PARTNERS IN PRESERVATiON A V OL UNTEER NEWSLETTER Issue #11 Summer 2005

STEWARD EXCELLENCE AWARD CELEBRATING OUR PAST AND IMAGINING AN EVEN BRIGHTER FUTURE! by Sandra Myers & Michele Macdonald

September 1997 marked an important milestone. We celebrated the anniversary of 10 years of public commitment to the management and protection of ’s natural heritage through the Volunteer Steward Program. In recognition of the event, the Honorable Ty Lund, then Minister of Environmental Protection, presented the Volunteer Stewards of Alberta’s Parks and Protected Areas with a beautiful print “Sacred and Sacrificed”. Doris and Eric Hopkins, volunteer stewards of Lake Natural Area graciously accepted this award on behalf of all stewards. This print has been passed on to a new volunteer steward recipient each year since, as an annual award for their outstanding contributions. Their names have been added to the Steward Service Excellence Award: is presented to an individual or group for long-term frame of the print until in 2004, the commitment and consistent demonstration of the spirit of stewardship. Through dedication, last place of honour was taken. As positive attitude and actions recipients have benefited their protected area and the Volunteer this print represents many years of Steward Program. dedication and commitment given by the great blue heron because it is a her mother, Alberta artist Ann volunteer stewards, it will be placed majestic bird found in many parts Macdonald, would volunteer to make in a prominent place for viewing at of our province.); and an oil painting to help commemorate the parks and protected areas office our program. We spent many hours in Edmonton. • Tie into one of the messages of the discussing what we wanted in the centennial, “to celebrate Alberta’s In searching for a new print that past and to imagine an even continued on page 2 ... would become the next steward brighter future”. excellence award, we had a In this issue ... number of criteria that we were Before long, we found what we were trying to meet: searching for. I’m so excited with • Host Centennial Campout our new award because I believe we • Picking a Provincial Mushroom • In celebration of the province’s more than met each of our criteria. centennial, it had to be created by • 100 Years of Stewardship an Albertan artist; First, a little history: • Monitoring Fish Creek In 1990 for our very first steward • ‘A Conservation Portrait’ • Must include a great blue heron, conference, one of our stewards, an important component of our Michele Macdonald told us that • ... and much more program logo. (We initially chose Volunteer Coordinating Committee STEWARD EXCELLENCE AWARD Co-Chair ... continued from page 1 Ted Ritzer, Visitor Services Branch (780) 427-8556 painting and the different messages Parks and Protected Areas Division [email protected] we wanted to portray. It was an has purchased this painting as our amazing process to go through, new Steward Excellence Award! Co-Chair watching this painting being created Printed copies will be made from Carey Booth, Southwest Area just for our program. the original and framed for our new (403) 297-7833 award recipients. [email protected] The setting was used because Director of the importance of in The original will remain in a June Markwart, Visitor Services Branch every Alberta natural region and our prominent place in the Edmonton (780) 427-9383 belief that they need to be valued office with the new recipients’ names [email protected] and protected. As the program was in added each year. its infancy a young great blue heron Acting Volunteer Steward Coordinator starting out on the fall migration I’m really excited about this painting. Coral Grove, Visitor Services Branch was portrayed. The young bird also Its called “Taking Off!”. It is a solid (780) 427-8515 represented the launching off of our part of the history of this program [email protected] first conference and the beginning of and it portrays not only where we Volunteer Services Coordinator our recognition program. Its strong started from, but also our dreams Brad Marshall, Visitor Services Branch upward flight, with water droplets for the future. We need to remain (780) 427-9017 falling from its feet, symbolized the involved – to keep getting our feet [email protected] steward program taking off with all wet. The best things we can do of us involved and getting our feet together are yet to come. And the sky Area Representatives is the limit! Clara Wakeford, Northwest Area wet. Its head wasn’t drawn back (780) 538-5350 into full flight position yet, which [email protected] symbolized that the best things we Past Award Recipients: could do together were yet to come. Dixie Colter, Northeast Area The sky was the limit. 2004: Rainbow Equitation Society (780) 623-5478 2003: Riverlot 56 Natural Area Society [email protected] This painting turned out to be the last 2002: Sherwood Park Natural Area Volunteer Stewards Jeanette Brooks, West Central Area major oil painting that Ann made. 2001: Red Deer River Naturalist Society (780) 865-8395 Photographic prints were given out as 2000: Wagner Natural Area Society Jeanette [email protected] awards at the first conference and the 1999: Alison Dinwoodie original was given to her daughter, 1998: Dorothy Dickson 1997: Doris and Eric Hopkins Cecilia Goncalves, East Central Area Michele. (780) 679-1270 [email protected] This year, when we began the search for a new award, I approached Don Cockerton, Kananaskis Country Michele with the idea of somehow (403) 297-5969 [email protected] getting permission to use the painting. Michele and her mother Rosemary Jones, Southeast Area agreed that they could do one better- (403) 528-5211 - they wanted the Volunteer Steward [email protected] Program to own the painting. As To call any Alberta government agency Michele said, “ My mother and I toll-free from anywhere in Alberta, dial discussed the painting. We decided if 310-0000, then the 10-digit number, or it remains on my wall it would be a hold for operator assistance. great family memory but if it went on the walls of the Volunteer Stewards For more information on the volunteer it could become a great Albertan First Award Recipients program or to view past issues of this legacy. As proud Albertans, we Doris and Eric Hospkins newsletter, visit the volunteer web site at: www.cd.gov.ab.ca/parks/volunteer. chose the legacy.” Page 2 Partners in Preservation Summer 2005 2005 HOST CENTENNIAL CAMPOUT Submitted by: Penny Whittaker, Campground Host

