Calgary has a diversity of wildlife that make the city their home. The City of Calgary and citizens continue to work to create an ecological network that is healthy, connected and well-managed.

Learn more about how Calgary is working to protect, develop, and manage city parks and ecosystems in support of biodiversity.

A city that embraces nature creates spaces that mutually benefit citizens and our wild neighbours. The City is committed to planning and managing Calgary's parks and open spaces. We are working to create a connected network of habitats and wildlife movement corridors with the aim of reducing roadway collision threats and related human–urban wildlife conflict.

How Humans and Wildlife Coexist in a City

Wildlife have various strategies for coexisting with people in urban environments. Some animals adapt well to being around their human neighbours, while others avoid us. The City continues to design parks and spaces that allow for people and wildlife to coexist.

Off-leash parks

In order to minimize confliect between wildlife and dogs, The City provides off-leash parks. Calgary has over 150 off-leash parks, one of the highest numbers for any city in North America. Focusing off-leash activity in key areas is an important way to minimize conflict between pets and wildlife.

Park and pathway closures

At certain times of the year, city wildlife will be nesting or making dens in our parks, and human or pet presence in those areas can prompt conflicts.

In order to minimize stress and protect the safety of people and animals, The City may close parks or pathways to relieve pressures in potential conflict areas, and allow wildlife parents to raise and move on with their families from these areas.

Managing our Plants and Wildlife

Our natural areas are diverse ecosystems made up of thousands of different species of plants and animals. Unfortunately, this includes a number of pests and diseases that can sometimes lead to the destruction of our natural resources. The City is committed to helping maintain and manage the natural balance in our parks and wilderness areas through safe and eco-friendly measures, as well as assisting citizens to do the same in their own yards and gardens.

We offer a wide body of resources and advice on dealing with natural issues, such as:

• How we manage pests and diseases in our outdoor areas
• Common pests in Calgary that homeowners should be aware of
• Weeds and plants that could be growing in your garden
• Facts about our trees and why they're vital to our City
• Information about tree pests and disease that homeowners should watch for
• Our Wildlife Report that outlines the current state of urban wildlife management and recommended steps to improve urban wildlife management in Calgary.

Need more information on plants and wildlife in Calgary? Please contact Parks.