Wildsight is pleased to host Salt Spring Island aut
hor and professor, Briony Penn and her biographical tribute, The Real Thing: The Natural History of Ian McTaggart Cowan, for 2 special events on Sept. 29th and October 1st.
Ian McTaggart Cowan (1910–2010) was called the “Real Thing” for good reason. He was known as the “father of Canadian ecology” and not only did he revolutionize the way North Americans understand the natural world but he was ahead of his time in addressing issues such as climate change and endangered species. Some of his many milestones included:
- – Founding the first Canadian university wildlife department;
– Pioneering nature-based television shows (which formed the early inspiration for David Suzuki and his seminal series, The Nature of Things);
– Helping to spearhead wildlife conservation and environmental education in Canada’s national parks.
In her evening presentation on Sept. 29, Briony takes the audience on a century long journey through BC’s mountainous landscapes into the world of Ian Mactaggart Cowan with characters that included muzzled scientists, activist trappers and gentlewomen naturalists. Excerpts will be read from the book and old photographs of his early research will be shown in addition to clips from his early CBC TV shows, The Web of Life. Briony recently won the Roderick Haig-Brown Regional BC Book Prize.
Saturday afternoon, Oct. 1st –CANCELLED due to Briony’s ILLNESS As an added special event on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 1st, Briony will lead participants on a nature walk at Lake Enid where we can learn about journaling as a tool for connecting with nature.
Presentation: Thursday September 29, 7pm at the CPR Lodge (1720 4th Ave, Invermere) Admission by donation.
Journalling Nature Walk at Lake Enid: CANCELLED DUE TO BRIONY’S ILLNESS —-Saturday October 1, 3-5pm. Meet at the Wilmer Community Hall to carpool to Lake Enid. For more info, call Baiba 250-341-3554.