Issue #6 Spring 2002

BIO: Murray Ingstrup Finally, in 1997 he arrived at the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot PRA where New Kid on the Committee one of his first projects was to help with the volunteers who had gathered to clear trails after a heavy spring snowstorm. But there is more to Murray than protected areas and volunteers. He and his wife Ingrid just spent 13 months travelling through dozens of countries on their bicycles. They returned in August 2001 from a 16,000km trip, covering Western , Western USA, Mexico, Central America, and Western Europe. I’ll bet he has a few stories from that trip, eh! Over the years, Murray has proven his ability to maintain a positive attitude toward protected areas and Meet Murray Ingstrup, your Appointed in September 2001, he the volunteers who are so important. Volunteer Coordinating Committee may be new to the committee, but he At the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Co-Chair. Murray is a conservation is no stranger to volunteerism in PRA, he continues to be involved officer at the Cooking Lake- protected areas. Throughout his with about 650 volunteers who come Blackfoot Grazing Wildlife and career, he has had extensive out for the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Provincial Recreation Area (known involvement with volunteer Festival every February. As well, he in its short form as Cooking Lake- campground hosts and partnership or works with the Friends of Blackfoot Blackfoot PRA), located 45 km east cooperative groups. Cooperating Association year round. of Edmonton. Murray began working for the In 2000-2001 he helped the provincial government with the cooperating association create a In this Issue ... Forest Service in 1989 in Heritage Interpretive Centre that High Level. He worked for four recently opened at the Waskehegan • What’s New seasons as a forest guardian, Staging Area of Cooking Lake- • Chinchaga Wildland Park spending two in High Level and two Blackfoot PRA. • Hay-Zama Wildland Park in the Cadomin area. After a having So give a warm welcome to Murray, • Bow Valley Areas Volunteers a great time in the Cadomin area, he the newest member of our dedicated • Addition to Beauvais Lake decided to come and work for Volunteer Coordinating Committee. Environmental Education provincial parks, and spent the next • Volunteer Steward Survey few summers hopping around the Results province. First, he went back up • 2002 - International Year of north to Notikewin Provincial Park, the Mountains then south to the Red Deer area where he worked at Aspen Beach • and more and Red Lodge Provincial Parks. Bow Valley Volunteers Clear Stream for Trout Your Volunteer Co - o rd i n ating Committee

Ch a i r p e r s o n: Brad Marshall, Visitor Services Branch (780) 427-9017 Br a d . M a r s h a l l @ g o v. a b . c a Co - C h a i r p e r s o n : Murray Ingstrup, Red Deer (780) 922-3293 Mu r r a y. I n g s t r u p @ g o v. a b . c a Ma n a g er : June Markwart, Visitor Services Branch (780) 427-9383 Ju n e . M a r k w a r t @ g o v. a b . c a Volunteer Steward Co-ordinator: Sandra Myers, Visitor Services Branch (780) 427-1742 Sa n d r a . M y e r s @ g o v. a b . c a Brown trout from Spring Creek Area Representatives: Dixie Colter, Lac La Biche (780) 645-6315 On September 22, 2001, Brian Lajeunesse, the fisheries biologist for the Di x i e . C o l t e r @ g o v. a b . c a Bow District, along with six members from the Bow Valley Protected Areas Volunteer Stewards, assisted in a stream rehabilitation program on John Doll, Slave Lake/Grande Pr a i r i e Spring Creek. (780) 849-7104 Jo h n . D o l l @ g o v. a b . c a Spring Creek, in Canmore, was plugged with beaver clippings that inhibited the movement and spawning of brown trout. The volunteers Jeanette Brooks, Stony Plain (780) 865-8395 removed branches that blocked the stream, creating a clear channel for Je a n e t t e . B r o o k s @ g o v. a b . c a the fish. The resulting faster flow of water washed away the sediment and exposed the gravel necessary for the trout to spawn. Stuart Polege, Stony Plain (alternate) (780) 723-8244 Four projects similar to this are planned in the Bow Valley area for 2002. St u a r t . P o l e g e @ g o v. a b . c a More volunteers are needed for these projects so if you would like to become a volunteer steward and get involved please call Susan Cameron Don Cockerton, Canmore/Calgary/Brooks (403) 297-5969 at Bow Valley Provincial Park at (403) 673-3663 or e-mail at Do n . C o c k e r t o n @ g o v. a b . c a [email protected] Rosemary Jones, Medicine Hat/Lethbridge (403) 528-5211 Ro s e m a r y. J o n e s @ g o v. a b . c a To call any Alberta government agency toll-free from anywhere in Alberta, dial 310-0000, then the number, or hold the line for operator assistance.

