Parks Canada is the steward of some of Canada’s wildest and most spectacular landscapes. But rarely do we get to pull back the curtain on the government agency and get to know the people who help oversee one of the world’s largest parks systems. We had the opportunity to sit-down with long-time Parks Canada manager Louis-René Sénéchal for a lengthy discussion on the role of national parks in protecting biodiversity and what goes into managing a park in the era of populism, reconciliation and ecotourism.
Find Louis-René and Parks Canada: X | Instagram
What do you think?
- Do you have a better sense of the Parks Canada mandate?
- Are you more inclined to visit a national park?
- Do you think national parks are a force for good? Or do you still think there are challenges that need to be addressed?
- Do you think the right balance is being struck between appreciating nature and not killing it with kindness?
- How might you help improve our national parks system?
More on Louis-René
Favourite Book: Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley. First read this when I was in my mid-teens. My mind was rather busy and confused for a few weeks afterwards, which is a good thing, sometimes!
Favourite Documentary: Forces of Nature, with Brian Cox. Brilliant teacher, presenting the most complex things in ways which allow my simple brain to understand them… no small feat! Seriously, find it, watch it all, and never be the same.
Recommended Videos: Hinterland Who’s Who
Favourite Websites: Canadian Wildlife Federation
I haven’t talked about my passion for the history of civilizations. So, check out Youtube’s “OverSimplified”. It’s a good start.