FRIENDS OF KANANASKIS COUNTRY 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT

FRIENDS OF KANANASKIS COUNTRY COOPERATING ASSOCIATION 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT

CO-CHAIR’S REPORT

There is no such thing as a “normal” or “quiet” year for the Friends.

2018/19 certainly wasn’t the busiest we’ve had, but it did feature its

own challenges and successes.

This year, the Board went back to a Co-Chair structure, which had

geographical and other advantages, and we think it worked out well.

2018/19 saw some other Board changes, too. Long-serving members

Kayla Simpson, Tony Paradis and Jaimie McPhail all resigned from

the Board late in the fiscal year. Combined, they had over 15 years

of Board service. Individually and collectively, they will be missed,

and we thank them for their long and valued participation.

We spent significant time improving our Health and Safety policies

and procedures again this year. The increased Province-wide focus

on Volunteer Safety that started in 2017 led to a solid Occupational

Health & Safety framework. We came into this fiscal year with the

2017 “Stop Work” order still in place, but got it lifted in time to start

our field season. Once our season started, and all of our Crew

Leaders were trained, we had some learnings as we implemented

our new framework. We ended the season confident in what we

were doing. We then started looking ways of gaining more OH&S

consistency amongst the greater K-Country volunteer trail building

and maintaining community. This will be a focus for 2019/20.

2018/19 certainly wasn’t the busiest field season we have had,

driven by weather, smoke and other factors, but had its successes

with us working “independently” on Parks-approved projects but

without Parks direct supervision. Based on the needs of the region,

we initiated discussions with trail team leaders from K-Country

Public Lands, seeking to engage our support to their areas as well.

The Board believes this will bear fruit in 2019/20.

The Board also advanced a 5 Year Strategic Plan to help guide the

organization, which included a revised Mission Statement: ‘Building

a community of volunteers and partners to maintain the ecological

integrity and recreational use of Kananaskis Country by engaging in

trail care, stewardship, education, and research’. The end-of-season

volunteer survey provided altogether positive feedback, and inspires

us to forge ahead towards our organization’s Vision and Mission.

On behalf of the Board, we say “Thank You” to Nancy, our donors,

our volunteers, our partners at Alberta Parks and elsewhere. We

continue to look forward to what lies ahead.

- Derek Ryder & Ed Engstrom, Co-Chairs

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

This was a special year as Kananaskis Country

celebrated 40 years of conservation, recreation

and discovery. Since being established in 1996,

the Friends of Kananaskis Country have been

proud to represent and help sustain its

magnificent natural wonder.

Building a community of volunteers and partners –

these words from our mission inspire our efforts

to expand partnerships and harness the energy of

our growing community of volunteers as we work

towards enhancing our appreciation and

stewardship of Kananaskis.

In 2018/19 we continued to support Alberta

Environment & Parks, as well as leading

independent trail projects and strengthening

regional partnerships. Our ties with other regional

trail building associations were fortified by

creating an informal Kananaskis Trail Builders

Coalition aiming to: maximize resources, improve

volunteer health and safety practices, build

capacity for annual volunteer crew leader training,

and ultimately add value to Kananaskis trails.

As you’ll read in the Key Highlights and the

Accomplishments sections below, we made strides

to strengthen our operations, programs and

community engagement. Our Trail Stewardship

program continues to be a primary focus,

delivering a safe, fun and meaningful way for

people to give back to the Kananaskis Country

trails they love. We were pleased to host 40

volunteer events that engaged 226 volunteers

who contributed 1,426 hours to help build and

maintain Kananaskis trails.

To our members, volunteers and supporters, we

are grateful to have your support and ongoing

stewardship to ensure present and future

generations have the opportunity to experience

Kananaskis Country’s incredible natural heritage

and exceptional recreational opportunities.

