Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society

Connecting with Nature Meditation - Sep. 16
2014-09-16 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Edmonton) | Bow Valley Ranch, Fish Creek, 15975 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2J 6T5 , Canada
Connecting with Nature Meditation
Take a break from the busy summer season with a Guided Meditation in Fish Creek Provincial Park. After the meditation you will find yourself blissfully relaxed, focused and peaceful. Meditation is a practical way to slow the mind, bring yourself into the present moment and allow you to just Be. Let go of outside distractions to de-stress and increase harmony within your mind, body and spirit.
Enjoy a 1 hour Guided Meditation with volunteer instructor Hetty Laidlaw of Healing the Heart. Throughout her own wellness journey, Hetty has come to experience how important meditation and relaxation is to stay balanced, focused and relaxed.
Click on date below to Register through Eventbrite
Tuesday Nights – June 10, July 8, August 12, August 19, September 9, September 16 and October 14.
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
$10.00 per session
Meet at the Bow Valley Ranch, Fish Creek Provincial Park (south end of Bow Bottom Tr. SE)
Bring mat and/or cushion, water and wear comfortable clothing.
This is an outdoor program that carries risks outside of the facilitator’s control. By attending this program you are agreeing to do so at your own risk.

Fish Creek Rocks! Geology Minibus Tour
2014-09-17 13:00 - 15:30 | Bow Valley Ranch – picnic area by the red barn, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Learn about the rich geological history of Fish Creek Provincial Park from knowledgeable retired Geology Professor, Rob McWilliam. See glacial erratics, learn about floodplain geology and see evidence of prehistoric volcanoes. In the event of inclement weather, this tour will be held on Thursday, September 18, 1:00pm-3:30pm. Register online and check back the day of to confirm which date the tour is running.

Yoga in Fish Creek
2014-09-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Bow Valley Ranch, Fish Creek, 15975 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2J 6T5 , Canada
Yoga in Fish Creek –
If a tree pose is done in the forest, will you be able to hear it?
With the sound of controlled exhalation, the melodic voice of the instructor and the calming whisper of the wind, relax, revitalize and restore body and mind while connecting with the earth in the beautiful setting of Fish Creek Provincial Park. Yoga sessions instructed by Naomi Parker of Elemental Wellness, and Gwen Woolverton Draude of Birds of a Feather.
Only $10.00 for each session
Yoga Bonus – Any 12 sessions for only $100!
Don’t forget your yoga mat, water bottle and insect repellent!
Click date below to Register through Eventbrite
Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30, Aug. 6, Aug. 13, Aug. 20, Aug. 27, Sep. 10, Sep. 17, Sep. 24
Sunday, July 13, 9:00 am – 10:30 am
For more info: 403-238-3841 or [rti safe email email=”info@friendsoffishcreek.org”]
Enjoy Yoga in Fish Creek All Summer at the Bow Valley Ranch and Shannon Terrace from July 9 – September 24!
This is an outdoor program that carries risks outside of the facilitator’s control. By attending this program you are agreeing to do so at your own risk.

Minibus Tour: Wetlands, Nature and History of Fish Creek Provincial Park
2014-09-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Bow Valley Ranch – picnic area by the red barn, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Friday, September 26th, 1-3pm
Join the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society as we explore the park in the comfort of our new, open-air minibus! Learn about the importance of the engineered wetlands in the park, as well as the cultural history and nature that will surround you throughout your outing!
Storm water naturally runs from the streets in surrounding communities and carries with it harmful chemicals, pesticides and sediments. Engineered wetlands have been constructed in the park to naturally filter and clean this water before it enters Fish Creek. These wetlands also provide essential habitat for a wide diversity of insects, birds, amphibians, and mammals who make this park their home! You will also learn about the 10 000 year human history in Fish Creek Provincial Park, with links to First Nations groups, the NorthWest Mounted Police, homesteading, trading and ranching. At 3349 acres, it is one of the largest urban parks in North America, a mixture of grassland, wetlands, forest and riverine areas, abundant with deer, birds, owls, beaver and even the odd coyote…you never know what you’re going to see!
This tour is a wonderful opportunity for all ages, as well as for those with reduced or limited mobility who will be able to venture further into the park than they otherwise could!
Tour guide Wayne Meikle worked for Provincial Parks in Alberta for 35 years until he retired as a Urban Park Planner. He worked especially in the area of urban park management and has been involved in operations, construction and planning of urban parks. He is also one of the first founders of the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society.
Seating is limited, register today on Eventbrite!
$20 per person. Meet in the Bow Valley Ranch parking lot in front of the red barn!
*Please note that, if you are in a wheelchair, access to the minibus may be difficult, so please call us before you register to make sure this tour will work for you!

