Management Plan Jasper-NP_EN_final.pdf 22/04/2010 1:38:37 PM C M Y CM MY CY CMY K JASPER NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA MANAGEMENT PLAN © Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, represented by the Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, 2010 ISBN: 978-1-100-15731-3 Catalog No.: R61-36/2010E-PDF Jasper National Park of Canada Management Plan June 2010 Également offert en français JASPER NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA MANAGEMENT PLAN FOREWORD Canada’s national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas offer Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast unique opportunities to experience and understand our wonderful country. They are places of learning, recreation and inspiration where Canadians can connect with our past and appreciate the natural, cultural and social forces that shaped Canada. From our smallest national park to our most visited national historic site to our largest national marine conservation area, each of these places offers Canadians and visitors superb experiential opportunities to enjoy Canada’s historic and natural heritage. These places of beauty, wonder and learning are valued by Canadians—they are part of our past, our present and our future. Our Government’s goal is to ensure that Canadians form a lasting connection to this heritage and that our protected places are enjoyed in ways that leave them unimpaired for present and future generations. We see a future in which these special places will further Canadians’ appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of Canada, the economic well- being of communities, and the vitality of our society. Our Government’s vision is to build a culture of heritage conservation in Canada by offering Canadians exceptional opportunities to experience our natural and cultural heritage. These values form the foundation of the new management plan for Jasper National Park of Canada. I offer my appreciation to the many thoughtful Canadians who helped to develop this plan, particularly to our dedicated team from Parks Canada, and to all those local organizations and individuals who have demonstrated their good will, hard work, spirit of co-operation and extraordinary sense of stewardship. In this same spirit of partnership and responsibility, I am pleased to approve the Jasper National Park of Canada Management Plan. Jim Prentice Minister of the Environment FOREWORD i JASPER NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA MANAGEMENT PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS Recommended by: ______________________________ Alan Latourelle Chief Executive Officer Parks Canada ______________________________ Greg Fenton Field Unit Superintendent Jasper Field Unit, Parks Canada RECOMMENDATIONS ii JASPER NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA MANAGEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This updated management plan for Jasper National Park provides strategic direction for the integrated delivery of Parks Canada’s mandate for resource protection, visitor experience and public appreciation and understanding. It sets out a vision for the future that involves Canadians in safeguarding the unique natural and cultural heritage of the park for all time, and for facilitating memorable experiences that allow Canadians to make deep connections with their heritage. It builds on strengths of previous plans and sets the direction needed to improve the condition of the park as described in the 2008 State of the Park Report. The management plan includes seven key strategies that describe the overarching management approach to the park, as well as six area concepts that provide more detailed direction for specific geographic areas. The plan contains a framework for measuring and reporting on our progress in implementing the plan. Participation programs provided a wide range of opportunities for Canadians to share their views and aspirations for this special place. The voices of Aboriginal people, stakeholders, community residents, park visitors and the general public all contributed to influencing the development of the plan. The key strategies and highlights of management actions that will be implemented during the life of this plan are summarized below. Welcoming Visitors to Mountains of Opportunity Offering Canadians inspiring and authentic park experiences is integral to Parks Canada’s mandate. Jasper National Park’s unique mountain heritage sets the stage for visitors to choose from a suite of opportunities that match their interests and aspirations. Actions by Parks Canada and collaborating partners will improve the quality of national park opportunities provided and maintain high levels of visitor satisfaction. Park visitation will increase and more Canadians will establish the deep personal connections that arise through personal experience of authentic, inspiring places. Those connections are the basis for ensuring the enduring support for heritage conservation that is essential to sustain Canada’s protected areas legacy into the future. This strategy involves: • making “welcome” a recurring theme at each stage of a visitor’s trip • strengthening the sense of arrival and welcome at all three park entry points • increasing the number of visitors to ensure the park remains relevant to a broad cross-section of Canadians • using the Explorer Quotient and other tools to connect visitors to experiences that are inspiring, aligned with their interests, and grounded in Jasper National Park’s distinctive natural and cultural characteristics EXECUTIVE SUMMARY iii JASPER NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA MANAGEMENT PLAN • undertaking pilot programs to attract new Canadians, urban youth, families and less experienced park visitors • providing new recreational opportunities and events and redeveloping existing opportunities that broaden the appeal of the park for priority visitor groups • using new technology and other means to improve trip planning, offer programs for virtual visitors, and enhance opportunities for through-travellers • developing a revised Tourism and Marketing Strategy and strengthening relationships with partners to offer authentic, world-class visitor opportunities Bringing the Mountains to People Where They Live Reaching a larger number of Canadians, many of whom live far from the national parks and are not aware of the significance of these special places, is critical to the future of our system of heritage places. Jasper National Park will extend its reach through popular media and technology, and outreach programs, to bring current, lively and engaging content into the homes, schools and communities of Canadians across the country. This strategy involves: • introducing Canadians, wherever they live, work or gather, to Canada’s remarkable mountain heritage, and Jasper National Park • bringing education programs to regional communities and larger urban centres on a regular basis, particularly in Alberta and British Columbia • supporting and enhancing outreach education through partnerships and new technology • exploring opportunities with partners to create a virtual centre of learning where educators, researchers, scientists and students can interact, inspire one another and share what they have learned with their home communities • engaging youth, collaborating with schools, and continuing to transform the Palisades Stewardship Education program into a national centre of excellence for stewardship education and training Celebrating History, Culture and the World Heritage Site The cultural heritage of Jasper National Park reflects its landscapes, its position at the headwaters of the Athabasca River, its access to routes across the continental divide, and linkages with other great rivers. Jasper’s rich tapestry is woven from Aboriginal traditions, European exploration and fur trade, early outfitters, railway and nation-building, conservation and tourism. The significance of this place to Canada is commemorated in four national historic sites—Athabasca Pass, Yellowhead Pass, Jasper House and Jasper Park Information Centre—and the Athabasca Canadian Heritage River. The park takes on global significance as part of the Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY iv JASPER NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA MANAGEMENT PLAN This strategy involves: • enriching visitor experiences by offering enjoyable experiences that integrate nature, culture and history • raising the profile of, and celebrating the national historic sites, Canadian Heritage River and the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site • preparing and implementing a cultural resource management strategy and strengthening cultural resource management practices • involving partners in protecting and presenting cultural heritage, stories and traditions, in ways that respect their ownership, authenticity and historic character Ensuring Healthy Ecosystems Maintaining or restoring ecological integrity is the first priority of park management. Protecting healthy ecosystems is also critical to ensuring that visitors continue to have outstanding opportunities to experience, enjoy, and learn about the unique natural heritage of Jasper National Park. Restoration initiatives continue to focus on vegetation health, wildlife movement, aquatic connectivity and returning disturbed sites to a natural state. Caribou and grizzly bears are species of special management interest and important symbols of wilderness. This strategy involves: • raising awareness and understanding of ecological integrity and ecosystem management through communication and hands-on learning • restoring impaired ecosystems with the involvement of Canadians and Aboriginal people • participating in or leading recovery planning