31-729: Saskatchewan River Forks is a provincial recreation site in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan at the confluence of the North Saskatchewan and South Saskatchewan Rivers . The rivers, which have their headwaters in the Rocky Mountains , come together to form the Saskatchewan River . A major intersection when waterways were important to transportation on the Canadian Prairies , first with
62-574: A New France fur-trading post, Fort La Jonquière , was established on the Saskatchewan River (or one of its branches) possibly at, or near, the Forks by Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre . In 1753, a second French fur-trading post, Fort de la Corne , was established in the area by Louis de la Corne, Chevalier de la Corne . List of protected areas of Saskatchewan#Provincial recreation sites International Associated acts This
93-401: A female beaver, is Parks Canada's mascot. A series of animated shorts starring her are hosted on the organization's website and have also been aired on television as interstitials . The Parks Canada Agency was established as a separate service entity in 1998 and falls under the responsibility of Environment and Climate Change Canada . Before 2003, Parks Canada (under various names) fell under
124-502: A large majority of their protected areas and heritage sites with Indigenous partners . The Canadian Register of Historic Places is supported and managed by the agency, in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments and other federal bodies. The agency is also the working arm of the national Historic Sites and Monuments Board , which recommends National Historic Sites , Events , and Persons . The minister of environment and climate change ( Steven Guilbeault since 2021)
155-485: A legal challenge to its use, there are no precise and clear definitions for it ". Regardless of the fluidity of the term, there are some common elements, "There are, however, certain common elements found in many definitions: naturalness, wholeness, continuity through time ". According to the most recent iteration of the Canada National Parks Act S.C. 2000, c.32 ., Parks Canada is responsible for
186-437: A more holistic approach, fostering increasingly complete results. One of Parks Canada's most recent publications, Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators: Ecological integrity of national parks (2018), demonstrates how effective Parks Canada's recent efforts have been. More exhaustive science-based methodology allows for more precise results and ultimately, better management. This document, and all results, are based on
217-455: A significant amount of debate surrounding the definition of ecological integrity. As can be seen through the evolution of the term, ecological integrity is deeply rooted in notions of symbiosis, sustainability, and holistic management practices. There is a fair amount of debate surrounding the definition of the term in the academic world as well. For example, "[ecological integrity] has a high degree of linguistic elasticity and should there ever be
248-697: Is responsible for the agency, and it is managed by its chief executive officer (Ron Hallman since 2019). The agency's budget was $ 1.3 billion in the 2020–2021 fiscal year and it employed 4,666 public servants in March 2021. Parks Canada was established on May 19, 1911, as the Dominion Parks Branch under the Department of the Interior , becoming the world's first national park service. Since its creation, its name has changed, known variously as
279-600: Is a list of protected areas of Saskatchewan . The federal government transferred control of natural resources to the western provinces in 1930 with the Natural Resources Acts . At that time, the Saskatchewan government set up its own Department of Natural Resources. In an attempt to get people working and to encourage tourism during the Great Depression , several projects were set up by
310-399: Is a notable improvement, considering that in 2000, 54 per cent of parks were suffering some form of major or severe ecological stresses. In 2018, there are 12 ecosystems rated as poor, 20 EI indicators in decline, particularly forests and freshwater environments. Overall, this improvement is a testament to what Parks Canada Agency's ecological integrity monitoring program is capable of. Parka,
341-676: Is based on three publications: Monitoring and Reporting Ecological Integrity in Canada’s National Parks Volume I: Guiding Principles (2005) and the compendium document, Volume 2: A Park-Level Guide to Establishing EI Monitoring (2007) , Consolidated Guidelines for Ecological Integrity Monitoring in Canada’s National Parks (2011). The most recent iteration of guidelines for ecological integrity monitoring, Consolidated Guidelines for Ecological Integrity Monitoring in Canada’s National Parks (2011) ,
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#1732771866731372-413: Is significantly more robust and science based. Some of the notable improvements include the integration of a trend variable designed to demonstrate whether the indicator is deteriorating, stable or improving. In addition, the inclusion of quantitative thresholds to determine the state of indicator will allow for more accurate results. Lastly, the incorporation of an “ Iceberg Model for EI Indicator ” provides
403-1016: Is the agency of the Government of Canada which manages the country's 48 National Parks , three National Marine Conservation Areas , 172 National Historic Sites , one National Urban Park ( Rouge National Urban Park ), and one National Landmark ( Pingo Canadian Landmark ). Parks Canada is mandated to "protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage , and foster public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations ". The agency also administers lands and waters set aside as potential national parklands, including 10 National Park Reserves and one National Marine Conservation Area Reserve. More than 450,000 km (170,000 sq mi) of lands and waters in national parks and national marine conservation areas has been set aside for such purposes. Parks Canada cooperatively manages
434-491: The Act . In May 2012, it was reported that Park Wardens may be cross designated to enforce certain wildlife acts administered by Environment Canada . Should the designations go ahead it would only be for Park Wardens that are stationed near existing migratory bird sanctuaries. Essentially the intent of the change is to allow for a faster and lower-cost response to environmental enforcement incidents, particularly in remote areas in
465-576: The Agency’s Guide to Management Planning in 2008 to restructure the agency and ensure that this new integrated approach could be applied to all national parks. With these changes, Parks Canada formally began monitoring for ecological integrity in 2008 and is ongoing to date. These modifications are consistent with the Office of the Auditor General of Canada ’s observations in the 2005 report of
