Summer Walk with Wayne Meikle
2018-06-09 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Edmonton) | Glennfield, Fish Creek, 14228 Bannister Rd. SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2X 3J3, Canada
Each area of Fish Creek Provincial Park is special and unique in its own right, and Glennfield and Shaw’s Meadow are no exceptions. Join Friends’ founding member and volunteer extraordinaire, Wayne Meikle, to learn about the history of these areas and how Fish Creek Provincial Park came to be.
Only $5 – Register through Eventbrite

Grizzly Bears in Kananaskis Country
2018-05-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, 13931 Woodpath Rd SW, Calgary, AB, T2W 5R6, Canada
The May Fish Creek Speaker Series
Grizzly Bears in Kananaskis Country – Tools for Managing Grizzlies and Bear Populations
Thursday, May 24, 2018 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, Shannon Terrace, Fish Creek Provincial Park,13931 Woodpath Rd. SW
Presented by John Paczkowski, Park Ecologist with Alberta Environment and Parks
Park Ecologist John Paczkowski will first present on the latest grizzly bear population census work for the grizzly bear management area which includes Kananaskis Country down to the Crowsnest Pass. There will also be a discussion about the aversive conditioning program in Kananaskis Country. For almost 20 years, this program has aimed to reduce bear-human incidents by monitoring and conditioning grizzly bears in the region. Join us on May 24 to enter the unique and fascinating world of grizzly bears!
Register through Eventbrite
Photo courtesy of pixabay.com

Star Night in Fish Creek
2018-04-21 19:00 | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, 13931 Woodpath Rd. SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 5R6, Canada
Presented by Alberta Parks and Calgary Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
For more info please contact: Shalane Friesen Phone: 403-297-7926 Email: fishcreek.education@gov.ab.ca
Star Night is a free family event! No registration needed.
7:00-10:00pm at the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre
Come and enjoy:

viewing the night sky through telescopes
guided night walks
indoor activities and displays
learning about local night creatures.

Remember to:

dress for the weather
cover your flashlights with red to prevent night vision loss (thin fabric and tissue paper work well).

This event will run regardless of weather, cloudy or clear.
Photo courtesy of John McFaul

ReWilding, a Story of Fish Creek Restoration
2018-04-19 19:00 - 20:00 | 13931 Woodpath RD SW Calgary Alberta T2W 5R6, 13931 Woodpath RD SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 5R6, Canada
The April Fish Creek Speaker Series
ReWilding, a Story of Fish Creek Restoration
Presented by Drew McKibbon, Friends of Fish Creek Tour Guide
Fish Creek Provincial Park is a rare gem set within one of the most populous and fastest growing cities in Canada, but its nature must be managed within the urban setting and protected from a crush of users. Join Friends of Fish Creek Tour Guide Drew McKibbon for both an introduction and an update on one of the Friends’ current and most important objectives: the restoration and preservation of the creek’s ecosystem. ReWilding Through Restoration is a long-term program reaching back to 2012, when the biological integrity of the riparian land one kilometer upstream from the Bow River was studied. Defined by the creek’s banks and active floodplains, that land was found to be threatened by recreational use and invasive plant species. ReWilding Through Restoration is preserving and restoring the creek’s riparian health by helping park users understand this important issue, and by cultivating native plants. ReWilding Through Restoration is as much about you as it is about the park.
Register through Eventbrite
Pelican photo courtesy of Maddy Misfeldt

Night Sky Wonders with Don Hladiuk
2018-04-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Centre, 15979 Bow Bottom Trail
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 what’s happening in the night sky and how to find some easily identifiable objects observable from within the City limits. 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!
$15 per person, children 12 and under are free – Register through Eventbrite
**Please note that part of this session will be outdoors; be sure to dress as if it is 10 degrees colder than the actual temperature, as there will be little walking or movement to keep you warm. If the weather is too cool or sky conditions are foggy/cloudy, the entire program will take place indoors.**

Bebo Grove Early Spring Walk
2018-03-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Bebo Grove Day Use Area Parking Lot
Bebo Grove Early Spring Walk with Wayne Meikle
Bebo Grove Day Use Area, Fish Creek Provincial Park (south end of 24 St. SW just past Woodpark Blvd. SW)
Join Friends of Fish Creek founding member, Wayne Meikle, on an Early Spring walk through Bebo Grove and learn some of the fascinating and little known history of Fish Creek Provincial Park. Experience the beauty of the winter landscape with this treasured local expert as your guide.
Only $5 per person.
Register through Eventbrite
Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for the winter/spring walking! The cold weather cut-off for this walk is -10 ºC. Please stay tuned for updates.
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. He was one of the original founding members of the Friends of Fish Creek 25 years ago and continues to be one of our most dedicated volunteers.

