Are We Loving Our National Parks to Death? A Presentation By: Greg Noel Natasha Kean Melinda Rose

Introduction and Parks Canada Facts Canada has 39 National Parks, 38 of which are in danger. Our National Parks are facing increasing ecological stress Over 24 million people visit our National Parks each year Canadian Nature Federation lists top 10 most endangered

Canada’s 10 Most Endangered National Parks Prince Edward Island National Park Point Pelee National Park St. Lawrence Islands National Park Fundy National Park Pacific Rim National Park Elk Island National Park Mount Revelstoke & Glacier National Parks Riding Mountain National Park Banff National Park Nahanni National Park Reserve

Banff National Park

Threats Increase in tourism Lack of knowledge on the part of visitors about the surrounding habitat The building of more roads/highways through and nearby Banff

Effects More animal deaths Animals and native species of plants lose their habitat with extinction becoming a possibility Increase in pollution which affects the environment

Remedies Increase education to visitors by park staff More clearly marked signs Imposing penalties to abusive visitors Setting a limit on visitor numbers and new construction projects

Endangered Species and rare animals in the Parks Current Issues in Gros Morne & Terra Nova

 Declared an endangered species in 1996  Threats to the remaining Marten population  On-going efforts to save the Pine Marten

 Declared an endangered species in 1985  Threats to the remaining Piping Plover population  On-going efforts to save the Plover

Group Activity How to Protect Newfoundland & Labrador’s National Parks In five groups discuss how each of the following can help protect the parks. You have 8 minutes!  Parks Canada  The Government  Industries  Surrounding communities  Visitors

Ensure that park staff and interpreters are well funded so that they can implement successful education programs. Ensure park decisions are motivated by ecological factors not outside influences. Increase the number of research programs to ensure the ecological integrity is maintained. Restrict the numbers of visitors and types of use within the parks. Consistently evaluate and make recommendations to ensure that ecological integrity is maintained

Government Provide ample funding so the parks can operate without budget constraints Legislate the protection of more species and land surrounding the parks. Never consider allowing outside groups to exploit the protected areas. Create more education programs concerning the state of the parks and the danger they are in.

Industries  Go beyond the minimum requirements for protection of the environment  Avoid large areas of disruptions. i.e. limit the size of operations.  Restore already developed sites that are no longer being used  Reduce the use of toxic substances near protected areas.  Reduce the number of access roads to developed sites and restore roads that are not needed anymore.

Surrounding Communities  Take an interest in the park and its activities  Protect outside areas from development  Avoid using the outskirts of parks for high stress activities such as hunting and mining.  Keep their own property pristine and clean from damaging pollutants  Fight to keep large industries from entering the local community.

Park Visitors Avoid any activity that may damage the integrity of the park. Keep stays short and if possible infrequent, thus reducing the number of visitors each year Support decisions that protect the ecological integrity, such as limits on visitor numbers Learn about the park and the problems they are facing.

Thank You Any Questions?