Glen Hvenegaard, PhD

Contact

Professor, Augustana - Sciences

Email: gth@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 679-1574
Address: 3-08 Founders' Hall
4901 46 Ave

Camrose AB

T4V 2R3

Overview

Area of Study / Keywords

parks tourism wildlife sustainability environmental education biogeography bird conservation citizen science environmental interpretation

About

I have worked at the Augustana Campus since 1994. My previous degrees are from the University of Alberta (BSc Forestry, MSc Wildland Recreation) and the University of Victoria (PhD Geography). At my university and for professional organizations, I have served on the following:

•Manager, Augustana Miquelon Lake Research Station (2015-2019)

•Chair, Camrose Wildlife and Stewardship Society (2009-)

•World Commission on Protected Areas, IUCN (1994-)

•Tourism and Protected Areas Specialty Group, WCPA (1996-)

•Science Committee, Beaver Hills Biosphere (2008-)

•Associate Editor, Human Dimensions of Wildlife (2019-)

•Associate Editor, Journal of Ecotourism (2019-)

•Board of Directors, Beaverhill Bird Observatory (2020-)

Research

My research program focuses on the conservation aspects of ecotourism, biogeography, park interpretation, and rural sustainability. First, I try to understand the actual and potential roles of ecotourism in promoting conservation (eg. wildilfe festivals, conservation volunteers, bird watchers, whale watchers, park users, and dark sky tourists). Second, I use biogeography principles to help conserve birds in rural landscapes (eg. Purple Martins, owls, Least Flycatchers). Third, I examine teaching and learning issues related to environmental education (eg. park interpretation effectiveness, undergraduate research, and field studies).

Please see my CV above for publications

Teaching

I teach a variety of courses in environmental studies and geography, including:

•AUENV 120: Human Activities and the Natural Environment

•AUENV 230: Geomorphology; including lab

•AUENV 231: Climatology; including lab

•AUENV 252: Wildlife Diversity of Alberta

•AUENV 320/420: Parks and Wilderness

•AUENV 334: Field Studies in Environmental Science and Ecology

•AUENV 327: Environmental Education and Heritage Interpretation

•AUENV 421: Environmental Science: History and Impacts

Courses

AUENV 230 - Geomorphology

Analysis of (1) geomorphological processes and agents (such as movement of the earth's crust, volcanism, water, glaciers, waves, currents, wind, and gravity) that create and modify the earth's surface and (2) landforms. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUGEO 230 (2021) and AUENV 230. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.

Winter Term 2025

AUENV 421 - Environmental Science: History and Impacts

Overview of the historical developments, past and current impacts, and changing roles of the field of environmental science. Prerequisites: One of AUBIO 350, AUENV 320, 324, 350, 420, AUGEO 320 (2021), 324 (2021), 420 (2021) and at least fourth-year standing. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUENV 421 and AUGEO 421 (2021).

Winter Term 2025

Browse more courses taught by Glen Hvenegaard

Scholarly Activities

Research - Dark Sky Tourism: visitor outcomes and rural sustainability

Started: 2022-10-15

We are investigating the potential for dark sky tourism to achieve positive visitor outcomes and rural sustainability goals using the Jasper Dark Sky Festival and the Beaver Hills as case studies.

Research - Environmental History of Frank Farley, an early naturalist and ornithologist in Alberta

Frank Farley (1870-1949), a prominent early settler in East Central Alberta was.a keen amateur ornithologist and participated actively in conversations with professional ornithologists such as federal scientist Percy Taverner and Professor William Rowan, the first chair of the Zoology Department at the University of Alberta. In addition to supporting a successful business career and commitments to the community of Camrose, Farley made significant contributions to ornithology, wildlife protection, environmental education, scientific articles, mentoring. Additionally, Farley served as the first warden at the Miquelon Lake Bird Sanctuary. Farley successfully bridged the domains of amateur and professional ornithology, contributed as a public intellectual to key environmental issues, and exemplified both ends of the mentoring relationship.

Research - Purple Martin movement dynamics

Working with colleagues across North America, we are learning about migration patterns of Purple Martins to and from Brazil, their major wintering areas. Working with colleagues in Alberta, we are documenting natal and breeding dispersal. Working with landlords in Camrose, we are investigating nest box selection by martins and the effects of landlord stewardship activities.

Research - Sustainable tourism in protected areas

Protected areas are a key component of any global conservation strategy. Tourism provides a crucial and unique way of fostering visitors’ connection with protected area values, making it a potentially positive force for conservation. Protected area tourism’s economic benefits—which depend on beautiful natural areas, healthy wildlife and nature, and authentic cultures—can also be a powerful argument for conservation. Tourism in protected areas is a major part of the global tourism industry—an industry whose scale and impacts are enormous. Such a high volume of visitors implies certain needs for fundamental infrastructure and requirements for employment and human services, all of which have ramifications for the economy, society, culture and the environment.

Tourism and visitor management in protected areas

Research - Visitor outcomes of personal interpretation in Alberta's provincial parks

2017 to 2023

Interpretation is an important tool used by Alberta Parks to fulfill its mandate to "inspire people to discover, value, protect, and enjoy the natural world." The aim of this research project is to determine the short and long-term outcomes of interpretive programs, the factors influencing those outcomes, and the consistency of outcomes with staff perceptions of provincial goals, management plans, policies, and strategies.

Outcomes of Interpretation in Alberta's Provincial Parks

Are We Creatures of Logic or Emotions? Investigating the Role of Attitudes, Worldviews, Emotions, and Knowledge Gain From Environmental Interpretation on Behavioural Intentions of Park Visitors

Clara-Jane Blye, Glen Hvenegaard, Elizabeth Halpenny

Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership. 2023 January; 10.18666/jorel-2022-11654

Personal Interpretation Starts with the Interpreter: How Do Outcome Priorities Change Over Time among Interpretive Staff?

Journal of Park and Recreation Administration. 2022 January; 10.18666/JPRA-2021-10605

Age and sex influence natal and breeding dispersal of purple martins

Western Birds. 2021 January;

Ecological Compromise: Can Alternative Beaver Management Maintain Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Biodiversity?

Wetlands. 2021 January; 10.1007/s13157-021-01494-7

Factors affecting the sustainability of ecotourism among tourism service providers in São Paulo, Brazil

South Asian Journal of Socio-Political Studies. 2021 January;

Free Fallin’? The decline in evidence-based decision-making by Canada’s protected areas managers

Facets. 2021 January; 10.1139/FACETS-2020-0085

Parks and Protected Areas: Mobilizing Knowledge for Effective Decision-Making

MDPI. 2021 January;

Purple Martin Nest House Selection in Central Alberta, Canada

Wildlife Society Bulletin. 2021 January; 10.1002/wsb.1161

View additional publications

Links

Research on Personal Interpretation in Alberta's Provincial Parks