the backbone of this breathtaking National Park Reserve. Home to the highest peak in Canada, Mount Logan, as well as the largest non-polar ice fields in the world, Kluane's remote majesty fills visitors with a sense of awe and respect for nature's dominion. The park's abundance of wildlife includes the largest group of Dall's sheep and grizzly bears in the world.
Cypress Hills straddles the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, in the heart of the Canadian prairies. The park is rich in wildlife, offering a woodland refuge for the many animal and bird species found in the prairie region. Nearby Fort Walsh was established in 1875 after more than thirty Assiniboine natives were massacred by white traders, leading to the formation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Gros Morne National Park, located on the western shores of Newfoundland, has some of the most spectacularly beautiful vistas in all of Canada. Woodland Caribou traditionally inhabit the highland of the interior but in recent years, have been migrating down to the coast. Human history in this region goes back 9,000 years to the Maritime Archaic Indians and the Dorset and Gros water Eskimos. It is internationally recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, which puts it in the company of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This designation reflects not only its beauty, but its importance in helping us to understand the earth's development and evolution.
This is the waterfalls park, one of the most magnificent parks in British Columbia and one of the best representations of a full "mountain-top to valley-bottom" slice of an ecosystem. Mountains run down the center of B.C.'s interior, exhibiting unique lava landforms, dramatic canyons, inspiring peaks and deep lakes. The area is of great public environmental interest because of the concern for logging and other industrial activities in surrounding areas that are affecting the park's wildlife.
Eastern Canada is the setting of Quebec's Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. The unusual geology of the region creates a striking system of pools and waterways that create one of the world's richest feeding grounds for whales. The area is home to fin, minke, beluga, blue and sometimes even humpback or sperm whales. Learn more about belugas from scientists who study this gentle mammal in an effort to save this endangered species.
Land of the Shining Mountains was how the Blackfoot people referred to this place where the Rocky Mountains dramatically meet the plains. Alberta's Waterton Lakes townsite is delightfully unique as wildlife mix freely with both residents and visitors. Many of Waterton's crystal lakes were carved into hard mountain rock by ancient glaciers, creating a refuge for an abundance of wildlife and a place of sparkling beauty for visitors.
One of Canada's newest parks, Ts'ilós (pronounced sigh-loss) is bordered by the rugged Chilcotin ranges of coastal mountains. Stunningly beautiful and rich in wildlife, it is also a testament to creative park management. It is cooperatively managed with local native people, who carry on hunting, fishing and other traditional activities. The park's centerpiece is Chilko Lake, a magnificent aqua blue glacial lake that is the largest and highest natural freshwater lake in North America.
New Brunswick's spectacular Bay of Fundy is famous for tides that rise and fall over 5 stories every 12 hours or so, moving one hundred billion tons of water. It is a rich, sheltered ocean shore environment and a bird watching mecca, with almost 350 species. The bay is also a staging area for popular whale watching excursions and research on the Right Whale, the rarest of the great whales.
Dinosaur Provincial Park in Southern Alberta is world famous for its 75 million year old bone beds, unmatched in the world for sheer number and accessibility. This park is also the most extensive area of classic "badlands" in Canada, the result of the glacial melt that occurred 15,000 years ago and the effects of wind, ice and rain ever since. Breathtakingly beautiful and awe inspiring, it is the earth exposed and at its most vulnerable.
Made famous by the Group of Seven Artists and the tragic figure of Tom Thompson, Algonquin displays its Autumn colours for that brief blaze of glory in late September, early October. Autumn is the best time to see Algonquin, not only because of the colours, but because the cooler weather means no mosquitoes, perfect hiking conditions, lakes like glass and fewer visitors. There are more than 1,500 km of canoe routes through thousands of lakes, ponds and streams. By paddle and portage, one can access areas of Algonquin that can't be seen otherwise. The 7,725 square kilometer area of forest, lakes and rivers is not really a wilderness park. Ironically, Algonquin owes its existence to the logging industry of the 1800's, which lobbied for the creation of a protected area here, not to preserve wilderness, which was already gone, but to serve as a wildlife sanctuary.
