Thank You To Our 2020 Donors, Partners And Volunteers!
When the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2020, none of us were really sure what the year ahead would have in store. January and February our plans were taking shape, but by March we had started down a challenging and uncertain path. With a global pandemic, it has been a year that has at times seen heartbreaking loss, but also triumph and inspiration in the face of adversity.
In March we were faced with no longer being able to engage with students with on-site programs, and as the months passed, we made the decision to cancel in-person day camps. What resulted was an amazing effort made possible by our volunteers, the ASCCA’s first-ever virtual day camp experience, Nature Safari Webbed. In July and August, with the hard work and passion of those involved, we were able to offer four exciting themed weeks for our campers. Volunteers contributed daily crafts, camp songs, educational videos and more. Campers were even able to pick up a bluebird box to build and decorate with their family to be installed for mountain bluebirds at the conservation area.
After closing for a short time in March, we opened our trails in May, and saw an unprecedented number of visitors. To further engage with visitors, we created a new volunteer position, and had several Visitor Ambassadors interacting with the public at our welcome kiosk through the summer and fall. Following COVID-19 precautions, we had many students involved over the spring and summer with projects including a hiker information video and a bluebird box monitoring project. From September – November, we had two volunteers join our team from the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s Canadian Conservation Corps (CCC) program, who installed several new motion-sensing cameras to capture wildlife, and assisted with outreach and education. We wish them all the best with their future pursuits.
It is said that the brightest stars appear in the darkest nights. Despite the adversity we faced in the year 2020 we still had the much-needed help of many of our own shining stars in the community.
This year we would like to thank the following organizations for their support:
- Alberta Conservation Association
- A & W Shawnessy
- Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
- Chevron Canada Resources
- CWF Canadian Conservation Corps
- Foothills County
- Government of Canada CSJ Program
- Pembina Pipeline Corporation
- TD Friends of the Environment
We would also like to thank all of our volunteers and individual donors for making our work possible.
The Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area (ASCCA) is a 4800-acre day use natural area southwest of Calgary. It began as a land donation from A. R. ‘Sandy’ Cross and his wife Ann. The ASCCA was founded with the hope that it would be remain a protected piece of paradise and unique outdoor classroom.
Learn more at crossconservation.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @ ASCConservation.