discussing our plans for the coming Sunday allowed more time to enjoy summer. Brad updated us about each other’s company and then to recent activities for Parks and pack up and get ready to return to Protected Areas and some of the home or to start the summer host plans for the future. None of us placement. Some left early while stayed up too long, as it had been a three couples stayed behind to depart long travel day for some. But, before on Monday. retiring for the evening we decided to have a potluck supper for Saturday. We would like to thank Anita Schmidt and Brad Marshall for “Tree-morial Hospital” As this was to be a relaxing weekend, setting up the event and arranging the no one was rushed on Saturday use of the group campsite. It was a On May 14, 15, & 16th hosts morning and everyone appeared as most enjoyable weekend and many gathered at Miquelon Lake Provincial “the spirit moved them”. It was a of us are already looking forward to Park to renew old acquaintances and very warm afternoon and people a repeat of the event next year. We to welcome some newcomers into the wandered from group to group are looking forward to the September program. visiting or going on their own tours Volunteer Conference and hope to of the park. see more hosts at the campout next In attendance were Tony and Alberta year! Van Dyk (last year’s Hospitality Saturday evening we feasted on Award recipients), Harry and Annie a fantastic potluck supper and a Wit, Richard Purcell and Carol special cake for dessert, “baked and MacLean, Rolly and Carol Roberge, decorated” by Brad and of course Lorne and Penny Whittaker as well overate by all. Afterwards we were new hosts Ken and Charlene Wiemer treated to the “Tree-morial Hospital” and Ralph and Joan Siska. We interpretive program delivered were all “chaperoned” by Brad and by Cecilia Goncalves and Ashley Shannon Marshall. Jacobsen. This program has been recently delivered to schoolchildren Friday evening was a bit cool but within the Edmonton area and was everyone was toasty warm, sitting well received by our group that around a well-stoked campfire, evening. catching up on old times and Camp Hosts Relaxing and Socializing

CALLING ALL HOSTS!!!

You may be hearing tall tales about this year’s season kick-off host campout at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park. As you have probably already figured out, you missed a great weekend.

So get your calendars out and mark May 5-8, 2006 for next year’s Host Campout at Miquelon Lake.

