The park is administered by the Parks Canada Agency. The ecological integrity measures for forest and grassland ecosystem health are ranked as poor to fair in the state of park assessment and could be further impacted by the lack of fire, climate change, grazing impacts, increased visitation, and invasive species. Sand hills are rare vegetation communities due to limited extent of sandy soils in the Beaver Hills. The park is also renowned for it's birdwatching opportunities, with over 250 species of birds. In addition, a range of innovative personal, non personal and virtual opportunities will be developed for target audiences. Motorized access, where allowed, is controlled. Proactive human-wildlife coexistence strategies result in a reduction of wildlife conflicts from 2022 levels. Parks Canada collaborates with key partners such as Explore Edmonton and Travel Alberta to promote the park in successful joint tourism campaigns for both summer and winter. Management efforts will consider the small area of the park, neighbouring development pressures, a fenced boundary that restricts the movement of large animals, and a lack of fires and large predators. Climate change projections for Elk Island show significant increases in temperature and frost free days, as well as decreases in annual snow depths. Regulatory review and regional planning processes provide valuable opportunities to address potential transboundary issues from adjacent development in the Industrial Heartland. The park has also worked with local Indigenous communities to establish an Indigenous cultural area in the park as a place for Elders to pass on knowledge, cultural practices and language to youth. Aquatic invasive species have not become established in the park. The current visitor experience offer will be assessed to meet increasing year round visitation, change in visitor use patterns, and visitation pressures. In Elk Island, 96 percent of the park is within Zone II, of which 16 percent is aquatic and 84 percent is terrestrial. Elk Island National Park. Park stories respect the diversity that made Canada what it is today. When traveling west across the country on the way to Edmonton, Alberta, you just might pass Elk Island National Park.. The introduction, spread, and establishment of invasive species in Elk Island is a challenge for park management. Elk Island National Park - Wikipedia Just 50 minutes from downtown Edmonton, Elk Island National Park, located in the Beaver Hills Biosphere, boasts incredible experiences that will remain with you long after you leave. Elk Island is the only national park in Canada that is completely fenced. 90 percent of surveyed visitors report their emotional well-being, social well-being and physical well-being improved due to their visit to the park. Make Elk Island National Park your Weekday Destination Over the next ten years, Parks Canada will focus its efforts on increasing regional and national audiences connection to Elk Island National Park through a comprehensive approach to communications, outreach, promotion and marketing. The scenic parkway rounds out the visitor service offer. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km 2), all land.. History. Established in 1906 as a game preserve, it is one of Canada's smaller national parks, with an area of 75 square miles (194 square km). An option analysis will be completed for the golf course lands to determine its future use. Visitors can readily and safely view the parks wildlife a powerful way of witnessing the success of the parks century-old conservation legacy. Indigenous partners connections to the land are maintained leaving an enduring Indigenous presence in the park. The parks contribution to conservation goes beyond bison and elk. The impacts of climate change further add to the challenge of managing for ecological integrity and protecting cultural resources. Winter infrastructure and visitor services have been identified as having strong potential to increase visitor enjoyment. Vision describes desired future, setting the management direction; Key Strategies present major themes, introducing management approaches and commitments; Objectives identify management outcomes, indicating desired results; Targets tie directly to the objective defining the amount of change that will be measured; and. Located about 30 minutes east of Edmonton, Elk Island is known for its wildlife - especially the. The zoning (Map 3: Elk Island National Park Zoning) in Elk Island National Park has been amended from the 2011 management plan to reflect new knowledge and visitation pressures. Elk Island National Park Visitor Experience Plan (2019). Future-oriented, strategic management of each national park, national marine conservation area, heritage canal and those national historic sites administered by Parks Canada supports the Agencys vision: The Canada National Parks Act and the Parks Canada Agency Act require Parks Canada to prepare a management plan for each national park. The park will be completing species at risk planning, which will be coordinated at a regional level with partner agencies for transboundary species. Parks Canada will continue to collaborate with Indigenous peoples to foster opportunities to improve their connections with Elk Island National Park and increase their participation in park management and operations. This includes promoting