What's New
2011
The Bear & The Butterfly is closing down
After several years with a decline in tourist numbers in Banff and the current recession, The Friends of Banff have decided to close The Bear & The Butterfly. We have worked hard this summer to keep the store going, it is with regret that we are announcing the closure for the first weekend of October. We would like to thank Kathleen, our retail manager, the retail team and all of our customers for the support and time they have given the past few years. Our Parks Canada Information Centre retail store is running at reduced hours, from 9am-1pm until further notice, and we will still be operating this store during the Summer months.
2011
There’s An App For That!
Banff National Park Companion App
Have you ever driven through Banff National Park, and wondered "What's that mountain called?" "Who was Rundle named after?" or "What river is that?" The Banff National Park Audio tours used to answer all of those questions, but now you don't have to come into the townsite to rent the GPS package to get it! All you have to do is go onto your app store and download the Parks Companion Audio Guide App, and it's like having a park interpreter with you all the time, letting you know interesting facts about where you are, and the landscape around you! Check out the app here for more information!
2011
Atlantic Craft Show and New Retail Products
The girls from the Friends of Banff just got back from the east coast where they attended the 34th annual Atlantic Craft Trade Show in
2011
New and Upcoming on Park Radio
The staff at Park Radio have been hard at work creating interesting and educational programming for its listeners.
2011
Our Commitment to Education
The Friends of Banff is dedicated to the education and stewardship of our children who live in this beautiful national park.
2010
Hey Dude - where’s my Satellite?
Twenty-five students in Jason Ell's Outdoor Education Classes at Banff Community High School were recently given an introduction to GPS (Global Positioning Systems).
2010
Canadian Parks Companion- iPhone Application
Celebrate the new Canadian Mountain Parks Companion -Banff Edition! Learn about the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park using this new iPhone application.
Featuring "Augmented Reality" to identify the peaks, this new iPhone application is truly the perfect companion for anyone wishing to fully experience the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies within Banff National Park. As well as augmented reality, it features automatic GPS mapping and interpretive information for over 250 mountains and points of interest with over 400 photos.
The Canadian Mountain Parks Companion, Banff Edition is the best of any Banff National Park guide, at your fingertips, anytime! This past Friday, October 29th we had a launch at the Banff Public Library. About fifty people came out to learn more about this fantastic new application developed by interpretive guide and author Dave Birrell and his friends in conjunction with The Friends of Banff National Park. The iPhone application is now available through the Apple Apps Store or by clicking on the following link: itms://itunes.apple.com/us/app/canadian-mountain-parks-companion/id396113294?mt=8
2010
CPAWS Photo Contest
There are tonnes of ways for nature lovers to express their creativity, this month. Don't forget about the video contest (submit your entry by October 12!), but in case film isn't your medium,CPAWS Capture the Wild Photo Contest has begun!
There are 5 categories to submit your digital work to: Banff 125, Wilderness Patterns, Scenic Snapshots, Canadian Flora and Fauna & People Connecting with Nature.
The Grand Prize is $500 at The Camera Store in Calgary, prize packages from Mountain Equipment Co-op and Community Natural Foods and CPAWS' hiking guide!
Check out the contest website for more details, and remember, you have until October 23, at midnight. Good luck!
2010
Celebrate Parks!
Have you heard about the contest being put on by CPAWS and Parks Canada? Show off your skills as a 'park guide' and create a 2min video telling viewers what you love about one of Canada's 42 National Parks. Visitors and residents of Banff National Park should have no shortage of things to say and views to share-- shall we get you started? Hiking, biking, paddling, running-- you can take it from here!
The grand prize is a guided trip for two down the South Nahanni River in Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories. This trip included airfare from a major Canadian city, a one year family pass to all Canadian National Parks and is worth approximately $15000.
For more information on the contest, visit the contest website! Good luck! Bonne chance!
2010
Last ‘Weeding Wednesday’ of the Summer!
It's official- the growing season is coming to a close. Parks Canada will be holding their last in a series of 'Weeding Wednesdays' just 2 days from now, on August 18.
It's your last chance to come out and stretch your green thumb before it goes back into hibernation. Come out and learn about local wildflowers by volunteering in the native plant beds at Banff Avenue Square. Tasks will consist of light garden maintenance, including some weeding, transplanting and hand watering. Tools will be provided, but bring your own work gloves.
Interested? Call 762-1464 or email Heather.Dempsey@pc.gc.ca , or just drop by Wednesday morning between 8:30-11:00am and 'dig in!'
