2016 Green Notes Newsletter
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2016 SUMMER SOUTHERN ALBERTA CHAPTER SOUTHERN ALBERTA CHAPTER GREEN NOTES NEWSLETTER CLARA'S on TOP of the WORLD See pages 8-9 for other celebs' favourite spots Our wilderness land is our community | 3 You can help us fight for your parks | 5 CPAWS Environmental Education Programs | 6 CPAWS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MESSAGE CPAWS IS CANADA’S VOICE FOR WILDERNESS. The Southern Alberta Chapter has been championing Southern Alberta’s wild places since 1967. SOUTHERN ALBERTA CHAPTER OUR WILDERNESS CHAPTER TEAM By Anne-Marie Syslak IN THIS ISSUE Executive Director LAND IS OUR Anne-Marie Syslak, Executive Director Katie Morrison, Conservation Director Executive Director’s Message COMMUNITY Jaclyn Angotti, Education Director Our wilderness land is our community • 3 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Kirsten Olson, Office & Fund Program Administrator By Anne-Marie Syslak HERE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS Ericka Rau, Communications & Outreach Coordinator (on leave) YOU WILL EVER ASK YOURSELF: IS YOUR LIFE MUD- Stacy McGuire, Communications Specialist CPAWS SOUTHERN ALBERTA LUSCIOUS AND PUDDLE WONDERFUL? Sara Keebler, Environmental Educator Conservation Update Close your eyes and think of smelling the fresh scent of pine Alex Mowat, Lead Hiking Guide after a rain, hearing the chirping of Boreal Chorus frogs in Julie Walker, Hiking Guide Next step for the Castle: Shaping a protection plan • 4 the spring or hiking to a mountain top vista. One of Alberta’s greatest assets is easy access to parks and wilderness areas Justin Howse, Hiking Guide By Katie Morrison Lauren Bally, Hiking Guide You can help us fight for your parks • 5 We are so very fortunate that we can go to any number Edita Sakarova, Bookkeeper By Anne-Marie Syslak of amazing places in the Rocky Mountains, park lands, grasslands, foothills and even in the urban centres of our Anastasia Goncharova, Summer Outreach Coordinator province to escape our stressful lives and connect with nature. CHAPTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Education Update At CPAWS, we understand the value of this connection Ruchlewicz Paul Photo: CPAWS Environmental Education Programs • 6-7 between nature and the health and well-being of Albertans. Gord James, Chair Albertans who experience and gain an appreciation for the Riley Prescott natural world will be moved to become stewards of these meaningfully protect our protected areas. You will learn more FEATURES precious places. about our campaign to limit the development footprint in our David McIntyre Rocky Mountain national parks. Phil Nykyforuk Celebrity Albertans dish on their favourite natural We must also better understand our impact on the landscape. Albertans love and value our province’s parks and wilderness. James Early areas • 8-9 To ensure we preserve these special places, we need to focus on low impact sustainable recreation and the kinds In fact, they want more! We need Albertans to speak up Doug Firby, Chair, Conservation Committee Coordinator keeps team of volunteers on track • 10 of activities that leave no trace of human activity. It also and champion conservation. We need to encourage the By Stacy McGuire Dave Delawski means proper planning and management of activities on the government to reflect public priorities and meaningfully landscape. protect more wilderness. We need to create and implement Liv Vors When people move in for the beauty, it has an impact policy that puts nature first. on the land • 11 Jim Donohue, Treasurer, Chair of Finance Committee This edition of our newsletter focuses on recreation. You will By Joe Pavelka Albertans need to fully understand their role in protecting Duncan Taylor, Chair, Engagement Committee read about our recent first-of-its-kind survey showing how, where and when Albertans recreate and their wilderness the wilderness while enjoying the landscape responsibly. Andre de Leebeek A lifetime of recreating in nature values. You will find out what local celebrities love to do Albertans’ health and wealth rely on nature and we can have it By Don Carruthers Den Hoed • 12 all with proper planning and management. EDITORIAL AND DESIGN outside and where they go to enjoy Alberta’s nature. You will Albertans love their wilderness, survey reveals • 13 get some useful tips on the most efficient, lightest and coolest CPAWS works hard to ensure that you have places that make Doug Firby, Chair, Conservation Committee By Stacy McGuire high-performance outdoor gear. And, we will reveal the your life mud-luscious and puddle wonderful. Places that Stacy McGuire, Communications Specialist CPAWS’ picks for top hikes - for beginners, intermediates and connect us all, no matter your work or political stripe. We Orienteering gets you closer to the land • 14 advanced hikers. are all part of this ecosystem and by default or design, we Paul Ruchlewicz, GDC, PMR Design By Marsha Fehr This edition also focuses on the importance of nature are all doing something. This summer, as you enjoy Alberta’s CONTACT INFORMATION Our