You are here

Home » Public Invited To Weigh In On Plans For Canada’s Mountain Parks

Public Invited To Weigh In On Plans For Canada’s Mountain Parks

Share
By NPT Staff - April 15th, 2021

A solo canoeist on Moraine Lake in Banff National Park.

Enjoying Moraine Lake in Banff National Park/Johan Lolos, Destination Canada

Parks Canada has officially launched Indigenous and public engagement on the draft management plans for the mountain national parks.

It’s inviting all Canadians, including youth, to share their views on the draft plans and help influence the future of these spots. Public engagement programs are underway for Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Yoho National Park, Kootenay National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, Mount Revelstoke National Park and Canada's Glacier National Park (and with it Rogers Pass National Historic Site).

"The mountain national parks are iconic Canadian treasures, internationally renowned for their marvelous landscapes, amazing visitor experiences and incredible biodiversity,” Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, said in a news release. “Management planning in the mountain national parks is an opportunity for the public to help shape the future of these special places so that we can protect and enjoy them for generations to come."

The parks are among the oldest national parks in Canada. Banff was the first national park established in Canada in 1885. Yoho and Glacier followed in 1886 and Waterton Lakes was added in 1895. Jasper was established in 1907 and Mount Revelstoke joined in 1914. Kootenay is the youngest, having been established in 1920.

A view of Spirit Island at Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park.

A view of Spirit Island at Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park/Johan Lolos, Destination Canada

Parks Canada has coordinated development of the draft park management plans for these seven parks. Common themes and priorities in the plans include:

• To ensure protection of natural and cultural resources, ecological integrity and park landscapes for future generations.
• To provide exceptional opportunities for Canadians to develop a sense of connection to the natural and cultural heritage of these places.
• To strengthen Indigenous relations based on a recognition of rights, respect, collaboration and partnership.
• To connect Canadians with these dynamic ecosystems and human stories, as well as nature and history.
• To manage development and ensure ecological integrity is the first priority.
• To contribute to landscape-scale conservation in Canada by being ecologically and socially connected across boundaries.
• To contribute to an understanding of climate change and its impacts over time.

Indigenous, stakeholder and public views provided during the first round of engagement in the spring of 2019 helped shape these draft plans. The results of this engagement will help finalize the management plans, after which they will be approved and tabled in Parliament.

These plans are a legislative requirement under the Canada National Parks Act and guide the management of Parks Canada’s administered places, which include 171 national historic sites, 47 national parks, five national marine conservation areas and one national urban park.

These plans are reviewed on a scheduled cycle, to ensure continuity and relevance. Plan reviews let Parks Canada build on the strengths of previous plans and develop new direction where needed to achieve the desired future for the park.

More information about each management plan and opportunities for input is available at letstalkmountainparks.ca.

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures. 

EIN: 26-2378789

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.