Riding Mountain National Park is a beautiful area of wilderness protected in its’ natural state by the Canada Parks Act, which states that “National Parks are dedicated to the people of Canada for their benefit, education and enjoyment ... and shall be maintained and made use of so as to leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."  Leaving them unimpaired means sustaining the integrity of park ecosystems.  As visitors to the Park, we must respect the integrity of these natural ecosystems and do our part to minimize the adverse affects as we contribute to the cumulative impact of visitors in the Park. 

These are some things we can do to protect the natural integrity of the Park and help reduce our cumulative impact:

1. Walk on the designated trails and do not step off the trail if possible.

2. Be aware of stressing wildlife and do not approach an animal that is demonstrating signs of stress from your presence and ‘back off’ if your presence is causing them to show signs of stress.  Retreating somewhat before seeing the signs of stress will often afford you a rewarding viewing experience.

3. Respect the instructions of your guide.  Your guide is experienced and aware of stressful situations your actions may cause wildlife, so please respect his or her decision to retreat or to completely avoid putting specific animal in stressful situations.  For example, certain species of birds are easily disturbed during the incubation period and your presence may cause them to abandon their nests.

4. When photographing wildlife use your longest lens.

5. Do not feed wildlife, leave edible material unattended or dispose of edible material, except in proper refuse containers. 

6. Do not uproot plants or break branches.

7. Please respect the habitat of wildlife by leaving things as you found them. Minimize plant disturbances when photographing plants, animals or landscapes.  Stay on the trails or roadways if possible.

8. Do not acquire souvenirs in the Park, such as stones, plants, seeds, feathers, bones, antlers or archaeological artifacts.

9. Be extremely careful with fire, particularly if you are a smoker.  Make sure matches and cigarette butts are extinguished and return them to the ashtrays in the vehicle.

10. Use public washroom facilities when ever possible.

11. Use the garbage bags in the vehicles or the public garbage bins in the Park and please do not litter.  Picking up litter from others is always appreciated.

12. Do not contaminate the environment with solid waste, soap or other chemicals or exotic species.  It is very important to make sure your clothing and footwear are free of plant seeds to prevent the introduction of exotic species into the natural areas you will be visiting.

“Take only pictures and leave only foot prints”.