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Alberta's more than 500 provincially protected areas vary from hot dry badlands to old-growth forests, to the highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains. In the SW, wetlands, rare ancient forests, rich montane habitat, aspen parkland, mixed grass prairie and fescue grassland make up over 110,000 acres of protected lands.
Alongside the ranching community, parks protect wildlife habitat and promote ecological diversity contributing to clean air, water and soil. Working together to protect headwaters in the eastern slopes helps maintain clean water downstream.
Parks and protected areas contribute to our prosperity and a healthy and sustainable environment, upon which our quality of life and future depend. When visiting these areas, we experience the full range of our provinces natural beauty.
You are welcome to join park staff on journeys through Alberta’s protected areas on foot, with skis or snowshoes, by mountain bike, or on horseback and become a part of this amazing landscape by becoming a part of tomorrow’s stories!
You may meet Dame Heidi Eijgel on one of these adventures! Her enthusiastic interpretation of these special areas, the plants, geology and even the critters that share it comes from her connection to the region and you may just get caught up in the spell!