Parks and Protected Areas

Alberta’s Parks and Protected Areas are spectacular examples of the province’s rich natural heritage and biodiversity. CPAWS actively campaigns to keep them this way and expand their existing network.

Alberta is blessed with wonderful natural treasures.  Alberta's parks and protected areas attract over 8.5 million visitors each year - 90% of whom are Albertans.  However, these natural treasures are on the verge of becoming lost forever.  

Alberta is home to 6 natural regions (21 subregions), each of which should be protected by the parks system. Only 12.5% of Alberta is in a protected area with 1/3 protected by the Province and 2/3 in Alberta’s five National Parks. Four of the 6 natural regions have less than 4% protection.

The threat

When wilderness falls in a park or protected area we assume this means it is in fact protected (i.e. safe from threats and ecologically healthy). Unfortunately this is not the case. Alberta parks are facing numerous threats and pressures compromising the health, or ecological integrity, of Alberta wilderness.

• Inadequate legal protection
• Industrial activity in parks
• Motorized recreation (OHVs)
• Small size of most parks
• Islandization of parks (i.e. park is surrounded by development)
• Insufficient resources for park management
• Alberta’s protected areas network is far from complete and over a decade behind schedule

Solutions

Alberta's Parks and Protected Areas need:

• Increased funding to properly manage parks and enforce protection
• Stronger and expanded legislation making ecological integrity the top priority
• Improved network design and land management to connect protected areas, shelter them from adjacent activities, and ensure natural diversity is preserved

What CPAWS is doing

CPAWS campaigns for new parks and protected areas and acts as a watchdog for existing parks and protected areas.

Recent activities

• Provided input on proposed developments and recreational activities in Jasper National Park
• Worked with other organizations to stop the Province from undermining current parks legislation through revisions to the Parks Act (Bill 29)
• Submitted over 700 letters to the Legislature from CPAWS supporters opposing Bill 29
• Provided a strong voice for ecological integrity through feedback on the Jasper Mountain National Park and Elk Island National Park Management Plans
• Provide ongoing input on the expansion of recreational activities in the mountain parks
• Completed the State of Alberta’s Parks and Protected Areas report

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