496-592: The Canada National Parks Act as Park Wardens and are peace officers as defined by the Criminal Code . They carry firearms and non-lethal intervention options. The minister may also designate provincial and local enforcement officers under section 19 of the Act for the purpose of enforcing laws within the specified parks. These officers have the power of peace officers only in relation to
527-590: The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development . For example, “The 6 to 8 ecological integrity indicators for each national park measure the health of Canada's national parks by reporting on the indicator’s condition and trend (improving, stable or declining) over time”. This ecological integrity monitoring program summarizes the state of a park's ecological integrity using “good, fair, poor”. Parks Canada's ecological integrity monitoring program
558-674: The Dominion Parks Branch, National Parks Branch, Parks Canada, Environment Canada – Parks Branch, and the Canadian Parks Service, before a return to Parks Canada in 1998. The service's activities are regulated under legislation such as the Canada National Parks Act , and the Parks Canada Agency Act , which established the current legal incorporation of the agency in 1998. To mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, Parks Canada offered free passes to national parks and national historic sites for
589-604: The Park report was designed to ensure accountability in the management structure of Parks Canada Agency. In the author’s words, “The State of the Park report is the accountability mechanism for Field Unit Superintendents to report to the CEO on achieving the Agency’s Corporate Plan performance expectations related to maintaining and improving ecological integrity ”. In addition to this reform, Parks Canada also updated and released
620-674: The Provincial Capital Commission Act also give authority to create regional parks. The following is a list of all the regional parks: The following is a list of Saskatchewan provincial recreation sites: The following is a list of Saskatchewan provincial wildlife refuges: The list of protected areas below comes from the Parks Act. There are 49 National Historic Sites designated in Saskatchewan, 10 of which are administered by Parks Canada . Parks Canada Parks Canada ( French : Parcs Canada ),
651-722: The Regional Parks Act. Virtually all of the regional parks in Saskatchewan are affiliated with the Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association (SRPA). The SPRA supports the parks by assisting with research, education, marketing, etc. A yearly park pass purchased at any SRPA park also grants access to all other SRPA parks. The Meewasin Valley Authority Act, the Wakamow Valley Authority Act, and
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#1732771866731682-442: The assessment of 118 ecosystems throughout 42 national parks across Canada. Parks Canada Agency claims that 68 per cent of parks sampled are in good condition, 20 per cent fair, 17 per cent poor. Furthermore, of the 118 ecosystems sampled, 69 per cent are stable, 19.5 per cent are improving and 12 per cent are declining, according to Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators: Ecological integrity of national parks (2018) . This
713-525: The ecological integrity of all national parks . To cite section 8 (2): “Maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity through the protection of natural resources and natural processes, shall be the first priority of the Minister when considering all aspects of the management of park ” ( Canada National Parks Act, 2000 ) . This law put additional onus on Parks Canada Agency to implement a robust science-based conservation and monitoring program. Following
744-477: The fur trade and then during the riverboat era, today the Saskatchewan River Forks attract tourists, canoeists, and recreational fishermen. The recreation site, which is maintained by the province of Saskatchewan, is about 50 kilometres (31 mi) east of Prince Albert and 33 kilometres (21 mi) north of Weldon . Access is 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) off Highway 302 . The park is on
775-491: The government, including setting up a provincial park system in 1931. The founding parks include Cypress Hills, Duck Mountain, Good Spirit Lake, Moose Mountain, Katepwa Point, and Little Manitou . Greenwater Lake was added in 1932. Two more parks were added by the end of the 1930s and Little Manitou ceased to be a provincial park in 1956 and in 1962, it became a regional park. The list of parks, and their types, come from The Parks Act. Most Regional Parks are established as per
806-518: The jurisdiction of the Department of Canadian Heritage , where it had been since 1994. From 1979 to 1994, Parks Canada was part of the Department of Environment, and before it was part of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs (1966 to 1978), and the Department of the Interior. With the organizational shifts and political leadership in Canada, the priorities of Parks Canada have shifted over
837-409: The north where Environment Canada does not have an ongoing presence, but Parks Canada has a Park Warden nearby who could act on its behalf, rather than have Environment Canada responded from a farther office. According to Panel on Ecological Integrity Report in 2000 , "the idea of conserving nature unimpaired has been part of national parks’ legal mandate since 1930". The term “ecological integrity”
868-451: The publication of the Panel on Ecological Integrity Report in 2000, Parks Canada Agency released Status on Agency Progress since First Priority in 2008 as a response. One major stride mentioned is the implementation of a policy requirement for national parks to report on the state of ecological integrity every five years, summarizing reports from monitoring programs in place. This State of
899-611: The west side of the river fork and is heavily wooded with steep banks. There is a tourist picnic site, hiking trails, and historic markers. In 1692, Englishman Henry Kelsey — while working for the Hudson's Bay Company — was the first European to reach the Saskatchewan River Forks. While he didn't set up a trading fort at the Forks, his journey helped open up the prairies for the North American fur trade . Trading posts along rivers were important to European fur traders. In 1751,
930-416: The year. Park Wardens protect natural and cultural resources by conducting patrols of National Parks, National Historic sites and National Marine Conservation Areas. They ensure the safety of staff, visitors and residents, and conduct strategic enforcement activities aimed at public peace maintenance, resource protection, visitor enjoyment and administrative compliance. They are designated under section 18 of
961-469: Was put into the 1988 amendments to the National Parks Act but was in park policy as early as 1979. The Panel on Ecological Integrity Report proposed the following definition: "An ecosystem has integrity when it is deemed characteristic for its natural region, including the composition and abundance of native species and biological communities, rates of change and supporting processes ". There is