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!

AC Conference 2023 Committee Application

It’s that time of year again … that time you’ve all been waiting for ... it’s …

AC Conference 2023

Teen Time Ranch (near Dapp,AB) - March 24-26, 2023

Would you like to take part in planning this year’s conference?

Gain valuable experience in learning how to plan an event?

Make new JFW friendships or build on already established friendships?  

If you do, please fill out the Committee Application form (see link below).

Deadline for Committee Applications is December 23, 2022.

Committee members must:

• participate in periodic conference calls 

• help their Committee (Sessions, Registration, Entertainment & Communication or Site & Security) complete their tasks in preparation for and at the Conference

• be prepared to be at Teen Time Ranch by mid to late afternoon or early evening (depending on your Committee) on Friday, March 24, 2023

There are two ways you can be a part of planning AC Conference:

1)    Be a COMMITTEE CHAIR

We are looking for Adventurers/Challengers who are able to take on a lot of responsibility and have the time to plan an event of this size. You won’t be doing it on your own though!  Each Committee Chair will have Assistants to help share the workload.

2)      Be a COMMITTEE ASSISTANT

Not able to commit to being a Committee Chair but still want to take an active role in helping out with the Conference?  Then, put your name down as an Assistant.  You will be working as part of a team in helping the Committee Chair.

Apply Now by clicking on the following link for the online application:  

AC Conference Committee Application   

FIRST CONFERENCE CALL - SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2023 at 7:00 PM

If you have any questions, contact:

committee.acconf.mentors@ajfwa.ca

 

Alumni Workshop

 CALLING ALL ADULTS! Parents, leaders, volunteers, new to JFW or an experienced leader! 

The Alumni is hosting a one day workshop on February 4, 2023 at the Red Deer County Office. From technical help with the website to outdoor skills and programming, we have a variety of sessions planned for you!

The cost is $15 per person, lunch and refreshments provided. More details including sessions, instructors and itinerary to come in December, registration opens beginning of January 2023. 

SAVE THE DATE!

If you have any questions please email margery.mcbrideelliott@ajfwa.ca. 

Winter Outreach 2023

 

December 2022 President's Message from Sandy Evans

 

PT Cruiser South 2023

 

2022 Christmas Tree Cutting Lot

Cut your own Christmas Tree!

Our JFW Christmas Tree Lot is back for the 2022 Season!

Saturdays and Sundays from November 26 - December 18, 2022

Lot is staffed from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm by JFW club members, road and weather conditions permitting

Christmas Tree Cutting Map.pdf

With Christmas just around the corner, many families are looking forward to a traditional outing into the forest to find and cut their own very special Christmas Pine Tree.

The Christmas Tree Lot is a seasonal fundraiser for Junior Forest Wardens, an outdoor program for youth and their families. We will be running  our concession for the first time in 2 years! Permits will be provided by donation. 

Gate:  The gate to the parking lot will be open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays as noted above, road and weather conditions permitting. 

Permits:  Tree cutting permits will be available from a volunteer in our permit shack.  Each permit entitles you to one tree - Lodgepole Pine only.  Keep this Tree Cutting Permit with you while transporting your tree, as it is required to avoid potential fines. The permit is only good for Lodgepole Pine trees (with long 2” needles) within the boundaries of this particular tree lot area.

Note: Campfires are prohibited.   No rentals of saws or axes will be available. 

Directions:  From Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park, travel west on the Trans Canada (Hwy 1) for approximately 35 km.  Take the Hwy 68 exit (Sibbald Creek Trail) and head south for approximately 22 km to the Powderface Trail turnoff.  Turn left and head south on Powderface Trail for 2 km and you’ll reach the Christmas Tree Cutting Lot.  Watch for the JFW signs along the route! 

COVID-19 Restrictions: Please follow current Alberta guidelines.  AHS COVID Info for Albertans

Off Hours Visits:  If you can’t make it out on the above dates or times, or if the lot is not tended due to weather and/or road conditions, you are welcome to visit and cut a Lodgepole Pine tree at any time.  Please keep in mind that the lot is only staffed on weekends, and the gate may not be open. If you plan to arrive after 4:00 pm, you'll have to park outside of the gate as the gate will be closed & locked at 4:00 pm.

*Please note that, at our location, we cannot accept permits purchased in advance from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. They are for a different area and cover different species. Permits may be available for other areas of Alberta.  Contact your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry office for more information.

Lodgepole Pine

More Information

If you have a question regarding the Christmas Tree Lot, more information is available on our FAQ link.

If you still have a question, send an e-mail to Tim Watts, President  of the Calgary JFW District, or phone  403-660-7619.

Check the local forecast before you head out!    

The Weather Network - Kananaskis

September Message from President Sandy

 Holy Crow has it really been April since the last message from me??

Welcome Back!!!

As summer winds down, we are all gearing up for a new amazing year of JFW.  Over the spring and summer, we have been preparing for what feels like the first “real “ start in a couple of years.   As our clubs and regions prepare for the year ahead, the board, committees, executive and administration of AJ have been refining behind the scenes support to help you.   

