Collecting within a provincial park is illegal unless under special permit. Thus, I read with interest your story on St. Albert’s Horticulinary Festival (Dig In Festival), specifically the “Find Your Food!” article (Gazette, Oct. 8) describing a festival workshop teaching wild-food collection within nearby Lois Hole Provincial Park. The article states, “Why pay for food when you can find it growing wild in your backyard or nearby park?”
One important answer to this question is “it might be illegal.” Provincial parks are established, and are to be maintained for the conservation and management of flora and fauna, to ensure their lasting protection for the benefit of present and future generations (Alberta Parks Act Section 3b and 3e). As such, a person shall not, without the permission of the Minister or except to the extent prescribed, collect, destroy, damage, remove or move any plant life or animal life (including bird, reptile or amphibian eggs), in, from, or into a provincial park or recreation area, as the case may be (Alberta Parks Act section 9.2).
If someone is found collecting in a park then, under the Parks Act and depending on the specifics, a Conservation Officer can issue violators either a monetary fine or a mandatory court appearance.
I encourage everyone to reconnect with the origin of your food – hint: it’s not your grocery store – and to get outside and experience the many benefits of regularly immersing yourself in nature – these go well beyond food – but please be mindful of where you might be collecting. See you out in the parks!
Matthew Wheatley, Conservation Biologist, Parks Division, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development
