Partners in Preservation A Volunteer Newsletter

Alberta Parks Winter 2008: Issue #17

Submitted by Don Carruthers Den Hoed, Kananaskis Country spray on their face and the chill PUSH TO OPEN - The on their hands as they paddled Access Challenge & in KananACCESS Open House tandem sea kayaks equipped with outrigger pontoons. From August 8th to 10th this year, the Friends of Kananaskis In order to provide a more Country, Alberta Parks, and the complete picture of the Community Recreation Initiatives experience and its effect, we Society (CRIS) of Kelowna present some of the comments The Alberta Access Challenge and thought they were helping five from participants – both those KananACCESS Backcountry Team people with disabilities experience with and without disabilities – “Thank you for inviting me to the backcountry. What they from the days after the event: didn’t know was that this event become involved in the 2008 Alberta Access Challenge impacted the lives of nearly “My head is still buzzing after this seventy people. weekend. It was a real eye incredible weekend, yet my body opener for me and I certainly is definitely in slow mode ...This Over the weekend, three people enjoyed working with you and was a powerful experience for all all the wonderful people who with disabilities became three involved!!!” teams of individuals testing their contributed so much in making limits, conquering their fears, such a special event happen.” “How wonderful, to have this “I am grateful for having and feeding their adrenaline on a outreach program. I very much three-day backcountry trip in the participated in that unforgettable agree with your philosophy that weekend…” Elbow-Sheep Wildlands Provincial being in nature has a healing Park. On Saturday, two people effect on all of us.” with disabilities were similarly inspired and challenged as they “It was inspiring to see the teams In this issue ... travelled to Rawson Lake in Peter work together to get the TrailRider Lougheed Provincial Park with • Push to Open - The Alberta up the steep climb from the Access Challenge a supportive and determined Tombstone campground, over the • SAPAA entourage. And another five rocky terrain and to witness one individuals with disabilities felt the of our fearless trail riders take • Host Campout 2009 his first ever dip in the glacial fed • 4th National Stewardship waters of a mountain lake…!” Conference • Parks Day 2008 “We were all on a level playing • Volunteer Conference 2008 field… just a bunch of humans” • Volunteer Award Recipients 2008 “Those 5 people I spent 48 • Sherwood Park Naturalists hours with know more about me • Steward Receives Emerald Award and understand me better than • Steveville Volunteers the people I’ve lived with for 6 Kayakers years… it’s amazing” • Volunteering - A Family Affair • The Art of Nature Push to Open continued...

“It was so inspirational to be the challenge. Everyone is ready around the CRIS people and see to put their weight behind the next their passion and commitment. event - next year - hint, hint!” It’s also really inspirational to see your dedication to inclusion in the Thanks to adapted TrailRider parks - nature is so therapeutic wheelchairs, the mountains Alberta Parks Staff Contacts and it only ever makes people’s became accessible… but thanks lives better!” to the commitment, energy, and Head, Stewardship Services over 1700 volunteer hours from Doug Marvin, “The weekend was a memorable people of all ages, abilities, and Visitor Services Branch (780) 644-5044 experience and I look forward to backgrounds, Kananaskis Country [email protected] volunteering again next year” became inclusive – everyone was equal and everyone belonged. Volunteer Coordinator “For the whole weekend we felt Alberta Parks plans to repeat this Brad Marshall, normal” event next year, but also hopes Visitor Services Branch (780) 427-9017 to create an ongoing program to [email protected] “The Trail Rider was amazing enable participation in parks and as a vehicle to open access to protected areas for persons with Volunteer Steward Coordinator rugged terrain, but not nearly disabilities. Whether this is an Coral Grove, as amazing as the people it internal program, a partnership Visitor Services Branch (780) 427-8515 brings together to use it. This with a group such as CRIS, the [email protected] weekend will be on my mind and Friends of Kananaskis Country, in my heart for years to come. or Calgary Outdoor Council To call any Alberta government Thanks. The Access Challenge is (CAOC) remains to be seen. agency toll-free from anywhere something of which we can all be Regardless, the impact of the in Alberta, dial 310-0000, then very proud to have played a part.” Access Challenge will reverberate the 10-digit number, or hold for well into the future as we continue operator assistance. “Events like this crystallize ideas to “push to open” the wilderness and stimulate others to take up for all Albertans.

For more information or to To submit an article or to contact get involved, please email us regarding changes to the [email protected]. mailing list please contact:

Coral Grove at 780-427-8515 or e-mail [email protected]

Or write to Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation Partners in Preservation Attn: Coral Grove 2nd Floor, Oxbridge Place 9820 - 106 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J9

The Alberta Access Challenge and KananACCESS Open House

Page 2 Partners in Preservation Winter 2008 Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas Association (SAPAA) Needs You Submitted by Peter Kershaw, President, SAPAA If you are a Steward of a At annual meetings over the Protected Area in Alberta you past few years, we have had might not be aware that there is presentations from Assistant an organization that works as an Deputy Ministers and the Head of advocate on your behalf. Stewardship Services for Alberta SAPAA has four objectives: Tourism, Parks and Recreation, 1. To provide a forum - Stewards and discussed government can share information and policies and direction with these ideas about caring for Protected influential officials. This autumn, Areas. SAPAA representatives were included in meetings with the 2. To promote the preservation, Minister of Tourism, Parks and protection and restoration of Recreation in a Forum on the ecological integrity in Alberta’s Draft Parks Planning Framework. Protected Areas. Due to the efforts of SAPAA and For membership information contact Alison Dinwoodie 3. To promote the use of others, the proposed framework is undergoing significant revisions. ([email protected]) Protected Areas for non- SAPAA will also review the or Peter Kershaw intrusive educational, research revised Draft over the next few ([email protected]). and recreational activities. months. SAPAA board members If we work together towards 4. To ensure that Stewards’ also represent Stewards on the common goals, we can concerns are heard by Alberta Ecological Network, Parks accomplish a lot. government and by the public, Caucus. particularly with regard to legislation and management policies for Protected Areas.

Host Campout 2009

Last year’s Host Campout at Jarvis Bay was well attended and a great time was had by all. For 2009, the Host Campout is scheduled to take place at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park on May 1-3. Contact Brad for additional information at [email protected] or at 780-427-9017. Hope to see you there!

Attendees of the 2008 Host Campout

Winter 2008 Partners in Preservation Page 3

4th National Stewardship and Conservation Conference Strengthening Stewardship – Investing at Every Step July 8 – 11, 2009 Calgary, Alberta

Stewardship, simply stated, means all Canadians are caring for our land, air and water, and sustaining the natural processes on which life depends.

Held every three years since 2000, the National Stewardship and Conservation Conferences attract between 400 and 600 participants from across Canada. These conferences bring together a diversity of stewards including individuals, groups, industry, business, governments and non-government organizations. This is the only national conference of its type where Canada’s stewards can meet to discuss emerging issues and solutions for strengthening stewardship across Canada.

Major outcomes associated with previous conferences were:

“Caring for Our Land and Water (Guelph ON, 2000) • Led to establishment of the Stewardship Canada website Portal to consolidate stewardship activities nationally • Led to endorsement of Canada’s Stewardship Agenda by federal and provincial governments

“Leading Edge” (Victoria BC, 2003) • Articulated a bold 10-year vision to advance the role of stewardship and conservation in protecting our natural and cultural heritage • Prompted the formation of Canadian Land Trust Alliance and a continuing education program for Young Conservation Professionals at the University of Guelph

“Valuing Nature” (Corner Brook NL, 2006) • Development of the Stewardship Declaration which proposed key outcomes for delivery by 2009 and challenged all those involved in stewardship

The 2009 conference will take place at the MacEwan Conference & Event Centre of the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta, from July 8 to 11, 2009. The name of the conference and its overarching theme, are Strengthening Stewardship – Investing at Every Step. The theme reflects that stewardship must exist at many levels, from grassroots action to policy development, and that at each of those ‘steps’ on the stewardship continuum, individuals, organizations, industry and governments must be invested to ensure Canada successfully addresses the national debt in our natural capital.

The 2009 conference will build on the successes and momentum established by previous conferences which have resulted in recognition of stewardship as a critical conservation tool. The program will open with a State of Stewardship in Canada report presenting progress made since the Corner Brook 2006 Stewardship Declaration, and will explore the challenges that lie ahead in making stewardship a part of living and doing business in Canada. Now at a pivotal point in history, Strengthening Stewardship – Investing at Every Step will identify policy changes, economic investment, and incentives needed to enable Canadians to become better stewards of their resources. The program will also address the top issues confronting Canada's stewards today.

