Profile: Ray Gibson - Peace River District

Ray grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan. After graduating from High School Ray spent a year working on a sheep farm. After a year of shovelling sheep manure Ray decided that a career in agriculture was not for him. Ray attended Lethbridge Community College and graduated in 1973 with a Diploma in Conservation Enforcement.

In May of 1973 Ray started work as a Park Officer Trainee at Cypress Hills. After Cypress Ray went on to Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park. Ray moved in February, when he departed Cypress Hills a Chinook was blowing and the temperature was + 15, when Ray arrived at Sir Winston Churchill the temperature was - 45, as Ray looked out through the ice fog covering the lake he started to wonder where he had moved to.

After about a year at Sir Winston Churchill Ray moved further north to Gregoire Lake. When Ray arrived at Gregoire Lake there were no phone lines, there was a mobile phone that was set up in the staff house. A large horn was on the outside of the house went off when an incoming call occurred. If you were in the office you had to run to the house when the horn announced an incoming call. During the summer month when the nearby firetowers were manned you could call them and get them to contact their radio room in Ft. McMurray. This was how emergency services were called to assist with emergencies in the campground.

After Gregoire Lake Ray moved to Long Lake where his two Children Lance and Helena were born. Many a summer evening was spent canoeing and/or fishing with his children. After Long Lake Ray moved to Whitney Lakes where he first became exposed with contracts. The Ross Lake Campground was one of the first campgrounds to have a private operator.

Ray then took a minor career change and became the Resource Coordinator for the Cold Lake District (at that time area offices were called district offices). When the Cold Lake District Office closed Ray moved to Red Deer. By this time Ray had realized that being in the office was not for him. Reorganization gave Ray a chance to get back into the field where he spent two years in the Red Deer District being involved with Aspen Beach, Sylvan Lake, Red Lodge and associated Provincial Recreation Area.

Ray then moved to Peace River to become the District Team Leader for the Peace River District. Ray arrived just in time for the Lac Cardinal Rodeo which was an eye-opener. Ray jumped into the management and operation of the Wildland Parks - the canoe patrol of the Chinchaga Wildland and the snowmobile patrols in Caribou Mountains Wildland and the Peace River Wildlands are an enjoyable addition to Ray’s duties.

Ray was actively involved in the Hay-Zama twinning ceremony with the Dali Lake Nature Reserve in Mongolia China and the addition of a Conservation Officer and the opening of an office in High Level.

Ray is very proud of his years of service with Alberta Provincial Parks and his contributions to their enjoyment by Albertans and their guests, and his contributions to preserving Alberta’s natural environments.

Profile: Grant Kihn - Hinton District

Grant was born and raised on a mixed farm in central Saskatchewan and loved working with horses and cattle, but saw there was little future in it. After working a couple summers at other ranches, Grant went to college in Vermilion at what was then Vermilion Agricultural and Vocational College (VAVC). During college Grant got a summer job with the Horticulture Crew based in Edmonton and traveled to several parks throughout the Province planting trees. In the summer of 1975 after graduation, Grant worked as a Park Ranger Trainee in Jarvis Lake Prov. Park under the direction of Bob Mickelson and in the fall was placed on the eligibility list for permanent placement as a Park Ranger I-II. During the winter of 1975/76 Grant worked at Crimson Lake Prov. Park on a Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) for $4.00/hr cutting firewood for several parks in the West Central Region.

In the spring of 1976 Grant was given his first permanent posting in Crimson Lake Provincial Park under the guidance of Wayne Pedrini. In February of 1978 Grant was reluctantly transferred to Aspen Beach Provincial Park and learned the art of dealing with the depreciative human behaviour without the luxury of self defense training or related equipment. His supervisor, Erv Allen was a master at dealing with the public and Grant has many stories to tell of his two years there. As he would say “Aspen Beach is a good park to come from”.

