Friends of Gatineau Park

On Saturday February 11, 2012, the Friends of Gatineau Park held their annual retreat to further advance the strategic plan. Ten or so participants coming from the Board of directors, committee members and targeted volunteers exchanged for more than 3 hours on the expected outcomes of this meeting. These are to establish a list of priorities for each of the 4 committees for the next 18 months, to enhance communications between the 4 committees and to identify next steps towards renewing the agreement with the NCC in 2014.

Catherine Dumouchel from the Board led the discussions with the assistance of the other members (Dave, Mario and Louis) of the working group responsible to develop the strategic plan for the Friends. This plan was endorsed by the members at the most recent Annual general meeting in October 2011. The exchanges and discussions were stimulating and lively even with the small number of participants, and contributed significantly to the planned results of the meeting. Over the next weeks, the working group will continue to further develop the strategic plan in order to achieve its successful implementation.

Many thanks to all participants!

The Canadian Museum of Civilization announced last week the results of their Annual Christmas Tree Decorating Challenge and the Embassy of Honduras and ADHERO are the winners of this year’s challenge. The winning team will be given the opportunity to decorate a 10-foot tree next year during this friendly challenge organized by the CMC during the holiday season. The Canadian Slovak League won the challenge last year and had the honour of decorating a 10-foot tree this year.

The Board of directors of the Friends of Gatineau Park wishes to sincerely thank the general public, and specially the members of the Friends, who have taken the time to visit the museum and to vote for the tree decorated by the Friends.

Since January 10^th, Jocelyne Legros has joined the Friends of the Park’s  team.  She replaces Annette Vaillancourt as Office Assistant.

Jocelyne is retired from the Public Service where she has worked for many years in administration.  She will be working at the Office of the Friends of the Park two days a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

I am confident that her arrival will be an asset.  From all of us, I  welcome her into our team!   Graeme

Graeme

On January 20, Snowshoe under the Stars was lead by Jack Ricou and Catherine Dumouchel with the assistance of avid outdoorsman Allan Richens. Catherine and Jack’s career backgrounds are Ecology Interpretation & Conservation. They are the developers of the subject matter of this winter walk – Creatures of the night. They are also the developers of the Friends’ program: What to Do if You’re Lost in the Woods.

Twenty individuals or family members participated in the hour and a half snowshoe outing over hilly terrain near the Park Visitor Centre. Following this low-to-moderate exertion outing, participants enjoyed conversations about the wonders of the Park over hot chocolate and cookies in a fire-stove heated Sugar Shack near the parking lot of the Visitor Centre. Participants recalled their excitement over this opportunity to enjoy the forest on a crisp evening. 

Francois Leduc, has returned to the Gatineau Park management team from the  headquarters of the National Capital Commision.  In his new position, he can no longer act as our Volunteer Co-ordinator although he will continue to be in close contact with us.  We thank him for his two year contribution to the Friends, as a volunteer himself.

Mario Simard, who previously had been in that role from mid-2007 to late 2009, will replace him.

Volunteers are central to the achievement of our Mission.  François and Mario report enjoy matching interest of our dedicated volunteers with ongoing or one time opportunities.  Volunteers have reported that being involved has increased their enjoyment of and identification with the Park.  Others report that being involved broadened their knowledge of nature and/or heritage. They encourage others to join them.  You can do so by sending us an email at friendsgatineaupark@myexcel.ca   A special thanks to François and Mario.

Organized by the Nordik Spa-Nature and hosted by the Friends of Gatineau Park, here is an activity that will definitely interest you. Discover the Gatineau Park while snowshoeing at night. Meet at the Gatineau Park visitor centre at 6 pm. Every Tuesday starting January 10th until March 6th, 2012.

Cost $45.00 plus taxes including snowshoes and access to nordic baths.

Reservations required at 819-827-1111 or at www.lenordik.com.

More information – http://www.lenordik.com/en/events/.

Join the Friends of Gatineau Park volunteers for this great evening activity. As you snowshoe under the crisp night sky, you’ll discover how animals and plants face the many challenges of winter survival. Reservation required. Bilingual activity. Adults $15 (Friends of Gatineau Park members: $12), seniors and students $12 (members $10), children $5. Snowshoes included.

Evenings, Friday January 20^th, February 3^rd and February 17^th,, 2012

Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 33 Scott Rd., Chelsea QC

RESERVATIONS:

819-827-2020; Toll-free: 1-800-465-1867

613-239-5090 (TTY); Toll-free: 1-866-661-3530 (ATS)

Special invitation – Christmas Trees at Canadian Museum of Civilization

The Friends of Gatineau Park are pleased to invite you to admire the special tree that we have decorated as part of the Canadian Museum of Civilization’s annual Christmas Tree Decorating Challenge, and to vote for our tree.

The Friends of Gatineau Park are one of the local community groups invited to decorate a tree as part of a friendly competition to celebrate the festive season and to Continue reading →

Unless rescheduled, the Board of Directors meets from 7:00 to 9:00 pm the fourth Thursday of each month at the Visitors Centre. Check our e-calendar to confirm there has not been a change.

At the October 22 Volunteer Recognition and Annual  General  Meeting,  Friends’ interpreter Michelle Hegge spoke of the Summer 2011 Interpretive Programs  offered to Lac Philippe campers and visitors, in both French and English.  On a regular basis,  Conservation officer Marc Rousseau  offered his ever popular talk
on Gatineau Park’s black bear and local Search and Rescue team members offer well attended  Hug- a-Tree program which
teaches people of all ages what to do when lost in the woods.  As well, campers enthusiastically joined in our interactive (and very fun!) amphibian programs, learn about birds, beavers, or caves.  They tested  their knowledge at the Fact or Fiction game show , listened to nature legends and stories at campfires, and took part in a genuine scientific study of Parent Stream in the Adopt- a- River
program.  There was also a program on how to prepare for a successful outing in nature – along the way learning some cool
facts about Gatineau Park’s natural heritage.  In the International Year celebrating Our Forests, campers learned about the traditional (aboriginal) uses of our regions forests.