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archival descriptions
CA UVICARCH AR447 · Collection · 2000 - 2008

Collection consists of video history interviews with park pioneers, as well as some events, created by EKOS Communications in partnership with the Elders Council for Parks of British Columbia commemorate the 100th anniversary of BC Parks in 2011.

The Elders Council 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. These interviews served as source material for the documentary BC Parks: Celebrating 100 Years of Recreation and Protection.

EKOS Communications first launched in 2005 as ekostv.com with the goal of creating Canada's first independent new media channel. ekostv was re-envisioned in 2007 as EKOS Communications, Inc. which providing environmental education and communication services. Clients included Parks Canada, BC Parks, Natural Resources Canada, Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Metro Vancouver, and Union of BC Municipalities. EKOS Communications’ services included project management, video production, audio production, web design and development, community animation, group process and facilitation, research and writing, communications strategy, communications consultation, environmental education, curriculum design, development and evaluation.

In December 2010, EKOS Communications Inc. dissolved and was re-formed as EKOS Communications under the sole proprietorship of creator, president and executive producer Rick Searle. As of April 2011, other chief officers of EKOS Communications included Creative Director/Writer Starr Munro, Editor/Shooter Richard Fulop, and Webmaster Prarie Blake. EKOS Communications’ stated mission is “to assist with the rapid advancement of ecological literacy and sustainability through environmental education and communication;” “Combining video, audio, animation, and print with new media innovations, EKOS Communications connects people more deeply with each other to work together for the betterment of the planet.”

Standard questions were used in most of the interviews and included dates of employment/association with BC Parks, parks worked in, greatest challenges, accomplishments and regrets, lessons learned, hopes for provincial park system today and mentors.

Interviewers included Rick Searle. Interviewees: Bob Ahrens, Victor Bopp, Bert Brink, Luc Campeau, Ric Careless, Jim Delikatny, Yorke Edwards, Ken Farquharson, Milt Goddard, Don Gough, Herb Green, Gordon MacDonald, Ed Mankelow, Ian McTaggart-Cowan, Tom Moore, Denis O’Gorman, David Stirling, Bob Williams and John Woodworth.

Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia

Item consists of Rick Searle interview with Rick Careless, and Rick Searle and Derek Thompson interview with Bob Ahrens. 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. Careless mentions mentors such as Bob Williams, Brett Wallace (UVic), Brock Evans, Ken Farquharson and family.

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.

In terms of challenges, Ahrens names daily battles to protect natural integrity of the parks. He expresses regrets that funds were not available to acquire parkland in cheaper times and tells an anecdote about Kokanee Creek Park. Ahrens communicates dissatisfaction with the current parks system, particularly with their push for substantial developments/resorts. He speaks about a lack of public support for natural parks and expresses hope that this will change in the future. Ahrens discusses the interpretive program and the demise of the youth crew program.

Camera shots show Careless with trees and shrubs in background and 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 consists of interviews by Rick Searle with Lucien (Luc) Campeau and Milton (Milt) Goddard).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.

Camera shots show Luc Campeau with water and hills in the background. Sometimes see interviewer.

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.

Item consists of Rich Searle interviews with Tom Moore and Ed Mankelow. 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. He does not feel that he has one single biggest accomplishment, but names youth crews and building chair lifts amongst best accomplishments. He hopes he is remembered for being a builder, a doer and a hard-nosed "budgeter." Moore counts the ups and downs of government changes as his major challenge, as they made it difficult to budget and set priorities. In terms of lessons learned, Moore feels that having consistent staff rather than relying on auxiliaries is important. His future wishes for BC Parks include BC parks becoming a commission (like BC Hydro) with a budget not just from government, but also from donations. This would allow more planned development by need. In closing, Moore names his mentors, including Charlie Valet and Ian Leeman, and remarks that he feels disappointed that the regional status of parks is gone. He believes that today, consistency in the BC Parks system has been lost and he would like to see BC parks move back to a decentralized system that works better, giving district authority and allowing for greater consistency.

Camera shots show Tom Moore indoors with a plant in the background. Interviewer is seen at end of interview.

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. The biggest lessons he has learned is the strength of people power, the importance of ecological integrity above recreation and the importance of education and involving young people. He hopes that BC Parks will not turn to commercialization in the future. Mankelow lists several mentors, including Bob Ahrens, Bert Brink, Bob Peterson, Helut Williams, Rick Searle and others. Mankelow ends the interview by reiterating the importance of young people and by speaking with interviewer about Strathcona, lodges in parks and other park related issues.

