BC Parks Newsletter February 2002 Volume 13, Number 1

This will be the seventy-third – and last – edition of VISIONS. During the past twelve years we have shared many stories about BC Parks, our staff and our accomplishments. In the future, our priorities will be environmental stewardship and protection. In order to communicate with staff and friends in the future, we will be focusing on our website. Thank you to all of those who have contributed to VISIONS over the years. The park system is important to so many and your support and understanding will always be important. Keep in touch!

parks including interpretation and conservation activities. Some of the States that used to operate concessions in their parks now run those businesses with staff in order to maximize profits. Many state park systems raise up to two-thirds of their operating costs from fees and business profits. Vermont and New Hampshire recover 100% of their operating National Association for State Park Directors Forum on State Park Operations. costs from park users. One way to make money is to ask people what they are bringing to parks that you Down in Daniel Boone Country (park agency) can provide at a reasonable cost and then sell it to by Wayne Stetski, Kootenay District them on site. In November of 2001, I was privileged particularly in seasonal positions. A Most states have Friends Groups to be selected by BC Parks and the number of park managers stated “if who provide support, labour, and Federal Provincial Parks Council of you are in my office and breathing funding. Pennsylvania, Arkansas, to represent Canada at the when I’m hiring seasonal staff Montana, Minnesota, West National Association for State Park you’ve got a job!” At least one state Virginia and Michigan have Park Directors Forum on State Park pays a $500 retention bonus to Foundations. Many Philanthropic Operations for State Park Managers seasonals who stay to the end of Grants can be accessed via the web. held in Lake Barkley State Resort Park, their term. There are also regular (continued on page 2) Kentucky. The participants included positions that go unfilled in some representatives from over 30 states and states due to lack of interest. In a number of US National Parks. Idaho’s Fish and Game Department We share similar challenges: any regular who recruits another securing funding, replacing aging regular gets a $250 bonus! Inside Reconstruction of the Paul Lake Dam…………3 infrastructure, developing new parks The trend is for park agencies to and facilities and building support 2002 Wooden Broom Bonspiel ………4 run and staff almost all businesses The Olympics – Dreams Do Come True ………5 for the important work that we do, in parks. This includes resort hotels, but some things are quite different BC Parks’ Streamlining Initiative marinas, golf courses, restaurants, Saves $43,000 ………………………………5 across the border: ski hills, etc. Many states use the Coho Fry Rescue at Gordon Bay ………………6 There is a real shortage of people to profits from these businesses to Denis O’Gorman’s Retirement Do ……………7 work in parks in the United States, help fund general operations of All the Best, Bill!………………………………8 (“…Daniel Boone…” continued from page 1)

VISIONS newsletters are posted on BC Parks’ web site: http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/ publications/vision_news.htm Thank you to all who have contributed to VISIONS.

Editor Wayne Stetski checks the signage in a Kentucky State Park. Nancy Chave Dogs are an issue with most park to encourage pet owners to pick Contributors agencies. Florida bans dogs from a up after their pets. A list of suppli- Colin Campbell number of its campgrounds. ers of these dispensers can be Nancy Chave Wisconsin has one park with an found on the Internet. Elaine Gustafson off leash area. Indianapolis City Reservation systems – Virginia Parks have fenced dog parks that Michael MacIntyre Parks run their own system and require a paid pass to use. Wayne Stetski realize a $400,000 annual profit. Pennsylvania had banned dogs Some states do not have any reser- from all parks but experimented Minister vation fees. Wisconsin has a $9.50 in 2001 with allowing dogs in 10 reservation fee through a private Joyce Murray parks on a trail basis. Houston, call centre with $1.00 per reserva- Texas has a listing of “dog parks” Deputy Minster tion coming back to parks. Some on its website. Mammoth Caves Derek Thompson states charge more for weekend provide fee for service dog ken- reservations. Washington State A/Assistant Deputy Minister nels for trail users. Some park sys- parks charge a reservation fee plus

Bob Dalziel tems charge an extra fee for pets and provide plastic bag dispensers (continued on page 3) ??????????????? Who is this man and why is he so happy?

See page 7 for the answer.

??????????????? Jerry the Moose conscripts new American recruits.