This is a casual weekend with a Saturday night pot-luck supper, open to all current, new and retired hosts.

Summer 2005 Partners in Preservation Page 3 MONITORING CONNECTS VOLUNTEERS WITH NATURE IN FISH CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK Submitted by: Michelle Kromplak

For many years now, the Friends of substantial jump to 18 volunteers has Fish Creek Provincial Park Society allowed us to make our first complete (the Friends) has helped monitor survey of all known wetlands in the the flora and fauna in the park. The park. information collected by dedicated volunteers helps park managers In addition to these three core make informed decisions and helps programs, a number of one-time in documenting changes over time. surveys have been completed, mostly The three monitoring programs by professionals wanting to volunteer started on a small scale in the mid- time in the Calgary area. These 1990’s with members of the Friends Wood Frog have included owl and bat surveys, noting wildlife movements and (Rana silvatica) a rare plant inventory, and mapping of noxious weeds using GPS plant blooming times and has since Environmental Learning Centre. technology. expanded to include beaver, garter Protecting this site provides a snake, and amphibian surveys. great opportunity for our visitors Since 1998, 150 volunteers have to learn more about snakes. With Beginning two years ago, four contributed more than 850 hours this hibernaculum so close to the volunteers have been following to the monitoring programs in Learning Centre, volunteers can beaver movements in Fish Creek Fish Creek Provincial Park. Their talk to the public and school groups, and the Bow River from late spring contribution not only allows this helping dispel many myths about through to winter freeze-up. A Scout important work to get done in a snakes. group has been involved as well. cost-effective way, it also creates closer ties between members of the The first year was an observational In the spring of 2001 the Garter public and the wildlife that call the season with 3 people watching snake Snake Population Study began, park home. We hope to continue movements, identifying species, and after the creation of the Garter expanding these programs to learn noting size of breeding balls. By Snake Preservation Zone at the more about the wildlife and to meet 2004, the word was out and with a hibernaculum near the Fish Creek the public’s growing desire to be total of 43 volunteers throughout the involved. 44-day study, the number of snakes we were able to trap and observe This article is submitted by Michelle almost doubled from 2003. Kromplak, Monitoring Programs Coordinator for the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial The third program is an Amphibian Park Society, with the assistance of Kristen Call Survey, which started in 2003. Dyer, Director of Volunteers. Michelle has It follows the protocols set out by volunteered with the Friends since 1995 and has been coordinating the monitoring the Alberta Conservation Association programs since 1998. (ACA) for their Alberta Amphibian Monitoring Program. Volunteers visit specific wetlands approximately four times between mid-April through the end of June, to record any call activity. They return in July to look for egg masses, tadpoles, or frogs. As with most programs, this one started small with only 3 volunteers in 2003. However, in 2004 a Red-Sided Garter Snake Beaver (Thamnophis sirtalis) (Castor canadensis)

