Volunteer Heroics

Green Shield Award

This special award was created in celebration of the International Year of Volunteers. It is presented to an individual or organization whose volunteer efforts have made significant contributions to preservation and conservation of our land, water and ecosystems, and the plants and animals that depend on them. Nominees for this award have invested extensive time, often spanning many years.

Past Recipients:

2006: Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory Society (LSLBO)
2003: Wagner Natural Area Society
2002: Eric & Doris Hopkins
2001: Des Allen & Peter Sherrington

Steward Service Excellence Award

The Steward Service Excellence Award is presented to an individual or group for long-term commitment and consistent demonstration of the spirit of stewardship. Through dedication, positive attitude and actions recipients have benefited their protected area and the Volunteer Steward program.

Past Recipients:

2010: J.J. Collett natural Area Foundation
2008: Margot Hervieux
2005: Big Lake Environmental Support Society
2004: Rainbow Equitation Society
2003: Riverlot 56 Natural Area Society
2002: Sherwood Park Natural Area Volunteer Stewards
2001: Red Deer River Naturalist Society
2000: Wagner Natural Area Society
1999: Alison Dinwoodie
1998: Dorothy Dickson
1997: Doris and Eric Hopkins

Outstanding Individual Steward Award

This award is presented to an individual, couple or family who, through recent efforts, contribute considerably to preservation and/or appreciation of a protected area.

Kate Reeves
Became a Steward for Sheep Creek Natural Area (near Black Diamond) and Sundre Natural Area in 1994, dropping the later in 2005 to solely focus her passion to one site.

During her 17 years with the program, Kate has been regularly visiting, monitoring and reporting. Her dedication in bearing witness to the life of this Natural Area and sharing her findings has positively contributed to the management of the site and its biophysical records.

 

 

Faith Youg
joined the Steward Program in 1997. At first, she focused her efforts on Wind Valley Natural Area, until 1998 when it became part of Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park.

Faith's long-term commitment to the program demonstrates her passion for giving back and contributing to Alberta Parks. Faith is always there to lend a hand for projects and is welcoming to new volunteers.

Her positive energy, enthusiastic attitude and eagerness to learn, brings a smile to all who have the pleasure of her company.

Past Recipients:

2010: Robert Faulds
2009: Gertie Meyer
2008: Bob Gouin
2007: Elmar Augart
2006: Tim Giese
2005: Bertha Ford
2004: Tony Blake
2003: Gladys Pennock, Margot Hervieux
2002: Aaron & Elise Bowersock, Curtis Siegfried
2001: The DeSmet Family, Fred Korbut
2000: Derry and Ora White
1998: Louisa Rich
1993: Lee Finstad, Des Allen
1990: Mike McNaugthon, Mike Glossop

Outstanding Group Steward Award

The Outstanding Group Steward Award is presented to a group or organization that, through recent efforts, contributes considerably to preservation and/or appreciation of a protected area.

Past Recipients:

2009: Medicine Hat College (Ecotourism & Outdoor Leadership Program)
2008: Glory Hills Junior Forest Wardens
2007: Beaverhill Bird Observatory
2006: Edmonton Mycological Society (EMS)
2005: Fort Saskatchewan Naturalists
2004: Alberta Native Plant Council
2003: The J. J. Collett Foundation
2002: Eagles Junior Forest Warden Club
2001: Bruderheim Natural Area Society
2000: Stony Plain Fish and Game Association
1999: Battle Lake Natural Area Preservation Society, Alberta Speleological Society & Sherwood Park Natural Area Volunteer Stewards and Strathcona County
1998: Alpine Club of Canada, North Ram Wilderness Society
1993: Bruderheim Natural Area Society
1990: Sherwood Park Natural Area Volunteer Stewards and Strathcona County Wagner Natural Area Society

Parks and Protected Areas Achievement Award

Presented to an individual who, through volunteer activities, affects a park, protected area, staff, customers, project or program in a special or significant way.

Mike Walters, Alasdair & Susan Cook
Since 2007, Wildlife Ambassadors have been performing a vital role in helping to reduce human-wildlife encounters in Kananaskis Country. Mike, Alasdair and Susan best represent the passion andvalues of community-minded individuals to ensure both people and animals can co-exist in proximity. Whether engaging neighbours or visitors from near and far, these three volunteers have been outstanding in theirefforts to encourage other to be safe while sharing space with wildlife.

Past Recipients:

2008: Jamie Grey, June Hills, Gerry Hurley
2004: Patsy Cotterill
2003: Casey Bizon
2002: Ron & Ken Valens, Joann Skilnick
2001: Bill Scott
2000: Tom Bull

Parks and Protected Areas Junior Achievement Award

The Parks and Protected Areas Junior Achievement Award is presented to a youth who through their volunteer activities has affected a park, protected area, staff, customers, project or program in a special or significant way.

