The 5E's at Work

Banff National Park is an iconic example of the 5E's at work to manage recreation. While there is no motorized trail use in Banff, people enjoying the park use motorized transportation in their recreational experience.

Experience: The origins of Banff are with the Banff Springs, and recognition that bathing in the Springs is the type of 'Experience' that people are seeking. Over the years this Experience has expanded to hiking, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, skiing, shopping, and conferences.

Engineering: Initial Engineering included access via the railroad, the original cave and basin facilities, and Banff Springs Hotel. This has expanded to highways, town sites, ski hills, power generation at a man-made hydro electric dam, water and wastewater treatment plants, and recently a divided highway with wildlife overpasses.

Education: Parks Canada stops and educates every visitor to the park, hands out brochures, and has a constant presence in the park through signage while Park Rangers continuously educate visitors on appropriate expectations and responsibilities for using the Park.

Enforcement: Where Education ends Enforcement begins, and those friendly Park Rangers and other Peace officers are empowered to enforce the rules as appropriate.

Evaluation: Over the years, the priorities have changed, understanding of conservation has changed, technology has changed, and the Experience expectations of Canadians have changed. Through Evaluation, the other E's are reviewed and amended as needed.