Forestry and Parks mandate letter includes millions in K-Country upgrades

Millions of dollars of trail upgrades for Kananaskis Country are among the directives handed down to Alberta’s Forestry and Parks Ministry.

Premier Danielle Smith’s mandate letter to Minister Todd Loewen includes a number of commitments to improving Alberta trails and parks, including implementing over 900 additional campsites over the next ten years.

K-Country is directly named twice; once for an additional $5 million in trail upgrades, and when Loewen is instructed to explore ways to improve services and infrastructure in the region, as well as for “Canmore, Waiparous Creek, Crowsnest Pass, and other high-traffic recreational areas.”

Loewen is also tasked with developing a recreation and conservation strategy for Crown Lands with input from stakeholders.

Alberta’s trails will also see improvements through working with non-government organizations: “enabling the expansion of trails, campsites, and other public land use opportunities by Alberta entrepreneurs and other organizations.”

The full Forestry and Parks mandate letter can be seen here.