The Banff-Bow Valley Task Force has reported that Banff, our oldest National Park, is over-commercialized to the extent that we are in danger of losing species like wolves, bears, goats, sheep and elk.

The Task Force, composed of Canadians from different walks of life, stated that the scientific evidence clearly points to the loss of wildlife species if action isn't taken in the near future.

Thus, early in the next year, 1997, the future of Banff, and indirectly of our other great Mountain Parks, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay, will be decided by our Federal Politicians.

The alternatives are two:

• A continuation of the current practice of unchecked growth and development resulting in the almost certain loss of wildlife, or
• A take charge, ecosystem management plan that puts Banff National Park back onto the path of ecological integrity.

These issues are explored below through news articles, statements made by concerned Canadians, and reports from scientists who have studied the problems. Despite the scientific consensus on the nature and urgency of the problems faced by Banff, the proposed solutions are controversial.

Reports and Commentary on the State of Banff National Park.

• CPAWS [Past] President Harvey Locke , long time champion of Banff National Park, says that the Task Force's Recommendations provide hope, but only if Canadians tell the Federal Government what they want.
• Federal Heritage Minister Sheila Copps' makes a dramatic statement about the state of Banff National Park
• Dr. Bob Page reveals what he learned after spending two years as the head of the Banff-Bow Valley Task force. This is the entire transcript of a interview with David Dodge from CKUA's EcoFile program.
• Dr. Steve Herrero, internationally recognized wildlife biologist discusses in an interview with David Dodge of CKUA Radio's Ecofile why we stand to lose species like Wolves, Grizzly's, Goats, Sheep, and, yes, even the all pervasive Elk.
• Canada's Auditor General, Denis Desautels, takes a strong stand and reports that Parks Canada is endangering the future health of Canada's national parks.
• Canadian News Journalist Catherine Ford says that Ottawa is making the correct decision.
• The Edmonton Journal's Recent Feature Articles on the problems facing Banff National Park.
• The Globe & Mail's coverage of Banff National Park.
• The Edmonton Journal's Stories on the Troubled State of Our National Parks [It's not just Banff that's in trouble!].
• The Calgary Herald's Recent Feature Articles on Banff National Park.
• Norm Ovenden, Southam News reporter, says that Restrictions to Alberta's national parks are likely.
• Wildlife Biologist Dr. Luigi Morgantini uses recent scientific studies to document the problems in Banff and the Bow Valley Corridor:
  • Banff National Park, Alberta: Beyond the glitter and glamour
  • Elk-Human Problems in Banff National Park
  • Wildlife Deaths in the Bow Valley Corridor
  • Canadian Pacific & Golf Courses in Banff National Park
• Details of the Banff-Bow Valley Study: The Bow Valley is the corridor from Calgary to Banff and is itself critical wildlife habitat and quickly moving toward the realm of overdevelopment.
  

1. Send an email message to the Minister, write, fax, or phone your support for the ecological integrity of Banff National Park.

EMAIL: The Hon. Sheila Copps
Minister of Canadian Heritage
Ottawa, Ont K1A 0M5
Tel: (613) 997-7788
Fax: (613) 994-5987

If you live in the Province of Alberta, please contact Premier Ralph Klein and tell him that as an Albertan you feel that Alberta should cooperate with the Federal Government in limiting the development in Banff and other Rocky Mountain National Parks.

Send an Email Message to Prime Minister Jean Chretien to let him know that you're concerned?

When you email the Minister and Prime Minister, cc your email to the National Parks office.

• Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society
• Alberta Wilderness Association
• World Wildlife Fund - Canada
• Canadian Nature Federation
• Canadian Wildlife Federation