Friends of Banff National Park What's New RSS Feed http://www.friendsofbanff.com/ en media@friendsofbanff.com Copyright 2011 2011-09-21T21:08:36+00:00 The Bear & The Butterfly is closing down http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/bear-the-butterfly-is-closing-down/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/bear-the-butterfly-is-closing-down/#When:20:08:36Z 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.

]]> 2011-09-21T20:08:36+00:00 There’s An App For That! http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/Parks-Companion-Guide-Mobile-App/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/Parks-Companion-Guide-Mobile-App/#When:13:30:38Z

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! 

 

 

 

 

]]> 2011-07-13T13:30:38+00:00 Atlantic Craft Show and New Retail Products http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/atlantic-craft-show-and-new-retail-products/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/atlantic-craft-show-and-new-retail-products/#When:18:54:22Z 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 Halifax, Nova Scotia. The craft industry in Atlantic Canada is widely recognized for their abundant creative talent, which sets the stage for vibrant crafts, giftware and apparel. The Atlantic Craft Show has been an amazing opportunity for us to learn from counterparts in other provinces, to develop business contacts and to celebrate the successes in this industry. 

]]> 2011-02-22T18:54:22+00:00 New and Upcoming on Park Radio http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/new-and-upcoming-on-park-radio/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/new-and-upcoming-on-park-radio/#When:15:37:37Z The staff at Park Radio have been hard at work creating interesting and educational programming for its listeners.

]]> 2011-02-16T15:37:37+00:00 Our Commitment to Education http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/our-commitment-to-education/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/our-commitment-to-education/#When:21:12:38Z The Friends of Banff is dedicated to the education and stewardship of our children who live in this beautiful national park.

]]> 2011-02-12T21:12:38+00:00 Hey Dude - where’s my Satellite? http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/hey-dude-wheres-my-satellite/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/hey-dude-wheres-my-satellite/#When:22:39:22Z 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).

]]> 2010-12-15T22:39:22+00:00 Canadian Parks Companion- iPhone Application http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/canadian-parks-companion-iphone-Application/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/canadian-parks-companion-iphone-Application/#When:16:30:17Z 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

]]> 2010-10-29T16:30:17+00:00 CPAWS Photo Contest http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/cpaws-photo-contest/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/cpaws-photo-contest/#When:18:09:37Z 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!

]]> 2010-10-04T18:09:37+00:00 Celebrate Parks! http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/celebrate-parks/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/celebrate-parks/#When:21:51:31Z 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!

]]> 2010-08-23T21:51:31+00:00 Last ‘Weeding Wednesday’ of the Summer! http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/last-weeding-wednesday-of-the-summer/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/last-weeding-wednesday-of-the-summer/#When:17:41:59Z 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!'

]]> 2010-08-16T17:41:59+00:00 Dragon Boats and Sidewalk Sale http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/dragon-boats-and-sidewalk-sale/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/dragon-boats-and-sidewalk-sale/#When:15:02:11Z This coming weekend, of August 14th, will be a busy one for Banff.  Lake Minnewanka will be playing host to the 2010 Dragon Boat races and Banff Ave. is sure to be packed with avid shoppers maneuvering through the town-wide sidewalk sale.

]]> 2010-08-12T15:02:11+00:00 The Banff Legacy Fund http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/banff-legacy-fund/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/banff-legacy-fund/#When:18:21:35Z The Friends of Banff is able to leverage their future charitable status to increase funding for the Banff Legacy Fund and 'Classes in the Park' program.  To get the ball rolling, profits on all Friends of Banff merchandise created for the Banff 125 celebrations will go directly into the Banff Legacy Fund.

Consistent with the goals of the Banff 125 initiative is the 'Classes in the Park' program.  'Classes in the Park' was jointly developed by the Friends of Banff and Parks Canada with the intention of increasing understanding, appreciation and advocacy for the Park and our unique ecosystems.  Developed in accordance with the Alberta Education Curriculum, 'Classes in the Park' aims to reach out to the regional youth market. 

The Banff Legacy Fund supports fundraising initiatives for the 'Classes in the Park' program and 'Classes in the Park' creates programming for students, allowing them to become stewards of Banff National Park.

]]> 2010-06-22T18:21:35+00:00 The Banff National Park BikeFest http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/banff-national-park-bikefest/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/banff-national-park-bikefest/#When:19:58:20Z The Banff Bike Fest will be kicking off this Thursday June 17th and will run until Sunday June 20th.  It will take place in Banff and Lake Louise, and will feature a combination of family events and 5 competitive road races.  More information, including race details, is available at http://bit.ly/9xa4Ln.  We hope to see you there!  

]]> 2010-06-16T19:58:20+00:00 33rd Annual Canmore Folk Music Festival http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/33rd-annual-canmore-folk-music-festival/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/33rd-annual-canmore-folk-music-festival/#When:21:09:53Z Canmore's 33rd annual Folk Music Festival will be taking place Saturday, July 31 to Monday, August 2 at Centennial Park.

]]> 2010-06-01T21:09:53+00:00 Classes in the Park comes to Banff Community High School this spring http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/classes-in-the-park-comes-to-banff-community-high-school-this-spring/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/classes-in-the-park-comes-to-banff-community-high-school-this-spring/#When:20:00:21Z Our newest Environmental Education Program, Classes in the Park, will begin on June 8th with a field trip exploring biodiversity.

]]> 2010-05-22T20:00:21+00:00 BioBlitz at Banff National Park http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/bioblitz-at-banff-national-park/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/bioblitz-at-banff-national-park/#When:15:34:21Z Join Friends of Banff and Banff National Park to an entire day of family-based nature and art activities for May 22, International Day for Biodiversity.


 

]]> 2010-05-11T15:34:21+00:00 Welcome to our new website! http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/welcome-to-our-new-website/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/welcome-to-our-new-website/#When:14:15:30Z The Friends of Banff is pleased to announce the launch of this new website. We would like to thank Natalie Talbot, for the fantastic design to match with our collateral, and Eric Barstad of Shadow Box Creative Media, for coding.

]]> 2010-04-19T14:15:30+00:00 Tune into Park Radio’s Off the Beaten Track Path http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/off-the-beaten-track/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/off-the-beaten-track/#When:01:35:44Z Learn about Banff National Park from the experts, Parks Canada. Featuring information about events, activities, and some of the research that goes on behind the scenes in Banff National Park.

]]> 2009-12-09T01:35:44+00:00 Find out what’s going on in and around Banff http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/find-out-whats-going-on-in-and-around-banff/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/find-out-whats-going-on-in-and-around-banff/#When:01:30:55Z from Current Events to Community Events to Artists playing the cafés this week. We explore current local events with the people most intimately involved.

]]> 2009-12-09T01:30:55+00:00 Locals’ appreciation Day http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/locals-appreciation-day/ http://www.friendsofbanff.com/news/article/locals-appreciation-day/#When:00:15:34Z Are you a Banff resident? If so, come to The Bear and The Butterfly - 214 Banff Ave, Banff - on Friday, December 4, 2009, for a Locals' Appreciation Day and get 25% off on everything except books and maps!

]]> 2009-11-19T00:15:34+00:00