For 30 years Friends of Jasper National Park has connected residents and visitors to the national park through volunteerism.
In a special anniversary celebration on Saturday, July 20, board chair Dale Rhyason said it鈥檚 important to celebrate Friends鈥� achievements, while also looking to the future. 鈥淲e set out a plan over the next 12 months to celebrate not only our history, but also look forward.鈥�
Friends will have a special event every month and aim to have a presence at major events around town.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to undertake pilot programs that we look at over this year that we can implement as we move forward in our system,鈥� he adds. 鈥淲e hope to look at or initiate a major trail project again.鈥�
Friends鈥� volunteers have ensured the organization鈥檚 durability over the past 30 years, said Mayor Richard Ireland. Indeed, the anniversary celebration鈥檚 aim was to recognize and celebrate everyone who has made a contribution with Friends.
鈥淲e have all of this stuff to do, but one of the clear statements is to have fun,鈥� said Rhyason. 鈥淎nd we do, thanks to [Friends鈥� co-managers] Heather Aussant Roy and Sue Cesco.鈥�
Friends is a registered charity that formed in 1983 to promote understanding, appreciation and respect for the natural and cultural heritage of Jasper National Park. As well as programming, it also runs a gift shop in the Visitor Information Centre and is responsible for organizing events like the annual Parks Day celebration that took place on Saturday.
Volunteerism through Friends is a way for people to engage in the care of Jasper National Park. Programs include MAPS bird banding, hiking clubs, a historical tour and junior naturalist. The Jasper Trial Alliance is a sub-committee of Friends that helps maintain and shape Jasper鈥檚 trails and also trains and certifies trail users to properly clear and build existing and new trails. The Alliance is largely run by Loni Klettl and Carol Doering.
Many out-of-town volunteers return again and again for Friends fun.
Grace and Gary Long from White City, Sask. are recipients of the Friends volunteer of the year award. They have travelled to Jasper more than once this year to help the organization.
Karen and Evan Reed from Jacksonville, Fla. have volunteered off and on with Friends since they began vacationing in Jasper in 1991. While in town, the couple also volunteers at the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives.
鈥淚t makes you feel like part of the community,鈥� said Karen. 鈥淲e鈥檝e made a lot of friends and it feels like home.鈥�
The first year they arrived in Jasper, they helped with Friends鈥� Pyramid Island rehabilitation project, and every time they return to Jasper, they visit the Island to see the trees they planted.
In order to maintain Friends鈥� sustainability, the organization needs to grow, said Rhyason.
鈥淲e need to increase our membership, volunteering from our membership, enhance our store, and we want to establish some donor program or programs that bring us to a more sustainable financial situation."
Sarah Makowsky
[email protected]
