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.