Page 4 Partners in Preservation Summer 2005 ”PICK A WILD MUSHROOM, ALBERTA!” CALLING ALL SUBMISSIONS! Submitted by: MelanieVisitor Services Fjoser, BranchEdmonton Mycological Society Partners in Preservation is always looking for great articles and photos. The Edmonton Mycological Society about the idea, and is getting started To streamline our administration, is pleased to report on our progress to on the paperwork. Legislative work please follow these guidelines. have a mushroom join the provincial takes time, so we will all have to be emblems of Alberta. patient to see the fruits of our labour. Articles should be no longer than 500 words, and include title and author. As many of you are aware, we have While we are waiting, we will be received votes and support from developing CDs or DVDs explaining If including a photograph, please a variety of locations throughout why fungi are so important to provide a brief description of the Alberta. And we were fortunate Alberta and our environment in image, including names, activities, to have received extensive media general. We will also produce location and photographer by full coverage during our election. educational bookmarks and posters name. We prefer having the original Through ballot boxes, faxes, e-mail, that will be distributed to schools, photo or slide, and will return them to web mail, snail mail, etc. we were libraries, museums, etc. Funding you if you provide a return address. delighted to receive 2586 votes in all, has been provided by the Edmonton Here are the requirements if you are from Alberta residents. Mycological Society, Alberta Sport submitting in digital format: and Recreation, and the Alberta To re-cap the final vote: The Conservation Association for these • Do not send photos in PowerPoint Leccinum boreale (northern endeavors. or MS Word. Send as TIF or JPG. roughstem or red cap) came in first with 1030 votes, 40% of the ballots. If you are interested in wild • Ensure all slides/photos are A close second was the Pleurotus mushrooms, please check out our scanned at 300 dpi resolution. ostreatus (oyster mushroom) with website www.wildmushrooms.ws to • If scanning a slide, please enlarge 903 votes, 35% of the votes. Last find out about upcoming meetings by at least 500%. was the Hericium ramosum (tooth and events. We have a busy and fungus) with 653 votes, and 25% of exciting season planned full of all NOTE: The Editor retains the right to the ballots. kinds of educational opportunities to edit or refuse submissions (article or expand everyone’s knowledge of the photo). We’d like to thank the folks at the complex of world nature around us. Parks and Protected Areas 2004 If you require assistance regarding the The season is under way, and we’d photo requirements, please contact Volunteer Conference for their help love to have you join us! by placing a ballot box in the trade Michael McCready at (780) 427-7526. show at the conference. Edmonton Mycological Society certainly To submit an article, to contact us appreciated the warm welcome regarding changes to the mailing list, received and the enthusiasm shown or to receive a free subscription please for fungi during our attendance. contact: Our next step is to have an MLA Lori at (780) 427-3805 or e-mail at support us by bringing forward [email protected] a Private Member’s Bill to the or write to: Legislative Assembly to change the Provincial Emblems Act to include Partners in Preservation, the Leccinum boreale. Tony Abbott, Visitor Services Branch the MLA for Drayton Valley/Calmar Parks & Protected Areas Division has stepped up to champion our 2nd Floor, Oxbridge Place cause. We are thrilled to have Tony 9820 - 106 Street work with us as Poplar Creek Natural Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J6 Area is in his constituency, and of Deadline for submissions for the next course, we are volunteer co-stewards Red-cap Mushroom issue is September 30, 2005. for that area. He was quite excited Leccinum boreale

Summer 2005 Partners in Preservation Page 5 RECOGNIZING OUR 15-YEAR PARKS AND PROTECTED AREAS VOLUNTEERS Submitted by: Sandra Myers

It is amazing to know that within our Individual Recipients Parks and Protected Areas Program (PPA) we have a large number of Desmond Allen Mt. Livingstone Natural Area people that have been volunteering & Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park for over 15 years. In recognition of Elmar Augart Lloyd Creek Natural Area this remarkable achievement we have Brian A. Barr Redwater River Natural Area created a new service award. Ron & Linda Bjorge Tolman Heritage Rangeland Natural Area Susan Crump Magee Lake Natural Area Each recipient will receive a framed Dorothy Dickson Innisfail Natural Area original Cast Paper Art of our PPA Ed & Claire Fafard William A. Switzer Provincial Park volunteer logo. Every paper cast has Wabamun Lake Provincial Park been hand made and individually Jean Funk Sherwood Park Natural Area produced so each one has its own Bob Gouin Nestow Candidate Natural Area unique character. Reginald & Olive Gray Sherwood Park Natural Area Doris & Eric Hopkins Coyote Lake Natural Area This is a significant accomplishment Helmut Hugelschaffer Halfmoon Lake Natural Area and we would personally like to Jon Jorgenson Macabee Creek Candidate Natural Area thank the following individuals Doug Kielau Threepoint Creek Natural Area and organizations for 15 years of Rose Kieller Sherwood Park Natural Area dedicated service: Cecil Knuttila Whitecourt Candidate Natural Area Gary Lukawesky North Saskatchewan Natural Area Mark Lund Burtonsville Island Natural Area Michele Macdonald Antler Lake Island Natural Area Howard MacPherson Sherwood Park Natural Area Andrew Murphy Magee Lake Natural Area Robert Don Peel Thorsby Natural Area Patrick Porter Battle River Candidate Natural Area Jim & Lucienne Salahub Pembina River Provincial Park Long Lake Provincial Park Swan Lake Provincial Recreation Area Chambers Creek Provincial Recreation Area Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Recreation Area Fred Schutz Anderson Creek & Wilson Creek Natural Areas Peter Sherrington Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park Patricia Stansfield Sheep Creek Natural Area & Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park Hubert Taube Northwest of Bruderheim Natural Area Derry & Ora White Wildcat Island Natural Area Maxine O’Riordan Medicine Lodge Hills Natural Area Daryl Wig Coleman Candidate Natural Area Ken Yackimec Lac La Biche Islands Candidate Natural Area, Lac La Biche Candidate Natural Area, Black Fox Island & High Island Natural Areas Trail Reclamation in Whitehorse Wildland

