Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Pink glitter and streamers were left scattered across the frozen surface of Lake Louise on Jan. 31, prompting a Parks Canada investigation.
A tourist from California, who has been coming to Banff National Park in Alberta for more than 30 years, discovered the litter while visiting the lake that day.
“I’d say the Lake Louise area in particular is truly one of the most spectacular places in this world,” said Kim Steinbacher.
Steinbacher was snowshoeing across the lake when she spotted a large area of pink discolouration and confetti pieces on the ice.
Parks Canada says it believes the litter was left behind after a gender reveal celebration.
Kim Steinbacher at Lake Louise heading out for a snowshoe trip. She later found litter on the frozen lake. (Submitted by Kim Steinbacher)
The debris was visible from roughly 50 to 60 metres away, she says.
She decided to clean it up.
Steinbacher estimates there were a couple hundred pieces of confetti, and says it took about an hour to collect it all.
“It was just the right thing to do,” she said. “I love the area. Nobody wants to see a place as pristine as Lake Louise left trashed.”
Steinbacher says she doesn’t use social media much but felt compelled to share her frustration online.
Steinbacher collected the confetti and gave the bag to Parks Canada when she filed her complaint. (Kim Steinbacher)
Her post about the incident quickly gained traction, with thousands viewing it.
Steinbacher did not expect her story to attract so much attention.
“It was both very surprising and surprisingly encouraging to see that everybody else was just as upset as me and that I wasn’t overreacting — that others care as much as I do,” she said.
After her post sparked so much interest, Steinbacher decided to file a formal complaint with Parks Canada.
Pink discolouration remains on the ice at Lake Louise. (Kim Steinbacher)
She revisited the spot where she found the litter about a week and a half later.
“I could still find a lot of the powder discolouration where it had taken place,” she said.
She hopes the conversations her post sparked reminds visitors to be respectful and mindful when visiting national parks.
“I would love to see people understand how precious a national park is and that these places need to be protected,” she says.
In a statement to CBC News, Parks Canada confirmed it is investigating the incident.
Littering is prohibited in national parks, and Parks Canada says violations can result in court appearances and fines of up to $25,000.
Parks Canada is asking anyone with information about the Jan. 31 incident to contact Banff Dispatch.