In February of 1980 Grant and his new bride Carol, moved north as a Park Ranger II at his request, to Winagami Lake Prov. Park. There Grant got his first taste of operating his own park and became very involved with the local community. The mid 80’s were trying years for the Parks Division, between contracting out, privatization and downsizing there was much strain on the department, staff and their families. In the fall of 1987 political decisions were made to seasonalize several of the smaller parks in the province, one of which was Winagami Lake, so Grant with his now very young family were moved to Carson – Pegasus Prov. Park. During this relatively brief period Grant oversaw the Thunder Lake park operation (a satellite park of Carson-Pegasus) and in 1988 filled in as the acting Park Ranger III for the Young’s Point satellite park group. In spring of 1989 the decisions to seasonalize parks had been reversed and Grant was given the chance to return to Winagami, an opportunity that he jumped at. Although Grant and his family loved Winagami Park and the High Prairie area, the management practice of the day was to move Ranger staff every few years, and after about 8 years in the area, the writing was on the wall.

In the spring of 1990, with an attempt to hone his interview skills, Grant applied on a group of Park Ranger IV positions throughout the province. Grant was surprised to be offered the position in charge of the Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park and satellite operation and in August the family moved to Slave Lake. Grant greatly enjoyed the larger land base park and opportunities to work with oil and gas facility development and extraction activities and in particular problem bears. In 1998 came rumors of a merger of Parks and Fish and Wildlife and as part of this process the new title of Conservation Officer was born. Another less tasteful part of the process was for those in charge of their various responsibilities to compete and vie for the in charge status, and in November of 1998 Grant learned that he was unsuccessful in his bid. Once the initial shock wore off the following couple of years became a revelation to Grant of what he had really got into Parks for; field work, and that he never wanted to go back behind a desk again. Late in 2001 management decided that the amalgamation of Parks and Fish & Wildlife wasn’t working and the divisions were again split apart, and Grant was reluctantly cajoled into running the Lesser Slave Lake Park operation again. He had his taste of resource work again and he did not want to go back to a world of staff and contract supervision, phones, meetings, complaints and politics.

In 2002 Grant saw a light at the end of the tunnel; a Conservation Officer II position in the Hinton District. Not only did this posting promise resource field work with plenty of mountainous backcountry, but they were looking for someone who could set up and oversee an equestrian patrol program for their backcountry, mainly in Willmore Wilderness Park. When Grant was advised of his successful application for this job he was ecstatic. After 28 years in Alberta Parks he finally had his dream job, and moved in April of 2003. This did not come without some family sacrifices however. Grant’s family stayed back in Slave Lake until September to allow his daughter to complete her schooling in familiar surroundings. Grant remains currently in charge of the backcountry and equestrian program areas in the Hinton District and is also the West Central Area’s Firearms Committee Representative and Instructor. Grant has assisted in putting on several basic equitation courses and parks horse packing clinics.

Grant has been a firearms instructor since 1991, and was instrumental in getting a review of parks policies and procedures with respect to firearms and problem bear management after the tragic fatal mauling of a teenage boy in Marten River Campground in Lesser Slave Lake Prov. Park in 1991. Grant also pioneered some of the standard conditions of industrial activities in provincial parks (which are much more stringent than that of our Land Use counterparts). Grant has fulfilled his role in Hinton by getting an equestrian patrol program established and running smoothly including the acquisition of horses, tack, trailers and other equipment.

Grant is eligible to retire with 35 years of service in 2010. I guess we will have to see if he is having too much fun to call it quits or hang around a while longer.

Profile: Monica Kirtley-Wark - Grande Prairie District

Monica attended Lakeland College Fish & Wildlife program in 1990 and was fortunate enough to experience the STEP program with Red Deer Fish & Wildlife in 1992. That got her hooked, so in '93, off she went to Lethbridge Community College to enrolling the Conservation Enforcement program. Fish & Wildlife wasn’t hiring officers and although the technician work was interesting, Monica’s other half was now way up North. A quick look at the map, getting her name on the parks seasonal hiring list and a phone call later, she was introduced to Moonshine and Dunvegan Provincial Parks.

