Issues / Areas
There are a number of initiatives underway to exclude motorized recreation and expand or create new parks. Some of these efforts are in response to legitimate environmental concerns and species at risk. But many closure proposals are not backed by hard science, but instead by other land users seeking exclusive access (or absolute wilderness) to a particular area. This section is intended to describe these affected areas.
The government is like a river, it takes the course of least resistance. Until now, the recreating public has been surprisingly quiet while environmental groups have become increasingly belligerent. Elected representatives sometimes don't know which way to turn, leaving the detailed work to bureaucrats. Land-use planning is a thankless job, but never forget that the world is run by those who show up. If you're too busy to show up, then you should not be surprised by the outcome.
The single largest organized plan to exclude motorized recreation in this region is the Wildlands Project. Many other closure projects (e.g. Y2Y, Boreal Initiative) fit within this plan like puzzle pieces.
Grand-scale closure initiativesThere are a few wildlands initiatives active in this area. |
| The Wildlands Project
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Canadians ... "have been able to see through the false tradeoffs between environment and economy and focus on what really matters"
The goal is to "rewild" 50% of North America. Check out their "Room to Roam" campaign. There are a lot of well educated people watching these folks. Click here to learn more. |
| Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) Conservation Initiative  |
Y2Y seeks to create a wildlife corridor from Yellowstone park, through BC and Alberta. From Wyoming to the Yukon, from Hwy 22 in Alberta West through to the middle of BC.
ATVs (or people in general) are not part of this vision. Note that a larger Yukon Mexico (Y2M) Conservation Initiative is looking to supersede this. |
Canadian Boreal Initiative |
The Framework's goal is to conserve the cultural, sustainable economic and natural values of the entire Canadian boreal region by employing the principles of conservation biology to protect at least 50% of the region in a network of large interconnected protected areas, and support sustainable communities, world-leading ecosystem-based resource management practices and state-of-the-art stewardship practices in the remaining landscape. Essentially "Wildlands Canada Inc". |
Local Environmental Non-Government Agencies (ENGOs)These are some environmental groups who would like to see off-highway vehicles eliminated from the Y2Y region. Some of these groups have legitimate concerns, and a desire to seek working and sustainable solutions. We all love and cherish nature and the environment. Everyone wants clean air, fresh water, gorgeous scenery, and a happy healthy wildlife population. Where opinions diverge is regarding the severity of protection and on what is sustainable. Conservation or preservation? We all want to protect this for our grandkids. The question is "what" will there be for them to enjoy? If these ENGOs have their way future generations will enjoy the backcountry from behind glass walls, in a manner that only these influential organizations prescribe. |
Castle-Crown Wilderness CPAWS Castle-Crown Website |
"The Castle Wilderness must receive immediate legislated protection from industrial exploitation and off-road vehicle use" (dark yellow) |
| Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) | The oldest wilderness conservation group in the Province of Alberta dedicated to conservation and the completion of a network of protected areas including wilderness lands and waters throughout Alberta. |
| East Kootenay Environmental Society EKES, now known as "Wildsight" |
Proponents of the expansion of Waterton National Park into the Flathead region of SE BC. |
| Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) | CPAWS is a well funded lobby organization with chapters in every province. They are the driving force behind the Waterton "Peace-Park" expansion. They are a strong supporter of Y2Y and the Boreal Forest campaign. |
| BC Waterton - Flathead "Peace Park Plus" Expansion Campaign  |
Create an extension to Waterton Lakes National Park ("Peace Park Plus") into South-eastern BC. Strongly opposed by residents in BC, the BC government, and the area member of parliament. |
| Flathead Wild |
“Refugia that are not hunted can be an important component in managing bear populations or sustainable harvests…Refugia that are closed to hunting, where bears can occur at or near carrying capacity, can be an important source of emigrants that can buffer overharvesting in surrounding areas…” |
| Natural Resources Defense Council | Supports the Y2Y conservation initiative through it's "BioGems" project.
"NRDC is America's most effective environmental action organization. We use law, science and the support of more than 1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things." These are the guys suing the Municipality of Pincher Creek over the Castle ski hill. |