Bob Ahrens

b. 1926

Advocates for nature conservation must deftly navigate both physical and political landscapes. Bob's tireless advocacy for Provincial Parks stemmed from a great knowledge of the province and its people, and a desire to help the public enjoy the remarkable nature of BC. With involvement in more successful park proposals than can be listed here, Bob brought a profound integrity to his Ministerial roles, counting as a victory every park established or protected from degradation. He helped found the Ecological Reserves Program of BC, he was an ally to Outdoor Recreation Clubs, a faithful supporter of nature interpretation programs, and one of the original policy-makers working to keep BC Parks as natural as possible and in public control.

Bob in 1989. (Photo courtesy of Bob Ahrens)

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Bob (right) at the summit of Mt Copley near MacMillan Provincial Park, late 1950s. The team was working on a new park proposal for the area.

Bob (right) on general reconnaissance, 1950s.

Affiliations:

• UBC - B.A.Sc. Forest Engineering 1949
• BC Forest Service, Parks Division - Chief of Reconnaissance and Inventory 1951-1958
• BC Ministry of Recreation and Conservation, Provincial Parks Branch - Chief of Planning 1958, Director 1968-1975
• BC Ministry of Recreation and Conservation - Associate Deputy Minister 1975, Acting Deputy Minister 1978, Deputy Minister 1979
• BC Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing - Assistant Deputy Minister 1980-1984

Awards:

• Meritorious Service Award, Federal- Provincial Park Conference 1984

Parks:

• Involved in nearly every park added to the Provincial Park System 1950 - 1975