The Alberta government is suggesting a significant revamp of the trail system in the Bow Valley. Over the years, numerous trails in the Canmore area have been informally constructed by hikers and mountain bikers, known as “pirate trails,” without consideration for their impact on wildlife. According to Bill Hunt from the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), there are twice as many unofficial trails as official ones in the Bow Valley.
The province is now looking to address this issue, potentially leading to the disappearance of some familiar local paths. Peggy Holroyd, the planning lead for the Kananaskis region at Alberta Parks, highlights that this project has been in development for decades and marks the first comprehensive trail system plan for Crown land in the Bow Valley.
As part of the planning process, the government deployed numerous cameras across the Bow Valley to monitor trail usage and wildlife movements. Through this initiative, areas where new official trails could be established with minimal impact were identified. Holroyd emphasizes that the plan aims to consolidate trails to preserve larger wildlife habitats.
The proposed draft plan entails closing approximately 275 kilometers of unauthorized trails and replacing them with around 200 kilometers of purpose-built official trails. Additionally, the plan includes seasonal closures to allow wildlife predictable movement times without human interference.
Recent research indicates that human trail usage significantly impacts wildlife, with animals avoiding not only the trails but also the surrounding areas. Gareth Thomson from the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley explains that the presence of people on trails can deter animals like wolves and bears from using areas within half a kilometer of the trail, a concept known as the “zone of influence.”
The closure of longstanding pirate trails may pose challenges as they are deeply ingrained in the community. Bill Hunt underscores the importance of educating residents on the reasons behind the closures and fostering respect for the changes. Failure to adhere to the new trail system could further restrict wildlife habitats.
Holroyd stresses that education and enforcement will be vital during the final implementation phase, with plans to utilize machinery to disrupt old trails. While acknowledging the difficulty of these changes for the community, Hunt emphasizes the long-term benefits of preserving wildlife habitats in the valley.
Public feedback on the proposed plan is currently being accepted until January 21.