Showing 17 results

Item consists of Rick Searle interview with Bert Brink. Brink discusses his education and family background, which lead to his career in plant and grass land ecology. He speaks about his work with the Federation of BC Naturalists, the Nature Trust of BC and the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, as well being called a Living Legend. He lists his contributions to science and community through work in the Habitat Conservation and the Nature Trust amongst his major accomplishments. Brink talks about losing the global environmental battle, then speaks at length about ecological reserves, including past work with Vladimir Krajina and Bristol Foster. Brink ends his interview speaking about the wardens program.

Camera shots show Brink inside with plant in background. Microphone seen in most shots.

Bob Ahrens interviewed by Rick Searle and Derek Thompson in 2008. Ahrens speaks about choosing a career in BC Parks [1949-1979], his early work in the forestry industry and education. Ahrens discusses the historical beginnings of BC Parks in reports and legislation, as well as visionaries like E.C. Manning, early parks and employees like C.P. Lyons and Mickey True. In talking about BC Parks history, he mentions balancing park, forestry and recreation interests. Ahrens also discusses different theories of park management (i.e. replanting versus laissez-faire/nature taking its course).

Ahrens speaks of major figures in early BC Parks, like Donald McMurtry (intellectual), Cy Oldham (motivator) and Chester Lyons (park promoter/interpreter). He talks about his work in selection and reconnaissance work and names his work with Oldham on the Buttle Lake reservoir as a career highlight. He also tells an anecdote about Oldham hiring early park employees.

He touches on lodge development in public parks, then talks about reconnaissance choices based on recommendations from forest rangers, land inspectors, public and parks’ own investigations. Ahrens speaks about early park system initiatives for roadside parks and difficulties establishing bigger parks, then tells anecdotes of early acquisitions at Davis Lake, Shuswap Lake, Okanagan Lake Park, Kokanee Creek and Buttle Lake.

Continuation of the Bob Ahrens interview Fall 2007. Ahrens discusses the strengths and weakness of his mentors E.G. Oldham and Donald McMurtry. He speaks about the historical relationship between forestry and parks, as well as the provincial Park Act and outside influences/park proponents in the 1940s-1960s. Ahrens talks about balancing use and impact on the environment and how those decisions were made. In terms of proudest accomplishments, he speaks about the park system itself, park expansion under different governments and establishing an independent Park Act (1965). Ahrens addresses his regrets, which include lack of funding to acquire private offerings.

Camera shots show Ahrens with railing and tree in background.

Item is the continuation of the 2008 Ahrens interview with Rick Searle. Ahrens discusses land acquisition for parks, including compromising on park boundaries, land exchanges and acquisitions with resource entitlements; examples include Sooke Mountain Park and Strathcona Park. He speaks about the challenges of different resource interests in Parks and Forests from the 1940s.

Ahrens talks about the evolution of the Park Act and policies on facilities management and public ownership. He discusses developing a model for BC Parks that was different from that of Parks Canada, especially in terms of commercial activities. Ahrens expounds on economic considerations in parks, including development of park facilities, compromises with resource interests and minimizing losses. He speaks different designations within parks like wilderness, nature conservancy, recreation areas, etc. to reflect different resource uses.

Ahrens speaks about the British Columbia Natural Resources conference which began in 1947; D.B. Turner as Director of Conservation; interagency discussions on resource uses; and creation of separate BC Parks system. He touches on contact with Roderick Haig-Brown, then moves on to discuss the creation of the nature conservancy designation to manage resource interests. Ahrens mentions involving boards in land use issues, then speaks about interpretation and youth crew programs, including their benefits and their demise.

Camera shots show Bob Ahrens with trees and yard in background. Sometimes see interviewers.

Item is the continuation of the 2008 Ahrens interview with Rick Searle. Ahrens continues to discuss BC Parks’ interpretation program, including internal critics, and tells an anecdote about being “too practical” at Rathtrevor Beach and successes at Kokanee Creek Park. He addresses internal dynamics within the organization, but describes an overall esprit de corps, saying there no one father of the provincial park system; rather, he speaks of numerous groundbreakers, such as Don McMurtry.

Ahrens reminisces about beautiful natural places in BC, including seeing Strathcona Park and the Nahatlatch for the first time, plus west coast beaches. He speaks about national park interests in Cape Scott and Pacific Rim, then discusses the Alpine Club of Canada’s involvement in parks such as the Rocky Mountains. Ahrens talks about the “classic” parks like Mount Robson, Assiniboine and Garibaldi and speaks of necessary regulations, like the limitations at Bowron Lake and West Coast Trail. He then addresses consultation with First Nations in parks past, present and future.

Ahrens and his interviewers talk about sound recordings and graphic images for Elders Council for Parks of BC projects. Ahrens ends the interview by speaking about his shifting interest from BC Parks; now, he focuses on the larger world and sees problems of parks as a microcosm of bigger in the world.

Camera shots show Bob Ahrens with trees and yard in background and some shots of plants. Several shots of interviewers.

Item consists of Rick Searle interviews with David Stirling [part 2] and Yorke Edwards. Stirling speaks about tensions between park interpreters and park managers/operations, which he feels lead to decline of intepretation program. He also discusses the changing BC Parks structure, such as regionalisation, as well as funding cuts, resetting priorites and public pressure for other amenities. Stirling concludes by naming his mentors, including Yorke Edwards and Carey Joy.

Camera shots show David Stirling seated outside with trees in background.

