GETTING OUT THERE
WWHILE IT HAS BEEN UNQUESTIONABLY TERRIBLE in so many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a few silver linings. Noteworthy among them: an apparent increase in the number of people exploring nature. Avid hikers like me will have seen first-hand this new found, or renewed, desire to get outside. But this silver lining has its own dark cloud. Numerous times in 2020, after arriving to jammed parking lots, I abandoned hikes in areas I used to frequent. Other trails were so busy, it took much of the enjoyment out of the experience — I want to quietly commune with nature; I don’t want it to feel like I’m visiting a crowded mall.
Coincidentally, the balance between access to nature and its preservation is a challenge that has been top of mind for decades at perennially popular spots such as Alberta’s Banff National Park. A little more than a decade ago, only the five busiest days at the park saw more than 28,000 visitors per day. Now, every day from mid-june through September exceeds that lofty figure. In “Smother nature” (page 50), Ryan Stuart explores how park managers are trying to deal with the conundrum of connecting hundreds of thousands of Canadians to nature while at the same time ensuring that the park’s storied flora and fauna are protected.
I suspect many of us want the same “wild” experience. And this challenge reinforces how important it is to protect, manage and possibly expand our park system. Perhaps there’s another silver lining here after all? Something to consider this summer on the trail.