Monica was posted at Historic Dunvegan for the summers and then back to Moonshine for the winters. Extensions and projects kept her busy. Pretty soon she was supervising other seasonals at both parks. Historic Sites lost their full time programmer for Dunvegan so, for 6 years she even ran the interpretive program at Dunvegan, dawning a periodic costume for a school program was not out of the ordinary. Interpretive, maintenance, booth staff and seasonal rangers kept her hopping. But, in the government world, nothing stays the same. Booth staff positions were eliminated, the maintenance program shuffled, along came Special Places and the newly dedicated sites. A management shuffle and Dunvegan fell under Peace River. The long-Term-Wage factor kicked in. Park residences were removed. Ministerials were combined and Monica was happy. She felt like she had a tiger by the tail, the best of both worlds. During the amalgamation she was positioned out of the Fairview district and loved her job! There was never a dull day, always something new. Then another election, cabinet shuffle, and ministerial divorce. Back to parks and back across the river to Spirit River. A leg injury and family responsibilities kept Monica on the down low for a few years, but she is back now. Some may call it back to the same old, same old. Not so, her job is ever evolving that no two seasons are ever the same, it keeps things new. The opportunities offered in the Grande Prairie District are incredible and she hopes she can take advantage of all of them.

Monica is a horse person and has used them with the Parks Mounted Patrol Program. Prior to parenthood, she enjoyed a variety of outdoor sports including skiing, hunting, hockey, curling, horseback riding, biking, golf, etc. Volunteering on the local search and rescue team was one of her favorite groups. One day she'll be able to do those things again but for now Monica is happy just teaching her kids and being their cheer leader. Her and her family enjoy camping trips together, and she takes advantage of every opportunity to foster a love of nature in her family.

Monica enjoys new challenges and learning and looks forward to discovering what the next 15 years will hold for her.

Profile: Myles Jensen - Rocky Mountain House District

Myles started his journey with Provincial Parks at Park Lake Provincial Park in the summer of 1971 as a summer labourer doing the variety of maintenance functions in a park. This must have done something to inspire him as he enrolled at Lethbridge Community College in Renewable Resource Management, the next year he returned to Park Lake as what was titled a Beach Patrol Officer.

The summer of 1973 Myles was brought back to Park Lake as a park Officer Trainee and worked Park Lake for the summer and fall and then moved over to Taber Provincial Park for the winter.

In May of 1974 Myles was given his first permanent position at Cross Lake Provincial Park. As well as a permanent position Myles met his wife Carmen and they were married in 1975. While on their Honeymoon Myles was transferred to Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park after five years here he was transferred to Wabamun Lake Provincial Park for a short 8 month period.

In 1980 Myles was promoted to a Park Ranger III in charge of Winagami Lake and Hilliards Bay Provincial Parks.
After three years here Myles was promoted to a Park Ranger IV position at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park.

Ten years here and then the Mountains called and Myles and family moved to Rocky Mountain House in 1990.

Over the time in Rocky the job changed a few times and Myles was a Park Ranger IV, a district Resource Conservation Officer and is currently the District Conservation Officer.

Over the years Myles was responsible for the seasonal hiring program for about twenty five years and is extensively involved in search and rescue both as a trainer for the department and as a volunteer in civilian search and rescue.

He is a past President of the Officers association and has remained involved with this organization. This organization recently honoured Myles with the ANROA Unsung Hero Award. Over the years Myles has been involved with a variety of community clubs and a leader in the Junior Forest Warden Youth Program.

Off the job Myles enjoys a variety of woodworking activities outdoor pursuits of hunting, fishing and camping.

Myles is married and has three children one of which has also joined the Conservation Officer series.

Profile: Logan VanImschoot - Red Deer District

Logan grew up around the Provincial Park system. He spent most of his time fishing, hunting, hiking, skiing, canoeing, dirtbiking and enjoying the outdoors of the Hinton area. It was this history and the love for parks that led Logan to become a Conservation Officer.

Logan graduated from Lethbridge College with a Bachelor of Applied Conservation Enforcement Degree in 2004. After his first year in College, Logan worked in the Edson District with the Alberta Conservation Association as a Fisheries Technician. Logan started with Parks as a Seasonal Conservation Officer in 2003; he spent his first two summers in the Spirit River District, then transferred to Rocky Mountain House District in 2005. Throughout these years he also took advantage of other wage positions such as; a Maintenance Service Worker with Parks and as a Seasonal Fish and Wildlife Officer with Sustainable Resource Development.

