Investments in the recovery of Species at Risk and improvement of the ecological integrity of the forest ecosystems
BANFF NATIONAL PARK, AB, March 17, 2016 /CNW/ - The Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, today announced over $39 million in funding for Banff National Park to invest in the recovery of Species at Risk and improve the ecological integrity of the forest ecosystems.
The Government of Canada remains committed to preserve and promote our national, provincial and territorial Parks. They are an important part of local economies across the country.
This major investment will support the Mountain Park Fire Restoration project, which works to improve the ecological integrity of the forest ecosystems, as well as the recovery of the Whitebark and Limber pine. The funding will also be used to rehabilitate the animal underpasses on the Trans-Canada Highway, and improve the authentic experiential programs that will give an opportunity for visitors to learn and understand first-hand about Métis peoples and their traditional trades.
The Government of Canada will take action now, to give our children and grandchildren a country even more beautiful, sustainable, and prosperous than the one we have now.
Quick Facts
- Established in 1885, Banff National Park is both the oldest national park in Canada as well as the third national park ever established in the world. Spanning 6,641 square kilometres of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world's premier destination spots.
- Banff National Park welcomed 3.8 million visitors this year, making it the single most popular national park in Canada.
- Parks Canada is present in hundreds of communities across Canada and contributes approximately $3 billion to the Canadian economy every year. Parks Canada's overall contribution to the Canadian economy is responsible for more than 40,000 jobs from coast to coast to coast.
- Parks Canada is investing an unprecedented $3 billion over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada.
- This infrastructure work will also directly restore ecological integrity. This includes significant advancements in improving animal underpasses on the Trans-Canada Highway, and the rehabilitation of the campground in Lake Louise.
Quote
"Our Government is committed to protecting and restoring Canada's natural and cultural heritage. These investments will continue to improve and restore ecological integrity in the park and expand cultural heritage programming to ensure visitors and future generations can enjoy Banff National Park and understand the significance of cultural heritage in Canadian history."
- The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
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Backgrounder: Banff National Park Investments
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SOURCE Parks Canada
Contacts: Caitlin Workman, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-938-9436; Media Relations, Parks Canada Agency, 855-862-1812, [email protected], http://www.twitter.com/parkscanada
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