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)