Co-operating Associations

A Co-operating Association is a not-for-profit society that has a signed agreement with the department, to enhance our heritage appreciation or resource management services at a specific site within the parks and protected areas network. Working in partnership with staff, these "arms length" associations provide additional products and services to our visitors.

There are currently 10 co-operating associations working with Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture. They are:

	Dinosaur Natural History Association (DNHA) Helps to protect, preserve and promote Dinosaur Park Funds are raised through memberships, donations, and a bookstore which operates during the summer. Some of their activities are special events (i.e. Take-A-Hike) and production of a Park newspaper. For more information access the website or contact the Park Liaison Officer Rob Hugill (or Fred Hammer) at (403) 378-4342 (Toll free in Alberta, dial 310-0000).
	DHMA helping out at 1999 Parks Day
	Friends of Blackfoot Society Provides a public service at Blackfoot Recreation Area, by enhancing visitor experiences through volunteer-provided services and programs. They are currently planning the Interpretative Centre for the millennium. For more information contact the Park Liaision Officer Murray Instrup at (780) 922-3292 . (Toll free in Alberta, dial 310-0000)
	Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society - www.friendsoffishcreek.org Assists in the protection, preservation and enhancement of Fish Creek Provincial Park, through a number of programs, such as environmental education. For more information access the website or contact the Parks Liaison Officer Jim Stomp at (403) 297-7927 (Toll free in Alberta, dial 310-0000).
	The Friends of Kananaskis Country - www.kananaskis.org Helps to promote the protection, enjoyment and heritage appreciation of Kananaskis Country. They sponsor and support projects such as trail and facility enhancement and educational programming. For more information visit the website or contact us at (403) 678-5593 .
	The Friends of Saskatoon Island Participates in environmental protection of Saskatoon Island Provincial Park, a Federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary. They support ongoing projects such as amphibian research on the wetlands or special events (ie. annual Swan Festival). For more information contact us at (780) 766-2636 .
	The Friends of Switzer Park Cooperating Association Promotes the protection, enjoyment and heritage appreciation of William A Switzer Provincial Park by enhancing its goal and activities, such as trail enhancement, and providing environmental education. For more information contact the Park Liaison Officer Jeanette Brooks at (780) 865-5600 . (Toll free in Alberta, dial 310-0000)
	Heritage Association of Cypress Hills (HACH) Enhances visitor experiences at Cypress Hills Provincial Park through educational programs, fundraising, operation of a bookstore and special events. For more information contact the Park Liaision Officer Keith Bocking at (403) 893-3777 (Toll free in Alberta, dial 310-000).

Other Organized Groups

Below are some of the other organized groups that provide services in Alberta's parks and protected areas. By volunteering with these organizations you are contributing to site preservation and management. Feel free to contact any of these groups directly.

	Alberta Speleological Society - www.caving.ab.ca For the past 30 years the Alberta Speleological Society (ASS) has been dedicated to exploration, study, and conservation of caves in the Canadian Rockies. In partnership with Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture , the society participates as a Volunteer Steward for the Cadomin Cave Natural Area. In 1999 the organization received a provincial outstanding achievement award for promoting safety and preservation while caving.
	Canadian Birkebeiner Society Promotes a healthy lifestyle through public awareness of the benefits of cross country skiing as a winter recreational activity. Plans and hosts the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival at Cooking Lake Blackfoot Recreation Area. For more information visit the website or contact the Park Liaision Officer John Rintoul at (780) 427-6639 .
	Fort Dunvegan Historical Society Helps promote Dunvegan Provincial Park for tourism and provides heritage appreciation services to encourage visitors to learn and experience the historical resources of the site. Some of the endeavours of the society are interpretative events and artifact acquisitions. For more information contact the Park Liaision Officer Monica Kirtley-Wark at (780) 835-7150 . (Toll free in Alberta, dial 310-0000)
	Lesser Slave Bird Observatory - www.lslbo.org Diminishing habitat has decreased neo-tropical migrant songbirds by as much as 50 per cent over the past 30 years. In northern forests, songbirds comprise nearly three-quarters of breeding bird populations. Learn more about these birds by volunteering with LSLBO to capture, band and record scientific information on migratory birds in Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park. Contact the volunteer co-ordinator at birds@lslbo.org.
	Volunteer Trail Group Representatives from a variety of trail groups take part in work projects to enhance and maintain Kananaskis Country's trail systems. For more information contact the Park Liaison Officer Don Cockerton at (403) 678-5505 . (Toll free in Alberta, dial 310-0000)
	Whitecourt Nordic Ranger Ski Club Helps in the enhancement and maintenance of the trail system within Carson Pegasus Provincial Park. For more information contact the Park Liaison Officer Rob Spelliscy at (780) 778-7112 .