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Part of Glenbow Ranch Management Plan engagement

Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park draft management plan survey

The Government of Alberta is gathering input on the draft Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park management plan.

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  • Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park draft management plan survey

Overview

Alberta Forestry and Parks is seeking feedback on the draft Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park (GRPP) Management Plan. The preliminary phase of engagement was completed in fall 2025 and focused on gathering feedback on the vision, desired conditions, guiding principles, management issues and opportunities and objectives in the draft Terms of Reference. This second phase of engagement is focused on the draft management actions and zoning. Your input will help the Government of Alberta better understand public preferences, uses and perspectives, ensuring that the final management plan is informed by community needs and experiences.

Before completing this survey, you may wish to review the background materials – such as the draft Management Plan, Final Terms of Reference and background document - available on the engagement webpage. For the best reading experience, we recommend using a computer or large screen device.

Please note that the survey must be completed in one session - you cannot save and return to the survey to complete later. Additionally, you may receive an error if you copy and paste text from a different document into the survey, please try to avoid doing this if possible.

The survey may take between 15 and 30 minutes to complete depending on your interests. 

The survey closes October 27, 2026. 
 

Survey

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A note about sections 1-5 of the Draft Management Plan

The previous phase of public engagement (2025) gathered feedback which contributed to the first five sections of the plan including the vision, desired conditions, guiding principles, management issues and opportunities through the plan’s Terms of Reference. Now, Alberta Forestry and Parks is inviting feedback on the zoning and management actions to help achieve the desired conditions in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.

Management Objectives and Actions

Section 6.0 in draft plan

Objectives describe how the park’s desired conditions will be achieved. Actions are specific steps that can be taken during the life of the plan, based on opportunities, priorities and capacity.

Please select the management objectives and actions that you would like to provide feedback on.
1.1 Native grassland management and assessment
1.2 Biodiversity and ecological systems
1.3 Sensitive geological features
1.4 Water quality and quantity
1.5 Cultural heritage and historic resources
2.1 Access, trails and amenities
2.2 Education, Interpretation and Information
2.3 Viewscape and soundscapes
3.1 Nature-based tourism
3.2 Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives in Park Management
3.3 Partnerships with the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation
3.4 Community and stewardship
4.1 Facility and utility planning
4.2 Fire and emergency response planning
4.3 Park interface and boundary management

Management Objectives and Actions

Theme 1: Conserving natural and cultural values

Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park protects one of Alberta’s most threatened landscapes, where native fescue grasslands, diverse wildlife habitats, sensitive geological formations and significant cultural and historic resources converge. Sustaining these values requires an active, adaptive management approach. Within the park, sustainable grazing, targeted vegetation management, invasive species control and ongoing ecological monitoring will help maintain grassland health and biodiversity. Outside the park, collaboration with adjacent jurisdictions will be needed to maintain habitat connectivity, manage invasive species and protect local watersheds. Equally important is the stewardship of historic resources (archaeological and palaeontological sites) and to respect and facilitate the connection that First Nations people have had and continue to have with this land. Achieving these outcomes requires thoughtful planning, visitor education, and respectful engagement. The following objectives and actions guide long-term stewardship of these values.

The themes under this section include:
1.1 Native grassland management and assessment
1.2 Biodiversity and ecological systems
1.3 Sensitive geological features
1.4 Water quality and quantity
1.5 Cultural heritage and historic resources

1.1 Native grassland management and assessment (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Ensure the long-term ecological health of the native grassland ecosystem through active management and regular assessment.

Actions

  • Develop and maintain a range management plan to identify range health objectives and enhancements, the seasonal rotational grazing system, adjustments in pasture-specific stocking rates, drought contingency plans and infrastructure refurbishments to inform grazing related authorizations.
  • Conduct range health assessments and vegetation inventory every 10 years, with focused assessments of key fescue areas every five years.
  • Evaluate alternative fencing alignments and options (e.g., virtual fencing) to better protect sensitive vegetation and riparian habitats.
  • Address shrub and woody encroachment to mitigate further grassland loss through different treatments such as concentrated grazing, virtual fencing, mechanical control, herbicide application and prescribed burn.
  • Prioritize invasive plant control by threat and current extent of each species.
  • Although a natural part of the ecosystem, employ targeted control strategies for ground squirrels where there is intensive stock handling to mitigate risk of injury to cattle.
  • Collaborate with adjacent jurisdictions and developers to promote effective invasive species management and control.
  • Continue grassland restoration initiatives where ecological function and vegetation diversity has been degraded.
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

1.2 Biodiversity and ecological systems (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Maintain biodiversity, wildlife corridors and ecological systems.

