Science & Research in Alberta Parks
Updated: April 20, 2009
Alberta Tourism Parks and Recreation - Parks Division (Alberta Parks) relies on evidence-based decision making as a guiding principle. Decisions informed by natural and social science (along with other sources of knowledge, such as Traditional Knowledge) support healthy ecosystems, sustainable recreation, and economic prosperity.
As such, Alberta Tourism Parks and Recreation welcomes scientific and research activities within Alberta’s parks, provided they can be conducted with minimal risk to the environment and minimal disturbance to visitors.
All scientific and research activities conducted within parks require a permit. Visit our applying for permits page for detailed information about the application process. Research that is in keeping with our mission and contributes to one or more of our research priorities is highly desirable.
Our goal is to facilitate a growing volume of scientific effort, and to link research activities and outcomes with resource management decision making.
How Science and Research Benefits Our Parks
The evolving social, economic and environmental values of Albertans create an increasing need for innovative management approaches in our parks. In order to manage our parks we require accurate information about them, the values they protect and provide, and the activities they support. Knowledge gained through science and research will be an integral part of our commitment to continuous improvement in managing our lands, infrastructure, and visitor experiences.
The tremendous diversity of environmental, social, and economic values represented in Alberta’s parks requires an equally diverse portfolio of management scenarios to ensure that Albertans realize maximum long-term benefit from their investment in parks. Scientific knowledge provides the foundation for the development and implementation of adaptive management strategies that safeguard the natural diversity and cultural heritage of our parks.
Value of Parks for the Scientific Community
Alberta’s parks preserve the landscapes, biodiversity, natural features, cultural history and outdoor experiences that represent our province. Currently, the parks network
(1 page | 1.9 mb) includes more than 500 sites, covering 27 500 square kilometres encompassing all of Alberta’s six distinct Natural Regions(1 page | 1.71 mb).
For these reasons, parks are invaluable natural laboratories for the natural sciences. They serve as local, regional and provincial reservoirs of biodiversity, as representative examples of Alberta’s diverse landscapes and geologic history, and as reference sites from which to assess the effectiveness of management strategies applied to the broader landscape.
Parks aren’t just a great conduit for the natural sciences, however. They are also special places where people of all ages, backgrounds and experiences gather and interact with nature and with each other. Some of the lands within our parks have been used in this manner for thousands of years. Today over 8.5 million visitors use the parks system annually, providing economic benefit to local communities and a wide range of industries. The tremendous cultural and economic value of parks provides invaluable opportunity for geographers, social scientists and economists to carry out their research.
For More Information
For further information please contact the Alberta Parks Division Science Coordinator, Dr. Joyce Gould by e-mail or regular mail.
Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation
2nd Floor, Oxbridge Place
9820 - 106 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T5K 2J6