Canada has a strong tradition of preserving open spaces and calling them "parks. The definition, however, has changed over the years, following the patterns of settlement across the country and the evolving patterns of life. Definition and character of planned urban park space has changed with time, beginning with former military grounds and forts, cemetery grounds and smaller green spaces along transportation lines. Landfill sites were often reclaimed as green parks. The 1950's saw the expansion of recreational facilities as the priority of park space, supplemented by the donation of private estates for the public good. In our present time, a balance is being sought between preservation of natural space and the provision of facilities for human enjoyment and comfort.
One of the most scenic drives in the world is the historic Cabot Trail. Named for explorer John Cabot, the Road was constructed in 1936 around three sides of the newly created national park and today makes Cape Breton Highlands a piece of natural Canada that can be enjoyed by those unable to make the journey on foot. It is a jumping off point for many marine excursions available to observe and research the local whale and seal population as well as the bald eagles that breed on Cape Breton Island. Most of the park interior is "formidable, even inhospitable" wilderness that harbors a number of woodlands.
Established in 1886, Glacier National Park is the second oldest park in Canada. This spectacular mountain park is located in the heart of the Columbia Mountain Range of British Columbia along the Trans-Canada Highway. At its center, the infamous Rogers Pass enabled the original railway to break through this treacherous mountain range at great human cost. The park contains over 400 glaciers offering challenging hiking and mountain climbing experiences. The Nakimu caves are renowned for their complexity and unique formations - attracting "spelunkers" from around the world.
Secluded and storm-swept, the Gwaii Haanas Archipelago is a magical place. The Park is made up of 138 islands in the Queen Charlottes, off the rugged northern coast of British Columbia. The Haida people call their islands "Haida Gwaii"; which means "a place of wonder." The most significant cultural resource in the park is the mortuary totem poles at Ninstints; declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.
Nahanni National Park Reserve is a world-renowned destination for canoeists and white-water enthusiasts. Nestled in the south west corner of the North West Territories, the Park protects 200 miles of the 250 mile long South Nahanni River. The Park was designated the first ever UNESCO World Heritage Site, because of its spectacular scenery and unique geological features. As it winds its way through broad river valleys and steep-walled canyons, the River offers spectacular scenery and a unique wilderness experience. The highlight of a trip down the Nahanni is magnificent Virginia Falls, twice the size of Niagara.
The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is comprised of four islands off Newfoundland's extreme eastern coast. The sheer cliffs and rocky outcrops of the tiny islands make them ideal landing and nesting sites for two million seabirds. The Witless Bay islands are the summer home of the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in North America, and the second-largest colony of Leach’s Storm Petrels in the world.
Lake Superior Provincial Park is one of Ontario's largest parks and features rugged northern terrain set against the immense and unpredictable Lake Superior. The most pervasive influence on the climate, landscape and culture of the region is the Lake itself. The park's vegetation profile is most striking at the height of the region's famous fall colours when the brilliant reds and yellows of the southern deciduous trees contrast with the dark evergreen forests. Mammals who call the park home include moose, white-tailed deer, woodland caribou, black bear, red squirrel, red fox, and timber wolf.
The Kitlope Valley is the largest intact coastal temperate rainforest in the world. It's a complete primary watershed from the glacial headwaters to the salt water of the ocean. Hidden in an isolated area of northwestern British Columbia, the rugged terrain of the Kitlope is cloaked in old growth trees, many of which are up to 800 years old and 10 feet in diameter. Species in the area include bald eagles, peregrine falcons, mountain goats, black bears and grizzly bears. The rivers of the Kitlope hold large spawning runs of all five Pacific salmon species.
Prince Edward Island National Park lies along 40 km of the Island’s north shore. The landscape varies from sand dunes, beaches and red sandstone cliffs to salt marshes and fresh water ponds. The park has the finest example of the delicate 'sand dune ecosystem' in Atlantic Canada. The star residents are the fragile piping plover, which nests in sandy beaches, and the great blue heron, a common sight along the inland salt marshes and shallow ponds.
The Juan de Fuca Provincial Park is a 73 km hiking trail stretching along the western shoreline of Southern Vancouver Island. The trail offers rugged beauty, wildlife viewing and roaring surf in its course along the pacific coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The park is known for its series of tide pools teeming with marine species such as sea stars, anemones, mussels, barnacles, crabs and sea urchins. The serene seal grotto is a birthing den for hundreds of seals, and Northern Sea Lions frequent the park's offshore waters.
