Good Grief - Spring 2025
2025-04-30 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-07 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-14 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-21 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Edmonton) | Bow Valley Ranch Fish Creek Provincial Park, 15979 Bow Bottom Tr. SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2J 5E8
Good Grief: Nature Walking Through Grief and Loss — Spring 2025
Thanks to a long-standing partnership with Mount Royal University Professor Sonya Jakubec, Good Grief: Nature Walking Through Grief and Loss will be offered in Spring 2025 again. This program is aimed at providing support to those experiencing grief, loss or major life transition.
This eight-week program simply provides an opportunity for participants to connect with nature while connecting with others who share similar experiences. Although not a grief therapy program, Good Grief may provide valuable connection and healing for both participants and volunteer companions. Companions are not providing counseling or therapy; they simply share a common goal of connecting with nature as a place of refuge in acceptance of our journeys of life transition.
Regardless of the transition you are experiencing – be it the loss of a loved one, job or relationship, a significant change in health or mobility, or other deep changes in your life – spending time in nature with people who are on a similar journey might be just the support you need.
We invite you to come walk with us.
The Spring 2025 edition of Good Grief will take place in two separate sessions: on Wednesdays Morning and Evening:
Wednesdays from April 2 to May 21, 2025

Morning: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Evening : 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Registration required. Outings will run in a variety of weather conditions, but may be canceled if severe weather is in the forecast. Participants are encouraged to dress in layers.
Feel free to choose the session that works best for you.
Friends’ Member price: $20 for 8 weeks session
Non-Member price: $30 for 8 weeks session
Register Here
To become a member, please click here.
Each outing will begin with a reading or a shared experience, followed by a walk on a fairly easy 1.5-2 km route. Each of the four routes will be repeated once during the eight-week program – a chance to reflect on the changes in the landscape and ourselves over time. Time, nature and low pressure companionship can be our best supports.
Space is limited to 15 people per session.
Please note that we may cancel the session if registrations are less than 7 people.
If you would like to learn more about the Good Grief program or discuss the program goals and discoveries from previous Good Grief programs, please feel free to contact Sonya Jakubec, our partner at Mount Royal at sjakubec@mtroyal.ca. Inquiries regarding program accessibility can be directed to Rose Ratliffe, Friends of Fish Creek Volunteer Companion at ratliffe@shaw.ca.
Thank you to our Partners and Volunteers for keeping the Good Grief program going! Proceeds support the Friends of Fish Creek’s ongoing efforts to engage the public in responsible stewardship of Fish Creek Provincial Park.

Photo courtesy of Stan Kwasniowski.

Good Grief - Spring 2025 Evening
2025-04-30 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-05-07 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-05-14 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-05-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Bow Valley Ranch Fish Creek Provincial Park, 15979 Bow Bottom Tr. SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2J 5E8

Speaker Series - Search and Rescue in Alberta: an overview
2025-05-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, Shannon Terrace, 15931 Woodpath Rd SW, 15931 Woodpath Rd SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 5R6, Canada
Speaker Series – Search and Rescue in Alberta: An Overview
Welcome to: Search and Rescue in Alberta!
We will learn some myths about search and Rescue in Alberta, how you can keep yourself safe while adventuring and more about the ins and outs on how a call works and what our members actually do, hint it’s a lot of training and more training!
Located at the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre 13931 Woodpath Road SW; this event is perfect for nature enthusiasts of all ages.The presentation will also be made available online via Zoom.
Carolyn Bouwsema is the Vice President with Calgary Search and Rescue. She has a background in outdoor recreation and is often outdoors recreating with her family. She has been with CALSARA since 2018 and has committed over 1500 hours volunteering with the team and supported on over 30 incidents. Within the teams she is a Nationally certified Search Manager, operates as part of the Mountain bike search team, is an AdventureSmart educator, teaches Standard first aid and occasionally don’s our Mascot Suit ‘Tracker’.
Don’t miss this educational opportunity to learn about Alberta Search and Rescue – and what you can do to stay safe while adventuring.

Thursday, May 8, 2025 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Environmental Learning Centre in Shannon Terrace(13931 Woodpath Road S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2W 5R6)
Presented by Carolyn Bouswema with CALSARA.
Tickets are free for Friends members and $10 for non-members. Registration required.

