LESSER SLAVE Annual Report FOREST EDUCATION SOCIETY September 2016 – August 2017 “WE ARE COMMITTED TO FOREST-FOCUSED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION!”

Lesser Slave Forest Education Society (LSFES) ❖ Is a non-profit registered charity and has been in operation since March of 2000 ❖ Offers educational programs to schools, community groups and the general public ❖ Provides curriculum related programs through interactive fieldtrips and classroom presentations ❖ Delivers special event programming to summer camps, community organizations and other special groups ❖ Hosts workshops for educators to help enhance their environmental curriculum ❖ Offers post-secondary scholarships to students interested in pursuing careers in forestry Bridget Dugas’s Grade 3 class from EG Wahlstrom on a winter ecology hike “WE ARE COMMITTED TO FOREST-FOCUSED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION!”

Lesser Slave Forest Education Society (LSFES)

❖ Shares resources, materials and professional expertise with other educational organizations throughout the province

❖ Delivers outreach presentations to other groups and communities outside our region

❖ Develops and delivers creative FireSmart Education programs with our educational partner, the Lesser Bird Observatory (LSLBO)

Alberta Wildfire Helitack crew leader Tim Engel, teaching FireSmart to a Grade 3 class at St. Theresa School in Wabasca. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

❖ Sherman Horsman, President ❖ Nelson Lutz - Northern Lakes College Tolko Industries Ltd. ❖ Laura Vanderwell-Ross - Vanderwell Contractors Ltd. ❖ Gilles Lacoste, Vice-President Vanderwell Contractors Ltd. ❖ Allan Bell - Tolko Industries Ltd. (Alternate)

❖ Murray Chomokovski, Secretary Plywood ❖ Corinna Horsman - CJ Schurter School

❖ Diane Smith, Treasurer ❖ Patti Campsall – Bird Observatory and Public Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation (BCBC)

❖ Donna Moore, Office Administrator ❖ Leah Lovequist - Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Public

❖ Keith Branting/Kyle Rosychuk - Forest Products ❖ Gord Sanders - West Fraser

❖ Sue Deas - EG Wahlstrom School ❖ Bob Jackle/Alison Deas - Slave Lake Pulp Corp.

THANK YOU TO BOB JACKLE AND KEITH BRANTING FOR ALL YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE LSFES! Peerless Lake

Red Earth Creek

Sandy Lake

Swan Hills

❖ 10 school boards in the region ❖ 30 schools receive programming OUR REGION including 10 schools in indigenous communities OBJECTIVE 1 TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT FOREST EDUCATION PROGRAMMING FOR SCHOOLS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO POST-SECONDARY

What is Forest Education? Grade 4 Plant Survivor Plot Study

We provide interactive classroom presentations and fieldtrips for students learning about the boreal forest and every thing that makes it tick. Students learn about trees, plants, soil, insects and wildlife. They study plant growth, explore natural forest regions and learn about the healthy role of decomposition in the forest. OBJECTIVE 1 TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT FOREST EDUCATION PROGRAMMING FOR SCHOOLS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO POST-SECONDARY

What is Forest Education? Grade 5 Spruce Bog Hike

They explore spruce bogs and marshes and discover how the forest contributes to a healthy water ecosystem. They learn about the forest industry and what it takes to manage a sustainable forest. We want to inspire youth to become responsible stewards of the environment and to understand the significance of all that goes on in the boreal forest. OBJECTIVE 1 TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT FOREST EDUCATION PROGRAMMING FOR SCHOOLS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO POST-SECONDARY

What is Forest Education? Forestry Career Fair March 2017

We want students to discover the different jobs in forestry and the complexity of managing for a sustainable forest. Teachers come back time and time again because our programs are relevant and completely enhance the science curriculum. “The field trip to the Jack Pines, that we take every year, with our grade 6 students is really wonderful and truly benefits my students. The day is planned out, and all that we do, is completely connected to our Science curriculum on Trees and Forests set out by Alberta Education. The volunteers, who come out to run each of the sessions throughout the day, are knowledgeable and have fun with the kids. Most importantly, this day makes what I have taught to the kids in class, real for them. I have been taking my students on this trip for approximately 16 years, of the 27 years I have been teaching, and every year, this wonderful Forestry team meets my expectations and enhance my students' learning!”

