The Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association, in cooperation with the Edmonton Community Foundation, is happy to announce the:

2023 PETER MEHL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS 

The annual Peter Mehl Memorial Scholarships are available to students enrolled in Forestry, Ecological or Environmental related programs who have been members, leaders or volunteers for a not for profit youth group.

To apply:

• open link:   

Scholarship Application Form

• download  form (it's fillable)

OR

• print and complete form
• follow instructions on how to submit

Application deadline:  July 31, 2023

Available scholarships:  between $500 and $1,000, depending on number of applicants

Awarded by Scholarship Committee:   September 2023

Criteria:  

Applicants selected for the Peter Mehl Memorial Scholarship will best meet the following criteria:

• Be resident of Canada.

• Be accepted by a post-secondary institution in a faculty or program appropriate for entering career in natural resource management or outdoor related fields.

• Have a strong academic record, supported by transcripts.

• A record of commitment to a not for profit youth program.

More details:

For more details, visit the AJFWA website.

Don't miss out on this opportunity!

May 2023 President's Message from Sandy Evans

Spring has definitely Sprung!! 

 AJFWA is leafing out as well and will be blooming in all our glory with National Camp. (Okay enough of that metaphor). We are now in full swing with club, district and provincial programs, and National Camp registration. For all of us this is a very exciting time. 

There is also some new growth sprouting up. The connections members have been making with forestry companies and aligned organizations have been nurturing positive support for our programs and projects. At the forefront was when the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta asked what they could do to support us, and the ensuing discussion resulted in sponsorship for a three year grant under the Forest Resource Improvement Program (FRIP). For the next three years most of our provincial program costs are covered, and we can build up support to our volunteer leaders. The process to get here has been rigorous and we have more learning to go but I am really excited about where we are heading. 

The more I talk to industry, the more I can confirm - we are a very impressive group and people want to support us. As an organization we expect ourselves to do things to the highest of standards and when we take the time to talk with each other we find the best solutions. We are all aligned in our ultimate goal of providing great programming for our families. 

The FRIP grant will mean a few changes for our volunteer leaders and full time contracted support. It has been tricky with the projects rolling out as the grant was being finalized. The first month of event and committee work has had a few bumps as folks continued to work through their roles and responsibilities, and we all workout how to best use the contracted support, while continuing to honour the vast experience and decision making ability of our members. To quote our Chief Warden - “getting the best out of this opportunity comes down to three things - communication, communication and communication”. So as a start, please take some time to read about the grant, implement the new forms and talk with our admin, your board reps or me if you have questions. When things are moving fast, communication is even more important. 

On a more somber note - Please also take some time to consider ways to help our families affected by the forest fires. I have heard many stories the past few weeks of our members making connections with each other and stepping up to help. As we ramp up our adventures, be diligent with all we have been teaching and learning about fire management and prevention - especially at this time. 

 And…See you at National Camp!!! 

 Sandy

Cody Howitt - Mayor's Award for Distinguished Voluntary Service

The Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association congratulates our Chief Warden of Alberta, Cody Howitt, on his Mayor’s Award for Distinguished Voluntary Service.

Cody's outstanding volunteerism and community building in Red Deer and across Alberta are being recognized at an upcoming event in June and we couldn't be more proud! He is an exceptional person who has dedicated countless hours for over 25 years to the youth of our community through outdoor mentorship. He is a model of our organizational philosophy of teaching youth and families to enjoy the outdoors while respecting our natural environment.  He is skilled in all four of our educational pillars of Forestry, Outdoor Skills, Ecology and Leadership. 

• Forestry: Forestry Protection, Forestry Uses, Forestry Management, Wildlife Management, Outdoor Recreation, Watershed Management, Range Management & Community Service.
• Outdoor Skills: First Aid, Fire Lighting Techniques, Outdoor Clothing, Shelter, Navigation, Outdoor Safety, Responsible Camping and Hiking, Knots & Lashings, Survival, Search & Rescue, Outdoor Equipment, Hikes & Camp-outs. 
• Ecology: Enjoying the Outdoors, Classification, Interrelationships Between Species & their Environment, and Environmental Changes (weather, climate). 
• Leadership: Planning, Responsibility, Cooperation, Leadership of Others, Community Service.

