CALGARY (Staff) – Alberta has agreed to an international commitment to protect natural landscapes that represent biodiversity within the province by 1998.
Alberta agreed to the program in 1992.
Special Places may be nominated by any Albertan. The nomination is sent to a co-ordinating committee and then presented to a volunteer committee in the community affected.
Most of the land to be protected is publicly held. However there are provisions for private land to receive protection through donations to such agencies as the Wildlife Foundation or the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
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The designations for Special Places 2000 can fall under several areas:
- Ecological reserves are set aside for research, education, heritage appreciation and preservation of genetic stocks. Grazing may be permitted.
- Wilderness areas retain their primeval character and visitors may only enter on foot.
- Wildlands include large areas of natural landscape that allow ecotourism and adventure travel. Some hunting, fishing and use of horses is permitted.
- Provincial parks are natural and historical landscapes. An example is Cypress Hills provincial park in southeastern Alberta.
- Natural areas protect special and sensitive landscapes of regional significance.
- Recreation areas, forest land use zones and areas designated by policy. These may be altered or man-made settings and are important to outdoor recreation and tourism.
- National parks and national wildlife areas. No new parks are proposed at this time.
