BOW VALLEY – Anyone passing through the Rocky Mountains in the coming days will have an opportunity to experience nature in more than one way.
From May 8 to 14, residents of the Bow Valley can enjoy more than 100 events stretching from Golden, B.C. to Wasa, B.C. through the Wings Over The Rockies Nature Festival. This festival is one of the premier nature festivals in Western Canada
“The festival has a number of different things that it is trying to do. It wants to ensure and promote nature to help give people the opportunity to appreciate and learn from nature,” said Brian Wesley, marketing director for the Wings over the Rockies Nature Festival Society. “We also host the festival in the shoulder season, and it is helpful to the local economy when we get people coming here who otherwise may not do so.”
Throughout the week, there are many events which include bird watching, outdoor events, evening presentations, a Saturday evening soiree and a large concert. All these events happen over a stretch of area that is about a one-and-a-half hour drive from end to end.
In the Bow Valley, photographer Claude Rioux will guide walkers on a birding tour in the Fairmont Meadows area the morning of May 8. Other local events include birding tours by golf cart at Riverside Golf Course and a walk to watch for waterfowl at Radium Pond and along the Columbia River.
“[People] will have the opportunity to view nature at these events. These events are often led by a leader who has experience,” said Wesley. “Some of the events are quite active with hiking and paddling. At lunchtime, we have the opportunity for people to have lunch and listen to our speakers talk about a particular subject.”
This year, the keynote address at the soiree will be given by Dale Leckie, who will speak about exploring the landscapes and wildlife connections, and its importance.
“On Saturday night, we have our gala event where people can get together to mix and mingle over appetizers and a glass of wine,” said Wesley. “It provides an opportunity for people to engage, meet others, socialize, and hear our keynote speaker. He will talk about the geology of the valley and how it relates to wildlife.”
Overall, the entire week-long event is an excellent opportunity for people to learn about the nature of the area, the human impact on the landscape and the flora and fauna that inhabits the area.
“We as an organization strive to ensure that people who come here enjoy the whole event,” Wesley said. “Events will happen rain or shine and we have been fortunate over the years.”
For more information, visit: www.wingsovertherockies.org.