Unleash the Power of Your SLR Camera in Fish Creek Provincial Park!
2014-10-02 15:00 - 17:30 | Bow Valley Ranch – picnic area by the red barn, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Unleash the Power of Your SLR Camera in Fish Creek Provincial Park!
Thursday, October 2 from 3-5:30pm
Do you have an SLR camera but no idea how to use it?
If you are still using your camera in “point and shoot” mode, or have a new camera you want to try out, this is the perfect outing for you!
Join instructor Bob Bakker and Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society for this beginner’s level photography class, and learn how to capture the park’s diverse and stunning beauty on your SLR camera. From expansive landscapes to macro images of tiny flower buds, Bob will show you all the basics, including composition, lighting, depth of field and “The Exposure Triangle” (Aperture-Shutter-ISO). You will be driven to various points on our electric open-air minibus, with a variety of stops along the way to put your photo theory into practice.
What to bring: your camera, of course, along with a tri-pod (optional), bug spray, sunscreen, hat and water. And don’t forget to wear good walking shoes so you can get close to the shots you want, and dress for the weather!
$25 per person for this 2 ½ hour tour, register today!
Meet in the Bow Valley Ranch parking lot beside the red barn.

Bob Bakker is a film and digital photography enthusiast who has completed the Continuing Education photography certificate program at SAIT. He moved to Calgary in 1997, and one of the first places his family frequented upon their arrival was Fish Creek Park. Now his kids have grown up and gone, but you can find Bob and his wife – avid recumbent trike enthusiasts – pedalling through Fish Creek Park most weekends. Bob’s passion for photography was handed down to him by his dad who owned a photography and photo finishing business in Winnipeg. When he is not taking photos, he also enjoys drifting down the Bow and doing a bit of fishing.
Photo of leaves by Bob Bakker.

*Please note that if you experience mobility issues and are in need of physical support getting on and off the minibus, please call us before you register to discuss how we can make this a successful outing for you.*

Unleash the Power of Your SLR Camera in Fish Creek Provincial Park!
2014-10-04 09:00 - 11:30 | Bow Valley Ranch – picnic area by the red barn, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Unleash the Power of Your SLR Camera in Fish Creek Provincial Park!
Saturday, October 4, from 9:00am – 11:30am (rain date Oct. 18, 9:00am – 11:30am)
Do you have an SLR camera but no idea how to use it?
If you are still using your camera in “point and shoot” mode, or have a new camera you want to try out, this is the perfect outing for you!
Join instructor Bob Bakker and Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society for this beginner’s level photography class, and learn how to capture the park’s diverse and stunning beauty on your SLR camera. From expansive landscapes to macro images of tiny flower buds, Bob will show you all the basics, including composition, lighting, depth of field and “The Exposure Triangle” (Aperture-Shutter-ISO). You will be driven to various points on our electric open-air minibus, with a variety of stops along the way to put your photo theory into practice.
What to bring: your camera, of course, along with a tri-pod (optional), bug spray, sunscreen, hat and water. And don’t forget to wear good walking shoes so you can get close to the shots you want, and dress for the weather!
Meet in the Bow Valley Ranch parking lot beside the red barn.
$25 per person for this 2 ½ hour tour, space is limited to 8 people.
Register today!
Other Dates

Saturday, Aug. 9 (rain date Aug. 16, 9:00am – 11:30am)
Tuesday, Aug. 12 (rain date Sep. 23, 5:00pm – 7:30pm)
Saturday, Sep. 6 (rain date Sep. 20, 9:00am – 11:30am)
Thursday, Sep. 11 (rain date Oct. 2, 3:00pm – 5:30pm)
Bob Bakker is a film and digital photography enthusiast who has completed the Continuing Education photography certificate program at SAIT. He moved to Calgary in 1997, and one of the first places his family frequented upon their arrival was Fish Creek Park. Now his kids have grown up and gone, but you can find Bob and his wife – avid recumbent trike enthusiasts – pedalling through Fish Creek Provincial Park most weekends. Bob’s passion for photography was handed down to him by his dad who owned a photography and photo finishing business in Winnipeg. When he is not taking photos, he also enjoys drifting down the Bow and doing a bit of fishing.
Photos of leaves, waterfall and wheat field by Bob Bakker.
*Please note that if you experience mobility issues and are in need of physical support getting on and off the minibus, please call us before you register to discuss how we can make this a successful outing for you.*

A Blast from the Past! Archaeology Tour of Fish Creek
2014-10-04 14:00 - 16:30 | Bow Valley Ranch – picnic area by the red barn, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
A Blast From the Past! Archaeology Tour of Fish Creek Provincial Park
Saturday, October 4th from 2-4:30pm
Did you know that the Fish Creek valley was once lakefront property?Fish Creek Provincial Park has between 8,500 and 13,000 years of human history and archaeological evidence, ranging from First Nations societies, NWMP, homesteading and ranching.
Join Friends guide Drew McKibben to tour Fish Creek Provincial Park from the Bow Valley Ranch to Bebo Grove in our open-air electric minibus, and learn about the history of the Glenn, Hull, Burns, Bebo and Hone families, as well as the archaeological evidence they have left behind.
$25 per person for this 2 ½ hour tour, space is limited to 8 people, so register early!.
Meet in the picnic area beside the red barn in the Bow Valley Ranch parking lot. And remember to dress for the weather, as we are entering our cooler Fall season.
Drew McKibben is a published writer, storyteller and researcher, as well as an accomplished singer-songwriter and journalism coach to elementary school children. His work has been published in many newspapers and magazines, including the Calgary Herald, Backpacker, Beautiful British Columbia and Alberta Venture.
*Please note that if you experience mobility issues and are in need of physical support getting on and off the minibus, please call us before you register to discuss how we can make this a successful outing for you.*

