Supporting Sustainable Tourism Partnerships between
Managers & Operators
Parks & Protected Areas Network
Presentation Pretext Theme Æ Partnerships and Shared Stewardship
Sub Themes Æ Tourism Industry Æ Govt & ENGO’s Æ Supportive Local & Business Community Æ PA managers & Local Municipal Govt Æ Science & Knowledge
Presentation Overview Æ Alberta Government’s Role 1. Historical Trail 2. Stagnant Ice Moraine 3. Recreational Trail 4. Provincial Park & Recreation Area Æ Alto Award Nominees
Tourism Division - Development Branch • Promote tourism as an appropriate use • Develop and represent tourism positions • Position Crown Land • Facilitate Tourism and Recreational Leasing process • Encourage trail and recreational corridor development • Consult with Parks Canada
1. Athabasca Landing Trail Objective: Re-establish a continuous routing of the historic Trail corridor • Transportation of goods and services • Recreational, sustainable tourism and heritage interpretation • Athabasca Landing Trail Steering Committee
Location
Municipal Partners
Trail Operator Groups
• Landing Trails Committee of the Athabasca Historical Society • Pioneer Trail North Foundation • Rainbow Equitation Society
Goals Trail alignment Sustainable tourism Healthy, active living Natural viewing areas Heritage and interpretation Responsible use of trails Social/economic connectivity Local economic/tourism goals Recreational facilities Educational messages Connect to other trails
2. Beaver Hills Initiative Objectives: • Continuity & Integrity • Restoration & Connectivity • Sustainable Tourism & Recreation • Quality of life • Stewardship
Municipal Partners
Attraction Inventory i. Focal/Flagship Attractions Æ provide the main reason for visiting area
ii. Complementary Attractions Æ give added value to area and encourage a longer stay for the tourist
iii. Supporting Attractions Æ physical facilities and tourist services found
i) Flagship • Elk Island National Park • Cooking Lake Provincial Recreation Area • Blackfoot Grazing Wildlife Area • Miquelon Lake Provincial Park • Ministik Lakes Game Bird Sanctuary
ii) Complementary • Natural Areas and ESA’s • Beaverhill Lake • Strathcona Wilderness Centre • Waskahegan Trail
iii) Supporting • Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village • Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival • Blackfoot Ultra Marathon • 2007 Western Canada Summer Games • Others… Æ Ag/rural tourism Æ Aboriginal tourism Æ Ecotourism
Goals • ROS • Appropriate Use Criteria • Importance of PA’s • Ecotourism Development • Conservation and Recreation
3. Rocky to Nordegg Rail Trail Objective: Development and management of a 120 km recreational trail connecting the communities of Rocky Mountain House and Nordegg. The project aims to develop a multi-use trail catering to a variety of motorized and non-motorized users in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner.
Location
Municipal Partners
Trail Operator Groups • ATV Association • Nordic Ski Club • Ice climbing Club • Motocross Club • Horse Club • Paddling Club • Snowmobile Association
Goals • Trunk Line • Destination • Integrated • Venue • Multiple trail types
Table Exercise Map
Prov Park
A river runs through it Town of Promise
How can everyone get along! Prov Rec Area
Many Significant Values
Values at Risk
Table Exercise Scenario Directions: Æ Choose a role to play Æ Discuss solutions to the questions and issues that arise Objective: • Collaborate with all stakeholders and develop sustainable tourism partnerships to create opportunities in and adjacent to both the Provincial Park and Provincial Recreation Area.
4. Community–based Park – Alberta’s First
A unique, non-profit organization that utilizes an innovative approach towards community-based park planning, funding and management;
Objectives • Land planning and management • Recreation opportunities • Co-existence with industrial activity • Maximize synergies and minimize conflicts • Protect the North Saskatchewan River • Sustainable tourism • Long-term funding strategy
Eagle Point Provincial Park
Blue Rapids Provincial Recreation Area
Municipal Partners
Trail Operator Groups • Brazeau ATV Association
• Pembina Nordic Ski Club
• Evergreen Shooting Club
• Pine Valley Motocross Club
• Drayton Valley Horse Club • Drayton Valley Paddling • Drayton Valley Rotary Club • Brazeau Snowmobile Association • Club Brazeau Bowbenders Archery Club • Drayton Valley Brazeau Snow Club
Goals • Natural environments • Existing and new recreational opportunities • Create awareness • New tourism • Cooperation and engagement • Co-existence
Management Plan Æ Describe values
Æ Identify issues
Æ Outline different solutions and strategies
2008 Alberta Tourism Awards ''Finalist 1'' “For a business to be truly sustainable, it is necessary to recognize the environmental and social factors to be truly equally important as the financial bottom line” “It makes us proud to be a part of the solution and the amount of repeat guests is proof we are on the right track, we aren’t afraid to break away from the norm, and go in a different direction.”
2008 Alto Awards ''Finalist 2'' As stewards of natural landscapes, Alberta Parks committed to be environmental leaders in the design, construction and operation of 4 new Interpretive Centres. “These centres are designed to have as minimal an ecological impact as possible� Park 1
2008 Alto Awards Park 2 Dinosaur Provincial Park Visitor/Interpretive Centre
2008 Alto Awards Park 3 Writing on Stone Áísínai’pi Visitor/Interpretive Centre:
2008 Alto Awards Park 4 Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park Visitor/Interpretive Centre:
2008 Alberta Tourism Awards ''Finalist 3'' A new public transit system, called explorationencouraging Roam - the first municipality in Canada to introduce an all hybrid electric transit fleet featuring 4 new diesel-electric hybrid buses. “With tourism being our only industry, it is vital that we match our customers expectations and that is to deliver on the sustainable tourism objectives of the Town’s Environmental Stewardship Policy.”
Thank you !
Questions: