1. Most people work for NCC
because of their passion for
Nature and the love of the
outdoors. Its important from time
to time to connect with the work
we do on the ground to remind us
of our achievements but also the
challenges that are still to come.
Its also a way to recharge the
batteries and get re-invigorated
in the important conservation
work NCC does.

2. Highlights of the Week:
A crew of NCC’ers (Kelly Eaton, Brendan Such, Kara Tersen, Larry Simpson and
Marie Tremblay and I) got together and toured the newly acquired Lusicich
property in the Crowsnest pass. The ladies did a flowering plant inventory and
found over 50 species, which is a story in itself.

3. The 263 acre Lusicich Property (outlined in green) is located in the Crowsnest
Pass Natural Area. As you can see it borders the north side of the Crowsnest
Lake as well as just east of a 160 acre property NCC acquired from the Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundation.
Crowsnest Lake

4. Crowsnest Mountain
A scenic picture of the property from across the lake - The ridge on the left
depicts the west boundary and the east boundary is not quite in the picture.
Not part of the property, but a great reference point is the Crowsnest
Mountain seen in the distance.

5. NCC’s involvement in the Crowsnest Pass Natural area is primarily motivated
by the objective of maintaining and enhancing wildlife linkage zones and
corridors across and along the Crowsnest pass valley in SW Alberta. In
addition the variation of climate and elevation gradient located along this
east west valley creates habitat that supports a high diversity of species.

6. The Lusicich project has significant habitat value, including douglas fir
forests, montane grassland, north-south, east- west wildlife movement
corridors and consequently has significant connectivity for species including
grizzly bear, elk and wolf. A previous visit to the property with Ian Barnett
revealed at least one wolf kill of an Elk and possibly a second.

7. Bear claw marks

8. Just west of Lusicich and on the edge of
the other property NCC owns, the group
explored a large Karsk that emerges
from the cliff and caves to flow into
Crowsnest Lake.

9. Then Larry and I toured the Cervo property, and
the 3 miles of the Crowsnest river that we have
conserved with our partners in the east block of
the Crowsnest Natural Area. We stumbled upon a
young cinnamon bear – or should I say Bailey my
trusted Beagle did. No harm no foul though!
That night we stayed at the Casa Eaton in Fernie
BC and, with the fortitude provided by red wine,
we traded stories with Dave Eaton a renowned
outdoors enthusiast himself. Its amazing what
can get accomplished in these discussions – but
never fully remembered the next day.

10. The next morning...Larry and I attempted to summit the 8,000 ft Mt. Broadwood-NCC’s
22,000 acre property in the Elk Valley, but a 250 meter cirque interrupted our goal. We
saw a number of wonderful trophy rams at the summit as well as a number of females
and young.

11. Next was the Flathead valley to see what 390,000 acres of conserved SE BC forestlands
looks like. We camped overnight on the NCC property near the wardens cabin. We were
able to spot a few more bears (yearlings) and probably the largest wolf I have seen in my
life. He looked like the size of a small deer.
The picture is of the wardens cabin

12. We returned to Waterton via the
logging roads of the Flathead and got
lost – let alone almost destroying my
truck by the ruggedness of the road –
or lack thereof.
Alberta Ranch was the next stop, where Larry
and I tried our luck at fly-fishing in Pincher
Creek that runs through it. We had lots of
action including a 20” rainbow for me.
Larry was re-learning the art of Fly-
fishing, but he caught his fair share and
learned a bit more about the sport that I
suspect will become more frequently
used on high end donor trips.

13. Pincher creek valley on the Alberta Ranch property

14. We stayed on Waterton property near the Waterton
river. We invited Nancy Newhouse from NCC-BC over
to stay , as we knew she was spending time in the
area with her daughter.
We witnessed at last 40 cow elk and young emerge
from the thicket on the Palmer ridge to graze in the
evening. As well as a Snipe performing their unique
“woo –woo- woo” sound that they make with their
wings.

15. The last day we tried a little more fishing on the Waterton River, but the
water was very high. Additional attempts were made to fish on the Brooks
property that abuts the Belly River, as it flows out of Waterton Lakes National
Park, but the local Rancher, Gordy West noted that a Grizzly was active in the
area – so we took a pass and headed home via the cowboy trail.
Final Thoughts: Once every 50yrs for a “Time for Nature” is not enough!.
Nothing could be better than a week in the field to re-connect with the work
we do, the people we work with and the added bonus that no e-mails are
piling up back at the office!