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.
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.
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.
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