Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park comprises of Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park in Canada and the United States. The two parks have been declared by the UNESCO as Biosphere Reserve. The union of the parks is a World Heritage Site. The union was achieved on June 18, 1932, through the process that was initiated by the Rotary International members from Alberta and Montana with the dedication address given by Sir Charles Arthur Mander who was the second Baronet. The two parks are managed separately and also have a separate entrance fee.

Spectacular Landscape And Unique Biodiversity

The Park was the first international peace park to be established in the world. The park is located at the border between Canada and the US offering beautiful scenery and is highly rich in wildlife species and glacial features and forested land. The park has a unique climate and has a significant scenic value characterized by abundant and diverse wildlife. The two parks were first established by respective countries due to their great mountain diversity, varying topographic relief, and glacial land features. Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is managed for its wildlife value and also to ensure the survival of the several species including grizzly bear, cougar, and wolverine. The international park is also bordered by other protected areas in the respective countries. The two parks that make up the international peace park are managed and protected under their respective legislation framework.

Waterton Lakes National Park

Waterton Lakea National Park is found in Alberta, Canada. Established in 1895, it was one of the earliest national parks to be established in the country and was named after the Waterton Lake which was also named after Charles Waterton, a Victorian Conservationist. The park covers an area of 195 square miles characterized by a mountainous landscape. The park is operated by the Parks Canada and is opened to the public all year round although summers are the busiest. The main highlight in the park is the Waterton lakes which are the deepest in the Canadian Rockies. Within the park is many hiking opportunities including the Crypt Lake Trail. The park is inhabited by several animals including wolverines, bald eagles, mule bears, river otters, and black bears among other animals. Waterton Lake National Park was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1979 alongside the Glacier National Park to preserve mountains, prairies, lakes, and freshwater wetlands.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is found in Montana State in the US on the Canada-US border. The park covers an area of about 1 million acres including the sub-ranges of Rocky Mountains. There are over 130 known lakes and several plant and animal species. The vast pristine ecosystem is the centerpiece for the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem. The region encompassing the park was first occupied by the indigenous Americans and dominated by the Blackfeet and the Flathead, the ceded the mountainous regions to the central government in 1895. The park was established on May 11, 1910. The park has most of its original plants and animal species. Large mammals include Grizzly bears, moose, and mountain goats. Currently, only 25 active glaciers exist in the park compared to the 150 glaciers which existed in the mid-19th century