the wildlife that reside within this area as they play a very important role in maintaining and sustaining a healthy environment. 

It’s important not to perceive these as self-contained parcels of land as our environment is intertwined. If this parkland is allowed to be sold and replaced with hard infrastructure our wildlife will face habitat loss and fragmentation. The Biodiversity report of 2014 states on page 36, “a degraded or lost habitat is one that is altered in such a way that it is no longer able to support the species that are normally present. Disturbance often leads to…a consequent loss in species diversity. Habitat loss through urban development [is] seen as the largest challenge to biodiversity globally.”  

The Glenmore Reservoir which is directly adjacent to these parklands, is home to sensitive species like Pileated Woodpeckers, Western Woodpeckers, Olive-sided Flycatchers, Western Grebes, Bank Swallows, and more. From the Biodiversity Report on page 22, we know that “[s]pecies at risk are the most vulnerable components of Alberta’s biodiversity. As wild species are a keystone to healthy ecological processes, the integrity of Alberta’s ecosystems is dependent on healthy populations.” At the annual general meeting of Weaselhead Preservation, they described the unfortunate disappearance of wildlife species due to debris, noise and construction pollution. Even the common chickadee is sensitive to noise pollution and will not remain in the area if construction ends up being the 15 years as estimated. Also noted from the Biodiversity Report, page 36, “[i]mportant habitats, such as Nose Hill Park, have been encircled by development, greatly reducing connections to other habitats. As a result, some species are becoming less common.

This parkland neighbours the wetland in the forest to the north, as well as connecting to our Glenmore Reservoir and Weaselhead Flats with important riparian zones that are a mix of wetland and upland vegetation and “are highly productive… zones with considerable diversity of vegetation. They provide important habitat to resident and migratory wildlife, and play an essential role in watershed protection and management” quoted from page 13 of the Biodiversity Report. We know wildlife moves and adjusts into neighbouring territory and Weaselhead Flats “…is home to a wide variety of species: it is perhaps the most species-rich natural area in Calgary according to the Our BiodiverCity strategy plan on page 13.

The Biodiversity Policy Section 6.4 c) on Integration, stipulates that the city’s initiative is to “[p]lan and manage Calgary’s parks and open space as a connected network of habitats and wildlife movement corridors, with the aim of reducing roadway collision threats and related human-urban wildlife conflict.” Yet we know selling the parkland and replacing it with high-density infrastructure will only greatly increase the level of roadway collisions with wildlife, and community residents are mindful that wildlife uses this area as a corridor to and from the neighbouring communities such as Haysboro.  

When parkland becomes developed or large-scale development pushes up against parks we know from the Biodiversity Report on page 36 that “[t]he net result is…where both plant and animal species are limited in their ability to move, leading to a loss of species and genetic isolation.” We previously had the construction of the southwest portion of the ring road for five years which will have an everlasting impact due to it’s heavily used infrastructure, Tsuutʼina Nation is expanding their housing footprint with 1,200 acres of development on the west side of Glenmore Reservoir next to Weaselhead Flats, we need to be conscientious of how we utilize parkland on our end. We have to be mindful of the amount of direct pressure we’re putting on our biodiversity and our unrealistic expectations that wildlife can adapt.  

The City of Calgary Parks Department goes on to say that biodiversity is about “sharing our urban spaces with wildlife” and maintains “ongoing programs that support wildlife awareness and protection.” Studies show that “Calgarians value our rich natural areas and vibrant wildlife. We are committed to promoting healthy urban living while conserving sensitive natural areas and the creatures that share our city.” Therefore, this parkland should also have the same support, protection and investment for wildlife. Instead of taking away valuable parkland we could work together to enhance the existing parkland by rewilding it and producing a more robust habitat for our wildlife as well as revitalizing the existing lands.