Johanna Murphy, Grade 6 Teacher High Prairie Elementary School SCHOOL PROGRAMMING OBJECTIVE 2 TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT FORESTS AND FORESTRY BY PROVIDING SPECIAL EVENT PROGRAMMING

Forestry School Tours One special program we deliver is Forestry School Tours, which are held either in the first week of May to celebrate Alberta Forest Week or the third week in September to mark National Forest Week. During this week, we hold Forestry School Tours for students in Grade 6 - studying trees and forests. Students rotate through different stations through out the day and learn about forestry. BearSmart Ecology Walk OBJECTIVE 2 TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT FORESTS AND FORESTRY BY PROVIDING SPECIAL EVENT PROGRAMMING

Forestry School Tours Teachers say that we teach their entire curriculum during this day and because of this, students excel on their provincial exams. In order to run these school tours we need lots of help from forest industry and the government. We value FireSmart their professional expertise and the time that they donate to run this event. During these school tours forestry personnel see over 350 grade 6 students in three days.

Plant and Tree ID Forest Measurements OBJECTIVE 2 TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT FORESTS AND FORESTRY BY PROVIDING SPECIAL EVENT PROGRAMMING Enviro-Quest Camp Summer Splash Programming Enviro-Quest campers, ages 11 – 15, checking out the airtanker base and getting a tour of the airtankers.

Youth, ages 5 -11, enjoy logger sport activities, to celebrate ’s 150th birthday

Summer programming includes two different day camps for youth. Enviro-quest camp targets older youth and provides opportunities for them to explore different jobs and activities in the boreal forest over three days. Summer Splash programming is for younger ages where they learn about the wonders of the boreal forest. OBJECTIVE 2 TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT FORESTS AND FORESTRY BY PROVIDING SPECIAL EVENT PROGRAMMING Forestry Career Presentations with WorkWild For the last five years, the LSFES has partnered with the Alberta Forest Products Association and their Work Wild program to educate youth about the variety of careers available in forestry. For one week in the spring and fall, our two organizations promote forestry careers to all the junior/senior high schools in the region. Caitlyn Low (WorkWild) and Michelle MacMillan (LSFES) teaching forestry careers. Forest Industry Career Fairs with Careers: The Next Generation We also partner with Careers: The Next Generation on forest industry career fairs in Slave Lake and High Prairie. For the last three years, local forest industry works together to showcase careers in forestry, especially in the mills. Junior and Senior high classes are given opportunities to learn about being millwrights, lab technicians, power engineers and other forestry Health and Safety Booth at Slave Lake Career Fair professionals. OBJECTIVE 2 TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT FORESTS AND FORESTRY BY PROVIDING SPECIAL EVENT PROGRAMMING

Logger Sports 2017 This event was hosted by the Lesser Slave Forest Education Society, with volunteers from the forest industry, Government of Alberta, the Town of Slave Lake and other organizations, as well as many generous sponsors Kat Spencer practicing Swede Saw who provided prizes for the events. Professional Logger Sports athlete and World Champion Pole Climber Kat Spencer also shared her knowledge and expertise to help run the events. Underhand Chop Kids Axe Throw OBJECTIVE 2 TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT FORESTS AND FORESTRY BY PROVIDING SPECIAL EVENT PROGRAMMING

Logger Sports 2017 Local participants from the forest industry and the public alike competed in various events based on traditional logging methods,

including swede saw, double hand Double Hand Cross-cut Saw Wajax Contest crosscut, axe throwing, power saw bucking, accuracy cut, underhand chop, wajax, obstacle course, and log roll.

Powersaw bucking Log rolling Special thanks to all of the volunteers especially: Amy Wotton, Shauna Kristoff, Matthew Kristoff, Melissa Schmode Kristoff, Scott Allan, Terry Kristoff, Veronique Boucher, Sherman Horsman, John Errington, Gord Sanders, Pat Potvin, Diane Smith, Monica Durau and Kyle Paulson. OBJECTIVE 2 TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT FORESTS AND FORESTRY BY PROVIDING SPECIAL EVENT PROGRAMMING

Logger Sports 2017 Five professional teams competed for the title of Best Lumberjack Team 2017. This title was awarded to the Vanderwell Axe Heads: Kevin Hunter, Doug Hawryluk, Josh Schultz, Juanita Schultz, Neal Knoot, and Mike Thernier. Many youth participated in “kid friendly” logger sport activities too and were excited to win some fantastic prizes. Many thanks go out to all of our sponsors for making Logger Sports 2017 a huge success!! Vanderwell Axe Heads with Kat Kids Nail Drive Special thanks to the Logger Sports Committee for all of their hard work: Michelle MacMillan, Holly Florence, Kevin Hunter, Neal Knoot, Diane Knoot, Jacob Couture, Richard Chemago, and Kat Spencer. SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS

Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory Many thanks to our partner in environmental education, the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory (LSLBO) for teaming up with the LSFES on various projects over the last 12 years with funding from: 1. Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta 2. Lesser Slave Region Tri-Council FireSmart Committee We would not be as successful without the LSLBO! Both organizations benefit from shared staff, resources and professional expertise … “Together we are better!!”

