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Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in Banff National Park, Canada, and the surrounding ecosystem exist in one of the most developed and politically complex environments where the species persists. Human development and activity have significantly stressed the grizzlies' population and habitat. The Canadian National Parks Act was amended in 1988 to ensure the ecological integrity of nature. When a federal task force (Banff-Bow Valley Study) was established in 1994, status of grizzly bears was used as a fundamental indicator of terrestrial ecological integrity. Also in 1994, the Eastern Slopes Grizzly Bear Project (ESGBP) was formed as a multi-stakeholder partnership between 4 societal segments: national and provincial governments, business, conservation groups, and academic researchers. The primary mandate was to scientifically define through research the cumulative effects of human development on the regional grizzly bear population. An ESGBP Steering Committee meets quarterly to set research policy, primarily by using strategic targeting and knowledge of the policy and management process to design input into the Banff-Bow Valley planning process. Strategic targeting indicated the importance of analyzing preliminary data on mortality, habitat effectiveness, habitat security, habitat quality, and landscape linkages. ESGBP data on these topics significantly influenced policy decisions because we: (1) took a multi-stakeholder and interagency approach to research, (2) established a solid public understanding of the issue before discussion of solutions, (3) provided the messages as experts outside government, (4) involved key decision makers directly in developing the park management plan, and they understood our concerns and contributed solutions, (5) provided specific targets and goals that could be incorporated into policy, and (6) were persistent and timely in presenting our results (goals and targets) and their implications.