In February 1994, Friends of the Eastern Slopes Association was incorporated as a not-for-profit society.  The group took on as their first project the Bighorn Campground located on the Parks Canada Ya Ha Tinda Ranch.  They negotiated with Parks Canada to take over as the stewards of the campground.  Over the intervening years, through positive, proactive volunteer efforts, Friends of the Eastern Slopes Association:

• Has grown and consistently maintains a membership of over 1500 members/families
• Have an on-going agreement with Parks Canada for the Bighorn Campground area
• Were entrusted by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and the Bighorn Backcountry Committee with the stewardship of the Hummingbird, Eagle Creek and Cutoff Forest Recreation areas
• Have made a real reduction in regards to the impact on the environment from recreational horse users