Cody grew up in the Red Deer Junior Forest Wardens Club and found mentorship in the late Bob Skarra, who taught him firsthand the impact a safe and positive role model could have on a person's character. Once Cody caught the outdoor bug, he joined in 1984 when he was ten years old through graduating from the Junior Forest Warden program in 1992. He immediately took up leadership/mentorship roles in Red Deer Club. His only hiatus was when he and his wife moved to Edmonton for five years for post-secondary education. As soon as they returned, he was back to his leadership/mentorship roles serving the youth and families of Red Deer once again.  He has been a leader and has mentored consistently from 2001 to the present day. 

Cody has served in many roles over the years as a leader for the Red Deer Woodchucks Junior Forest Warden Club and David Thompson Regional President for the Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association. Most recently, in 2020, Cody was Awarded the distinguished role of Chief Warden of Alberta, where he currently serves. 

When COVID came upon us, Cody went straight to his garage to begin launching Junior Forest Warden programming online and staying connected with people. Now that we are through the worst of it, he has been planning the National Camp that was cancelled due to COVID and we look forward to an exceptional community-building experience this summer.

Cody is a kind, humble and dedicated role model in our community, positively influencing our citizens in every capacity that he serves in our organization. From weekly club meetings, committee meetings, weekend camp trips, week-long adventure trips, National Camps, and annual tree planting initiatives to the Red Deer Sportsman show and more. 

Outside of the Junior Forest Warden activities, Cody takes the initiative to organize family and friends Kayak and Canoe trips down the Red Deer River to help families gain confidence on the water and have fun together. Tree planting is very near to his heart, not only with our extensive  Junior Forest Warden Annual planting initiatives but also partnering with Pheasants Forever to plant trees in the Red Deer community and throughout Central Alberta. 

We can’t think of a more deserving person for the Red Deer Mayor Award!

Cody with his long-time Mentor Bob Skarra when he was awarded Assistant Chief Warden of Alberta at the Annual General Meeting in April 2018. He also awarded Bob Skarra the Lifetime Achievement.

Cody on his latest Winter Outreach Adventure trip 2023

Additional links:

https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/local-news/tree-planting-teaches-valuable-lessons-about-environment/

https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/uncategorized/bikers-work-to-revitalize-neglected-park-space/

Arbor Day Tree Bagging - April 30, 2023

Mark your calendars for the annual Arbor Day seedling bagging event at the Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton

This event was very special to Ernst Klaszus, one of our former Chief Wardens, and we hope to continue the tradition.  Usually we have between 15,000 and 30,000 trees to put in individual bags.  With many people, it can take anywhere from 1.5 - 3 hours of your time.  We really need you to make this event a success. Remember many hands make light work!! -- Terry Garrett, Chief Warden Emeritus

Hosted by Root for Trees, Edmonton's volunteer tree planting initiative.

Date:  Sunday, April 30, 2023

Time:  Arrive anytime between 10:45 am and 11:00 am to ensure everyone is signed in, set up at a bagging station and ready to begin at 11:00 am. Bagging will most likely be completed by about 2:00 pm. Staff will be there early for set up and stay late for take down. 

What to bring: Bring a water bottle and snack or a bag lunch, if desired. Volunteers can also purchase drinks and food at the Muttart Conservatory Café.   Gloves provided.

What to wear:  Dress for the weather as this event is held outdoors.

Facilities:   Accessible toilets will be available on site. 

Event Day Contacts:   Ashlyn 587-990-9443 or Taylor 780-288-9260.

Location:  Muttart Conservatory Greenhouse, 9626 96a St NW, Edmonton, AB T6C 4L8 

Travelling westbound on 98 Avenue NW towards the Muttart Greenhouses, turn left after passing the LRT station on the left-hand-side (green arrow below). Follow the directional signage to the Muttart Storage Parking Lot (west of greenhouse). Parking is available along either side of the service road west of the Muttart Greenhouse (see highlighted area below). 

 

February 2023 President's Message from Sandy Evans

The last couple of months I have had the joy of bragging about JFW to industry leaders.  I can confidently say we are amazing!! And everyone I’ve spoken with thinks the same.  

Your board, exec and admin are working really hard to support our programming.  Through AJs coordination we put on 5 provincial events/year (the PTs AcCon Outreach Adventures) 2 vol dev weekends, Spring Confirm and Fall workshop, subsidize leader skill and certificate courses, subsidize participant mileage and event fees, keep vol resources and our website ticking, plant 10s of thousands of trees and host the mammoth and most amazing National Camp. All this on top of weekly club activities and regional camps. All this with only 1.5 staff.   That is a lot of volunteer dedication. 

What we do as volunteers is really impressive.  We are a small but mighty force building a healthy community of families that care for our natural heritage.  This is a tall order. We should be proud.  

Thanks for making my job easy!