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.
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