Jasper National Park is under new leadership.
Alan Fehr, who filled in as acting superintendent while Greg Fenton was on leave last winter, returned to the helm of the Jasper Field Unit Nov. 2, after Fenton accepted an assignment with Parks Canada’s national office.
Fehr is the former superintendent of the Northern Prairie and Western Arctic field units and comes to Jasper with 17 years of Parks Canada experience, as well as a Master of Science from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta.
Despite his education, Fehr wouldn’t call himself a scientist. In fact, he laughed at the suggestion.
“I’m not much of a scientist. I mean, my background was in that, but it’s been sometime,” he said through laughter.
Fehr started his career with Parks Canada in 1998, accepting a position in the Western Arctic Field Unit, based in Inuvik, NWT.
“I was what they called at the time ... the ecosystem secretariat, so I was managing individuals that did the planning, the ecologists, the cultural resource people and that kind of thing.
“Then the superintendent at the time left, so I acted as the field unit superintendent for maybe about 10 months or so and during that time, I found I enjoyed it and I applied for the job and I was successful.”
Fehr remained in that role for six years, overseeing Aulavik, Ivvavik and Tuktut Nogait national parks, as well as the Pingo Canadian Landmark, before moving to Saskatchewan to become the superintendent of the Northern Prairies Field Unit. The Northern Prairie Field Unit includes Prince Albert and Elk Island national parks.
Fehr stayed in that role for eight years before relocating to Jasper this month.
Since arriving in the office, Nov. 2, Fehr said he’s been trying to catch up on what’s happened since he left.
“I was here until April 2, I think, so [now] I’m able to pick up and see where the various files are and really I’m just trying to get my head above water so I can start working closely with the management team and helping them move [forward on] the various initiatives and projects that are on the go.”
Included in those projects is a strategy to combat the eastward spread of the mountain pine beetle.
In September the provincial government released details of its overwinter mortality survey indicating the mountain pine beetle in Jasper National Park survived last winter relatively unscathed.
Fehr said although he’s aware of the issue and has read the draft plan, he can’t speculate on when it will be signed or made public.
“It’s an important plan for the province, for the townsite [and] for Parks Canada in general—it’s a high priority,” he said. “I think there’s a bit more work that we’ll be doing on it and then we’ll see what kind of process the various partners want to take in releasing it.”
Fehr also wouldn't speculate about when the agency's scientists will be able to speak freely about their research, despite a promise by the newly elected Liberal government to allow federal scientists to speak freely with the media.
“As you know, the government was just sworn in a short time ago, so I think what I’m waiting for is for the minister to provide direction to Parks Canada,” he said, noting that he receives his direction from Parks’ executive management committee.
“Obviously we’re public servants and the direction they provide we’ll implement.”
In the meantime, Fehr said he’s looking forward to working with the new government, as well as the new minister of environment and climate change, and he said he’s grateful for the work of his predecessor.
“I’d like to thank Greg Fenton for his many years of service to Jasper National Park.
“I’d just like to thank him for the years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears that he put into Jasper National Park and I just hope I can keep up the good work that he did.”
Nicole Veerman
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