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Jasper National Park’s Heritage River:

Jasper National Park’s Heritage River:. The Athabasca. Canadian Heritage Rivers System. Outstanding natural beauty Historical significance River recreation. The Athabasca River. Longest river in Alberta Longest undammed river in the prairies. Outstanding Natural Beauty: From Start to….

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Jasper National Park’s Heritage River:

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  1. Jasper National Park’s Heritage River: The Athabasca

  2. Canadian Heritage Rivers System • Outstanding natural beauty • Historical significance • River recreation

  3. The Athabasca River • Longest river in Alberta • Longest undammed river in the prairies

  4. Outstanding Natural Beauty: From Start to… • A glacially-fed river that originates from the Columbia Icefield • Glacial meltwater full of rock flour • Section of the river in JNP nominated to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System

  5. Finish • Ends at the Peace-Athabasca Delta • One of the major drainage conduits for western Canada

  6. Cultural Significance: The Place Where There are Reeds • Also spelled “Athabaska” and “Athapaska” • Athabasca watershed used for hunting and fishing by many FN groups - a practice that continues today.

  7. Cultural Significance: European Arrival • Fur trade • Railway/ Road construction

  8. Recreational Value: Present Day • Rafting, canoeing, kayaking • Fishing, camping • Wildlife watching • Municipal, agricultural & industrial use

  9. What Parks Canada is doing to Address Human Impacts on the River • Correcting fish habitat fragmentation • Fishing regulations

  10. Parks Canada & Municipality of Jasper’s new sewage treatment plant What Parks Canada is doing to Address Human Impacts on the River

  11. Human Impact: Beyond the Borders of Jasper National Park • Five pulp mills • Low-end sewage treatment plants • Oil sands Tailings ponds adjacent to the Athabasca River hold water contaminated by oil sands operations. Photo: David Dodge, The Pembina Institute

  12. Examples of Environmental Stewardship • Awareness campaigns aimed at strengthening people's awareness and connection to the river • Voicing Albertans' concerns and expectations regarding the Athabasca and Alberta's future. • http://www.connectingthedrops.ca/video/qs05 Keepers of the Athabasca Watershed Society Connecting the Drops

  13. Finding the Balance

  14. If you drink from the waters of the Athabasca River, you will return to drink the water again. -- Native Legend

  15. Discussion Points: • Historically and currently, do you think there have been conflicts between different groups (Aboriginals, fur traders, industry, farmers/ranchers) who use the Athabasca River? How have/might these be resolved? • Why is the Athabasca River so important to us? • What can you/we do to protect the river?

  16. Sources • Gadd, B. (1995) Handbook of the Canadian Rockies • http://www.connectingthedrops.ca/ • Canadian Heritage Rivers System http://www.chrs.ca/

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