Fantastic Fossils: Where, How, and Why to Find Them
2018-03-22 19:00 - 20:00
Fantastic Fossils: Where, How, and Why to Find Them
Presented by Ben Borkovic, Palaeontologist with the Royal Tyrrell Museum Flood Mitigation Project
Palaeontology is alive and well in Alberta! Since the floods of June 2013 numerous dinosaur fossils have been discovered and collected as part of a dedicated effort to recover at-risk specimens. These, and other discoveries, are advancing our understanding of Cretaceous Alberta’s dinosaur fauna and have resulted in new scientific publications. Come learn about some newly unearthed Alberta specimens, how they were found and collected, and why they matter for the future of palaeontology.
Registration Required.
Register through Eventbrite
Photo courtesy of Ben Borkovic, skull of duck-billed dinosaur dating back approx 75 million years, recovered from the Castle River area in southwestern Alberta.

Winter Walk Day
2018-02-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Hull’s Wood Amphitheatre, south end of Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Hull’s Wood Winter Walk with Wayne Meikle
Celebrated across the province on the 1st Wednesday in Alberta, Winter Walk Day encourages Albertans to get outside and be active in the winter. Join Friends of Fish Creek founding member, Wayne Meikle, in celebration of Winter Walk Day and for this rare opportunity for a wintery walk through Hull’s Wood. Wayne will share his depth of knowledge on the history, development and local ecology in Fish Creek Provincial Park, in addition to personal stories from his time as park planner and manager.
Only $5 per person.
Register through Eventbrite
Meet at Hull’s Wood, Fish Creek Provincial Park (Bow Bottom Tr. south, first left passed the Bow Valley Ranch)
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. He was one of the original founding members of the Friends of Fish Creek 25 years ago and continues to be one of our most dedicated volunteers.
Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for the winter walking! The cold weather cut-off for this walk is -10 ºC. Please stay tuned for updates
Read more about Winter Walk Day

Snakes of Alberta
2017-11-23 19:00 - 20:00
Snakes of Alberta – Why Everyone Should Love Snakes
Thursday, November 23, 2017, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Presented by Sandi Robertson, Wildlife Biologist Alberta Environment and Parks
You may have seen red-sided or wandering garter snakes here in Fish Creek Provincial Park, sun bathing on the pathway, or heard them rustling through the underbrush, but did you know that four other snake species live in this province? Alberta’s other snake species include the bullsnake, the western hog-nosed snake, the plains garter snake and the iconic prairie rattlesnake. The protected snake hibernaculaum at Shannon Terrace provides a place for snakes to breed and live throughout the winter. Although many people dislike snakes and are scared of them, only one species in Alberta has venom that is poisonous to humans, the prairie rattler. Join Sandi Robertson, wildlife Biologist Alberta Environment and Parks, on November 23 to learn about this province’s fascinating snakes, where in the province these snakes live, which ones are at risk and why everyone should love snakes. Sandi focuses on snake Species at Risk and she monitors snake populations and implements recovery actions.
Register through Eventbrite

Ghosts of Fish Creek Provincial Park
2017-10-26 18:30 - 19:30
The fascinating history of Fish Creek Provincial Park lends itself to a myriad of mysterious happenings! Tour guide Wayne Meikle has had his own share of scary encounters in the park during his time as an Alberta Parks employee, and he’ll share this and more during this fun and freaky walking tour of the Bow Valley Ranch.
Back by popular demand, this event sells out quickly every year – don’t wait too long to register!
$7 per person – Register through Eventbrite (no drop in’s, please)