2 VISIONS February 2002 (“…Daniel Boone…” continued from page 2) Minnesota has a system based on two days camping fees as a non- a three-legged stool with equal pri- Reconstruction refundable deposit to ensure they ority: Conservation, Interpretation, recover revenue for “No Shows.” Recreation. of the Paul Delaware has a legislated Park There are also a number of inter- Endowment Trust Fund to provide Lake Dam esting initiatives from individual a permanent funding source for park agencies: by Elaine Gustafson, Thompson River minor capital improvements, to District Ohio has signed a $5.5 million, protect open spaces and enhance five-year deal with Pepsi to support recreational opportunities. The The original Paul Lake Dam was parks. In some parks you can rent, Division of Parks and Recreation built in 1908 and was showing signs on-site, a camp (includes tent, cots, is required to secure matching of age. Kamloops Indian Band, own- cooler, cookstove, light), a cabin, a funds for the Endowment at the ers of the old dam, agreed to share recreational vehicle, a teepee, a ratio of one (non-state) to three the replacement costs with Indian yurt, or a cedar-sided travel trailer (state) dollars. Delaware also has and Northern Affairs Canada and the They utilize special events like developed a Memorial Tree Ministry of Highways. In order to Christmas and Halloween in July, Program that allows the public replace the dam, the water needed an Indian campout and square who are interested in a memorial to be drawn down. This caused dancing to bring people to parks. for a loved one to donate money concerns about exposing water lines They maximize profit on the things to the Division to plant a tree of nearby residents, eroding the they sell in parks (including novelty within a park. The donation is lakeshore and bringing the lake back candy that tastes sour, turns your recognized by way of acknowl- to pre-drawn levels. A temporary tongue blue, costs $0.25 and is sold edging the deceased for one year cofferdam (compiled of 150 truck- for $1.25). They can email interested on a wall hanging or plaque loads of gravel) was built east of the parties an excel spreadsheet where displayed at the park office where Paul Lake dam, permitting additional you plug in the numbers and it the tree is planted. water depth to be retained in the lake calculates your profit. Papers presented included: during and following construction. New Jersey has a program where Successes in Park Operations – A The area to the west of the temporary various groups adopt self-guiding Canadian Perspective (my paper); dam was completely drained for the interpretive trails. They work with Writing Business Plans for State Parks duration of construction. Following grocery chain Shop Rite who (Indiana State University); The construction the cofferdam was provide paper garbage bags (more Delaware Parks Endowment Fund; removed and the drained area refilled. environmentally friendly than Memorial Trees in Delaware State Parks; A Park Use Permit was required plastic) with Carry In/Carry Out Generating Additional Income from to access the area where the tempo- messaging. Grants, Special Funds and Other rary dam was to be built. The project South Carolina gives out garbage Funding Sources in Delaware State started August 25 and construction bags via dispensers in camp- Parks. ended November 30, 2001 in the grounds and request all campers I also have a list of participants middle of a snowstorm. Some work Carry In/Carry Out (they have which allows follow up with any remains to be done in the spring removed all garbage cans). of the 105 people who attended the including the rehabilitation of the Corporations allow their staff conference. Feel free to contact me if lakeshore trail with replanting using to come and volunteer in parks you would like additional informa- natural trees and shrubs and re- during work hours. tion on the Forum or wish to follow seeding with native seed. Several habitat issues had to be Arkansas has banned smoking on up personally with any of the park agencies on their initiatives. addressed to complete the project. all beaches primarily due to the The cofferdam site had to be com- litter it creates. In several states And, by the way, Daniel Boone was a real Kentucky pioneer, but was pletely isolated with silt fencing the public are now requesting prior to dumping earth. Fish salvage non-smoking beaches. not in attendance at the conference! A buffalo, however, did attend… had to be done from the area Mammoth Caves National Park, between the filter fences prior to Kentucky, uses volunteers who earth placement and also between are paid a stipend of $8 per day the cofferdam and the old dam. and given a camping site with Cattails at the south side of the hookups. They do all but mainte- cofferdam site were covered with

nance in the campgrounds. (continued on page 4)

February 2002 VISIONS 3 (“…Paul Lake Dam” continued from page 3) were re-located to Paul Creek. geotextile cloth in an attempt to The dam cost $800,000 to construct prevent damage to the root zone when and eight agencies worked together the fill was removed. An on-site envi- to make it happen. The new dam will ronmental monitor was used during ensure protection of fish and wildlife these critical times. Two salvages habitat in the future. Paul Lake’s rep- were done; the first one took place on utation as a world class fishery com- September 18 when 110 rainbow trout, bined with its clear, deep waters and northern pike minnows and re-sided scenic setting of forested mountain- shiners were removed, some fish sides led to the establishment of Paul measured up to 60 centimetres. in Lake Provincial Park in 1961. Paul length. During the second salvage on Lake is situated 25 kilometers from September 26, 600 rainbow trout the City of Kamloops. 2002 Wooden Broom Curling Bonspiel

The bonspiel is tentatively planned for MARCH 2 & 3, 2002 in Kamloops.

Renew old friendships, start new ones. Participants come from all over the province. The bonspiel is a great social event, and, remember this is a FUN EVENT, The cofferdam site had to be completely isolated with silt fencing prior to so you do not need any previous dumping earth. curling experience! So don’t miss out this year. Interested in information about the Wooden Broom Curling Bonspiel? Contact any of the bonspiel committee for more information: Monty Downs, Thompson River District Don Gough, Okanagan District Ron Routledge, Thompson River District Earl Sinclair, Thompson River District Ken Morrison, Headquarters Debby Funk, Headquarters Alice MacGillivray, Headquarters The completed dam.

4 VISIONS February 2002 The Olympics – BC Parks’ Dreams Do Come True Streamlining

We have an Olympian in our midst! league play slow during the Initiative Saves Yes, our own Cheryl Noble will be Christmas season. In January the the spare for the Ladies Curling team will have two intense weekend $43,000 Team that will be competing in the training programs in Vancouver, plus 2002 Olympic Games, in Salt Lake they will travel to Winnipeg and BC Parks, Ministry of Water, Land and City, Utah, this February! Gander, Nfld. to compete Air Protection, provided QUEST The team consists of Kelley against other competitive (Quality Enhancement through Skills Law, Julie Skinner, mens’ and ladies’ teams. Training) to all of its Human , Diane Many media events Resources Coordinators, then under- Nelson and Cheryl Noble. are planned for the took a project to use this training to Cheryl was on the team Olympic Team members streamline and standardize BC Parks’ when it won the World during January as well; payroll processes. Sheila Sullivan, Championships in press conferences in BC Parks Manager of Finance and Glasgow, Scotland in 2000 BC Place, appearing as Administration, sponsored the project. so she knows what world- special guests at the The initial project team consisted class competition is all Vancouver Canucks of Human Resource Coordinators about. As they won the Hockey Game; interviews Marilynne Hann (Prince George World Championships, the team had by TSN, CBC, etc.; the list goes on! District), Diane Kinnell (Lower an automatic bye to the 2001 Ladies On February 4, the team meets Mainland District), and Barb Scott- Canadian Curling Championships. all the other Canadian Olympian Zowty (Cariboo District). They This meant they didn’t have to athletes in . Yes, other solicited the participation of Parks’ qualify, but they had a disappointing Olympians such as Wayne Gretzky, headquarters, its eleven districts, and loss in the final. In an extra end on Mario Lemieux, Elvis Stojko, Alison all of the ministry’s payroll and the final shot there was a measure- Forsythe – the cream of the crop! human resources departments. They ment to determine the champion and Once the ceremonies are over and the also kept all these offices fully unfortunately, the Nova Scotia team, briefing is done in Calgary, chartered involved through the three-year life skipped by Colleen Jones, won the flights will fly most of the athletes to of the project. title and earned a trip to Lausanne, Salt Lake City. Prior to the opening The team encountered many Switzerland. ceremonies on February 8, they obstacles along the way, including: After that disappointing loss, the will take part in various Canadian difficulties in obtaining timely Law team had to regroup. No stones festivities in the Athletes Villages. feedback were to be left unturned! Through The curling competition runs from logistical problems because key the PacificSport Athletes Services February 11 to 21, finishing off team members were widely Program, the team had access to a with the closing ceremonies on the separated geographically team psychologist, a nutritionist and February 24. The team will return personal fitness trainers to help them home to a proud and appreciative a lack of initial commitment and achieve their ultimate prize: the province and country, no matter support Olympics! what their outcome. organizational resistance to The team attended a high-perfor- And to think that Cheryl’s curling change. mance training camp in Vancouver, started with a BC Parks’ Bonspiel According to Wendy Renwick, played in four Cash Spiels through- about 20 years ago. A/Manager of Finance and out Canada. They won the semi’s but Dreams do come true – as Cheryl Administration: “It is to their great ended up second in the TSN Skins has found out, she’s reached her credit that they persevered to Match in mid-November in dream of becoming an Olympian! produce consistent, standardized Vancouver. Since second place is not BC Parks will be cheering you all payroll procedures (including a in their vocabulary, this motivation the way. comprehensive user manual) for inspired them to train even harder. Good luck Cheryl, go for the BC Parks.” Mental training is ongoing, and Gold! physical training will increase during (continued on page 6) December as the bonspiels and