Volunteer stewards moving beaver clippings from Spring Creek in Canmore

Page 2 Partners in Preservation Spring 2002 What’s New volunteers. This will increase the public profile of the volunteer “Last year 41 Summer 2002 is nearly upon us and program by providing more individuals and 3 many of you are gearing up for a identification items earlier in your new season of volunteering with volunteer term. groups signed up Alberta Parks and Protected Areas. It will also expand our "years of as new stewards.” Each year we welcome nearly two service" recognition program. We thousand volunteers in a variety of have more and more volunteers who roles from all over the province. The have been with us for 15 and even We are pleased to report that our talents, ideas and enthusiasm you 20 years. Volunteers eligible under volunteer programs are continuing to bring with you not only help to this program will receive their new grow. Last year 41 individuals and 3 deliver many core programs, but also items in the mail this spring. groups signed up as new stewards. revitalize our entire team of staff, We now also have stewards at 3 new contractors and other volunteers. We continue to improve our areas: Bow Valley Wildland Park, Speaking on behalf of the Volunteer volunteer communications products and Big Lake and Hastings Lake Coordinating Committee, parks as well. The natural areas brochures Islands Natural Areas. Volunteer-led management team and your on-site have been given a new look and interpretive and educational supervisors, it’s a privilege to work individual site brochures will be activities are increasing as well. with you and to recognize your updated with the new design as field Programs were delivered by volunteer contributions. staff or stewards request them. volunteer stewards at nine natural (Contact Sandra Myers to make the areas throughout the province and at arrangements). We have also created Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, a a new volunteer steward recruitment volunteer environmental educator brochure to promote the program. helped deliver school programs. An application form on the brochure can be faxed or mailed to us, All in all, it looks like a good year to expediting registrations. Over the be a volunteer! summer we’ll be working on a new We look forward to seeing you out handbook for volunteer stewards and and about in your parks and a new poster to advertise site- protected areas this year. specific volunteer opportunities. Hopefully you were able to “Head for the Hills” this April 26-28th, and Training for staff and volunteers join us at Cypress Hills remains a high priority. We are Interprovincial Park for our 2002 excited about our new steward Volunteer Roundup. The conference orientation session, which will be planning team, headed by Rose presented across the province several June Markwart, Manager Jones, planned lots of fun, learning times a year to introduce new Visitor Services Branch experiences for attendees to kick off stewards to the program and their Parks and Protected Areas the new season. There was also an responsibilities. In the future, it will Alberta Community Development excellent awards banquet held to be mandatory for new stewards to celebrate last season’s volunteer attend one of these sessions. The successes. first presentation occurred at the Volunteer Roundup Conference, and This year volunteers and staff will more will be planned on a needs notice some changes and new basis. The conference also included initiatives to improve the way we a staff training session on Friday, manage the program. First, we are where a new staff manual for implementing a new commencement Volunteer Management was and recognition program for all our distributed and reviewed.