Camera shots show Ed Mankelow indoors with a plant in the background. Interviewer is seen towards the end of interview.

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 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.

John Woodworth interview

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.

Denis O'Gorman interview

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 interviews with Victor Bopp, Gordon MacDonald and Jim Delikatny. 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.

His most memorable moments include Bowron Lake and the first meadow rehabilitation in BC that took place in Black Tusk, which he counts amongst his major accomplishments. His challenges included personnel management, government and policy changes, setting priorities and budgets. Bopp admits that he might have done something differently if there was any way to anticipate where policy changes would occur and that would incorporate the environmental issues that arose in the 1990s. The greatest lesson from his experience was to be open to information and to find new ways to approach situations.

Looking ahead, Bopp’s biggest hope for BC Parks is government support, finding a balance between recreation and conservation and balancing economics. Bopp talks about allowing ecosystems in parks to change as a part of nature, then moves on to name mentors, such as Ian Leeman, Jim Delikatny, Jake Mazalink, Tom Moore, Struan Robertson.

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.

Amongst his major accomplishments, MacDonald counts managing resources at Furlong Bay and managing the youth crew program, particularly the female youth crew in Mt. Robson and the camps at Carp Lake and Krugat River. MacDonald speaks about challenges he faced while at BC Parks, including budgets, transportation, moving and schedules. He names few regrets.

MacDonald sees BC Parks’ main challenges in stakeholders and shrinking natural habitats. He hopes that the system will build the capability to manage areas, create mandates, secure finances and gain greater stakeholder support. Denis Podmore, Derek Thompson, Jake Masalink and Tom Moore number amongst MacDonald’s mentors and influences.

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. Delikatny touches on several challenges he faced in his career, including lack of experience, pressure to meet demands and Communications. In the future, he would like to see BC Parks preserve more of Garibaldi and believes that park use should be limited and more closely managed. His mentors include Denis Bodmore and Ian Leeman.

Camera shots show Bopp, MacDonald and Delikatny in turn, seated inside with plants behind them.

Item consists of video of the Okanagan Park plaque unveiling and Rick Searle interview with Herb Green. Plaque unveiling 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 Campeau also gives a speech acknowledging construction employees who built BC Parks, and became district managers. Several people are mentioned, including Charlie Valet and Tony Hammond. Attendees included Drew Carmicheal, John Wilgress, Don Carruthers, Jimmy Moore, John Goff, Tom Moore, Herb Green and Jim Delgatty.

Camera shots of unveiling of temporary plaque.

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 Valet and Ian Leeman; some personal reminiscences; and an anecdote about Clearwater Lake.

Camera shots show Herb Green at Okanagan Lake Park with tree and water in the background. Interviewer seen at very end.

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 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 interviews with Ken Farquharson and David Stirling interviews. 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. Farquharson lists Bert Brink as a mentor, and counts milestones such as major expansion in the 1970s and grass roots movements. He ends his interview by touching on issues around resorts in parks.

Camera shots show Ken Farquharson outside on a patio with a plant in the background. Sometimes see interviewer.

In part 1 of his interview with 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. [Interview continues on Disk 2, Track 4]

Camera shots show David Stirling outside with shrubs in the background.

Bert Brink interview

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.

Item consists of Rick Searle interview with Robert (Bob) Williams. 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.

Wiliams faced few major challenges in his work since environmental issues were not yet fully formed, he had a small cabinet and good relations with colleagues and also enjoyed a certain level of freedom. If he could change anything, he speaks of his political party taking a more moderate approach which might have allowed them to stay in office longer. Williams touches on successes in the Ministry’s structure at the time, including capacity at community level, decentralization and local management. He counts this decentralized structure as a lesson learned and stresses the importance of empowering local people for success. Wiliams’ future hopes and wishes for BC parks include finding more diverse sensitivity and a wide-range of uses in “mixed zones.” The interview ends with a listing of Williams’ mentors, including Bob Aherns, Alister Crerar, Ric Careless, Bristol Foster and various conservation, fish and wildlife groups.

Camera shots show Bob Williams on a wharf in Penticton with water and hills in the background; interviewer seen at end of interview; plane heard in background at one point during the interview.

Don Gough interview

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.