Development of a Heli-skiing and Mountain Goat Habitat Model

This map presentation illustrates the process of developing a habitat management model for mountain goats’ winter range habitat within heli-skiing terrain in northern British Columbia. The model was developed as a master of science thesis project in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment, Cascade Environmental Resource Group Ltd., and Last Frontier Heli-skiing. The model integrates results of a predictive habitat model, noise simulation, and viewshed analysis and considers disturbance levels to mountain goats. The habitat management model was developed as a case study of existing tourism and wildlife management objectives and practices established by the Ministry of Environment in the Skeena Region of British Columbia. The objective of this research was to develop and evaluate site-specific adaptive management programs for commercial heli-recreation operators.

The effects of helicopter overflight disturbance to wildlife are well documented. The research question asked whether topographic features could protect mountain goats from visual and audio disturbances caused by helicopters. The model was developed to expand existing research and knowledge of mountain goat behavior and habitat values and further current mitigation measures for the protection of wildlife and recreational users. The results found that within the study area, the existing British Columbia 2,000-meter no-fly zone could be decreased to 1,500 meters with minimal change to the disturbance levels that may affect future goat populations. This demonstrated that helicopters within the study area could use the natural landscape to minimize visual and audio impacts to mountain goats.