Minibus Nature and History Tour of Fish Creek Provincial Park
2014-10-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Bow Valley Ranch – picnic area by the red barn, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Wednesday, October 8 from 1-3pm
Join the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society as we explore the nature and history of the park in the comfort of our new open-air electric minibus!
Fish Creek Provincial Park has a 10 000 year human history, with links to First Nations groups, the NorthWest Mounted Police, homesteading, trading and ranching. At 3349 acres, it is one of the largest urban parks in North America, a mixture of grassland, wetlands, forest and riverine areas, abundant with deer, birds, owls, beaver and even the odd coyote…you never know what you’re going to see!
This tour is a wonderful opportunity for all ages, as well as for those with reduced or limited mobility who will be able to venture further into the park than they otherwise could!
Tour guide Wayne Meikle worked for Provincial Parks in Alberta for 35 years until he retired as a Urban Park Planner. He worked especially in the area of urban park management and has been involved in operations, construction and planning of urban parks. He is also one of the first founders of the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society.
Seating is limited, register today on Eventbrite!
$20 per person. Meet in the Bow Valley Ranch parking lot in front of the red barn!
*Please note that, if you are in a wheelchair, access onto the minibus may be difficult, so please call us before you register to make sure this tour will work for you!

Riparian Restoration - Stage One: Sign Post Installation
2014-10-09 17:00 - 20:00 | Bow Valley Ranch – picnic area by the red barn, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Fish Creek Restoration
Get your hands dirty to help improve the health of Fish Creek!
As part of the Friends Watershed Stewardship Project, we are looking for volunteers to help restore an area along Fish Creek that has been greatly impacted by human activity, causing vegetation loss and severe bank erosion. Join us in our partnership with Alberta Parks, The Venturers Society, Cows and Fish, Trout Unlimited Canada and Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development in upcoming restoration outings to restore this riparian area* (see below).

Riparian Restoration – Stage One: Sign Post Installation
Thursday, October 9 from 5-8pm
As the first in this 3-stage project, we will be installing sign posts and locating/preparing woody debris to protect the restoration area from further damage. Gloves, tools and snacks provided. Please wear closed-toe shoes, bring a travel mug and dress for the weather – this event will go rain or shine!
Learn about the importance of this riparian ecosystem, roll up your sleeves and enjoy some time in the park! This project eventing offers a variety of tasks, pending volunteer interest and ability:

“Grizzly” tasks likes chainsawing and heavy lifting
“Elk” tasks involving the use of shovels and wheelbarrows

Please meet in the Bow Valley Ranch parking lot, beside the red barn.
*A Riparian Area is the strip of vegetated land next to a water resource which provides numerous essential ecological services. Acting as a natural buffer, it protects water from negative impacts associated with pollution, provides shoreline stability to prevent erosion, protects water quality and offers a movement corridor and wildlife habitat to the rich diversity of species who use it for parts or all of their life cycle. At times, however, these areas can become so impacted by human activity that they lose their ability to provide these services, and the “health” of the riparian area becomes compromised. To learn more, visit the Cows and Fish Website.
View other dates for Restoration Project

Connecting with Nature Meditation - Oct. 14
2014-10-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Bow Valley Ranch, Fish Creek, 15975 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2J 6T5 , Canada
Connecting with Nature Meditation
Take a break from the busy summer season with a Guided Meditation in Fish Creek Provincial Park. After the meditation you will find yourself blissfully relaxed, focused and peaceful. Meditation is a practical way to slow the mind, bring yourself into the present moment and allow you to just Be. Let go of outside distractions to de-stress and increase harmony within your mind, body and spirit.
Enjoy a 1 hour Guided Meditation with volunteer instructor Hetty Laidlaw of Healing the Heart. Throughout her own wellness journey, Hetty has come to experience how important meditation and relaxation is to stay balanced, focused and relaxed.
Click on date below to Register through Eventbrite
Tuesday Night – October 14.
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
$10.00 per session
Meet at the Bow Valley Ranch, Fish Creek Provincial Park (south end of Bow Bottom Tr. SE)
Bring mat and/or cushion, water and wear comfortable clothing.
This is an outdoor program that carries risks outside of the facilitator’s control. By attending this program you are agreeing to do so at your own risk.

Riparian Restoration - Stage Two: Willow Harvesting
2014-10-23 09:30 - 12:00 | Alberta
Fish Creek Restoration
Get your hands dirty to help improve the health of Fish Creek!
As part of the Friends Watershed Stewardship Project, we are looking for volunteers to help restore an area along Fish Creek that has been greatly impacted by human activity, causing vegetation loss and severe bank erosion. Join us in our partnership with Alberta Parks, The Venturers Society, Cows and Fish, Trout Unlimited Canada and Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development in upcoming restoration outings to restore this riparian area* (see below).