Buy Tickets on Eventbrite

Click to register

To learn more about CALSARA, visit: https://www.calsara.com/

50th Anniversary Celebration: Fish Creek Provincial Park
2025-06-07 10:00 - 15:00 | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, Shannon Terrace, 15931 Woodpath Rd SW, 15931 Woodpath Rd SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 5R6, Canada
50th Anniversary Celebration: Fish Creek Provincial Park
On June 7, come celebrate Fish Creek Provincial Park’s 50th anniversary with us.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., head down to the Bow Valley Ranch day use area for free walking tours, kid-friendly activities, native plant/seed giveaways and planting, and way more! PS – arrive early to grab a slice of anniversary cake.

Visit https://friendsoffishcreek.org/fcpp_50/ to see event activities, partners, sponsors, and more!

Speaker Series: A look into Learning Naturally
2025-06-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Alberta
Getting out into nature makes memories for the rest of our lives, but having the opportunity for exploration can be hard to come by for some schools and families. Through the Learning Naturally Program, students from areas in need get the chance to learn about the wonders of the natural world and the importance of environmental conservation through field trip programs, and build lifelong connections to their local environment for both themselves and their families.

At our June 26 Speaker Series, you’ll learn all about this program, how it started, what it brings to the community, and some important insights on continuing to deliver nature programming to kids who may not have gotten the chance to participate otherwise. Join us for a presentation by co-presenters Katrina Terrill, Executive Director of the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society, and Kayla Campbell, former Learning Naturally Coordinator with the Friends.

Click to purchase tickets on Eventbrite

Growing Up at the Ranch - Fish Creek Historical Tour with Dennis Burns
2025-07-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-26 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-12 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
Ever wonder what it was like growing up on an Alberta ranch? Hear stories from Dennis Burns’ personal history of growing up at the Bow Valley Ranch from 1951 to 1971.

This tour will be a gentle meander through Bow Valley Ranch.

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Dates:

Tuesday, July 8

Saturday, July 26

Tuesday, August 12

Saturday, August 23

Register today! Embedded Eventbrite checkout below:

Tour Duration: About 2 hours

Meeting Point: Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Centre

Maximum Group Size: 20 participants

Distance: 2km

Fish Creek Provincial Park is a vast cultural, historical and ecological resource. The Friends’ tour program offers tremendous opportunities for visitors to learn from experienced guides.

Growing Up at the Ranch - Fish Creek Historical Tour with Dennis Burns
2025-07-26 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-12 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
Ever wonder what it was like growing up on an Alberta ranch? Hear stories from Dennis Burns’ personal history of growing up at the Bow Valley Ranch from 1951 to 1971.

This tour will be a gentle meander through Bow Valley Ranch.

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Click to register on Eventbrite

Tour Duration: About 2 hours

Meeting Point: Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Centre

Maximum Group Size: 20 participants

Distance: 2km

Fish Creek Provincial Park is a vast cultural, historical and ecological resource. The Friends’ tour program offers tremendous opportunities for visitors to learn from experienced guides.

Peace in the Park: Outdoor Yoga with Lauren McBain & The Friends of Fish Creek
2025-08-28 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-09-03 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-09-11 17:30 - 19:30 | Alberta
Join us for Peace in the Park, an evening of yoga, connection, and fresh air in Fish Creek Provincial Park, Calgary’s most beautiful green space. Guided by Lauren McBain, lululemon ambassador and community wellness leader, this class blends movement, mindfulness, and community vibes for an unforgettable outdoor experience. Click below to get your tickets today!

Buy Tickets on Eventbrite

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✨ Dates: August 28, September 3 & 11
✨ Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm (class from 6 – 7 pm)
✨ Location: Glennfield Day Use Area, Fish Creek Provincial Park

Fall Birding - Mondays (12-week course)
2025-09-01 09:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
Friends of Fish Creek Fall Birding Course – Sept 01 to Nov 23, 2025 (12 weeks)

Join the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society this Fall for our ever-popular Birding Course! We will visit different parks throughout the City of Calgary, as we try to capture a great view of birds that live here year-round or migrate through during the Fall months. Our exceptional team of skilled volunteer leaders will guide the way, helping to find and identify the many bird species we hope you will see, and sharing their wealth of knowledge with you!

This 12-week course runs every day of the week, except Fridays, with each session being approximately three hours.

The course is offered at a discounted rate to Friends of Fish Creek members:

– Members – $60/person

– Non-Members – $100/person

If you would like to renew your membership or become a member, please do so through our website before registering for this course. Our memberships are based on a calendar year.

