Tourism and Recreation Management in the Wood Buffalo region

Recreation and tourism in the Wood Buffalo region are developed, managed, and marketed by numerous different organizations. National and provincial parks are managed by Parks Canada and Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation, respectively. Local clubs, such as the Ptarmigan Nordic Ski Club, maintain trails used by their members, while private businesses such as fishing lodges maintain facilities for the use of their customers. However, many outdoor recreational activities are regulated to some degree by the provincial government. Development of recreational facilities, such as wilderness lodges, on Crown land is overseen by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, which manages Alberta public lands for a variety of uses. Municipal governments may also regulate development through bylaws, standards, and policies (ATPR 2008). Activities such as fishing and hunting are regulated by the provincial government in order to ensure sustainable management of Alberta’s wildlife resources.

Recreation is an important part of life for both residents and tourists. Fort McMurray Tourism is a not-for-profit organization that supports marketing opportunities for its members, such as hotels. The Leisure Guide (RMWB 2008) produced by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and the Fort McMurray Tourism website (Fort McMurray Tourism 2008) provide information about recreational activities in Fort McMurray for residents and visitors.