What we heard: Summary of public and Indigenous community comments on the Management Plan review

• The importance of the region for Indigenous peoples, both in past and present, should be better reflected and made more visible (e.g. through interpreted archeological sites, additional signs and other visitor opportunities).
• The use of traditional Blackfoot place names, will enable everyone to better connect with, and honour, the longstanding Indigenous relationship with the land.
• Employment opportunities and partnerships with Indigenous organizations should be facilitated by Parks Canada.

• WLNP must enhance its role as a learning place about the interconnectedness of nature and culture through Blackfoot knowledge and world views.
• The International Peace Park designation is an appropriate reflection of the region’s past and present use as a zone of cooperation between various peoples based on the area’s bountiful nature. Its special status as a focal point for Indigenous spirituality, gathering medicines, hunting and ceremony should be celebrated and further pursued.
• Visitors to WLNP should be expected to behave in a respectful and appropriate manner similarly to ‘codes of conduct’ and protocols that are in place for sacred places and important events.

• Accessibility to the park for Indigenous Peoples, particularly to specific areas of spiritual and cultural importance, should be prioritized.
• Indigenous visitors should feel welcomed and at home in the park.

• WLNP has a role to play in facilitating knowledge transfer across generations and supporting Indigenous peoples’ reconnection to traditional territories and land-based knowledge.
• Showcase the ingenuity of Indigenous knowledge, especially human health and sustenance about the land in collaboration with knowledge keepers and partners.

• Indigenous partners want to be involved in park management, including planning, delivering projects, monitoring and evaluation, through a permanent mechanism based on a solid relationships and meaningful two-way exchange.
• Allow ample time to consult Indigenous governments and organizations and develop strong relationships based on trust.

Canadians told us the wilderness, intact and diverse ecosystems, abundant wildlife, clean air and majestic landscapes are at the core of their deep appreciation for WLNP. We heard that ecosystem management should involve:

• Compatible and consistent management goals, policies, initiatives, monitoring, assessments and funding opportunities with neighbouring protected areas to form a landscape-level conservation approach.
• Proactive measures and targeted public communications that minimize visitors’ ecological footprints and disturbance to wildlife (e.g. availability and awareness of inspection/cleaning stations to prevent aquatic and terrestrial invasive species, backcountry food storage areas, maintenance of effective wildlife corridors, etc.).
• The many impacts of the Kenow Wildfire are monitored and communicated to a variety of audiences, while supporting visitors to personally connect to the area and discover these changes on their own.
• Understanding, monitoring and responding to the impacts of climate change, including reducing the parks carbon footprint, implementing adaptation and resiliency solutions and communicating climate change projection models and plans.

A majority of respondents value the unique character, minimal commercialization and lower visitation numbers in WLNP when compared to other mountain parks. We heard:

• The priorities for visitation should be to intimately experience nature and connect to this special place. It should align with the overall priority of protecting ecosystems.
• Impose limits on infrastructure development and on visitation numbers during high season to ensure quality experiences for visitors by maintaining the park’s quaint and calm character.
• Preserve the sense of place and “small town feel” of the townsite by favouring small and local businesses, ensuring green spaces, and strategically planning for traffic, especially considering the location of the new Visitor Centre.
• Set and communicate clear expectations for visitors prior to their visit (‘park protocol’), and elevate learning opportunities for positive stewardship behaviour.
• Support visitor planning based on interests, with enhanced focus on the shoulder and winter seasons.
• Manage visitation as a region, working with partners and neighbours, especially other protected areas, to offer complementary services and visitor offer.

We heard numerous comments on reopening access to areas of the park which were closed due to the Kenow Wildfire. While some people wish to see the park’s visitor experience restored to what it was prior to the wildfire, others encouraged the park to use the opportunity to envision changes such as:

• Reduce dependency of cars, particularly in the townsite and on parkways.
• Keep some areas closed to allow for post-fire ecological recovery, limit infrastructure to avoid ecological impact and maintain the small feel of the park.
• Increase and modernize infrastructure such as campsites, parking and day-use areas.

