Recreation on Public Land

Shared Resource. Shared Responsibility

Alberta's public lands contain some of the most diverse and interesting landscapes, viewscapes, plants, animals and culture in North America.

As a result of their popularity, public lands are experiencing recreational pressures that produce undesirable impacts on land, vegetation, water and wildlife, as well as increase conflicts between public land users.

Alberta's Public Land is owned by all Albertans; the land is a shared resource and a shared responsibility.

Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) manages recreational activities on public lands to:

  • enable a variety of recreation opportunities
  • enhance environmental sustainability of public lands
  • facilitate cooperation and respect between public land users
  • improve public safety

Regulations on public land vary throughout the province. Know before you go, be responsible and encourage others to do the same.

Alberta ESRD provides recreational users with information and best practices on minimizing their recreational impacts to the environment and on other users.

You are encouraged to enjoy your recreational activities on public land in a safe manner that respects the environment and other users. For more information you can visit:

Informing Albertans about managing impacts of recreation on public land

Management of recreational activities on public land requires a multi-faceted approach including:

  • enforcement
  • legislation and regulation
  • monitoring
  • partnerships with public land users and other interested stakeholders
  • planning
  • public information and education

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Updated: Oct 22, 2012