Download Walk on the Wild Side - Lethbridge Public Library

Speaker Series: “Walk on the Wild Side”
Lethbridge Public Library, Theatre Gallery (Main Branch) at 7 p.m.
Presented by the Waterton Natural History Association
in partnership with Lethbridge Public Library.
April 7 - Kimberly Pearson: “Rescue the Fescue: Conserving and Restoring Waterton Lakes National
Park's Grasslands”
Waterton Lakes National Park protects a unique landscape where the prairies abruptly meet the mountains. Explore the
significance of the park's rich fescue grasslands and how staff and partners are working to ensure they're vital into the
future. View video of the Spring 2015 prescribed fire, get the scoop on some of the park's most exciting volunteer and
educational opportunities and view exciting highlights from recent remote wildlife cameras.
Kim Pearson works as an Ecosystem Scientist for Parks Canada in Waterton Lakes National Park, where she coordinates
grassland conservation and restoration, wildlife movement, and species at risk projects.
Picture provided by Parks Canada
April 14 - Ryan Heavy Head: “Ainna’kootsiiyo’p: Living in Mutual Respect with our Environment and its
Inhabitants”
Our increased access and intrusion into wildlife habitat adds increasing barriers to the normal movement, feeding,
reproduction and survival of many species who share our common fragile landscape. This talk details how snakes and
other wildlife have been responding to these changes, and explores the application of traditional Blackfoot concepts in
current approaches to human-wildlife relationships and species conservation.
Ryan Heavy Head is a well-known naturalist in Southern Alberta, equally recognized for his Blackfoot traditional knowledge
approach to ecological studies, and for his role as the lead conservator for prairie rattlesnakes in the City of Lethbridge.
Picture provided by Ryan Heavy Head
April 21 - Berna-Dean Holland: “Little Burrows on the Prairie: Life and Times of Yellow-Bellied Marmots
in Southern Alberta”
Come learn about the biology, behaviour and life history of the prairie ecotype of Yellow-Bellied Marmots (Marmota
flaviventris). Comparing populations found in different habitats, latitudes and elevations can shed light on our
understanding of the limits of adaptive plasticity within species and show us how Yellow-Bellied Marmots may fare in the
face of rising global temperatures and environmental change.
Picture provided by Berna-Dean Holland
Berna-Dean Holland has a life-long passion and deep respect for nature. In conjunction with her studies, she has worked as
a naturalist, a science camp instructor, an interpreter, and as a zookeeper. At the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre,
she worked with the critically endangered Vancouver Island Marmot, which led to an interest in animal behavior and later
an interest in Alberta’s Yellow-Bellied Marmots.
April 28 - Kevin Van Tighem: “Things With Sharp Teeth: Living with Wolves and Grizzlies"
Our relationships with wolves and grizzly bears are often based more on fear and distrust than on respect and coexistence.
This talk will explore some of the ways in which some hunters, ranchers and recreationists are starting to re-think our
relationship with large carnivores and the remarkable possibilities that could result.
Kevin Van Tighem, author of “Bears Without Fear” and “The Homeward Wolf”, worked in Canada’s national parks for more
than 30 years until retiring in 2011 from his position as Superintendent at Banff National Park.
Picture provided by Kevin Van Tighem
May 12 - “Find the Wild in Waterton” Fair At the Crossings Branch at 6 p.m.
Join us for an evening introduction to the many amazing programs, services, and locations
for family fun and activities in Waterton, Southwest Alberta’s very own National Park!
Find out about geocaching, kite rentals, Parks Canada programs, and more! The evening will
be filled with short presentations, videos, slideshows and hands on demos.
Just in time for summer fun!
Visit www.risenetwork.ca to see which public
libraries in Alberta will be hosting these talks
via videoconferencing.