- Nancy Ouimet, Executive Director

FRIENDS OF KANANASKIS COUNTRY 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT

2018-2019 KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Trail Love – Give Back campaign raised $11,010;

Kananaskis Speaker & Discover Series offered 6 dynamic speakers and

discovery events;

Hosted our 4th annual Trails Fest event – celebrating Kananaskis trails,

people and culture;

Helped establish a regional Kananaskis Trail Builders Coalition;

End-of-season membership survey received 94 responses and provided

altogether positive feedback, along with some excellent suggestions for

enhancing our programs;

Established a Canmore Trail Alliance – Trail Committee which includes

representatives from the hiking, mountain biking, running, equestrian and

climbing recreational user groups;

Trained 24 volunteer Crew Leaders;

Hosted our annual Volunteer Appreciation Event;

Our 2018 Trail Care season successfully hosted 40 Trail Care events. We

engaged 226 individuals who filled 460 volunteer slots contributing 1,426

hours to help build and maintain Kananaskis trails;

Project-led 2 approved Alberta Parks trail projects: Razor’s Edge Connector

Trail, Chester-Sawmill Winter Trails;

Canmore Trail Alliance hosted 22 Trail Care events, engaged 68 volunteers,

contributing 385 hours.

Trail Care projects were undertaken in 10 locations:

1 Day + 107 Volunteers + 568 Hours = Highway 40 Clean Up

1 Days + 6 Volunteers + 39 Hours = Lantern Creek Trail

4 Days + 19 Volunteers + 47 Hours = Chester Sawmill Winter Trail Project

1 Days + 28 Volunteers + 70 Hours = Canmore Nordic Centre Long Loop

9 Days + 10 Volunteers + 73 Hours = Peter Lougheed Winter Trails

1 Day + 5 Volunteers + 30 Hours = Mt. Shark Ski Trails

1 Day + 10 Volunteers + 60 Hours = Wind Valley Trail Project

10 Days + 46 Volunteers + 235 Hours = Razor's Edge Project

12 Days + 27 Volunteers + 146 Hours = Canmore Nordic Centre Nationals

MTB Race Course

VISION

A Kananaskis Country of exquisite

natural and cultural landscapes enjoyed

by present and future generations.

MISSION

Building a community of volunteers and

partners to maintain the ecological

integrity and recreational use of

Kananaskis Country by engaging in trail

care, stewardship, education, and

research.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ed Engstrom, Co-Chair

Derek Ryder, Co-Chair

David Schultz, Treasurer

Melanie Booth

Pete Irwin

Darin Langhorst

Jamie McPhail

Dave Nielsen

Antoine Paradis

Kayla Simpson

Kevin Smith

Manika Suri

STAFF

Nancy Ouimet, Executive Director

Tim Johnson, Program Coordinator

Sachi Kitazaki, Contract Bookkeeper

Lawrence Nyman, Contract Bookkeeper

ALBERTA PARK LIAISONS

Jody Cairns, Trails Coordinator, Peter

Lougheed Provincial Park

Julia Millen, Community and Partner

Relations Team Lead

ADVISORY COUNCIL

James Early Don Cockerton

Gillean Daffern Alf Skrastins

FRIENDS OF KANANASKIS COUNTRY 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

It is our pleasure to share some of our accomplishments which are a combination of our efforts to

enhance Kananaskis trails and experience, build trail stewardship and public participation, and the

ways we bridge community engagement with Alberta Parks.

Trail Care: Despite a delayed start to our trail care season and a cold, snowy autumn, our tireless

volunteers supported Alberta Parks with continued work on the Lantern Creek Trail near Picklejar

Lakes, enhancing the nordic trails at Mt Shark, building out the Peter Lougheed snowshoe trail

network and trail work in the Wind Valley. Additionally, we made some good headway on the FKC-

led Chester-Sawmill winter trail project, with a new snowshoe trail loop ready for the winter.

