Planning for urban wildlife: a method and its application to Fish Creek Provincial Park, Alberta

Abstract

The relevance of planning to wildlife conservation in urban areas is discussed. A methodology is developed for providing wildlife inputs in an urban master planning process. Appreciative uses are related to the human benefits which can be derived from urban wildlife. Land is evaluated according to its capability for supporting wildlife values. The methodology is used to generate wildlife information for the conceptual master planning of Fish Creek Provincial Park, Alberta. Habitat areas, linkage and movement corridors and site specific requirements are incorporated into a resource zoning plan. Management priorities are defined. Wildlife information is produced, which is compatable with other planning information, and is projected into the decision-making process. An example of mission-oriented planning and management study of a valuable wildlife species is included.