Parks Canada and Science World Interactive Wildlife Exhibit Unveiled

From: Parks Canada

News Release

Helping youth discover habitat connections in the Rocky Mountain national parks and their own backyards

May 23, 2017                      Vancouver, British Columbia                    Parks Canada Agency

Today, Jonathan Wilkinson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, on behalf of Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, and Dr. Scott Sampson, President and CEO, Science World British Columbia, unveiled an interactive interpretative exhibit, highlighting safe animal crossing structures similar to those found along highways in Canada’s Rocky Mountain national parks. The exhibit will be housed at Science World for the next five years.

Parks Canada and Science World British Columbia are celebrating their partnership through the unveiling of this new, dynamic learn and play structure. Through this exhibit, Science World will bring the animals, plants, and ecosystems found in Canada’s Rocky Mountain national parks to youth and families visiting the Telus World of Science in Vancouver. This fun, family-friendly exhibit also showcases how animals and people coexist in urban landscapes, encouraging visitors to learn about animals that live and travel within cities. Developing new and innovative programs allows more Canadians, including youth and newcomers in an urban setting, to experience the outdoors and learn more about our environmental actions.

Parks Canada has the longest on-going wildlife crossing research and monitoring program in the world. Wildlife crossing structures in Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho national parks served as a model in the creation of this interpretive exhibit. To date, 47 wildlife underpasses, six wildlife overpasses, and 97 kilometres of fencing have been installed along national park highways. These mitigations have resulted in significant improved safety for motorists, and allow animals to safely access important habitat on either side of park roads.

In managing national parks, Parks Canada maintains or restores ecological integrity, and provides Canadians with opportunities to discover and enjoy them. Through its Conservation and Restoration Program, Parks Canada takes actions to preserve national parks and contribute to the recovery of species-at-risk. Investments in visitor infrastructure, such as this interactive exhibit, allow more Canadians to learn about our environment.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Government of Canada is determined to create opportunities for Canadians across Canada to participate in a year-long celebration and help shape the best that Canada can be in the future. The Government is also very pleased to offer free admission for all visitors to national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas in 2017.

Quotes

“Parks Canada is a recognized leader in conservation and Science World British Columbia is a provincial leader in profiling science. The Government of Canada is proud of its long-standing relationship with Science World British Columbia and our shared commitment to provide Canadians with opportunities to discover and enjoy our natural treasures in an urban setting. As we celebrate our country’s 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Government invites all Canadians to experience and learn more about our environment and our history.”

Jonathan Wilkinson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver

“Science World greatly values its relationship with Parks Canada. Both partners are eager to share Canada’s amazing outdoors and wildlife with visitors to TELUS World of Science. This joint exhibit is a terrific addition to our Ken Spencer Science Park, aligning perfectly with its themes of sustainability and the coexistence of humans with nature.”

Dr. Scott Sampson,
President and CEO, Science World British Columbia

Quick Facts

  • Canada’s network of protected areas have an important role to play in helping to restore healthy, resilient ecosystems and contributing to the recovery of species at risk. Science helps Parks Canada better understand and manage for the needs of healthy wildlife populations. Science World, as a provincial leader in science education, is a natural partner for Parks Canada to collaborate with on the development of this exhibit.

  • Science World is celebrating Canada’s birthday with its original feature exhibition, Made in Canada. The majority of the exhibition promotes the iterative design process, with hands-on exhibits. Part of the gallery celebrates Canadian ingenuity, such as the founding of the IMAX System in 1968 by Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, Robert Kerr, and William C. Shaw. This ‘Canadian innovation’ led to the creation of our OMNIMAX Theatre, with a screen that is 27 metres in diameter and five storeys high, making it one of the largest dome screens in the world.

  • Established in 1920, Kootenay National Park represents the south-western region of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. From glacier-clad peaks along the Continental Divide to the semi-arid grasslands of the Rocky Mountain Trench, where cacti grow, this park is home to a rich diversity of landscapes and ecology. Kootenay, Banff, and Yoho are part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Contacts

Marie-Pascale Des Rosiers
Office of the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
819-938-3813
marie-pascale.desrosiers@canada.ca

Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca

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