Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is raising an alarm about the Alberta government’s splitting of Environment and Parks into two new ministries, including one that contains forestry. Parks are meant to be areas that protect the environment while allowing people to enjoy nature through responsible recreation, said Chris Smith, conservation analyst for CPAWS Northern Alberta. However, Premier Danielle Smith has stated forestry is a major economic driver and a way to open up parks through things such as forestry backroads. “At this point, we’re just kind of waiting for some clarification as to the direction and mandate of these new ministries,” said Chris Smith. …The change affects all provincial parks, provincial recreation areas and wildland provincial parks, along with the Willmore Wilderness Park southwest of Grande Cache, Alta., said a statement by CPAWS Northern and Southern Alberta.