Page 6 Partners in Preservation Summer 2005 Individual Recipients Desmond Allen Mt. Livingstone Natural Area & Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park Elmar Augart Lloyd Creek Natural Area Brian A. Barr Redwater River Natural Area Ron & Linda Bjorge Tolman Badlands Heritage Rangeland Natural Area Susan Crump Magee Lake Natural Area Volunteers in Kootenay Plains Ecological Cast Paper Art Milk River Natural Area Dorothy Dickson Innisfail Natural Area Reserve becoming GPS experts of our PPA volunteer logo Monitoring Session Ed & Claire Fafard William A. Switzer Provincial Park Wabamun Lake Provincial Park Jean Funk Sherwood Park Natural Area Group Recipients Bob Gouin Nestow Candidate Natural Area Alberta Native Plant Council Big Sagebrush Candidate Natural Area Reginald & Olive Gray Sherwood Park Natural Area Alberta Off Highway Vehicle Association Redwater Natural Area Doris & Eric Hopkins Coyote Lake Natural Area Alberta Wilderness Association Beehive Natural Area Helmut Hugelschaffer Halfmoon Lake Natural Area Battle Lake Natural Area Preservation Society Battle Lake South Candidate Natural Area Jon Jorgenson Macabee Creek Candidate Natural Area & Mount Butte Natural Area Doug Kielau Threepoint Creek Natural Area Beaverhill Bird Observatory Beaverhill Natural Area Rose Kieller Sherwood Park Natural Area Eagles Junior Forest Wardens Bragg Creek Candidate Natural Area Cecil Knuttila Whitecourt Candidate Natural Area Fort Saskatchewan Naturalist Society Astotin Natural Area Gary Lukawesky North Saskatchewan Natural Area J.J. Collett Foundation J.J. Collett Natural Area Mark Lund Burtonsville Island Natural Area Lethbridge Naturalist Society Outpost Wetlands Natural Area Michele Macdonald Antler Lake Island Natural Area Rainbow Equitation Society Bridge Lake, Opal, Halfway Lake, Howard MacPherson Sherwood Park Natural Area Halfmoon Lake & Taylor Lake Natural Areas Andrew Murphy Magee Lake Natural Area Red Deer River Naturalists Sylvan Lake, Butcher Creek & Robert Don Peel Thorsby Natural Area Innisfail Natural Areas Patrick Porter Battle River Candidate Natural Area Riverlot 56 Natural Area Society Riverlot 56 Natural Area Jim & Lucienne Salahub Pembina River Provincial Park Stettler Junior Forest Wardens Tolman Badlands Heritage Rangeland Natural Area Long Lake Provincial Park Stony Plain Fish & Game Association Kilini Creek Candidate Natural Area Swan Lake Provincial Recreation Area Strathcona County Sherwood Park Natural Area Chambers Creek Provincial Recreation Area Wagner Natural Area Society Wagner Natural Area Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Recreation Area Youth & Volunteer Centre Alexo Natural Area Fred Schutz Anderson Creek & Wilson Creek Natural Areas Peter Sherrington Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park Patricia Stansfield Sheep Creek Natural Area & Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park 2005 Volunteer Conference Hubert Taube Northwest of Bruderheim Natural Area Derry & Ora White Wildcat Island Natural Area Mark your calendars for September 9, 10 and 11th, Maxine O’Riordan Medicine Lodge Hills Natural Area when we will be gathering at the Crowsnest Centre Daryl Wig Coleman Candidate Natural Area in Blairmore to once again share our experiences. Ken Yackimec Lac La Biche Islands Candidate Natural Area, This year we will also celebrate Alberta’s Lac La Biche Candidate Natural Area, Centennial and the multitude of Black Fox Island & High Island Natural Areas vital contributions volunteers

