The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society warns that industry could jump on Nahanni National Park Reserve and stake claims when an interim ban ends in October unless the federal government grants the reserve permanent protected status.
"Then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau originally set aside the Nahanni in 1972 to protect it from proposed hydro-electric development after he was struck by the area's rugged beauty. A mighty river meanders through craggy canyons, plunging in thunderous plumes at mammoth waterfalls along the way. Wolves, grizzly bears, lynx and woodland caribou roam the dense boreal forest.
The United Nations later designated the area as a world heritage site in 1978.
At first, only 5,000 square kilometres were protected. Over the years, Ottawa has granted protected status to a swath of reserve surrounding the park.
The first expansion came in 2003, when the Dehcho First Nations gave Parks Canada temporary protection of an additional 23,000 square kilometres in the area through an interim land-withdrawal process.
The reserve's boundaries grew again last summer when Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced another 5,400 square kilometres of land would be barred from further development. All told, the park and reserve together now encompass an area that's nearly five times the size of Prince Edward Island.
But all this expansion has created a confusing patchwork in which the park is permanently off-limits to development while the reserve around it is only temporarily protected."
FULL STORY: Ottawa urged to firm up national park's boundaries to stem resource grab

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie