Snowy owls are the icons of the high north, but for a few months each year, they call central Alberta home.
Where do you find them? How can you observe them responsibly? What does the future hold for the snowy owl and what role does photography play in telling their story?
From February 7th-14th, join Jill and Simon for a one-of-a-kind journey into Canada’s prairies to learn about and document one of North America’s most remarkable creatures.
Half and full day field trips begin and end in Calgary and in exploring Alberta’s back roads, we’ll be discussing the prairie ecosystem and looking for other animals that call this region home.
All proceeds support the development of Nature Labs.
Are you a teacher? You receive 25% off all field trips, including this one!
Simon has worked with, and on behalf of, wildlife for more than 25 years. Jill was a high school geography teacher for a decade and has led acclaimed field trips around the world. Together, they have spent the last decade immersed in the Canadian wilderness, documenting the stories of animals that call this landscape home and working to inspire a new generation to find a better balance between people and nature.
Bridging their skills as naturalists, advocates, educators and photographers, Simon and Jill offer storytelling and education-focused field excursions into the place of their hearts and aim to create experiences that inspire curiosity and instil a deeper appreciation for nature.
Simon and Jill believe that photography is the most powerful lens through which to reconnect with nature. When done responsibly and with purpose, it slows time and allows us to better appreciate the complex social structures, unique behaviour and even the joy expressed by wild animals.
Together, you will not only seek to find wildlife, but also learn about the ecology of the region, the stories of its inhabitants and the issues that impact their future. And by learning or renewing strategies for successful, ethical wildlife observation and photography, it’s hoped you leave better equipped to be a voice for wild creatures.
A great introduction to snowy owl ecology, a half-day session is perfect for someone on a tight timeline. Together, we’ll search several snowy owl hotspots and work to document this iconic species – focusing on telling its story in the context of its winter home, capturing powerful images of owls in the landscape. By the end of the session, the goal will be to equip you with a better understanding of the region and how best to observe owls and other wildlife.
From dawn to dusk, we’ll extensively cover the back roads of central Alberta in search of owls – and with time and interest, we’ll also be on the lookout for other species that call this region home. With our local knowledge, we’ll work to provide you with the best odds of having quality, respectful encounters with snowies, prioritizing the documentation of owls in the context of their ecosystem. We hope to leave you with a better understanding of this complex landscape, while also equipping you with new skills and techniques to better enable the capturing of responsible wildlife stories.
Whether it’s $10 or $1000, every dollar counts.
Federally registered non-profit #1063793-9