The Ghosts of Fish Creek Provincial Park
2017-10-24 18:30 - 19:30
This tour is now full but there is another tour on Thursday, October 26
Register for October 26
The fascinating history of Fish Creek Provincial Park lends itself to a myriad of mysterious happenings! Tour guide Wayne Meikle has had his own share of scary encounters in the park during his time as an Alberta Parks employee, and he’ll share this and more during this fun and freaky walking tour of the Bow Valley Ranch.
Back by popular demand, this event sells out quickly every year – don’t wait too long to register!
$7 per person – Register through Eventbrite (no drop in’s, please)

ReWilding Through Restoration Walking Tour with Drew McKibben
2017-10-07 13:00 - 15:00
ReWilding Through Restoration with Drew McKibben – October 7, 1-3pm
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 Drew McKibben to learn about how this happens and how the Friends work to engage the community at large in helping to “ReWild” the park through hands-on stewardship work.
Only $7, Register through Eventbrite

Planned Giving for Healthy Families
2017-09-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, 13931 Woodpath Rd. SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 5R6, Canada
Planned Giving for Healthy Families – Leaving a Legacy, Planning Your Estate, and Charitable Giving
Wednesday, September 27, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Presented by Aaron Bickman, Trust and Estate Practitioner in the Wills & Estates group of McLeod Law
Planned Giving is having a say in what happens to your assets, and it protects your wealth for the enjoyment of your beneficiaries. With an estate plan in place and by taking a few basic steps to prepare, you can reduce the stress to family members and loss of estate value considerably. Your estate plan should reflect what is most important to you and your loved ones.

Creating a solid and comprehensive estate plan will minimize the tax your family pays, ensure harmony within your family, preserve wealth and protect your family’s future. To ensure the proper management and distribution of the funds you leave behind, it is important to learn when to change or update your will and what happens if you do not have a will. Learn why proper estate planning is important, what documents you need to have in place, and the basics of planned giving with a focus on charities that you value the most.
Register through Eventbrite

Photo by Shelbey Deeter on Unsplash

Introduction to Photography Minibus Tour with Bob Bakker
2017-09-23 09:00 - 11:00, 2017-09-07 09:00 - 11:00, 2017-08-12 09:00 - 11:00, 2017-07-11 09:00 - 11:00
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.
Bring your camera, camera manual, and enthusiasm. Tripod optional. Dress for the weather, bring sunscreen, insect repellent etc. All tours leave from the Bow Valley Ranch.
$20 per person (seating limited to 8 people) Register through Eventbrite

Forest Bathing: Discovering the Medicine of the Forest
2017-09-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, 13931 Woodpath Rd. SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 5R6, Canada
Join Forest Bathing guide Ronna Schneberger as she leads you on a gentle and inspiring journey towards an improved sense of wellness. Forest Bathing or Shinrin Yoku has been scientifically proven to improve peoples’ health and what better place to take in the forest atmosphere than right here in Fish Creek Provincial Park?
This gentle model is ideal for all types of people and abilities. Shinrin Yoku is used in the Japanese healthcare system and doctors prescribe time in nature to reduce stress, to increase creativity and to improve overall wellness. Here in North America, we know that being in nature just feels right and can help one focus on life’s challenges by decluttering the mind and reaching a sense of inner peace. Connect with nature and yourself by experiencing the splendours of nature all around you with all your senses through Forest Bathing.
Join instructor Ronna Schneberger for this two-hour workshop and learn about the concept and practice of this healing modality.
Ronna is a naturalist and guide in Banff National Park, she is the first person in Alberta to teach the famous Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku or Forest Bathing.
Only $25, Register through Eventbrite

Full Moon Meditation
2017-09-06 19:00 - 20:30, 2017-08-07 19:00 - 20:30
Our Wellness instructors will each take a turn in offering full moon meditation sessions on full moon evenings throughout the summer. Join in on the amazing full moon energy!
All sessions are outdoors and will be held at the Bow Valley Ranch from 7-8:30pm

$10 per session – Register through our Wellness Page

Plein-Air Beginner Watercolour with Yasmin Irani
2017-08-17 10:00 - 14:00
Hesitant to try watercolour painting? Now is the time to give it a try! Lose yourself and learn to paint in the beautiful, natural surroundings of Fish Creek Provincial Park. No previous experience required.
Only $45 (8 spaces available) – Register through Eventbrite