When you register, you will be able to select your preferred day of the week; however, please note that there is a limited number of tickets available for each day. If there are no tickets available for your preferred day, please either register for an alternate day or join our waitlist by selecting the ticket option “My preferred day is sold out” (after which you’ll be given the opportunity to indicate your preferred day later in the registration process). If you are on the waitlist and we have a space for you, we will be in touch.

If you would like to sign up for an additional day each week, you can do so by registering for your preferred day and then also registering for the “Additional Day” ticket (i.e., you will purchase one regular ticket and one add-on). You will be able to indicate your preferred additional day later in the registration process.

You can register multiple people at once; however, please ensure you have their full names, email addresses, and emergency contact information readily available, as you will be required to enter this information as part of the registration process

We appreciate your interest and support. By taking part in this course, not only will you experience a unique opportunity to engage with nature and the outdoors, but you will also be supporting the Friends’ ongoing education and environmental stewardship initiatives in Fish Creek Provincial Park.

If the system isn’t working for you, send a note to birding@friendsoffichcreek.org

Photo: Wood Ducks – taken at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in November 2024 during a Fall Birding outing.

Fall Birding - Tuesdays (12-week course)
2025-09-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
Friends of Fish Creek Fall Birding Course – Sept 02 to Nov 23, 2025 (12 weeks)

Join the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society this Fall for our ever-popular Birding Course! We will visit different parks throughout the City of Calgary, as we try to capture a great view of birds that live here year-round or migrate through during the Fall months. Our exceptional team of skilled volunteer leaders will guide the way, helping to find and identify the many bird species we hope you will see, and sharing their wealth of knowledge with you!

This 12-week course runs every day of the week, except Fridays, with each session being approximately three hours.

The course is offered at a discounted rate to Friends of Fish Creek members:

– Members – $60/person

– Non-Members – $100/person

If you would like to renew your membership or become a member, please do so through our website before registering for this course. Our memberships are based on a calendar year.

When you register, you will be able to select your preferred day of the week; however, please note that there is a limited number of tickets available for each day. If there are no tickets available for your preferred day, please either register for an alternate day or join our waitlist by selecting the ticket option “My preferred day is sold out” (after which you’ll be given the opportunity to indicate your preferred day later in the registration process). If you are on the waitlist and we have a space for you, we will be in touch.

If you would like to sign up for an additional day each week, you can do so by registering for your preferred day and then also registering for the “Additional Day” ticket (i.e., you will purchase one regular ticket and one add-on). You will be able to indicate your preferred additional day later in the registration process.

You can register multiple people at once; however, please ensure you have their full names, email addresses, and emergency contact information readily available, as you will be required to enter this information as part of the registration process

We appreciate your interest and support. By taking part in this course, not only will you experience a unique opportunity to engage with nature and the outdoors, but you will also be supporting the Friends’ ongoing education and environmental stewardship initiatives in Fish Creek Provincial Park.

If the system isn’t working for you, send a note to birding@friendsoffichcreek.org

Photo: Wood Ducks – taken at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in November 2024 during a Fall Birding outing.

Fall Birding - Wednesdays (12-week course)
2025-09-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
Friends of Fish Creek Fall Birding Course – Sept 03 to Nov 23, 2025 (12 weeks)

Join the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society this Fall for our ever-popular Birding Course! We will visit different parks throughout the City of Calgary, as we try to capture a great view of birds that live here year-round or migrate through during the Fall months. Our exceptional team of skilled volunteer leaders will guide the way, helping to find and identify the many bird species we hope you will see, and sharing their wealth of knowledge with you!

This 12-week course runs every day of the week, except Fridays, with each session being approximately three hours.

The course is offered at a discounted rate to Friends of Fish Creek members:

– Members – $60/person

– Non-Members – $100/person

If you would like to renew your membership or become a member, please do so through our website before registering for this course. Our memberships are based on a calendar year.

When you register, you will be able to select your preferred day of the week; however, please note that there is a limited number of tickets available for each day. If there are no tickets available for your preferred day, please either register for an alternate day or join our waitlist by selecting the ticket option “My preferred day is sold out” (after which you’ll be given the opportunity to indicate your preferred day later in the registration process). If you are on the waitlist and we have a space for you, we will be in touch.

If you would like to sign up for an additional day each week, you can do so by registering for your preferred day and then also registering for the “Additional Day” ticket (i.e., you will purchase one regular ticket and one add-on). You will be able to indicate your preferred additional day later in the registration process.

