A long-awaited wildlife crossing in Canmore will be one legacy of this month's G-8 summit in Kananaskis Country.
Federal Heritage Minister Sheila Copps on Sunday announced a $5-million environmental legacy, which aims to serve as a permanent reminder of the June 26 and 27 meeting of world leaders.
The federal government will contribute $3 million towards the crossing, which will help wolves and bears navigate a heavily developed landscape.
The second part of the G-8 legacy is the creation of a wildlife ecology chair at the University of Calgary.
It's a $2-million legacy to focus on research and wildlife conservation on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
The program, to be guided by an advisory committee, will include habitat management and conservation, studying the region's endangered species and encouraging a region-wide approach to managing biodiversity.
Ronald Bond, provost and academic vice-president at the U of Calgary, said while growth and development in the Rockies have boosted the economy, it has also put pressure on the fragile environment.
Both Copps and conservationists warn a wildlife crossing over a hydro canal at the Rundle forebay reservoir is just one link to move animals from Kananaskis to Banff National Park.
"We have $3 million into it, and at this point, the other partners, including the province, have not invested in it, and we are hoping that they invest in future corridor development in the provincial system," said Copps.
Students at Canmore's Lawrence Grassi Middle School were the inspiration for the wildlife crossing. They raised concerns that wolves have no safe way to cross the manmade water body.
The Rundle forebay reservoir, near the Canmore Nordic Centre, blocks a natural movement corridor on the south side of Canmore. It forces animals, such as grizzlies, to move through the residential areas, posing a danger to both people and wildlife.
Alberta Community Development Minister Gene Zwozdesky said the province supports the federal government's environmental legacy, although there was no word on the Wind Valley overpass.
When Canada hosted the G-7 summit in Halifax in 1995, the federal government provided a legacy contribution to Pier 21 to pay tribute to the millions of immigrants who arrived there.
Construction of the wildlife overpass is expected to begin next May.
Cathy Ellis is a reporter with the Rocky Mountain Outlook
FAIR USE NOTICE: This page contains copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. NoNonsense English offers this material non-commercially for research and educational purposes. I believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner, i.e. the media service or newspaper which first published the article online and which is indicated at the top of the article unless otherwise specified.