Robert W. Sandford is the author or editor of over 20books on the nature, history, and culture of the Canadian West. He isthe Canadian Chair of the United Nations International Decade¿Water for Life, ¿ an initiative that aims to advancelong-term water quality and availability issues in response to climatechange in Canada and abroad. He is also an Honorary Member of theAssociation of Canadian Mountain Guides. He lives in Canmore, Alberta.