In June 2007, Logan was hired on permanently at Pigeon Lake and Buck Lake Area in the Red Deer District.
In October 2008, Logan and his wife moved to an acreage west of Sylvan Lake when Logan transferred to the south portion of Red Deer District. Working out of Aspen Beach Provincial Park, Logan patrolled and worked in Provincial Parks such as; Aspen Beach, Jarvis Bay, Sylvan Lake and Red Lodge. Logan also enjoys being an Instructor with the Parks Division Water Safety Committee.

Logan gained a lot of experience in his role as a Conservation Officer II; which led him to accepting his current position in May 2011, as the Red Deer District Team Leader.

Logan a proud father of twin girls continues to love his career as a Conservation Officer and the associated lifestyle. He is always looking forward to his next shift, and the surprises that come his way while on patrol in the Red Deer District.

Profile: Steve Cooney - Cold Lake District

Steve was raised as an Air Force “brat” and born in Grostenquin, France. He had to move around a fair bit as a kid due to my father’s career spending 2 years in France, 7 years in Quebec, 2 years in Alberta and 8 years in Nova Scotia.

He attended Lakeland College in Vermilion in 1978 and graduated in 1980 with a Diploma in General Renewable Resource Technologies. Steve spent his first summer with Alberta Parks in Gregoire Lake PP working on the capital construction crew in 1980. He then returned to Lakeland College in the winter of 1981 and completed his diploma in Fish & Wildlife Technologies. In the summer of 1981 Steve returned to Gregoire Lake Provincial Park as a Seasonal Ranger.

He started working at Whitney Lakes Provincial Park in December of 1981 with Rick Johnson being his immediate supervisor. Unfortunately, due to a serious knee injury that required surgery and a summer of physio-therapy he was let go at Whitney in June of 1982. He changed careers slightly and worked as a Fish Technician Assistant in St. Paul during the fall/winter of 1982/83.

Steve then returned to Parks in March 1983 and was posted at Cold Lake where he became the Senior Seasonal Ranger . He worked in this 11 month ‘super wage’ position until winter of 1987 when he became Ranger-In-Charge of operations at Moose Lake Provincial Park (still on wages). Finally in 1990 he became the Ranger III in charge of the Cold Lake operations in a permanent/salaried position. Since the separation with NRS, Steve has been working with Kerry Hope out of the Cold Lake District.

Steve has become very involved in community sports, which includes volunteering as a baseball coach for 12 consecutive years and co-ordinator of the local Jack Rabbit cross-country ski program for kids for a 5 year stretch. Steve has also helped out several of the Parks training crews such as the Control Tactics core, Water Safety Core and has been involved in seasonal hiring.

Profile: Kerry Hope - Cold Lake District

Kerry’s Parks career started in the summer of 1979 at Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park. Kerry worked a summer and fall at Notekiwin Park, north of Manning and was then fortunate to get on temp-salary for a year and then permanent in 1981. A posting to Wabamun Lake happened in the Spring of 81 where he stayed for 2 years. In 1983 Kerry was moved a little west to William A. Switzer, where he stayed approximately 7 years. In 1990, Kerry was relocated to Whitney Lakes where he stayed until 1999 when the NRS amalgamation happened. Since then Kerry has worked out of the Cold Lake Office. Some of the Parks in Kerry’s control includes Cold Lake, Moose Lake, English Bay and Whitney Lakes

Family is a very important part of Kerry’s life. His recreational time is usually shared with his wife or other people in his family. He is a regular cross country skier, hunter, hiker and canoe paddler. He has always had an interest in how people respond to challenges and enjoys reading or watching accounts of expeditions and outdoor adventure through history.

His Parks career, and even to an extent, his personal development has been influenced by some very good Park People who he came to respect and emulate. A passion for protected areas and a sense of connection to the people of Parks continues despite the ups, downs and changes to organizations. He was at the first meeting of the Alberta Park Rangers Association in the early 80s and has been a member in various capacities ever since. Kerry was and still is a part of the establishment of our new association, ANROA and served the membership as president for the first two-year term.