Spring 2002 Partners in Preservation Page 3 Chinchaga Wildland Park Organization Provides by Elaine Nepstad, Planner, Parks and Protected Areas Opportunities to Interact With Other Volunteer Stewards

In 1999, a group of volunteer stewards who were looking for ways to meet and interact with other volunteer stewards within the program, formed the Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas Association (SAPAA). SAPAA is a non-profit organization that operates independent of the Parks and Members of the Chinchaga Management Plan Committee (L to R): Trisha Protected Areas Program. It gives Freeland, Ernie Bass, Anita Schmidt, Myles Wolchyn, John Miller, Hans volunteers the opportunity to meet Peters, Elaine Nepstad once or twice a year to discuss common issues and share One fine day last September, a group behind the scenes. Some of the work experiences. The SAPAA newsletter met in a remote northwestern Al b e r t a is fun, like this field trip, or creating provides an additional vehicle for bush camp usually patronized by the a logo for the park. Other work is communication among stewards and oil and gas industry. But on this day, more intense, hammering out park steward groups. the patrons were Parks and Protected management guidelines that balance Areas volunteers, gathered to talk provincial policies and local interests. This year, the SAPAA summer field about the management of Chinchaga trip is to Coyote Lake Natural Area Back at the Chinchaga field camp, Wildland Park. on June 8th. Any stewards are people are ecstatic after helicopter welcome, but should contact John These volunteers belong to a rides over the park. They have flown Woitenko (780) 459-0475 or management planning committee for over landscape that they have heard [email protected]. Chinchaga. They include MD about but not seen, looked at representatives, a local outfitter and potential trail routes and accesses, If you would like to find out more tr a p p e r, an oil and gas company and spotted moose and trumpeter about SAPAA, contact Alison representative, and interested local swans. And they have come up with Dinwoodie at (780) 437-7183 or people. This particular day they were a logo that fits the wilderness [email protected]. on a field trip, offered by the oil and character of the park, "A road runs to gas company, to look at the wildland it but not through it". park. A big thank you to the Chinchaga For some, this was the first look at volunteers, and to others who the park, since Chinchaga is remote volunteer to help develop and difficult to access. Others know management plans for protected the park, or parts of it, intimately. areas. The value of this support can The range of interests, experience never be overestimated. and knowledge they bring make for lively discussions, but underlying it all is their care for the park and for Al b e r t a ’s natural heritage. These volunteers take time out of busy lives to travel large distances, and then spend several hours in meetings discussing the park. This is Trading Post Lake, in the northwest corner of not glamorous work, and often not Chinchaga Wildland Park readily visible because it takes place Page 4 Partners in Preservation Spring 2002 Community Organizations Swing Deal To Protect the Environment by Luke DeSmet, Volunteer Steward

Forty-two km north of Edmonton is Pioneer Trail North’s interest in this "Our two organizations are truly a quarter section of land that particular project is to secure a grass roots from the ground up. The separates the two parts of the location through which the Trans purchase of this land, we feel, will Halfmoon Lake Natural Area. Until Canada Trail can run. DeSmet, trail secure our place in the community," recently, this quarter section was facilitator for the area, says that they says DeSmet. "This purchase owned by the Lafarge Canada will now be able to pass the trail ensures that we will always have an Corporation. That was until two not- through the quarter section of land, area of unspoiled land that we can for-profit organizations approached giving access to the beauty of the protect." Rainbow Equitation Lafarge with an offer for purchase. Half Moon Lake Natural Area, Society and Pioneer Trail North without risking damage to the Foundation continue the work to natural area itself. raise money needed to make payments on the land. They do this DeSmet stresses is that this deal by working bingos, casinos and would never have happened without community fundraisers. the cooperation of Lafarge Canada. "We feel this land purchase is an "They were really supportive of our excellent example of individuals, efforts and helped out wherever they community groups, government and could," DeSmet says. "It was like corporations working together to they wanted this deal to go through Halfmoon Lake Natural Area protect the environment," DeSmet as much as we did." says, "This project will promote The Rainbow Equitation Society (the health and recreation; it will help volunteer steward for the natural In the spring of 2001 a deal was protect the environment and promote area) along with the Pioneer Trail reached, thanks in large part to the a historical resource." North Foundation worked together to tireless efforts of the society’s real estate agent Monica Stadnik. "She purchase this quarter section. Except As DeSmet finishes explaining the was a God-send through all of this," for a five acre base of operations, the project, he repeats that the project’s DeSmet praises. "She went above land will become protected, joining success is due entirely to the and beyond what she had to as a real the two halves of the Halfmoon Lake exceptional efforts of all involved. Natural Area into a single, more estate agent." "We are very thankful and proud of manageable nature preserve. The purchase of this quarter section the people who have been involved Rainbow Equitation’s president will offer a new-found level of throughout this process," he says. Richard DeSmet, a long time steward protection to the natural area as it "and there is more to come." of the natural area, is enthusiastic that joins the two halves and ensures that this purchase will do wonders to at least one neighboring quarter protect this special place. section will not be developed. DeSmet and his board of directors, along with the society’s many volunteers, have been working on this project for years. They joined forces with the Pioneer Trail North Foundation in 1999 to raise funds for the purchase. Pioneer Trail North Foundation, another not-for-profit organization in which DeSmet is involved, is working towards restoring the historic Athabasca Landing Trail.