Actions

  • Integrate existing scientific studies into a coordinated wildlife monitoring program (including mammals, birds, amphibians, and bats) to better understand population status, distribution, detection and encounter rates within the park.
  • Work with partners to continue habitat protection and enhancement projects for listed species found in the park.
  • Upgrade sections of fence in high use wildlife areas to wildlife-friendly specifications.
  • Collaborate with nearby jurisdictions to map and support the development of land use policy options to preserve connectivity between regional habitat patches and movement corridors.
  • Suspend the installation of new artificial nesting boxes in the park, with the exception of raptor platforms/poles, and bat boxes; preference will be given to the protection and restoration of natural cavity producing habitat.
  • Eliminate non-native stands of caragana and use native plant species where shelterbelts are needed.
  • Implement seasonal closures or restricted access to known nesting and denning sites for sensitive wildlife species.
  • Collaborate with academic and research institutions, museum organizations and other stakeholders to support and conduct studies relevant to park management and collect, curate and interpret new knowledge about the park’s natural resources.
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

1.3 Sensitive geological features (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Protect sensitive features such as steep slopes, quarry sites and sandstone formations.

Actions:

  • Strategically locate and design infrastructure, facilities and pathways to avoid sensitive geological features (as proposed in Section 4.1 Facility and utility planning).
  • Identify and delineate attractive and frequently used viewpoints which will encourage traffic away from sensitive slopes (as proposed in Section 2.1 Access, trails and amenities).
  • Maintain existing Ministerial Closures, to restrict public access from environmentally sensitive geological features and ensure public awareness of the need for such closures.
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

1.4 Water quality and quantity (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Protect water quality and quantity by mitigating impacts of stormwater, surface flows and riparian disturbance.

Actions:

  • Map spring and riparian areas within the park and apply appropriate protection measures such as limiting cattle and human access to riparian areas and groundwater seeps to reduce erosion, sedimentation, nutrient loading, and to protect sensitive aquatic habitats. This can include exclusion fencing, off-site water developments and seasonal restrictions for grazing access when the ground is wet and soft.
  • Enhance woody vegetation regeneration and invasive plant management in riparian areas to stabilize banks, improve habitat quality, reduce invasive species pressure and support native vegetation recovery.
  • Collect and maintain an inventory and assessment of riparian health for all riparian areas within the park. Target management actions to address unhealthy reaches.
  • Collaborate with adjacent municipalities to plan for and implement storm water management systems that enable the release of treated stormwater to the Bow River while minimizing the impacts of associated municipal infrastructure and land disturbance within the park.
  • Collaborate with adjacent municipalities to ensure surrounding land development does not compromise watershed health, water quality, or hydrological function within the park.
  • Collaborate with the Bearspaw Reservoir Trilateral Taskforce and the Bow River Basin Council on shared interests to protect source water quality, monitor watershed health and promote public safety.
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

1.5 Cultural heritage and historic resources (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Protect and preserve the integrity of cultural and historic resources.

Actions:

  • Collaborate with the Heritage Division (Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women) to implement strategies for the protection of historic resources (archaeological and palaeontological sites and historic standing structures).
  • Collaborate with academic and research institutions, museum organizations and other stakeholders to support and conduct studies relevant to park management and collect, curate and interpret new knowledge about the park’s cultural resources.
  • Ensure all developments in the park comply with Historical Resources Act requirements and conditions.
  • Collaborate with Indigenous communities on the preservation of physical and non-physical elements of cultural heritage, as described in Objective 3.2.
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

Management Objectives and Actions

Theme 2: Providing exceptional visitor experiences

Situated between the growing communities of Calgary and Cochrane, Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park presents an opportunity to provide a rural recreational experience in an otherwise expanding urbanized landscape. Visitors to the park will experience a unique spectrum of recreational settings. Front-country settings in the park provide well-developed trails and facilities that offer public access and amenities where social interaction predominates. Whereas expansive mid-country settings transport visitors to a scenic rural landscape shaped by Alberta’s early history and where native grasslands support diverse ecological communities; the interaction with people is less frequent and there are opportunities for solitude, immersion into nature and exploration. As visitation increases and regional development intensifies, thoughtful planning is required to meet the needs of a growing and diverse visitor base, enhance access, improve the trail network, expand education and interpretive opportunities and maintain the park’s scenic, yet quiet character.

