FRIENDS OF KANANASKIS COUNTRY COOPERATING ASSOCIATION 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT CO-CHAIR’S REPORT There is no such thing as a “normal” or “quiet” year for the Friends. 2018/19 certainly wasn’t the busiest we’ve had, but it did feature its own challenges and successes. This year, the Board went back to a Co-Chair structure, which had geographical and other advantages, and we think it worked out well. 2018/19 saw some other Board changes, too. Long-serving members Kayla Simpson, Tony Paradis and Jaimie McPhail all resigned from the Board late in the fiscal year. Combined, they had over 15 years of Board service. Individually and collectively, they will be missed, and we thank them for their long and valued participation. We spent significant time improving our Health and Safety policies and procedures again this year. The increased Province-wide focus on Volunteer Safety that started in 2017 led to a solid Occupational Health & Safety framework. We came into this fiscal year with the 2017 “Stop Work” order still in place, but got it lifted in time to start our field season. Once our season started, and all of our Crew Leaders were trained, we had some learnings as we implemented our new framework. We ended the season confident in what we were doing. We then started looking ways of gaining more OH&S consistency amongst the greater K-Country volunteer trail building and maintaining community. This will be a focus for 2019/20. 2018/19 certainly wasn’t the busiest field season we have had, driven by weather, smoke and other factors, but had its successes with us working “independently” on Parks-approved projects but without Parks direct supervision. Based on the needs of the region, we initiated discussions with trail team leaders from K-Country Public Lands, seeking to engage our support to their areas as well. The Board believes this will bear fruit in 2019/20. The Board also advanced a 5 Year Strategic Plan to help guide the organization, which included a revised Mission Statement: ‘Building a community of volunteers and partners to maintain the ecological integrity and recreational use of Kananaskis Country by engaging in trail care, stewardship, education, and research’. The end-of-season volunteer survey provided altogether positive feedback, and inspires us to forge ahead towards our organization’s Vision and Mission. On behalf of the Board, we say “Thank You” to Nancy, our donors, our volunteers, our partners at Alberta Parks and elsewhere. We continue to look forward to what lies ahead. - Derek Ryder & Ed Engstrom, Co-Chairs EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT This was a special year as Kananaskis Country celebrated 40 years of conservation, recreation and discovery. Since being established in 1996, the Friends of Kananaskis Country have been proud to represent and help sustain its magnificent natural wonder. Building a community of volunteers and partners – these words from our mission inspire our efforts to expand partnerships and harness the energy of our growing community of volunteers as we work towards enhancing our appreciation and stewardship of Kananaskis. In 2018/19 we continued to support Alberta Environment & Parks, as well as leading independent trail projects and strengthening regional partnerships. Our ties with other regional trail building associations were fortified by creating an informal Kananaskis Trail Builders Coalition aiming to: maximize resources, improve volunteer health and safety practices, build capacity for annual volunteer crew leader training, and ultimately add value to Kananaskis trails. As you’ll read in the Key Highlights and the Accomplishments sections below, we made strides to strengthen our operations, programs and community engagement. Our Trail Stewardship program continues to be a primary focus, delivering a safe, fun and meaningful way for people to give back to the Kananaskis Country trails they love. We were pleased to host 40 volunteer events that engaged 226 volunteers who contributed 1,426 hours to help build and maintain Kananaskis trails. To our members, volunteers and supporters, we are grateful to have your support and ongoing stewardship to ensure present and future generations have the opportunity to experience Kananaskis Country’s incredible natural heritage and exceptional recreational opportunities. - Nancy Ouimet, Executive Director
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FRIENDS OF KANANASKIS COUNTRY 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT
FRIENDS OF KANANASKIS COUNTRY COOPERATING ASSOCIATION 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT
CO-CHAIR’S REPORT
There is no such thing as a “normal” or “quiet” year for the Friends.
2018/19 certainly wasn’t the busiest we’ve had, but it did feature its
own challenges and successes.
This year, the Board went back to a Co-Chair structure, which had
geographical and other advantages, and we think it worked out well.
2018/19 saw some other Board changes, too. Long-serving members
Kayla Simpson, Tony Paradis and Jaimie McPhail all resigned from
the Board late in the fiscal year. Combined, they had over 15 years
of Board service. Individually and collectively, they will be missed,
and we thank them for their long and valued participation.
We spent significant time improving our Health and Safety policies
and procedures again this year. The increased Province-wide focus
on Volunteer Safety that started in 2017 led to a solid Occupational
Health & Safety framework. We came into this fiscal year with the
2017 “Stop Work” order still in place, but got it lifted in time to start
our field season. Once our season started, and all of our Crew
Leaders were trained, we had some learnings as we implemented
our new framework. We ended the season confident in what we
were doing. We then started looking ways of gaining more OH&S
consistency amongst the greater K-Country volunteer trail building
and maintaining community. This will be a focus for 2019/20.
2018/19 certainly wasn’t the busiest field season we have had,
driven by weather, smoke and other factors, but had its successes
with us working “independently” on Parks-approved projects but
without Parks direct supervision. Based on the needs of the region,
we initiated discussions with trail team leaders from K-Country
Public Lands, seeking to engage our support to their areas as well.
The Board believes this will bear fruit in 2019/20.
The Board also advanced a 5 Year Strategic Plan to help guide the
organization, which included a revised Mission Statement: ‘Building
a community of volunteers and partners to maintain the ecological
integrity and recreational use of Kananaskis Country by engaging in
trail care, stewardship, education, and research’. The end-of-season
volunteer survey provided altogether positive feedback, and inspires
us to forge ahead towards our organization’s Vision and Mission.
On behalf of the Board, we say “Thank You” to Nancy, our donors,
our volunteers, our partners at Alberta Parks and elsewhere. We
continue to look forward to what lies ahead.
- Derek Ryder & Ed Engstrom, Co-Chairs
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
This was a special year as Kananaskis Country
celebrated 40 years of conservation, recreation
and discovery. Since being established in 1996,
the Friends of Kananaskis Country have been
proud to represent and help sustain its
magnificent natural wonder.
Building a community of volunteers and partners –
these words from our mission inspire our efforts
to expand partnerships and harness the energy of
our growing community of volunteers as we work
towards enhancing our appreciation and
stewardship of Kananaskis.
In 2018/19 we continued to support Alberta
Environment & Parks, as well as leading
independent trail projects and strengthening
regional partnerships. Our ties with other regional
trail building associations were fortified by
creating an informal Kananaskis Trail Builders
Coalition aiming to: maximize resources, improve
volunteer health and safety practices, build
capacity for annual volunteer crew leader training,
and ultimately add value to Kananaskis trails.
As you’ll read in the Key Highlights and the
Accomplishments sections below, we made strides
to strengthen our operations, programs and
community engagement. Our Trail Stewardship
program continues to be a primary focus,
delivering a safe, fun and meaningful way for
people to give back to the Kananaskis Country
trails they love. We were pleased to host 40
volunteer events that engaged 226 volunteers
who contributed 1,426 hours to help build and
maintain Kananaskis trails.
To our members, volunteers and supporters, we
are grateful to have your support and ongoing
stewardship to ensure present and future
generations have the opportunity to experience
Kananaskis Country’s incredible natural heritage
and exceptional recreational opportunities.
- Nancy Ouimet, Executive Director
FRIENDS OF KANANASKIS COUNTRY 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT
2018-2019 KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Trail Love – Give Back campaign raised $11,010;
Kananaskis Speaker & Discover Series offered 6 dynamic speakers and