Leave It To Beaver Walking Tour
2017-08-15 16:30 - 18:00
We call them nature’s engineers for good reason. No species other than humans has the potential to change the landscape as much as beavers do. They are strong, intelligent, hard working and make a significant contribution to watershed resiliency. Join us to understand their role in Canadian history and the part they play as integral members of the greater wildlife community.
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

Paint What You See with Jim Pescott
2017-08-15 10:00 - 14:00
Spend the day painting among the trees and let the landscape speak to you. This “Plein Air” (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!
Only $45 (10 spaces available) – Register through Eventbrite

Spring Forest Qi-Gong
2017-08-14 19:00 - 20:00
Wellness Pass – 6 sessions for only $50 – https://wellnesspass.eventbrite.ca
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 June 26 to August 28, Monday evenings from 7-8pm
All sessions are outdoors and will be held at the Bow Valley Ranch
$10 per session – Register through our Wellness Page

Paint Out! August 11
2017-08-11 18:30 - 21:00 | Bow Valley Ranch Fish Creek, 15975 Bow Bottom Tr. SE, Calgary, T2P 2M7
Painting in the Park

Join the Friends as we venture into all things artistic with a few fun and creative outdoor painting workshops at various locations in the park.
Please note that these outdoor workshops may need to be moved indoors due to inclement weather.
Paint Out!
What better way to connect with nature than to immerse yourself and try to capture it in paint! This 2.5 hour painting workshop lead by instructor Gerry Mulhall, will help you learn to simplify composition and capture the natural light using a limited palette and your imagination! Perfect for those with a bit of experience, and you can paint in any medium (oil, acrylic or watercolour.)
View Supply List
Only $35 (8 spaces available) – Register through Eventbrite

For Painting in the Park classes, please print your ticket and bring to Kensington Art Supply & Instruction for a 15% discount on supplies
(120, 6999 – 11 Street SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2S1 403-283-2288)

Marshall Springs Walking Tour with Wayne Meikle
2017-08-08 19:00 - 21:00
Each area of Fish Creek Provincial Park is special and unique in its own right, and Marshall Springs is no different. Join Friends’ founding member and volunteer extraordinaire, Wayne Meikle, to learn about the history of the area and how Fish Creek Provincial Park came to exist.
Only $5 – Register through Eventbrite
Meet in the Marshall Springs parking lot, just off of Fish Creek Blvd SW

Leave It To Beaver Minibus Tour
2017-08-08 16:30 - 18:00
We call them nature’s engineers for good reason. No species other than humans has the potential to change the landscape as much as beavers do. They are strong, intelligent, hard working and make a significant contribution to watershed resiliency. Join us to understand their role in Canadian history and the part they play as integral members of the greater wildlife community.
Join us for this open air minibus tour from the Bow Valley Ranch out to Hull’s Wood to see lots of beaver activity and learn all about how we work to coexist in Fish Creek Provincial Park.
$15 per person (seating limited to 8 people) Register through Eventbrite

Spring Forest Qi-Gong
2017-07-31 19:00 - 20:00, 2017-07-24 19:00 - 20:00
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 June 26 to August 28, Monday evenings from 7-8pm
All sessions are outdoors and will be held at the Bow Valley Ranch
$10 per session – Register through Eventbrite

Griefwalker Film Screening
2017-07-19 18:30 - 21:00 | Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, 13931 Woodpath Rd. SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 5R6, Canada
Film Screening of Griefwalker
The Friends of Fish Creek, Alberta Parks and Mount Royal University want to celebrate the success of our first ever Good Grief: Walking Through Grief and Loss program with a special event to thank our volunteers, further engage program participants and endeavour to encourage others to learn more about this important work.
Griefwalker (2008, 70mins) is a National Film Board of Canada documentary of Stephen Jenkinson’s work with and on behalf of dying people, directed by Tim Wilson. Jenkinson asks, ”What does it take to fall in love with being alive?”, and the answer that he offers, both unwelcome and vitally necessary, is, “Being willing to see the end of what you love.”
This film screening is free to our valued Good Grief Companions (volunteers) as well as to past Good Grief participants. Admission to the general public is by donation in our efforts to raise funds that will enable us to keep this program going.
Register today through Eventbrite