Canada’s 7th largest park was created in1996 near Churchill, Manitoba. Wapusk National Park protects an area of the Hudson Bay Lowlands, which contains the world’s largest concentration of polar bears. Wapusk National Park sits along the northern tree line, which is characterized by treeless tundra and boreal forest. During the short, intense summer, a variety of wild flowering plants spring from the tundra soil.
Willmore Wilderness Park is situated in west central Alberta, sandwiched between the B.C. border, Jasper National Park and the Continental Divide. Willmore's landscape is typical Rocky Mountain, with foothills and mountainous terrain. Peaks along the Continental Divide exceed 3,000 meters in elevation. The Willmore is home to over 20% of Alberta’s bighorn sheep and mountain goats and about 600 woodland caribou. Other mammal species include moose, elk, black and grizzly bear.
The Mingan Archipelago consists of a coastal chain of 900 islands and islets in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, stretching over a distance of 150 km. The most striking features of the islands are their dramatic topography and rocky shorelines. For generations, lighthouse keepers have kept watch and guided ships through the often treacherous waterway. The Mingan has Canada's largest concentration of shoreline arches and grottoes as well as the immense limestone sculptures known as "monoliths". The combination of climate and latitude make the islands the ideal habitat for rare, arctic, alpine plants. Over 200 species of birds can be seen on the islands, but the most endearing is the Atlantic Puffin.
Located in northern Saskatchewan, Lac La Ronge Provincial Park is dotted with 100 lakes and 1,000 islands. The northern half of the park is rock; enormous boulders rise from crystal clear lakes and rushing torrents of water thunder over remote rapids and waterfalls. The southern portion encloses the magnificent 40 square mile Lac La Ronge with treed islands of all sizes At its north end, Lac La Ronge empties into the mighty Churchill River over the spectacular 80 foot Nistowiak Falls. Because of the many lakes and abundance of fish, the area is home to a large population of majestic bald eagles. Researchers are particularly concerned about the health of the birds and their habitat; because Northern Saskatchewan is one of their last remaining breeding grounds.
The 'Riding Mountain' is part of the Manitoba escarpment and rises dramatically to 436 meters above the surrounding plains. Surrounded by agricultural land, Riding Mountain National Park exemplifies the idea of a 'wilderness island'; and protects a wide variety of wildlife and vegetation. The park is unique because it has three distinct vegetation zones, a characteristic which creates some of the greatest natural diversity in Canada. The plant and animal communities of the north, south and west meet here. Large mammals who make their home in the park include black bears, moose, elk, wolves and coyotes. Riding Mountain is noted for the size and number of its wildlife species, which is a result of the park's lush and varied vegetation. Riding Mountain has 3,000-3,500 moose and elk and the highest concentration of black bears in North America.
Ivvavik National Park is located on the Northern tip of the Yukon, bordered by Alaska and the Beaufort Sea. The 10,000 square meter park encompasses the most productive region of the Western Arctic, known as the 'north slope.' Ivvavik means "a place for giving birth, a nursery", in recognition of the park's role as the calving ground for the Porcupine Caribou herd. The landscape is characterized by treeless arctic tundra, and the low, rounded British Mountains. 100 people visit this austere wilderness park every year, most to raft the wild Firth River.
Forillon National Park is a place of unparalleled diversity: sea, cliffs, mountains, sand dunes and boreal forest. The influence of the sea is profound here, and the richness of the waters endows the area with abundant marine species, including humpback whales and harbour seals. The inland areas reveal the legacy of the Europeans who farmed here; their abandoned fields are still visible. The lush, interior forest is also the focus of the park's first black bear research project.
