Mayor’s Award for Distinguished Voluntary Service: Cody Howitt

On behalf of the Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association, we would like to congratulate our Chief Warden of Alberta, Cody Howitt, on his Mayor’s Award for Distinguished Voluntary Service. Cody's outstanding volunteerism and community building in Red Deer and across Alberta are being recognized at an upcoming event in June and we couldn't be more proud! He is an exceptional person who has dedicated countless hours for over 25 years to the youth of our community through outdoor mentorship. He is a model of our organizational philosophy of teaching youth and families to enjoy the outdoors while respecting our natural environment.  He is skilled in all four of our educational pillars of Forestry, Outdoor Skills, Ecology and Leadership. 

• Forestry: Forestry Protection, Forestry Uses, Forestry Management, Wildlife Management, Outdoor Recreation, Watershed Management, Range Management & Community Service.

• Outdoor Skills: First Aid, Fire Lighting Techniques, Outdoor Clothing, Shelter, Navigation, Outdoor Safety, Responsible Camping and Hiking, Knots & Lashings, Survival, Search & Rescue, Outdoor Equipment, Hikes & Camp-outs. 

• Ecology: Enjoying the Outdoors, Classification, Interrelationships Between Species & their Environment, and Environmental Changes (weather, climate). 

• Leadership: Planning, Responsibility, Cooperation, Leadership of Others, Community Service.

Cody grew up in the Red Deer Junior Forest Wardens Club and found mentorship in the late Bob Skarra, who taught him firsthand the impact a safe and positive role model could have on a person's character. Once Cody caught the outdoor bug, he joined in 1984 when he was ten years old through graduating from the Junior Forest Warden program in 1992; he immediately took up leadership/mentorship roles in Red Deer Club. His only hiatus was when he and his wife moved to Edmonton for five years for post-secondary education. As soon as they returned, he was back to his leadership/mentorship roles serving the youth and families of Red Deer once again.  He has been a leader and has mentored consistently from 2001 to the present day. 

Cody has served in many roles over the years as a leader for the Red Deer Woodchucks Junior Forest Warden Club and David Thompson Regional President for the Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association. Most recently, in 2020, Cody was Awarded the distinguished role of Chief Warden of Alberta, where he currently serves. 

When Covid came upon us, Cody went straight to his garage to begin launching Junior Forest Warden programming online and staying connected with people. Now that we are through the worst of it, he has been planning the National Camp that was cancelled due to Covid and we look forward to an exceptional community-building experience this summer.

Cody is a kind, humble and dedicated role model in our community, positively influencing our citizens in every capacity that he serves in our organization. From weekly club meetings, committee meetings, weekend camp trips, week-long adventure trips, National Camps, and annual tree planting initiatives to the Red Deer Sportsman show and more. 

Outside of the Junior Forest Warden activities, Cody takes the initiative to organize family and friends Kayak and Canoe trips down the Red Deer River to help families gain confidence on the water and have fun together. Tree planting is very near to his heart, not only with our extensive  Junior Forest Warden Annual planting initiatives but also partnering with Pheasants Forever to plant trees in the Red Deer community and throughout Central Alberta. 

We can’t think of a more deserving person for the Red Deer Mayor Award!