Spring 2002 Partners in Preservation Page 5 Hay-Zama Wildland Park by Elaine Nepstad, Planner, Parks and Protec

How many new parks come with a shorebirds rest and feed in the Stephen Didzena of the Dene Tha' group of dedicated volunteers who wetland complex during spring First Nation notes, "…eco-system have been caring for the area for and fall migration. Ducks integrity can be maintained while years? When Hay-Zama became a Unlimited has been involved in integrated with resource wildland park in 1999, it came with managing the wetland for development activities. It is also the multi-stakeholder group known conservation purposes since the understandable that this can never as the Hay-Zama Committee. This 1930s. happen without commitment from all committee began managing use of • The Hay-Zama wetland became stakeholders." the Hay-Zama wetland in 1994, and a RAMSAR site in 1982, giving Representatives from the Dene Tha’ was soon recognized for its it recognition as a Wetland of First Nation, oil and gas companies, outstanding environmental International Importance. environmental groups, and management practices with an • The Hay-Zama wetland is also government are the core stakeholders Emerald Award in 1996. Now that the only site in Alberta selected on the committee. A wide network of Hay-Zama is a , the for re-introduction of wood friends and neighbours are kept committee has agreed to act as a bison, a species listed as "At informed and may participate as management committee for the park. Risk" in Alberta. The bison herd has thrived in the area, particularly as the wetland sedges and grasses provide critical winter forage. • The wetland complex sits above a productive oil and gas reserve that has been tapped since the 1960s. Currently three oil and gas co m p a n i e s own developed leases Some of the Hay-Zama Committee: in the wetland. Jim Broughton, Cliff Wallis, Ken Lumbi, Fred Didzena, James Ahnassay These values represent a diversity of environmental, cultural and Given the isolation of Hay-Zama in economic interests that usually lack the far northwestern corner of compatibility. But the Hay-Zama Alberta, the amount of interest in it Committee has successfully balanced may seem surprising. But the area these interests and is managing the has long been recognized for its wetlands for sustainability for all ecological and cultural values, and concerned. Ken Lumbis from Ducks Arial view o more recently its economic value. Unlimited describes the purpose of the committee: "The Hay-Zama • It is part of the traditional Committee works with focus and their concerns dictate. So the hunting and trapping territory of dedication to ensure the Hay-Zama committee membership covers all the Dene Tha’ First Nation, who Complex retains its wildland and interests, and is fluid enough to now live adjacent to the park at cultural values for generations to adapt to members who participate to Chateh. This area is important to come, while allowing for the varying degrees. their cultural heritage. reasonable but expedited • Hay-Zama wetland is a key So how does the committee work? development of existing oil and gas waterfowl production, staging, The committee is co-chaired by Ken reserves." and moulting site located on Zurfluh, representing Parks and three of the four major North Successfully balancing these diverse Protected Areas; Pat Cabezas of American migration flyways. interests could never be accomplished Cabezas Resources International Inc. Thousands of ducks, geese and without the commitment of the who represents industry; and Chief members to make it happen. Chief Stephen Didzena representing the