Patti Campsall, Executive Director of the LSLBO with Delta Bott and MJ Kristoff. Delta is known as our Boreal Baby – the daughter of our previous Boreal Educator, Cori Klassen. SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS

Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) Project 1 – Boreal Educator Funding Since 2005, FRIAA has been instrumental in helping to fund various environmental education projects in our region. With this funding we are able to hire forest educators who help to deliver creative, dynamic and effective forest education programming for the Lesser Slave Forest Education Society and the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory. This year, FRIAA helped to bring the curriculum to life for over 5000 students from kindergarten to post- secondary! SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS

Forest Resource Improvement Project 2 – Boreal Forest Science Kits Association of Alberta (FRIAA) for Junior and Senior High Schools With our educational partner, the Lesser Three science kits are being developed on the Slave Lake Bird Observatory, our second following issues in the boreal forest: FRIAA project is creating Boreal Forest Science Kits. The primary focus of this 1. Species at Risk project is to increase public awareness and 2. Integrated Land Management understanding of challenges faced by forest 3. Aboriginal Traditional Use and Forest professionals every day as they try to Management manage the boreal forest landscape. The last two science kits are not complete yet but Students will explore “real” issues will be done sometime in the spring of 2018 and experienced by forest managers and learn be available from our website. about the challenges of “Balancing the Boreal”. SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS

Kit 1: SPECIES AT RISK The Species at Risk Kit is about boreal wildlife species whose populations are at risk of diminishing or disappearing from the boreal forest. This lesson explores the reasons behind the population changes and what the government’s plans are to mitigate this. The kits includes a video, a student handout, a case study assignment, fact sheets, class discussion questions and a fun classroom activity called “Survive or Perish”!

Arctic Grayling Fact Sheet Canada Warbler Fact Sheet SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS Kit 2: Integrated Land Management (ILM)

This kit explores what Integrated Land Management means and how it impacts our lives. By sharing the land and working together the goal is that land users can reduce their impact on the land. Students will be able to use interactive technology to learn how taking care of the environment is everyone’s responsibility. The lesson was created in a program called “Intuiface” which will be downloaded from our website and then students follow the instructions on the screen. Hopefully it will incite some relevant conversation about the boreal forest landscape.

Screen shots of the ILM app showcasing trappers, on the left, as being one of the users of the boreal forest, and on the right is an interactive map showcasing many users on the landscape. SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS

Kit 3: Aboriginal Traditional Use and Forest Management Tool Kit The purpose of this tool kit is to provide an overview of issues related to Aboriginal rights-based interests in the boreal forest and forest management activities. To achieve this, the module will focus on the concept of Aboriginal traditional use, and will provide resources to guide classroom discussions about Aboriginal traditional uses and boreal forest management. To facilitate and support the delivery of this lesson plan , the kit will include a video and a classroom activity about managing boreal forest habitats. Youth from Peerless and Trout Lake learning how to prepare whitefish to be smoked. Trina Vercholuk Diane Smith

Thank you to Diane Smith and Trina Vercholuk for developing these FRIAA projects and creating unique boreal forest science kits for junior and senior high classes. SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS

Lesser Slave Watershed Council

The Lesser Slave Watershed Council (LSWC) has been funding water education programs through the LSFES since 2009. With their generous donation we are able to educate students about the importance of healthy water ecosystems through studying aquatic invertebrates, exploring spruce bogs and Searching for marsh critters Kaylyn teaching an educational game measuring water quality. Last year we presented water education programs to 2,427 people with help from Kaylyn Jackson, the Watershed Coordinator for the LSWC.

Learning about water quality testing Exploring a spruce bog SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS

Shell Canada and Northern Lakes College Environmental Education Project The LSFES and the LSLBO deliver environmental education programs to youth across the Lesser Slave Region that focus on boreal forest ecology. As part of the NLC/Shell Reclamation Project, some of the information gathered on traditional uses for boreal forest plants has been incorporated into our forest ecology lesson plans. From September 2016 – October 2017, we taught traditional use of plants to 5,298 participants in 249 different programs. SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS Lesser Slave Region Tri-Council FireSmart Committee

Lesser Slave Region Tri-Council Marten Beach FireSmart Clean-up Event Fire Smart Committee Since 2011, the Lesser Slave Region Tri- Council has provided funding to develop and deliver FireSmart educational programming. Together, with the LSLBO, we have created new and innovative FireSmart tools for students. Our FireSmart messaging also goes beyond youth, it’s about educating the homeowners too. We also present at open houses, local fire halls, trade shows and other public events in our communities. We are proud to know that many of our FireSmart education programs have become very popular through out Alberta and across Canada. SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS Lesser Slave Region Tri-Council FireSmart Committee FireSmart programs we have created and delivered with the LSLBO

