Park Management Plan Annual Report, 2023-2024

The protection of natural and cultural resources, park landscapes, and ecological integrity is fundamental to Parks Canada’s mandate. Progress has been made on various ecological conservation objectives.

Objective 1.1: Ecological integrity of forest ecosystems is improved.

• Approximately 375 Hectares burned in the Mitchell wildfire and several small spot fires, highlighting the dynamic nature of fire management within the park. Due to the intense wildfire season in the region, no prescribed fires were initiated.
• Ongoing control activities continue for invasive plant species, with data collection for reporting scheduled on a 5-year cycle, indicating our commitment to long-term ecosystem monitoring and management.

Objective 1.2: Ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems is improved.

• A draft plan has been prepared with the participation of Indigenous partners, demonstrating commitment to collaborative stewardship.
• Preliminary data collection commenced in 2023 to evaluate select water bodies for potential treatment programs aimed at eliminating non-native trout, one of the measures to restore threatened Westslope cutthroat trout.
• Continued implementation of prevention programs to detect Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) on recreational boats and gear, with measures in place to prevent further spread following the discovery of whirling disease in neighbouring Yoho National Park.

Objective 1.3: Ecological impacts of human use are addressed.

• Human-wildlife safety and coexistence guidelines, developed based on best practices and operational procedures, have been adopted for the 2024 season.

Objective 1.5: Cultural resources are documented and protected.

• Creation of a geodatabase containing all Cultural Resource Impact Assessments, accompanied by a web map tool, enhances Parks Canada’s ability to monitor and protect cultural resources effectively.
• Ongoing condition monitoring, utilizing photographic methods aligned with national guidance, ensures the preservation of cultural heritage for future generations.

National parks offer unparalleled opportunities for visitors to connect with nature and culture. Parks Canada’s commitment to enhancing visitor experiences while ensuring ecological sustainability is evident in the following achievements:

Objective 2.1: Sustainable, well-designed infrastructure accommodates visitor use and protects park ecosystems.

• Asset inventory and rationalization efforts are underway, encompassing trails, campgrounds, viewpoints, and day use areas, to optimize park infrastructure.
• Removal of the aging Kootenay staff bunkhouse and installation of the new Kootenay entry gate, modernizing park facilities and enhancing visitor access.
• Collaborative efforts with the Village of Radium Hot Springs are ongoing to improve the sense of arrival, fostering a welcoming environment for all visitors.

Objective 2.3: Accessibility and inclusivity are improved.

• Completion of accessibility assessments for Redstreak Campground and the Paint Pots day use area will inform retrofitting of existing infrastructure and inform the design of new infrastructure.
• Design of new interpretive exhibits at Redstreak Restoration Trail and Marble Canyon prioritizes accessibility considerations, ensuring that interpretive experiences are inclusive for visitors with visual and audio impairments.
• Installation of tri-lingual interpretive panels featuring Secwépemc language on the Redstreak trail in 2023 fosters cultural inclusivity and celebrates Indigenous heritage.
• Ongoing engagement with Shuswap and Ktunaxa communities on Marble Canyon signage and exhibits demonstrates our commitment to collaborative and culturally sensitive interpretation efforts.

Objective 2.4: Sustainable trails and facilities provide a range of high-quality visitor experiences.

• In consultation with Indigenous partners, approximately 175 meters of raised boardwalk was constructed on the Paint Pots trail, addressing previously poor trail conditions and ensuring sustainable access for visitors. Further improvements to trail conditions, including re-grading and vegetation brushing, alongside drainage control measures adjacent to the trail, enhance visitor safety and enjoyment while minimizing environmental impact.

Parks Canada is committed to deepening and strengthening our relationships with Indigenous peoples. Through collaborative agreements and initiatives, we aim to recognize and respect Indigenous connections while advancing shared priorities.

Objective 3.1: Indigenous peoples with connections to the park are engaged through strong collaborative relationships with Parks Canada.

• Contribution agreements have been established with the Shuswap Band and the Ktunaxa Nation Council.

Objective 3.2: Park management is strengthened through the participation of Indigenous communities and the braiding of Indigenous knowledge into park programs and management decisions.

• Parks Canada provided funding to the Ktunaxa Nation Council to advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 79, supporting the research, writing, and publishing of the book "q̓apkiǂ [k-ahp-kihlh] – to tell someone everything". This initiative amplifies Ktunaxa voices and their connection to their land, including the northern portion of their traditional territory encompassed in the mountain national parks.
• Ktunaxa Nation Council and Secwépemc Nation representatives participated jointly with Parks Canada representatives as part of the Aquatic Stewardship Working Group to develop a draft Aquatic Stewardship Plan for Yoho and Kootenay national parks.

Objective 3.3: Indigenous partners benefit from economic opportunities associated with the park.

• Economic opportunities have been realized through partnerships with Indigenous contractors. A Shuswap contractor installed Redstreak interpretive exhibits, while an Indigenous contractor completed the new boardwalk at the Paint Pots.
• Parks Canada provided funding to Secwépemc and Ktunaxa to support the development of a Secwépemc Guardian Program and a Ktunaxa ʔa·knusti Guardian Program, respectively. These programs will expand existing Indigenous Guardian Programs into Yoho and Kootenay national parks through pilot phases, with the goal of establishing long-term Indigenous Guardian Programs in the national parks.

Through innovative programs and educational initiatives, Parks Canada strives to foster meaningful connections and shared stewardship. Here are some notable achievements:

Objective 4.1: Parks Canada will adapt to the information needs and expectations of Canadians.

