Please support the Canmore Area Trails Strategy (CATS) 

The Government of Alberta has launched an important initiative: the Canmore Area Trails Strategy (CATS) will ‘provide the foundation for developing, managing and maintaining an integrated authorized and sustainable trail network in the Bow Valley that balances ecological values with quality outdoor recreation opportunities.’

Why this is important

• We’ve come to understand (courtesy of some excellent science by our colleagues at the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative) that unmanaged human recreation on trails is as harmful as development when it comes to how wildlife use – or don’t use – this valley

• Over two thirds of trails in the Bow Valley are ‘undesignated,’ or unsanctioned, with more ‘pirate trails’ being built every year

• CATS is our best hope to turn this around, creating a sustainable trail network and an overarching plan that will guide future planning and design of trails in the Canmore area, while protecting valuable ecosystems and an important and internationally-renowned wildlife corridor

• Despite the name, this initiative covers a large and ecologically important area, from Banff’s east park gate to Seebe (map)

More information

• Engagement on the CATS will occur in two phases: the first is the survey on the draft terms of reference, and interactive mapping activity to collect feedback that will be used to inform development of the draft strategy

• A second engagement phase of engagement will occur later this year to hear feedback on the draft strategy

• For more information about the project’s engagement, visit alberta.ca/canmore-area-trails-strategy-engagement

What we think of the Canmore Area Trails Strategy

The Biosphere Institute sits on the Canmore Area Trails Strategy Advisory Group - we helped create the purpose and objectives, scope, principles, planning process, planning issues and opportunities, and desired conditions that are laid out in the draft terms of reference. Although we support the strategy, we emphasized the following in our own submission to the survey, which you might choose to reinforce as you make your own submission:

• We need good trail signage: people need to understand the “why” of trail management. Pity the poor recreationalist trying to understand where they are in the valley, and the rationale for trail management decisions! It is essential for the success of CATS that a robust trail signage plan be designed, executed, and maintained. Without signage that helps trail users understand the rationale for temporary and permanent trail closures, trail rerouting, and the ecological importance of the surrounding lands, the Canmore Area Trails Strategy will not succeed.

• We need thoughtful governance to ensure long-term trail management by land managers. It is essential that a multi-decade commitment to managing the trail system remain in place: this will require a governance structure that supports ongoing dialogue and learning, coordination, maintenance, education, and enforcement by all relevant groups. Specifically, CATS must create a situation where Alberta’s government, municipal and federal governments, Indigenous communities, land managers, landowners, trail managers, partners and the trail community are aligned in their goals and approaches, commit relevant resources, and work collaboratively to ensure this takes place. To achieve this throughout the years and decades to come, all stakeholders have to co-create and agree to a flexible and robust governance structure.