Ya Ha Tinda Ranch OECM Recognition

Parks Canada’s application for Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure (OECM) recognition of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch

Parks Canada is undertaking a process to apply for Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure (OECM) recognition for Ya Ha Tinda Ranch. Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) are geographic spaces which are managed in ways that achieve long-term contributions to the conservation of biodiversity. OECMs count toward Canada Target 1 to conserve 25% of our land and ocean area by 2025 and contribute to Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to conserve 30% of our land ocean area by 2030.

Ya Ha Tinda Ranch is a working horse ranch located 1.5 km outside of Banff National Park owned by the Government of Canada and operated and managed by Parks Canada. As it is currently operated and managed, there are strong indicators Ya Ha Tinda Ranch meets OECM criteria and is a suitable candidate for recognition.

What are we doing?

Parks Canada is evaluating the special qualities of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch that contribute towards biodiversity and documenting this in an OECM application for recognition.

To apply for OECM recognition of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, the project team must evaluate how Ya Ha Tinda Ranch meets a set of nine criteria. Successful evaluations will allow for Ya Ha Tinda Ranch to be reported internationally as a conservation area.

We want to hear from you!

Ya Ha Tinda Ranch is a special place with many current and historic connections, uses, and features. Parks Canada wants to hear from you as we work to have Ya Ha Tinda Ranch recognized as an OECM.

Parks Canada is excited to be engaging with Indigenous Peoples, stakeholders, and the public on an application to recognize Ya Ha Tinda Ranch as an Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure (OECM). Engagement is being carried out from March to September 2023. Engagement started with conversations with Indigenous Peoples and key stakeholders in March (Phase One) and is followed now by an opportunity to hear from the broader public (Phase Two).