Fish Creek Restoration – Stage Two: Willow Harvesting
Thursday, October 23rd from 9:30am to 12:00pm
As the second stage in this 3-part project, we will be harvesting willow cuttings in Fish Creek Provincial Park for later transplanting to restoration site. Gloves, tools and snacks provided. Please wear closed-toe shoes, bring a travel mug and dress for the weather – this event will go rain or shine!
Learn about the importance of this riparian ecosystem, roll up your sleeves and enjoy some time in the park! This restoration stage will include the use of some tools (loppers, shovels)
Register today!
Registrants will be notified closer to the date about meeting place.
View other dates for Restoration Project
*A Riparian Area is the strip of vegetated land next to a water resource which provides numerous essential ecological services. Acting as a natural buffer, it protects water from negative impacts associated with pollution, provides shoreline stability to prevent erosion, protects water quality and offers a movement corridor and wildlife habitat to the rich diversity of species who use it for parts or all of their life cycle. At times, however, these areas can become so impacted by human activity that they lose their ability to provide these services, and the “health” of the riparian area becomes compromised. To learn more, visit the Cows and Fish Website.

The Secret Lives of Bighorn Sheep
2014-10-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, 13931 Woodpath Rd. SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 5R6, Canada
The Secret Lives of Bighorn Sheep
Thursday, October 23, 2014, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Presented by Dr. Kathreen Ruckstuhl, Associate Professor at U of C
Dr. Ruckstuhl will give an overview of her research on the bighorn sheep she has been studying in Sheep River Provincial Park and Kananaskis Country. She will present data on their behaviour and ecology, and discuss her findings on sexual segregation, decision-making, cooperation, breeding migrations and other snippets of the bighorn sheep in Kananaskis Country.
Register through Eventbrite
Dr. Ruckstuhl (Associate Professor at U of C) has worked on a variety of ungulate species in Europe, Africa and Canada, but she is best known for her studies on individually marked bighorn sheep she has researched for the past 20 years.
Admission: Free to Friends members, $5 for non-members.
Bighorn sheep photos courtesy of Anne Elliott

The Ghosts of Fish Creek Provincial Park
2014-10-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Bow Valley Ranch, Fish Creek, 15975 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2J 6T5 , Canada
The Ghosts of Fish Creek Provincial Park Monday, October 27th, 6:30-8:00pm
Join us, if you dare!!! You never know what you’re going to see! Mwahahahahaaaaa!
Tour the historic Bow Valley Ranch area of Fish Creek Provincial Park to learn about the ghosts that are rumored to haunt here! Warm and tasty treats will be served, complements of the Ranche Restaurant. Great for all ages (although it may be a bit scary for younger listeners).
This event is brought to you in partnership by the Ranche at Fish Creek Restoration Society, The Ranche Restaurant, and the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society.
$7 suggested minimum donation per person. Funds raised will go directly towards the Friends of Fish Creek conservation and stewardship activities in the park.
Register early, space is limited! And don’t forget to wear your scariest Halloween costume!

Meet in front of the Cookhouse in the Bow Valley Ranch area (yellow building across from the Alberta Parks Visitor Centre).
Tour guide Wayne Meikle worked for Alberta Parks for 35 years until he retired from his position as an urban park planner. He worked especially in the area of urban park management and has been involved in the operations, construction and planning of several urban parks. He is also one of the first founders of the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society, and an active volunteer for the Friends!

Fish Creek Restoration – Stage Three: Streambank Restoration
2014-10-28 09:00 - 16:30 | Bow Valley Ranch – picnic area by the red barn, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Fish Creek Restoration – Streambank Restoration
Get your hands dirty to help improve the health of Fish Creek!
As part of the Friends Watershed Stewardship Project, we are looking for volunteers to help restore an area along Fish Creek that has been greatly impacted by human activity, causing vegetation loss and severe bank erosion. Join us in our partnership with Alberta Parks, The Venturers Society, Cows and Fish, Trout Unlimited Canada and Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development in upcoming restoration outings to restore this riparian area* (see below).

Fish Creek Restoration – Stage Three: Streambank Restoration
Tuesday, October 28th from 9:00 to 4:30am (Coffee and muffins from 9-9:30!)
As the final stage in this 3-part project, we will be transplanting native species, moving woody debris, removing invasive species and installing signs. Gloves, tools, lunch and snacks provided. Please wear closed-toe shoes, bring a travel mug and dress for the weather – this event will go rain or shine!
Learn about the importance of this riparian ecosystem, roll up your sleeves and enjoy some time in the park! This stage will include a variety of tasks, pending volunteer interest and ability:

“Grizzly” tasks likes chainsawing, heavy lifting and sledgehammer work
“Elk” tasks involving the use of loppers, shovels and wheelbarrows
“Pika” tasks like registration and serving lunch

Register today!
Meet at the Bow Valley Ranch parking lot (beside the red barn)
View other dates for Restoration Project
*A Riparian Area is the strip of vegetated land next to a water resource which provides numerous essential ecological services. Acting as a natural buffer, it protects water from negative impacts associated with pollution, provides shoreline stability to prevent erosion, protects water quality and offers a movement corridor and wildlife habitat to the rich diversity of species who use it for parts or all of their life cycle. At times, however, these areas can become so impacted by human activity that they lose their ability to provide these services, and the “health” of the riparian area becomes compromised. To learn more, visit the Cows and Fish Website.

