Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society

Night Sky Wonders with Don Hladiuk
2018-10-17 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Edmonton) | Bow Valley Ranch Fish Creek Provincial Park, 15975 Bow Bottom Tr. SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2J 5E8, Canada
Do you ever look up at the night sky and wonder about what it is that you see? Join the Friends of Fish Creek to learn about local fall and winter constellations and events. Presenter Don Hladiuk will start the evening with an indoor presentation to provide some astronomy basics, then we’ll head outside (weather permitting) for a look at the night sky in all it’s wonder! Complementary hot drinks will be available, so please bring a travel mug!
$15 per person, children 12 and under are free! Register through Eventbrite

ReWilding Through Restoration Walking Tours
2018-10-13 13:00 - 15:00, 2018-09-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Bow Valley Ranch Fish Creek, 15975 Bow Bottom Tr. SE, Calgary, T2P 2M7
ReWilding Through Restoration Walking Tours
Many areas within Fish Creek Provincial Park suffer from the intensity of human use; this is particularly the case along the banks of Fish Creek where human activity can contribute significantly to an overall decline in ecosystem health. Join the Friends of Fish Creek to learn about how this happens and how we work to engage the community at large to “ReWild” the park through hands-on stewardship work.
This walking tour will be mainly on flat, paved trails, with a walk of approximately 2km round trip.
Please remember to dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes in case the tour takes us on uneven ground. Sunscreen, water, bug spray, umbrella and a hat are also recommended so that you are ready for any kind of weather.
$5 per person. Register Through Eventbrite
Meet at the Friends of Fish Creek office (the Cookhouse) in the Bow Valley Ranch area of Fish Creek Provincial Park.
Tour guide Tobin Benedict has always had a very strong connection with nature. She grew up going camping, hiking, skiing and loved doing anything in the outdoors. In high school, she started to learn about the environmental degradation and exploitation facing the world, and this lead her to pursue her passion for nature through studying Environmental Science at the University of Calgary. She believes that conservation starts with learning how to respect and love yourself and then you will want to respect and love the planet you live on. This is Tobin’s first year as a Friends’ Tour Guide!

Planned Giving
2018-09-20 19:00 - 20:00 | 15975 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary, AB, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2M7, Canada
Planned Giving – Leaving a Legacy for Future Generations and Healthy Families
Thursday, September 20, 2018
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Presented by Henry Villanueva, Wills and Estates Lawyer
Do you have a legal will? Most people think about writing a will or changing their will following a life-changing experience, like a marriage or divorce, having a child, or a family member’s passing. A will is an important part of an estate plan – a plan for the future that should reflect and protect what is most important to you and your family. Estate planning is having a say in what happens to your assets, and it protects your wealth for the enjoyment of your loved ones. Through proper estate planning you can help reduce the tax your family will pay, and determine who will have custody of your underage children in the event of an unexpected death. Having a planned gift is also a great way to help support causes that are important to you, and regardless of the size of your gift, your contribution will make a lasting and vital impact.
Fish Creek Provincial Park is a cherished natural area we are fortunate to have within the city, and considering the Friends of Fish Creek in your legal will is one of the best ways to support the long-term sustainability of this cherished park. By remembering the Friends through a planned gift, you will be helping to ensure that future generations can enjoy this park as much you and your family do today. Join Henry Villanueva, Wills and Estates Lawyer, to learn about wills, estate plans, trustees, beneficiaries, charitable planned giving and leaving a lasting legacy that improves the quality of life for future generations.
Register through Eventbrite
About Henry
Henry Villanueva is a proud member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Fish Creek for over 5 years. He is honored to positively contribute back to the community by supporting local non-profits and charities. Henry practices in wills and estates with a focus on estate planning, trusts and succession planning. He also provides advice regarding corporate and commercial matters with a focus on business transactions, corporate structuring and tax. He combines 12 years of professional work experience; 9 years in legal and 3 years as a Certified Public Accountant.
Photo courtesy of Shelby Deeter, Unsplash

Introduction to Photography Minibus Tour with Bob Bakker
2018-09-11 18:00 - 20:00, 2018-07-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Friends of Fish Creek – The Cookhouse
This introductory level photography class is for people who need help or ideas with photographic composition and camera operation. Any camera will do, DSLR, Film, mirrorless, point and shoot or camera phone. The class will tour the park in an open-air minibus, and we’ll make a few stops along the way so that you can take some pictures, try out technique, and ask questions.
July 11 and Sept 11, 6-8pm
August 18, 9-11am
Only $20 – Register through Eventbrite

Wellness "Superclass": Dedication class for the BC Wildfires
2018-08-30 19:00 - 20:30 | Bow Valley Ranch Fish Creek, 15975 Bow Bottom Tr. SE, Calgary, T2P 2M7
Join the Friends for a special wellness practice that includes yoga, meditation and Qi Gong all in one. This is a dedication class as we work together to send positive energy to those experiencing the BC wildfires first hand; proceeds from this class will be donated by the Friends to the Red Cross, with all Red Cross donations being matched by the BC Government.
DONATE NOW TO THE RED CROSS
Only $10 Register through Eventbrite

From Movement to Stillness - Meditation in the Park
2018-08-29 18:30 - 19:30, 2018-08-22 18:30 - 19:30, 2018-08-15 18:30 - 19:30, 2018-08-08 18:30 - 19:30 | Friends of Fish Creek – The Cookhouse
You will be introduced to simple yet effective techniques to deal with stress, quieten the mind and find mind-body-soul alignment. You will have the opportunity to move from the outer realm of your life to the inner sanctuary of being, experiencing a deep sense of peace and fulfillment, all while connecting with the beauty of the park. An unparalleled inner adventure that you don’t want to miss!
Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm at the Bow Valley Ranch, from August 8 to 29
$10 per session – Register through Eventbrite