The centerpiece of this park is magnificent Mount Robson itself, the highest peak in the Rockies. It protects breathtaking natural features; rugged snow-capped mountains, broad and narrow valleys, precipitous canyons and glacier-fed lakes. The park protects the headwaters of the mighty Fraser River; the final stop for Chinook salmon, who spawn there. Mount Robson has long been a world-renowned destination for mountaineers. Controversy over who reached the summit first has raged for almost a century. The best known of the park's early settlers were the five Hargreaves brothers, whose legendary exploits still resonate i
The rugged beauty of Georgian Bay Islands National Park is characterized by the rocky outcrops and spindly windblown pines that have come to symbolize its landscape. Georgian Bay Islands has the greatest diversity of reptiles and amphibians of any Canadian National Park, and is one of the last refuges for the threatened Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. Many of the challenges faced by park management are related to reconciling preservation with the pressures of recreational use. One of the park's great success stories is that of the majestic osprey, for whom neighbouring cottagers and the park have erected nesting poles.
Perched on the arctic edge of North America, tiny Herschel Island has a unique combination of arctic flora, mammals and birds; and the imprint of human history. Inuvialuit families have fished and hunted here for thousands of years, and missionaries, Mounties and American whalers all left their legacy on the island's shores. During the brief Arctic summer, Herschel has a colourful and amazing variety of plant life; nearly 200 species. The largest colony of black guillemots in the Western Arctic nests here; and the cliffs and gullies of the island are home to magnificent birds of prey.
Grasslands National Park is a place of superlatives; abundant wildlife, subtle, yet breathtaking landscapes and expansive, prairie vistas. Unfortunately, after a century of human exploitation, the complex mixed-grass prairie ecosystem is one of the most endangered environments in North America. The park's research team is attempting to restore it to its former glory. Completely absent from the park a decade ago, the Swift Fox is being slowly and successfully re-introduced. Grasslands' signature species is the fascinating prairie dog, who have built residential 'colonies' throughout the park. Ranching is both a livelihood and a way of life for the ranches adjoining the park, and we join them on a cattle drive.
Goat Range Provincial Park is the largest wilderness park in the Selkirk mountains. This wild and rugged country has a healthy population of grizzlies, a large proportion of which are rare and mysterious 'white grizzlies.' Our crew hikes through bear-denning areas with local experts, who unravel some of the complexities of old-growth forests. We attend a unique 'bear school' where the focus is on watching for bear 'signs' and interpreting bear behaviour.
Southern Alberta's Writing-On-Stone Park protects more rock art than any other location on the North American plains. For centuries, native people created petroglyphs and pictographs on the park's sheer sandstone cliffs. Writing-On-Stone has a unique and mystical landscape, characterized by mushroom-shaped rocks known as 'hoodoos' and 'coulees', damp, steep-walled ravines. Pronghorn antelope graze on the open prairies, white-tailed and mule deer cruise along the river and yellow-bellied marmots bask on the sun-warmed sandstone.
Jasper is far from any major city and less visited than many of its Rocky Mountain neighbours. Beyond the well-traveled highway, there is vast backcountry wilderness and abundant natural wonders; including the magnificent and intimidating Columbia Icefield. Due to its relative isolation, diversity, and sheer size, Jasper is home to the largest population of mammals in the Rockies. Park staff is particularly attentive to the endangered Harlequin duck, which is indicative of the sustainability of the park's aquatic systems.
Cape Scott is a place of extremes: rugged, impenetrable wilderness on the northwest tip of Vancouver Island. The treacherous currents and unrelenting weather at Cape Scott is notorious among sailors and hundreds of shipwrecks dot the coast. The isolated Cape Scott lighthouse is one of the last in British Columbia still tended by a keeper. This climate and landscape can be unforgiving, and two separate attempts at settlement here ended in failure. The forest reclaims quickly; so the few poignant reminders of the park's human inhabitants are disappearing. Black bears forage along the beaches and enjoy the shelter of the dense forest. Seals and sea lions inhabit the offshore rocks and islands.
Hecla Provincial Park's natural and human history are so inextricably linked to the water, that it's easy to forget that this is Manitoba. The park's most fascinating inhabitants are the majestic white pelicans that nest on the offshore islands. Hecla's first group of European settlers came from Iceland in the 19th century, to start life afresh in what would become 'New Iceland.' Most of the Icelanders have moved away, but the Hecla of today commemorates both the natural and human history of the island.