Kerry plays a large part in training our officers in Control Tactics and has become one of the well versed instructor core.

Kerry's Quote: “The many hats that Park Rangers and Conservation Officers have worn over the years and continue to wear, as well as the training that has been provided in so many disciplines has been exceptional. Being able to do the right thing for people, to be able to protect wild places and to pursue over-lapping personal interests reminds me how fortunate I am to be part of it all.”

Profile: Doug Pilkington - Red Deer District (Retired)

In 1963, Doug worked for Imperial Oil as a Process Operator in Norman Wells, Northwest Territories. After 6 years of freezing cold temperatures and hords of bugs a new career was in the works and the direction was back down to the Prairies. Doug started his main career with Provincial Parks in 1969 at Entrance Park (now W.A. Switzer). The next spring he moved to Thunder Lake to cover off for a Ranger that had fallen ill.

Doug's next move came as a shock. A cement worker from the Bon Aventure shop came to repair the foundation on some gas pump and ended up informing Doug he was moving. A few days later Doug was off to Taber Provincial Park. Doug was stationed there for 3 years but spent two of these three years repairing the park as it was lost to yearly flooding. Due to the flooding and another illness, Doug spent part of a year at Writing-On-Stone. Even though Doug enjoyed shovelling mud and living in a hotel, it was time to move on and join the RCMP.

Several years later due to a shoulder injury, he was unable to continue with the RCMP. In 1976, thanks to their loss and Parks gain, Doug returned to Parks and was placed at Jarvis Bay/Sylvan Lake, just about the same time the Beach at Sylvan Lake was made into a Provincial Park for the second time. Doug remained there for 14 years as the Ranger-in-charge. In 1990, Doug was given the District Ranger position for the David Thompson District. Three years later, in 1993, he was moved over to Pigeon Lake as the Park Ranger IV. Doug remained at Pigeon and area through all the Ministry changes, till his retirement in May of this year (2008).

Doug was instrumental in the success of the Alberta Parks Water Safety Program and has become widely known throughout Alberta and several other Provinces. During his career, Doug also filled his boots as a Firearms Instructor, as a co-chair for the NRS Provincial Volunteer Committee, seasonal hiring co-ordinator and largely involved in the success of Peaceful Valley Provincial Recreation Area.

Some of Doug's noted achievements include the: Federal/Provincial Award, Community Service Award, Lifetime Volunteer Award, Duncan and Craig Award, Unsung Hero Award (ANROA) in 2007 and the National Parks Merit Award among others.

Profile: Wayne Edwards - Camrose District (Retired)

Wayne started his career with Provincial Parks in January of 1962. His first job was a winter works project clearing brush along a roadway that was to be widened at Entrance Prov. Park (now William A Switzer). Wayne then went to work at Aspen Beach on July 1st 1962 as labour foreman for the summer. In the fall of 62 he was asked to move to Edmonton and drive the Parks semi-truck to deliver supplies to all the Parks in Alberta. He drove truck and worked out of the Bonaventure shop until 1965. In the fall of 65 Wayne attended an interview for a Park Warden position, was successful and was transferred to Kinbrook Island.

In 1969 he was transferred to Aspen Beach. While at Aspen Beach, Art Forsen and Wayne were the first Park Wardens in Alberta to be appointed as Peace Officers. At that time we had to go before a Provincial Judge to take the Oath of Office.

In 1972 Wayne was transferred to Bragg Creek as officer in charge and was at Bragg Creek until 1975. He then accepted a move to Fish Creek in Calgary. Here he was put in charge of Security and Enforcement for Fish Creek. Wayne supervised all of the seasonal Rangers and helped implement a very good relationship with the Calgary City Police. He took several courses with the City Police and was certified as a Radar operator. Wayne worked hard to gain the acceptance and trust of the City Police, and as a result Wayne was assigned a regimental number and a call sign for use of Calgary City Police radios. (In subsequent years most all the Rangers at Fish Creek were assigned call signs and radios.) As a result the park was the first outside agency to be allowed access to CPIC directly from our radios. (It should be noted that a number of Seasonal Rangers who worked and trained under Wayne’s supervision went on to careers in the R.C.M.P. and Calgary City Police. The City Police once commented about the excellent enforcement training that staff received at Fish Creek.)

