Conservation groups welcome new government opportunity

Conservation Groups Welcome the Opportunity to Protect the Castle Special Place

Conservation groups that have been working for decades to protect the most ecologically important area in south-western Alberta, the Castle, look forward to working with the newly elected Alberta government to fulfill their environmental promise of protecting the entire region as a Wildland Park.

“We welcome this opportunity”, said James Tweedie of the Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition. “This is something the public is in favor of. We know from polls that nearly 80% of area residents support full protection of the Castle over clear-cut logging and unregulated off-highway vehicle use in the Castle.”

Formerly part of Waterton Lakes National Park, the Castle is a spectacular area of mountains, foothills, montane, lakes and rivers, and has the highest biodiversity in the province outside of Waterton. The Castle is also a major “water tower” for the Oldman River basin, and is essential to protecting water for downstream communities such as Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. As part of the campaign platform the NDP committed to establishing the Castle Special Place as a protected Wildland Park.

“Due to its key location and ecological significance, protecting the Castle is crucial to conserving the greater ecosystem that encompasses parts of Alberta, British Columbia and Montana, including Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and  the Flathead Valley” adds Tweedie.

Katie Morrison of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society say fulfilling a campaign promise by protecting the Castle recognizes the importance of the Castle in the regional and international context and is a way to demonstrate that the new government is serious about conservation and environmental protection and listening to Albertans. “We looks forward to working with Alberta's new government on protecting this Special Place.”

For More Information Contact:

  • Katie Morrison, Conservation Director, CPAWS Southern Alberta, (403) 232-6686
  • James Tweedie, President, CCWC, 403-628-2422