In April, 2015 the Waterton Biosphere Reserve released a short film titled Sharing the Range, telling the story of the challenges of living with large carnivores.  It also provides viewers a glimpse into the lives of farmers and ranchers in the area who are rising to meet these challenges. To date the film has been well received and opened up important discussions on the future of large carnivores, ranching, and how the two may coexist.

We would like to invite you to attend one of three upcoming showings of Sharing the Range. While the film is available online, each one of these events presents a unique opportunity to view the film and participate in the hosted event.

Upcoming showings include:

Nature Conservancy of Canada’s 11th Annual Eat & Greet – 5 pm – Friday, February 5th at the Twin Butte Community Hall
More details on the Eat and Greet event available here.

2016 Winter Speaker Series:   Footprints on the Landscape – 7 pm – Tuesday, February 23rd at the Pincher Creek Municipal Library.
Join us in person at the Pincher Creek Municipal Library, or via video conference at available libraries across Alberta (see link for details) as we join with the Blackfoot Challenge in Montana to discuss the challenges of living with large carnivores and how ranchers on both sides of the border are meeting these challenges.   During the presentation short clips of Sharing the Range will be shared, along with clips from the Blackfoot Challenge’s newly released film Boneyards, Bears and Wolves.

Also related to Sharing the Range and a part of the 2016 Winter Speaker Series:  

Join Andrea Morehouse at 7 pm – Tuesday, March 1st at the Pincher Creek Municipal Library or via video conference at available libraries across Alberta (see linkfor details) as she provides updates on The Southwest Alberta Grizzly Bear Monitoring Project.  The Southwest Alberta Grizzly Bear Monitoring Project (GBMP) tracked Grizzly Bears from 2011-­-2014, by analyzing hair samples collected from bear rub objects, fence crossings, and other opportunistic sampling locations with the aim to provide updated information on grizzly bear density and abundance within southwestern Alberta. PhD candidate Andrea Morehouse presents the latest results and findings.

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To date the film has been very well received, offering new perspectives on the challenges of living with large carnivores like grizzly bears.    Most importantly, Sharing the Range is providing opportunities for conversation regarding the management of grizzly bears.

“These discussions come at a critical time, with the impending release of a newly proposed Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan which will outline the future management of grizzly bears in the province of Alberta “, says Jeff Bectell, rancher, Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association Chair and Coordinator of the WBR Carnivore Working Group .

With this in mind, the Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association is bringing Sharing the Range to Calgary on September 22^nd and to Canmore on September 23^rd.   Part of these events will include a short history on grizzly bears in the province of Alberta and discussion periods with the audience.

Special guests at the showings in Canmore and Calgary will include Alberta Government Wildlife Specialists and ranchers from the Waterton Biosphere Reserve area in southwestern Alberta.    These events are open to the public and admission is free of charge (donations will be accepted).  RSVP is appreciated but not required.

We hope you will join us !

Special showings of Sharing the Range and opportunities for discussion are planned as follows:

Calgary

Date: September 22^nd, 2015
Time: 7pm
Location: Mount Royal University – Roderick Mah Centre – Room EC1040
Event webpage (includes map and parking details): http://www.sharingtherange.com/event/calgary/

Canmore

Date: September 23^nd, 2015
Time: 7pm
Location: Canmore Collegiate High School Theatre
Event webpage (includes map): http://www.sharingtherange.com/event/canmore/

For more information and to RSVP visit: www.sharingtherange.com

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Sharing the Range on the big screen at the Remington Carriage Museum Theatre

Cardston, AB – May 8th, 2015 – Sharing the Range, a film about the challenges of living with large carnivores premiered in Cardston, Alberta on May 8^th.   The short film, just fifteen minutes in length, provides a glimpse into the lives of farmers and ranchers in southwestern Alberta who share their land with a high population density of grizzly bears.

Produced by the Waterton Biosphere Reserve, Sharing the Range provides spectacular images of grizzly bears raising their cubs alongside people and cattle.  It also tells the story of the people that raise the cattle, and their families here.

The film premiered to a full house, a testimony to the number of people who care about the farm and ranch families in the area, along with the grizzly bears who also call this special area home.

In Sharing the Range, local ranchers talk about the concerns they have for the safety of their families and their livestock.   They share examples of the work that farmers and ranchers have done to reduce the risk of conflict with grizzly bears.  Many landowners have carried out attractant management projects and made operational changes to allow for coexistence with bears.  Still, the people in this area are facing significant conflicts with large carnivores.  These conflicts can have a serious impact on their lives, both in terms of safety and economics, along with the stress that comes from both worries.

“In the past week we have lost two calves to grizzly bears, with a third calf badly injured – it might not make it either,” Jen Jenkins, local rancher, told the crowd following the premiere.   Her family respects the wildlife on their ranch, but in the last few years are seeing an increase in losses to bears.   “For most of my life I only remember ever losing a handful of cattle to carnivores, maybe 6 head in 20 plus years.  Since 2013 we have lost 9 head directly to bears, and probably another 10 head due to secondary problems associated with attacks on our cattle.   We do everything we can to protect our livestock and allow the bears space to roam, but the challenges are still there. ”

Following the premiere in Cardston, folks gather for some interesting discussion on grizzly bears and the future of ranching in southwestern Alberta.

Sharing the Range tells the story of the important role that farmers and ranchers play in looking after the environment in southwestern Alberta and the hard work involved in sustaining healthy habitat for wildlife, including grizzly bears.  It also makes a call for people to consider the responsibility we all have in managing wildlife and how we can better support the families that are on the land, day to day facing the challenges of living with grizzly bears and other large carnivores.

“We hope that people will recognize the effort being made by landowners to coexist with large carnivores and will provide their support to those efforts” says Jeff Bectell, rancher, Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association Chair and Coordinator of the WBR Carnivore Working Group. “Both financial and political support is needed to continue deadstock pickup and conflict reduction projects, to see producers fairly compensated for livestock killed by predators, and to implement a grizzly bear recovery plan that allows for bear management that is effective not only for grizzly bears but also for the safety and livelihood of farm and ranch families.”

View Sharing the Range and learn more about the film:  www.sharingtherange.com

Additional showing dates:

Pincher Creek & District Municipal Library

May 14th, 7pm

Waterton Lakes Opera House
Thursday May 21st at 7pm
Following the movie we invite you to stay for music, food and drinks withPetunia and Tin and the Toad

Twin Butte Community Hall – TBA

Maycroft Bear Safety Workshop
May 27th at 1pm – exact location TBA

Waterton Wildflower Festival
June 24th 2015, details TBA

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