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ALBERTA SOUTHWEST



        CROWN OF THE CONTINENT


       RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE TOP 3 ‘‘BEST OF AMERICAS’’ SUSTAINABLE DESTINATIONS
       & 2nd FOR SUSTAINABLE GREEN DESTINATION BUSINESS AND MARKETING STRATEGIES
        Alberta SouthWest is a partnership of 15   exhibitors and over 100,000 visitors from 180   town. Red Rock Parkway has pullouts to view
      communities located within the northeast   countries. The Top 3 in each category are   where the mountains meet the prairie and the
      corner of the “Crown of the Continent,” a   selected by a panel of experts representing 12   sky. The Bison Paddock overlook just before
      larger transboundary region encompassing   international organizations. Alberta SouthWest   you leave the Park on Highway 6 offers the
      Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park   has proudly joined the ranks of those special   chance to see the prairie sky in all its glory.
      and the surrounding areas of Alberta, British   places that strive to be more sustainable for   Easily seen with the naked eye, the Milky
      Columbia and Montana.                the benefit of travelers and local communities,   Way galaxy stretches across the sky like a
        Some key historic milestones include:  and to preserve, enhance and celebrate iconic   vast glowing river of stars. There are over 80
        1932: Waterton-Glacier International  Peace   character of place.       constellations and many planets are visible
      Park became the world’s first and has been the   2020: Peaks to Prairies Electric Vehicle   throughout the year. With binoculars, craters
      model for over 150 peace parks worldwide. It is   Charging  Station Network, launched  as the   and mountains on the Moon pop into view, and
      a fascinating story of two Park Superintendents:   largest of its kind in Alberta, is powered with   be sure to look for Jupiter’s four largest moons;
      John George “Kootenay” Brown in Canada,   100% renewable energy from Southern Alberta   the giant planet has over 90 of them!
      and Albert “Death on the Trail” Reynolds   solar, wind and hydro projects. The network
      in  Montana,  who  spent  the  long  mountain   features 20 locations along 1,400 kms of
      winters agreeing that “Where no border is   highway throughout Southwest Alberta that
      seen, no border should be.” Led by the Rotary   strategically connect with charging networks in
      Clubs of Cardston, Alberta and Great Falls,   Montana and British Columbia.
      Montana, Rotarians agreed that this would   2021: Waterton-Glacier International Peace
      be an important initiative to symbolize peace   Park named by the International Dark-Sky
      between two nations. Clubs in both countries   Association  as  the  world’s  first  transboundary
      advocated to their federal governments and in   International Dark Sky Park.
      only 11 months the Park was established.   2023: Alberta SouthWest awarded second
        1979:  Waterton  Biosphere  Reserve  place in the Business and Marketing category
      designated by UNESCO as one of only 19   of Green Destinations Top 100 Sustainability
      biosphere reserves in Canada.        Stories at the ITB Berlin Travel Conference. This
        1981: Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump   celebration of the unique landscape is attracting
      designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.   new proposals for accommodations, activities
        1993:  The  first  commercial  wind  farm  was   and experiences to promote enjoyment of this
      built in Alberta SouthWest, the birthplace of   incredible natural asset.
      the wind industry in Canada.
        1995: The International Peace Park named a   Stargazing with the Dark Sky Guides tour
      UNESCO World Heritage Site.          company is a popular activity in Waterton. Dark
        2017:  Castle  Provincial  Park  and  Castle   Sky Park status means that International Peace
      Wildlife Provincial Park designated by Alberta   Park communities have reduced the amount of
      Provincial Government.               non-amber light sent up into the sky at night to
        2020: Alberta SouthWest achieved third   protect and preserve the pristine black skies.
      place in the “Best of Americas” category at the   Check out these favorite spots in or near the
      prestigious ITB Berlin awards ceremony, chosen   town of Waterton for some great dark sky
      from the list of Top 100 Global Sustainable   viewing: At the south end of Evergreen Avenue,
      Destinations. The event attracts 10,000   Cameron Bay is within walking distance of























        Dark Sky Guides
        Photos by
        Monika Deviat

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