February 2002 VISIONS 5 (“…Saves $43,000” continued from page 5) Workplace Innovation and Awards and partnership with stakeholders. Annual net time and cost savings articulates and encourages the For more information on the ERP, are worth $43,133. Marilynne, Diane development of innovative, high- the Public Service Awards Program, and Barb each received taxable ERP performance work environments or the Staff Appreciation Awards awards of $972.66 based on 2% of the that are supportive, inclusive and Program, visit: time savings of $37,633 and 4% of the exhibit a high degree of initiative, http://www.pserc.gov.bc.ca/awards cost savings of $5,500. creativity, collaboration, teamwork

The next day, I received a phone Coho Fry Rescue at Gordon Bay call from Soleil Switzer, an E-Team supervisor working for the Cowichan by Michael MacIntyre, South Vancouver Island District Lake Salmonid Enhancement Society. On August 16, 2001 during a site meeting at Gordon Bay Provincial Park, a Soleil had been informed of the number of fish were found in a small pool near a parking lot culvert. The site plight of our Gordon Bay salmon meeting was to discuss replacing these culverts with bridges in an effort to and was eager to help with a rescue improve traffic flow through the park, and to restore a known fish-bearing operation. Her E-Team, she told me, stream to its natural condition. Finding small fry in the stream seemed both had been doing fry salvage work all timely and fortuitous because it confirmed for us that this stream and its summer and were well equipped to residents would benefit from our project. deal with our project. An hour later As there appeared to be a fair number of fish present in this pool and another we were face to face in the Gordon pool that was subsequently checked, BC Parks staff determined that there may Bay parking lot. be some concern for the safety of these fish. Indeed, two small coho salmon fry Soleil’s E-Team went to work (Oncorhynchus kisutch) were found dead at the bottom of the first pool. Due to immediately, and within one hour the long and unusually dry summer that south Vancouver Island had been had explored and netted fish from the experiencing, it was thought that the remaining fish would benefit from reloca- first six pools of the stream. In these tion to deeper and wetter climes. That afternoon we contacted the Cowichan pools they found approximately 1 Lake Salmonid Enhancement Society and let them know that we could use 00 fish: 85 coho, and 15 rainbow their assistance in helping our Gordon Bay fish. and cutthroat trout, all in healthy condition. They put these fish into oxygenated transportation buckets and, after determining that there were no suitable relocation spots within the stream, loaded them into their truck to prepare them for relocation to Spring Beach on Lake Cowichan. This, I was told, was an excellent location for young fry to gradually acclimate to a lake environment. The quick and efficient response of the Lake Cowichan Salmonid Enhancement Society’s E-Team to our fishy crisis may have ensured the future of our tiny run of Gordon Bay coho. Their dedication and willing- ness to go the extra mile to save fish that otherwise might have a short and bleak future is a testament to the value of the E-Team program. The excellent work that E-Teams do pays off in great dividends for organiza- tions like BC Parks, and I personally know of a hundred fish swimming The E-team Rescue Team: (left to right) Mabel Peter, Leela Hamilton, Soleil Switzer, safely in Lake Cowichan for whom Brandon Merchant, Rob Grieve. those dividends are priceless.

6 VISIONS February 2002 Denis O’Gorman’s Retirement Do by Colin Campbell, Victoria

On November 30, 2001, we had a retirement party for Denis to celebrate his career in government. His was a remarkable career in government. The 130 people who attended not only enjoyed the roasts of, and toasts to, Denis but also the memories of the presenters who had the audience in tears triggered by both nostalgia and belly aching wit. Gathered together in the Harbour Towers Ballroom were individuals that we, in BC Parks, have, as is our style, quietly and personally enshrined in our “Mental BC Parks Cheers! if you guessed… …who is this man. Hall of Fame,” namely Bob Ahrens and Jake Masselink. Also present were powerful park advocates such as Ric Careless and Ken Farquarson who over the years have made extra- ordinary contributions to the creation fencer, drawing enough blood to concept of community engagement of our much expanded park system, ensure that Denis was not only prop- in land use planning that is now an Bill Young, an ex-colleague from erly reminded of his idiosyncrasies integral part of BC’s way of doing the Ministry of Forests, kicked off the and foibles but was forced to enjoy business. Stephen sent a kind evening by leading the head table this “Full Monty” roast. With eight message and Calvin Sandborn and into the room while playing the years of profile in the Land Use group sang us a medley of CORE lilting sounds of the “The Hills of Secretariat, the onset of the eighties songs, sounding more reminiscent of Gallawa” on his bagpipes, reminding saw Denis destined to spend the next the sixties than the nineties. us of Denis’s inherited Celtic roots eight years in the Ministry of Energy When this agency stumbled into prior to his birth and “schoolhood” and Mines working on large-scale troubling waters in 1995, Denis in Calgary. His early days as a plan- energy project approvals. This was applied for and won the competition ner in Calgary and Vancouver, along followed by a term in the Ministry of as Assistant Deputy Minister of BC with a stint with Parks Canada, were Forests to assist with their Integrated Parks. As usual, Chris Tunnoch did a well captured by Erik Karlsen. His Management Strategies. wonderful job of reminding every- role as Assistant Director and then Peter Ostergaard now Chair of one, through her gorgeous slides and Director of the Land Use Secretariat BC’s Public Utilities Commission and emotive music, of the meaning of our during the exhilarating days of an by letter “the Deputy for all extraordinary park system and Bob early NDP regime was recognized by Seasons”’ Phil Halkett reminded us Dalziel shared with the audience the many there as truly a special time, of some of the highlights of these very significant contribution that nurturing as it did many of the years. With the emergence of a new Denis has made during his six-year future leaders in the land manage- government and a new concept of term as ADM in Parks. Bob high- ment agencies of government. Ray land management in 1991, Denis was lighted the fact that Denis was Crook’s dry wit supported by the selected to be the Deputy always “there” for parks staff, even acerbic wit of Jim Walker was the Commissioner of the Commission on when things got tough; Denis was a highlight of the evening. Ray wield- Resources and the Environment led tenacious fighter for BC Parks, trying ed his rapier of wit and humour with by Stephen Owen. This adventure to get funding support at a time the seasoned expertise of an expert lasted four years and began the (continued on page 8)

