British Columbia parks video histories

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In 2008, the Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia donated to UVic Archives interviews conducted for the documentary: BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection .

The Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia video history collection was digitized through the support of the BC History Digitization Program, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia.

The Elders Council for Parks in BC is an independent society, whose members are retired parks system employees and conservation advocates who have dedicated a significant portion of their lives to parks and protected areas in BC.

Parks elders interviewed for this project: Bob Ahrens, Victor Bopp, Bert Brink, Luc Campeau, Ric Careless, Jim Delikatny, Yorke Edwards, Ken Farquharson, Milt Goddard, Don Gough, Herb Green, Gordon MacDonald, Ian McTaggart-Cowan, Ed Mankelow, Tom Moore, Denis O'Gorman, David Stirling, and John Woodworth.

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    Bob Ahrens interview [part 3, 2008]
    (2011-05-25) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Continuation of 2008 Ahrens interview. 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 is 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. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection available at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723.
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    Bob Ahrens interview [part 2, 2008]
    (2011-05-25) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Bob Ahrens interview in 2008 by 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. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection available at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723.
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    Bob Ahrens interview [part 1, 2008]
    (2011-05-25) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Bob Ahrens interviewed by Rick Searle 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. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection available at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723.
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    Bert Brink interview
    (2011-05-25) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Bert Brink interviewed by Rick Searle. 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. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection available at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723.
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    Ric Careless and Bob Ahrens [part 1, 2007] interviews
    (2011-05-25) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Ric Careless interviewed by Rick Searle. Careless speaks about his involvement in protecting natural areas (1970-2006) through his work in the Sierra Club on Vancouver Island, Tatsheshini Wild/BC Spaces for Nature,the Wilderness Tourism Association and as a land resources specialist with BC Cabinet. He names the parks he is most familiar with, including Nitinat Triangle, Purcell Wilderness, Spatsizi, Height of the Rockies, Tatshenshini and Chilcotin. Amongst his memorable experiences, Careless lists demonstrations for Nitinat Triangle, meeting Princess Margaret and Chretien and his encounters with wildlife. He names protecting Tatshenshini as a major accomplishment. Throughout his interview, Careless voices his concerns about this generation keeping the legacy of protection alive and his wishes that the public connects with parks through personal experiences; these connections is what will make parks lands truly safe for the future. Ahrens speaks about his work with BC Parks (1949-1979) in roles as chief of planning, assistant director, director and deputy minister. He discusses his interest in nature, work in forestry industry and organization of BC Parks in the early years. Ahrens speaks about working in all of the parks at the time and explains the change in focus from multi-purpose parks close to urban areas to larger, more scenic park expansion under the 1970s government. He discusses park use and creation of “mischief designations” like wilderness areas and recreation areas. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection available at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723.
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    Bob Ahrens interview [part 2, 2007]
    (2011-05-25) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    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. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection available at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723.
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    Ken Farquharson and David Stirling [part 1] interview
    (2011-05-25) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Ken Farquharson interviewed by Rick Searle. Farquharson speaks about his involvement with BC Parks and protected areas from the 1960s, including work with the Save Cypress Bowl committee, the Run Out Skagit Spoilers (ROSS) committee, the Sierra Club of BC, the Forest Land Use Liasion Committee, the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC and the Wilderness Advisory Committee under the Bill Bennett government. Farquharson recounts memorable times spent in various parks and lists some of his major accomplishments, such as his perseverance in Skagit Valley; his work with the Wilderness Advisory Committee, Khutzeymateen and Tatshenshini; and the establishment of the Wilderness Act. Farquharson goes on to talk about his biggest challenges, namely natural resource industries’ interests and aboriginal interests. If he could do things differently, Farquharson says that he would revisit his work in Cypress Bowl. He speaks about lessons learned, including need for persistence in creation/designation, as well as his hopes for the future through funding, park management, advocacy and a stronger public constituency. David Stirling interviewed by Rick Searle. Stirling speaks about his employment with BC Parks (ca. 1959-1980) and his interview focuses on his work with the park naturalist and interpretation programs. He lists his most memorable experiences as working with park naturalists and representing parks at the BC Nature Federation. Stirling goes on to recount his major accomplishments and he speaks of the challenges that grew out of working with BC Parks workers with different ideas about the importance of nature interpretation in the system. Stirling talks about how he met those challenges and the lessons he learned about cooperation at the branch and ministry levels. In terms of future hopes, Stirling discusses how he would like to see interpretation program come back to BC Parks; how he would like to see parks kept as natural as possible; how he would like to see more and all benefits government could realize from this investment. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection available at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723.
