Banff National Park

PARKS CANADA SEEKING NEW RECRUITS FOR 2010 VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Here’s your chance to find out what it’s like behind the scenes of Canada’s busiest and most-loved national park, Banff National Park. Now into its third full year, Banff National Park’s Volunteer Program is seeking additional volunteers for hands-on learning and stewardship learning opportunities throughout the year.

Park Ambassadors are needed to get out on the trails, chat with visitors and assist with special events. For those with an interest in research and monitoring, we recommend the Citizen Scientist program. Helping Hands events are the perfect fit for anyone with a half or full-day to spare, and include activities such as weed-pulls, clean-ups and trail rehabilitation projects.

Group opportunities are also available and can be customized to suit various needs.

Help Banff National Park celebrate its 125th anniversary this year by volunteering. The deadline to apply for Park Ambassadors and Citizen Scientists is February 15th, 2010. Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to call Tina Barzo for more information or to sign-up at 403-760-1329 or by emailing tina.barzo@pc.gc.ca.

NEW IN 2010

Active and outdoors group* volunteer activities in Banff National Park!

Customized half-day or full-day activities:

WEED WARRIORS – Invasive plants and animals are the second greatest contributor to native habitat loss. In Banff there are several invasive non-native plants at a variety of locations.  Armed with gloves and garbage bags, your group can help Banff National Park become invasive plant free! Available late July to mid September.

BANFF TRAIL BLITZ – Hike AND volunteer - a great combination! Conduct trail condition reports and citizen science surveys, and give parks staff important information about what is happening out on the landscape; including which trails need some tender loving care. Some trail maintenance or rehabilitation projects exist as well. Ideal for small teams of people per trail. Available mid May to mid October.

BANFF DAY USE AREA BLITZ – With 3.5 million visitors each year, Banff has the busiest and most loved day use areas in the system. Your group can “adopt a day use area” and pick up litter, pull weeds, paint benches, repair shelters, and plant baby trees to rehabilitate the forest where needed. Plus, it’s easy to have a BBQ after as most day use areas are well-equipped with shelters and BBQs. Available early June to late August.

EVERY LITTER BIT HELPS – With the Trans Canada Highway and other major roads cutting through our park, there is an endless supply of litter in our ditches. Your group can help clean up the unsightly mess, and mitigate the risk to wildlife which may ingest it, by litter-picking a section. September is our “great shoreline clean up” and we need groups to help with various clean ups around our lakes. Available mid-May to late-September.

To request more information and a group volunteer application form:

Contact Tina Barzo, Leader of Volunteer Engagement at 403-760-1329 or tina.barzo@pc.gc.ca

Please note – there is no guarantee that every request can be filled.

*10-30 people. Greater than 30 people – we split into sub-groups and sub-activities. Instruction and safety talks are provided. All gear is supplied whenever possible. Customized, framed Certificates of Appreciation signed by the Superintendent will also be presented to the group upon request.