The themes under this section include:
2.1 Access, trails and amenities
2.2 Education, interpretation and information
2.3 Viewscape and soundscapes

2.1 Access, trails and amenities (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Enhance access, trails and amenities in the park to support safe, accessible, equitable nature-based recreation while safeguarding sensitive cultural and ecological features.

Actions:

  • Collaborate on the implementation of a regional trail experience within the Bow River Valley in cooperation with the City of Calgary, Town of Cochrane and regional partners, including coordinated trail and amenity design and construction of a new pedestrian bridge over the Bow River and associated railway crossing.
  • Audit park infrastructure and existing trail alignments along the lower valley paved portions of Bowbend and Glenbow for accessibility standards and modify where feasible.
  • Design and develop trails and amenities that accommodate increasing visitation while protecting natural and cultural values. See maps in Appendix C for proposed additions to the trails and amenities for the next twenty years in the park, including:
    • trailheads and access points into the park
    • trail reroutes
    • toilet additions and removals
    • new trails and connectors
    • viewpoints and interpretive nodes
    • seasonal trail closures
    • water access location
    • pedestrian bridge connection between GRPP and Cochrane
  • Additional facility zone infrastructure improvements are referred to under Objective 4.1.
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

2.2 Education, interpretation and information (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Develop and deliver high quality interpretation, education and park information, which facilitates appreciation of the park’s natural and cultural heritage.

Actions:

  • Update the park’s education and engagement guide to reflect diverse user needs and manage visitor expectations through experience design approaches for different stages of the visitation cycle.
  • Develop trip itineraries to help visitors plan their experiences effectively.
  • Formalize a volunteer host program to provide education, interpretation and stewardship messaging directly to park users.
  • Conduct a comprehensive signage and wayfinding audit and develop an updated signage plan that provides clear, accessible wayfinding, regulatory and trail etiquette information materials (maps signage, website) to facilitate visitor navigation and promote respectful recreation.
  • Develop education materials and programs that deepen the understanding of First Nation treaty rights and Indigenous history, culture and traditional uses with active engagement and involvement from local Indigenous knowledge keepers.
  • Provide park information in multiple languages to enhance accessibility for all visitors.
  • Develop interpretive programs and immersive educational experiences to help visitors understand the park’s natural and cultural heritage and role within the provincial park system (e.g. evening programs, guided tours).
  • Host special events and targeted public programming centred on key park themes and promote the park as a local tourism destination (in alignment with Parks special event policy).
  • Improve interpretive signage addressing themes on Indigenous history and culture, ranching and settlement history, early industrial activity and environmental education and stewardship.
  • Curate and maintain archival photo collections to ensure proper long-term care and organization, with the advice of the Heritage Division (Alberta Arts, Culture, Status of Women).
  • Develop a grazing operations communication strategy to inform the public about seasonal or area-based specific closures related to cattle movement or livestock safety.
  • Conduct visitor and volunteer surveys on a regular basis to assess visitor use patterns, satisfaction, and interactions and to inform adaptive management and visitor experience planning in the park.
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

2.3 Viewscape and soundscapes (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Maintain the expansive views and quiet character of the park.

Actions:

  • Design park infrastructure to minimize visual impact, such as using natural materials and limiting heights, to retain expansive vistas. Adhere to dark sky principles within the park and promote adoption of dark sky principles for developments adjacent to the park.
  • Work with adjacent municipalities to protect views from the park, such as retaining setbacks and buffers for development. Prioritize action within core areas of the park where vistas are largely natural.
  • Work with nearby businesses and jurisdictions to mitigate sources of noise that impact the recreational experience for visitors to the park (e.g. helicopter training exercises, aggregate mining).
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

Management Objectives and Actions

Theme 3: Connecting and supporting communities and partners

Strong relationships with the many people, communities and organizations that live near, visit and help manage the park are crucial to ensuring a successful adaptive management approach. As interest in nature-based tourism, cultural programming, and community engagement grows, collaboration ensures that visitor experiences remain meaningful, respectful, and aligned with the park’s vision and desired conditions.