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    David Stirling [part 2] and Yorke Edwards Interviews
    (2011-05-25) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Continuation of the Stirling interview October 2006. Stirling speaks about tensions between park interpreters and park managers/operations, which he feels lead to decline of interpretation program. He also discusses the changing BC Parks structure, such as regionalisation, as well as funding cuts, resetting priorities and public pressure for other amenities. Stirling concludes by naming his mentors, including Yorke Edwards and Carey Joy. Yorke Edwards interviewed by Rick Searle. 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. Worked as park interpreter. He discusses the changes he’s seen in parks from being completely looked after to the influx of 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. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection available at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723.
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    Ian McTaggart-Cowan interview
    (2011-05-25) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Ian McTaggart-Cowan interviewed by Rick Searle. McTaggart-Cowan speaks about the Rockies and the birds/sounds of the uplands. He discusses his background in biology and naturalism, including reminiscences of childhood, family, education and books from his youth. McTaggart-Cowan describes 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. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection available at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723
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    Don Gough interview
    (2011-05-25) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Donald (Don) George Gough interviewed by Rick Searle. 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. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection available at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723
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    Okanagan Park plaque unveiling and Herb Green interview
    (2011-05-25) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Footage begins with scenic shots at South Park in the South Okanagan/Okanagan Lake Park, including the lake, water, shore, hills with talking in the background, birds; campgrounds with sound of lawnmower, children, dog in background; BC Parks signs; Rick Searle and others at a commemoration for BC Parks reunion. At 15:26, speeches begin to commemorate BC Parks employees who have reunited for plaque unveiling. Speakers include Drew Carmicheal and Brian Botheimer, Manager of Conservation and Recreation and touch on history of BC Parks, current park use, legacy, etc. Lou Campo also gives a speech for construction people who built BC Parks, and became district managers. Several people are mentioned, including Charlie Velay and Tony Hammond. Attendees included Drew Carmicheal, John Wilgress, Don Carruthers, Jimmy Moore, John Goff, Tom Moore, Herb Green and Jim Delgatty. Herb D. E. Green interviewed by Rick Searle. Green speaks about his employment with BC Parks (1950-1987) and the positions he held in such parks as Manning Park and Silverstar. His most memorable experiences include injuries, searching for children, difficult staff situations, requirements of central organizations (i.e. purchasing) and yearly inventory. Green counts his role of district manager at Manning Park as his biggest accomplishment. He hopes to be remembered for wildlife management and his understanding of difference between managing the large parks versus the parks with lots of people. He has few regrets, but may have tried get in charge of bigger crews of men earlier. The main lessons he learned center around garbage management. Green concludes his interview by touching on his hopes for BC Parks in the future; naming his mentors, who include Charlie Velay and Ian Leeman; some personal reminiscences; and an anecdote about Clearwater Lake. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection available at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723
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    Tom Moore and Ed Mankelow Interviews
    (2011-05-25) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Tom Moore interviewed by Rick Searle. Moore speaks about his employment with BC Parks (1950-1995), including positions as district manager and regional manager. He names the parks he worked in, which included most of the parks in BC. Moore characterizes the 1960s as a time of tough budgeting processes, the 1970s as a time when more money than could be spent responsibly and the 1980s as a time when development was sold off and programs were done away with (e.g. youth crew). Moore’s most memorable experiences include building a park from start to finish in a single year (e.g. Okanagan Lake Park) as well as developing ski areas in Manning Park and Cypress Mountain. Ed Mankelow interviewed by Rick Searle. Mankelow speaks about his involvement with BC Parks and protected areas through work with the Parks and Wilderness Land Use Committee of the BC Wildlife Federation (1962-2006), the Canadian Wildlife Federation, the BC Parks Legacy Panel and the Parks Advisory Committee. He is most familiar with parks where he park host, namely Spatzisi and Kakwa, as well as Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island. Mankelow recounts his most memorable experiences, such as park inaugurations and watching wild animals in their native habitat. His biggest accomplishments center on awards he has received for his environmental work over the years, including the award for outstanding conservationist in Canada (1979), the Barsby Award for Conservation (1979) and the Millenium Award for protection of parks. Mankelow hopes to be remembered for his passion for parks, which comes from his true belief in young people. Mankelow sees securing continued financial support from government and the 2010 Olympics as the next major challenges for parks and protected areas. Mankelow’s regrets are few, but he does regret suggesting the co-management of wild rivers in BC. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection available at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723.
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    Robert (Bob) Williams interview
    (2011-05-25) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Robert (Bob) Williams interviewed by Rick Searle. Williams speaks about his involvement with BC Parks and protected areas in his role as Minister of Recreation and Conservation and Minister of Land, Forest and Water Resources (1972-1975). Williams discusses his portfolio and several cabinets, committees and secretariats he was involved with during his time and characterizes 1972-1975 as a time of great productivity. For example, several major park developments took place, which doubled parks from 3M acres to 6M acres. He sees this expansion, which resulted in such parks as Spatsizi, Kwadacha, Carp Lake, Mt. Assiniboine, Cape Scott, Okanagan Mountain and Purcell Wilderness, as his major accomplishments. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection available at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723
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    Victor Bopp, Gordon MacDonald and Jim Delikatny interviews
    (2011-05-18) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Victor Bopp interviewed by Rick Searle. Bopp speaks about his employment with BC Parks (1963-1995) and the parks he worked in. He touches on the changes he witnessed over the years, especially in terms of training, regulations, unions and increased public awareness of environmental issues. Gordan MacDonald interviewed by Rick Searle. MacDonald speaks about his employment with BC Parks (1960-1996) and various roles, such as district manager in the regions of Fort St. John area/Peace-Liard , Prince George and Terrace/Skeena-Charlotte. He names the parks he worked in as well as his most memorable experiences, including his work with aboriginal groups, grizzly bear management and various park management projects. Jim Delikatny interviewed by Rick Searle. Delikatny speaks about his employment with BC Parks from 1956 to 1988 in various roles such as machine operator, foreman, regional supervisor (Prince George) and district manager (Squamish/Garibaldi 1966-1988). Delikatny names the parks he worked in and describes his time in BC Parks. He sees Garibaldi park as the jewel of his career, along with the trail to Black Tusk, the road to Whistler and skiing experiences. The recovery program in Garibaldi park and Black Tusk area are mentioned amongst his major accomplishments. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection found at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723.
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    John Woodworth interview
    (2011-05-18) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    John Woodworth interviewed by Rick Searle. 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. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection found at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723.
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    Denis O’Gorman interview
    (2011-05-18) EKOS Communications; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
    Denis O’Gorman interviewed by Rick Searle. 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. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection found at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723.
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    Lucien (Luc) Campeau and Milton Goddard interviews
    (2011-05-17) EKOS Communications; Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951-; Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia
    Lucien (Luc) Campeau interviewed by Rick Searle. Campeau speaks about his employment with BC Parks, from 1955 until his retirement as district manager [year not given]. He names the parks he worked in; his major accomplishments, such as the boardwalk at Liard Hot Springs, the road into Montague Harbor and Bowen Island landscaping; and names some of his mentors. Campeau also speaks to the importance of the provincial park system and the need for support from the government to ensure its continued success. (Milt) Goddard interviewed by Rick Searle.Goddard speaks about his employment with BC Parks (1959-1988) and roles as reconnaissance, district park officer and regional manager in the Kootenays and Kamloops. He characterizes each decade of BC Parks during his years there: 1960s were underfunded; 1970s were well-funded with several parks and wilderness areas created and major park reconstruction; 1980s saw reorganization and downsizing, but system was sophisticated and successful. Goddard discusses the youth crews and back country ranger programs, and he counts the establishment of the female youth crews and back country rangers as major accomplishments. He found managing staff performance as a major challenge. Goddard feels that the current BC Parks has lost its vitality and colour, due in part to contractors, lost ownership of system and an unmet need for greater planning capabilities. Part of Elders’ Council for Parks in British Columbia oral history interview series, collected for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection found at http://ekoscommunications.com/node/723.
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