Eastern Newfoundland's Terra Nova National Park protects the 'fingers of the sea'. In this unusual landscape, the ocean's bays reach deep inland to meet the edge of the boreal forest. The 'fingers' of Terra Nova are sheltered and shallow, and whales, seabirds and other marine life thrives here. Most of the park is forest, which supports a large population of moose and a small number of the endangered Newfoundland marten. The moist climate of the park produces the right conditions for the growth of bogs, which sometimes rise up to 5 meters above the surrounding landscape.
Garibaldi Provincial Park is a place of superlatives and contrasts. It is located adjacent to the busy resort town of Whistler; yet its alpine wilderness character has remained intact. Majestic mountains, glittering glaciers, vibrant meadows, jewel-like lakes and alpine tarns characterize the park's high country. We join a group of researchers as they take core samples on the Helm glacier, which is a unique barometer of complex environmental change. Every winter, the nearby Squamish River provides rich forage for about 3000 bald eagles, a natural phenomenon confirmed as the largest gathering of bald eagles in the world.
Tiny Point Pelee National Park has surprising diversity for its size. But, it is best known for its spring bird migration, when nearly 350 species of birds and thousands of birds converge on the Park. The recreational use of Point Pelee has done almost irreparable damage to its tiny, delicate ecosystem. Today, efforts are focussed on restoring the natural environment. Park staff are monitoring the Eastern fox snake, a key indicator of ecosystem health. The flying squirrel, a crucial, native species extirpated in the 1960's has been successfully re-introduced.
The new Muskwa Kechika protected area is known as the "Serengeti of the North". This pristine wilderness in north eastern British Columbia is home to an incredible number of wildlife species; and supports the largest predator-prey system in North America. The park also represents a ground-breaking approach to land management. It rests in another larger management area, which accommodates both resource development and conservation.
Fathom Five is Canada's first national marine park. The park contains the mythical "flowerpot" rock formations, and rare, ancient island habitats. The most evocative of Fathom Five's treasures are found beneath the crystalline waters of Georgian Bay; the remains of countless, intriguing shipwrecks.
Located at the northern end of Banks Island, this arctic wilderness is home to over 50,000 muskox. Deeply cut canyons, badlands, rugged seacoast, river valleys and tundra plateau characterize the landscape. Aulavik also protects the Thomsen River, which is considered the most northerly navigable river in the world.
There is a 'spirit' of Pukaskwa that envelopes all who explore it. The park is a breathtaking boreal forest wilderness on the northern shore of Lake Superior. The origins of mysterious rock structures on Pukaskwa's boulder beaches remain unknown. Rare arctic plants thrive on the wind-swept shore, because of the cooling influence of Lake Superior.
Tweedsmuir is the largest provincial park in British Columbia. The Park's rich valleys provide refuge for a high density of grizzly bears. A few back-country lodges penetrate the wilderness. A trail crosses the south end of the park, commemorating Alexander Mackenzie's 1793 journey, the first land crossing of continental North America.
As with many northern parks, the most efficient way to travel through Katannilik Park is by river. The river valley is breathtaking and magical. The fragrance of wildflowers in July overwhelms the senses, and the ground literally 'shimmers' with mica crystal deposits. The 2500 square kilometer Soper River drainage system runs across Baffin Island's Meta Incognita Peninsula.
La Mauricie is at its most magnificent in the fall, when the forests of the Laurentians explode with colour. The call of the loon is symbolic of the Mauricie wilderness, and the elegant bird nests on some park islands. The ideal way to explore La Mauricie is by canoe, just as the coureurs de bois of centuries past.
Kootenay National Park is the "undiscovered" park of the Rockies, and shelters remarkable climactic and vegetation diversity. The park's Columbia Valley is part of North America's longest continuous series of wetlands, which provide habitat for over 250 species of birds.
The only neo-tropical bird banding station in the boreal forest is in Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park. The park's namesake lake is a freshwater ocean that moderates the northern climate. Marten Mountain has a unique microclimate and ecosystem where species usually found in the Rockies, thrive.
Kouchibouguac has the most dynamic ecosystem in the national parks system; it is constantly changing. The park is a rich marine mosaic of bogs, salt marshes, tidal rivers, barrier islands, and sheltered lagoons. Colonies of both harbour and gray seals bark and splash on offshore dunes all summer.
