The Friends of Jasper has no intention to slow down in 2016 with the launch of a new volunteer program that will take people to the top of Whistlers Mountain.
Building on its highly successful volunteer program called High Five Trail Days, the organization announced the launch of a new program called Trail Tuesdays, during its annual general meeting, June 8.
The new volunteer program will take volunteers to the top of Whistlers Mountain to realign, redefine and rehabilitate the Whistlers Summit Trail, from the top of the SkyTram to the summit.
鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to be working up high like that,鈥� said Susan Cesco, co-manager of the Friends.
The first outing occurred on June 14 and will continue every Tuesday until August as part of the organization鈥檚 Whistlers Restoration Project. To participate people are encouraged to sign up with the Friends of Jasper who will make sure they get a free tram ride to the top of Whistlers. The organization is also open to people dropping in who may already be at the top of the mountain.
To get the program off the ground, last year the organization announced that it had received a $50,000 grant from Tauck Tours World of Giving Program.
The money will be used to help protect the fragile alpine landscape, enhance opportunities for visitors to learn and experience the park, improve trail infrastructure, and foster public awareness about the benefits of volunteering.
The organization officially launched the program last year during Parks Day and managed to do a bit of work and planning in the fall.
鈥淲e actually got on the ground in the fall and had a few groups of international volunteers that came here and spent several days up at the top of the mountain doing some trail delineation,鈥� said Cesco.聽
Salman Rasheed, Jasper鈥檚 resource conservation manager, commended the group for its hard work over the years, and took time to specifically mention the Whistlers Restoration Project.
鈥淭he alpine environment is probably one of our most interesting and challenged environments and ecosystems in Canada right now,鈥� said Rasheed.
鈥淭he alpine environment is really the canary in the coal mine from an ecosystem perspective and to get people up there wandering around and seeing what鈥檚 going on up there I think is really important.鈥�
In addition to the new program, Rasheed also praised the strong relationship between Parks Canada and the Friends of Jasper.
鈥淭he Friends of Jasper contributes more than two thirds of all stewardship volunteering activities for this park, so that鈥檚 a big deal,鈥� said Rasheed.
鈥淎cross the country I鈥檝e worked in several field units and I know this particular organization is one of the tightest and most collegial relationships that I鈥檝e noticed between a friends organization and a government organization.鈥�
Rasheed had very little to say when asked about the $65.9 million announced in the federal budget for a new biking and walking trail in Jasper National Park.
鈥淭he issue is still in front of parliament and I can share with you that we鈥檙e very close to beginning the information sharing process, but until it鈥�s beyond parliament we鈥檙e unable to share anything more than that,鈥� said Rasheed.
Each year during its annual general meeting, the Friends of Jasper also recognizes a volunteer who goes above and beyond in making a difference in JNP.
This year, Don Pilger鈥揳 member of the board鈥搘as recognized for his tireless efforts to help clear trails with the Jasper Trail Alliance, helping at events such as the Jasper Pride Festival, delivering food to volunteers on Parks Day and greeting guests at the Dark Sky Preserve.聽
鈥淗e helps out at all of our events, you will see him at just about everything that we do鈥� said Heather Aussant Roy, co-manager of the Friends.
鈥淭he amazing thing is that this is on top of all of his other work he does in the community. He鈥檚 an active member of the Lions Club, he helps with the museum and Parks Canada and we can not thank him enough for everything he has done for us.鈥澛�
Financially, the non-profit organization also had a very strong year posting a surplus of more than $22,000, thanks in large part to a 16 per cent surge in sales at its gift shop.
鈥淲e were really busy this year and our financial numbers prove it,鈥� said Cesco.
While the organization relies heavily on its gift shop to fund its activities, its overall contribution to the organization鈥檚 revenue actually decreased in 2015, while annual donations were up.
According to its finances, the organization received more than $49,000 in donations last year, representing 22 per cent of its overall revenue. The gift shop represents two thirds of its overall revenue.
Paul Clarke [email protected]