The themes under this section include:
3.1 Nature-based tourism
3.2 Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives in Park Management
3.3 Partnership with the Glenbow Ranch Foundation
3.4 Community and stewardship

3.1 Nature-based tourism (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Provide high quality nature-based tourism opportunities.

Actions:

  • Collaborate with local businesses and tourism partners to share accurate information about visitor services, amenities and responsible recreation.
  • Evaluate and support appropriate guided experience opportunities such as nature-based wellness and educational programming or other low-impact activities that align with the park’s vision and desired conditions.
  • Work with Indigenous communities and organizations to support authentic Indigenous-led tourism opportunities, reflecting the cultural significance of the landscape and park features.
  • Collaborate with adjacent municipalities and non-profit organizations to support the planning and development of the Trans Canada Trail, as a multi-use pathway connecting Calgary and Cochrane through the park.
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

3.2 Integrating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives in park management (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Foster and respect relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations to help guide management decisions.

Actions:

  • Ensure access for cultural ceremonies and traditional gathering activities in the park.
  • Support opportunities for Indigenous communities and organizations to collaborate on the protection of archaeological sites and visitor education and interpretation.
  • Provide cultural awareness training for staff and volunteers to strengthen understanding of Indigenous perspectives and cultural protocols.
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

3.3 Partnership with the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Strengthen and sustain the partnership with the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation to advance park management and visitor experience.

Actions:

  • Collaborate to ensure the cooperating agreement remains relevant and in good standing, and that annual work plans are reviewed and approved.
  • Collaborate on the initiation of fund-raising campaigns to solicit donations, sponsorships, and planned giving programs to raise funds for capital projects, programs, visitor services, and procurement of additional lands that will complement the protection of key park values for the park.
  • Provide training and professional development for Foundation staff through Alberta Forestry and Parks’ information, education and interpretation programs.
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

3.4 Community and stewardship (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Identify and enhance opportunities for community participation in park stewardship.

Actions:

  • Develop and expand volunteer opportunities that contribute to park stewardship, such as weed control, riparian restoration and ecological monitoring.
  • Develop programs and volunteer opportunities that engage current park user demographics while introducing innovative programming to reach emerging or underrepresented groups, including youth internships, practicum placements, and accreditation programs that provide learning and work-experience opportunities for the underrepresented 16–25 age demographic.
  • Expand and broaden community outreach and program delivery within local communities and adjacent municipalities to build awareness of the park, foster environmental education and strengthen connections to the provincial park system through initiatives such as:
    • In school programming, senior centre partnerships, community service organization collaborations, and participation in local community events.
    • Pre-trip planning resources that inform visitors about expected experiences, available activities, and park regulations.
    • Interactive learning opportunities, including mobile exhibits (e.g., herbarium collections) and demonstrations delivered in community settings.
  • Collaborate with adjacent municipalities who develop and offer visitor services associated with adjacent access points to the park.
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

Management Objectives and Actions

Theme 4: Planning and integrating park operations

Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is surrounded by privately-owned land with existing and planned residential and commercial developments that will impact conditions within the park. Future residential development adjacent to the park will require thoughtful planning to ensure minimal disruption to the park’s natural and recreational values. Considerations include stormwater management, utility infrastructure and emergency response planning to preserve the park’s environmental integrity while enhancing access and visitor experience in response to regional growth.

The park requires dedicated operational infrastructure to support maintenance and ensure efficient, secure, and visually appealing service delivery. As park visitation grows, additional resources will be needed to support visitor services and amenities. The park benefits from the long-standing partnership with the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation, which relies on financial and volunteer support to develop and deliver visitor services, conservation and education programs. Park managers should investigate strategic acquisition of lands outside the park for inclusion in the park boundary to support grassland conservation, grazing and recreational opportunities along the interface of the park and adjacent communities.

The themes under this section include:
4.1 Facility and utility planning
4.2 Fire and emergency response planning
4.3 Park interface and boundary management

4.1 Facility and utility planning (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Ensure park operations are supported by efficient, functional and appropriately located infrastructure.