the sustainable design, construction and maintenance of park infrastructure and visitor facilities. This quiet paradise just so happens to be one of Canada's most underrated national parks. All visitors have a chance to enjoy solitude. The condition rating for forests has improved from fair to good in the next state of the park assessment. Quality visitor experiences are enhanced through effective visitor use management strategies to protect the parks ecosystems. Recognition as an ecologically or culturally sensitive area ensures that the values for which a site has been designated are protected and respected in any park management decisions or actions. Larger in area than Switzerland, [3] it is the second-largest national park in the world. Things to Do in Elk Island National Park | Hike Bike Travel The natural processes that are critical to the integrity of these ecosystems such as fire, predation, wildlife movement and grazing, continue. The measurement of targets in this plan is generally in comparison to 2022 levels as reference (benchmarks) from assessments that helped guide the development of this plan. The Elk Island National Park is a wildlife management region and activity destination located east of the community of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in the Central Alberta region. moose, elk) management plan; design of the Wahkotowin Visitor Information Centre; support for Indigenous products and artistic works in the gift shop; development of the Indigenous Cultural Camp; the establishment of the Cree Language Circle, which is a visitor program aimed at promoting Cree language. It is a four season park and welcomes up to 530,000 visitors annually to experience and enjoy outdoor recreation, the natural environment, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Elk Island National Park - Parks Canada In Elk Island, 1.5 percent of the park is in Zone IV, including: Includes a concentration of visitor services and support facilities. Between 2011 and 2021, visitation increased by 149 percent (from 212,921 visitors to a peak of 531,055 visitors). Within an hour's drive of Alberta's bustling capital of Edmonton lies a place of quiet, where no city lights dilute the starry sky on a crisp winter evening, where bison graze placidly along the roadside and elk appear among shadows of an aspen forest. This designation provides global recognition of the commitment of Biosphere communities to conservation and sustainable development. All habitat for species-at-risk are identified and mapped. In Elk Island, less than 1 percent of the park is in Zone V, including: The Park Superintendent may authorize motorized access in any zone for administrative and operational purposes. The strategic environmental assessment identifies additional mitigations and strategies, including the identification of information gaps that exist that pose challenges in the understanding of human-related impacts terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Elk Island National Park 4.5 619 reviews #7 of 195 things to do in Edmonton National Parks Visit website Call Email Write a review About Features animals Learn more about animal welfare in tourism Suggest edits to improve what we show. Indigenous communities reconnection to traditionally used lands is an important part of healing historical trauma and the path toward reconciliation. The components of results-based planning work together as follows: Parks Canada will make decisions with respect to how to reach the targets identified in this plan, working in collaboration with Indigenous peoples, partners, stakeholders and the public. Thirty-five minutes east of Edmonton lies a wild oasis. Elk Island offers an incredible experience that's different from other parks in the region. Zone IV Outdoor Recreation covers the Elk Island Parkway and associated trailhead parking, the Wood Bison Trail access road and trailhead parking at the south side of the Yellowhead Highway, West Gate Road, Plains Bison Loop Road and Astotin Lake area. Initially created as a wildlife sanctuary for elk in 1906, Elk Island became a national park in 1913. Monitoring measures for freshwater ecosystems are stable or improving. 1913. Parks Canada administers one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural and historic places in the world. Direct access by motorized vehicles is allowed. Elk Island National Park External Relations Strategic Plan 2022-2026 (2022). Understanding of the parks cultural resources has improved, informing the management of cultural and natural heritage. Astotin Lake is a focal point of the park. The park also forms a key part of an international migratory bird flyway. Parks Canada recognizes and respects that there are Indigenous cultural and spiritual sites within the park that are known only to local Indigenous peoples. Parks Canada at Elk Island has the opportunity to play a leadership role in the biosphere and other regional planning processes. Elk Island offers a newly upgraded interactive visitor information centre and interpretation theatre. A greater presence of Indigenous peoples in the park, which includes Indigenous peoples practising their cultures and sharing their traditions, will serve as a catalyst for mutual learning, respect and understanding. Hours of operation Facilities and campground hours of operation. Source for information on