Alberta Spaces - A Photography Show by Robin Read
2015-01-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, 13931 Woodpath Rd. SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 5R6, Canada
The show runs from January 3rd to March 31st at the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre. Opening reception on January 10, 2-4pm. Doors are closed periodically to the public when schools are in the building. Please call 403-297-7827 to confirm doors are open for viewing this show.
The beauty and ruggedness of the Canadian Rockies and the rolling prairies of Alberta have become a natural landscape subject for Robin Read’s photography. It has provided him with the opportunity to combine his love of the outdoors with his passion for photography.
The photographs were taken over a number of years going back to the mid-1980’s and early 1990’s up to the present day and represent a cross section of Alberta’s diverse spaces.
Capturing the right light at the right time is all important and he hopes this is reflected in his photographs. All the work is film based and printed using traditional darkroom processes.
This show is part of the ongoing Art In The Park program in Fish Creek Provincial Park.

Geology: The Foundation for Alberta Parks
2015-01-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, 13931 Woodpath Rd. SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 5R6, Canada
Geology: The Foundation for Alberta Parks
Thursday, January 22, 2015, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Presented by Dr. Mark Fenton of the Alberta Geological Survey
Alberta’s parks are the result of geology and geologic processes and therefore contain many geological wonders. This talk will focus on a few of these including answers to the following: “The where and why of hot pots” “Rock and spontaneous combustion” “Why the big stink at Harper Creek?” “Warp speed Alberta?” “Where was Vermilion Chutes 370 million years ago?” “Where are you in the pink in Alberta?” “Why a railroad in the Athabasca River?” and “Marvellous megamarbles.” Dr. Mark Fenton works for the Alberta Geological Survey, and has studied Alberta surficial geology for over four decades. Over the past five years, he created the first surficial geology map of Alberta. His work has incorporated helicopter/truck recon into many areas of Alberta including visits to parks and protected areas. Some of these park sites are very seldom visited by Albertans and all have unusual and interesting geology. He will share his personal anecdotes.
Register through Eventbrite
Admission: Free to Friends members, $5 for non-members.
Photos: Mysterious depressions in the limestone near Vermilion Chutes (Fenton, Alberta Geological Survey), Grand Rapids Athabasca River (Prior, Alberta Geological Survey), Limestone cliffs along Harper Creek (Fenton, Alberta Geological Survey)

Fire in Kananaskis Country
2015-02-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, 13931 Woodpath Rd. SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 5R6, Canada
Fire in Kananaskis Country
Thursday, February 19, 2015, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Presented by Scott Jevons, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Specialist and Fire Ecologist with Alberta Parks in Kananaskis Country
Effective control of wildfires over the last century has led to the near-elimination of fires that once shaped the vegetation of Alberta. Loss of fire from the landscape is causing dramatic changes to our forests and grasslands, affecting species diversity, how ecosystems function, and the resilience of ecosystems to natural disturbances and changing climate. These ecological impacts can have far reaching social and economic consequences such as making forests vulnerable to more severe and extensive wildfires and can lead to insect outbreaks like mountain pine beetle. Come and take a historical walk through time to view landscape change in Kananaskis Country, and learn how Alberta Parks is dealing with these complex challenges.
Scott Jevons works for Alberta Parks in Kananaskis Country as a geographical information systems (GIS) specialist and fire ecologist. He has researched the fire history of Kananaskis Country and is involved in fire and vegetation management planning. He helped plan the first prescribed fire in Kananaskis Country in 2007.
Register through Eventbrite
Admission: Free to Friends members, $5 for non-members.
Photos courtesy of Scott Jevons

Wayne's Wonderful Winter Walk!
2015-03-14 13:00 - 14:30 | Votier’s Flats, Fish Creek, South end of Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB, Canada
Wayne’s Wonderful Winter Walk!
Saturday, March 14, 1-2:30pm
Fish Creek Provincial Park – Votier’s Flats Day Use Area (south end of Elbow Drive SW, then follow the signs for Fish Creek Provincial Park)
Join dedicated volunteer, retired park planner, and founding member of the Friends of Fish Creek, Wayne Meikle for a wintery walk along the banks of Fish Creek. The winter months offer a beautiful and unique opportunity to enjoy this landscape. Search for animal tracks and learn about what makes this such a special place at this time of year!
Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear! The park trails are cleared during the winter, but there may be slippery sections and this outing may require some off trail walking. This event will run rain or shine (but in the event of extreme cold or inclement weather, please check the Friends of Fish Creek website for cancellation information).
Register today! $5 per person. Meet in the Votier’s Flats Day Use Area parking lot at 1pm sharp!
Photo courtesy of Anne Elliot