Strengthening Stewardship – Investing at Every Step will chart a ”roadmap” to give direction for Canada’s future to energize, support, recognize, promote, integrate and measure stewardship activity around Canada. The conference will maintain and grow the partnerships that have advanced stewardship, nationally. Two major outcomes of the conference will be the development of a framework for the revitalization of Canada’s Stewardship Agenda and a commitment to establish a new national body focused on inter-conference activities to advance stewardship in Canada.

www.stewardship2009.ca

Page 4 Partners in Preservation Winter 2008 4th National Stewardship Conservation Conference

Would you like to attend the to attend. If you are interested E-mail: [email protected] 4th National Stewardship and please submit a short paragraph Conservation Conference this stating the reasons why you Mail: Coral Grove summer in Calgary? Well, here think it would beneficial for you to 2nd Floor Oxbridge Place is a chance to go and have your attend. 9820-106 Street conference registration and Edmonton, Alberta accommodations paid for. Please send this information to T5K 2J6 Coral Grove by April 1, 2009. Alberta Parks is sponsoring Hope to see you there! three of our current volunteers

Parks Day 2008

Winter 2008 Partners in Preservation Page 5 Volunteer Conference 2008 Submitted by Coral Grove, Volunteer Steward Coordinator All aboard the bus en route to Saturday morning started off with the 2008 Volunteer Conference!! a plenary session presented by As the location was in Grande Joyce Gould and Scott Jones. Prairie, a bit further north Management planning and this year, we decided to try research were discussed, with something new; we offered bus opportunities for attendees to ask transportation from Calgary, Red questions during the session and Deer and Spruce Grove, for those follow-up in person afterwards. participants that did not want to make the trek by themselves. We offered four sessions this The idea was well received and year. Two focused on current a large number of attendees took program topics for both the advantage of this offer. Not only Steward and Campground Host did it cut down on the carbon programs. While the other two footprint made by the attendees, were information sessions, the but it also provided a great first one about the Mountain opportunity for volunteers and Pine Beetle and the second one staff to visit and network. Those highlighted photos and sites in the that rode the bus had the added northwest. bonus of Irl Miller as their own personal tour guide, informing On Saturday afternoon, them about the interesting facts conference attendees we able to and history of the sites along the choose one of three tours. The journey. first trip was out to Saskatoon Island Provincial Park to walk the We kicked off the conference on trails and catch a glimpse of the Friday evening, at the Centre trumpeter swans. This trip also 2000. It was a great place included a stop at Saskatoon to gather and visit with fellow Mountain, an archaeological site volunteers while you enjoyed a dating back over 9000 years. beautiful view of the city from the Here, the visitors were able to upper levels and explored the take in the incredible views of the museum in the lower level of the Rocky Mountains. The second building. trip was west of Grande Prairie, to some of Alberta’s north, it was Pipestone Creek, to explore the time to sit back, enjoy a great dinosaur bone beds. An added meal and celebrate as 10 bonus to this tour was that Darren individuals and groups were Tanke was able to lead. Darren recognized for their hard work, is a senior fossil preparation dedication and contributions they technician at the Royal Tyrrell have made to Alberta Parks. Museum of Palaeontology The evening wrapped up, as we and works in the Pipestone listened to Darren Tanke tell us Creek area. The third trip took about the amazing diversity of participants north to visit Historic dinosaur fossils that have been Dunvegan, located along the discovered in the Grande Prairie banks of the mighty . area.

After a busy day of exploring After breakfast on Sunday

Page 6 Partners in Preservation Winter 2008 morning, everyone loaded up on the bus or in their vehicles and headed out to Kleskun Hill Natural Area. This is a unique little area that protects one of the last significant parcels of native prairie in the Grande Prairie area and is also where you will find the northern most badlands. Once on site, everyone gathered to hear Margot talk about the history and the significance of the area. Then all were free to hike around and explore the natural area and check out the historic buildings that have been moved on to the natural area. After a morning Parks Volunteer Conference has Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park. of exploring, we gathered for already started. It will take place And yes, we are offering the bus lunch and a bit of chit chat before in Lethbridge on September service again this year, so see saying goodbye and making our 18-20. We hope that you are you there! way home. able to join us as we explore Planning for the 2009 Alberta southern Alberta, and in particular

Alberta Parks Volunteer Conference 2009 Lethbridge, Alberta September 18-20

Winter 2008 Partners in Preservation Page 7 Volunteer Award Recipients 2008

Parks and Protected Areas Parks and Protected Areas Parks and Protected Areas Achievement Award Achievement Award Achievement Award Jamie Gray June Hills Gerry Hurley

Outstanding Group Partnership Appreciation Award Campground Host Steward Award Hay-Zama Wildland Park Hospitality Award Glory Hills Junior Forest Wardens Management Committee Ralph and Joan Siska

