Individual volunteer – Roger Bean

A long-time advocate for trail improvements, Bean has spent countless hours working on projects related to visitor safety and access in E.C. Manning Park, where he has volunteered for more than two decades. Bean’s focus has been on backcountry ski routes, like Cambie Loop/Fat Dog Trails, but he is also involved with summer interpretive programs that highlight his work on tracking and capturing incredible images of wildlife in the park. His work has also supported published wildlife research.

Bean is a key resource for BC Parks rangers and often takes them on excursions to improve their knowledge and skills in backcountry winter operations. Through his work as a volunteer firefighter at East Gate, Bean has come to the aid of BC Parks during wildfire/rescue events and is a fixture at Gibson Pass Ski Hill with his search and rescue dog Chloe.

Volunteer legacy – Ray Worley

For more than half a century, Worley has helped protect and manage Kalamalka Lake Park. A member of the local naturalist club in the 1970s, Worley was at the forefront of the successful campaign to establish the park near Vernon and has volunteered countless hours in numerous roles and activities since.

Worley’s volunteer activities within the park include park host, conducting visitor surveys, participating in the community park watch program, trail improvements, ecosystem restoration projects, developing park brochures and signage, and spearheading the park's 25th anniversary celebration. After 15 years, Worley recently stepped down as an executive member of the Friends of Kalamalka Lake Park Society, which he helped found.

Volunteer group – North Okanagan Cycling Society

Since 2006, the North Okanagan Cycling Society has developed a multi-use trail system within three provincial parks — Kalamalka Lake, Ellison and Silver Star. Constructed through volunteer time, donations and community outreach, the system totals more than 200 kilometres of trails that are used by nearly 400,000 visitors annually. The trails continue to be maintained by the society, which has grown to 800 members. The society is also an ambassador for stewardship within BC Parks.

Community partner – Stephanie Hooker and AdvantageHOPE

As a contractor to AdvantageHOPE, the District of Hope’s economic development and tourism agency, Hooker’s contributions to BC Parks represent an ongoing effort to improve park facilities, increase access and connect visitors with nature. Some of the many projects that Hooker and AdvantageHOPE have championed recently include developing new interpretive signs for Coquihalla Canyon Park, trail development, trail planning, bridge construction, Trips and Trails brochures, and creating the QuestUpon app. The projects have helped foster more than $1.5 million of investment and approximately 2,200 volunteer hours.

Park operator – Quality Recreation

Based in Vernon, Quality Recreation has operated approximately 40 provincial parks throughout B.C. since 1990. Its primary operating area is the Okanagan valley, where it brings limitless enthusiasm to front country recreation in parks such as Fintry, Kalamalka, Kekuli Bay, Ellison and Mabel Lake. The company recently expanded operations to the north end of Vancouver Island.