Jasper National Park will be holding a public forum on March 14 to update Canadians on the progress, accomplishments and challenges with implementing the park’s management plan.
This year the annual public forum will also be an opportunity to learn more about the proposed Icefields Trail Project, which will run from Jasper to the Columbia Icefield.
The annual public forum is a key part of the management plan to foster open management and encourage innovation. It also provides a venue for Canadians to participate in park decision-making and identifying future priorities.
In 2017, Canadians will have two opportunities to attend Jasper National Park’s 14th annual public forum.
The first forum will be held in Jasper at the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre at 7 p.m. The second public session will take place in Edmonton on March 15 at 7 p.m. at the University of Alberta’s Lister Centre.
Both forums will start with an overview of the 2016-17 season by acting field unit Supt. Sal Rasheed, and will be followed by a question-and-answer period with the public.
The second part of the evening will be used for a public consultation session on the proposed Icefields Trail, followed by an open house where interested members of the public can visit consultation stations about the project and talk to Parks Canada specialists.
The Icefields Trail concept is a proposed multi-use trail running from the municipality of Jasper to the Columbia Icefield.
Public consultation is a key priority for Parks Canada. Input from local communities, Indigenous Peoples, stakeholders, and future visitors, along with the detailed impact analysis, will identify issues and opportunities that will be considered in the decision-making process.
Watch this space over the coming weeks for more details about the consultation process for this proposed project.
For Canadians unable to attend the event, the 2016 annual report will also be available on the Jasper National Park website at pc.gc.ca/jasper.
Parks Canada - Special to the 51°µÍø