Canmore Trail Alliance: A program of the Friends, the Canmore Trail Alliance (CTA) forged ahead in

our second season of work on the Razor’s Edge project in partnership with the Canmore & Area

Mountain Bike Association. Over 10 sessions, we completed 264m of new trail towards linking

Razor’s Edge and the Quaite Valley Trail. CTA volunteers also devoted 146 hours of work on new

trail for the Canadian National Mountain Bike Championships course at the Canmore Nordic Centre.

Trail Love – Give Back: The second year of our Trail Love – Give Back Fundraiser was a resounding

success! We set an ambitious goal of $10,000 for 2018 to ensure our programs continue to foster a

powerful, public connection with Kananaskis Country through trail stewardship, volunteer trail work

events, education and outreach. Thanks to an outpouring of support and generosity, we exceeded

our goal and raised $11,010! Our heartfelt thanks to all who contributed.

Speaker Series: Our 2019 winter Kananaskis Speaker and Discovery Series in partnership with

Alberta Parks and in collaboration with the University of Calgary – Palliser Club offered a variety of

presentation topics and discovery events between the University of Calgary and Peter Lougheed

Provincial Park including: Matt Mueller (Kananaskis Public Safety) – Wisdom for the Winter, Danah

Duke (Miistakis Institute) – How Do Animals in Alberta Cross the Road?, Nicole Kahal (Miistakis

Institute) – What’s Happening in Calgary’s Wetlands, Robyn Mulligan (Canmore Artist) – Nature

Inspired Art, Jim Thorne (Foothills Search & Rescue) – Winter Survival Skills, and Leith Monaghan

(Alberta Parks) – Winter Ecology.

SUPPORTERS

We give thanks to all our supporters who contribute to our success:

Calgary Foundation • The Auxilium Foundation • Alberta Government – Community Initiatives Program • The Dr. Janice L.

Pasieka Foundation • Banff Canmore Community Foundation • Maria K. Eriksen and Harold Hanen Fund • Town of

Canmore • Patagonia Calgary/Banff (Elements Inc.) • Kananaskis Improvement District • Kananaskis Lakes Association •

Rundle Mountain Cycling Club • Alberta TrailNet Society • Enbridge • McElhanney • Canmore Caverns Ltd. • Stantec

Consulting • Second Sixties Outdoor Club • Calgary Ski Club • Calgary Weekend Hikers • Canmore Trail Culture • Lululemon

Banff • MnM Outdoor Club • Chinook Outdoor Club • Evergreen Senior Outdoor Club • West Winds Senior Hiking &

Outdoor Club • Council for Clean & Reliable Energy • along with several other great supporters.

A few companies have employee donation matching programs. Cenovus Energy, Suncor Energy, EnCana, ATCO.

We also have numerous organizations provide us with donations of products or services to support our Trails Fest event

and as recognition to our hardworking volunteers for our end-of-season volunteer appreciation event. A big thank-you

goes out to: Banff Lodging Company • Kananaskis Trails • Map Town • Mountain Equipment Co-op • Good Earth

Coffeehouse • Patagonia Calgary/Banff • Alpine Helicopters • Canmore Nordic Centre • Canmore Cave Tours • Interpretive

Guides Association • Boston Pizza • Alberta Apparel • Balance Explore • Onward Up & Run Uphill.

There's a long list of individuals who provided donations - your ongoing support is valued and appreciated - thank you.

FRIENDS OF KANANASKIS COUNTRY 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS & VOLUNTEERS

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners, colleagues, volunteers, and members who helped us offer

our programs and see value in the Friends of Kananaskis Country’s mandate.

Alberta Environment and Parks: A big thank you to the Kananaskis Operations, Trails and Ecology team: Mark Storie,

Debbie Mucha, Michael Roycroft, Duane Fizor, Jeff Eamon, James Cieslak, Kyle Jacobson, Chris Anderson, John

Paczkowski, Scott Jevons, Daniella Rubeling, Maria Lynn, Dan Tatton, Jeff Wright and Brad Jones. We have had the

privilege to have Julia Millen and Jody Cairns from Parks serve on our Board contributing insight, wisdom and assistance.

