Birds on the Block

The Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program began in 1989 to assess and monitor the population dynamics of North American land birds. The program is a North American continent-wide network of hundreds of bird monitoring stations. Biologists analyze bird banding data that provides critical information relating to the ecology, conservation, and management of North American land-bird populations. Jasper National Park has been part of the program for several years and has one of the few established monitoring stations in Canada. In 2010, Jasper biologists caught a bird that was banded six years ago.

Your family can meet the Birds on the Block and visit the Jasper National Park bird banding station with a Parks Canada interpreter on July 4, July 12, July 25 and Aug. 2 for a guided tour of the site. Please call Heather at 780-883-0845 to reserve your spot.

West highway wildlife

On June 25, Park Wardens received two reports of a naked fellow standing in the middle of Highway 16 just west of the Jasper – Mount Robson Park boundary. If anyone has seen him or his clothes, please call Jasper dispatch at 780-852-6155.

A whole lotta Lucky

It was busy out at Snaring Campground last weekend. After a group of young adults from Edmonton partied to the wee hours of the morning on June 25. Park Wardens discovered that they had brought out a pallet of Lucky Lager beer for their weekend foray in the mountains. On June 25, they still had 23 full cases and a few garbage bags full of empties. Their weekend was cut short with an eviction out of Jasper National Park campgrounds.  

Young Xplorers

On July 1, Parks Canada will launch the national Xplorers program to encourage discovery through fun games and activities for children ages six to 11. The Parks Canada Xplorers Program will offer children and their families the opportunity to explore our national treasures in an engaging and fun way though a variety of activities like games, questions and discovery activities. Look for the Xplorers tent near the playground area at Whistlers Campground, grab an activity booklet and collect souvenirs for participation.  

Elk Calving Trail and Area Closures Lifted 

Parks Canada has lifted all trail closures with respect to elk calving season. 

This includes: 

• The Wapiti Trail across from Whistlers Campground, 

• The Lac Beauvert Trail and Trail #7 between Old Fort Point and Lac Beauvert. 

Trail #7 Bear Closure Lifted

Parks Canada has lifted the Trail #7 bear closure for the area adjacent Jasper Park Lodge golf course and has replaced it with a bear warning. Special caution is recommended when travelling in the area due to the frequency of grizzly bears and black bears using the area.

Please report all bear sightings to the Jasper Dispatch at 780-852-6155 or the nearest park information centre.