It is with great pleasure that I invite you to our ParksWatch Program official launch date on Canada's Park Day this Saturday (July 16). This is a very exciting day for all of us at CPAWS. We welcome you to come to the small ceremony at 1pm for cake, or drop by between 1-4pm and pick up our new For the Love of Parks brochure and the I love AB Parks bumper sticker!
Who: Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Edmonton Chapter
What: CPAWS’ ParksWatch Program Launch (see details below) and Parks Day Celebration!
Why: Celebrate Parks Day, the launch of this new program and the creation of the Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park! Pick up the “For the LOVE of Parks Brochure” to learn about this new program and the limitless values of Alberta’s Parks and Protected Areas.
When: Canada's Parks Day - Saturday, July 16th, 2005. Drop by our information booth between 1:00 and 4:00pm. Official launch ceremony will commence at 1:00pm.
Where: Alberta's newest Provincial Park - Lois Hole Centennial (formerly Big Lake Natural Area) near St. Albert, close to the BLESS viewing platform (see directions below).
Free Stuff (donations welcome): I love Alberta Parks Bumper Stickers, and "For the Love of Parks" Brochure, ParksWatch's first publication, will be available. There will be cake too!
For Kids: Kids love parks too! Come and get your face painted, and hear the details of our Parks On Paper drawing and short story Contest!
Details: Introducing an exciting new program focused on supporting and enhancing Alberta national and provincial parks and protected areas. As Alberta faces times of growth, development and economic prosperity, we mustn’t forget about our most sustainable and globally recognized resource: our spectacular natural landscapes, conserved in, and only in, our designated parks. As Albertans we have the responsibility, and with ParksWatch, the opportunity to help monitor and sustain Alberta’s Parks and Protected as healthy and biologically diverse ecosystems.
What is ParksWatch? The primary goal of the ParksWatch Program is to ensure the Ecological Integrity of Alberta's Parks and Protected Areas (PPA), and their preservation for future generations. The program primarily focuses on public outreach, education and providing stewardship opportunities. This will be done cooperatively, and in conjunction with Parks Staff and other environmental organizations throughout Alberta. Visit www.cpaws-edmonton.org for more information.
Who is CPAWS? The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Edmonton Chapter sees itself as a voice for all individuals who value and are concerned about the maintenance of biodiversity and wilderness in Alberta. Our vision is to maintain biodiversity and wilderness in Alberta through the establishment of protected areas, conserving and restoring the ecological integrity of established parks, and the promotion of natural resource use that is sustainable for the natural world, communities, and the economy. CPAWS is part of a national organization that boasts 12 other chapters, including CPAWS Calgary/Banff. Check out www.cpaws.org for more information.
Directions to the BLESS platform:
- Go north on 184 street into St. Albert.
- Turn left (west) on Levasseur Drive at the second set of lights.
- Stay on Levasseur as it crosses the railroad tracks, goes downhill and then curves right to become Riel Drive.
- Watch for the canoe club parking lot on the left just past the curve.
- Park at the canoe club and walk the path that heads south.
- Follow the path around onto the south dike of the lagoon and walk west to get to the platform.
For further information, please contact:
Rebecca Reeves – ParksWatch Program Coordinator
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Edmonton Chapter
Phone: (780) 432-0967
[email protected]