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| Elders Council Park Builders - back row: Bob Ahrens (for Kerry Joy), Bob Williams, Rich Hankin, Milt Goddard, Ken Farquharson, Lucien Campeau (for Ian Leman), Ric Careless, Ed Mankelow, Paul Skydt (for John MacFarlane), Tom Moore (for Dennis Podmore) and Derek Thompson (for Jake Masselink). front row: David Stirling, Suzanne Rose and Denise Velay (for Charlie Velay), Her Honour, Lietenant Governor Iona Campagnolo, Heather Prittie (for Freeman King), Harold Eidsvik, Ruby Dunstan. |
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- Harold Eidsvik
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Harold Eidsvik and Lieutenant Governor Iona CampagnoloBuilding on the pioneer work of Lloyd Brooks, we are honour Hal for a career focused on the creation and management of national parks in British Columbia, Canada and throughout the world. In particular we want to acknowledge Hal's commitment to establishing Pacific Rim National Park Reserve as part of the initial implementation of the Parks Canada systems plan, which he was instrumental in creating. Pacific Rim signaled the beginning of the modern era of park establishment in British Columbia.
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- Bob Williams & Jake Masselink
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Early in the 70's Bob was the Minister responsible for BC Parks and Jake was the Head of Systems Planning. Building on the pioneering work of Bob Ahrens and Gordon Macnab these two gentlemen had the leadership, vision and strategic ability - plus a healthy respect for each other - to significantly expand the protected area system by establishing parks that included major wilderness. Their cooperation led to a renewal and strengthening of existing parks legislation that culminated in a province wide systematic approach to park protection. When you think of Tatlatui, Kwadatcha, Naikoon and many other provincial parks you can thank Bob and Jake for the millions of acres now protected for wildlife and wilderness that are an inspiration to us all. Mr. Masselink was unable to attend and was represented by Derek Thompson.
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Once parks are legally protected they then need to be managed and maintained. No one did this better than Charlie! With his vision and passion Charlie crystallized what a park could be and should be. Charlie was the leader and the inspiration for those who shaped the system and was instrumental in delivering a professional approach to the operations side of parks. Mr. Velay was represented at the Gathering by his daughters, Suzanne Rose and Denise Velay.
- Milt Goddard, Dennis Podmore, and Ian Leman
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Milt Goddard, Tom Moore, Lucien Campeau and Lieutenant Governor Iona CampagnoloSometimes referred to as 'Charlie's boys' it was Milt, Dennis and Ian who represented the original District Park Managers and put Charlie's vision into place. It was these three who firmly established BC Parks' reputation for the delivery of recreation, visitor services and campground management. Who here hasn't eaten from one of BC Parks' picnic tables or camped in one of their campgrounds? Mr. Podmore was represented by Tom Moore and Mr. Leman by Lucien Campeau.
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Paul Skydt accepting award from Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo on behalf of John MacFarlaneBuilding on the pioneer work of Yorke Edwards, John was an employee of Parks Canada as a field naturalist and a policy planner. John fundamentally believes in the importance of getting the public into nature to experience it first hand. We honour John for clarifying the interpretive planning process, which led to the rapid improvement of interpretive services in national parks throughout Western Canada, including British Columbia. The changes he brought to public messaging still help park visitors who are experiencing the out of doors to better understand what they are seeing and hearing. Mr. MacFarlane was unable to attend and was represented by Paul Skydt.
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Bob Ahrens (for Kerry Joy) and David Stirling receive awards from Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo.
Following directly on the heels of Yorke Edwards, David Stirling and Kerry Joy exemplified the hard work and dedication that dozens of individuals put into interpretation, nature centres and nature trails in BC Parks. This was an era that some would call the 'golden days of interpretation'. BC Parks interpretive staff and naturalists were known Canada-wide for their creative and innovative approach for involving the visitor with nature.
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Heather Prittie accepting award from Colin Campbell and Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo on behalf of Freeman King.They say there has never been anyone working in interpretation in British Columbia who could capture a child's imagination like Freeman 'Skipper' King. His ability to share his love for the beauty and spiritual value of natural environments was legend. Freeman worked for the regional park system in Victoria and there are countless people living in the capital region --- Skippers' Kids --- who were enraptured by Skipper and his ability to tell the story of nature. Accepted on Freeman King's behalf by his grand-daughter, Heather Prittie. Rich Hankin
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Rich Hankin accepting award from Colin Campbell and Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo
One of the special things about Vancouver is the ability to get outside and enjoy nature in relaxing, peaceful, natural settings. Built upon the pioneering vision of Tony Roberts, Greater Vancouver Regional District Parks largely exist because of Rich Hankin's energy and foresight. There has been a systematic growth of and a biological representation within the Lower Mainland's regional parks because of Rich. GVRD Parks is now a model for many other urban park systems throughout North America.
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Ken Farquharson, Ric Careless & Ed Mankelow
Modeled after the pioneering work of John Woodworth, these three individuals represent the strong force of advocacy and the ability to work with government and business to achieve mutual benefits for the public and the environment. It was Ken Farquharson who expressed the need to coordinate outdoor recreation groups province wide to ensure access to Crown land --- which ultimately led to the Outdoor Recreation Council being formed. During this time Ken was also critical in the campaigns to protect the Skagit and Cypress Bowl.
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Ric Careless was one of the first people to organize concerted citizen action campaigns to achieve closure on park related issues --- particularly the Nitinat Triangle, the Spatsizi and the Central Purcells. His work led to the creation of the Sierra Club BC Chapter.
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Ed Mankelow has chaired the Parks, Wilderness and Land Use Committee of the BC Wildlife Federation since 1965. Because of Ed's hard work Strathcona remains a wild park and due to his insistence TWIRPP was launched --- the Tsitika Watershed Integrated Resource Planning Process, this was the first land use plan in the province. Ken, Ric and Ed stood tall 30 years ago, and have continued to remain dedicated throughout their lifetime.
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Ruby is a pioneer and a builder. With her heartfelt concern for the Stein Valley she was one of the key aboriginal people that led the legitimate emergence of park conservation that honoured the existing rights and interests of First Nations. Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux Heritage Park is now legally set aside. It acknowledges the Lytton Band's territory and is managed by one of the first cooperative management agreements that truly recognized aboriginal rights. Ruby and this park stand as symbols for park protection and First Nation partnership.
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| All content © CPAWS-BC Photo credits: Sabine Jessen, Karen Blinkhorn, Bryan Evans, Bob Peart, Peter Dettlings Last updated: December 8, 2006 |
Contact: Elders Council for Park in British Columbia, Suite 410, 698 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3K6 Tel: 604-685-7445 |