Elk Island National Park: The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. In 1882, the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad ("Tweetsie") linked Cranberry and Johnson City, Tennessee with a stop at Elk Park; three years later, Elk Park was incorporated. Elk Island National Park You don't have to go home after watching a beautiful sunset at Elk Island National Park. Wetland habitat within the Beaver Hills has been lost at an alarming rate. With no current operator for the golf course, there is opportunity to assess the golf course service offer and the best use for this area of the park. Significant changes have occurred to the parks aquatic systems over the last 100 years, including draining of wetlands, alterations to the hydrological connectivity with the North Saskatchewan River, and influxes of contaminants and organic pollutants. Elk Island is one of four national parks that represent the Southern Boreal Plains and Plateau natural region. Zone V Park Services covers Park Services including the park administration building, operations compound, lagoon, oil yard and staff residences west of Astotin Lake, the Wahkotowin Visitor Information Centre, three animal handling facilities and their access roads (elk, plains bison and wood bison handling facilities), Tawayik Lake Recreation Area and the Mud Lake parking lot. 5 things you'll want to do on a visit to Elk Island National Park in summer. Plan your visit - Elk Island National Park - Parks Canada With the changes in use levels and patterns, Parks Canada is adjusting the visitor experience to meet the needs of the changing audience. Based on the 2019 Elk Island National Park State of the Park Assessment and input from Indigenous people and stakeholders, the key planning considerations and management priorities are outlined below. The elk and moose population condition rating has improved from poor to fair by the next state of the park assessment. Feedback will be considered and incorporated into the strategic environmental assessment and management plan as appropriate. Operational mitigation measures and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be pursued to increase sustainability of park operations. Only a 30-minute drive east of Edmonton, and even closer to the city of Fort Saskatchewan, Elk Island National Park is easily accessible and offers a variety of activities for the whole family. Parks Canadas focus will be to identify approaches to ensure that visitor opportunities in the park will be informed by a better understanding of visitor-use management approaches, potential cultural and ecological impacts, the finite spatial capacity of the park, condition and characteristics of facilities and infrastructure, and any potential safety issues, to ensure visitor opportunities are sustainable and can accommodate people of different abilities, social identities, backgrounds and interests. Indigenous peoples presence on the landscape improves the well-being of the park and visitor experiences. These efforts will support the development and implementation of a visitor use management plan for Elk Island. [4] The park was established in 1922 to protect the world . Many positive effects are expected from the implementation of the management plan, including improved understanding of the significance and values of cultural resources in the park, facilitation of learning opportunities, contribution to landscape-level conservation, promotion of a sense of place, provisioning and regulating services, and economic benefits. The grasslands and forests in this region are found along the natural limits of aspen parkland and boreal forests, and contain some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the province. The range of innovative personal, non personal and virtual opportunities that enables target audiences to learn and create connection to the park is maintained from 2022 levels. Parks Canadas ecosystem management, conservation and restoration initiatives will be supported by the best available science, Indigenous knowledge, and an adaptive approach that provides for the evolution of management practices based on monitoring and research. Parks Canada will expand its network and collaborations with institutions and organizations with climate change expertise. The Internet will be used to reach people interested in reviewing the draft plan. Plan your visit - Elk Island National Park - Parks Canada In total over the past century, Elk Island has transferred over 3300 plains and wood bison to sites around the globe. Elk Island National Park - Wikitravel Parks Canadas national park zoning system is an integrated approach to the classification of land and water areas in a national park and designates where particular activities can occur on land or water based on the ability to support those uses. Elk Island National Park (established 1913, 194 km 2) is a sanctuary of rolling woodlands and meadows dotted with lakes, bogs and ponds, 48 km east of Edmonton. Elk Islands land base has expanded from 2022 levels. The pigs - which can weigh more than 300lb and move in groups called . Measures of ecological integrity are showing that visitation is not impairing the parks ecosystem. Cultural landscapes and features are rated in the next state of the park assessment. All national park management plans are assessed through a strategic