Banff National Park management plan

Banff National Park

Banff National Park of Canada Management Plan, 2022

The strategic direction for the management and operation of Banff National Park

What we heard

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The Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, has approved the 2022 management plan for Banff National Park of Canada, and the plan has now been tabled in Parliament. With tabling in Parliament, the new management plan officially replaces the previous one and becomes the primary park-specific guiding document for the next decade.

The management plan for Banff National Park provides a foundation for the park’s future — a future that ensures the continued protection of the ecological and cultural resources of Canada’s first national park while offering inclusive, exceptional opportunities for experiences that connect Canadians to their heritage.

 

What you need to know

Parks Canada manages national parks in trust for Canadians, so ensuring new management plans reflect the values and views of Canadians is especially important to us. Through the Indigenous and public engagement process, there was a high level of public interest in the development of the management plan, and the values and perspectives expressed in the feedback received have significantly shaped the final version. The planning team considered every written submission and oral comment in its analysis. The feedback conveyed topics like the vision for Banff National Park’s future, where Parks Canada should focus its efforts over the next ten years, what should be carried forward from the previous plan, and the values and principles to guide decision-making. On the whole, most comments reflected genuine regard for the park and respect for its future. A What We Heard Report contains a compiled summary of the feedback received.

This plan builds on the direction and accomplishments of past management plans. While maintaining ecological integrity and memorable visitor experiences as priorities, this plan continues to focus on the inclusion of Indigenous peoples in the park’s future, cultural resource management, and addressing the challenges of climate change and sustainability. The 2022 management plan for Banff National Park sets a clear, strategic direction for the management and operation of the park through an articulated vision, stated values and principles, key strategies, and established targets that will guide the management of Banff National Park for the next decade.

The management plan for Banff National Park was completed concurrently with the plans for Jasper, Waterton Lakes, Yoho, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks.

Parks Canada thanks you for your contribution to and continued interest in the management of Banff National Park.

The park management planning process

On behalf of the people of Canada, we protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations.

Canada National Parks Act
What is a park management plan?

A management plan is a public document, prepared in consultation with Indigenous peoples and Canadians. It sets out a long-term vision for a national park, as well as strategic direction to guide decision-making about the park for a five to ten year period.

The management plan is the main public accountability document for a national park. It is the road map that guides Parks Canada’s work to protect natural and cultural resources while facilitating visitor experiences and learning opportunities. It also helps Parks Canada make sound decisions about where to invest financial and human resources.

Plan review process
  • Management planning and implementation is a continuous cycle of engagement, decision-making, evaluating and reporting.
  • State of the Park Assessments are a partial report card on the condition of a park. They are prepared two years before a new plan is due to set the stage for the management plan review.
  • Parks Canada sets the scope of the plan review based on the State of the Park Assessment, evaluation of the current management plan, public feedback, Indigenous perspectives, the Agency’s strategic priorities and other factors.
  • Parks Canada develops draft new management plan content, which is provided to Indigenous peoples and the public for feedback.
  • The final plans are approved by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and tabled in Parliament.
  • Each park reports annually on progress in implementing its management plan through public meetings or written reports.
Text description

Management planning cycle

  • Management plan review
    1. State of the Park assessment
    2. Scoping exercise *Indigenous and public engagement
    3. Management plan preperation *Indigenous and public engagement
    4. Mangement plan approval
    5. Management planning cycle
  • Management plan implementation
    Monitoring and evaluation occur throughout the cycle
    • Annual implementation updates
Indigenous involvement

As a member of the federal Crown, Parks Canada has a special relationship with Indigenous peoples. The management plan review is an opportunity to strengthen collaboration with Indigenous communities and organizations. We will offer opportunities for Indigenous communities and organizations to engage directly with us during the management plan review.

Public involvement

Parks Canada welcomes the participation of Canadians in the management plan review. Public involvement ensures that park management plans reflect the perspectives of Canadians. Each park will offer a variety of ways to get involved—from workshops or public meetings to online forums.

Guiding principles
  1. Moving forward, not starting anew
    While the new plans will build on existing policy and plan direction, they will be rewritten and updated to better address emerging issues, new knowledge and the results of engagement processes. The new plans will provide more clarity; respond to government priorities and Parks Canada Agency strategic direction; and reaffirm ecological and commemorative integrity as the first priorities.
  2. A platform for relationship building
    Parks Canada will use the plan review process to continue its work with the public, partners and Indigenous groups to help advance shared goals for conservation and enjoyment of the mountain national parks. Engagement on the development of the plans presents opportunities to incorporate principles and actions respecting the Government of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation.
  3. Decision making that is guided by science and Indigenous traditional knowledge
    Parks Canada will use the plan review to reaffirm ecological integrity as its first priority in the management of national parks. To ensure it can respond to the challenges of climate change, impacts to ecological integrity, and development and commercial pressures, Parks Canada will advance and make the best use of conservation science and Indigenous traditional knowledge. This framework will safeguard these parks as treasured places for generations to come.
  4. Openness and transparency
    The management plan review process provides an opportunity for increased public and Indigenous involvement and for Parks Canada to demonstrate transparency in its decision making.

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