February 2002 VISIONS 7 (“Denis…” continued from page 7) for the best agency in government. One of the things that Denis likes when there was little appetite to Then the dancing began and Denis about BC Parks is that it is a disci- respond to the needs arising from the went happily on his way to retire- plined organization. We will work doubling of the system. Bob also doc- ment in Pentiction, warmed with the diligently for any government and umented the achievements of the memories of that night and the feel- any leader because it is our responsi- O’Gorman years – new and better ing that even he as Erik Karlsen put bility to honour the public trust but performance measures; clear business it “had lived up to his Dad’s expecta- the leaders that we cherish, and three planning; more than 300 new or tions” and done him proud. Perhaps of them were in that room that night, expanded protected areas designated; Tom Lee, CEO for Parks Canada and all have three things in common. over 40 new properties purchased; one of our outstanding BC Parks They care about people, they are pas- investments in a modern computer alumni said it best “Denis is a great sionate about the value and meaning and data system; significant capital Canadian. When scholars and of parks to this and future genera- improvements; a real commitment researchers come to write the history tions, and they have an inner core of to recognizing the importance of of conservation during the last half integrity that drives them to place ecological management of parks, of the 20th century they will have to these first two values above their combined with the creation of new write of Denis, for he has left his personal interests. May we continue understanding of the parks chal- tracks upon our nation.” to enjoy this kind of leadership. lenges by the public through the BC Parks Legacy public involvement process. Most of all he built and led a parks management team that now All the Best, Bill! fully engages both the field and headquarters in joint planning and by Nancy Chave, Victoria management – a concept launched Bill Shaw is retiring after working for by Jake Masselink but clearly BC Parks for the past 28 years. He implemented and implemented started as the 2IC (Second in Charge) well by Denis. – Assistant District Superintendent – Other speakers brought personal at Golden Ears Provincial Park, then messages. Jamie Allie talked of the moved over to the Malahat District generous mentoring that Denis (now known as South Vancouver provided to young aspirant man- Island District) to be the 2IC agers and how that really mattered. there. For the last six years of his Ex-Minister Joan Sawicki, long term BC Parks’ career Bill was stationed friend and shorter term Minister, in Headquarters in Victoria. gave us a view of how difficult it was for a Minister to resist Denis’s arguments based as they often were on logic and fact. Derek Thompson, brought both a personal message Bill receives official notification… and a message from the Minister conveying the appreciation of government for the contribution In his retirement Bill will be that Denis had made to so many keeping busy. He’s already enrolled governments over such a long time. in the Masters Gardeners Program at Ric Careless representing a public the Horticultural Centre of the perspective concluded by talking Pacific – not that he needs any more about the history of the last thirty training – if you’ve seen his garden years and the legacy that people in you’ll know what I’m talking about! the room and especially Denis had He’s also looking into attending a left for generations to come. course at the Culinary Institute of Denis, in characteristic fashion, America (the other CIA) in Solvang, had the last word. He went through California. Plus, fly fishing, garden- the A to Z of all the things that he ing, sailing, photography, trips to the had liked about working in BC Parks South Pacific among other places. …and reacts accordingly! and unabashedly stated that this had been the best job of his life working Yes, I think Bill will be very happy in his retirement! But, we’ll miss him.

8 VISIONS February 2002