Page 6 Partners in Preservation Spring 2002 Dene Tha'. Communication and trade-off that will allow new lower consultation between the members is risk natural gas wells in a less open and transparent, guided by Pat sensitive corner of the wildland park. Cabezas who is a dedicated While uncomfortable with the trade- facilitator. Regular meetings are off, the AWA was pleased that it will scheduled, but other meetings can result in no higher risk oil activity in be, and often are, called to discuss any open water area of Zama Lake. more immediate concerns. Decisions Ventus was likewise uncomfortable are reached by consensus, and are with altering preferred development mutually beneficial. James plans, but did so in response to Hay-Zama Wildland Park Campbell, Vice-President of Ventus committee concerns and with a focus Energy, the company with most oil on pursuing certain key economic strives to protect. Decisions are and gas holdings in the park, said of objectives. This spirit of cooperation based on mutual respect and the best the committee, "We have tried very has produced benefits for all parties, possible information brought to the hard to meet everyone’s goals." and most importantly, for this table by a diverse representation of internationally significant wetland." committee members." James Campbell is proud of the success of the committee, and the “The Hay-Zama part Ventus has played in it. "Ventus Committee is as is proud to support the park. We champion the cultural, economic and unique as the area it environmental partnership strives to protect.” represented by the Hay-Zama Committee. Ventus initiated training Alberta Community Development programs, created jobs and improved appreciates that the committee is environmental protection standards continuing in a management in the region. I am proud of our advisory capacity for Hay-Zama company." Wildland Park. Ken Zurfluh, Area Parks and Protected Areas are proud Manager with Parks and Protected of Ventus, too, and all the other Areas, Alberta Community members of the Hay-Zama Development, believes that the Committee - proud to be associated success of the Hay-Zama Committee ildland Park with them through Hay-Zama has been rooted in its long history of Wildland Park. We look forward to operation, and the high level of working with this exceptional group expertise each committee member Consultations between the committee of volunteers, and wholeheartedly brings to the table. "The Hay-Zama members have so far resulted in win- say "Welcome!" Committee is as unique as the area it win situations. Cliff Wallis represents the Alberta Wilderness RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands – designates wetlands of International Association (AWA) on the Importance through submissions from countries all around the world. In committee, and gives an example of Alberta there are 3 other RAMSAR sites: Beaverhill Lake, the Peace- the give and take that has contributed Athabasca Delta and an area that straddles the Al b e r t a / N W T border which is a to the committee's success. "The significant whooping crane summer range. In Canada, the agency responsible AWA was faced with a very difficult for receiving submissions on behalf of RAMSAR, is the Canadian Wil d l i f e choice. In order to get an accelerated Service. For more details about Ramsar – other sites, or the criteria for removal of higher risk oil wells, the submitting an area for designation check their website www.r a m s a r. o rg . Hay-Zama Committee agreed to a