Edwards speaks about his association with BC Parks and protected areas for over 30 years, including his employment with BC Parks (1949-1962), his work with the Canadian Wildlife Service (the late 1960s) and his time at the BC provincial museum. He names the parks he worked in, including Manning Park and Wells Grey and speaks of his goal to to help people to see the wildlife in its natural settings. He also worked as park interpreter. He discusses the changes he has seen in parks from being well looked-after to the influx roads and cottages, which make them seem less like parks. Edwards recounts memorable experiences, including waking up to a wolf near his camp and encountering caribou, and touches on his major accomplishments, such as making parks like Long Beach, Miracle Beach and Mitlenatch Island. In conclusion, Edwards talks about the "city-fication" of parks and influential authors like Grey Owl and Ernest Thompson-Seton, as well as personal reminiscences on birding and writing.

Camera shots show Yorke Edwards with books and bookcase in background.

Item consists of Rick Searle interview with Denis O'Gorman. O’Gorman talks about his involvement with BC Parks as Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for BC Parks (1995-2001), his work with the Commission on Resources and Environment (CORE) (1992-1995), the Environment Land Use Secretariat (1976-1980) and Parks Canada (1971-1973). O’Gorman describes changes he saw in the field over the years, with the a good impetus in the 1970s, retrenchment in the 1980s and coalescence of the environmental movement in the 1990s. O’Gorman discusses his most memorable experiences and major accomplishments, including Purcell Wilderness Conservancy, Spatzsi, Tatshenshini-Alsek, Kitlope, the ceremony in Kitimat village, experiences with Chief Leonard George on Indian Arm and the cooperative management agreement.

O’Gorman would like to be remembered as someone who was committed to the organization, its people and its objectives. He feels he could have done a better job on communicating the importance, urgency and necessity of BC Parks to government investors. He feels today’s challenges center on organizational integrity, a predictable budget, attracting and retaining staff and infrastructure. In terms of doing things differently, O’Gorman would have liked more time for outreach, communication with non-government partners and stakeholders, more flex time, more thinking time and more time to spend with staff in the organization. He learned the importance of having a big vision and would like to see BC Parks expand opportunities its opportunities while addressing ecological integrity and capacity challenges. O’Gorman’s single biggest wish for BC Parks in the future is that it be given the resources it needs to do the job.

O’Gorman considers the following men amongst his mentors: Gordan Nelson (teacher), Vic Parker (Lower Mainland Regional Planning Board), Alistar Crerarr (Secretariat), Bob Williams, Harry Lash (GVRD), Jack Nichol (Parks Canada), Charlie Johnson (Forest Service, Pacific Regeneration Technologies), Phil Halcutt (Deputy Minister), Colin Campbell, Ray Travers (Secretariat).

Camera shots show Denis O’Gorman in a room with a plant in the background. Interviewer seen at very end.

Item consists of Rick Searle interview with Donald (Don) George Gough. Gough speaks about his employment with BC Parks (1967-2002), and the contract work he still does today. He lists the parks he worked in, including Emory Creek and Manning Park, plus the various roles he played, including district manager in three districts.

Green discusses his most memorable experiences, which include being the construction foreman for Lightning Lakes campground in Manning Park, working with Tony Hammond, the youth crew program, managing Manning Park and his role as Okanagan district manager. He names his biggest accomplishments, such as construction at Lightning Lake, reconstruction of Mule Deer; building in the Okanagan; extensions at Bear Creek, South park, North park; Okanagan Falls; and Haines Point. Green would like to be remembered for being a fair manager, a people person and someone who was respected by staff and NGOs. He discusses some of the challenges he met in his work, such as getting processes in place to build facilities, staff management and working with public groups and First Nations. He talks about the lessons he learned about respecting those you work with and tells an anecdote about taking “old timers” into Cathedral Lakes. In conclusion, Green speaks about his hopes for BC Parks and names mentors, such as Tom Moore, Herb Green, Ian Leeman and Joe Hilton.

Camera shots show Don Gough at Okanagan Lake Park with tree and water in the background. Interviewer seen at very end. Last minute of footage shows scenic shots of the lake and scenery.

Item consists of Rick Searle inteview with Ian McTaggart-Cowan. Opens with McTaggart-Cowan speaking about the Rockies and the birds/sounds of the uplands. He speaks about his background in biology and naturalism, including reminiscences of childhood, family, education and books from his youth. McTaggart-Cowan discusses his education at UBC and Berkely, his work in the BC provincial museum in 1930s and his field work in provincial parks, starting in Ootsa Lake in Tweedsmuir Park. He talks about the differences between harvesting and culturing forest management, public opinion and being an advisor to parks.

Camera shots show McTaggart-Cowan with bookcase in background.

Item consists of Rick Searle interview with John Woodworth. Woodworth speaks about his involvement with BC Parks and protected areas through Okanagan-Similkameen Parks Society from 1950s to 1980s.

Woodworth discusses his work in various parks, including Okanagan Mountain Park, Cathedral Lakes, Anaheim Lake and Grease Trail, Kalamalka Lake Park, all of which he lists as major accomplishments. His biggest challenges included the Grease Trail and the historic Alexander Mackenzie Voyageur route due to aboriginal groups’ interests in the area and inter-provincial territory. Woodworth received Order of Canada. Woodworth’s work taught him lessons about management, developing trust with government and opening lines of communication. He hopes that the BC government will continue to develop and maintain responsibility for areas that have been protected and mentions Roderick Haig-Brown and Brent Brink as personal influencers. Woodworth also reminiscences about family and early years out in nature.

Camera shows Woodworth with plants and sidewalk in background. Several people walk by in background during interview. Camera also shows shots of a trail guide In the Steps of Alexander Mackenzie, including maps for Tsacha Lake, Voyageur Route map, the Proclamation Regarding the Alexander Mackenzie Voyageur Route, various newsletters; and Woodworth’s belt buckle from HMS Mackenzie. Noise from air traffic can be heard in the background.