News/ Acknowledgments
News:
National Camp 2023
National Camp 2023
One week camp every three years for members from all provinces, held in Alberta: A week-long camp with workshops for 700 participants ages 6 to adult.
JFW Club Interview
Heather Soetart with St Albert Sturgeon's Interview with Katrina Breau from www.healthybrain.ca
Volunteer Spotlight :
Mayor’s Award for Distinguished Voluntary Service: Cody Howitt
On behalf of the Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association, we would like to congratulate 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
Acknowlegements:
PT North Camp 2023
Alberta Junior Forest Wardens Association (AJFWA) hosted the PT (Pathfinders, Trailblazers) North camp in March 2023 on the northern shores of Wabamun Lake, Alberta. At the camp, 68 campers attended different educational sessions. These sessions supported our Junior Forest Warden (JFW) motto, “Keep our Forests Green” and the JFW pledge, which is:
“As one who believes in the aims of the Junior Forest Wardens, I pledge myself and my services to the preservation and responsible use of our forests, wildlife, and natural heritages.”
Guest instructor Junior Forest Wardens Alumni Margery Elliot McBride played games and taught a Friday night session, including education on sustainable forestry methods and sustainable hunting and trapping.
Throughout the weekend, six sessions encouraged and nurtured an appreciation for our forests and wildlife. Attendees learned about safe fire practices, orienteering, snow shelter building, and nature walks with a focus on conservation skills and tracking, leaving no trace, and why conservation is essential. Leadership skills were developed through a Highline course and team-building activities.
The responsible use of our forests and wildlife are key skills for Wardens to learn to ensure forests are available for all Albertans. It allows the forest industry to continue operating sustainable forest management practices on public lands and safe enjoyment for outdoor enthusiasts while ensuring continued healthy wildlife habitat.
Junior Forest Wardens extend a heartfelt thank you to our camp sponsor, EDFOR Co-operative Ltd. from Edson through the Alberta Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA), to Camp Yowochas for hosting and a huge shout out to Anna and our volunteer PT Committee for planning, organizing and coordinating this incredible event!