The Jasper Local

A new economic assessment commissioned by Tourism Jasper and the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce identifies what is required to support Jasper's long-term economic recovery from the 2024 Jasper Wildfire. // Bob Covey Survey says: lack of visitors biggest hurdle to recovery The Valley of the Five Lakes grand re-opening saw hundreds of hikers exploring the dramatically changed landscape May 23, 2026.

The number of occupied and under-construction properties are now equal to those in the design phase. // Bob Covey Jasper rebuild reaches key milestone as construction surges Occupied and Under-Construction Properties Now Match Design-Phase Total Several rebuilt Cabin Creek properties have their occupancy permit.

Researchers find first confirmed case in Jasper National Park and fear steep declines without intervention Parks Canada staff survey a bat colony in a Jasper National Park cave. // Supplied The fungal disease, which has devastated bat populations across North America since it was first detected in New York State in 2006, was confirmed in Jasper’s only known bat hibernation site in March.

Jasper council has awarded a procurement contract to acquire its own fleet of buses, which will replace the current fleet operated by PWTransit. // Bob Covey Council awards contract for new buses, approves revised tax rates Administration will negotiate the final vehicle quantity and configuration within the approved $2.25-million budget. Under this contract, at least four buses will be supplied, and the vehicles must be delivered by March 31, 2027.

An elegant male Harlequin Duck shows off his brilliant plumage. They are found in North America, Greenland, Iceland, Japan, and the eastern edge of Russia. The ducks can send humans a message about the state of our environment, writes contributor Mark Bradley. // Mark Bradley, Boreal Nature Photography The canaries in the cold mountain streams Back in the spring of 2005, I made my first visit to the Maligne Outflow bridge as a newly minted Jasper biologist. It was a beautiful sunny day.

Youth-focused version of Pathfinders program trains students to help the community on its recovery journey Gathered around the World Tree in Robson Park, the students received certificates marking the completion of the year-long program. Youth Navigators is an extension of the community-wide Pathfinders program, created to equip Jasper residents with leadership and mental health skills as the community continues to recover from the 2024 wildfire.

Ryan Schulhauser from Saskatchewan only needed one shot on Jasper Park Golf Club's hole 12—an historic ace, according to club staff. // Bob Covey Opening-Day ace makes Jasper golf history Ryan Schulhauser’s first round at the Jasper Park Golf Course is one he’ll never forget. The Saskatoon golfer recorded the first hole-in-one of his life on Friday, May 29—the opening day of the 2026 golf season at Jasper’s iconic Stanley Thompson-designed course.

On Tuesday (May 26, 2026), councillors meeting as Committee of the Whole recommended that council award the MOJ’s Transit Fleet Procurement contract to Dynamic Specialty Vehicle, a Western Canada-based bus supplier. Councillors also directed administration to negotiate the final vehicle quantity and configuration within the approved $2.25-million budget. Councillor Wendy Hall noted how Jasper would experience more pressure around parking and congestion as tourism in Jasper grows.

The latest confirmed case is east of Jasper; Parks Canada says the disease has not been detected in Jasper National Park. In an emailed response to media, Parks Canada confirmed the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recently detected whirling disease in samples taken from the McLeod River sub-watershed, east of Jasper. As a result, a broader section of the Athabasca watershed has now been designated an infection zone.

Parks Canada interpretive staffer Erika Gagnon showing 7-year-old Kai Pilgrim and his grandmother Annemarie a wolf pelt during Valley of the Five Lakes trail reopening ceremonies on May 23, 2026. // Bob Covey Rock solid return for Valley of the Five Lakes The Valley of the Five Lakes grand re-opening saw hundreds of hikers exploring the dramatically changed landscape May 23, 2026.