Castle Wilderness

A Proposal to Protect the Castle Wilderness

The Castle Wilderness needs protection now. Its incredible diversity, role as a wildlife corridor, and its spiritual and recreational values must be preserved. If destruction from irresponsible recreational use and industrial exploitation is allowed to continue, we may lose this irreplaceable part of Alberta's wilderness forever. CPAWS and others are calling for the protection of the Castle Wilderness by proposing The Andy Russell - I'tai sah kòp Wildland Park & Provincial Park. Follow the links on this page to read more about how we can establish legal protection for the Castle, Andy Russell and the Pikanni First Nations.

On this page: A Brief History Notes on Establishing the Castle as a Protected Area Who is Andy Russell? What is I'tai sah kòp?

A Brief History

There is a long history of Albertans calling for the Castle's protection, yet despite coming close in 1993, the area still remains in need of the legislated protection. Here's a short history:

• 1968: Local residents and the Pincher Creek Fish and Game Association request legislated protection for the Castle.
• 1974: West and South Castle watersheds placed under Consultative Notation indicating government intent to proceed with a protected area.
• 1977: The provincial Policy for Resource Management of the Eastern Slopes notes that the Castle “has been identified as having considerable park potential.”
• 1993: Alberta’s Natural Resource Conservation Board finds the area has deteriorated and stipulates protection is needed.
• 1998: Parks Canada study finds ecological health of Waterton Lakes National Park threatened and cites activities on adjacent lands, including the Castle, as an important reason for protection.
• 1998: the Castle was a candidate site under the Alberta government's Special Places 2000 program in the late 1990s. Only a very small ecological reserve resulted, the West Castle Wetlands Ecological Reserve. The larger area of the Castle was designated as a “Special Management Zone,” but that has shown little effect in protecting natural values.
• 2000: The North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, set up under the free-trade agreement identifies the Castle as one of fourteen of North America's most biologically significant and threatened areas.
• 2005: An independent report commissioned by CPAWS, World Wildlife Fund and Shell Canada as a synopsis of current scientific knowledge for the Castle finds its ecosystem health and sustainability has been diminished.

There is currently a new window of opportunity to protect the Castle. Premier Stelmach has once again opened the door to new protected areas in Alberta, as part of a strategy to manage growth pressures and improve Albertans' quality of life. Sustainable Resource Development Minister Ted Morton acted decisively in March 2007 to defer acceptance of the C-5 Forest Management Plan, a plan which would have committed the Castle and areas north of the Crowsnest Pass to twenty years of logging. He chose to await the results of an assessment on the state of the Oldman watershed before committing to a forest cutting future.

Even the major industrial player in the Castle has started to come around. At a hearing of the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board in October, a spokesperson for Shell Canada Limited testified that Shell does not object to the designation of the Castle as a wildland park. This is a major step forward, as Shell is an influential player in the region economically.

The timing has never been better to push for the protection of the Castle and it is more critical than ever that individuals show their support.

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Notes on Establishing the Castle as a Protected Area

Provincial Park legislation (legally binding) states that wildland parks and provincial parks, “shall be developed and maintained

1. for the conservation and management of flora and fauna,
2. for the preservation of specified areas or objects in them that are of geological, cultural, ecological or other scientific interest, and
3. to facilitate their use and enjoyment for outdoor recreation.”

The backcountry of the Castle, amounting to about 90% of the Forest Land Use Zone is proposed as a wildland park. The provincial park portion is about 10% and roughly corresponds to the Castle-Carbondale Corridor (Resource Management Area C) in the 1985 Castle Mountain Sub-Regional Integrated Resource Plan. At its widest point it is no more that 3 kilometers (2 miles) from a public road and the majority is within a mile.

Unlike the federal national parks system, the provincial protected areas system in Alberta does not include the interim step of establishing a “park reserve” prior to final designation as a protected area. Alberta Government interest in an area for future designation is usually conveyed through the placement of the area under a Consultative Notation or Protective Notation. The West Castle and South Castle watersheds of the proposed Andy Russell - I'tai sah kòp Park were first placed under such a Consultative Notation in 1974.

With the exception of the Castle Mountain Resort (residential lands and ski hill License of Occupation) and the one existing protected area (West Castle Wetlands Ecological Reserve), the provincial park would encompass the existing campgrounds, staging areas, organization camps and corridors of the public roads; what people commonly refer to as the front country. It would be at the discretion of Castle Mountain Resort if they would like the resort to be included within the provincial park, similar to the ski hills within the national parks or the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park.

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Who is Andy Russell?

Andy Russell and his wife Kay loved the wilderness of the Alberta foothills and Rocky Mountains; the backdrop to their southwest ranch and foundation of their early outfitting. Andy Russell, the authentic mountain man in buckskin jacket and black cowboy hat, took their passion for the wilderness to the world through his films, magazine articles, books and story telling.

A skilled outfitter, rancher and raconteur, Andy became an environmental activist as Alberta’s wilderness disappeared, putting his pen and storytelling to its defense. Andy asked powerful questions:

“What good is easy living and wealth for this generation if it robs those we sire and profess to love? Where does the responsibility lie for the fostering of a deep appreciation for other kinds of life? These are questions more people must answer promptly, honestly, and intelligently, for time is rapidly running out.”

Andy’s influence was profound. Upon his death in 2005 the Calgary Herald published an editorial in tribute. Read the Calgary Herald Editorial.

We hope Andy’s memory will be secured forever in the protection of the Castle Wilderness.

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What is I'tai sah kòp?

Long before the Castle was given a name by Lt. Colonel Blakiston, the area was known by the Piikani First Nation as the source for their sacred paints. The Piikani explain it this way:

“What is now known as the Castle Wilderness has long been known as I'tai sah kòp (Where we get the paint) to the Piikani (Peigan) people. That sacred paint is called A'saani. I'tai sah kòp is a beautiful and special place to the Piikani and has long played an important part in our lifestyle; for thousands of years, and right up to the present day.

We have been using this area for over 10,000 years and have barely left a trace that we were here. As the first people here, we have a right, if not a duty, to protect the life force of I'tai sah kòp. The Piikani people of the past have kept the A'saani and I'tai sah kòp very well. They have succeeded in preserving the environment for future generations. It is my hope that today's people can match what the old ones have accomplished. Perhaps for another 10,000 years?”

- Piikani member Harley Bastien

Although First Nations people were the first people to feel the magic of the Castle, today it still offers to anyone who seeks it, a spiritual relationship with nature that speaks of hope, balance and renewal. It is a place to pause and reflect upon ourselves and our world. It is fitting that the connection of the Piikani to the sacred paints of the Castle be recognized in the Andy Russell - I'tai Sa Kòp Wildland Park and Provincial Park.

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