have made over the past 100 years in this province.

Mount Butte Natural Area Ecosystem Processes Session

Summer 2005 Partners in Preservation Page 7 SPRUCE GROVE ARTIST CHOOSES COYOTE LAKE NATURAL AREA TO INSPIRE STEWARDSHIP Submitted by: Visitor Services Branch The Natural Way

Submitted by: Debbie Murray, steward for Alsike-Bat Lake Natural Area

Meet and greet Mr & Mrs Hopkins When ever you feel just go - pop in

They share so gracious their home in the trees And welcome every one to walk in the leaves

On their trails and paths to capture the sights Coyote Lake 2002 - Acrylic on Canvas 15” x 30” Of squirrels and birds by Cindy Barratt who might happen to be in flight

Living next door to Coyote Lake that can be found there. In addition Enjoy the view over the lake Natural Area stewards, Eric and Doris to the one dimensional images, Take it all in Hopkins, Cindy Barratt has spent Cindy is planning to add dimension it will seem come awake many hours exploring her land and and texture with audio recordings of A loon calls in the morning, the conservation area, and then using birds, insects and wind in the leaves, and a coyote howls her talent to create a visual record as well as tactile elements with actual of the flora, fauna and the ever- samples of bark, leaves and mosses. And in the distance you hear changing landscapes. A self-taught the sound of an owl artist, Cindy has enjoyed painting As of this printing, Cindy’s wildflowers, floral landscapes and Exhibition “A Conservation Portrait When you’re out and about habitats in several mediums including - Natural Habitats and Species” is you could see watercolours, pastels and acrylics. scheduled to be at Red Deer’s Kerry A moose or deer with a fawn To round out her vision to produce Wood Nature Centre from September You’ll always see something “A Conservation Portrait - Natural 17 to December 3, 2005. The official between dusk and dawn Habitats and Species”, she has added opening will be on September 18 Being with nature is being free photography. from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Several other locations are in the works for 2006, With your thoughts and emotions This visual multimedia project including Crowsnest Pass, Grande you’ll see focuses on the Greater Coyote Lake Prairie, Calgary, and November at Conservation Area, but is meant, “to the Multicultural Public Art Gallery So take a break the natural way inspire others to appreciate, protect in Stony Plain. And soon your self will say and preserve more of this precious What a glorious place to take time earth we share”. Using a mix of This intriguing project is sure to out to rest photographs and paintings ranging showcase the uniqueness of the Amongst the beauty of nature’s in size from “snapshot” size up to Greater Coyote Lake Conservation best very large images, the exhibition Area and to promote the concept of will give a broad view of a habitat or stewardship in maintaining Alberta’s landscape, then zoom in and spotlight natural landscapes. I know it’s on individual wildflowers or animals my list of things to see this fall.

