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Photo Courtesy Lethbridge News Now
Alberta

Alberta government invests $750,000 into Fish Creek Provincial Park

Dec 12, 2022 | 2:39 PM

CALGARY, AB – The Alberta government has announced an investment into conservation work at Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary. The province will invest $750,000 over three years.

The funds will go towards the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society.

Minister of Forestry, Parks and Tourism, Todd Loewen stated, “Partners like the Friends of Fish Creek are an essential part of our provincial parks system.”

He continued, “For 30 years, the Friends of Fish Creek have been an integral part of the work that has been done in this provincial park.”

Loewen said, “I am proud to recognize their achievements and look forward to continuing to work together in the future.”

The Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society was started in 1992, after a group of residents noticed a need to conserve the park amid a growing Calgary. The province noted that its investment will help the society hire staff, collect data to improve programs and enhance the visitor experience.

Over 250 active volunteers work with the society and dedicate more than 12,000 hours each year to educate visitors, restore trails, plant trees, remove invasive plants, and host field trips.

Executive director of the society, Nic Blanchet said, “We are happy to continue our groundbreaking partnership with Alberta Parks.”

Blanchet added, “Thank you to the premier, minister and our colleagues in the Ministry of Forestry, Parks and Tourism for supporting our vision of a community-based model for the sustainability of Fish Creek Provincial Park.”

Back in 2020, the provincial government provided $480,000 over three years to the society. That investment helped the group deliver educational and recreational activities, along with resource management and research programs.