Prune your trees, protect bears
The dry summer in Jasper National Park has resulted in a poor berry crop for hungry bears in the lower valley bottoms around the town of Jasper. Fruit-laden trees within the townsite are an attractant that bears cannot resist.
A small black bear has already been seen entering the town in search of fruit. For the sake of bears in the area, Parks Canada asks residents to please pick your fruit trees and remove fallen fruit.
Parks Canada's Youth Ambassadors visit Jasper National Park
Arguably one of the coolest summer jobs around is the Parks Canada Youth Ambassador position.
Every year, two students are challenged to inspire young Canadians to get out and explore our national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas. Visiting and experiencing these special places provides them with firsthand experiences that they can share with their peers.
This year the Parks Canada Youth Ambassadors, Justin Fisch and Minh-Tâm Thompson, are visiting national parks and historic sites from coast to coast and meeting with groups of young Canadians.
After a recent visit to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island, Justin and Minh started working their way east.
Recently they had the opportunity to visit Jasper National Park and have some incredible experiences. During their four-day visit, the ambassadors fit in as much adventure as possible!
Guided by Fern Yip of the Palisades Stewardship Education Centre, the Youth Ambassadors mountain biked the trails near Lake Edith, and were enthralled by the crystal blue waters and breathtaking mountain views.
From pedals to paddles, the Ambassadors took to the water and tried their hand (and balance) at stand up paddleboarding with Translucid Adventures on Lake Edith.
Later in their visit, Justin and Minh explored the Cavell Meadows Trail with Shelley Bird, a caribou conservation program officer with Parks Canada, learning about the agency’s caribou conservation program, while attempting to catch a glimpse of the elusive Woodland Caribou.
Between hikes and townsite visits, the Ambassadors took a dip in the Miette Hot Springs, warming their souls from the previous day’s frigid winds atop the ridges of Mount Edith Cavell.
As Justin and Minh continued their journey east, they visited Elk Island, Grasslands, and Riding Mountain national parks, and hosted a game of bubble soccer at The Forks National Historic Site in Winnipeg.
Throughout their trip they highlighted unique experiences for young Canadians in natural and cultural settings, including our country’s vast river and railway networks.
Have ideas for the Youth Ambassadors? Get in touch on Facebook in English at facebook.com/OMGParksCan, in French at facebook.com/ParcsCanOMG, and on Twitter in English
@OMGParksCan and French @ParksCanOMG.
Justin Fisch and Minh-TAm Thompson
Parks Canada Youth Ambassadors 2015
Special to the Fitzhugh