Blast from the Past
2015-03-23 08:00 - 17:00 | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, 13931 Woodpath Rd. SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 5R6, Canada
Blast from the Past – An Archaeological Exploration of Fish Creek Provincial Park
Thursday, March 19, 2015 7:00pm – 8:00pmFish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, Shannon Terrace, Fish Creek Provincial Park (13931 Woodpath Rd. SW – Access via 130 Ave. SW and 37 St. SW)
Presented by Drew McKibben, Heritage Interpreter
Blast from the Past Archaeological Exploration presentation will offer something for history buffs and everyone else: archaeological findings illuminating the daily lives of Calgary’s first European settlers. When the lights dim in the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, you’ll travel from 1873, when the first European raised an axe to build a home, to 1998, when archaeologists unearthed what is left behind – artifacts from another century! Join us for a fascinating look at the history of Fish Creek Provincial Park.
Join Friends heritage interpreter and minibus tour guide, Drew McKibben, for a virtual tour of three important sites of past excavation, and increase your understanding of local archaeology.
Registration Required. Free for Friends members and $5 for non-members.
Map to Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre
Register through Eventbrite
Photos: Albertans from the late 1800s (McKibben and Glenbow Archives), Archaeological excavation near Cluny, AB 2014 (McKibben), wagon at Bow Valley Ranch in Fish Creek (Friends of Fish Creek), Archaeological excavation near Cluny, AB 2014 (McKibben), Albertans in the 1800s near fortified prairie house (McKibben and Glenbow Archives)

The Healing Power of Nature
2015-04-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, 13931 Woodpath Rd. SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 5R6, Canada
The Healing Power of Nature – Naturopathic Medicine and a Healthy, Balanced Lifestyle
Thursday, April 16, 2015 7:00pm – 8:00pmFish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, Shannon Terrace, Fish Creek Provincial Park (13931 Woodpath Rd. SW – Access via 130 Ave. SW and 37 St. SW)
Presented by Dr. Gayle Maguire, Member of the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors
Fish Creek Provincial Park is an amazing natural resource that provides a multitude of opportunities for physical activity throughout the year. Exercise and proper nutrition are essential components to a balanced lifestyle. It is important to have a balanced lifestyle to reduce the harmful effects of stress and maintain a healthy body and mind. Naturopathic medicine has been gaining in popularity in recent years throughout the world. Naturopathic doctors treat patients by looking at the individual as a whole, including stress factors, nutrition and lifestyle. Naturopathic doctors use lifestyle counselling, herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture and other methods to help improve energy, sleep, mood, digestion and pain. Come to this presentation to learn more about naturopathic medicine and how it relates to a healthy balanced lifestyle.
Registration Required. Free for Friends members and $5 for non-members.
Map to Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre
Register through Eventbrite
Red Clover photo courtesy of Anne Elliott

Jane's Walk - Untold Fish Creek Stories!
2015-05-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Fish Creek Provincial Park Boat Launch (just south of Hull’s Wood)
Fish Creek Provincial Park carries a rich and colorful history that spans over 10 000 years, with links to First Nations groups, European settlements, ranching and more. At 3349 acres, it is one of the largest urban parks in North America, with a mixture of grassland, wetlands, forest and riverine areas, all of which have experienced varied impacts from the park’s surrounding urban setting. Join walk leader and local history buff, Wayne Meikle, to learn about how constructed wetlands have been used to restore some of the natural balance to this urban park, along with many more fun and interesting facts that are unknown to most who visit here.
Walk leader Wayne Meikle worked for Provincial Parks in Alberta for 35 years until he retired as an Urban Park Planner. He worked especially in the area of urban park management and has been involved in operations, construction and planning of urban parks. In his private life, he has been an elected councillor in both Vermilion and Okotoks and involved with many volunteer committees and organizations that work to improve the quality of the environment and our communities, such as the Friends of Fish Creek. He is one of our founding members and one of our most avid fans and volunteers!
Untold Fish Creek Stories is a free event and part of the Jane’s Walk global walking festival. No registration necessary.
Find out more here!

Connecting with Nature Meditation
2015-05-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Bow Valley Ranch – picnic area by the red barn, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Join Hetty Laidlaw for her third season of meditation in the park. Her meditations will bring you into the present moment and allow you to just “be”. She will gently guide you into letting go of outside distractions while focusing on the breath. Hetty uses Tibetan Singing bowls at the beginning and closing of her meditations; using sound to evoke the “relaxation response” is one of the simplest and non-invasive ways to de-stress and promote harmony within the mind and body
$10 per session, meet beside the red barn at the Bow Valley Ranch area of Fish Creek Provincial Park.
Register here
Hetty was born and raised in the Netherlands and emigrated to Canada when she was 26. Throughout her own wellness journey, Hetty has come to experience how important meditation and relaxation is to stay balanced, focused and relaxed.

