"Pine-ing" for fire © Parks Canada
Schedule of events in Jasper 2012
Jasper: The Big Park comes to the Big City
March 24th, 2012
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Level One, Phase IV, in front of Chapters'.
© Parks Canada, Val Domaine
Jasper National Park is coming to West Edmonton Mall and it is going to be BIG!!!. Join us for a fun-filled day of kids’ games, demonstrations and displays. Lot’s to see and do!
Explore the world of fire, learn why we need fire on the landscape. Meet trees who “pine” for fire, discover fire-loving wildlife, and take an up-close look at our forests to see if they're as healthy as they appear.
Did you know there were caribou in Jasper National Park? Come find out what is special about this animal and what Parks Canada is doing to protect it.
The world’s largest dark sky preserve likes to put on a really “big” show.
Check out:
- a giant 16 foot inflatable beaver,
- a life-size “Hooves and Hoses” board game and
- the hugely popular Xplorers program
Can’t wait to see you there!
Astronomy Programs
These are just some of the exciting astronomy programs park interpreters will be running this year – weather permitting. Check back closer to the program dates for details.
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May 20 – Partial Eclipse of the Sun
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June 4 – Partial Eclipse of the Moon
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June 5 – Transit of Venus
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Aug 12 – Perseid Meteor Shower
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Dec 13 – Geminid Meteor Shower
May 25 - 31
Calyspo Bulbosa
© Parks Canada
In Jasper National Park the tradition of the Spring Flower Count is not just a fun way to get out with the whole family and explore the trails, meadows and slopes for signs of spring. The data collected is used in climate change research to help describe trends over time.
Participation can be as easy as just looking for flowers in bloom and recording information about it on a collection sheet and taking a picture - or it can be very challenging if you are trying to identify an uncommon type of willow blossom. Either way - no worries - help is here.
Flower Identification Workshop (and flower count introduction)
When: Saturday May 26, 7-9 pm:
Location: Lower Boardroom, Parks Canada Administration, Jasper Heritage Railway Station
Flower Walk (on the Marjorie Lake Trail)
When: May 27, 9 am - noon:
Location: Meet at the Saturday Night Loop (Trail #3) trailhead off Cabin Creek Road in the town of Jasper
If you are an experienced flower counter, just stop by the Information Centre to pick up your collection sheet and we'll send you on your way. You may also email us for a .pdf of the collection sheet.
New for 2012.
Jasper National Park flower photo contest.
Open to all participants of the spring flower count who submit a check list. The winner will receive a Parks Canada Discovery Pass. This annual pass gives you unlimited opportunities to enjoy more than 100 National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites across Canada that charge entry fees.
For more information, call Brian Catto at 780-931-7200 or email
Enviro Fair
June 9
Information Centre Lawn, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This partnership with the Municipality of Jasper celebrates the environment that sustains us with events, activities and actions to reduce our impact. Details to be confirmed
National Aboriginal Day
June 23 (date to be confirmed)
Information Centre Lawn, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Feature presentations at 9 p.m. at the Whistlers Campground Outdoor Theatre
Jasper National Park is recognized as a significant cultural crossroads for a diversity of Aboriginal groups. Drink in the sights, sounds and colours of local and regional Aboriginal culture at its finest with samples of bannock and bush tea, dancers in colourful regalia and the beat of the drum.
Look, listen and learn as the Indigenous peoples of this land tell and celebrate their own stories in their own way – naturally. Learn more
Canada Day
July 1
Free Admission
Join us in celebrating Canada’s 145th birthday. Celebrations kick off with a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. and continue through the day and night with a flag raising ceremony, giant birthday cake, parade, barbeque, beer gardens and stage entertainment capped off by a storm of fireworks against the backdrop of mountain peaks that surround the town.
Parks Day
July 21
Information Centre Lawn, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Day-long Parks Day activities include kids games, exhibits, music, guided walks, demonstrations and displays that celebrate the park and showcase some of the specialized work that goes into managing it. For full details visit the Friends of Jasper National Park website.
Jasper Dark Sky Festival
October 12-14
This partnership with Tourism Jasper and the community of Jasper will include events and activities for everyone from the serious astronomers who get up in the wee hours of the night to spot astronomical phenomenon to those who would rather enjoy the stars through the sky light in their cars.