Jim Nicol Receives 2021 Knights of Pythias Community Volunteer Award from CFKR

Cranbrook, BC (October 26, 2021) – The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) is thrilled to present Jim Nicol with the 2021 Knights of Pythias Community Volunteer Award, in recognition of his leadership, dedication, and many volunteer contributions to the Cranbrook Community Forest Society.

Lisa Barnes, CFKR Vice-Chair, was very pleased to nominate Jim Nicol for this award, which recognizes an unsung hero who contributes to our community in a quiet, dedicated, and selfless manner. 

This well-deserved award celebrates Jim’s many contributions as a Cranbrook Community Forest Society (CCFS) board member. As a member of the Trails Subcommittee, Jim works with multiple stakeholders such as the City of Cranbrook, RDEK, Wildhorse Cycling Club, and Orienteering Club, to plan and develop trails within the CCF. Once plans are developed, Jim seeks out and applies for grants and funding, organizes the work through paid labour and volunteers, and builds trails himself. Jim was instrumental in the addition of several new trails, including Espresso, Double Shot, More Poultry, and Coffee Grinder in the South Forest as well as two new green adaptive trails, Padawan and Pod Racer, on the Eager Hills side. Jim and his team are responsible for creating and maintaining the virtual and manual maps of the forest, as well as developing the Trails Maintenance Pilot for the 2021 season, funded by FortisBC. In addition, Jim was the workhorse behind CCFS’ successful application to become a CRA-registered charity. 

Nominator Lisa Barnes noted, “As so many citizens have sought their refuge and relaxation in the forest, this is the perfect opportunity to recognize Jim’s leadership and hard work to both develop the Cranbrook Community Forest for more to enjoy as well as create an organization that will be viable for many years to come.”

Award recipient Jim Nicol stated, “I am humbled to receive this award, especially when I am just one of many cogs in the wheel, and there are so many others continually giving of their time and energy to help make this city and the Community Forest a better place for residents and visitors. Thank you, it is appreciated.”

As part of this award, Jim has chosen to designate the $500.00 charitable contribution to the Cranbrook Community Forest Society, to further support the excellent work being done by this volunteer organization.

Community members who would like to join in the celebration of Jim’s award are invited to become members of CCFS and/or make a tax-receiptable charitable donation via this link: https://www.cranbrookcommunityforest.com/get-involved.

CFKR is honoured to steward the Knights of Pythias endowment fund, which includes the direction to recognize a community volunteer on an annual basis, providing $500.00 to the recipient’s charity of choice. Past award winners of the previously-named “Sustainable Community Builder Award” include Gord Johnston in 2015, recognizing his work with the Cranbrook Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity, Robert Williams in 2016, celebrating his many contributions to ʔaq̓am and the Ktunaxa Nation, Jean-Ann Debreceni in 2018, for her many years of service with the East Kootenay Community Credit Union Board, Cranbrook Community Theatre, Cranbrook Garden Club, Key City Theatre, and Fort Steele Heritage Town, and Colin Campbell in 2020, posthumously awarded, in recognition of his many community contributions through Rotary, the Masons, and various community projects.