Other keys areas to improve include:

• Facilitate access by providing more shared transportation and shuttle options, both to and within the park.
• Favour assets and operations in the park that are low maintenance, are climate resilient and have low ecological and aesthetic footprints (e.g. introducing a composting program).
• Encourage and respect mixed-use of low impact activities and trail options (e.g. hiking, biking, horseback riding and skiing) to respond to a variety of visitor profiles, changing demographics (e.g. urban visitors, aging population and young families) and ability levels.
• Keep backcountry infrastructure and services minimal (e.g. no electricity), targeting avid and self-sufficient outdoors enthusiasts. Build on existing potential to enhance mountain biking and cross-country experiences.
• Limit commercial developments, ensure affordable options for basic visitor needs (accommodation, food, picnic areas, etc.).

Participants highlighted the importance of increasing awareness and appreciation of Indigenous heritage to accurately communicate histories in the park by:

• Facilitating the sharing of Indigenous stories through Indigenous voices.
• Restoring traditional Blackfoot place names and language, and including them on signs and maps.
• Increasing collaboration opportunities with Indigenous peoples to protect ecological and cultural resources.
• Ensuring meaningful participation of Indigenous partners in park management and consider the use of traditional knowledge in decision making.

Participants encouraged instilling visitors with understanding and appreciation of the exceptional natural and cultural history of the area so they adopt respectful behaviours and lessen impact on the park’s ecology and local cultures. Within this theme, key recommendations include:

• Share stories about Waterton’s natural and cultural history, in a variety of interactive approaches and with partners to amplify key messages.
• Create opportunities to raise awareness on the value of protected areas.
• Support youth programming to inspire future park stewards and foster the mental and physical health benefits of spending time in nature. This includes opportunities such as Canyon Youth Camp, partnerships with schools and post-secondary institutions.
• Enhance public presence of PCA staff and interactions with park visitors to explain and encourage appropriate behaviour and attitudes through conversations.
• Enforce fines for inappropriate behaviour, such as approaching wildlife too closely and littering.
• Provide opportunities to understand and witness Kenow Wildfire ecological renewal firsthand.

We heard recommendations relating to communication, transparency and engagement opportunities for matters of public interest, including:

• Manage visitor expectations by clearly communicating available activities and ensuring information is easily accessible online and in the park.
• Regular, meaningful consultation and two-way knowledge-sharing opportunities with park users, stakeholders and local communities (including youth).
• Research aligns with park priorities, influences decision-making and findings are shared with the public, particularly concerning Kenow Wildfire renewal.
• Improve public trust through transparency of Parks Canada decision-making basis, plans and conveying how public feedback influences decisions.
• Maximize citizen science and volunteer opportunities to support park priorities, including post-wildfire related activities.

Across all themes, we heard that enhanced cross-boundary collaboration and relationship building with stakeholders and neighbours is an important component to preserving ecological integrity, offering quality visitor experiences and fostering the next generation of park stewards. As part of a greater ecological and cultural landscape, we heard that we should:

• Work closely with neighbouring protected areas, land managers, Indigenous partners and local and regional stakeholders to align goals, plan cooperatively, develop joint initiatives and collaborate on research and monitoring.
• Think beyond park boundaries to support ecosystem health in the Crown of the Continent region, restore threatened aquatic species and protect regional habitat and wildlife corridors for wide-ranging species like grizzly bears and elk.
• Seek guidance from Glacier National Park and act as an International Peace Park model by learning from each other (e.g. response following wildfires, providing outstanding visitor experiences, etc.).
• Collaborate with local and regional businesses and tourism organizations to amplify common public messaging, build on the history and sense of place of the region, share product offers and promote responsible behaviour, such as reducing wildlife attractants and spread of invasive species and respecting sensitive habitats.
• Favour collaboration with neighbouring local and regional governments to plan and deliver operations by sharing services, infrastructure, emergency preparedness, climate change resiliency, and ecological restoration.