It’s been a busy year for Parks Canada volunteers in Jasper National Park. We want to thank the 49 individuals who volunteered to join the Jasper National Park Steward Program last year and another 183 people who took part in 12 different group projects including shoreline cleanups, bat counts and cultural resource stewardship work.
For example, one program saw more than 50 locals and visitors hike more than 2,000 kms to assist in volunteer efforts.

 During the winter months, volunteers joined Parks Canada in Edmonton for some outreach education events to help deliver programs to urban audiences.
Early spring conditions enabled the Park Steward Program to get going much earlier than in previous years. The program was able to complete the Cold Sulphur Spring cleanup, some trail clearing at the Jasper House Viewpoint and some invasive weed removal on the Bighorn Alley Trail.
The Friends of Jasper, the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives and several other organizations all continue to play a leading role in volunteering to support park stewardship. It’s clear that Jasper’s volunteer stewardship scene is healthy and thriving thanks to the commitment and dedication of volunteers and our partners.
2016 Summer Parks Canada Volunteer Program
Jasper National Park will continue to host two volunteer programs this summer. These programs offer training and opportunities to meet others and can be tailored to the unique and demanding schedules of Jasperites and park visitors.
By encouraging Canadians to visit their national parks and historical places through volunteering opportunities, Parks Canada allows more Canadians to experience the outdoors and learn about our heritage.
The Park Steward Program requires no minimum commitment in the summertime, but aims to provide park residents and visitors with opportunities to engage directly in national park conservation and stewardship. The activities are often hands on, such as cleanups, trail work and restoration related projects.
Park Steward programs are scheduled mostly on week days throughout the spring and summer months, with specific dates varying to enable volunteers with different schedules a chance to get involved.
Parks Canada is looking forward to offering more Park Steward activities this summer and is always looking for more people to sign-up.
The Caribou Ambassadors Program features a well trained group of outreach education volunteers who hike in caribou habitat to deliver messages about Parks Canada caribou recovery efforts to visitors. From time to time, they also assist with outreach events in Jasper and Edmonton. These volunteers are asked to give three or four summer days of volunteering in addition to completing a training course and a volunteer shadowing day out on the landscape with Parks Canada staff.
This year’s Caribou Ambassador program is filling up quickly and is likely to be in high demand. To get in on training or to apply, be sure to email: [email protected].
Parks Canada is also happy to help you get your own unique volunteer opportunity off the ground. If you are looking to create a group activity for your workplace or a group of friends with some great ideas, give us a call or an email and we will be happy to work with you.
For more information, contact the Jasper National Park Volunteer Program Office: [email protected] or 780-883-0486.
Parks Canada
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