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2021 Update: In December 2020, the Government of Alberta announced that they would no longer delist or close 175 of Alberta's parks. However, the laws that protect our parks and public lands are being changed. Please visit our new action page for more information and to send a letter.
 

 

 

 

Defend Alberta's Parks!

 

Alberta Parks need your voice, now more than ever. In March, the Government of Alberta announced the removal of 164 parks and the closure of 20 campsites and day-use areas, impacting a total of 175 parks and provincial recreation areas. CPAWS Northern and Southern Alberta chapters have been pushing for this decision to be reversed, but protecting Alberta’s parks is not possible without you!

  • 164 parks have been identified to have their protections removed and opened for private partnerships.
  • Other impacts include closing busy visitor centres, discontinuing grooming of popular cross-country ski trails, shortening the operating season for many campgrounds and increasing camping and service fees at all sites.
  • 17 of the 20 originally closed sites will now be operated temporarily for summer 2020 - meaning Albertans are being heard! However, they are still slated for closure in 2021. It is important that you ask your MLA to keep our parks protected permanently!

What’s at stake? Sites without interest from a private partner will revert to vacant public land – This could lead to these areas being used for industrial resource extraction instead of conservation such as, sale for agricultural uses, forest harvest, or coal mining.

This will result in the loss of 37% of all parks in the province, mostly impacting campgrounds (including 32% of all of our provincial campsites - a potential loss of almost 4,500 campsites in the province), but also including several areas expressly meant to provide wilderness education and conservation of the land. The closure and removal of parks poses a serious threat to our quality of life, natural heritage and economic recovery. These changes were made without any public consultation. Many of these parks have provided reliable camping areas for Albertans to safely enjoy and make memories with friends and family for decades. 

Click here to see which of your favorite camping locations are included, and here to see a map showing all of the impacted parks across the province. 

Write to your MLA and tell them how important properly protected, public provincial parks are to you. This government must listen to Albertans who love and know these areas the best. 

 

Use the letter tool below to let your elected representatives know that you care about your public parks and want them to be protected and public permanently. We encourage you to personalize your letter and add your own story on why parks are important to you.

 
Minister
Rebecca
Schulz
Environment and Parks, Alberta