environmental assessment to understand the potential for cumulative effects. Best 10 Hikes and Trails in Elk Island National Park | AllTrails The park covers an area of 75 square miles (194sq km). Respect for Indigenous knowledge systems is woven throughout management activities. Elk Island National Park | Encyclopedia.com There will be increased sharing of data and research findings, as well as increased collaboration in regional research and monitoring projects. Parks Canada will create and participate in opportunities to identify and coordinate climate change mitigation and adaptation actions. Objectives related to these challenges focus on the restoration of ecological processes that contribute to the ecological integrity of the aspen parkland and the health of ungulate populations. The national park "Elk island" as a component of the regional system of protected areas is a unique site, remaining almost the last "island" of nature at the border between Moscow city and suburbia: it is located both within the administrative boundaries of two Federal subjects - Moscow city (about 30%) and the Moscow region (see Fig. The roles of grazing, fire, predation, and transboundary wildlife will continue to be important considerations. The parks ecological integrity monitoring program will be reviewed to identify data gaps and opportunities to increase understanding of the effects of climate change on the parks ecosystem. The fence surrounding the park and low density of large predators means that moose, elk, and bison are at risk of reaching unsustainably high densities (hyperabundant) if they are not actively removed by park staff. Plains provide habitat for bison, wood bison, moose, deer, and elk. park administration building, operations compound, lagoon, oil yard and staff residences west of Astotin Lake, the Wahkotowin Visitor Information Centre, three animal handling facilities and their access roads (elk, plains bison and. Mar 31, 2022 When it comes to Alberta's national parks, the gorgeous mountain locations of Banff and Jasper always take the spotlight, but just 35 kilometres east of Edmonton is the hidden gem that is Elk Island National Park. Elk Island National Park, Alberta - RV LIFE Campground Reviews The map contains a legend at the top left corner and a 0 to 10 km scale at the bottom right corner. Camping - Elk Island National Park - Parks Canada Parks Canada is committed to protecting park ecosystems for future generations by demonstrating leadership in sustainable operations and adaptive management in response to climate change. Education programs will be developed and delivered to visitors, promoting awareness about their role in reducing overall invasive species presence in the park. Examples include: Improving relations through greater involvement of Indigenous peoples in park management and operations is a key management focus, as is contributing to the Government of Canada priority of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. There will also be an emphasis in engaging communities in the Beaver Hills region so that they feel connected to the park. The strategic environmental assessment was conducted in accordance with The Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals (2010) and facilitated an evaluation of how the management plan contributed to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. Parks Canada recognizes and respects that there are Indigenous cultural and spiritual sites within the park that are known only to local Indigenous peoples. A feral swine management strategy will be developed and implemented, commensurate with national management strategies, that outlines actions and activities to mitigate feral swine presence in Elk Island. The plan sets clear, strategic direction for the management and operation of Elk Island National Park by articulating a vision, key strategies and objectives. In 1941, beavers were successfully re-introduced into the park after an absence of over 100 years, trumpeter swans were reintroduced in 1987, and fishers in 1990. During the winter, the park is a popular destination for snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, dark sky experiences, and cross-country skiing. Within Zone I areas, preservation is the key consideration. Elk Island maintains its role as a leader in bison conservation in North America. For this reason, appropriate and respectful management practices will be developed in collaboration with Indigenous partners. This will inspire people to learn about and visit this unique tourism destination and create their own meaningful connections to the park, particularly in the shoulder and winter seasons. At peak times, the number and needs of visitors surpassed the capacity of the parks infrastructure, services, programs and staffing complement. The park also supports 18 species at risk (species with Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern status) that regularly occur in the park year-round, for breeding, or on migration. Elk Island National Park of Canada protects the wilderness of the aspen parkland, one of the most endangered habitats in Canada. Feral swine have become prevalent in the region, with frequent and increasing sightings in the park; and there has been no systematic monitoring of the prevalence of invasive species in aquatic systems.

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