Page 15 - Sphere No.12 (Aug 2004)

hurt the species. The CRRP restores shrub
and tree vegetation, blocks corridors and
re-establishes natural drainage patterns.
Carol Engstrom, a biologist with Husky,
is on the management team of the CRRP.
She believes that Husky can make a differ-
ence by “working together with other oil
and gas companies, and by doing ground
research to determine which methods are
most effective in returning the historical
footprint to viable habitat.”
As for why an oil and gas company
should do this work, Engstrom explains:
“If we are operating in an area where
a species is threatened, it is part of our job
to ensure their viability. It’s the right
thing to do.”
Another example of efforts that go
above and beyond can be found in
Husky’s work around Moose Mountain
in Kananaskis Country. An hour’s drive
west from Calgary, this is a popular
wilderness recreation destination on the
eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
Since Kananaskis is such a popular tourist
area and its mountainous ecology so pre-
cious, Husky has made every effort to
reduce its impact. Before beginning the
construction process for a new pipeline
and oil and gas wells, Husky commis-
sioned studies on wildlife, fish, vegeta-
tion, and rare plants. These efforts go
much further than the regulatory mini-
mum required for project approval.
Working on the conservation front and
accomplishing lofty goals can be chal-
lenging when there are financial con-
straints. Limited budgets, a small number
of staff and high administrative costs can
soak up resources all too quickly.
Financial support from the private sector
is therefore always warmly welcomed.
Making a Difference
Financial help, especially large-scale con-
tributions from industry, can make a
huge difference. Similarly, work from vol-
unteers also helps stretch a dollar.
Committed volunteers, who ask for noth-
ing more than an opportunity to help in
a cause they believe in, are a major driv-
ing force in saving threatened species.
“You’re trying to do the best you can
with limited resources,” says Shepherd of
Ducks Unlimited. “You’re not working
for a cheque, that’s for sure, but the pay-
offs are pretty significant. It has nothing
to do with my job or with my core
responsibilities, but I go out and I volun-
teer, and I have taught classes at my son’s
school. It’s not a job; it’s a lifestyle.”
Funding is vital for sustaining conser-
vation efforts. Believing in this capacity
to make a difference, Husky contributes
financially to many other programmes.
The Eastern Slopes Grizzly Bear Project
(ESGBP) was established in 1994 when
the community became concerned about
grizzly bear deaths, only to realise that
inadequate scientific information existed
to help save them. The ESGBP was
formed to study grizzlies in the Alberta
foothills and the Columbia River Valley.
As a result of the project, much has been
learned about the interaction between
bears and humans. For example, 86% of
all male and 75% of all female grizzly
bear fatalities are caused by humans.
The study found that population num-
bers are actually rising, albeit very gradu-
ally. However, low reproductive rates
are a concern.
“The population is so delicately bal-
anced that the situation requires everyone
to participate,” says Steve Herrero, ESGBP
Steering Committee Chairperson and
Research Supervisor.
When all is said and done, one question
remains: can conser-
vation efforts sup-
ported by com-
panies such as
Husky Energy
achieve their
goals in
C a n a d a ?
A l t h o u g h
victories are
e a r n e d
the hard way,
the answer is
a resounding “yes”.
SPHERE 13