Page 8 Partners in Preservation Summer 2005 VOLUNTEER STEWARD PROGRAM UPDATE Submitted by: Sandra Myers

Since the last edition of this 3. There are now two forms that can newsletter, it has been a busy time be used for submitting information in the Volunteer Steward Program. to us when visiting your site. In With new program direction, we addition to the Site Inspection are continuing to review the many Report, there is a new Special elements of the program to streamline Project Form. Either form will be procedures and respond to volunteer accepted as written records of your and organizational needs. There are stewardship activities. The Special Alberta's Parks and Protected Areas a number of important changes that Report Form should only be used for you should be aware of. special projects. Please use the site inspection report form for routine site 1. Your personal safety is our visits. Copies of the new form have call if you haven’t received anything number one concern. To comply been sent out to you with the new in two weeks. with new Occupational Health And handbook. Please add it to your Site Safety legislation, passed in April Information Kit for future reference. 5. The final draft of the steward 2004, we will be reviewing our safety The Special Project Form can be handbook is completed. We are programs for staff and volunteers. downloaded from the volunteer hoping this will be a useful resource One area of concern for our program website. for you and help clarify many aspects is the safety of people working alone. of the program. We have mailed out To ensure the safest possible working 4. I’d like to remind all stewards copies to all stewards. You can also conditions we are asking all stewards that to retain your active status access a copy of the handbook online for the following: you must submit your inspection at www.cd.gov.ab.ca/involved/parks/ reports or special project forms. volunteer/stewards.asp Revisions and • Stewards are now required to carry Receipt of these validate that you updates to this working document a cell phone, to communicate in are meeting the requirements of will occur on a regular basis so if emergencies. your stewardship by visiting your you have any comments please let us • Use the buddy system; take site or completing that special know. someone with you, a fellow project. If we have not heard from steward, friend or family member. you for two years we interpret it as If you have any questions or This is particularly important in your voluntary withdrawal from the comments concerning any of the remote sites. program and your file will be closed. items discussed in this article, please • Inform someone where you are Past participants are always welcome call Coral at 780- 427-8515 or email going and when you are expected to reapply. me at [email protected]. I back, then call them when you would like to thank you for all the leave the site or arrive back home. We are having problems with our time that you have contributed to the on-line inspection reports. Please Volunteer Steward Program and I 2. We are changing our approach to save your report before forwarding hope you have a wonderful summer advertising steward opportunities. it. If you have submitted a report season. Hopefully we will see you Senior management is developing on line and have not received an at the 2005 Volunteer Conference in a priority site and project list to acknowledgement from us, please September. optimize the contributions of the call us toll free at 1-866-427-3582. Volunteer Steward Program. A pre- We apologize for any inconvenience approved list for steward placements this may cause you and are working should expedite the application at resolving the problem. We believe process by helping applicants pick our firewall protection may be the site or project that meets their blocking some access like hotmail. If needs. This list will be posted on our you are using this as your browser, steward website later this summer. watch for our acknowledgement and

Summer 2005 Partners in Preservation Page 9 A CENTURY OF PUBLIC STEWARDSHIP Submitted by: June Markwart

