Permit Application

• Submit your application at least 30 days in advance of the proposed start date for the research or collection activity.
• Submit your research and collection permit application online.
• If your project involves social science and working with human subjects in Alberta Parks, you are required to provide information to satisfy ethics requirements. 
• Interdepartmental review and approval is often required for proposals involving natural areas, ecological reserves, wilderness areas and heritage rangelands. This extends the time required to prepare and issue a permit. A proposal like this must be submitted well in advance of proposed start of the project.
• Permits or approvals may also be required from other agencies and organizations to conduct research or engage in collection activities. Obtaining a research and collection permit from Parks Division may be contingent upon having permits or approvals in place related to
  • Archaeological, paleontological or historical research or collection through Historic Resources Management of Alberta Culture & Tourism
  • Wildlife Research and Collection Licence through Fish and Wildlife Division of Alberta Environment & Parks  

Note: Effective June 24, 2017, applications for Wildlife Research and Collection Licences and Parks Research and Collection Permits are submitted using a joint application process in the Online Permitting and Clearance (OPaC) system.

• If your project involves the use of a drone, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), conditions must be met at the time you submit your application.  
• Additional permits related to site access may also be necessary. The type of access required must be identified in the Research and Collection Permit application for Parks Division.  
• Aircraft landing and firearms permits may also be required. It may be necessary to follow-up with the regional or district office.

The following information is required for a permit application

• Applicant's name and contact information
• Project members' names and contact information
• Commencement and termination of field operations
• Description of project, methodology and details surrounding specimen collection and location of specimen placement
• Details regarding where researchers will stay while in a park
• Name of person who will supervise field operations in the applicant's absence
• Description of vehicles used for research project, including off-highway vehicles
• Anticipated written products of the project

Research and collection permits are issued on a calendar year basis only. For a multi-year project, a permit renewal is required for each year of the project. The permit renewal application must be submitted between January 1 and November 30 each year of the project.

During a research project, researchers may be able to stay in a campground or other park accommodation. Approval must be provided by the appropriate park staff.

Permit Process

Alberta Environment & Parks and Alberta Culture & Tourism are partners in the Online Permitting and Clearance (OPaC) system. Please refer to the OPaC User Guide for assistance.

OPaC has separate portals for applications for

• Parks-related research
• Historical Resources Act clearances for small-scale oil and gas developments and for archaeological permits

Alberta Culture & Tourism has more information on applying for Historical Resources Act clearances. Fish and Wildlife Division of Alberta Environment & Parks has more information on applying for a Wildlife Research and Collection Licence.

Online Permitting and Clearance is the sole means of applying for a research and collection permit on any lands under the administration of Parks Division to

• Apply for a research and collection permit
• Apply for an amendment or renewal of a research and collection permit
• Submit progress and final reports related to a research and collection permit

Online Permitting and Clearance features include

• A one-time registration providing users with individual password-protected accounts to complete, submit and track the progress of their research applications
• Communication by e-mail, notifying users when applications have been received, requesting changes if necessary and sending back approved applications and any other required documents

Conditions

• General conditions apply to all permits.
• Special conditions may also apply to issued permits. These outline unique or special circumstances related to the research activities and/or the site of the project. 
• Permit holders must comply with all conditions relating to their permit.