Actions:

  • Develop an operational facilities plan that identifies long term needs for maintenance, storage and staff support.
  • Design facility zones to enhance visitor experience and meet operational requirements (see specific facility zone recommendations in text box linked here) .
  • Ensure operational infrastructure, such as maintenance yards, storage areas and service routes, is sited and designed to minimize ecological disturbance and visual intrusion.
  • Address nuisance and pest species that are affecting park infrastructure integrity. This will be done humanely, with priority given to non-lethal approaches when feasible such as removing food sources and relocation.
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

4.2 Fire and emergency response planning (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Strengthen emergency response, safety and risk management to support visitor safety and protect park resources.

Actions:

  • Develop a coordinated fire prevention and response plan in collaboration with adjacent municipalities and emergency services.
  • Develop response plans for all possible spill incidents in collaboration with adjacent jurisdictions and relevant authorities.
  • Work with the CPKC Railway to manage shared risks, including invasive species control, fire prevention and emergency access considerations.
  • Collaborate with TransAlta and other utility operators to address infrastructure-related risks and ensure alignment with regional emergency response procedures.
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

4.3 Park interface and boundary management (see here in draft plan)

Objective: Plan for and manage boundary conditions to enhance the long-term ecological health and function of the park.

Actions:

  • Work with adjacent municipalities and developers to ensure that land use planning, transportation networks and stormwater systems near the park are developed with minimal impact to park values.
    • Advocate for buffers, setbacks and design considerations that reduce visual, noise, and ecological impacts from adjacent development through opportunities presented in municipal planning and subdivision processes.
  • Develop guidance for mitigating the effects of residential and commercial developments on park values and desired conditions.
  • Identify, assess and pursue opportunities to acquire adjacent lands from willing sellers where they would:
    • protect grassland ecosystems, wildlife habitat, riparian areas or cultural features
    • ensure the long-term viability of year-round grazing operations
    • establish ecological and topographically appropriate park boundaries for resource management, access and enforcement
    • enable expanded recreational opportunities and connectivity to other regional trail systems
    • help protect important viewscapes
Please indicate your level of support for the draft objective and actions

Zoning and Environmentally Sensitive Areas

Section 7.0 in draft plan

There are seven special protection zones and six environmentally sensitive areas within the park that require special measures to ensure the values of these areas are protected.

Zoning works by dividing a park into spatial units based on ecological and cultural values, consistent management objectives, and permitted uses. Zones help provide certainty and clarity around the management intent within specific areas of the park. Whenever possible, zones are defined using identifiable physical features or legal boundaries. The park includes three zones, summarized below.

Facility Zone

The development of major facilities, within a bounded area, is the primary objective. This zone minimizes the extent of impact on natural values by curbing "development creep." This zone is facility-oriented and focused on infrastructure related to visitor experience and park operations.

Two facility zones will formalize areas for visitor services and park operations (e.g., maintenance yard, staff offices, and parking). The Glenbow Road facility zone is the location for existing day-use development and park facilities. Another facility zone is identified on the top of Scott Hill, in anticipation of future access to the park from this location, when residential development expands to the north of the park.

Natural Landscape Zone

The conservation of nature is the primary objective, while also allowing for a range of nature-based, low-impact outdoor recreation, tourism, and learning opportunities. Trails and minor facilities such as small staging areas may be permitted in this zone.

Special Protection Zone

Special protection zones are designed for the conservation or showcasing of superlative, sensitive, unique, or rare features or areas, such as natural and cultural features of provincial or greater significance. Uses in each Special protection zone will be prescribed for each site on an 'as needed' basis. Access and/or use may be restricted or prohibited in the zone in specific areas or times. Facilities are limited to those necessary to safely experience the site.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas Overlay

Environmentally sensitive areas are areas that require additional management considerations to protect sensitive conservation values. These areas were delineated using a combination of field-based assessments and existing spatial and ecological datasets. The environmentally sensitive area overlay does not create new land designations, but functions as an additional planning and management lens applied across underlying park zones. Management direction within these areas focus on avoiding or minimizing disturbance, guiding visitor use to durable locations, and applying targeted restrictions or mitigation measures where required to protect sensitive values over the long term.

See Appendix B for additional details on park zoning and environmentally sensitive areas.

Do you support the proposed zoning as shown in the draft plan?
Do you support the environmentally sensitive areas as shown in the draft plan?
Would you like to provide feedback on the draft zoning and environmentally sensitive areas?

About You

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What recreational activities have you participated in, if any, in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park? Select all that apply.
How often do you visit Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park?

Conclusion

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