不良研究所

The Rocky Mountains provide a picturesque backdrop for some of the most important environmental education and research in Canada.

From local junior high and high school students to undergraduate and graduate students, the University of 不良研究所鈥檚 has inspired many to follow their passions over the last 60 years. 

One of only two U不良研究所 field-research stations in the Rockies, it and the , a research-only facility in Sheep River Provincial Park, are overseen by the U不良研究所 Biogeoscience Institute, recently renamed the . 

Over the years, it has become the home base for national and international researchers and collaborations, and has hosted visitors from around the world.

A rich Rocky Mountain history

Situated in the Kananaskis Valley along Highway 40, just six miles south of the Trans-Canada, construction began on the six-acre facility in early 1966, even as U不良研究所 itself prepared to relaunch as an independent university.

The original vision included two teaching laboratories and four research areas for students and staff, along with a lodge to provide sleeping dining quarters.

Mostly completed by that summer, its first cohort of researchers and students were quickly able to get into nature and start studying a largely unstudied area.

According to the centre鈥檚 first director, Dr. James Cragg, PhD, it was an 鈥渆xtraordinarily successful鈥� first session.

鈥淭here is a growing demand for knowledge of the natural environment,鈥� he said in an Aug. 27, 1966, interview with the 不良研究所 Herald. 鈥淭his summer was essentially a tryout. All students thoroughly enjoyed it.鈥�

Cragg said there was a great need to study nature in its undisturbed state in an age of increasing pollution, adding the area provided a very diverse mix of bogs, lakes, streams, hills, mountains and habitats for a variety of wildlife.

The , a research-only facility located in Sheep River Provincial Park, and U不良研究所鈥檚 other Rockies field-research station, also dates back to the late 1960s.

A wide array of research

鈥淲e鈥檝e become known as a place to come and work, with easy access to glaciers, mountains, forests, lakes, rivers and small mammals,鈥� says , PhD, current scientific director for the U不良研究所 Kananaskis Centre. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just a place to study the environment, as we are also being mindful of the human presence.鈥�

As Vamosi and his staff map out the future for Barrier Lake, they hope to build on the last 60 years of success through community and connection with nature.

Over the ensuing years, Vamosi says the variety and depth of research being undertaken at Barrier Lake is something the U不良研究所 community should be proud of.

He points to the work around bighorn sheep as a prime example, which includes tracking population dynamics and even horn size over time in response to hunting.

Vamosi says excellent research has also been going on at Marmot Creek Basin on how water systems work and how we can better understand glaciers, as well as work on butterflies and how they are impacted by forest fires and climate change.

鈥淔rom the very beginning, we have had some really forward-thinking researchers here who have wanted to study montane ecosystems using a variety of approaches, as well as the relationship between humans and our environment,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hey have always really wanted to go out there. They have been passionate about it, to go get funding for it and make it self-sustaining.鈥�

More than just scholarly activities

While research is the primary focus at Barrier Lake, the facility also functions as an educational base for school groups, U不良研究所 undergraduate students and visitors.

Barrier Lake field research manager Adrienne Cunnings, BSc鈥�10, MSc鈥�13, says they have seen groups from ecology and environmental science to engineering and arts.

For many, it鈥檚 an eye-opening experience to see the world in a different way with the serene surroundings.

鈥淏eing outside allows for more inquiry-based learning to happen,鈥� Cunnings says. 鈥淚t allows for students to take what they learn in a classroom and spend a day outside to do actual field work.鈥�

While it鈥檚 important to have various groups out to work and play in the mountains, Cunnings says the Barrier Lake team is also mindful of the need for balance so the station isn鈥檛 overrun by people, potentially scaring off wildlife or having a negative impact on ecosystems.

A future worth preserving

As Vamosi and Cunnings look ahead to the next 60 years, they say community and connection will be key to Barrier Lake鈥檚 continued success.

Vamosi says they have taken pride in working with local Indigenous communities to enhance the depth of learning and research happening at the facility. The team is working with Elders to document names and stories associated with the area to honour ancestors.

As an example, Vamosi says some of the most important trails in the region, including what is now a paved Highway 40, have a history that long predates the arrival of settlers, and it鈥檚 important for field station visitors to see and appreciate the history.

He hopes this knowledge also inspires visitors to turn off their devices and truly get into nature.

鈥淎s 不良研究所 continues to grow and urbanize, I think these sites will only become more valuable and more impactful,鈥� Vamosi says. 鈥淟et鈥檚 get out of the classroom, out of the city, go outside, and get some real sun, real rain, real sleet 鈥� sometimes all in the same day 鈥� and you may encounter some real wildlife.鈥�

Cunnings says they are also eternally grateful to have the backing from the U不良研究所 community, as more faculty, staff, students, alumni and donors view Barrier Lake as an essential part of the extended campus.

鈥淭he key to our success has been the support from the university, especially from President Ed McCauley,鈥� she says. 鈥淗e has been so incredibly supportive of the field station and it鈥檚 truly the reason why we鈥檙e still here.鈥�

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