You can register multiple people at once; however, please ensure you have their full names, email addresses, and emergency contact information readily available, as you will be required to enter this information as part of the registration process

We appreciate your interest and support. By taking part in this course, not only will you experience a unique opportunity to engage with nature and the outdoors, but you will also be supporting the Friends’ ongoing education and environmental stewardship initiatives in Fish Creek Provincial Park.

If the system isn’t working for you, send a note to birding@friendsoffichcreek.org

Photo: Wood Ducks – taken at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in November 2024 during a Fall Birding outing.

Good Grief - Fall 2025 (8-week program)
2025-09-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Bow Valley Ranch Fish Creek Provincial Park, 15979 Bow Bottom Tr. SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2J 5E8
Good Grief: Nature Walking Through Grief and Loss — Fall 2025
Thanks to a long-standing partnership with Mount Royal University Professor Sonya Jakubec, Good Grief: Nature Walking Through Grief and Loss will be offered in Fall 2025. This program is aimed at providing support to those experiencing grief, loss or major life transition.
This eight-week program simply provides an opportunity for participants to connect with nature while connecting with others who share similar experiences. Although not a grief therapy program, Good Grief may provide valuable connection and healing for both participants and volunteer companions. Companions are not providing counseling or therapy; they simply share a common goal of connecting with nature as a place of refuge in acceptance of our journeys of life transition.
Regardless of the transition you are experiencing – be it the loss of a loved one, job or relationship, a significant change in health or mobility, or other deep changes in your life – spending time in nature with people who are on a similar journey might be just the support you need.
We invite you to come walk with us.
Wednesdays from September 3 to October 22, 2025

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Registration required. Outings will run in a variety of weather conditions, but may be canceled if severe weather is in the forecast. Participants are encouraged to dress in layers.
Friends’ Member price: $20 for 8 weeks sessionNon-Member price: $30 for 8 weeks session
Register Here
To become a member, please click here.
Each outing will begin with a reading or a shared experience, followed by a walk on a fairly easy 1.5-2 km route. Each of the four routes will be repeated once during the eight-week program – a chance to reflect on the changes in the landscape and ourselves over time. Time, nature and low pressure companionship can be our best supports.
Space is limited to 15 people per session.Please note that we may cancel the session if registrations are less than 7 people.
If you would like to learn more about the Good Grief program or discuss the program goals and discoveries from previous Good Grief programs, please feel free to contact Sonya Jakubec, our partner at Mount Royal at sjakubec@mtroyal.ca. Inquiries regarding program accessibility can be directed to Rose Ratliffe, Friends of Fish Creek Volunteer Companion at ratliffe@shaw.ca.
Thank you to our Partners and Volunteers for keeping the Good Grief program going! Proceeds support the Friends of Fish Creek’s ongoing efforts to engage the public in responsible stewardship of Fish Creek Provincial Park.

Photo courtesy of Stan Kwasniowski.

Fall Birding - Thursdays (12-week course)
2025-09-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
Friends of Fish Creek Fall Birding Course – Sept 04 to Nov 23, 2025 (12 weeks)

Join the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society this Fall for our ever-popular Birding Course! We will visit different parks throughout the City of Calgary, as we try to capture a great view of birds that live here year-round or migrate through during the Fall months. Our exceptional team of skilled volunteer leaders will guide the way, helping to find and identify the many bird species we hope you will see, and sharing their wealth of knowledge with you!

This 12-week course runs every day of the week, except Fridays, with each session being approximately three hours.

The course is offered at a discounted rate to Friends of Fish Creek members:

– Members – $60/person

– Non-Members – $100/person

If you would like to renew your membership or become a member, please do so through our website before registering for this course. Our memberships are based on a calendar year.

When you register, you will be able to select your preferred day of the week; however, please note that there is a limited number of tickets available for each day. If there are no tickets available for your preferred day, please either register for an alternate day or join our waitlist by selecting the ticket option “My preferred day is sold out” (after which you’ll be given the opportunity to indicate your preferred day later in the registration process). If you are on the waitlist and we have a space for you, we will be in touch.

If you would like to sign up for an additional day each week, you can do so by registering for your preferred day and then also registering for the “Additional Day” ticket (i.e., you will purchase one regular ticket and one add-on). You will be able to indicate your preferred additional day later in the registration process.

You can register multiple people at once; however, please ensure you have their full names, email addresses, and emergency contact information readily available, as you will be required to enter this information as part of the registration process

We appreciate your interest and support. By taking part in this course, not only will you experience a unique opportunity to engage with nature and the outdoors, but you will also be supporting the Friends’ ongoing education and environmental stewardship initiatives in Fish Creek Provincial Park.

