BCT receives a yearly grant of $300,000 from Alberta Environment and Parks, our share of the proceeds from the Kananaskis Conservation Pass. While this helps to move us towards long-term sustainability, it in no way provides sufficient funding for yearly operations. More than $500,000 is required annually to operate BCT. This leaves a gap of $ 200,000 to be made up from donations and additional grants if we are to maintain the level of trail care our users have come to expect.
Regarding the future forest harvest plan in the West Bragg Creek area, BCT has received numerous messages from the public expressing their concerns.
On May 3, 2023, Spray Lakes Sawmills (SLS) organized an open house to present their Operating Plans for the next five years. Several representatives from the Bragg Creek Trails Association (BCTA) attended this event.
Both SLS and BCTA are members of the West Bragg Creek Land User Agreement (WBCLUA) Group, which is committed to a collaborative approach in managing this multi-use area within Kananaskis Country. As stewards of the West Bragg Creek trail network and part of the WBCLUA Group, BCTA plays an active role in the consultation process. As we approach the potential harvest in 2026, BCTA will continue to engage in meaningful discussions regarding public land use and policies, and their impact on the trails under BCTA’s care. Leveraging our expertise in trail planning, design, construction and maintenance, BCTA is determined to safeguard trail-related recreational activities in this landscape.
If you desire more information about SLS logging plans and wish to provide feedback, please visit the SLS website and/or Facebook page at:
Website: https://spraylakesawmills.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spraylakesawmills
These platforms will offer further details and an opportunity for you to express your thoughts.
E-bikes are currently permitted on the West Bragg Creek Trail Network. Alberta Parks has recently concluded an e-bike pilot project in Alberta Parks and an “approach forward will be determined and communicated after the analysis phase. During the analysis phase, Alberta Parks will continue to permit pedal-assist e-bikes on the designated pathways and trail networks selected.”
Please find below what is considered an e-bike that are permitted on the trails as found on the Alberta Parks website https://www.
What is a pedal-assist e-bike?
Pedal-assist e-bikes are defined as non-throttled electric powered bicycles that provide up to 500 Watts of continuous max output, which stops assisting when either pedaling stops or 32 km/h is reached.
What is NOT a pedal-assist e-bike?
- Throttle or power-on demand
- More than 500 watts of maximum output
- Provides power at over 32 km/h
- An electric mobility aid
The West Bragg Creek Trail Network is located partly in a Provincial Recreation Area and Partly in a Public Land Zone. Hunting (defined in the Wildlife Act) is not allowed within the Public Recreation Area however is a permissible recreational activity on public land.
You can’t discharge a firearm within 400m of a Provincial Trail (i.e. target shooting), but you can hunt from a Provincial Trail, in or outside of a PLUZ.
Please refer to Section 188.1 of the Public Lands Act Regulation (PLAR) for more details.
More Information:
Camping is not allowed within the West Bragg Creek PRA (Public Recreation Area), but is allowed, with restrictions, in the PLUZ (Public Land Use Zone). Random Backcountry Camping in the PLUZ has a number of responsibilities and restrictions. Please visit Albertaparks.ca or click on here for more information and review the rules and regulations before you go.
Currently dogs are allowed to be off leash but under control in the Public Land Use Zone (PLUZ) that is outside of the small Provincial Recreational Area (PRA) where dogs must be on a leash. Two separate jurisdictions and regulations. The parking lot and surrounding area are part of the PRA and you will see a sign as you exit the Public Recreation Area and enter the Public Land Use Zone on most of the BCT trails.
As trail stewards on public lands our focus falls within land use regulations and expectations of the government on what we as an organization can and can’t do. Enforcement of the regulations falls squarely on the shoulders of the Conservation Officers and not Bragg Creek Trails volunteers. Our mandate is primarily to educate and impart some basic trail etiquette on trail users that are contributing to some of the conflicts that you mentioned in your note. We do our best to accomplish this through our volunteer trail hosts, on our website and social media and in some instances through signage. It is important to note that all signage displayed at West Bragg Creek must also be approved by the Government of Alberta.
Bragg Creek Trails Swag is available for purchase at the Trail Centre, which is open on most weekends during the core hours of 10:00am to 2:00pm (weather and volunteer availability dependant).
New and limited edition merch is usually posted on our social media:
The Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park in the West Bragg Creek trailhead parking lot. Here is a link to the Alberta Parks interactive map: https://esrd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e5651574de1342d7ae8277ef415864be
(the Kananaskis Conservation Pass area is outlined in orange and filled with diagonal lines).
Please note you cannot purchase Kananaskis Country Passes on site at West Bragg Creek. Passes must be purchased online here: https://conservationpass.alberta.ca/kcp
Free Days
Free days occur on Wilderness Wednesdays, the first Wednesday of every month.
Other 2023 free days:
- January 1: New Year’s Day
- February 20: Family Day
- April 22: Earth Day
- June 21: Indigenous People’s Day
- July 15: Parks Day
- September 22: Kananaskis Country’s Birthday
- November 11: Remembrance Day
- December 21: First day of winter
- December 25: Christmas Day
More information: https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx
How to Log Volunteer Hours |
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| For a variety of reasons, it is important that Bragg Creek Trails tracks all of your volunteer hours. | |
Step 1 |
Log into to your MyImpactPage profile, click on the hours tab.
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Step 2 |
Using the drop-down arrow, please select the appropriate activity. You will need to add the date you volunteered under the Date Volunteered option.
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Step 3 |
Once you have input all the information, click Save and Log Another to add more hours, or click save.
If you need help, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator. |
When you generously donate $25 or more to BCT through DonorBox, e-transfer, or cheque, you can expect to receive a tax receipt. Tax receipts are issued in February of the year following the donation.
To ensure a smooth process, we kindly ask that you include your full name and legal mailing address with your donations. While we primarily send receipts via email, receipts must include a mailing address in order to be valid.
For donations made through Canada Helps, please note that tax receipts are issued directly by Canada Helps.