As we celebrate Alberta’s 100 years it’s a good time to acknowledge the role citizens played in the last century in shaping their provincial parks and protected areas program. It’s clear Albertans are passionate about our province’s beautiful natural landscapes, working hard throughout this century to preserve them for future generations. As early as May 1929, Premier Brownlee appointed a special committee to investigate the possibilities for development of parks. As a result of this committee’s recommendations Aspen Beach Provincial Park was established in 1932 initiating a provincial parks network. By 1930, the first Aspen Beach 1933 - photo credit: Parks and Protected Areas Provincial Parks and Protected Areas Act was passed and a provincial Most recently in 1995, through a We are all stewards of the parks board of management established. public involvement process called and protected areas network, caring Special Places, citizens nominated, for the land, wildlife, plants, water, In the following decade, with public reviewed and recommended air and ecosystems. Our current support, a large amount of land was designation of park lands. This volunteer programs formalize reserved for future park purposes. process resulted in a 300% expansion these opportunities and build All this was achieved with no park of protected lands, creating a network upon Albertans’ strong historical personnel. The first staff weren’t of over 500 sites. connection with their natural hired until 1952/53. From then to heritage. Citizens like you have 1971, 46 new provincial parks were These extraordinary efforts volunteered time and talent since established, most of them offering of Albertans, everywhere, the beginning of the century, but outdoor recreation like camping, helped preserve the province’s it wasn’t until the mid 1980’s picnicking, beaches, playgrounds, environmental diversity. We now that an official volunteer program boating and fishing. boast a network of parks spanning was established. In 1984/5, the the spectrum from purely pristine Campground Host and Cooperating In 1959, Willmore Wilderness wilderness to intensive recreation Association Programs were launched. Park was established under its own sites. The growth of the network, (This year one host couple, Claire legislation. By 1964, the Parks throughout this century, was Act was amended and expanded made possible by the passion and to include wilderness areas and dedication of the citizens of this natural areas. The 1970’s again saw province, to their natural and cultural expansion of the parks network, heritage. this time including sites with both recreational and preservation values. W. F. LaPage in his booklet In 1980, the Wilderness Areas Act Partnerships for Parks said “good was amended to include natural areas parks systems preserve our cultural and to enable the establishment of diversity; great parks systems extend ecological reserves. it”. I think Alberta is a classic Beauvais Lake Provincial Park example of this in action. photo credit: Parks and Protected Areas

Page 10 Partners in Preservation Summer 2005 Steward Program now involves over 270 individual volunteers and 58 groups. (Over 60 of these volunteers celebrate 15 years of service this year). Cooperating associations are active at 7 sites and a host of other non-profit associations are involved in numerous sites and projects ranging from Parks Day events to capital initiatives. Hundreds By 1964 The Parks Act of volunteers are involved in trail included Natural Areas maintenance programs at Cypress year’s special Volunteer Conference, Hills Interprovincial Park, Fish at Sod Turnings or Official Opening Creek Provincial Park, Cooking ceremonies for our four new visitor Lake-Blackfoot Recreation Area and centers or just by visiting your Kananaskis Country. Meanwhile, a favourite site and taking a moment Park Watch program at Fish Creek to reflect on your own personal monitors trail use and provides contributions to this magnificent information and education services network. to hikers and cyclists. (61 volunteers Des Allen- receiving Outstanding Individual have contacted 26,000 visitors since The Honorable Gary Mar, Minister Steward Award at the second Volunteer of Community Development likes to Steward Volunteer Conference - April 1993 its conception 3 years ago). say, “Alberta’s true strength is in its Your personal commitment benefits and Ed Fafard, celebrate 20 years of people.” Take pride in the province all Albertans. On September 1, 2005 hosting park visitors). The Dinosaur and the parks network that you have as we celebrate our 100th birthday, Natural History Association became helped to create. And on behalf of all reflect on the role that you and other the first cooperating association Albertans …thank you. Albertans have played in developing, in 1987. That same year, the preserving and sharing our beautiful June Markwart Department of Public Lands and natural landscapes. Forestry launched the Volunteer Editor’s Note: Steward Program to assist with Join us to celebrate our successes More information on the Centennial management of natural areas. Celebrations and special park events can be over the past century at special found at www.cd.gov.ab.ca/parks/centennial. celebrations being held at many parks Today, over 2,000 citizens volunteer this year. Plan to participate at this more than 100,000 hours of their time. Your efforts support the continued growth and prosperity of the parks network and the provision of quality public services, making parks more enjoyable and safer for everyone. Citizens continue to participate in public involvement processes and advisory committees helping with numerous park planning initiatives. In 2004, 74 individuals were placed as campground hosts in Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park 30 different sites. The Volunteer Created through Special Places Process photo credit: Drajs Vujnovic

Summer 2005 Partners in Preservation Page 11 Printed on recycled paper ISSN 1488-7290