• Strategic assessment of communications activities is underway, with completion scheduled for 2024, demonstrating our commitment to continuously improving our outreach efforts.

Objective 4.2: Current and engaging learning programs allow Canadians to develop a sense of shared stewardship and connection to the park.

• Collaboration with Indigenous partners to co-develop Indigenous content in park interpretation programs to share Indigenous perspectives and stories.
• In April 2024, the former Redstreak Restoration Loop was renamed to Letwilc7úl̓ecw (pronounced Led-wheel-oo-loo) which can be translated as "Healing Place" or "Getting Better Place". This project was completed in collaboration with the Shuswap Band.
• Ongoing collaboration with the Ktunaxa Nation Council to develop interpretive products at Marble Canyon to share Ktunaxa culture, history, and connection to the land.
• The release of the Kootenay Guided Audio Tour on the Parks Canada mobile app provides accessible learning opportunities for visitors as they explore the park.

Objective 4.3: Canadians are engaged in learning about the park, allowing them to experience and form meaningful connections without visiting in person.

• Parks Canada developed and launched the Burgess Shale Fossils Google Arts and Culture virtual exhibit, with plans to enhance it further with additional virtual experiences.
• Collaboration with other mountain parks resulted in the development of a Google Arts and Culture exhibit on whitebark pine, raising awareness about this important species at risk, and conservation efforts to protect it.
• A podcast series on species at risk is in development, offering another tool for Canadians to learn about the park's biodiversity and conservation efforts.
• Two “Explore by the Seat of Your Pants” virtual programs on winter safety and park stewardship provide interactive learning experiences for audiences unable to visit the park in person.
• Through initiatives like the 5-year By the Light of the Fire program, we engage with communities through outreach events and social media to share important information about fire management.

Through careful management of development and land use, Parks Canada aims to protect the park's unique qualities for future generations.

Objective 5.1: Development and land use is managed using existing tools and other techniques as necessary to ensure the human-use footprint remains within established growth limits.

• Progress has been made in reducing the human footprint within the park. One house has been removed from Kootenay Crossing, and plans are underway for the relocation of the fire cache, aligning with our commitment to minimizing built infrastructure.
• Outside Kootenay Crossing, efforts to reduce the human footprint continue with the removal of an abandoned staff house at Marble Canyon Campground and a large unused storage building from McKay Compound.

Objective 5.2: Wilderness areas are managed to maintain wilderness character and ecological integrity.

• A two-year pilot for paragliding has been completed, with at least four flights occurring in Kootenay. This pilot program is currently under review, reflecting our commitment to responsible management of recreational activities while preserving the park's natural environment.

Parks Canada collaborates with regional partners to achieve landscape-scale conservation and maintenance of wildlife corridors.

Objective 6.1: Collaboration with regional partners promotes environmental stewardship and conservation.

• Collaborated with the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ktunaxa Nation, Shuswap Band, and other partners to plan and develop a wildlife crossing structure on Highway 95 near Radium Hot Springs. Construction commenced in 2024, and will enhance connectivity for wildlife in the area.
• Initiated discussions with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Kootenay Connect on landscape connectivity. Through the Kootenay Connect Working Group, key conservation values and potential threats in the Columbia Lake Corridor were discussed, paving the way for conservation options and beneficial management practices.
• Partnered with the local invasive species council to address the spread of AIS and non-native vegetation.

Objective 6.2: Wildlife corridors continue to function as movement pathways for animals traveling between the mountain parks and lands managed by others.

• Genetic data on wolverines has been collected and published, aiding in the identification of landscape-level corridors.
• In collaboration with the Province of British Columbia, the park is actively involved in monitoring bighorn sheep, especially in conjunction with the future wildlife crossing structure on Highway 95 near Radium.
• The 2023 Mitchell Ridge wildfire was effectively managed through joint efforts between Parks Canada and the BC Wildfire Service, demonstrating our commitment to ecosystem resilience and fire management.
• A prescribed fire plan for Redstreak is in progress, undergoing review by both Parks Canada and the BC Wildfire Service, aligning with our proactive approach to ecosystem management and wildfire risk reduction.

Parks Canada aims to understand and address the impacts of climate change through research, monitoring, and proactive management strategies.

Objective 7.1: Research and monitoring to enhance understanding of the effects of climate change on key ecosystem parameters is supported within the park and the results are shared with park visitors and Canadians.

• Completed monitoring of pika and bird populations in 2023, with results slated for inclusion in the next State of the Park Assessment, to better understand climate change impacts on local biodiversity.
• Collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada on a pilot study investigating stream ecosystem functioning in response to glacial recession. Fieldwork for this study has been completed, contributing valuable insights into the ecological implications of glacial retreat in the park.

Objective 7.2: The threats posed by climate change to park ecological and cultural resources, infrastructure, and operations are mitigated through active management and adaptation based on available scientific research, monitoring, and predictive modeling.

• Completion of wildfire risk reduction measures around Radium Hot Springs Pool, enhancing the resilience of park infrastructure and cultural resources in the face of increasing fire risks.
• Ongoing Dry Gulch forest restoration efforts, including wildfire risk reduction initiatives, demonstrating our commitment to ecosystem resilience and adaptive management in response to climate change-induced challenges.

Objective 7.3: Carbon emissions from Parks Canada sources within the park are reduced in accordance with the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy through the development of energy-efficient infrastructure, use of renewable energy, and programs to encourage the reduction of fossil fuel use.

• Replacement of nine internal combustion engine fleet vehicles with five zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and four hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), aligning with sustainability goals and contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions within the park.