Located in the southwest corner of Alberta, "K-Country" encompasses 4000 square kilometers of rolling hills and rushing creeks, snow-capped peaks and lush forests. Kananaskis represents an experiment in land use; protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, scientific research and recreational use co-exist here. Innovative local outfitters guide adventurers up to alpine areas using domestic goats as pack animals.
Elk Island is one of Canada's most fascinating national parks. Originally established as an elk preserve in 1906, the "island" analogy is reinforced by the fact that it is the only completely fenced national park. The park is a sanctuary for 44 species of mammals, including Canada's largest herd of plains bison.
Bruce Peninsula protects the stunning cliffs of the Niagara escarpment, and the oldest forest in eastern North America. The Peninsula is also home to a variety of rare orchids and wildflowers and a remnant population of Black Bears.
St. Lawrence Islands National Park is part of Ontario's 1000 Islands area, an 80 km-wide extension of granite hilltops joining the Canadian Shield of northern Ontario with New York's Adirondack Mountains. The park is a jewel enjoyed by millions of recreational boaters, but also protects a sliver of wilderness in the heart of busy southern Ontario.
This northern wilderness is Canada's first Grizzly bear sanctuary. Over 100 bears prowl the fjords, rivers and forests of the Khutzeymateen. Visitation is limited; the curious can enter the Sanctuary only with a licensed guide, and numbers are limited so as not to disrupt the bears.
This Saskatchewan wilderness is where the infamous conservationist, Grey Owl, made his home. The park marks the ecological transition from southern to northern Canada. The grassland, aspen parkland and boreal forest create a diverse mosaic. The park is almost 30% water, which makes it ideal for canoeing.
Canada's newest national park was created to protect the calving grounds of the Bluenose caribou herd. The park's cliffs and ramparts provide nesting habitat for one of the highest densities of birds of prey in North America. The park has astonishing diversity for its harsh, arctic climate. Tundra vegetation, rolling hills, deep canyons, dramatic rock formations and a breathtaking waterfall characterize the landscape.
Over 26,000 pairs of nesting seabirds nest in the spectacular 130 meter cliffs of Cape St. Mary's. Humpback, fin and minke whales feed in the offshore Atlantic waters in the summer months. The Cape St. Mary's lighthouse marks the southwest tip of Newfoundland's colourful Avalon Peninsula, and is battered on three sides by the North Atlantic.
For such a small park, Mount Revelstoke has a great diversity of ecosystems from the old growth rainforest to the high alpine and abundant glaciers. Mount Revelstoke's alpine ecosystem provides habitat for caribou, bears, wolverines and Bighorn sheep. The park has a close relationship to the people of the nearby town of Revelstoke. In recent years they have devised a bear awareness program which has greatly reduced the number of bear moralities.
Grey whales stop here en route to feeding grounds further north. On this misty edge of Vancouver Island, the powerful force of the Pacific Ocean batters lush old-growth forests, steep cliffs and secluded beaches. Pacific Rim's West Coast trail was first laid out as a life-saving trail for shipwreck survivors. Today, it is one of the most challenging, and most popular wilderness hikes in Canada.
Located in the northern Yukon, Vuntut protects the Old Crow Flats, a vast plain of more than 2000 shallow lakes and ponds. The Flats are recognized as a wetland of international importance, and are one of the most important waterfowl areas in the world. The Porcupine caribou herd, one of the world's largest remaining herds of barren-ground caribou migrates through the Flats.
Auyuittuq means 'the land that never melts' in Inuit. But, in summer, the deep and narrow Aksayook Pass provides an ice-free corridor through the magnificent Baffin Island terrain. The pass is an ancient route, and stone cairns, called inukshuks, mark the trail. Dizzying mountain peaks and active glaciers dominate the scenery.
A separate and self-contained addition to the existing PEI National Park, Greenwich protects a unique, migrating parabolic dune system. The spectacular dunes leave rare vegetation communities in their wake; and the continuously blowing sand has created an adjacent "skeletal" forest. Cultural artifacts have revealed 6000 years of M'iqmaq occupation, and an Acadian farming settlement.
