In an effort to protect Kananaskis Country, the Alberta government is planning $11.5 million in funding for new conservation projects and more boots on the ground to enhance the visitor experience.
To fund these projects, the province is introducing a new Kananaskis Conservation Pass, which will be a vehicle entry pass, that will go into effect on June 1.
The Alberta government says increased visitation has resulted in more litter, injuries, human-wildlife conflict, overcrowding, traffic, and illegal parking issues. There has also been an increased strain on critical services like search and rescue operations within Kananaskis.
With more than 5 million visits last year – 1 million more than Banff National Park – and another busy season expected, the province is stressing that action is needed now to protect K-Country for the future.
“Kananaskis has seen a dramatic increase in vehicle traffic and visitors over the past several years, and this is putting significant pressure on wildlife, land, facilities, services and on public safety,” said Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks. “The conservation pass will help manage visitor demand and support investments in Kananaskis that ensure this world-class mountain destination remains beautiful, accessible and protected for generations to come.”
The Kananaskis Conservation Pass fees will be $15 per day or $90 per year (per vehicle).
The conservation pass area includes provincial parks, public land in Kananaskis, provincial campgrounds, and day-use areas in the Bow Valley corridor. The fee will also be used to facilitate the expansion of protected area within Bow Valley Provincial Park.
All revenue generated will be reinvested back into the region. Revenue will be used to improve the overall visitor experience in Kananaskis and will pay for trail maintenance, search and rescue operations, visitor services, and the upkeep of facilities at day-use areas and campgrounds.
The fee will also go toward increasing on-the-ground education and enforcement with additional conservation officers and will allow for the reopening of visitor centres that were temporarily closed last year.
Also included in the new investments will be $1 million to begin planning work on upgrades to the Canmore Nordic Centre with the intent of making further capital investments in future years to improve this world-class sporting facility.
Since 2013, the Alberta government has invested more than $160 million to improve K-Country, including the new Kananaskis Emergency Services Centre, William Watson Lodge renewal, upgrades to many popular day-use areas and trails, and flood recovery projects. Recent improvements to local transportation infrastructure include Highway 40 upgrades and ongoing work to widen Highway 1A near Morley.
The province says the introduction of the conservation pass responds to feedback from Albertans in an online consultation that was done between November 2020 and January 2021, which asked the public for ideas to help shape the future of sustainable recreation on Crown land. Two-thirds of survey respondents were supportive or neutral of fees to help maintain and protect Crown land used for recreation.
The Kananaskis Conservation Pass will go on sale June 1 on alberta.ca/ConservationPass and at Kananaskis visitor information centres during operating hours.
First Nation individuals with status will be exempt from the pass as will others who need to stop in the area for business purposes, such as facility operators and disposition, permit and contract holders. Recipients of AISH will also be exempt.
The province anticipates revenue from the pass will be approximately $15 million annually.