Spring 2002 Partners in Preservation Page 7 Bow Valley Protected Areas Volunteers A special vest, developed in Bow by Glen Naylor, District Conservation Officer, Parks and Protected Areas Valley and tested by the stewards identify them as Volunteer Stewards The Volunteer Steward program has formation of the new group. After a and is designed to hold guidebooks been operating successfully in variety of growing pains, the group and maps, binoculars, and a and throughout is now making headway. notebook. The identity provided by Alberta since 1987. In 1997, these vests is useful in breaking the The formation of one large group has conservation officers from the Bow ice when stewards in the field resulted in a more efficient use of District took over the responsibility encounter other people. Seeing that both supervisor’s and steward’s time. of monitoring and coordinating the they are official representatives The stewards have a yearly field portion of the program for their makes area visitors more organizational meeting where work area. comfortable in asking questions. projects and field trips are Plans are being considered to In response to strong public interest, established under the supervision of incorporate the vest as a regular two new steward groups were conservation officers and fisheries issue item for stewards throughout organized. One group of stewards for and wildlife biologists. Through the the province who have specialized the newly created Wind Valley dedicated work and resourcefulness roles or work at sites where the vest Natural Area began with 30 of the field staff, an end-of-season would be beneficial. interested and highly motivated wrap-up meeting and social event is individuals. The other was created held. In 1998, stewards made a trip Volunteer stewardship is just one of for the adjacent Bow Valley to where several volunteer opportunities in Provincial Park. This group, made they could see first-hand what other Parks and Protected Areas. up of about 20 volunteers, is the first protected areas were like. Kananaskis Country has an active steward group to work in a Volunteer Trails Care Group with provincial park. over 60 members. This group constructs and repairs trails Since the formation of these two throughout Kananaskis Country. steward groups in Kananaskis University students volunteer for a Country, there have been many variety of practical experiences in changes within Parks and Protected environmental education and also for Areas Division. Not only have job wildlife research projects dealing titles changed, but more new lands with elk, cougars, bears, and wolves. have been added to our system of On occasion, volunteers have gone protected areas. Fortunately, the on ride-along patrols with program in Bow Valley has remained conservation officers to get on-the- strong. In fact, since the Bow Valley job experience. Wildland Park was formed, absorbing a number of small Volunteer opportunities in protected areas, those original two Kananaskis Country offer a diversity groups have joined with others from of experiences for those interested in sites that are now part of the huge Volunteer doing research studies getting involved in Parks and new park. These steward groups Protected Areas programs. Our have combined into one large group The stewards are valuable members conservation officers and other called the Bow Valley Protected of our management team, providing program supervisors greatly Areas Volunteer Stewards. The information on everything from appreciate the work and dedication unusually large number of group illegal off-road vehicle use to demonstrated by our volunteers. members and the fact that each important wildlife observations in former group had different their areas. experiences, role definitions and even different objectives, posed a challenge for the conservation officer whose duty it was to facilitate the

Page 8 Partners in Preservation Spring 2002 Important Addition to Environmental Education Team at Beauvais Lake by Heidi Eijgel, Parks and Protected Areas

days. I really enjoyed the plays, the rubber bear paw prints, the skull, and the scat. Thanks." Unprecedented in the history of the Beauvais Lake Education Program, this successful addition of a volunteer to the 2001 environmental education delivery team, has opened the door for similar future opportunities. For Travis, last spring's experience will be an asset for any teaching job he may take on in the future. And for Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, Travis Griffin delivers a great environmental education presentation many more students were able to In southern Alberta, school children, Simone was looking for a volunteer experience school field studies in the teachers and park staff were winners teacher to assist in the development park. All in all, a win-win situation when Travis Griffin decided to and presentation of curriculum for everyone; especially the students! volunteer for the Beauvais Lake related school programs. Travis sent For information about education Environmental Education Program in a letter of interest and a resume and, volunteer opportunities at Beauvais 2001. He arrived at Beauvais Lake following an interview, was Lake Provincial Park, call Heidi Provincial Park in southwest Alberta accepted. With the park’s seasonal Eijgel (403)627-1152 or visit the on May 2, to volunteer for seven staff already working beyond park’s web site: weeks as a full-time environmental capacity, Travis’s expertise would www.cd.gov.ab.ca/parks/beauvaislake educator. He brought skills, enable the program to expand and enthusiasm and a sense of adventure include school groups who otherwise The volunteer Environmental Educator that contributed greatly to the would have been turned away. position requires: environmental education delivery Travis was a member of a delivery • a high level of physical fitness; team. Despite inclement weather team of three field specialists who, • a degree of environmental and lots of preparation to complete in May and June made a record literacy and a desire to model in very little time, Travis delivered. number of contacts. His participation sustainable living practices; Travis is a recent graduate of the meant that one third more students, • a strong background and/or University of Saskatchewan with a parents and teachers spent a day interest in natural and/or cultural Bachelor of Education degree and learning outdoors at the park. On a history; has a previous Bachelor of Science post trip evaluation, one of the • ability to work both independantly in Marine Biology from Dalhousie students wrote: and as a member of a team; and University. He was inspired by a • first aid training (Standard First "Thank you Travis. I had a great Project WILD workshop that Aid and CPR) time at Beauvais Lake. I hope I can provides in-service training of come again. I really liked doing the hands-on environmental education skits. I thought it was lots of fun. I teaching techniques to teachers. think it is a great park. I enjoyed the Meanwhile Simone Forget, the games and all that we learned. I Project WILD Instructor, was liked what you taught us about preparing to begin work in April as animals and communities in the old the Senior Environmental Educator at Beauvais Lake.

