The Alberta government is proposing significant changes to the trail network in the Bow Valley, specifically in the Canmore area. Over the years, hikers and mountain bikers have informally constructed numerous trails, commonly referred to as “pirate trails,” without proper planning or consideration of their impact on wildlife.
According to Bill Hunt from the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), there are approximately two unofficial trails for every official trail in the Bow Valley. The government aims to address this issue by potentially eliminating some existing local paths.
Peggy Holroyd, the planning lead for the Kananaskis region at Alberta Parks, highlighted that the project has been in development for decades and represents the first comprehensive trail system plan for Crown land in the Bow Valley. As part of the planning process, the province deployed numerous cameras across the Bow Valley to monitor trail usage and wildlife movements.
The plan involves closing around 275 kilometers of unauthorized trails while establishing approximately 200 kilometers of official trails to replace the pirate routes. Additionally, seasonal closures are proposed to allow wildlife to move through the area without human disturbance during specific times.
Recent research has shown that trail use by humans significantly impacts wildlife behavior beyond just the trails themselves. Gareth Thomson from the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley noted that animals like wolves and bears tend to avoid areas within half a kilometer of trails due to human activity, creating a wider “zone of influence.”
While wildlife organizations are cautiously optimistic about the plan, concerns remain about the challenge of closing well-established unofficial trails that have been used for years. Proper education, enforcement, and communication are crucial to ensure the success of the trail management plan and prevent the creation of new unauthorized trails.
Holroyd emphasized that education and enforcement will play a vital role in the final implementation phase, including using machines to decommission old trails effectively. Despite the anticipated difficulties for the community, Hunt, a resident of Canmore, believes that understanding the necessity of these changes for wildlife conservation is essential.
Public feedback on the proposed trail plan is currently open until January 21, allowing community members to contribute their thoughts and suggestions for the project’s development.