A day in the life of RDCO Park Interpreter: Rose Maunder

When you ask Park Interpreter Rose Maunder what she loves most about her work with the RDCO, she does not hesitate: “Connecting with the community, bringing folks together and sharing what is special about our natural spaces within our regional park system.” It is a fitting passion for someone who has spent a lifetime exploring and falling in love with Canada’s wild places.

Rooted across Canada

Although Rose now calls Kelowna home, her story winds through nearly every corner of the country. Born in Saskatchewan and raised in the small coastal community of Outer Cove near St. John’s Newfoundland, Rose’s childhood was spent outdoors exploring and learning the rhythms of nature.

Summers carried her to the Ottawa Valley close to Algonquin Park while visits with family in Winnipeg added prairie skies to her growing catalogue of landscapes. Later her education brought her to St. Catharines, Wolfville and Thunder Bay where she completed a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies. Before landing in the Okanagan she spent 15 years in Banff working in the guiding industry and sharing the mountains with visitors from around the world.

With such a life lived in motion it is no wonder Rose says she “feels a connection to most places in our country.”

Finding her path in interpretation

Rose’s career in parks and outdoor education began the way many great stories do, at summer camp. Working at camps in Newfoundland and Ontario sparked a lifelong belief in the value of time in nature. That experience eventually inspired her to pursue a degree in Outdoor Recreation Management and carve out a career helping people form meaningful connections with the land.

Today after five years with the RDCO, Rose is a key part of the Visitor Services team. Whether she is leading a guided hike, welcoming guests to a community event or developing new interpretive programs, she brings a warmth and enthusiasm that resonates with park users of all ages.

A night to remember

Among Rose’s achievements at the RDCO one stands out as a shining moment. In 2023 she helped organize the community celebration recognizing Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park as a designated Nocturnal Preserve through the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

“It was a great evening and I was proud to be part of it,” she says. The event brought together residents, astronomers and night sky enthusiasts for an unforgettable experience under the stars. It was a perfect example of Rose’s talent for creating moments that inspire curiosity and connection.

Life beyond the trail

When Rose is not interpreting the natural world for others, she is out enjoying it herself. Hiking, snowboarding, cross country skiing and canoeing are some of her favourite ways to spend time outdoors. She also paints watercolours, plays guitar and loves to sing.

As for memorable adventures, one story stands out. Rose and two friends once hiked the legendary Chilkoot Trail, traveling from Skagway Alaska through British Columbia and into the Yukon. It remains one of her favourite life experiences and yes she truly did carry a bottle of ketchup the entire way.

A guide, a storyteller, a connector

Whether she is helping a child spot a woodpecker or guiding a group through one of the region’s stunning parks, Rose brings heart, experience and a joyful sense of adventure to every interaction. Her work reminds us that parks are more than places. They are shared spaces where community, curiosity and nature come together.

And for Rose Maunder, helping people discover that magic is more than a job. It is exactly where she is meant to be.