Photo Credit: Dingzeyu Li on Unsplash

Yoga in the Park
2018-08-28 19:00 - 20:30, 2018-08-21 19:00 - 20:30, 2018-08-14 19:00 - 20:30, 2018-08-07 19:00 - 20:30, 2018-07-31 19:00 - 20:30, 2018-07-17 19:00 - 20:30, 2018-07-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Alberta
Naomi Parker and Gwen Draude team up again for their sixth season of yoga in the park! They focus on a form of practice known as Raja or “Royal” yoga, which emphasizes the connection between body, energy, and mind through postures, meditation, and breathing techniques; it incorporates all eight limbs of yoga, and each session will include breath connection, asanas (poses), relaxation, and meditation.
Sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 pm, July 3 – August 28
All sessions are outdoors and will be held at the Bow Valley Ranch.
$10 per session – Register through Eventbrite

Spring Forest Qi Gong
2018-08-28 09:30 - 10:30 | 15975 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary, AB, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2M7
This meditative practice is based on the ancient wisdom and belief that we all have the power and ability to heal ourselves. Spring Forest Qi Gong incorporates simple moving meditations to help open your heart, mind and physical self. Side effects – more happiness, improved mobility and health!
Join instructor Diane Smith on a journey towards balanced and flowing energy this summer!
Sessions run from July 3 to August 28 on Tuesdays from 9:30 am – 10:30 am
All sessions are outdoors and will be held at the Bow Valley Ranch
$10 per session – Register through Eventbrite

Archaeology in the Park: Finding the Pioneers with Drew McKibben
2018-08-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Friends of Fish Creek – The Cookhouse
Calgary’s Euro-Canadian history dates back 142 years to where Fish Creek flows into the Bow River. Archaeological evidence discovered in Fish Creek Provincial Park offers a unique glimpse of life on the western prairie for pioneers and cowboys. Climb aboard the minibus for a scenic tour from the Bow Valley Ranch are to Bebo Grove and explore the creation of our community; learn about the history of the early pioneers who made this area their home and about the archaeological evidence they have left behind.
Only $30 – Register on Eventbrite

Spring Forest Qi Gong
2018-08-21 09:30 - 10:30, 2018-08-14 09:30 - 10:30, 2018-08-07 09:30 - 10:30, 2018-07-31 09:30 - 10:30, 2018-07-24 09:30 - 10:30, 2018-07-17 09:30 - 10:30 | Alberta

Introduction to Photography Minibus Tour with Bob Bakker
2018-08-18 09:00 - 11:00 | Friends of Fish Creek – The Cookhouse
This introductory level photography class is for people who need help or ideas with photographic composition and camera operation. Any camera will do, DSLR, Film, mirrorless, point and shoot or camera phone. The class will tour the park in an open-air minibus, and we’ll make a few stops along the way so that you can take some pictures, try out technique, and ask questions.
August 18, 9-11am
September 11, 6-8pm
Only $20 – Register through Eventbrite

Watercolour Painting to Feed the Soul
2018-08-02 10:00 - 13:00 | 15975 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary, AB, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2M7, Canada
Watercolour Painting to Feed the Soul with Yasmin Irani
Hesitant to try watercolour painting? Now is the time to give it a try! Lose yourself and learn to paint in the beautiful surroundings of Fish Creek Provincial Park. Good for beginners and all skill levels.
Thursday, August 2, 10am-1pm
Only $45 – Register on Eventbrite
Yasmin Irani studied Fine Arts and graduated with Honours from the College of Art in New Delhi. She has painted across different continents for many years with an impressionist style in several mediums (acrylic, oils, pastels, inks and water coulours). Her passions are traveling, interior decoration, gardening, photography and long hikes in the great Canadian outdoors.

Engineered Wetlands Minibus Tour with Wayne Meikle
2018-07-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Votier’s Flats, Fish Creek, South end of Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB, Canada
Enjoy a two-hour spin on the open air electric Minibus through the heart of Fish Creek Provincial Park! Learn about the park’s engineered wetlands which were constructed as a way of minimizing the level of pollutants running into the creek and have benefited the overall health of the park ecosystem.
Only $20 – Register through Eventbrite

Paint What You See
2018-07-24 11:00 - 15:00 | Bow Valley Ranch Fish Creek, 15975 Bow Bottom Tr. SE, Calgary, T2P 2M7
Paint What You See with Jim Pescott
Spend the day painting among the trees and let the landscape speak to you. This outdoor painting workshop in Fish Creek Provincial Park will have you experiment with a unique painting technique called “pointillism” where images are created through the use of many tiny, colorful dots. This class is perfect for any skill level of painter, from beginner to experienced; you are invited to try this new technique or simply paint as you see fit!

Wednesday, June 27 from 6-9pm
Tuesday, July 24 from 11am-3pm

Only $45 – Register on Eventbrite
Jim Pescott paints Alberta landscapes and his work has been exhibited internationally. His unique painting style is meditative and explores how everything on our Earth is connected. Jim is also the artist responsible for the Friends’ 25th anniversary original painting along with a few remaining limited edition prints of this masterpiece. He is a long time supporter of the Friends, with a deep love of all things in nature – especially trees!
