Publications
Views from the Lake: International Harmony and Historical Erasure in Photographs of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
Photographic representations of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, from 19th-century topographical images to modern tourism materials, have long symbolized international harmony and cross-border unity. However, these visual narratives strategically erase the colonial history of boundary-making and the displacement of Indigenous communities, whose lands were divided by the 49th parallel. By analyzing recurrent visual tropes of openness and harmony, this study reveals how colonial photographic practices reinforced a narrative of unity while obscuring violence, exclusion, and environmental exploitation. The research employs a critical analysis of historical photographs and documentation to expose these contradictions, offering a nuanced perspective on the park's symbolic significance.
Bighorn sheep associations: understanding tradeoffs of sociality and implications for disease transmission
Research on bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) near the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park reveals that social behavior, particularly direct contact rates, is influenced by intrinsic factors like relatedness and age, as well as extrinsic factors such as land cover type and season. The study found that direct contacts were more frequent among same-sex dyads and groups with overlapping summer home ranges, peaking during winter-spring when movement speeds were low and sufficient collared individuals were present. Contact probabilities decreased with habitat quality, driven by variables related to survival, including terrain ruggedness, distance to escape terrain, and canopy cover. Additionally, the analysis identified population barriers corresponding with prior disease exposure metrics, suggesting that social contact patterns play a crucial role in disease transmission dynamics. This research provides valuable insights into the fitness tradeoffs of sociality and its implications for conservation strategies.
Exploring Peace within the Cognitive-Affective Structure of the Destination Image of Glacier National Park
Peace designation significantly influences the destination image of Glacier National Park (GNP), a component of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, by shaping visitors' affective experiences and behavioral intentions. A conceptual model tested with survey data from 379 park visitors revealed that natural environment, social atmosphere, peace designation, and infrastructure collectively impact the affective image of GNP. Social atmosphere, peace designation, and affective image were key predictors of visitors' behavioral intentions, underscoring the potential for peace designations to enhance visitor engagement and management strategies in national parks.
Immersing Students in Conservation and Community
A study highlights the Swan Valley, Montana, as a critical component of the Crown of the Continent ecosystem, recognized for its ecological integrity and biodiversity. This region, adjacent to Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park, supports diverse wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, and lynx, while also being culturally significant to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The research emphasizes the importance of immersive educational approaches in fostering conservation awareness among students, leveraging the valley's unique attributes as a living laboratory for community engagement and ecological study.
Clashing Values, the Blackfeet, and a Measure of Success in the Badger-Two Medicine
A study on the Badger-Two Medicine region highlights the clash between indigenous cultural preservation and ecological conservation values. The research emphasizes the significance of this sacred Blackfeet territory, which spans nearly 30,000 square miles in Montana's Rocky Mountain Front. This area, part of the Crown of the Continent, is renowned for its untrammeled wilderness, hosting critical populations of large carnivores and native fish, as well as vast natural wildlife corridors. The study explores how these ecological values intersect with indigenous perspectives, particularly those of the Blackfeet Confederacy, who have inhabited the region since time immemorial. It also examines the challenges and potential for success in balancing these competing priorities within protected public lands.
Comparing citizen science and professional data to evaluate extrapolated mountain goat distribution models
A study comparing citizen science data with professional surveys found that volunteer-collected mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) location data can effectively evaluate species distribution models, offering a low-cost alternative for wildlife managers. The research analyzed aerial and ground survey data from professionals and volunteers across Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, comparing these datasets to two extrapolated mountain goat models. Results showed that all dataset types correlated positively with model predictions, with aerial observations (rs = 0.964) slightly outperforming professional ground surveys (rs = 0.946) and volunteer ground data (rs = 0.898). A model developed in the Greater Yellowstone Area proved most informative, suggesting that citizen science, when paired with robust protocols and training, can reliably contribute to wildlife research. The findings recommend expanding this approach to other species and developing distribution models using citizen science data.
