Tuesday, November 11, 2008

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.”

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