Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen issued the following statement to celebrate Parks Day:

Jul 17, 2023

“Parks Day is a time to celebrate what makes Alberta so special: our magnificent landscapes, wild spaces and world-class outdoor recreation opportunities. From the mountains to the badlands, prairies to boreal forest, our provincial parks allow Albertans and visitors to access and enjoy our province’s natural beauty.

“I encourage Albertans to explore the hundreds of parks and recreation areas our province has to offer, and to learn more about Alberta’s wildlife, biodiversity and history by taking part in the special events planned for this celebration.

“Parks are for people to enjoy, to experience and to explore. To ensure their future sustainability, it is important to make strategic investments that prioritize the delivery of high-quality and low-cost recreation experiences while adhering to our strict conservation values. That’s why our government is investing more than $210 million over three years to improve and expand recreation in and access to provincial parks and Crown land across the province. We are committed to ensuring Albertans and visitors alike can continue to enjoy our parks now and in the future.

“This year marks the 55th anniversary of interpretive programming in Alberta’s parks. Several of our parks recently received Awards of Excellence from Interpretation Canada for their amphitheatre shows, including Dinosaur Provincial Park, Miquelon Lake Provincial Park, Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park and Kananaskis Country. From guided tours and hikes to educational programs, our parks offer unique experiences for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

“Provincial parks and recreation areas benefit every Albertan, supporting physical, mental and social well-being while attracting visitors from around the world and contributing to the provincial economy. They are some of our greatest treasures, and I hope that everyone will find time to get outside and enjoy them on this special day.

“The Alberta Parks site includes a list of events in a park near you and I hope you’ll find one and visit. Happy Parks Day!"

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Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.