Parks Canada Sites in the North Coming to Google Maps

Parks Canada's own team members to collect Northern and remote images for Street View Project

OTTAWA, June 25, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced that, this summer, Google and Parks Canada's own team members will capture breathtaking panoramic images in more of Canada's national parks and national historic sites – including some of the country's northern national parks.

In the coming months, some of Canada's most remote and spectacular landscapes will be directly accessible on Google Maps for Canadians and others abroad to explore, appreciate and plan trips to witness nature's wonder. In time, virtual visitors will be able to view the crystal clear rivers and deep canyons within Tuktut Nogait National Park in the Northwest Territories or marvel at the sweeping glaciers and granite mountains in Nunavut's Auyuittuq National Park by simply clicking a mouse button or tapping a touch screen.

Google will train seven Parks Canada team members to collect Street View images using specialized equipment in northern and remote national parks this summer. This will enable Parks Canada to work toward including places like Ivvavik, Torngat Mountains, Tuktut Nogait, Wood Buffalo, Auyuittuq, and Gwaii Haanas in Street View for Google Maps.

This work is part of a collaborative, nationwide initiative with Google Maps to bring Street View imagery to Canada's treasured natural and cultural sites.          

Quick Facts

• In 2013, Parks Canada partnered with Google on a two-year project to capture Canada's most iconic sites using Google Street View imagery.
  
• Last year, Google teams captured spectacular panoramic images of Canada's natural and cultural heritage using this specialized equipment. They hiked along trails, drove down park roads and ventured inside historic buildings to photograph Canada's protected sites.
  
• The stunning views of more than 50 national historic sites and national parks are available in Street View using Google Maps or Google Earth.

Quotes

"Through the recently launched National Conservation Plan, our Government has taken action to connect Canadians to nature. The collaborative efforts between Parks Canada and Google will allow Internet users the unique opportunity to embark on a virtual journey to uncover Canada's hidden natural and cultural treasures and see why they need to visit Canada's North."

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"Through this unique partnership, we are bringing Google Maps and Street View to some of Canada's most remote, incredible landscapes. We are thrilled to work with Parks Canada to help people connect, experience and foster an appreciation of even more of Canada's special places."

Aaron Brindle, Google Canada Spokesperson

Associated Links

• Explore Canada's natural and historic treasures with Street View for Google Maps (http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/apprend-learn/cartes-maps.aspx)
  
• Google Street View (https://www.google.com/maps/views/?gl=ca#!home)
  
• Parks Canada on Google Maps (http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/cp-nr/release_e.asp?id=2057&andor1=nr)
  
• Parks Canada Partners with Google to Bring Canada's Treasured Places to Your Home (http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/cp-nr/release_e.asp?id=1985&andor1=nr)
  
• Google Canada Blog (http://www.googlecanada.blogspot.ca/)

Video with caption: "Parks Canada team members will collect Northern and remote images for Street View Project.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20140625_C1011_VIDEO_EN_3857.mp4&poster=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.newswire.ca%2Fimages%2F20140625_C1011_VIDEO_EN_3857.jpg&order=1&jdd=20140625&cnum=C1011

SOURCE: Parks Canada

Office of the Minister of the Environment, 819-997-1441; Media Relations, Parks Canada, 1-855-862-1812, www.twitter.com/parkscanada