In 1987, Wayne put his name into the Calgary City Police as a Police Security volunteer for the 1988 Winter Olympics. He was accepted and after training, he was given a supervisors posting at the Athletes Village, which was at the University of Calgary. This was where all the Athletes from around the world were screened and admitted to the village. What a great experience.
The last couple of years that Wayne was at Fish Creek, he was in the District Ranger Position. He spent a total of 15 years at Fish Creek.

In 1990 Wayne was transferred to Dillberry Lake as Ranger–In-Charge. While at Dillberry, Wayne sat on a joint Saskatchewan/ Alberta committee that oversaw the development of the Manitou Lake Sandhills management plan. A portion of the Manitou Sandhills was adjacent to Dillberry Lake. He only spent two years at Dillbery and was then transferred to Miquelon Lake/ Blackfoot. At this posting, Wayne had the unique experience of working at two Parks. Six months (summer) at Miquelon and six months (winter) at the Blackfoot Recreation Area.
When Parks and Fish and Wildlife amalgamated in 1999, Wayne took a transfer to Vegreville where he worked between Vegreville and the Blackfoot Recreation Area until his retirement in August of 2003. Wayne still volunteers at the Birkebiener ski festival at Blackfoot and assists with the Department’s boat course at Pigeon Lake.

Over the years the title of today’s C.O’s. changed from Park Caretakers to Park Officers to Park Rangers to what is known today as Conservation Officers.

Wayne had a total of Forty-one years and eight months of service with the Alberta Government.

Profile: Edwin Whitelock – Blackfoot/Cooking Lake (Retired)

Ed started his career in Parks in May, 1970 as a Seasonal Park Officer at Aspen Beach Provincial Park. Prior to Ed’s start with Parks he was working in Bentley as a Feed Mill Manager, Grain Buyer and a Heavy Duty mechanic for the Railway. By a Ministerial order Ed was kept on as a Park Officer where is first boss was long time co-worker and mentor Wayne Edwards.

In September of that first year Ed was transferred to Winagami as the second officer there. By the fall of 1971 Ed was on the move again to Big Knife a park situated near Forestburg, Alberta.

In the spring of 1973, Ed moved slightly north to Vermilion Provincial Park where he stayed until the spring of ’75 when the new classification series of Park Ranger came out. Ed started as the Park Ranger II at Garner Lake but was soon moved up to a Ranger III position. Three years later, in 1978, Ed moved over to Camrose as the Ranger in Charge.

Ed figured he needed to see the northern sites of the Province so transferred to Moonshine Lake as the Ranger in Charge. Ed’s area went from Rycroft, west to Moonshine Lake and all the way to the NWT Border. Parks he looked after included Notikewin, Dunvegan and later included small road side campgrounds such as Twin Lakes and Fort Vermilion. Needless to say Ed got a lot of traveling under his belt.
After 8 year of the North Country Ed decided to travel back to the area in which he started. In August 1990, Ed headed to Blackfoot where he has stayed. Ed had a small stint at Camrose from 1998-2001 during the SRD/Parks amalgamation but remained in charge of the Blackfoot area.

Ed will be leaving the department in June of 2008 with a wealth of knowledge that will be surly missed.

While in service some of Ed’s duties and affiliations included Land Management when in Camrose, Wildlife/Human conflict Management committee, East central Enforcement & Field Support Team, Planning and Resource Protection Team and the one that Ed really left his mark with is the Firearms Committee/Instructor and Gun Smith.

Ed’s Hobbies and retirement plans will include continuing with his small firearm repairs, instructing numerous courses for the Canadian Safety Counsel.

Profile: John-Anders (Andy ) McCracken – Edson/Carson District (Retired)

Andy started his career in Parks in 1972 in Dinosaur Provincial Park as a Maintenance Service Worker for the summer. Andy’s cool job was in charge of irrigation.

