Amiskwaciwâskahikan/Edmonton - Exposed Wildlife Conservancy, in collaboration with the Grizzly Bear Foundation and Alberta Wilderness Association, are calling on the provincial government to formally recognize the long-term economic value of living grizzly bears to Alberta’s economy, tourism sector, and rural communities.
In response to our joint letter requesting a meeting to discuss grizzly bear management and maintaining the closure of the grizzly bear hunting season, Alberta’s Minister of Forestry and Parks has confirmed that "there is no open hunting season for grizzly bears in Alberta, and no work is underway to reinstate a grizzly bear hunt," and that Alberta continues to "prioritize recovery, stabilization, and long-term population viability" for the species. These commitments are welcomed, and we continue to encourage the province to maintain the current closure of Alberta’s grizzly bear hunting season.
As Alberta continues to position itself as a leading destination for wildlife and outdoor tourism, maintaining strong protections for grizzly bears presents an opportunity to align conservation outcomes with the province’s broader economic and tourism objectives.
For a species listed as Threatened under Alberta’s Wildlife Act and already extirpated from its prairie regions, continued investment in recovery and long-term stewardship of grizzly bears can help strengthen Alberta’s reputation as a destination for world-class wildlife experiences.
Economic development and conservation are not competing priorities, with responsible stewardship of wildlife and ecosystems increasingly recognized as essential infrastructure for sustainable economic growth.
As Alberta works to expand tourism, diversify regional economies, and promote its natural landscapes internationally, healthy wildlife populations have become increasingly important economic assets. Among Alberta’s most iconic species, grizzly bears play a significant role in supporting wildlife viewing, photography, guiding, recreation, and nature-based tourism experiences that depend on the continued presence of thriving predator populations across the landscape.
Nature-based non-consumptive tourism has become a cornerstone of Alberta’s economy and one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global tourism economy, with visitor spending reaching $15.2 billion in 2025 and provincial targets aiming for $25 billion by 2035, including $4 billion annually from nature-based tourism alone. A Blue Cross survey from 2024 found that 82 percent of Canadians are interested in ecotourism.
During the 2026 Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future, Alberta’s Minister of Tourism and Sport commented that tourism is Alberta’s number one service export and fourth largest export overall in the province, with a staggering ROI of 31 to 1, meaning for every dollar Travel Alberta invests, it generates $31 in visitor spending.
Protecting wildlife is not separate from these economic goals but fundamental to achieving them.
Research consistently demonstrates that living wildlife generates sustained and renewable economic benefits that far exceed the limited, one-time returns associated with recreational trophy hunting. Unlike consumptive uses, wildlife viewing and ecotourism allow the same animals to generate recurring economic activity over many years, supporting local businesses, accommodations, guiding operations, restaurants, transportation providers, photographers, and rural communities—all while keeping wildlife on the landscape and supporting long-term conservation and recovery goals.
Research demonstrates that living grizzly bears generate ongoing economic benefits that far exceed the limited, one-time returns associated with recreational and trophy hunting. A study conducted by the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) and Stanford University found that bear-viewing tourism produced $15.1 million in visitor spending, contributed $7.3 million to GDP, and supported hundreds of jobs. In contrast, guided and resident hunting combined generated $660,500 with significantly lower economic output and employment at just 11 jobs. While Alberta's landscapes, wildlife management systems, and tourism markets differ from British Columbia's coast, the study highlights an important principle: living wildlife can serve as a long-term economic asset that generates recurring benefits for communities, businesses, and local economies year after year. Comparable economic studies have not yet been conducted in Alberta, but the growing success of bear-viewing tourism elsewhere suggests there is value in better understanding the economic contributions that living grizzly bears may provide to communities, tourism operators, and regional economies across the province.
It’s important to recognize that the economic value of grizzly bears extends beyond direct tourism spending. Healthy predator populations contribute to ecosystem stability, biodiversity, and intact landscapes that support Alberta’s broader outdoor recreation economy and international reputation as a world-class destination for wilderness experiences.
Destinations that prioritize coexistence, conservation, and wildlife protection are increasingly favoured by travellers seeking ethical and sustainable tourism experiences. Policies perceived as inconsistent with conservation commitments can undermine public trust, international perception, and Alberta’s competitiveness in a rapidly growing global tourism market.
This issue extends beyond tourism alone. Alberta’s long-term economic resilience depends on maintaining healthy ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring that natural assets continue providing sustained economic and ecological benefits for future generations.
Public opinion research further reinforces this direction. Albertans and Canadians consistently express strong support for maintaining protections for grizzly bears and for wildlife policies grounded in science, stewardship, and long-term sustainability.
Economic policy and wildlife stewardship are not separate considerations. Long-term prosperity depends on maintaining healthy ecosystems and the species that sustain them. The continued protection of grizzly bears is consistent with Alberta’s stated goals of expanding tourism, rural economic development, and advancing sustainable land-use practices. Reinstating the hunt would undermine both grizzly bear recovery efforts and the long-term economic opportunities associated with living wildlife.
Exposed Wildlife Conservancy, the Grizzly Bear Foundation, and Alberta Wilderness Association continue to urge the Government of Alberta to:
The future of Alberta’s economy and of Alberta’s wildlife are deeply interconnected. These actions would uphold Alberta’s statutory responsibilities, align with public values, and support both ecological integrity and long-term economic sustainability.
You can let the government of Alberta know that you support their commitment to grizzly bear recovery and the maintained closure of the grizzly bear hunt.
As part of this three-part series, members of the public are encouraged to send Letter 3: Alberta Must Recognize the Long-Term Economic Value of Living Grizzly Bears, calling on the Government to maintain the current hunt closure and recognize Wildlife as a long-term economic asset.
Learn more about the importance of maintaining the closure of Alberta’s grizzly hunt and sign the letters:
Read our opening statement and formal letter to the government.
By signing in support of grizzly bear recovery, non-lethal conflict management tools, and recognition of the sustained economic value of living wildlife, the public can make a meaningful difference to the future of Alberta’s threatened grizzly bears.