If the system isn’t working for you, send a note to birding@friendsoffichcreek.org

Photo: Wood Ducks – taken at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in November 2024 during a Fall Birding outing.

Fall Birding - Saturdays (12-week course)
2025-09-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
Friends of Fish Creek Fall Birding Course – Sept 06 to Nov 23, 2025 (12 weeks)

Join the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society this Fall for our ever-popular Birding Course! We will visit different parks throughout the City of Calgary, as we try to capture a great view of birds that live here year-round or migrate through during the Fall months. Our exceptional team of skilled volunteer leaders will guide the way, helping to find and identify the many bird species we hope you will see, and sharing their wealth of knowledge with you!

This 12-week course runs every day of the week, except Fridays, with each session being approximately three hours.

The course is offered at a discounted rate to Friends of Fish Creek members:

– Members – $60/person

– Non-Members – $100/person

If you would like to renew your membership or become a member, please do so through our website before registering for this course. Our memberships are based on a calendar year.

When you register, you will be able to select your preferred day of the week; however, please note that there is a limited number of tickets available for each day. If there are no tickets available for your preferred day, please either register for an alternate day or join our waitlist by selecting the ticket option “My preferred day is sold out” (after which you’ll be given the opportunity to indicate your preferred day later in the registration process). If you are on the waitlist and we have a space for you, we will be in touch.

If you would like to sign up for an additional day each week, you can do so by registering for your preferred day and then also registering for the “Additional Day” ticket (i.e., you will purchase one regular ticket and one add-on). You will be able to indicate your preferred additional day later in the registration process.

You can register multiple people at once; however, please ensure you have their full names, email addresses, and emergency contact information readily available, as you will be required to enter this information as part of the registration process

We appreciate your interest and support. By taking part in this course, not only will you experience a unique opportunity to engage with nature and the outdoors, but you will also be supporting the Friends’ ongoing education and environmental stewardship initiatives in Fish Creek Provincial Park.

If the system isn’t working for you, send a note to birding@friendsoffichcreek.org

Photo: Wood Ducks – taken at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in November 2024 during a Fall Birding outing.

Fall Birding - Sunday Mornings (12-week course)
2025-09-07 09:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
Friends of Fish Creek Fall Birding Course – Sept 07 to Nov 23, 2025 (12 weeks)

Join the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society this Fall for our ever-popular Birding Course! We will visit different parks throughout the City of Calgary, as we try to capture a great view of birds that live here year-round or migrate through during the Fall months. Our exceptional team of skilled volunteer leaders will guide the way, helping to find and identify the many bird species we hope you will see, and sharing their wealth of knowledge with you!

This 12-week course runs every day of the week, except Fridays, with each session being approximately three hours.

The course is offered at a discounted rate to Friends of Fish Creek members:

– Members – $60/person

– Non-Members – $100/person

If you would like to renew your membership or become a member, please do so through our website before registering for this course. Our memberships are based on a calendar year.

When you register, you will be able to select your preferred day of the week; however, please note that there is a limited number of tickets available for each day. If there are no tickets available for your preferred day, please either register for an alternate day or join our waitlist by selecting the ticket option “My preferred day is sold out” (after which you’ll be given the opportunity to indicate your preferred day later in the registration process). If you are on the waitlist and we have a space for you, we will be in touch.

If you would like to sign up for an additional day each week, you can do so by registering for your preferred day and then also registering for the “Additional Day” ticket (i.e., you will purchase one regular ticket and one add-on). You will be able to indicate your preferred additional day later in the registration process.

You can register multiple people at once; however, please ensure you have their full names, email addresses, and emergency contact information readily available, as you will be required to enter this information as part of the registration process

We appreciate your interest and support. By taking part in this course, not only will you experience a unique opportunity to engage with nature and the outdoors, but you will also be supporting the Friends’ ongoing education and environmental stewardship initiatives in Fish Creek Provincial Park.

If the system isn’t working for you, send a note to birding@friendsoffichcreek.org

Photo: Wood Ducks – taken at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in November 2024 during a Fall Birding outing.

Fall Birding - Sunday Afternoons (12-week course)
2025-09-07 13:15 - 16:00 | Alberta

Speaker Series: Thesium arvense, a new weed of concern
2025-09-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Alberta
Join Mary Ann McLean, Professor at St. Mary’s University, to learn about a new weed of concern, Thesium arvense.

Click to purchase tickets on Eventbrite
