Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park
History and conservation
Akamina Kishinena Provincial Park is located in the southeast corner of the province. This wilderness area along with Waterton Lakes National Park and US Glacier National Park, preserves the Crown of the Continent UNESCO World Heritage Site at the narrowest point of the Rocky Mountains.
Preserves and protects the habitat of the last self-sustaining grizzly bear population in the United States, as well as a winter range for goats and big horn sheep. Protected plant species include the rare Mimulus luteus (yellow monkey flower) and the rare Papaver pygmaeum (pigmy poppy) that are found nowhere else in BC.
The trails and passes of the Akamina-Kishinena were used for many years by the early people’s and wildlife travelling between the Flathead Basin and the abundant Great Plains. For instance, the Kootenai aboriginal people travelled through South Kootenay Pass to reach the plains for trading and buffalo hunting.
The spectacular southeast corner of the province was recommended for preservation as early as 1917. In 1995 Akamina-Kishinena became a class A provincial park. The closest communities are Waterton Lakes National Park community and Fernie. The area is 109.21 km².
- Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park
- "Akamina-Kishinena Park". BC Geographical Names. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/41222.html.
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