CPAWS guides pick their favourite hikes • 15 for everyone. We have an update on the Castle and amazing wilderness, think about your impact and your role in what conservation should mean when creating plans to preserving Alberta’s heritage. CPAWS Southern Alberta Chapter By Julie Walker and Alex Mowat [email protected] Modern rec gear better suits users’ needs • 16-17 Collectively, we can leave a legacy of nature in Alberta. As Aldo Leopold said: “We abuse land because we regard it By Stacy McGuire www.cpaws-southernalberta.org as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with “To ensure we preserve these special love and respect.” places, we need to focus on low THE PROBLEM IS BIG, BUT WE ARE NOT TOO SMALL TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. impact sustainable recreation and Green Notes Newsletter is published by the Canadian Parks Cover Photo: Clara Hughes, Olympian (cyclist/speedskating), Yours in conservation, and Wilderness Society Southern Alberta Chapter (CPAWS humanitarian and adventurer. the kinds of activities that leave no Anne-Marie Syslak SAB) (charity # 10686 5272 RR000I) © 2016. Back Cover Photo: Paul Ruchlewicz Green Notes is printed on Post Consumer recycled content. trace of human activity.” SUMMER 2016 | 3 CPAWS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MESSAGE CPAWS IS CANADA’S VOICE FOR WILDERNESS. The Southern Alberta Chapter has been championing Southern Alberta’s wild places since 1967. SOUTHERN ALBERTA CHAPTER OUR WILDERNESS CHAPTER TEAM By Anne-Marie Syslak IN THIS ISSUE Executive Director LAND IS OUR Anne-Marie Syslak, Executive Director Katie Morrison, Conservation Director Executive Director’s Message COMMUNITY Jaclyn Angotti, Education Director Our wilderness land is our community • 3 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Kirsten Olson, Office & Fund Program Administrator By Anne-Marie Syslak HERE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS Ericka Rau, Communications & Outreach Coordinator (on leave) YOU WILL EVER ASK YOURSELF: IS YOUR LIFE MUD- Stacy McGuire, Communications Specialist CPAWS SOUTHERN ALBERTA LUSCIOUS AND PUDDLE WONDERFUL? Sara Keebler, Environmental Educator Conservation Update Close your eyes and think of smelling the fresh scent of pine Alex Mowat, Lead Hiking Guide after a rain, hearing the chirping of Boreal Chorus frogs in Julie Walker, Hiking Guide Next step for the Castle: Shaping a protection plan • 4 the spring or hiking to a mountain top vista. One of Alberta’s greatest assets is easy access to parks and wilderness areas Justin Howse, Hiking Guide By Katie Morrison Lauren Bally, Hiking Guide You can help us fight for your parks • 5 We are so very fortunate that we can go to any number Edita Sakarova, Bookkeeper By Anne-Marie Syslak of amazing places in the Rocky Mountains, park lands, grasslands, foothills and even in the urban centres of our Anastasia Goncharova, Summer Outreach Coordinator province to escape our stressful lives and connect with nature. CHAPTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Education Update At CPAWS, we understand the value of this connection Ruchlewicz Paul Photo: CPAWS Environmental Education Programs • 6-7 between nature and the health and well-being of Albertans. Gord James, Chair Albertans who experience and gain an appreciation for the Riley Prescott natural world will be moved to become stewards of these meaningfully protect our protected areas. You will learn more FEATURES precious places. about our campaign to limit the development footprint in our David McIntyre Rocky Mountain national parks. Phil Nykyforuk Celebrity Albertans dish on their favourite natural We must also better understand our impact on the landscape. Albertans love and value our province’s parks and wilderness. James Early areas • 8-9 To ensure we preserve these special places, we need to focus on low impact sustainable recreation and the kinds In fact, they want more! We need Albertans to speak up Doug Firby, Chair, Conservation Committee Coordinator keeps team of volunteers on track • 10 of activities that leave no trace of human activity. It also and champion conservation. We need to encourage the By Stacy McGuire Dave Delawski means proper planning and management of activities on the government to reflect public priorities and meaningfully landscape. protect more wilderness. We need to create and implement Liv Vors When people move in for the beauty, it has an impact policy that puts nature first. on the land • 11 Jim Donohue, Treasurer, Chair of Finance Committee This edition of our newsletter focuses on recreation. You will By Joe Pavelka Albertans need to fully understand their role in protecting Duncan Taylor, Chair, Engagement Committee read about our recent first-of-its-kind survey showing how, where and when Albertans recreate and their wilderness the wilderness while enjoying the landscape responsibly. Andre de Leebeek A lifetime of recreating in nature values. You will find out what local celebrities love to do Albertans’ health and wealth rely on nature and we can have it By Don Carruthers Den Hoed • 12 all with proper planning and management.