Research & Collection Activities
in Alberta Parks & Protected Areas


Updated: Dec 17, 2009

Alberta's parks and protected areas provide excellent locations for scientific and research activities. The Parks Division recognizes the importance of research and collection and will work with other government agencies, educational institutions, research foundations and individual researchers in support of these activities.

A Research and Collection Permit must be obtained from the Parks Division for all research and collection activities that occur within parks and protected areas under its jurisdiction. That permit must be obtained prior to the start of any research and collection project. A single permit may be issued to authorize research or collection at more than one location, provided the activities are being conducted by the same individual or research group.

There are no fees associated with applying for or obtaining a Research and Collection Permit from the Parks Division.

Applying for a Permit

Researchers can now submit their Research and Collection Permit applications using our new online application process. To do so, please carefully review the following sections and visit our Online Permitting and Clearance system. 


Important Information for Applicants

Before submitting a permit application, researchers should consider the following:

  • An application should be received at least 30 days in advance of the proposed start date for the research or collection activity.

  • For research and/or collection application proposals that involve Natural Areas, Ecological Reserves, Wilderness Areas or Heritage Rangelands, interdepartmental review and approval is often required, thus extending the time needed to prepare and issue a permit. It is important that such proposals be submitted to the Alberta Parks Division well in advance of the proposed start date for the project.

  • Other permits or approvals from other agencies and organizations may be required to conduct research and/or engage in collection activities on lands within the province. Obtaining a Research and Collection Permit from Alberta Parks may be contingent upon the researcher having those permits or approvals in place. Such permits or approvals could include:

  • Applicants will be required to provide the following information:

    • applicant’s name and contact information
    • project members’ names and contact information
    • description of project, methodology and details surrounding any specimen collection and their subsequent disposition.
    • anticipated written products of the project
    • details of where researchers will be staying while in a park
    • commencement and termination of field operations
    • name of person who will supervise field operation in applicant’s absence
    • vehicle descriptions used for research project, including use of off-highway vehicles.

  • Research and collection permits issued for multi-year projects are issued on a calendar year basis only and expire December 31st of each year. Researchers are therefore required to renew those permits if they wish to continue the project. All permit renewal applications for multi-year projects are to be submitted by November 30th of that calendar year.

  • During the course of a research project, researchers may be able to stay in park campgrounds or other park accommodation, pending approval by appropriate park staff.

  • General conditions apply to all issued permits; Special conditions may also be applied to issued permits.  These are used to outline unique or special circumstances relative to the research activities, or to the site where the proposed project is intended to take place.  All permit holders are expected to comply with these conditions.

  • All issued research and collection permits have a compliance statement that forms part of the permit. That statement reads as follows:

    • “Failure to comply with applicable legislation (i.e., the Provincial Parks Act and related Regulations; the Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Natural Areas and Heritage Rangelands Act; the Willmore Wilderness Park Act) and the conditions of this permit may result in cancellation of this permit and/or forfeiture of any applicable bond.”


For More Information

Researchers are encouraged to contact the Parks Division management area office responsible for the location within which the activity is to be conducted prior to submitting a research and collection application. Pertinent information may be obtained that would help expedite the permit approval process.

If you are unsure of the area within which your proposed activity will be carried out, contact the Parks Division office in Edmonton at 1-866-427-3582.