Junior Forest Warden Program
Junior Forest Wardens is for everyone who loves the outdoors!!
Junior Forest Wardens (JFW) is an exciting program that allows children and their families to learn more about our natural world, while discovering how the natural world can enrich their lives. Activities within this economical and highly social program are built on four foundations:
Forestry, Outdoor Skills, Ecology, and Leadership
Members are called Wardens and are placed in one of the four age groups:
- Pathfinders (Ages 6-9) (Grades 1-3)
- Trailblazers (Ages 9-12) (Grade 4-6)
- Adventures (Ages 12-15) (Grade 7-9)
- Challengers (Ages 15-18) (Grade 9-12)
Perhaps the most unique aspect of Junior Forest Warden Program is the degree to which parents, siblings, friends, and relatives are involved. Entire families are encouraged to take part in club functions.
JFW Basics
The Pledge
"As one who believes in the aims of the Junior Forest Wardens, I pledge myself and my services to the appreciation and responsible use of our Forests, Wildlife, and Natural Heritage."
The Code
"God
has given us the earth for our life. It is a great entail. It belongs
as much to those who come after us as to us, and we have no right by
anything we do or neglect to do, to involve them in unnecessary
penalties or to deprive them of benefits which are theirs by right." (written by John Ruskin, a 19th century naturalist whose writings helped inspire modern conservation efforts)
The Motto
"Keep our forests green"
The Watchword
"Watch and warn"
The 3 R's of JFW
- You are responsible for yourself
- You are responsible for each other
- You are responsible for the earth
JFW History
In the late 1920's, Forest Service personnel from British Columbia identified the need to raise public awareness of the dangers and economic damage done by forest fires. Their goal was to educate young people, and through them, educate parents.
In 1930, the Junior Forest Wardens were established to help prevent forest fires. Originally, the program was only for boys, but it was soon changed to welcome girls too. In 1985 the program was broadened to focus more on forestry, ecology, woodstravel and leadership.
In 1960, the JFW program officially started in Alberta under the sponsorship of the Alberta Forest Service, now a division of the Department of Sustainable Resource Development.
Since the beginning of the organization, forest fire prevention has been emphasized. Through the years, members have played an important role in fire protection ranging from fire-spotting and reporting to actual combat on the fireline. The program then expanded to include pollution control, ecology, wildlife, communications and insects and diseases that influence forestry.
The
Meadow Lake Woodlanders' have been in existence since 1998. Founded by
Larry Nelson, the Woodlanders are the first JFW club in Saskatchewan.
The Uniform
The distinctive red shirt & lanyard have been the official JFW uniform since the program began. Wardens wear white lanyards, leaders wear green lanyards and provincial or national executive wear gold lanyards.A variety of badges are worn on the uniform:
- The Bronze Badge is the first badge to be earned, and signifies that the warden has a good understanding of what JFW is all about
- Each age group offers four program badges that can be earned: Forestry, Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Leadership. The requirements for each badge are listed below, and form the backbone of the JFW curriculum
- Pathfinder (Blue Tree) (see badge requirements)
- Trailblazer (Green Tree) (see badge requirements)
- Adventurer (Silver Tree) (see badge requirements)
- Challenger (Gold Tree) (see badge requirements)
- Silver Honour, Gold Honour & Fire Honour are awarded for outstanding or exemplary service, and are quite rare.
- Special event badges can also be worn. For example, participants in a National Camp may wear that camp's badge.