Banff National Park
Improvement District No. 9 T0L 0C0 Banff, AB, Canada

Attention Banff National Park visitors Please be advised that avalanche control work will begin tomorrow morning (January 13) around 5am on Sunshine Road. Please expect possible delays accessing the ski hill. For more information on avalanche conditions and safety, please visit http://ow.ly/Gr3050D6Uod

A cougar warning is now in place for the Town of Banff and surrounding area. There has been an increase in carnivore activity and sightings in Banff National Park. : Keep all dogs in physical control and on leash. It’s the law. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.... Avoid travelling at night or at sunset/sunrise when carnivores are most active. Travel in groups (physically distanced) and make noise to alert wildlife of your presence. Do not leave out any animal attractants and always use the wildlife-proof garbage bins. : Do not approach the animal. Face the cougar, and retreat slowly do NOT run or play dead. Try to appear bigger by holding your arms or an object above your head. Immediately pick up small children. Be aggressive. Shout, wave a stick or throw rocks to deter an attack. If you see a cougar or fresh signs of any carnivore activity, please leave the area immediately and call Banff Park Dispatch at 403-762-1470 (available 24/7). For more information on carnivore safety please visit our website http://ow.ly/WvdK50D6CmC

Are you interested in helping shape the discussion about sustainable movement of people in Banff National Park? Tell us what you think of the draft Terms of Reference for the expert panel that will guide our work on this important project. ... Get all the details http://ow.ly/40FN50D5PQb Justin Bradley

Just a friendly reminder that many environmental factors can affect the thickness of the ice. Please be aware that if you choose to skate on natural ice, you do so at your own risk. The recommended ice thickness is 15 cm for walking or skating alone and 20 cm for skating parties or games. For more information on ice safety in Banff National Park, please visit http://ow.ly/nULP50D5ANu

#DYK flying drones can actually pose health risks to wildlife? Parks Canada strictly limits the use of drones in the park! Flying a drone without park or site approval may result in law enforcement action and a fine of up to $25000. For more information about drone usage in Banff National Park please visit https://www.pc.gc.ca//pn/ab/banff/info/permis-permit/drone

Wishing you a spooky and safe Halloween! Remember to plan ahead prior to visiting the national park, to avoid any scary surprises! Consult the Covid-19 and your visit to Banff National Park website here: http://ow.ly/43FZ50C4d54

What do you call a little bat? A battle! It’s #BatWeek so all jokes aside bat’s play an important role in healthy ecosystems! In fact, six of Canada’s 19 bat species live in Banff National Park! Including the Little Brown Myotis; an endangered species! ... All bats in Banff National Park are protected by law under the Canada National Parks Act. Find out how you too can help protect bats in the national park: http://ow.ly/EKi050C5wcZ

Halloween is this Saturday! An important reminder that pumpkins attract wildlife, putting their survival at risk! Keep pumpkins inside or consider an artificial pumpkin for your outdoor display. Keeping wildlife wild is a shared responsibility we all have a role to play. Thank you for doing your part!

#DYK that wolves’ coats can be black, white, grey, cream, and brown? While Coyote’s coats can be all shades of tan and grey but are rarely black! To learn more about how to tell the difference between a wolf and coyote, please visit: http://ow.ly/qa4N50C5vZt

This winter, Parks Canada fire crews are doing FireSmart work to reduce wildfire risk in the village of Lake Louise. Crews will continue to thin trees and shrubs, and conduct clean up work such as pile burning, at multiple locations in and around the Lake Louise townsite. If you see them in Lake Louise, give them a friendly wave! Work is expected to continue until late February, and treatment areas will be closed for public safety. For more information about FireSmart work in Lake Louise, contact the Lake Louise, Yoho & Kootenay Field Unit Fire Information Officer at pc.feullyk-llykfire.pc@canada.

