Shortly after World War II ended in 1945, oil was discovered in the province. This resulted in increased revenue for governments, allowing them to spend more money on wildlife conservation. Trained wildlife biologists were hired to do scientific studies of game animal populations and make informed decisions about how species should be managed. Laws were developed to protect wildlife and assist the public with wildlife concerns. Although the management of game animals is still a major concern, wildlife managers have expanded their efforts to include other wildlife species with particular emphasis on our "threatened" wildlife.

Today, wildlife biologists, technicians and enforcement staff work with hunters, trappers, naturalists, farmers, ranchers and industrial companies to maintain our wildlife heritage. Although increasing human populations and their expanding use of the landscape pose a threat to wildlife populations and habitats in the future, many species of Alberta's wildlife are thriving in today's world.

Reprinted from Focus On Wildlife Management  (1999) with permission of Alberta Environment.

The Heritage Community Foundation is proud to present this episode of the CKUA Radio Network's Ecofiles radio series, hosted by David Dodge.

Sustainable development can be defined as living within the earth’s means. But most Canadians have a level of consumption, or an "ecological footprint," that far exceeds the capacity of the earth. Researcher Dr. William Rees discusses the consequences of unsustainable development. [Listen]