Springtime in Fish Creek - Wildlife, Conservation Officers and You
2015-05-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Alberta
Springtime in Fish Creek – Wildlife, Conservation Officers and You
Wednesday, May 27, 2015 7:00pm – 8:00pmFish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, Shannon Terrace, Fish Creek Provincial Park (13931 Woodpath Rd. SW – Access via 130 Ave. SW and 37 St. SW)
Presented by Fish Creek Provincial Park Conservation Officer Melanie Pachkowski
Fish Creek Provincial Park Conservation Officers have diverse roles and responsibilities, and often act as a link between the people who visit the park and the wildlife who call this park their home. This presentation will help you to increase your knowledge about park wildlife, including young and newborn birds and mammals you may come across in Fish Creek. Learn how to respect these newest members of the park’s wildlife community, how to minimize conflict with animals, and how to be a good neighbour to local wildlife. Join Fish Creek Conservation Officer Melanie Pachkowski as she shares some of her most memorable experiences in Fish Creek Provincial Park.
Registration Required. Free for Friends members and $5 for non-members.
Map to Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre
Register through Eventbrite

Wetlands Minibus Tour of Votier's Flats
2015-06-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Alberta
Wetlands Minibus Tour of Votier’s Flats
Thursday, June 4th, from 7-9pm
Votier’s Flats Day Use Area (take Elbow Drive south as far as you can go until you enter Fish Creek Provincial Park)
While Fish Creek exists as a wondrous gift to our city, its urban setting has created challenges to the health and balance of this watershed. Engineered wetlands were constructed as a way of minimizing the level of pollutants running into the creek from the hard surfaces of the city landscape, and have begun to restore some of the healthy balance that had been lost. In this tour around the Votier’s Flats area, you will discover how this was accomplished, along with some nature and history thrown in for good measure!
Tour guide Wayne Meikle worked for Provincial Parks in Alberta for 35 years until he retired as an Urban Park Planner. He worked especially in the area of urban park management and has been involved in operations, construction and planning of urban parks. Wayne has been on numerous planning teams involving the planning and construction of major roadways, constructed wetlands and new subdivisions. He is also one of the founding members of the Friends of Fish Creek and one of our most active and supportive volunteers!
$25 per person, seating is limited to 8 people Register through Eventbrite

Unleashing the Power of Your DSLR Camera in Fish Creek!
2015-06-11 18:00 - 20:30 | Alberta
Unleashing the Power of Your DSLR Camera in Fish Creek!
Thursday, June 11 from 6-8:30pm
Meet in the Bow Valley Ranch parking lot beside the red barn (take Bow Bottom Trail south until you enter Fish Creek Provincial Park; make a right turn into the main parking lot).
Join instructor Bob Bakker and Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society for this beginner’s level photography class, and learn how to capture the park’s diverse and stunning beauty on your DSLR camera. From expansive landscapes to macro images of tiny flower buds, Bob will show you all the basics, including composition, lighting, depth of field and “The Exposure Triangle” (Aperture-Shutter-ISO). You will be driven to various points on our electric open-air minibus, with a variety of stops along the way to put your photo theory into practice.What to bring: your DSLR camera, of course, along with a tri-pod (optional), bug spray, sunscreen, hat and water. And don’t forget to wear good walking shoes so you can get close to the shots you want, and dress for the weather! Mobile devices or “point and shoot” cameras (ie those that do not have a variety of settings) are not suitable for this class.Bob Bakker is a film and digital photography enthusiast who has completed the photography certificate program at SAIT. He moved to Calgary in 1997, and one of the first places his family frequented upon their arrival was Fish Creek Park. Now his kids have grown up and gone, but you can find Bob and his wife – avid recumbent trike enthusiasts – pedalling through Fish Creek Park most weekends. Bob’s passion for photography was handed down to him by his dad who owned a photography and photo finishing business in Winnipeg. When he is not taking photos, he also enjoys drifting down the Bow and doing a bit of fishing. $25 per person, seating is limited to 8 people. Register through Eventbrite

Archaeology in the Park: Finding the Pioneers
2015-06-16 18:00 - 21:00 | Alberta
Archaeology in the Park: Finding the Pioneers
Tuesday, June 16th from 6-9pm
Bow Valley Ranch, meet beside the red barn (travel south along Bow Bottom Trail until you enter Fish Creek Provincial Park; turn right into the Bow Valley Ranch parking lot)
Calgary’s Euro-Canadian history dates back 142 years to where Fish Creek flows into the Bow River, and archaeological evidence discovered in the park offers a unique glimpse of life on the western prairie for pioneers and cowboys. Climb aboard the minibus to learn about archaeology in the park on a scenic tour exploring the creation of our community. Join tour guide Drew McKibben on this tour from the Bow Valley Ranch to Bebo Grove in our open-air electric minibus, and learn about the history of the early pioneers who made this area their home, as well as the archaeological evidence they have left behind.
Drew McKibben has been in the communications business for nearly 25 years as a journalist, a broadcaster and author of periodical nature stories for children. His work has been published in many newspapers and magazines, including the Calgary Herald, Backpacker, Beautiful British Columbia and Alberta Venture. Drew also spent a decade in the backcountry as a fire lookout and lighthouse keeper, and a trail builder in federal and provincial parks. An accomplished singer-songwriter, he has also worked as a journalism coach to elementary school children. As a Friends of Fish Creek volunteer, he’s been interpreting the park’s archaeology since July 2014.
Register through Eventbrite
Seating is limited to 8 people. $30 per person.
Please note: Historical resources are sensitive and non-renewable. Once the contents and the context of a site have been disrupted, the ability to interpret their meaning is lost forever. The Alberta Historical Resources Act governs the excavation or collection of archaeological material and a special permit is required to conduct an archaeological excavation. Report a find to the Alberta Archaeological Survey: http://bit.ly/1Jm8VAN
Volunteer for an archaeological dig this summer through the U of C Program for Public Archaeology, with 2015 excavations at Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park. www.arky.ucalgary.ca/public-archaeology