Wood Buffalo's name reveals its greatest asset: Canada's largest free-ranging bison herd. The park also protects the last natural nesting ground for the endangered whooping crane. The park has abundant natural features that led to its UNESCO status. Most of the 1700 square mile, internationally significant Peace-Athabasca Delta lies within park boundaries. The park also has some of the most extensive karst topography in North America.
This park protects British Columbia's rarest landscape: dry grassland. Only 1.8% of the province's native grassland remains, and provides much-needed habitat for a variety of species. At the core of the Churn Creek protected area is a historic, still-operating cattle ranch, which is also serves as the administrative center of the park.
In a province renowned for its seashores and fishing villages, Kejimkujik is an inland pocket of rich hemlock forests and freshwater lakes and rivers. The park also has a Seaside Adjunct that protects 22 square kilometers of rugged Atlantic coastline, the endangered Piping Plover and colonies of harbour seals. The park's most scrutinized asset is its small population of endangered Blanding turtles.
The program is a documentary tracing the history of one of Canada's most treasured jewels - Yoho National Park - located on the continental divide in eastern British Columbia. The program travels up mountains to explore long abandoned mines. It crosses empty tundra to visit a deserted internment camp closed after World War One. And it goes along with scientists as they monitor the park's tenuous wolf population. Like Yoho itself, the program combines breathtaking scenery and fascinating stories to wind a tale that celebrates this precious land.
Take an unforgettable one hour voyage into Canada's oldest and one of its most beautiful National Parks. Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park is sprinkled with glorious turquoise colored glacier lakes set against stunning mountain backdrops. This is a unique place that is both beautiful and dangerous. Follow along with wildlife scientists as they try and learn more about the park's famous and mysterious grizzly bears. Take a heart stopping flight in a helicopter with the Park's wardens as they attempt to rescue injured hikers off of mountain tops. And see, for the first time, ancient sites once used by native people, higher up in the Rockies than archeologists ever thought possible. This is Canada's premier park and by far its' most popular, now it is available for the world to share.
Ellesmere Island National Park Reserve is the ultimate wilderness. On the extreme northern tip of the continent, the park encompasses myriad natural wonders, breathtaking landscapes and abundant high Arctic plants and animals. The ocean coastline is deeply incised by glacial valleys and fjords. To the north, unique shelves of sea ice as much as 80 m thick have held fast to the shore for thousands of years. Lake Hazen is the largest lake north of the arctic circle, and is a 'thermal oasis' in this polar desert. A combination of environmental factors have resulted in vegetation and wildlife being more plentiful here than anywhere else on Ellesmere Island. This austere, arctic landscape provides habitat for Arctic hare, musk oxen, Arctic wolves and endangered Peary caribou.
The PRINCESS ROYAL Park Proposal encompasses 265,000 hectares of central BC coast, approximately two-thirds on Princess Royal Island and surrounding islands, and the balance around watersheds on the mainland. This is a pristine coastal wilderness, with a rich ecosystem that provides habitat for killer whales, several species of salmon and the renowned white, or "Spirit" bears. The landscape ranges from Pacific Coast, to lush rainforest valleys, to alpine peaks over 5,000 feet high. It is the home of the remarkable KERMODE bear, a population of American Black bears that produces, by a recessive gene, white-haired bears approximately one in ten births. The range of these bears is quite extensive, but this particular region has produced the greatest number of these amazing creatures. Bear Biologist Wayne McCrory has spent many years studying these bears and will be our guide and teacher. This is an intact temperate rainforest with ideal bear habitat, denning sites and a large number of rich salmon streams, providing the bulk of the bears' diet.
When BC's Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park was designated in 1993, it created, in conjunction with the adjacent Yukon and Alaska Parks, the largest protected area in the world. It is the only large river drainage that is totally protected from its headwaters to the ocean. The Tatshenshini has become known as one of the wildest rivers in the world. On its 140 mile journey to the sea it cuts through a variety of terrain, from dense forest to deep canyon to broad glacially-scoured valleys. A trip down the Tatshenshini River is a journey into the soul of the park. Although few people lived along the river, it was an important travel corridor for the Champagne-Aishihik people. In the Yukon communities of Klukshu and Shawshe, they catch and smoke salmon, in the same way they have for generations.