FireSmart Magnetic Board FireSmart Junior Officer FireSmart Games

FireSmart Videos FireSmart Models FireSmart Webinar SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS Lesser Slave Region Tri-Council FireSmart Committee

FireSmart Trail System Project The LSFES and the LSLBO are continuing to work with the local FireSmart Committee on several ongoing projects. Our latest project is to design a trail system with signage that focuses on FireSmart actions that people can do in their communities. This project will provide an accessible site where visitors can learn about the 2011 wildfires, the recovery of Lesser Slave Lake area, and the FireSmart program.

View of the Visitor Information Centre MJ Kristoff, Leah Lovequist and Patti and the proposed FireSmart Trails Campsall walking the proposed FireSmart Trails. Brianna Lorentz Donna Arseneau Michelle MacMillan

“We’ve got OUR BOREAL FOREST EDUCATORS FUN down to a science!” LSFES EDUCATIONAL STAFF

MJ exploring winter in the boreal Donna showing Grade 5 students Michelle and Kaylyn Jackson teaching forest with local families. a water quality demonstration. students how to do seine netting. Together we have taught Brianna teaching Grade 6 students forest education programming to how to use an 9,282 people this year increment borer to age a tree. and have seen over 86,780 people in the last 17 years!!! SPECIAL THANK YOU

Throughout the year we always need extra help, so a special Thank You to…… • Ceiridwen Robbins • Tammy Kaleta • Kimberly Johnston • Michelle Holland • Kaylyn Jackson • Megan Vlooswyk • Natalie Graveline • Tanis Blocka • Brandy Walters • Tim Engel • Amy Slack IN MEMORY

In October 2017, the Lesser Slave Forest Education Society grieved the loss of one their board of directors, Mr. Gilles Lacoste. Gilles was the Operations Manager for Vanderwell Contractors Ltd. and was a strong supporter of forest and natural resource education in the Lesser Slave Lake area. Gilles especially enjoyed promoting careers in forestry mill operations, particularly training young people to be highly skilled professional trade workers. We will miss Gilles’ enthusiasm, sense of humor and his significant contributions to the Lesser Slave Forest Education Society. Gilles Lacoste September 3, 1964 – October 11, 2017 LSFES 2016 -2017 Fiscal Year

Lesser Slave Spring Dinner Agric. & Forestry Watershed Council Program Support Scholarships 6% 4% 3% 8% 1% Administration 10%

FRIAA 33%

NLC/SHELL 14%

Program Development 28%

Lesser Slave Region Environmental Tri-council Education Program 11% Delivery 53% Forest Industry 29%

WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM? HOW DO WE SPEND THE MONEY? THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

❖ Alberta Junior Forest Warden ❖ GreenLink Forestry Inc. ❖ Development Association ❖ Grizzly Ridge Honda Council (NADC) ❖ B & W Rentals ❖ Native Arts Cultural ❖ Paul and Priscille Caffarro ❖ Back to Basics Catering Museum ❖ Sarah Carson ❖ Brenda Gagnon ❖ Inside Education ❖ SELECT Equipment Rentals ❖ The Boreal Carver ❖ Lesser Slave Lake Provincial ❖ Slave Lake Rod and Gun Club ❖ Careers: The Next Generation Park ❖ Rotary Club of Slave Lake ❖ CJ Schurter School ❖ Lesser Slave Regional Fire ❖ Sylvia Pratt ❖ Continuing Education and Service ❖ Town of Slave Lake Corporate Training, Northern ❖ Lesser Slave River Municipal ❖ Trim-Line Lakes College District #124 ❖ WOLF (Woodland Operations ❖ Darcie Acton and Nelson Lutz ❖ Mistik Environmental Services Learning Foundation) ❖ Edith Mackenzie and Pat Potvin ❖ Monica Durau ❖ WorkWild – Alberta Forest ❖ EG Wahlstrom School Products Association THANK YOU TO OUR CORE FUNDERS

Shell Lesser Slave Region Tri-Council Canada THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!

Your donation is key to our success and is tax deductible.

Send your gift to:

MJ Munn-Kristoff Lesser Slave Forest Education Society 1201 Main Street SE Slave Lake, AB, T0G 2A3 Phone: (780) 849-8627 Email: [email protected] Or Sherman Horsman President, Lesser Slave Forest Education Society Phone: (780) 843-6740 Email: [email protected] Grade 6 students out on a forest Visit us on the web at www.lsfes.org ecology walk with MJ Lesser Slave Forest Education Society is a registered charity - No. 86445 4095 RR0001