Connecting with Nature Meditation
2015-06-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Bow Valley Ranch – picnic area by the red barn, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
June 16th session is a go! This evening’s forecast is now calling for a mix of sun and cloud with no rain. Join us in the park for a lovely evening of relaxation.
Join Hetty Laidlaw for her third season of meditation in the park. Her meditations will bring you into the present moment and allow you to just “be”. She will gently guide you into letting go of outside distractions while focusing on the breath. Hetty uses Tibetan Singing bowls at the beginning and closing of her meditations; using sound to evoke the “relaxation response” is one of the simplest and non-invasive ways to de-stress and promote harmony within the mind and body
$10 per session, meet beside the red barn at the Bow Valley Ranch area of Fish Creek Provincial Park.
Register through Eventbrite

Hetty was born and raised in the Netherlands and emigrated to Canada when she was 26. Throughout her own wellness journey, Hetty has come to experience how important meditation and relaxation is to stay balanced, focused and relaxed.

Fish Creek Rocks! Geology Minibus Tour
2015-06-17 13:00 - 15:30 | Alberta
Join the Friends of Fish Creek as we transport you from the Bow Valley Ranch to the Raven Rocks Preservation Zone to observe and learn about rocks and geologic processes from two to 70 million years ago. Learn how deposits from rivers, glaciers and even volcanoes have contributed to this beautiful landscape over time.
Tour guide Rob McWilliam is a retired professional geologist with 13 years experience in the oil patch, in addition to 23 years teaching at S.A.I.T. This is his second year hosting minibus tours for$25 per person, only 8 seats available the Friends of Fish Creek.
Register through Eventbrite
$25 per person, only 8 seats available

Dirt Road History of the Plains and Foothills
2015-06-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Alberta
Dirt Road History of the Plains and Foothills
Thursday, June 18, 2015 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
June Fish Creek Speaker Series – A Special 2-Hour Presentation
Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, Shannon Terrace, Fish Creek Provincial Park (13931 Woodpath Rd. SW – Access via 130 Ave. SW and 37 St. SW)
Presented By Bill Evans – Engineer, Photographer, Explorer and Dirt Road Adventurer
Crisscross the prairie and foothills dirt roads of western Canada and the United States with Bill Evans. Learn about the people, places and events that shaped this unique part of the world. On their travels, Bill and Marg Evans discovered incredible legacies left behind by the first Canadians and Red Coats, adventurers and bullwhackers, homesteaders and ranchers, teachers and men of the cloth and many others, whose lives and experiences are the stuff of novels and the silver screen. We invite you to join us on a multi-media voyage through time in the footsteps of those who went before us. Journey from Wood Mountain to Pinto Horse Buttes, from Cypress Hills to Immigration Gap, from Chesterfield House to the “Ridge Beneath the Water” to the grasslands of Old Man on His Back, from Whiskey Gap to Signature Rock, from Ft. Benton to Ft. Calgary, and into the lands where the wild horses roam!
Map to Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre
Register through Eventbrite
Bill Evans is native of Saskatchewan where he graduated from the U of S in 1958 with a Geological Engineering degree. He followed this with a Master of Science in Geophysical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. His professional career included operations, research and management assignments in the petroleum industry in Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Texas and New York.
Outside professional work his passions involved travel, photography and history. These interests drew him throughout Canada and around the world with his wife Margaret. This led to production of multi-media travel presentations on subjects including India, Egypt and Jordan, China, Thailand, Australia, Russia, Mongolia and Civilizations of the Americas from the Arctic to American Southwest, Mexico, through to Peru. The latest being Dirt Road History of the Plains and Foothills that traces the people and the places they settled in the plains and foothills of Canada and the United States.
North West Mounted Police outpost at Writing-On-Stone, photo courtesy of Bill Evans

Minibus History Tour
2015-06-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
The History of Fish Creek Provincial Park by Minibus!
Saturday, June 20th from 10am to noon
Meet in the Bow Valley Ranch parking lot beside the red barn (take Bow Bottom Trail south until you enter Fish Creek Provincial Park; make a right turn into the main parking lot).
As one of the largest urban parks in North America, Fish Creek Provincial Park has a long and facinating history that includes First Nations groups, North West Mounted Police, homesteading and ranching. Take a spin back in time on our electric minibus and learn about the dance hall days of the area – long before the city joined the landscape – and about the creation of this beautiful urban park.
Tour guide Wayne Meikle worked for Provincial Parks in Alberta for 35 years until he retired as an Urban Park Planner. He worked especially in the area of urban park management and has been involved in operations, construction and planning of urban parks. In Calgary, Wayne has been on numerous planning teams involving the planning and construction of major roadways, constructed wetlands and new subdivisions. He is also one of the founding members of the Friends of Fish Creek and one of our most active and supportive volunteers!
$25 per person, seating is limited to 8 people. Register through Eventbrite
