At the moment, tensions between Canada and the United States are a bit high, but in 1932 the Waterton – Glacier International Peace Park was created to celebrate the peace and friendship between the two countries. Here are five fast facts you may not know about this 457,614 ha park:
- 1. Rotarians from Alberta and Montana met at the Prince of Wales Hotel in 1931 and passed a unanimous resolution to establish the park. The Peace Park joined Waterton, Canada’s 4th National Park (1895), with Glacier, the United States’ 10th national park (1910).
2. In 1995, the Peace Park was designated a World Heritage Site.
What’s a World Heritage Site? These are places that encourage the identification, protection and preservation of global cultural and natural heritage, considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. Other World Heritage Sites include the Egyptian Pyramids, Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, India’s Taj Mahal – as well as other Alberta sites like Dinosaur Provincial Park and Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump. There are 730 World Heritage Sites in 125 countries!
3. Waterton and Glacier staff regularly cooperate. 
The border between Alberta and Montana is clearly marked.
4. There are two Peace Park Pavilions. The pavilion in the Waterton townsite has been newly renovated. The pavilion at Goat Haunt, at the south end of Upper Waterton Lake, can be accessed by boat or a 13 km trail that crosses the Canada – U.S. border (don’t forget to take your passport!).
5. The Peace Park protects an abundance of flora and fauna, including more than 1200 species of plants, 350 species of birds, 70 species of mammals, 25 species of fish, and 10 species of reptiles and amphibians.
The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park signifies the importance of respect and cooperation between nations – and might be an excellent place for the leaders of our two countries to meet to ponder our future.