Spring 2002 Partners in Preservation Page 9 2002—The International Year of Mountains protects over 150 head of bighorn by Karl Heinrichs, Parks and Protected Areas, Practicum Student sheep and one of the deepest known caves in Alberta. Appreciating our mountains also provides us opportunity to celebrate our cultural heritage. (4596 km2), located along the northeastern boundary of , is rich with history. Here, commercial trail guides enlighten visitors about native habitation dating back 10,000 years, and early fur traders and park rangers such as James Shand-Harvey and George Hargreaves. A greater appreciation for mountains can lead to a stronger incentive for the sustainable development of Mount Lorette and Barrier Lake, Kananskis Trail, Kananakis Country recreational and tourism The United Nations has declared Volunteer stewards and local opportunities. Rock Lake - Solomon 2002, the International Year of community groups have worked Creek Wildland Park, located 70 km Mountains. This decision was based diligently to help preserve the north of Hinton, offers well- on the idea that an increased natural heritage of our Rocky maintained recreational facilities for appreciation of mountains would Mountains. One example, Bow visitors. Designated in December of promote an "increased awareness of, Valley Wildland Provincial Park 2000, it is an ideal location for and knowledge on, their ecosystems, (328.98 km2), in Kananskis Country, activities such as hiking, camping, dynamics and functioning." In is an unrivalled place to discover the horseback riding and bird watching, Alberta, we have much to celebrate; diverse montane flora and fauna. The not to mention stunning scenery. our Rocky Mountains are simply park is a critical wildlife movement The International Year of Mountains spectacular. corridor for elk, cougar, wolves, is, unquestionably, a celebration for For years we have taken great pride bears and other animals. All year Albertans. We all have a role in round, a large group of dedicated in our mountains and taken measures preserving the natural and cultural volunteers contribute on projects like to protect them. Today, 20% of heritage of our Rocky Mountains, Alberta’s Rocky Mountains are trail maintenance, wildlife projects and the mountain communities. We protected within Alberta’s Provincial and observing and reporting any do this by getting involved in Parks and Protected Areas network. violations of park regulations in this Alberta Parks and Protected Areas wildland park. Overall, almost 60% of Alberta’s volunteer programs or simply taking Rocky Mountain Natural Region is One of the newest expansions of the time to share favourite mountain protected, when you include national Kananaskis Country, Elbow-Sheep retreats with friends and family. park lands. Does dedicating one year Wildland Provincial Park (801.5 Volunteers make valuable contributions by increasing public to celebrate mountains internationally km2) has an interesting variety of awareness of these exceptional places concern us locally? Absolutely! geological features. Its deep valleys, and assisting in land use planning. As Through parks’interpretive and high peaks and dense wooded areas volunteers, think of the International environmental education programs, make up a spectacular landscape that Year of Mountains as an opportunity we can continue to successfully is home to a diverse community of to participate in conserving a educate the public on conservation wildlife and vegetation. Moreover, in valuable asset, Al b e r t a ’s natural awareness and sustainability of our Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park heritage, for future generations. mountain ecosystems and (627.75 km2), Forget-Me-Not Ridge communities.

