Heather Heise-Auger was named the Friends of Jasper National Park’s Volunteer of the Year, June 12, during the organization’s annual general meeting at the Old Fire Hall.
Heise-Auger has been a member of the Friends since 2006, and has since then helped the organization by leading some of its programs and hikes, organizing many of its events, and by sitting on committees, as well as on the board of directors.
“Her passion for the park, her drive and her determination are just some of the reasons that she was unanimously voted as this year’s recipient,” states the organization’s annual report.
As well as embarrassing Heise-Auger, who was shocked by the award, and camera shy when it came to receiving it, Co-Managers Sue Cesco and Heather Aussant Roy used the meeting to provide an overview of what happened with the Friends in 2013 and what’s to come in 2014.
The highlights include celebrating the organization’s 30th anniversary with monthly special events, beginning with Parks Day and carrying on with a skating party, full moon ski, birding workshop and ornament making workshop, to name a few.
In 2013, the Jasper Trail Alliance—a sub-committee of the Friends—also began offering training and certification to allow trail users to do site line clearing and minor trail improvements on their own. Thirty-eight people were certified last year and the alliance expects even more will be certified in 2014.
“One of our other great highlights—not only of 2013, but of our organization in general—is our people: staff, volunteers, members, donors. It’s the people that really do make the Friends a great organization,” said Aussant Roy.
But even with all of those friends, the organization is hoping to see its membership increase this year.
“We think that it’s important to grow our membership because really it’s the heart of the organization,” said Cesco.
“When I first started with the Friends 19 years ago, we had about 180 members, and now we have about 300—that’s 20 years. We know there are a few more friends out there.”
To increase its membership, Friends is running a contest: anyone who is a current member of the Friends as of Parks Day—July 19—will be entered into a draw to win a prize.
The prizes range from a family pass to the Jasper SkyTram to a return-trip for two to Vancouver on VIA Rail.
As well as working to increase membership this year, the organization is also working to revamping its programs. So, instead of the standard Junior Naturalist program that it’s hosted in the past, there will now be a Family Trail Day.
“This time it won’t just be the children who get to attend, but people get to come out as an entire collective,” explained Aussant Roy.
“Once a week we’ll have families come out and learn about different things that happen in the park, learn about sustainability, about rehabilitation and then actually get to make a difference together as a family.”
The Walk in the Past will also be revamped to be more interactive. The plan is to integrate some tunes and treats, as well as more local characters.
“We’re hoping to start that in July,” said Aussant Roy.
Friends of Jasper National Park 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 running programming throughout the year, it also runs the gift shop in the Visitor Information Centre and is responsible for the annual Parks Day celebrations that take place each July.
Nicole Veerman
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