Opal Wildfire Update #12

June 11, 2010

Historians have dubbed my Mom & Dad's generation (1910-1930) the 'greatest generation to have ever lived'.  There are many reasons to believe that this is true.  Their generation possesses a vision for the future and a work ethic that is second to none.  When you put those qualities together with a kind-hearted spirit of giving, an irresistible force is created.

I read a poem somewhere about a sparrow freezing to death on a branch and how it never thought to complain.  My folks were like that.  They worked sometimes with their hands cracked and bleeding and still found the time to help out neighbours and volunteer at church.

Once you are exposed to people like that you are never quite the same.  My parents set the example -- others chipped in along the way, not the least of which were the folks working for Alberta Parks in the 1980s.  

The economy was in the crapper (just like today) and Alberta Park's budget had been cut back.  Hiring of new staff was put on hold.  Someone over in Parks ( I know not who) had the bright idea of asking volunteers to monitor our Natural Areas and protected sites.

The laughter must have been deafening.  The following board meeting could have sounded like a Bob Newhart comedy skit that went like this:

  -- " What!! Now let me get this right.  What you are suggesting is that we ask people to travel out to these sites, trudge around in the bush, get eaten by bugs, collect garbage, try to educate the public about the site ( all with no real authority), fill out reports, raise money to further protect those sites and let me get this right --- you want them to do it for nothing??  to volunteer??"

Well volunteer they did and lots of them.  Vera and I couldn't wait to sign up.  We were so proud -- why not?  We were official Volunteer Stewards for the Alberta Parks Department.  That's the next best thing to being a Park Ranger or working for 'National Geographic' (talk about a couple of bush geeks).

Somewhere in the early days of the Volunteer Stewards Program I was interviewed for an article that appeared in a departmental newsletter.  I was quoted as saying "that the Volunteer Stewards Program was Alberta's greatest asset in educating the public and getting people involved with Alberta's protected areas." I believed that back then and I'm even more committed to the program today (some would say 'too' committed).

I would encourage people to give it a try.  You are going to like the places that you experience and you are  going to find out that every generation is made up of great people. Allow me to introduce you to a few of them.  They are past and present provincial Natural Area stewards from the Rainbow Equitation Society.

Richard

This is a small sample from the over 150 people that have helped in the stewardship of the Opal, Halfmoon Lake and other Natural Areas that we are responsible for.

1.  Group for a 2008 inspection of the Opal Natural Area -- Bill, Cory, Brian, Vera & Jenny  

2. Larger group sitting around enjoying the afternoon

3.  One of our stewards down where the tall grass grows

4.  Blaine & Colleen going over the checklist 

5.  Brian -- past president and pit-bull -- passed away in 2009 -- greatly missed and forever part of the RES.

6.  Clem Harke -- one of the founders of Rainbow Equitation Society shown here on a land inspection for Alberta Lands.  The cabin belonged to a trapper who claimed to be the cribbage champion of the world.  Clem is no longer with us and is also greatly missed.