Volunteer Leadership Award Staff Lifetime Volunteerism Award Steward Service Clara Wakeford Ed Whitelock Excellence Award Margot Hervieux

Outstanding Individual Steward Award ~ Bob Gouin (photo not available)

Page 8 Partners in Preservation Winter 2008 Sherwood Park Naturalists Submitted by Coral Grove, Volunteer Steward Coordinator On December 5th, 2008, the Sherwood Park Naturalists, along with Strathcona County, held a dedication ceremony at the Sherwood Park Natural Area. The ceremony was in honour of Jim Pratt and his wife, the late Erna Pratt, both dedicated stewards of the natural area. Jean Funk & Jim Pratt Sherwood Park Natural Area Volunteers

Steveville Volunteers Submitted by Fred Hammer, Interpretation and Education Supervisor The Steveville site in Dinosaur 1997, this dedicated crew have Provincial Park offers rustic painted buildings more than once, camping on the , shingled roofs on the shelter and adjacent to Highway 876. It outhouses, and installed fire pits, has long been popular with not to mention hauling dozens local campers from the Brooks of garbage bags to the regional area. About eleven years ago landfill, fifty kilometres away. They a group of friends who were take great pride when tourists loyal ‘regulars’ heard of plans find a clean campground and to change the site from a even real paper in the outhouses. campground to a day use area. Thanks to the Steveville They contacted park staff to volunteers’ commitment of see what could be done to keep time and a willingness to share The photo showcases some of their favourite camping spot ‘their’ favourite camping spot, the Steveville volunteers with their open. The discussions resulted visitors from all over the world recently awarded 10 year service in volunteer agreements being have a place to enjoy a basic jackets that are part of Alberta Park’s signed with the individuals taking camping experience in Alberta’s ongoing appreciation for community on maintenance tasks from May spectacular badlands. interest and support. to October each year. Since Steward Receives Emerald Award Submitted by Coral Grove, Volunteer Steward Coordinator Congratulations to Peter hundreds of presentations to and to the leadership of the Sherrington for receiving an school, community and scientific Rocky Mountain Eagle Research Alberta Emerald Award in the gatherings and has written or Foundation. Corporate and Institutional contributed to over 80 articles Leadership Category. in both popular and scientific It must feel great to be publications. The data collected acknowledged for work that Peter has been a Volunteer has changed the understanding of you are truly passionate about. Steward since 1994. He golden eagle migration. He has Peter, you should be very has spent over 25,000 hours made an enormous contribution proud of your accomplishments. collecting data, has made to both the birding community Congratulations!

Winter 2008 Partners in Preservation Page 9 Volunteering – A Family Affair Submitted by Sue Walsh, Host - Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation How on earth did a little sign in They also challenged visitors to the window of Carson Cove Store identify pelts and win a prize. We at Carson-Pegasus Provincial even had the privilege of serving Park, asking for Campground as a surrogate mother bird for 7 Host Volunteers, lead us to abandoned baby wrens! Those the Boreal Centre for Bird seven baby birds demanded to be Conservation in Lesser Slave fed every 10 minutes while they Lake Provincial Park? A simple were awake. They would take phone call to the number listed the food offered, swallow, take 2 put the whole thing in motion! steps backward and poop! Every time without fail. We all learned a My husband and I have new respect for mother birds. volunteered with various organizations all of our lives The Walsh Family All too soon, it was time to leave and we thought this would the Centre. We had a wonderful be a perfect introduction to Upon our arrival at BCBC all time and we all agreed that our volunteering for our children, our doubts and misgivings were time at BCBC was the best family ages 11 years and 13 years. quickly put to rest. The staff and vacation ever. We immediately We would be doing something volunteers of the BCBC and made plans to return again in we all loved – camping – and the Alberta Parks staff greeted 2008. sharing our knowledge of Carson us with open arms! Patti (the Pegasus Provincial Park with Executive Director of BCBC) and other campers – a match made Jeff (Alberta Parks) gave us an in heaven- or so we thought! excellent orientation and we were Alberta Parks had a different hooked! They made us feel like idea! We would be “newbies” to we were part of the Centre and the Campground Host Volunteer everything it had to offer! The Program and therefore they would diversity of the experiences we not place us at Carson Pegasus – had were awesome! My husband a very busy park. We would have and son (both computer wizards) to “get our feet wet” somewhere got to work setting up a nocturnal else first. We were initially a little monitoring device that had been disappointed but decided as a waiting for “someone” to have family, that if a year in some the time to set it up. My daughter other park would ultimately lead and I did a display for BCBC for This year, we volunteered for the us back to Carson Pegasus, we the Visitor Information Centre. month of July. We didn’t think that were in! We made and modified costumes for the Interpretive Programs this year would be as exciting as last year – but we were wrong! We were offered the Boreal at Martin River Campground. We had a wonderful time! We Centre for Bird Conservation We welcomed visitors and made costumes, organized the (BCBC) at gave tours of the Centre. We library, organized and catalogued Provincial Park. We had never answered phones and helped photos, greeted visitors, etc. . even heard of the BCBC but we with the gift shop. We did “roving” The whole family had various decided to give it a try! We had in the campground and helped jobs to do and we all felt that we absolutely no idea what to expect at the Interpretive Programs in had, once again, contributed in a or what the volunteer jobs would the evening. My daughter and meaningful way to the BCBC. entail or if the kids would be able her friend “ran” a Bird Banding to contribute in a “real” way. demonstration lab at the Centre.

