The Castle is a Special Place
In January 2017, Albertans saw a monumental win for our natural spaces. The Castle Parks were previously a multi-use area allowing industrial activity such as logging. In 2017, the Government of Alberta designated the Castle as a Wildland and Provincial Park and initiated the consultation on the management plan.
A diverse landscape
Protecting mountains, foothills, forests, grasslands, rivers and lakes
The Castle Parks (the Castle) are a 1,041 km2 area located immediately north of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. It is ecologically and socially important as the headwaters of the Oldman Watershed, for recreation and for protection of wildlife habitat, including habitat for provincially and federally listed species at risk.
Albertans want to use and enjoy these lands, but also leave them unscarred and intact for our kids and grandkids to enjoy. The final management plan for the Castle was based on science and broad stakeholder input. It's important to continue supporting land use planning and more parks in Alberta.
Provides one third of all water in the Oldman Watershed.
Has profound cultural and sacred value to the Nitsitapii: Piikani (Peigan), Siksika, Kainaiwa
Has the second highest species richness in Alberta with over 120 provincially rare plant species and 59 species of mammals.
Encompasses Alberta’s second largest montane landscape.
Is crucial to the state and health of the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem and the greater Rocky Mountain ecosystems.
Is a critical habitat connection for safe animal movement
Has great opportunities for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, backcountry camping, and wilderness discovery
of ecologically and socially important area protected
Water matters
Love Your Headwaters
CPAWS is inspiring Albertans to love their headwaters. With your support, CPAWS Southern Alberta was able to protect the Castle Parks. Now is the time to step up and make sure all of Alberta’s headwaters and special places are protected.
Our team, along with CPAWS Northern Alberta and Yellowstone to Yukon, are working to increase awareness about Alberta’s headwaters, including the Castle Parks. We’ve been communicating the importance of our headwaters to Albertans and government officials.
Want to learn more about where your water comes from and what you can do to protect it? Keep reading at Love Your Headwaters.