Past Recipients:

2004: Caitlin Way

Host Hospitality Award

This award is presented to an individual, couple or family who, through their work as hosts in support of a campground or facility, consistently deliver outstanding hospitality service.

Vern & Bev Poffenroth
The Peaceful Valley Provincial Recreation Area and Day Use Lodge enriches the quality of life for disabled and elderly groups by providing a few hours in a beautiful natural setting. Located near Westerose (just south of Pigeon Lake), this facility is truly reliant on volunteers to provide access to groups, as there are no staff stationed there. Thankfully since 2005, Vern and Bev enabled access and in doing so, become well known for their unique way of making guests feel welcomed. Regardless of mental, physical or other of life's challenges, guests at Peaceful Valley always speak fondly of their time at the Lodge, and of the great service they have received by Vern and Bev.

2011: Len & Jane Den Braber, William, Susan, Michael & Rebecca Walsh
2009: Ken & Pat Hatt, Leonard & Eleanor Rondeau, Frank & Arol Longhurst
2008: Ralph & Joan Siska
2007: Jim & Lucienne Salahub, Ron Bishop
2006: Jacob & Edna Reimer, Marshal & Pat Melnyk
2005: Fred & Yvonne Holowack, Harry & Annie Wit
2004: Tony & Alberta Van Dyk
2003: Roy & Edith Middleton, Mike & Jean Kliparchuk, Scotty & Murri Spence
2002: Earl & Kathleen Barr, Rose Eichorn
2001: Al & Jeanne Bosserts, Carolyn & Ed Weymouth
2000: Doug & Joyce Arnold, Roy & Dorothy Jones, Nancy & Keith Becker
1999: Ed & Claire Fafard
1998: Irene & Doug Dahl

Facility Enhancement Award

Presented to individuals or organizations who have greatly contributed to the maintenance or enhancement of PPA's facility infrastructure, through volunteer efforts supporting trails, signs, buildings, etc.

Past Recipients:

2007: Mike Radik
2006: Peter Spear
2004: Friends of Switzer Park Association

Partnership Appreciation Award

This award is presented to a co-operating association, or partnering agency or group, who make considerable contributions to Parks and Protected Areas programs, services or facilities.

Past Recipients:

2008: Hay-Zama Wildland Park Management Committee
2006: William Watson Lodge Society
2005: Friends of Saskatoon Island Association
2002: Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory, Elkwater Volunteer Fire Department
2001: Friends of the Blackfoot Society, Venturers' Society of Calgary
2000: Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society

Inclusion Award

Chris Ha
Chris has played a significant role in the Adaptive Challenges held this past four years in Kananaskis Country and more recently at Eagle Point Provincial Park near Drayton Valley.

He also volunteered to lead several stand-alone programs with the Push to Open Nature Initiative and helped out with Nature as a Second Language events.

Chris encompasses the full spectrum of the vision of parks to inspire people to discover, value, protect, and enjoy the natural world.

Volunteer Leadership Award

This award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional leadership in volunteerism. Their leadership or project contributes in a significant way to the success of Parks and Protected Areas volunteerism, through efforts at a local, regional or provincial level, over and above the routine expectations of their employment.

Jeff Eamon
Trails are an integral part of many parks. For Jeff, keeping trails accessible and safe is more than a job, it is a passion – one he welcoming shares with volunteers. As Trails Supervisor for Bow Valley and Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area, Jeff is very knowledgeable about all aspects of trail design, building and working with volunteers and very dedicated to his craft. He is a leader in communicating with and educating volunteers about the "big picture" of trails and ensuring those volunteers understand the value of their contributions. He is also a big supporter of community-based partnerships in trail planning, building and maintenance. This has included working collaboratively with the Friends of Kananaskis Country Trail Care program for many years.

Past Recipients:

2010: Magi Scallion
2008: Clara Wakeford
2006: Ed Whitlock
2005: Don Cockerton
2003: Glenn Naylor
2002: Jim Stomp
2001: Sandra Myers
2000: Doug Pilkington

Staff Lifetime Volunteerism Award

Presented to a staff member who through their cumulative accomplishments spanning their career, have had a significant impact on volunteerism that supported PPA's goals, customer service, or preservation of land, water or ecosystems including the plants and animals that live there. Staff member will have previously been recognized earlier in their career with the Volunteer Leadership Award.

Past Recipients:

2009: Don Cockerton
2008: Ed Whitelock
2007: Doug Pilkington

Lifetime Volunteerism Achievement Award

Past Recipients:

2006: Erik & Doris Hopkins, Gladys Pennock

 

Stewardship Champion Award

Presented to an individual or organization whose have demonstrated a long term commitment to building a community of actively participating citizens who are connected to Alberta's natural landscapes.

Past Recipients:

2010: June Markwart