Acknowledgements
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that this research was conducted on the tradiation territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 Region of Southern Alberta (Calgary Foundation, 2019).
We would like to thank our funding partners, Global Water Futures, Alberta Innovates and Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grant programs for the financial support on research conducted within this project. We would also like to thank the shareholders of Fortress Mountain Resort and their Management team for site access, logistical support, and wildlife awareness. Special thanks to Chris Chevalier (President), Chris Mueller (Director of Operations), Thomas Heath (Managing Director), and Mel Folden (Maintenance). Thank you to Jessica Williamson, Sheryl Chau, and Lindsey Langs for their assistance in data collection during summer 2018; Eric Kessel for guidance in soil processing; and Brandon Van Huizen for aid with the horizon shade model. Finally, thank you Matt Bolding, Calvin Lei, and Jordan Reynolds from the Rooney Lab (University of Waterloo) for conducting the vegetation survey and sharing raw data, and to Dr. Derek Robinson and Benjamin Meinen (University of Waterloo) for performing drone flights and processing imagery.