Rolling hills and rushing creeks cascading through forests of aspen, pine, and spruce. Knife-edge limestone ridges and jagged summits that cradle glaciers and sapphire-blue alpine lakes. A sprawling wilderness playground begging to be explored by hiking boots, running shoes, bike, skis, snowshoes, canoe, horseback, or with a fishing rod.
– THIS IS KANANASKIS!
For years, the Friends of Kananaskis Country have been working behind the scenes to improve and steward your beloved Kananaskis and its trails. Our continued work is an integral part of what makes Kananaskis Country so great.
Now you can show your trail love with a donation to the Friends of Kananaskis Country.
We are thrilled to report we have reached our goal, unbelievable! We have extended our target goal to $12,000. The extra $2,000 raised from the Trail Love – Give Back fundraiser will have additional impact and enable us to offer a variety of skill building workshops in 2020. Lear more HERE.
Fundraiser Milestones
November 15 – National Philanthropy Day
December 3 – GivingTuesday
December 5 – International Volunteer Day
December 11 – International Mountain Day & Last Day of Fundraiser
Our mission is exciting; creating opportunities for people who care about Kananaskis, to give back to the place they love.
There’s something very rewarding in knowing that the work our organization and volunteers do helps thousands of people experience the wonders of Kananaskis.
FKC Board of Directors
After years of hiking, skiing and visiting K Country, I had oftentimes thought about how I could find a way to give back. A few years ago, after retiring, I looked into Friends of Kananaskis and found it to be the perfect opportunity to do so. I’ve been able to help on trails that I’ve used as well as discover ones that I never got around to, while meeting a number of like-minded folks in the process. Time well spent.
John Kerkhoven, Volunteer Crew Leader
The rugged beauty of Kananaskis Country is a gift for all of us to enjoy. Wherever people and wild places come together there is a need for care and protection of both. Volunteers of FKC do this.
I have a great sense of accomplishment in trail work and maintenance – it keeps people safe and the wild protected. The desire of FKC to teach, engage and inspire is so thought through and meaningful, I’ve learned a ton about trails and their use! It’s just such fun to work with others who love this “backyard” of ours, to keep it amazing.
Freddie Hertzspung, Volunteer
HELP SUPPORT THESE 2020 PROJECTS
Public Land Partnership & Trail Maintenance Project
To provide volunteer support for ongoing trail maintenance in the Kananaskis Country and Sibbald Public Land Use Zones (for example: Prairie Creek Trail, Powderface Creek Trail, Powderface Ridge, Jumpingpound Summit, Cox Hill).
Chester-Sawmill Winter Trails
To engage volunteers in helping brush and clear an additional 5km of snowshoe, ski and fat biking trails in the Chester-Sawmill system.
8km completed in 2018-19, and ready for your enjoyment!
Razor’s Edge Connector Trails
Help us complete the 2km connector trail that will result in the designation of the Razor’s Edge Trail (McConnell Ridge) – a popular mountain biking and hiking destination trail.
1200m hand built in 2017-2019.
Alberta Parks Trail Support
For over 20 years, the Friends of Kananaskis Country have been helping Alberta Parks build and maintain its designated trails, with hundreds of volunteers giving back to the trails they love.
Trail Love Definition (Urban Dictionary):
Cuts, scrapes, and scratches to the skin (particularly bleeders. Minor to serious) from rock, dirt, or vegetation while hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, approaching rock climbing walls, or other outdoor trail sports. Often from a crash or a fall, but can also be from pushing through thick vegetation or rocks on narrow trails. Implies an abusive relationship with the trail, but actually emphasizes the person’s love and respect for the unbiased nature of the outdoors.