In commemoration of Canada's 150th year of Confederation this year, Parks Canada offers free visits to its heritage of national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation that include 46 national parks, 171 national historic sites, four national marine conservation areas and one national urban park.

"As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the government is inviting Canadians to experience the natural beauty of our country and learn more about our heritage," said Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.

"With free admission to Parks Canada places in 2017, it's a great time to head outdoors with family and friends on Parks Day, have some fun, and create amazing memories that will connect you with nature," the minister added.

Parks Canada, which manages extensive protected natural systems and cultural heritage areas, is encouraging visitors to plan their trips to discover new and exciting destinations in 2017 by consulting Parks Canada's website, or downloading the new Parks Canada's Mobile App for a list of hidden places and parks.

Parks Canada is responsible for protecting and presenting nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage, Canada's national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas.

Minister McKenna, and President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Kings—Hants, Scott Brison, announced last week that it was investing $925,000 in Grand-Pré National Historic Site in Nova Scotia.

Grand-Pré is a place where the indigenous Mi’kmaq people greeted people in peace and friendship, and formed an alliance with the Acadians creating one of the first treaties in Canadian history.

Today the Landscape of Grand-Pré is also recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

"As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Government of Canada is proud to invest in the protection and conservation of Grand-Pré National Historic Site," McKenna said.

"Through infrastructure investments at Parks Canada places, we are creating middle class jobs and sustained economic growth, while ensuring high-quality and meaningful visitor experiences for years to come. I encourage Canadians to visit Parks Canada destinations across Nova Scotia as part of Canada 150 to experience the province's natural and cultural treasures," she added.

Brison said, "This year, we are proudly celebrating both Canada 150 and the 100th anniversary of national historic sites across the country."

"Our government is committed to preserving and protecting our historic places and this investment is a further confirmation of that. This funding will go a long way to ensuring that all Canadians can experience Grand-Pré to its fullest for generations to come," he added.

Parks Canada and University of Alberta had celebrated Mountains 101 on Jul 6 to commemorate the achievements of the University of Alberta's Mountains 101 Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in interdisciplinary mountain studies.

More than 3,000 people from across Canada and around the world have completed the course so far.

"Mountains, in large part, define Alberta, and Mountains 101 has been a successful innovation in taking the knowledge of mountains resident at the University of Alberta and giving it, literally, to the world," said Kerry Mummery, Dean, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation.

Speaking about the course, Mummery added, "With more than 18,000 students from 140 countries registered in the program, Mountains 101 has successfully demonstrated the ability of the University of Alberta to extend its educational reach across the globe."                

McKenna, will take part in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the official opening of the new Point Wolfe Beach Trail in Fundy National Park in New Brunswick.

She will be accompanied by Alaina Lockhart, Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

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