about us
The Rocky Mountain foothills of Alberta extends from the Montana Border north to the Kakwa Wilderness area. The foothills region has long been of interest to man. The 1700s to the 1900s marked an influx of people for the purposes of exploring the region for fur and mineral resources.
The eastern slopes of the Rockies has a rich history of traditions in which man has played a key role. Old cabins and aboriginal grave sites are seen throughout the foothills region. From 1974 to 1979, archaeological digs uncovered evidence that people have been living in the Willmore area for at least ten thousand years. Remnants of human encampments at Grande Cache Lake confirmed that human habitation did indeed exist long ago. More recent signs show that life was teeming in the area during the 1700s and 1800s. During one archeological
survey on the Kakwa Valley in the 1990s, Outfitter Bazil Leonard and Elder Tom Wanyandie of
Grande Cache guided archeologists to the remnants of many log cabins on the
Kakwa River, which dated to the middle 1800s. Aboriginal people, fur traders and
natural resource prospectors have long utilized the region.
Man has been a key player in maintaining the foothills ecosystem and has historically helped manage the landscape.This region is home to a mixed forest and is made up of
varied plant life, which consists, in part, of muskeg and wetland areas. Wildlife
populations include grizzly, black bear, cougar, wolf, caribou, wolverine, elk, mule
deer, whitetail deer, moose, mountain goat, and a variety of fur-bearing animals. The
area is home to many migratory birds that use the eastern slopes of the Rockies to
raise their offspring during the spring and summer seasons. The foothills also provide summer and winter habitat for bull trout and many other fish species. The
Rocky Mountain foothills contain a wonderful diversity of ecosystems and an incredible variety of plant life.
The Alberta Foothills Outdoor Coalition (AFOC) is a network of outdoor recreational
groups who are committed to the well being of the eastern slopes habitat. These
groups work and play in this wilderness area and are committed to ensuring access
to the foothills region, where their members can enjoy the wilderness in a
responsible way. Historically, Albertans have enjoyed a connection to the land and
AFOC believes that this connection must continue in the future. AFOC will work with
government to ensure use of the foothills is managed in an
accountable way.