Page 10 Partners in Preservation Winter 2008 We cannot say enough about the Volunteering at the BCBC is people at BCBC. We felt valued truly a family affair! It is a unique by the staff. They asked for our experience that reflects the input and valued our opinion and unique partnership between expertise. They treated us with Alberta Parks and the Lesser dignity, courtesy and respect! Slave Lake Bird Observatory. It is They appreciated our efforts and our sincere hope that this unique never failed to thank us! The staff partnership is acknowledged, makes the volunteer experience recognized and respected for at BCBC extraordinary! years to come!

Yours in volunteering, The Walsh Family

The BCBC Building

The Art of Nature – Bringing People Together in Fish Creek Provincial Park Submitted By Patsy Drummond, Environmental Education Specialist, FCPP into our Provincial Parks. The Parks, understanding the intrinsic program is called Art in the Park connection between nature and and is an ongoing, dynamic art. Recently, they have both collaboration of volunteers, Parks been recognized as Alberta staff and the Friends of Fish Parks Volunteer Award winners. Creek Provincial Park Society. They received a 2008 Parks and Protected Areas Achievement The seeds of the Art in the Park Award for all their wonderful program were planted about contributions. a year ago when two amazing volunteers walked through the With the desires from the three front door of the Environmental organizing groups outlined, the Art Learning Centre, Jamie Gray in the Park program was devised Patsy, Jamie and June and June Hills. Jamie lives in a as an umbrella program with neighbouring community of Fish three different streams: Fish Creek Provincial Park Creek and is a current student • ongoing art showcase or celebrated a major success this at the Alberta College of Art and exhibition, past September 7th, 2008 – it’s Design (ACAD). June Hills is • a cross-curricular art-based first Art in the Park Festival! a recent graduate of ACAD and environmental education This festival was a culmination has a background as an art program of a year-long effort to create teacher. Both women were eager • art programs for the public. a program that would bring art to see art brought into our Alberta

Winter 2008 Partners in Preservation Page 11 The Art of Nature – Bringing People Together continued...

To begin the programs Arts (a society for adults with momentum, an art exhibition developmental challenges), the took place at the Environmental Parkland Solstice Festival Society Learning Centre from March and many individual artists, some to June 2008. Nine local of whom were new Canadians. artists exhibited artwork that Over 700 visitors joined us that revolved around the themes day to take in the sights and of conservation and nature sounds of the art and nature of appreciation. the Park!

Meanwhile, the Friends kept the The festival was a day to ball rolling by offering continuing celebrate the beauty and education in the arts. The community of protected areas Friends held 5 different public in Alberta. What better way to art workshops, such as Tile pursue the Alberta Parks vision Mosaics, Nature Journaling and statement than to “inspire society Watercolours. In addition, June to enjoy and rediscover our Hills co-led a Tuesday Tours hike connection with the natural world” to explore nature through an than celebrating the expression artist’s eyes. of Parks through art?

I was kept very busy through out the day attending to the needs of the happy artists and interacting with smiling visitors. At one point, as I made my rounds, I was struck with the thought that the colourful array of visitors, volunteers, artists and their artwork collectively was a mirror, reflecting back what Alberta Parks is all about: diversity, community, beauty and passion.

Please join us Sunday, After a few short months of September 13, 2009 for next various art-based efforts the year’s Art in the Park Festival. team undertook the organization Please check out www.fish-creek. for the “Art in the Park Festival”. org or www.friendsoffishcreek for Through many dedicated hours information about the Art in the of advertising, emailing, meetings Park program. and set-up we planned the festival. The 22 artists who participated were composed of: 2 artistic guilds, the Indefinite

ISSN 1488-7290