Functional flows: an environmental flow regime benefits riparian cottonwoods along the Waterton River, Alberta
An environmental flow regime implemented in the Waterton River, Alberta, significantly benefited riparian cottonwoods (Populus trichocarpa and P. angustifolia) by increasing minimum flows and introducing gradual recession after spring peaks. The study found that these 'functional flows' enhanced tree growth and colonization, particularly by raising the minimum discharge from 0.93 to 2.27 m³/s. Tree ring analyses revealed improved growth patterns in established trees, while spatial distributions indicated that cottonwood colonization elevated with increased flow. Historical comparisons across four dam operation intervals—pre-dam, early post-dam, drought period, and environmental flow regime—highlighted the ecological benefits of regulated flows for riparian ecosystems.
Towards a just landscape
A unique exploration of the 49th Parallel, a 20-foot clear-cut swath dividing the US and Canada along their International Boundary, reveals its profound political and ecological consequences within the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. This multi-part project, comprising three artist's books, challenges conventional perceptions of border regions by reimagining human interactions with these areas. Through creative works, it sheds light on how the physical demarcation of borders impacts both the landscape and international relations, particularly in a site dedicated to peace and goodwill.
Thermal tolerance of meltwater stoneflyLednia tumananymphs from an alpine stream in Waterton–Glacier International Peace Park, Montana, USA
Research on the meltwater stonefly Lednia tumana reveals critical insights into its thermal tolerance limits, with lethal temperature maxima (LTM) of 32.3 ± 0.28°C and 31.05 ± 0.78°C under acclimation temperatures of 8.5°C and 15°C, respectively. While these metrics did not show statistically significant differences, they suggest potential vulnerabilities to rising stream temperatures in alpine ecosystems. The study employed controlled water bath experiments to measure critical thermal maxima (CTM) and LTM, providing a foundation for assessing the impacts of climate change on this species, which is limited to glacial and snowmelt-driven streams in the Waterton–Glacier International Peace Park and a candidate for endangered species listing. Predicted chronic temperature maxima were 20.6°C and 20.2°C for the two acclimation treatments, underscoring the need for further research on long-term thermal effects.
Parks, Peace, and Partnership
A global shift towards cross-boundary collaboration is emerging as the key to sustaining biodiversity and fostering peaceful relations between neighboring countries. This collection of essays highlights innovative approaches from international protected areas, including Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, demonstrating that managing ecosystems across political boundaries enhances ecological viability and community well-being. Contributions from park managers, biologists, scholars, and researchers illustrate both challenges and solutions, reflecting current international strategies for addressing shared environmental and socio-political issues.
Transboundary Conservation across Scales: A World–Regional Inventory and a Local Case Study from the United States–Mexico Border
Transboundary conservation, which involves protecting ecosystems that span international borders, has expanded significantly over the past half-century. A global inventory reveals 227 transboundary protected areas (TBPAs) covering over 4.6 million square kilometers, with notable examples including the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park (30,975 km²), straddling the U.S.-Canada border since 1932. However, the term 'transboundary' encompasses a range of configurations, from contiguous reserves to clusters of separate areas, often lacking clear definitions. The study examines regional disparities in TBPAs and explores challenges in cross-border coordination, using the U.S.-Mexico border as a local case study. It highlights the need for improved clarity in terminology and strategic planning to enhance effective conservation across borders.
Compelling Science Saves a River Valley
A comprehensive environmental assessment demonstrated that the Flathead River, a pristine waterway flowing through Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), maintains significantly better water quality and biodiversity compared to the nearby Elk River, which has been affected by decades of coal mining. The study revealed that the Elk basin had over 1000 times higher nitrate levels, 100 times more sulfates, and 10 times greater selenium concentrations than the Flathead, with corresponding losses in aquatic biodiversity. This scientific evidence, combined with a UNESCO fact-finding mission and diplomatic efforts, led to a landmark accord prohibiting coal mining and gas extraction in the transboundary North Fork of the Flathead River Basin, setting an international precedent for valuing ecosystem protection over resource extraction.
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