Profile: Glenn Harvey - Cold Lake District

After completing high school in St. Albert, Glenn overlapped his time attending Lethbridge Community College, with a previous commitment in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve – Maritime Command Pacific. Many exciting weekends and summer months were spent as a signalman aboard small training vessels, the McKenzie Class Destroyer Escort HMCS Saskatchewan and the Tribal Class anti-submarine Destroyer HMCS Algonquin. Glenn spent so many hours flying between Alberta and CFB Esquimalt in Hercules aircraft that he started to think that he was in the Air Force rather than the Navy. After attending classes in Renewable Resources Management – Enforcement for a year, he knew his true calling and the relationship with the Navy ended.

The next summer Glenn tried for a Seasonal Park Ranger position but was turned down due his incomplete Diploma (that’s what they told him anyways). However he found a terrific summer job as a Fishing Guide on Great Bear Lake.

Glenn graduated from college January 1980 and started work for Alberta Parks at Moose Lake Provincial Park, April 1980. As a Seasonal Park Ranger he was immediately challenged as there was no supervisory Park Ranger on site. Oh, the things you learn over the telephone! “First you need to hire booth and maintenance staff – all the forms are there somewhere. After you’ve done that order in the fuel, go to town for supplies, make sure that you schedule the staff so that they have the park cleaned and repaired and ready for the May Long Weekend. The booth staff needs to learn how to do the camping permits and deposits and how to direct visitors to park facilities. You’ll need to code and process all the bills for payment and don’t waste time getting them into the mail – the post office key is in a drawer or hanging on a nail with all the other keys that you’ll need. There’s a DPO book in the booth somewhere and a gas voucher book in your truck glove box. If you need tickets they are in the brief case. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks and by the way the fire hazard is extreme so there is a fire ban on and you had better get the fire equipment out and ready. Good luck!”

A week later things were progressing in the administration and maintenance end of things, and Glenn had hired a whole bunch of people from Bonnyville! Oh, and the park was on fire! You learn fast in Albert Parks.

So it went for the next few years: moving between Sir Winston Churchill, Long Lake, Cold Lake and then back to Moose Lake and Garner Lake. During those times full-time year-round work was available for wage staff and there were some challenging projects to get involved in.

In 1986, Glenn married one of the girls that he had hired to work at the booth in 1980. Glenn and his new bride set up house-keeping in all the glory and splendour of the “Permanent Ranger’s Residence” at Moose Lake. After a few days of living there it was not difficult to understand why Parks could not attract a permanent Ranger to this beautiful park. The mice and squirrels had invaded the mobile home years prior and left their mark. The trailer had no insulation left in its walls or floors since the squirrels had taken it all for their nests. In summer the temperature inside regularly passed 100 degrees and at the slightest hint of frost in the fall, the water and sewer lines froze. The squirrels had been kind enough to replace all the fibreglass insulation with dried mushrooms but they obviously didn’t have the correct R-value. The mice wore army boots and their marching back and forth to the kitchen kept Glenn up at night devising cleverer and more efficient killing machines. Despite a huge trap-line they continued to thrive. The bears were at the doors and the red ants attacked the residence in the millions.

In 1987 Glenn was asked to take on Garner Lake and all its PRA’s. The Permanent Ranger’s Residence there was nearly a dream house compared to the Moose Lake trailer. The cozy 742 sq. ft. bungalow had Roxanne sold on the move instantly since it came with a lawn, a vegetable garden and a garage, and the wildlife inside the house was minimal.

Finally, in 1990 through the long awaited competition, Glenn was hired on as a permanent Park Ranger III. Glenn and Roxanne stayed at Garner Lake and raised a family there until 1996 when they moved to a home outside of Parks. At this time the operations of Garner Lake by the Government was suspended and Glenn moved to an office in the Provincial Building in St. Paul.

There was no work in Parks for Glenn, so he worked with Fish & Wildlife for a couple of years until the official reorganization came about and formed the Natural Resource Service. He became a Conservation Officer and stayed in St. Paul and since the subsequent reorganization back to Parks, has stayed on as a CO with the Cold Lake District.

The majority of Glenn’s spare time is spent as a Scout Leader. He has enjoyed leading his Troops on all of the hikes and canoe trips and Jamborees over the past 25 years and plans on carrying on for another 25.

Profile: Scott Blake - Grande Prairie District

Scott graduated from Lethbridge Community College in the spring of 1977 and started with Alberta Parks in a six month seasonal position as a Horticulture Supervisor for three Provincial Parks in Southern Alberta. (Beauvais Lake, Taber and Police Outpost). After making contact with the Park Rangers that summer, he decided to pursue that the avenue with Parks. In the spring of 1978, he was offered a Seasonal Ranger in charge position at Woolford Park for another six month position.

Then in the spring of 1979, he started as the Senior Seasonal Ranger at Kinbrook Island. A very short time there ( 3 weeks) he was offered a bit of an advancement and transferred to Willow Creek Provincial Park as the Seasonal Ranger in charge. It was again a six month position.

During the winter Seasons, Scott took another job as an instrument operator at the Canadian Sugar factory in Taber. But a position in the Parks was still his desire, so he went back to Willow Creek Park in the same capacity in the spring of 1980. During the late summer of 1980, Alberta Parks ran a permanent competition for a very limited number of Park Rangers. Scott was successful in that competition and was offered a permanent position at Taber Park starting in the fall of 1980. He was there for only nine months and then was transferred and promoted to a Park Ranger II position at Wyndhan Carseland Provincial Park. He remained in that capacity until July of 1988 when he was transferred and later promoted to a Park Ranger III position and stationed at Young's Point Provincial Park.

In July of 1990, he was transferred to Saskatoon Island Provincial Park. His family lived at the Park for seven years. After that time they moved into the Town of Wembley for five years before purchasing acreage just west of Saskatoon Park where they remain today. The number of Parks, staff and contracts he has managed has been increasing steadily since 2002 when he took on the position as the Grande Prairie District Team Leader.

Scott was in charge of the Northwest portion of the recruitment committee for eight years starting about 1992. He also served on the joint worksite committee for many years at various times. Scott has always enjoyed his positions as Park Ranger/ Conservation Officer because he likes people and enjoys the freedom of the job and the wide variety of work that it entails. Scott is well known in his community and has volunteered in many capacities including the Saskatoon Ag. Society, Wembley Ag Society, Wembley Minor Hockey, Wembley Baptist Church Youth Group, Canada Winter Games, Camp Wapiti and various senior level hockey organizations.

Scott is very much a family man and enjoys his time with his wife and 3 boys. He enjoys riding quads, sleds and motorcycles. The family also has 4 horses on their acreage that they enjoy. Scott is very thankful that he has always had so many high quality people to work with and have fun with in a rewarding career with Alberta Parks.

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.