The membership team has been working diligently to refine and clarify the registration process.   It is a grand undertaking to make sure that all of our members (new and returning) are vetted and registered in the database by our chartering deadlines.  We owe a huge thank you to this team; club registrars, regional registrars, Vicky Hill, our the AJ Membership Director and her assistants.  Please do your part getting forms and VSpics in.  Some of the process and deadlines have changed, so please make sure you are following this year’s information.  If ever in doubt please ask.  

We have also increased our administrative support.  This means great things for all of us!  Our office administrator, Eva Melo is fast learning all things JFW and comes to us with great ideas from her vast experience from other organizations.   If she doesn’t have the answer she knows who to connect you with.   And I am more than happy to get your feedback, ideas and energy. 

The executive and board have continued to meet over the summer following up on member suggestions, making connections with other like minded organizations, exploring options on policies, funding, insurance and keeping us generally on track.   - Oh and providing a few amazing provincial events through the work of the PT Cruisers (North and South)  and Outreach Committees. Thank you organizers!!

This year we are looking forward to renewed energy for all of our parent volunteers.   Some of us may feel like bursting out of the gates, some of us may take a little time to get into full swing.  Be kind to each other, ask for help and contribute what you can.  The best infusion of energy I know of is to connect with each other and have fun creating some amazing experiences for our wardens.  And - 

It's a National Camp Year!!!  For many JFW families, National Camp is a highlight of their experiences in Junior Forest Wardens.   You don’t want to miss out!   Stay tuned for more on National Camp in the coming months. - Watch for the NC emails, plan for  involvement with your club, connect with JFW families from across the country.  

Have a great start all!!  Now go finish your registration.  

Sandy

April Message from President Sandy Evans

 

Okay - everyone stretch, yawn and look at the amazing spring ahead of us! It is exciting to see our JFW activities ramping up! While we continue to be vigilant with COVID precautions, it is encouraging to see clubs and regions finding safe ways to gather, play and learn. AJ too has been working on coming back to our amazing programming. Event teams and committees across the province have been working on PT Cruisers, AC Graduation and Summer Outreach. And, the promise of National Camp 2023 -- next year!!! Just like trees in my yard, we are starting to bud out.

Much has happened this past year with AJ. AGM planning is well underway. Notice was sent to members via last month's Tree Mail. Please continue to remind your fellow members that this meeting is online and requires registration by April 27, 2022.

Amazing People Changes:

As of the AGM, our interim positions will change. Debra Wathen will be stepping down from her role as interim Secretary. The Board will be appointing a new interim Secretary for the 2022/23 year. Brett Schonekess will be stepping down as interim Treasurer as the position of Treasurer will be up for vote at the AGM this year. We owe Brett and Debra a very big thank you for their commitment to getting us through this past year! They both not only fulfilled the status quo in their roles, but made significant contributions to our Executive team, all the while juggling their already busy commitments in other aspects of JFW.

Vicky Hill has moved into her new role as Membership Director, and will be stepping down as Vice President at the AGM. This means we will be electing two Executive positions at the AGM: Treasurer and Vice President. According to our Bylaws, past and current Board members are eligible for nomination. If there are no nominations, then at the AGM we will be calling for members from the floor. Please consider stepping forward, and/or talking with fellow members who fit the skill set for these positions.

We are also seeing a change in our Administrator this April. Jennifer Howitt has been the stable face and contact of AJFWA through these crazy COVID years. She has been the go-to for all manner of resources for prospective members, clubs, the Board and for the Executive. It is hard to imagine JFW let alone the office running without her! She will continue to be a committed part of JFW with plans to get involved in some of our committees, and of course to join in upcoming events. We will be announcing our new administrative officer very soon and are excited to welcome them.

It all happens at the AGM. We will be gathering online again this year for the AGM. Come find out the details of what we have been up to behind the scenes and help make JFW stronger going into this new year. Once again -- because we are online, attendees must register ahead of time. Register for the AGM and Special GM before April 27, 2022. See you there!

Sandy

2022 Jumping Pound Volunteer of the Year

On November 13, 2021 the 12th annual presentation of the Jumping Pound Camp Volunteer of the Year award was made at a gathering held at JFW's Jumping Pound Camp near Calgary to Steven Weimer of the Calgary Sarcee Club.

This award is presented to the person deemed most deserving of it, as agreed by previous award recipients.  It has traditionally been given to a member who has made a substantial contribution to the construction, maintenance and other physical development of the site.  

Steven has been a strong supporter of the Camp for many years both as a member of the Calgary Sarcee Club as well as through his contributions as a valuable member of the recently formed AJFWA Jumping Pound Camp Committee.  While his physical contributions to the site have been most appreciated, Steven has been a key contributor in other aspects of the well-being of the Camp, particularly his diplomatic approach to sticky issues. 

Congratulations to Steven and thank you for your dedicated support of Jumping Pound.

To learn more about the award, visit our Members Only Site or click here.