Bob Ahrens interview [part 2, 2008]
Date
2011-05-25
Authors
EKOS Communications
Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia
Searle, D. Richard (Donald Richard), 1951
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
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.
Description
Interview conducted by Rick (D. Richard) Searle, April 2008. Ahrens running time: 0:00-59:59, Quicktime H.264 file. Donated to UVic Archives in 2008 by Rick Searle executive producer of EKOS Communications.
Keywords
Ahrens, Robert H., Elders Council for Parks of British Columbia, British Columbia. Forest Service., British Columbia. Parks Division., Parks -- British Columbia