Canmore Trail Alliance – Partners: Representing the Canmore Area trail recreational groups and interests, thank you for

your commitment to build the Alliance: Canmore Area Mountain Bike Association (Andrew Dickison and Chad

Holowatuk), Canmore Trail Culture (Dave Aschim), Climbers Access Society of Alberta (Al Black), Bow Valley Riding

Association (Lisa Young), Don Gardner, Ken Davies and, Greg Thompson.

Kananaskis Trail Building Coalition: Thanks to the Coalition partnership for embarking on this exciting opportunity to

collaborate and maximize resources for the greater benefit of each group and Kananaskis. Partners include: Greater

Bragg Creek Trails Association, Moose Mountain Bike Trail Society, Great Divide Trail Association, Canmore Area

Mountain Biking Association, and Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance.

Trail Crew Leaders: They plan their weeks around our trail care projects, and work with Parks staff to merrily lead you on

our many projects. These superstars include: Andrew Faltus, Colin Graver, Crawford Smyth, Darin Langhorst, Derek

Ryder, Don Cockerton, Ghulam Jamro, Jeff Grutz, Kris Thesen, Tim Giese – and Canmore Trail Alliance Crew

Leaders: Andrew Dickison, Bruce Gleig, Dan Spalding, Dwayne Brown, Eric Trouillot, Greg Thompson, Jacob Johnson, Ken

Davies, Nancy Ouimet, Tim Johnson.

Volunteers: Then we have the folks who do the work. THANK YOU to the over 226 volunteers who came out to handle a

pulaski or macleod, helped clean Highway 40 and invested 1,426 hours on 40 trail days Kananaskis & the Canmore area!

Members: Without you, the members of the Friends of Kananaskis County, none of our projects get done. There are over

1,600 members at last count. Thanks for being a Friend, Volunteer and Supporter.

CONTACT US

Friends of Kananaskis Country

201, 800 Railway Avenue

Canmore, AB

T1W 1P1

403-678-5593

info@kananaskis.org

www.kananaskis.org

VOLUNTEER AND/OR DONATE

We are always grateful for your

volunteering and/or fiscal contributions

that help us maintain our programs and

operations, and contribute to the

stewardship of Kananaskis Country.

Visit our website at www.kananaskis.org

to make a donation and learn more about

how to volunteer.

GIVING BACK

“I've enjoyed Kananaskis Country for years,

without much thought as to who built or

maintained them.

Since joining Friends, I've had some great

times volunteering outdoors, and

developed a much deeper appreciation for

the region through their presentations,

special events and newsletters. I feel lucky

to participate with this group.”

- Nolan Rempel

FRIENDS OF KANANASKIS COUNTRY 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT

FINANCIAL REPORT

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Friends of Kananaskis Country’s cash position decreased by 25% to 135,056 from $181,253 from at our fiscal year-end.

Total Revenue decreased by 33% to $108,181 from $162,438. Total Costs of our programs decreased 31%, to $105,920

from $153,518. The excess of revenue over expenses decreased by $6,659 to $2,261 from $8,920.

During the year the Friends of Kananaskis Country’s also placed a portion of our cash balance into a GIC and Savings and

earned interest of $2,211.

During the year work continued on trail projects and educational initiatives. Donations received in previous years for

specific projects were used to fund work during the current fiscal period. As such the balance of Deferred Contributions

decreased by $43,713 to $89,203 From $132,916.

The financial statements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019 are available on our website www.kananaskis.org.

TOTAL ASSETS $173,237 TOTAL LIABILITY AND NET ASSETS $173,237

REVENUE $108,181 EXPENSES $105,920

Cash

Short Term Investments

Inventory

Good & Services Tax Recoverable

Prepaid Expenses

Capital Assets

Accounts Payable and Accrued

Liabilities

Deferred Contributions

Unrestricted

Invested in Capital Assets

Administration

Programs

Registered Charities

Individuals

Government

CorporationsClubs & Associations