Page 10 Partners in Preservation Spring 2002 The Results Are In! website. As a result we have taken Calling All Submissions! steps to make the website easier to find, and we will continue to include Partners in Preservation is always the address in all of our looking for great articles and photos to publications. We encourage you to be included in upcoming issues. To streamline our administration of visit the site submissions, we ask that you consider (www.cd.gov.ab.ca/parks/volunteer) the following guidelines. if you haven’t already done so. Articles should be no longer than 500 Of all the areas of the program words in length. It should include a title surveyed, stewards were least and identify who authored it. satisfied with their field staff If including a photograph with an article, support. We are working to improve please provide a brief description of the Seventy-one people took part in our communications between stewards image, including names, activities, 2001 Volunteer Steward Opinion and field staff by arranging more on- location and photographer by full name. Survey, our largest response to date. site meetings and also by setting up We prefer having the original photo or We obtained feedback on everything initial orientation meetings between slide to be submitted, and will return from our volunteer manual and field staff, Edmonton staff and them to you, at our convenience, if you website, to the amount of field volunteer stewards. We hope this provide a return address. If submitting support stewards receive, and why will set up the framework for a originals is not possible, here are some submitting inspection reports is a positive working relationship since requirements for digital format challenge for some. While this is vital to the success of the submissions: respondents noted a few areas of program. • do not send photos in PowerPoint or concern, the overall results of the Word. Make sure all photos are Perhaps the most notable comments survey were very positive. Here are either .TIF or .JPG format. we got were the heartfelt responses some of the things you had to say • ensure that all slides/photos to why individuals became volunteer and some of the steps we’re taking to are scanned at a minimum of stewards. Whatever reason they had improve. 300 dpi (dots per inch) for joining the program, all of our • if scanning a slide, please enlarge by A high number of respondents (42%) respondents seemed to be passionate at least 500% indicated they have problems filing about the outdoors. One person • make sure that the photo is their inspection reports twice a year, summed up many of your thoughts submitted in colour mostly because they are too busy. when she wrote: "I firmly believe NOTE: The Editor retains the right to To help you out we’ve tried to make that to retain parts of our province in edit or refuse any submissions (article or the reports as accessible as possible; its natural state is important for our ph o t o ) . you can now submit them over the heritage. It will be a wonderful If you require assistance regarding the internet, or as usual by mail, fax, and legacy for our grandchildren and photo requirements, please contact over the phone. We have also future generations." Michael McCready at (780) 427-7526. changed the inspection report from Thanks to all of our respondents for an 8x14 page to a two-sided 8x11 giving us your time and comments. page, following your suggestions. To submit an article, to contact us We hope you continue to regarding changes to the mailing list, or to Remember, if there’s nothing communicate your thoughts to us so receive a free subscription please contact: changed on your site, you just have that we can make your volunteer to check off the "no change" box on Lori at (780) 427-3805 or e-mail at experience the best it can be. your inspection report and send it in. Lo r i . R u z y c k i @ g o v.ab.ca Many of our respondents didn’t or write to: know we had a volunteer website Partners in Preservation, Visitor Services Branch and, for those that did, many had Parks & Protected Areas Division problems finding it using search 2nd Floor, Oxbridge Place engines or through the government 9820 - 106 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J6 Deadline for submissions for the next issue is August 15, 2002. Spring 2002 Partners in Preservation Page 11 For more information visit www.cd.gov.ab.ca/parks/parksday or call 1-866-427-3582

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