Management

Willmore Wilderness was formerly under the administration of Energy and Natural Resources and the Alberta Forest Service, but is currently managed in a joint arrangement by the Departments of Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

Willmore is not a wilderness area under the Wilderness Act (1971). Instead, it is protected, under the Willmore Wilderness Park Act (1959, amended 1965, 1970, 1977, 1980).

• Willmore Wilderness Park “is dedicated to the use of the people of Alberta for their benefit, education, and enjoyment…and shall, by the management, conservation and protection of its natural resources and the preservation of its natural beauty, be maintained for the enjoyment of future generations.”
• No development is allowed within the boundaries of Willmore, however, the Act allows the park boundaries to be increased or decreased to allow for development at the discretion of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

IRP map:  JPG | PDF

The Eastern Slopes Zoning Policy (1977) classifies Willmore as a prime protection area.

• Mineral exploration and development, petroleum and natural gas exploration and development, commercial timber operations, domestic grazing, cultivation, industrial development, residential development and off high way vehicle activities are prohibited in the Prime Protection Area under this policy. Hunting, fishing, outfitting by horse, primitive camping, horseback riding and hiking are permitted uses. The area contains registered trap lines that allow cabins and that may be serviced using off-road vehicles.

The Forests Act (1976) limits motorized vehicle access and restricts the building of structures other than tents. The only exceptions to this are government patrol cabins and cabins associated with registered trap lines.

Federal Order No. SOR/66-406 prohibits the taking off or landing of aircraft at any time within the Park without permission.

The Canada shipping Act, through an order in 1978, amended the Boating restrictions to eliminate all motorized boat use on the Smoky and Berland Rivers within the Willmore Wilderness Park. (Order in Council P.C. 1978-3636)

The Wildlife Management Plan (1980) focuses on preserving the integrity of Willmore Wilderness through habitat and wildlife inventory, and maintenance of wildlife populations.

We are still waiting for a management plan for the Willmore. The Willmore Wilderness Park Management Plan (Draft, 1980) which was never acted on or completed made a number of recommendations, including specifications that:

• the park be closed from all motorized forms of transportation including air, boat and vehicle (certain exceptions apply);
• a permit system for all equestrian users, guides and hunting outfitters be implemented to monitor horses within the park;
• commercial recreation development beyond trail ride operators and hunting outfitters be prohibited;
• forest management techniques be used to control disease and insect outbreak;
• firefighting be carried out in the least damaging way possible;
• non-renewable resource development be prohibited;
• grazing limited to riding and pack animals;
• timber harvesting not be permitted;
• fishing and hunting be allowed to continue;
• administration remain under the auspices of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources;
• the park boundary be firmly established;
• bridges over dangerous watercourses be built;
• interpretive brochures be created;
• the Forest Service maintain trails and facilities.

The Willmore Wilderness Fire Management Plan divides the park into an “extensive zone,” where wild fires are allowed to burn under most circumstances, and an “intensive zone” where full fire suppression is practiced.