Over the past few winters, Parks Canada has been creating a fire guard on the west facing slopes of Sulphur Mountain. By thinning and/or logging the forest on west Sulphur, we can help protect the Town of Banff in the event of a wildfire. This project also improves grizzly bear habitat in areas away from the railway. Reclamation of the disturbed ground began last summer, allowing grasses to establish. Patches of trees will remain, providing shelter for all kinds of crit...ters. Area closures are in place for the duration of operations for the safety of the public http://ow.ly/RUNu50C58n9 For up to date trail information, visit http://ow.ly/nkGU50C57iC

GPS radio collars provide a lot of great insight into wildlife behaviour and habits in Banff National Park. The biggest challenge our team faces is how to get the collars on, with minimal stress and impact to the animal. Parks Canada’s takes the decision to radio collar any animal seriously and we always follow the highest standards of animal care. Our bison team has discovered that the best way to radio collar wild bison in Banff’s remote backcountry is with a dart gun from horseback. For the full story, read our latest blog post http://ow.ly/Ge7m50C3OEP #FollowtheHerd

! Attention Moraine Lake Road Skiers ! As early as October 28, the skier parking lot at the entrance to Moraine Lake Road will be temporarily closed for construction. Work is estimated to be complete by December 18, 2020. During construction, skier parking will be available at the upper Lake Louise parking lot and access to Moraine Lake Road will be via the upper Tramline Trail. Track-setting will continue on Moraine Lake Road.... Thanks for your patience. See you on the trails! http://ow.ly/YmZg50C2MBk

On October 27 at 9 AM MT (English) and 10 AM MT(French), virtually join a Parks Canada aquatics specialist in Banff National Park for a behind the scenes look at how we do ecosystem check-ups! Parks Canada biologists, with the help of Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants a program that uses technology to bring scientists and conservationists into classrooms (and homes) from some of the coolest places on the planet, will be live, in the park to sample benthic macroinvertebrat...es. These water bugs can give us a glimpse into the health of the entire ecosystem! Join us for 45-mins to understand more about aquatic biomonitoring and why it’s important. You can ask questions and see these water bugs up-close. It’s a #ParksHomeAdventure! http://ow.ly/KXOn50C1hPc

Fall is a great time to explore a new view from one of Banff National Park’s scenic drives! Just a reminder, Parks Canada visitors are not the only ones using this road! Make the most out of your road trip and keep wildlife and other visitors safe this fall.... Obey posted speed limits. Be prepared. Conditions can change quickly. Remember cell phone service is unreliable/unavailable in areas of the park. If you see wildlife Consider not stopping. If you choose to stop - Please stay in your vehicle and pull completely on to the shoulder. Remain in your car at all times. Stay only a few minuites then move on. Your driving can make a huge impact. #WildlifeRules #ParksSmart http://ow.ly/1CxV50BOAsx

An important and friendly reminder to residents and business that wildlife can easily get tangled in outdoor lights. It is very stressful for the animal and in extreme cases can cause accidental strangulation. When installing your outdoor lights, please be aware of the dangers it can create for wildlife in Banff National Park: Install seasonal lighting after November 30th. Before then, the elk and deer ruts are still ongoing, putting males at higher risk of getting tangl...ed. Ensure lights are at least 10 feet from the ground, so even the tallest elk with their antlers would not get entangled. If lights are below 10 feet ensure they are tightly wound, without any gaps or loose areas. In general, avoid loose and low hanging cords, lights, wires and decorations. Install a timer so that lights are only on at dusk this conserves energy and helps preserve dark-skies for nocturnal species such as owls, flying squirrels and bats. Keeping wildlife wild is a shared responsibility we all have a role to play. Thank you for doing your part!

When you explore Banff National Park with your furry pal (on leash of course), choose activities and terrain that are suitable for yours and your dog’s abilities. Check trail conditions before you go http://ow.ly/OE1f50BREk4 Just Being Farley

National parks , historic sites and marine conservation areas help share the story of . Now you can help write the next chapter . Share your thoughts on key priorities with us by participating in the Minister’s Round Table until October 30 letstalkparkscanada.ca #2020MRT Parks Canada