Andy completed his Renewable Resources Environmental science’s diploma from Lethbridge community college in 1973 and launched his officer career as a Park Ranger I in Cypress Hills Provincial Park. In the three years that Andy was in Cypress he was in charge of the campground operations in Elk water, and the East of highway 48 sites.

Andy was promoted to Park Ranger II in December 1975 and was in charge of all operations within Cross Lake Provincial Park till December 1979.

In December 1979 Andy was transferred to Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park where he was responsible for the management and operation of resource management, security, permit booth and maintenance functions.

Andy was promoted to Park Ranger III in charge of the operations of Young’s Point, Williamson, Saskatoon Island, Obrien and Homey Provincial Parks and the Provincial Parks Mounted Patrol/Parade Programs operations for 4 years from 1980 to 1984.

In December 1987 Andy was transferred to William A. Switzer Provincial Park as officer in charge. The winter magic program Andy started with the town is still running today.

Andy was promoted to Park Ranger IV in July 1990 and was in charge of all operations at Provincial Parks including Wabamun Lake, Hasse Lake, Pembina River, Thunder Lake, Calling Lake, Strathcona Science Park and nine recreation areas.

Andy was among the first in Alberta to be designated as a Conservation Officer. As a C.O. III Andy moved to the Edson area and was responsible for Resource Management Programs in the Area.

From May 2001 to Present Andy has been the District Team Leader C.O. III of the Edson /Carson District which includes Carson Pegasus and Sundance Provincial Park, Brazeau Canyon Wildland Park, Whitehorse Wildland Park and 16 recreation areas
and 2 natural Areas.

Andy is a current Health and Safety auditor and is a past instructor in the area of firearms, first aid, C.P.R. and Federal/Provincial Park Operations. Andy is also proud to be a past president of the Officers Association.

After 35 years of officer service Andy is proud to retire in 2008 and pass the reins of operation of the awesome Edson/Carson District to Conservation Officer Tom Sutherland. This will allow Andy to pursue his many interests and hobbies

Profile: Peter Crawford - Grande Prairie District

Peter Crawford joined the Canadian Armed Forces at age 18 and served as a marine engineer mechanic aboard HMCS Annapolis for three years. He was temporarily deployed to HMCS Nipigon in 1985 and served with the N.A.T.O alliance as part of the Standing Naval Force Atlantic.

After leaving the military Peter enrolled in the Renewable Resources Technology program at Selkirk College in Castlegar, British Columbia and received a diploma in Wildland Recreation in 1993.

For the next couple of years Peter worked as a forestry technician and as a wildlife technician throughout southern British Columbia and on Vancouver Island.

In 1995 Peter moved to Terrace, BC and worked seasonally as an Auxiliary Park Ranger for the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks in the Skeena District where he patrolled several coastal and backcountry areas of north western British Columbia such as the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, the Kitlope Heritage Conservancy and Nisgaa Memorial Lava Beds Provincial Park.

Peter studied natural resources management at the University of Northern BC in Prince George and attained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management in 2002.

Peter then worked as an Auxiliary Park Ranger for the British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land, and Air Protection in the Omineca Region of northern BC where he patrolled several front country and backcountry protected areas such as Sugarbowl-Grizzly Den Provincial Park and Kakwa Provincial Park.

Peter was hired by Alberta Community Development in May of 2004 as a temporary salaried employee and worked as a Conservation Officer 1 in the East Central Area patrolling protected areas such as Miquelon Lake Provincial Park and Cooking Lake – Blackfoot Grazing, Wildlife and Provincial Recreation Area.

Peter moved to the North West Area in May of 2005 and is presently working as a Conservation Officer 2 in the Grande Prairie District patrolling areas such as Saskatoon Island Provincial Park, Young’s Point Provincial Park and Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park.

Peter and his family currently live in the Grande Prairie area and have become quite accustomed to the northern living. Peter has become involved in the Seasonal Hiring committee and has just been accepted as the Northwest Rep as the Problem Wildlife Specialist (congrats Pete)