Published on August 12, 2026

Partners in Parks: Volunteer Highlight

The City of St. Albert is committed to maintaining a healthy natural environment and ensuring its sustainability for future generations. Our Partners in Parks program creates opportunities for St. Albert residents to feel connected to their public green spaces, have a positive impact in our community and keep our green spaces vibrant, healthy places for generations to come.

A garden with a Spruce Up St. Albert sign

We connected with Dale Ford, a St. Albert resident who has been volunteering with Partners and Parks since 2019, and asked her about her time with the program:

How long have you been a part of Partners in Parks?

I reached out to the City in 2019 and that's when I really got involved with Partners in Parks, as I wanted to create a garden in St Albert that was educational for people, promoted environmental stewardship and created a habitat for pollinators.

What inspired you to get involved?

I care about the environment, plants, native bees, butterflies and birds.... any and all of the wildlife that should be flourishing in St Albert. I try to be the change I want to see, so I put my muddy hands into the soil and try to conserve or help restore native habitat.

What motivates you to volunteer?

I grew up in a family that placed a great emphasis on service and helping to make your community a better place. I like to make things better; my goal is to leave the world a better place than how I found it.

Dale Ford, a St. Albert resident who has been volunteering with Partners and Parks since 2019
Pictured: Dale Ford, volunteer.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about volunteering?

My advice is to reach out and try something. You don't have to be an expert. Just show up. You never know what positive change you can bring to the world if you just do it!

What Spruce Up activities have you participated in?

I have gone out to Spruce Up events in the past, like Clean and Green Riverfest. If people want to see what opportunities there are in St. Albert, they should come out to a Weed Warriors event or Riverfest and see what is happening in our community to make St. Albert a better place.

In what ways do you feel your contributions make a difference in our community?

I know my efforts make a difference when I see more native bees and butterflies on the trails. I am seeing insects, amphibians, birds and other smaller creatures that I didn't see before., Native plants can be keystone species that give our wildlife a chance to survive in an urban world. Biodiversity is nature's insurance policy.

As a responsible citizen, I made changes in my own yard to support biodiversity and local wildlife, but by volunteering with the City, I am amplifying my choice to help support wildlife and helping show others how to do the same. If I wasn't a volunteer, my yard would still have a pollinator garden, but it would be an isolated island.

Interested in becoming a Partner in Parks and helping to keep St. Albert beautiful?
Learn more and register today

Partners in Parks is a part of Spruce Up St. Albert, presented by TD.