Photo: Ian Stirling

MEETING NANUK
In person with Ian Stirling

NANUK, THE INUIT WORD FOR POLAR BEAR, symbolizes the Arctic more than any other animal. “Like the surrounding landscape, the polar bear is impressive in its sheer size and rugged beauty,” explains Ian Stirling.

Although it walks around on land, the polar bear is primarily a marine mammal, spending themajority of the year on sea ice where its very survival depends.With the effect of climate warming, however, retreating northern ice cover can prove to be disastrous for the polar bear. Since Canada is home to approximately 60% of the world’s polar bear population, it is of particular concern for Canadians.

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Photo: Canadian Space Agency

A WALK IN SPACE
with Canadian Astronaut Steve MacLean

IMAGINE FLYING FROM VANCOUVER TO HALIFAX in less than 20 minutes —or witnessing 16 sunrises and sunsets in one 24-hour period. That’s what it’s like to hurtle through space at eight kilometres per second in a shuttle and circle the entire globe every 90 minutes.

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Fall 2007

WILD ABOUT WEATHER
An evening with David Phillips

Photo: Darren Stone, Victoria Times-Colonist

Why is weather so important to Canadians? Why are we obsessed with it? After all, we can’t really change the weather. There are times when Canadians seem so disgusted by the weather, yet so secretly proud of its power at the same time. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear – our weather is not boring! An average year in Canada includes three million lightning strikes, 80 to 100 tornadoes, brushes with three or four tropical cyclones, temperatures that range from +40° to -50°C, blizzards and glaze, droughts and floods.

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Spring 2007

MEETING NANUK In person with Ian Stirling

Nanuk, the Inuit word for polar bear, symbolizes the Arctic more than any other animal. Recognized as one of the world's leading experts on polar bears, Ian Stirling captivates his audience as he describes the natural history of polar bears, their annual cycle in western Hudson Bay, where fasting plays an important role, and how climate warming is affecting them in Hudson Bay and potentially elsewhere. In his 1998 book Polar Bears, he recounts his experiences in studying these magnificent animals, including the time he performed artificial respiration on a tranquilized polar bear for three hours after it had stopped breathing. Please join The Royal Canadian Geographical Society in welcoming Ian Stirling and his tales of Nanuk.

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Fall 2006

THE ICEMAN RETURNS TO LABRADOR by Jerry Kobalenko

In January 2004, Jerry Kobalenko set out on an extraordinary expedition; travelling solo from Churchill Falls to Nain to test whether his years of travelling in subzero climates by ski and on foot would give him an advantage over a much younger man. Except that the person he was testing himself against was a younger version of himself! It was 20 years ago that Kobalenko skied that same route across the interior of Labrador on his first northern expedition.

On his return trip to Labrador, Jerry travelled exactly as he did the first time — alone, at the same bone-chilling time of year, with no support from airdrops, caches and communications. Imagine what it would be like to be dropped off by helicopter in the middle of a winter landscape? It's -35° , and the only shelter you have is what you can haul and there will not be another human in sight for 39 days.

Jerry Kobalenko doesn't just endure such adventures, he revels in them! The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is pleased to present this modern day adventurer, whose incredible photographs and stories are sure to capture and inspire the imagination of everyone attending the presentation.

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Spring 2006

FATHER GOOSE: The WILD life of Bill Lishman

Bill Lishman aka Father Goose is a Canadian original. Award winning sculptor, film maker, naturalist and inventor, Bill's presentation will take audiences on an autobiographical journey that includes the incredible story of how he earned the name Father Goose, featured in the film "Fly Away Home", by leading the first experimental migration of Canada geese. Bill is currently working on a project to establish a backup migratory flock of the highly endangered whooping cranes. A world renowned artist, Bill's works include two award-winning films and numerous works of public art. Nicknamed Wild Bill, it is not surprising that this is the same man who built a 21st century earth-integrated domed home! Join us in welcoming Bill Lishman who describes himself as "a man whose ideas are his next reality".

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Fall 2005

The Nahanni is a globally significant boreal wilderness area in Canada's Northwest Territories. This event will bring together traditional and scientific knowledge to present a compelling case for the need to expand protection for the Nahanni. The presentations will feature internationally renowned geographer, Dr. Derek Ford, whose presentation will include a lecture and slideshow emphasizing the beauty and importance of the Nahanni. Dr. Ford will be joined by Grand Chief Herb Norwegian of the Dehcho First Nations, in whose traditional territory the Nahanni National Park Reserve and World Heritage Site are located.

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BEING CARIBOU with Karsten Heuer

Wildlife biologist and adventurer Karsten Heuer set off with his filmmaking wife Leanne Allison in April 2003 to document the caribou's side of the story in the decades-old debate over whether or not to develop the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil. For five months the newlywed couple skied, walked and swam with the 123,000-member herd as they migrated from their Yukon winter range to their Alaskan calving grounds and back again, enduring the same blizzards, river crossings, bears, wolves and bugs in this remote and spectacular corner of North America.

Come hear stories, view slides, and watch clips from the couple's award winning film as Karsten recounts the epic 1,500-kilometre experience of Being Caribou.

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Dreams and Journeys: An Environmental Odyssey
By Mike Beedell and Ian Tamblyn

Photograph: Mike Beedell

Join Mike Beedell and Ian Tamblyn for an evening of songs, laughter and incredible beauty as they relive their journeys to some of the most far-flung corners of Canada. Mike Beedell is an award winning photographer and wilderness guide with a great passion for the Canadian landscape. Ian Tamblyn is known as Canada's "folk troubadour". Both found inspiration for their work during the many journeys they have taken together.

Listen, watch, learn and sing along with these two explorers. Come experience their unforgettable journeys and perhaps you will come away with some dreams for travels of your own.

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Fall 2004

If Jerry Kobalenko's love for Ellesmere Island isn't contagious, then his spirit of discovery will be!

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True North, Wild & Free

A National celebration of the Boreal Forest.

Join CPAWS in a Canada-wide celebration, encompassing photos, stories and songs inspired by the Boreal Forest.

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Spring 2004

Grizzly Seasons
by Charlie Russell

Through his breathtaking photography and heart-warming stories, Charlie helps us understand and celebrate the magnificence of the grizzly bear.

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Fall 2003

Step by Step to the Summit
by Bernard Voyer, O.C., C. Q.

Bernard Voyer takes the audience step by step, through his breathtaking photography, on a trek to the North and South poles, Mount Everest and other high points on the planet. Enjoy some of the Earth's most extreme and beautiful geography in the company of one of Canada's most recognized adventurers.

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