$13.8 million investment celebrates 125 years of Leadership in Conservation

Banff, Alberta, May 17, 2013 -- Today, on behalf of the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Blake Richards, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose, announced the grand re-opening of the revitalised birthplace of Canada’s National Parks.

“The re-opening of the birthplace of Canada’s national parks is an occasion for all Canadians to celebrate,” said Mr. Richards. “As the birthplace of Canada’s national parks, this site welcomes Canadians and visitors from around the world to discover, learn more about and enjoy our magnificent system of real and inspiring national heritage places.”

The birthplace referred to as Cave and Basin National Historic Site is a must see when you visit Banff National Park, where warm mineral springs bubble up from the base of Sulphur Mountain. This site was the inspiration for Canada’s extensive system of special heritage places that includes a network of 44 national parks, 167 national historic sites and four national marine conservation areas.

Following an ambitious, three-year $13.8 million, the revitalized Cave and Basin National Historic Site is a must-see attraction that showcases new and enhanced visitor programming, interpretive displays and new media. The site is the national showcase to Parks Canada’s extended system of national parks, marine conservation areas and historic sites. It is also the hub of the popular Sundance Trail system, the Marsh Loop boardwalks and a larger suite of experiences that include hiking, biking, bird-watching and photography. With a new open plaza, the site provides facilities in an iconic location for hosting learning events, celebrations and community gatherings.

“The Cave and Basin is the site where Canada’s international achievement of protected areas began, growing from a moment of inspiration by three Canadian Pacific workers to a protected land mass roughly eight times the size of Lake Ontario,” said Minister Kent. “We hope visitors will take advantage of this exciting new attraction to learn about, and be inspired by our accomplishments as a nation.”

For more information on the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, please visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca/Banff under What’s New.

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Information:
Michelle Macullo
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Banff National Park
Parks Canada
403-762-1526
www.twitter.com/parkscanada

Backgrounders associated with this News Release.

Cave and Basin National Historic Site of Canada The Birthplace of Canada's National Park System
Cave and Basin National Historic Site of Canada The Birthplace of Canada's National Park System