Will you be our friend?

NEWS RELEASE

PARKS CANADA

*************************** Will you be our friend?

SAULT STE. MARIE - Parks Canada is seeking individuals with a passion for natural and cultural heritage and history, who would like to help lead and administer a cooperating association for Fort St. Joseph and Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Sites!

Parks Canada will host an information session on Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Residence located at the Sault Canal to explain what cooperating associations, or friends groups, do, and how they provide support for our country’s treasured heritage protected areas.

A friends group is a registered non-governmental, non-profit corporation, which assists Parks Canada by providing services to the public and/or generating revenues to go directly toward approved activities that help support the Parks Canada mandate.

The Friends of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal previously operated for a number of years.

Parks Canada has been made aware that there may be some public interest to bring back this organization, to provide support not only to the Sault Canal but also to Fort St. Joseph.

If there is enough interest from St. Joseph Island, Sault Ste Marie and surrounding communities, a steering committee will be formed to take on the challenge of creating a cooperating friends association.

Anyone unable to attend and would like more information on how to get involved should contact the Sault Ste. Marie Canal by calling (705) 941-6262 or by emailing [email protected]

In 2011, Parks Canada will be celebrating its 100th birthday and its establishment in 1911 as the world’s first national parks service.

To recognize this occasion, Parks Canada is inviting Canadians to come celebrate at its places across the country.

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