Preparatory Activities
Planning Checklist | Dressing For Outdoors

Discuss with students the purpose of provincial parks and protected areas. They are part of a global and provincial plan to set aside a portion of the landbase to preserve the biodiversity of natural environments.

Ask the students to make a list of behaviours on the field study that would show both respect for the natural environment and a commitment to its care. Possibilities include:

• Stay on the designated trails when changing activity locations.
• When off-trail, walk carefully, watching each step to avoid crushing small plants, bushes and trees.
• Leave ant hills, nests and rotting logs alone and intact. These are the homes of a variety of life forms.

1. Wildlife live in the Fish Creek Provincial Park because they are able to meet their needs for food, shelter and water. Feeding them is not necessary. In fact, it can create significant hardships for them because they become dependent on this food. The learned behaviours associated with this can also be dangerous for the wildlife. Do not feed or harass wildlife (including birds). Quietly observe them instead.

 
2. Thousands of people visit the park each year. If each person took only one cone or picked only one plant that would still represent a significant impact on the natural environment. Cutting, defacing, picking or removal of any plant, fossil, rock or other park material is prohibited. Leave them behind for others to enjoy and for natural processes to occur.

 
3. If each person threw their garbage on the ground, it would be difficult to clean up and dangerous for the wildlife who sometimes confuse the litter for food. Litter should be placed in garbage cans or in your pocket if no garbage cans are available nearby.

 
4. As much as possible, Fish Creek Provincial Park will remain a natural place. Wildlife are not accustomed to pets chasing them or threatening them with noise. For these reasons, pets must be kept on a leash in the park. This protects not only wildlife but also people and their pets as well.

 
5. To preserve and protect the natural park environment, we need to be careful how we interact with the park. Open fires can spread uncontrollably, dramatically changing the landscape. For this reason, fires are permitted only in designated firepits located in some picnic areas. Visitors must bring their own firewood, roasting sticks and a container to fill with water to extinguish the fire. 

Discuss with the students the following behaviours that will help ensure everyone's safety during their park visit. 

• Stay with at least one other person. Fish Creek Provincial Park is a very large park; it is easy for a child to become disoriented and lost. Ensure elementary age students always remain within sight of an adult. Junior high school students need to always be with at least one other student.

• Walking is safer than running; there are many things in a natural environment to trip over. If  a person is running when they fall, their injuries are usually more severe. 

 
• Many park trails are multiple use. Proceed with caution to avoid potential collisions with cyclists and other users coming from the opposite direction. 

 
• Dress appropriately for an outing in a natural area. This may include sturdy, waterproof footwear, a change of socks and pants, and a water repellent jacket.


Seasonal safety concerns include:

Autumn: Wasps seek shelter from cool temperatures under fallen leaves. Reaching into piles of dead leaves may result in a painful sting. Most wasp stings occur in the fall while these insects are lethargic and less likely to be able to use flight as a defense. Ensure anyone allergic to wasp stings has their kit with them at all times while in the park.

Winter: Trails may be extremely icy. Use caution, especially walking downhill.

Spring: Spring runoff may flood some trails. Fish Creek may be flowing high and fast. Keep back from the banks, which can be slippery or eroded.

Summer: Mosquito repellent will be necessary. Ensure that everyone has a hat, sunscreen and plenty of fluids to avoid heat exhaustion or heatstroke.