Former Saskatchewanderer Wins Provincial Recreation Award

November 18, 2025 – Travel writer and former Saskatchewander, Ashlyn George has been named recipient of the 2025 Leadership Excellence Award, through the Sask Recreation Awards. The Awards are presented annually by the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA).

Pictured above: 2025 Leadership Excellence Award Winner, Ashlyn George.

Award recipients are nominated by their peers and chosen by a committee of people from the parks and recreation industry. Ashlyn was nominated by her long-time friend, Annika Mang, co-founder of the hiking app-- TrailCollectiv.

“Ashlyn pushes boundaries. She does anything she puts her mind to and inspires other people to do the same. Her leadership has not only elevated parks and recreation in Saskatchewan, but also extended to areas across the world,” said Mang.

The Leadership Excellence Award honours an individual in Saskatchewan who demonstrates exemplary leadership in their organization or community. “Ashlyn leads by example with her genuine appreciation for all things Saskatchewan, especially our province’s wide range of parks and recreation,” said Darcy McLeod, SPRA President. “She’s an excellent ambassador for our province, encouraging everyone to get outside and explore what Saskatchewan has to offer,” said McLeod.

Along with the recognition, George received a contribution of $1,000 to support local recreation initiatives. A video was also produced to celebrate her accomplishment and tell her story. The video is available for streaming on SPRA’s website and YouTube channel.

“In a day and age where we sit in offices and spend a lot of time online, it’s important more than ever to get outdoors, reconnect with nature, be out in those spaces and build community while you’re doing it,” said Ashlyn George.

Other 2025 Sask Recreation Award winners include: Community Wellbeing Award winner, Farm It Forward of Mossbank, SK, and Volunteer Champion Award winner, Dean Heuchert of Wynyard, SK. You can learn more about the 2025 Sask Rec Award Winners and their achievements on the SPRA website.

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Media Contact

Chris Chepil – Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association
306-780-9456
cchepil@spra.sk.ca